Underground in the Original 16-1 Mine
August 2013
These days they employ the use of metal detectors and carefully scan the shattered rocks, hoping to hear that sound we detectorists love to hear.
These days they employ the use of metal detectors and carefully scan the shattered rocks, hoping to hear that sound we detectorists love to hear.
Ask the Experts
July 2013
Q: Is there a special name for this silver and copper alloy?
Q: Is there a special name for this silver and copper alloy?
The Bawl Mill
July 2013
• Can you hear me now?
• IRS = Irresponsible, Renegade Scoundrels
• The $293 million dollar nap
• Can you hear me now?
• IRS = Irresponsible, Renegade Scoundrels
• The $293 million dollar nap
Ask the Experts
July 2013
Q: How can I locate good places to prospect and meet like-minded individuals at the same time?
Q: How can I locate good places to prospect and meet like-minded individuals at the same time?
Legislative and Regulatory Update
July 2013
• Hearing date moved up for preliminary injunction for California suction dredging
• Anti-mining bills in Oregon lead to recall effort
• Hearing date moved up for preliminary injunction for California suction dredging
• Anti-mining bills in Oregon lead to recall effort
The Birimian Greenstone Belts of West Africa
July 2013
The country we were to visit was Burkina Faso, a small country about the same size of my home state of Nevada with about 10 times more people. The second day I was in Africa, we went out to the goldfields for the first time.
The country we were to visit was Burkina Faso, a small country about the same size of my home state of Nevada with about 10 times more people. The second day I was in Africa, we went out to the goldfields for the first time.
Study Confirms Mercury Levels Safe in California's Gold Country
July 2013
While the Water Board documented the selenium levels in fish and noted they exceed the levels of mercury, they have yet to acknowledge the numerous scientific studies that show selenium effectively neutralizes the effects of mercury.
While the Water Board documented the selenium levels in fish and noted they exceed the levels of mercury, they have yet to acknowledge the numerous scientific studies that show selenium effectively neutralizes the effects of mercury.
All About Quartz—Part II
July 2013
In our May 2013 issue, we took a look at the mineral quartz, a mineral very commonly associated with gold. However, gold is not the only reason prospectors are interested in quartz. Quartz can also be very valuable as a gemstone
In our May 2013 issue, we took a look at the mineral quartz, a mineral very commonly associated with gold. However, gold is not the only reason prospectors are interested in quartz. Quartz can also be very valuable as a gemstone
Backwards Find
July 2013
I furiously started pulling material out of the side wall and putting it in my scoop. It didn't take long to discover that the source of the scream was from a one-ounce chunk...
I furiously started pulling material out of the side wall and putting it in my scoop. It didn't take long to discover that the source of the scream was from a one-ounce chunk...
The Pearce Mineralized Area, Dragoon Mountains, Arizona
July 2013
...I would bet considerably more lode gold and silver remains to be found in this area, and there are possibilities for small placers and nugget shooting.
...I would bet considerably more lode gold and silver remains to be found in this area, and there are possibilities for small placers and nugget shooting.
An Alaskan in the Lower 48
July 2013
Our destination was some old hydraulic workings where the old miners had washed literally mountains of material away to expose gold in ancient river channels.
Our destination was some old hydraulic workings where the old miners had washed literally mountains of material away to expose gold in ancient river channels.
Romancing the Rock
July 2013
With the exception of well-established operators with proven reserves and years of field experience, the high price of gold brought a flood of speculators, con men, and real estate brokers into the mix who were not previously engaged in the gold mining market.
With the exception of well-established operators with proven reserves and years of field experience, the high price of gold brought a flood of speculators, con men, and real estate brokers into the mix who were not previously engaged in the gold mining market.
Placer Channel Sampling
July 2013
Sampling gold placers can be rewarding, but remember to treat the samples so you are not high grading or low grading your results. Learn the rules and apply them so your samples are accurate.
Sampling gold placers can be rewarding, but remember to treat the samples so you are not high grading or low grading your results. Learn the rules and apply them so your samples are accurate.
The Oquirrh Mountains, Utah
July 2013
...we will visit three dormant mining districts that lie in the Oquirrh Range in Utah. Some major activity that transformed the lives of thousands of people occurred here from the mid 1860s to the late 1990s.
...we will visit three dormant mining districts that lie in the Oquirrh Range in Utah. Some major activity that transformed the lives of thousands of people occurred here from the mid 1860s to the late 1990s.
Balmoral Resources
July 2013
One of the oldest sayings in the mining exploration world is that if you are going to search for a new mine, one of the best places to look is near an existing, proven property.
One of the oldest sayings in the mining exploration world is that if you are going to search for a new mine, one of the best places to look is near an existing, proven property.
Record $11 Million Fine for California Mine
July 2013
State regulators imposed a record $11 million fine on the operators of a gold mine in the Sierra foothills east of Sacramento.
State regulators imposed a record $11 million fine on the operators of a gold mine in the Sierra foothills east of Sacramento.
The Bawl Mill
June 2013
• Fried golden eagle is bad; diced is okay
• Your tax dollars at work
• Fried golden eagle is bad; diced is okay
• Your tax dollars at work
Legislative and Regulatory Update
June 2013
• Two million acres of proposed habitat
• Last chance for Nevada claim refunds
• California suction gold dredging update
• Two million acres of proposed habitat
• Last chance for Nevada claim refunds
• California suction gold dredging update
Breaking Rock the Old School Way
June 2013
Prospectors have many reasons why they might want to break rocks. These include dividing up a specimen too large to carry.
Prospectors have many reasons why they might want to break rocks. These include dividing up a specimen too large to carry.
My Lucky Month of March
June 2013
My wife Maureen and I spend part of our winter season in the Quartzsite, Arizona area. One fine March morning, we left our RV camping area at approximately 10am in search of that elusive yellow metal with our metal detectors.
My wife Maureen and I spend part of our winter season in the Quartzsite, Arizona area. One fine March morning, we left our RV camping area at approximately 10am in search of that elusive yellow metal with our metal detectors.












