Legislative and Regulatory Update
March 2013
• Oregon's attack on suction gold dredging
• New DOI Director nominated
• More Forest Service restrictions in the works
• California suction gold dredging
• Oregon's attack on suction gold dredging
• New DOI Director nominated
• More Forest Service restrictions in the works
• California suction gold dredging
Gold Deposits of Montana
March 2013
Historically, Montana has been an important gold producer, in terms of both lodes and placers, and it still produces gold for the prospector today.
Historically, Montana has been an important gold producer, in terms of both lodes and placers, and it still produces gold for the prospector today.
The Story Behind the Story
March 2013
Anyone who has found a patch knows the difficulties involved. Those who haven’t can guess, and with any effort will soon realize it.
Anyone who has found a patch knows the difficulties involved. Those who haven’t can guess, and with any effort will soon realize it.
Benches and Fossil Placers
March 2013
Unfortunately for us mortal humans, we have a poor perspective on geologic time. When we look at a landscape such as a stream valley, we see it only in two, or at the most, three dimensions. We have poor comprehension of the valley’s fourth and most important dimension—time.
Unfortunately for us mortal humans, we have a poor perspective on geologic time. When we look at a landscape such as a stream valley, we see it only in two, or at the most, three dimensions. We have poor comprehension of the valley’s fourth and most important dimension—time.
Turning Hobby Mining into Business Mining
March 2013
The first thing a person should do is seriously consider whether they want to go mining as a hobby or a business, and the tax implications of the choice.
The first thing a person should do is seriously consider whether they want to go mining as a hobby or a business, and the tax implications of the choice.
Buying a Mining Claim: Questions to Ask
March 2013
At one time or another, many miners will look seriously at purchasing a mining claim...Usually it’s a significant financial commitment, so how do you know if you are getting a good deal?
At one time or another, many miners will look seriously at purchasing a mining claim...Usually it’s a significant financial commitment, so how do you know if you are getting a good deal?
Looking for that Hidden Placer
March 2013
I detect in a wide array of situations. I like to search for places that no one has been to. I really like to find areas that have never been worked at all.
I detect in a wide array of situations. I like to search for places that no one has been to. I really like to find areas that have never been worked at all.
The Many Facets of Iron
March 2013
I’ve been fascinated by iron minerals for many years. So let’s take a look at this very interesting and colorful element.
I’ve been fascinated by iron minerals for many years. So let’s take a look at this very interesting and colorful element.
And the Survey Says...
March 2013
A recent online survey on our homepage confirmed what we expected...
A recent online survey on our homepage confirmed what we expected...
$50 Million Swiped in Diamond Heist
March 2013
Eight masked gunmen forced their way through the security fence at Brussels’ international airport, drove onto the tarmac and snatched some $50 million worth of diamonds from the hold of a Swiss-bound plane without firing a shot.
Eight masked gunmen forced their way through the security fence at Brussels’ international airport, drove onto the tarmac and snatched some $50 million worth of diamonds from the hold of a Swiss-bound plane without firing a shot.
The Oretron
November 2000
Most ore bodies generate a voltage, giving the prospector another valuable method of tracing and locating these hidden minerals. With the Oretron, one can sense and measure these voltages along the ground surface...
Most ore bodies generate a voltage, giving the prospector another valuable method of tracing and locating these hidden minerals. With the Oretron, one can sense and measure these voltages along the ground surface...
Drywashing Alluvial Placers
October 2000
Portable, hand-operated, bellows drywashers have been used for over a hundred years to recover gold in the deserts of Arizona, New Mexico, California and Nevada. Drywashers were considered a last resort over...
Portable, hand-operated, bellows drywashers have been used for over a hundred years to recover gold in the deserts of Arizona, New Mexico, California and Nevada. Drywashers were considered a last resort over...
Melman on Gold & Silver
January 2000
Well, this is it, the dawning of the new Millennium. By the time you receive this issue, we will be on the threshold of a new year, decade, century and thousand years. The last people to enjoy such a time were those who lived in the year 999—but there was a staggering difference. At that time...
Well, this is it, the dawning of the new Millennium. By the time you receive this issue, we will be on the threshold of a new year, decade, century and thousand years. The last people to enjoy such a time were those who lived in the year 999—but there was a staggering difference. At that time...
Melman on Gold & Silver
February 2000
After weeks, months, even years of eager anticipation, the New Millennium has dawned!
After weeks, months, even years of eager anticipation, the New Millennium has dawned!
Melman on Gold & Silver
March 2000
The hoopla is over, the spectacular shows are just a memory. The fact is, we're stuck in the 2000s whether we like it or not! And the sad—or glad—reality is that changing the year's first number from a "one" to a "two" hasn't really changed anything other than giving us oldtimers some minor irritation now and then until we get used to things.
The hoopla is over, the spectacular shows are just a memory. The fact is, we're stuck in the 2000s whether we like it or not! And the sad—or glad—reality is that changing the year's first number from a "one" to a "two" hasn't really changed anything other than giving us oldtimers some minor irritation now and then until we get used to things.
Melman on Gold & Silver
April 2000
What a disappointment! Just when things were beginning to get really interesting and both parties had seemingly hotly contested races for the presidential nominations, both Senators involved promptly said, "I quit!," took their bat and ball and headed home!
What a disappointment! Just when things were beginning to get really interesting and both parties had seemingly hotly contested races for the presidential nominations, both Senators involved promptly said, "I quit!," took their bat and ball and headed home!
Melman on Gold & Silver
May 2000
If there is one word which seems to describe the past month on so many fronts, it is the word "dysfunctional." The tone was set when "American Beauty" won the Academy Award for "Best Movie."
If there is one word which seems to describe the past month on so many fronts, it is the word "dysfunctional." The tone was set when "American Beauty" won the Academy Award for "Best Movie."
Melman on Gold & Silver
June 2000
What a month this was. In just thirty days, the financial markets went on binges upward and downward that took the world's breath away.
What a month this was. In just thirty days, the financial markets went on binges upward and downward that took the world's breath away.
Melman on Gold & Silver
July 2000
As many long time readers know, one of my favorite sayings is the Asian expression, "May you live in interesting times." We sure do and if you didn't believe it before, just consider the latest word from the international markets.
As many long time readers know, one of my favorite sayings is the Asian expression, "May you live in interesting times." We sure do and if you didn't believe it before, just consider the latest word from the international markets.
Melman on Gold & Silver
August 2000
Boy, do we ever live interesting times! What other conclusion can we come to when the only real excitement on the whole scene is a kids' book and a TV series about a bunch of people acting in a manner to make the word "weird" seem respectable!
Boy, do we ever live interesting times! What other conclusion can we come to when the only real excitement on the whole scene is a kids' book and a TV series about a bunch of people acting in a manner to make the word "weird" seem respectable!












