Arizona's Border Silver Camps
July 2001
Not much has changed along the original stage road that runs easterly from an old schoolhouse northeast of Nogales into the Patagonia Mountains of southern Arizona. Marked on the maps as Duquesne Road, the route has been in use for over 130 years, climbing from the hot desert floor to an almost 6,000-foot elevation pass before dropping back down the eastern slope of the mountains to reach the old mining camps of Washington, Duquesne, and Lochiel.
Not much has changed along the original stage road that runs easterly from an old schoolhouse northeast of Nogales into the Patagonia Mountains of southern Arizona. Marked on the maps as Duquesne Road, the route has been in use for over 130 years, climbing from the hot desert floor to an almost 6,000-foot elevation pass before dropping back down the eastern slope of the mountains to reach the old mining camps of Washington, Duquesne, and Lochiel.
The Stonewall Jackson Mine, San Diego County, California
July 2001
For obvious reasons southern California is not known historically for its gold mines. Gold production was concentrated heavily in the Sierra Nevada foothills in the northern part of the state. However, the high mountainous region of eastern San Diego County was the site of a number of productive hardrock gold mines, notably in the late 19th century.
For obvious reasons southern California is not known historically for its gold mines. Gold production was concentrated heavily in the Sierra Nevada foothills in the northern part of the state. However, the high mountainous region of eastern San Diego County was the site of a number of productive hardrock gold mines, notably in the late 19th century.
Proposal Submitted for Lab at Homestake
July 2001
Rapid City, S.D. (AP)—Scientists and a team of South Dakotans have submitted a $281 million, five-year plan to turn Homestake Mine in Lead into the world’s largest underground laboratory.
Rapid City, S.D. (AP)—Scientists and a team of South Dakotans have submitted a $281 million, five-year plan to turn Homestake Mine in Lead into the world’s largest underground laboratory.
Melman on Gold & Silver
July 2001
Man O Man, if politics isn’t the strangest game! First, we had a Presidential election that wasn’t over the night it’s over, but instead dragged on for weeks on end before “Dubya” was declared the winner. Then we had the Senatorial contest in Washington that dragged on for more weeks before the Democratic candidate won that squeaker, reducing the Senate to a fifty-fifty proposition with the Republicans having a minuscule edge by virtue of the Vice President being of their party.
Man O Man, if politics isn’t the strangest game! First, we had a Presidential election that wasn’t over the night it’s over, but instead dragged on for weeks on end before “Dubya” was declared the winner. Then we had the Senatorial contest in Washington that dragged on for more weeks before the Democratic candidate won that squeaker, reducing the Senate to a fifty-fifty proposition with the Republicans having a minuscule edge by virtue of the Vice President being of their party.
The Bawl Mill
June 2012
• Home, home on the range...where the deer and the non-native antelope play
• Today's math lesson: Study x 3 = Taxpayer Waste
• Home, home on the range...where the deer and the non-native antelope play
• Today's math lesson: Study x 3 = Taxpayer Waste
Our Readers Say
June 2012
Comments Regarding our Gold Prospecting and Mining Summit in mid-May...
"What you did for us was very special...."
"Your patience with all of us is to be commended..."
"I learned a lot and hope to be back again next year...."
Comments Regarding our Gold Prospecting and Mining Summit in mid-May...
"What you did for us was very special...."
"Your patience with all of us is to be commended..."
"I learned a lot and hope to be back again next year...."
Iowa Hill District
June 2012
For the last two years we’ve held a hands-on prospectors training session in the Iowa Hill district of California’s Mother Lode country as a part of our Gold Prospecting and Mining Summit event. Because of this, I thought it might be good to take a look at the history, geology and opportunities that the Iowa Hill district still offers to the individual prospector.
For the last two years we’ve held a hands-on prospectors training session in the Iowa Hill district of California’s Mother Lode country as a part of our Gold Prospecting and Mining Summit event. Because of this, I thought it might be good to take a look at the history, geology and opportunities that the Iowa Hill district still offers to the individual prospector.
Legislative and Regulatory Update
June 2012
• Partial win for miners
• California suction dredging
• Feds continue to push for more public lands
• Idaho suction dredging
• Partial win for miners
• California suction dredging
• Feds continue to push for more public lands
• Idaho suction dredging
Gold Deposition and Gradients of Placer Streams—Part I
June 2012
When placer miners from the gold rush era began experimenting with the slope of their sluices, they must have pondered the ideal slope for trapping gold in a creek bed too. Logic suggests the same is true for streams...
When placer miners from the gold rush era began experimenting with the slope of their sluices, they must have pondered the ideal slope for trapping gold in a creek bed too. Logic suggests the same is true for streams...
Pursuing Rare Earths in Wyoming
June 2012
The company that wants to build and operate the mine, Rare Element Resources Ltd., promises high-wage jobs and economic vitality to an area where 40 percent of the population is age 50 or older.
The company that wants to build and operate the mine, Rare Element Resources Ltd., promises high-wage jobs and economic vitality to an area where 40 percent of the population is age 50 or older.
The Mole
June 2012
My wife Dorothy has always enjoyed tent camping. She thought she was really roughing it at established campgrounds until I convinced her to take a trip with me to drywash for gold in a remote corner of an arid desert wilderness...
My wife Dorothy has always enjoyed tent camping. She thought she was really roughing it at established campgrounds until I convinced her to take a trip with me to drywash for gold in a remote corner of an arid desert wilderness...
Bigger and Better—Gold Prospecting & Mining Summit Recap
June 2012
Our second year’s Summit, held over five days in mid-May, was even bigger and better than last year’s gathering. We had more vendors, more hands-on classes and a very full slate of lectures and presentations. Over 2,300 prospectors attended...
Prospecting for Copper Ores—Part I
June 2012
Copper is one of the metals that form the backbone of our modern civilization. Copper is an essential part of every computer, cell phone, automobile and household appliance.
Copper is one of the metals that form the backbone of our modern civilization. Copper is an essential part of every computer, cell phone, automobile and household appliance.
Repair / Replace Tax Rule Changes
June 2012
In an effort to resolve the controversy over whether certain expenditures made by a mining operation or mining-related business are currently deductible as repair expenses...the Internal Revenue Service has finally released new regulations.
In an effort to resolve the controversy over whether certain expenditures made by a mining operation or mining-related business are currently deductible as repair expenses...the Internal Revenue Service has finally released new regulations.
The Wisdom of Mark Twain—And Tales of Cheating the Unwary Prospector
June 2012
I (enjoy) Twain’s description of a gold mine, “A hole in the ground with a liar at the top.” Some humor here? You bet, but I’m sure he meant it to be a real eye opener as well.
I (enjoy) Twain’s description of a gold mine, “A hole in the ground with a liar at the top.” Some humor here? You bet, but