The Life of an Independent Prospector
July 2012
“JP, is it possible to make a living looking for gold with a metal detector?” I get asked this question a lot...
“JP, is it possible to make a living looking for gold with a metal detector?” I get asked this question a lot...
Gold in Guyana—Part I: Porknocking on the Puruni River Road
July 2012
In part one of this two-part series on gold in Guyana, I describe artisanal mining efforts currently winning alluvial gold from small-scale placer operations located along the lower Puruni River and its tributaries.
In part one of this two-part series on gold in Guyana, I describe artisanal mining efforts currently winning alluvial gold from small-scale placer operations located along the lower Puruni River and its tributaries.
That Something Extra
July 2012
The something extra is adventure. I thank God for my gold fever. It has made so much of this adventure possible and caused my path to cross with many persons who have left fond memories indelibly imprinted in my memory.
The something extra is adventure. I thank God for my gold fever. It has made so much of this adventure possible and caused my path to cross with many persons who have left fond memories indelibly imprinted in my memory.
Prospecting for Copper Ores—Part II
July 2012
Copper is a critically important metal that we need to run our modern electronic society, and the long term outlook for this metal is for a steady increase in price.
Copper is a critically important metal that we need to run our modern electronic society, and the long term outlook for this metal is for a steady increase in price.
Metallic Trash—Scourge of the Prospector
July 2012
I had been busy representing the Prospecting and Mining Journal this spring, but prospecting season finally arrived and I’ve been out digging for nuggets—I’ve even found a few. I know a number of prospectors who are armed with new metal detectors and headed to the hills to look for that precious yellow stuff.
I had been busy representing the Prospecting and Mining Journal this spring, but prospecting season finally arrived and I’ve been out digging for nuggets—I’ve even found a few. I know a number of prospectors who are armed with new metal detectors and headed to the hills to look for that precious yellow stuff.
Gold Mining Boom in the Carolinas
July 2012
Not too far from the pine-filled mountains, a young boy was exploring along Meadow Creek in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, one fine day in 1799. He discovered a beautiful rock that he took home and put to good use as a doorstop. Shortly thereafter, a jeweler stopped by to visit his folks, and as it turned out, the new doorstop was actually a 17-pound gold nugget. That nugget truly did open a door as it marked the beginning of the first gold rush in America.
Not too far from the pine-filled mountains, a young boy was exploring along Meadow Creek in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, one fine day in 1799. He discovered a beautiful rock that he took home and put to good use as a doorstop. Shortly thereafter, a jeweler stopped by to visit his folks, and as it turned out, the new doorstop was actually a 17-pound gold nugget. That nugget truly did open a door as it marked the beginning of the first gold rush in America.
California Suction Dredging Update
July 2012
Another California Assembly member, Jared Huffman, is attempting to ban dredging in the state on a more permanent basis.
Another California Assembly member, Jared Huffman, is attempting to ban dredging in the state on a more permanent basis.
Mine, Baby, Mine!
July 2012
In March 2012, the Obama administration filed a World Trade Organization complaint against China. Now this is the election season, and taking potshots at China is an easy and natural thing for just about any politician to do. It’s almost as easy as offering support for motherhood and apple pie because virtually no one is going to oppose you. But this complaint was about mining, and so I thought it worthwhile...
In March 2012, the Obama administration filed a World Trade Organization complaint against China. Now this is the election season, and taking potshots at China is an easy and natural thing for just about any politician to do. It’s almost as easy as offering support for motherhood and apple pie because virtually no one is going to oppose you. But this complaint was about mining, and so I thought it worthwhile...
Hecla to Reopen Lucky Friday Mine
July 2012
Heclas’s underground Lucky Friday Mine in Idaho is scheduled to reopen following a series of accidents, which included the death of two miners.
Heclas’s underground Lucky Friday Mine in Idaho is scheduled to reopen following a series of accidents, which included the death of two miners.
Melman on Gold & Silver
July 2012
On a personal level, I have been part of the business, brokerage and financial columnist worlds for 45 years, since the mid-1960s, and in all those years, I have never seen a collection of negative news items similar to what has been published during the past month. In short, taken together they may very well be describing the end of the economic world systems as we know them.
On a personal level, I have been part of the business, brokerage and financial columnist worlds for 45 years, since the mid-1960s, and in all those years, I have never seen a collection of negative news items similar to what has been published during the past month. In short, taken together they may very well be describing the end of the economic world systems as we know them.
Nova Scotia Shows It's Serious About Jobs & Mining
July 2012
Saying that the Canadian Province of Nova Scotia supports mining and the jobs that mining creates would be an understatement.
Saying that the Canadian Province of Nova Scotia supports mining and the jobs that mining creates would be an understatement.
The Bawl Mill
June 2001
• Energy conservation? Or investing in power?
• Collecting Dividends from the "Brown" fund
• Come rain, sleet, or snow...
• Energy conservation? Or investing in power?
• Collecting Dividends from the "Brown" fund
• Come rain, sleet, or snow...
Our Readers Say
June 2001
• "Fighting Back..."
• "Fighting Back..."
Legislative and Regulatory Update
June 2001
• Bush lets Roadless Rule take effect while promising changes
• USFS seeks comments for Utah forest
• A bold move by a small town
• Forest Service wants to encourage return of Canada lynx
• Update on Oregon's Measure 7
• Bush lets Roadless Rule take effect while promising changes
• USFS seeks comments for Utah forest
• A bold move by a small town
• Forest Service wants to encourage return of Canada lynx
• Update on Oregon's Measure 7
San Diego County Tourmaline
June 2001
San Diego County, California, has long been considered the finest source of pink tourmaline in the world. The Pala, Mesa Grande, Rincon, and Ramona districts in the northern portion of the county have produced tourmaline, kunzite, and other gems in great quantities, much of it jewelry and museum-quality specimens.
San Diego County, California, has long been considered the finest source of pink tourmaline in the world. The Pala, Mesa Grande, Rincon, and Ramona districts in the northern portion of the county have produced tourmaline, kunzite, and other gems in great quantities, much of it jewelry and museum-quality specimens.
Nebraska Couple Finds Big Nugget in Arizona
June 2001
Friends of Don and Marlene Doran often tease them about their hobby of searching for unique rocks. Now they are the ones laughing.
Friends of Don and Marlene Doran often tease them about their hobby of searching for unique rocks. Now they are the ones laughing.
Great Basin Gold
June 2001
The Great Basin, first named by Capt. John Fremont in 1843, consists of a vast region of internal drainage, occupying most of Nevada and western Utah, and parts of California, Oregon, and Idaho.
The Great Basin, first named by Capt. John Fremont in 1843, consists of a vast region of internal drainage, occupying most of Nevada and western Utah, and parts of California, Oregon, and Idaho.
Company Notes
June 2001
• Vista Gold Corp
• Pan American Silver Corp
• Mountain Province Mining
• Vista Gold Corp
• Pan American Silver Corp
• Mountain Province Mining
GATA Update
June 2001
Since we first reported on this story in January 2001, the Gold Anti-Trust Action Committee has been active with their investigation of possible gold price manipulation by the US government, large bullion banks, and the Bank of International Settlements (BIS).
Since we first reported on this story in January 2001, the Gold Anti-Trust Action Committee has been active with their investigation of possible gold price manipulation by the US government, large bullion banks, and the Bank of International Settlements (BIS).
Picks & Pans: Selecting a Gold Dredge
June 2001
I have made my living gold dredging for the past 25 years, and I am often asked how someone should choose their first, or next dredge. There are many considerations, and I hope to save you time and aggravation by sharing with you what I have learned.
I have made my living gold dredging for the past 25 years, and I am often asked how someone should choose their first, or next dredge. There are many considerations, and I hope to save you time and aggravation by sharing with you what I have learned.
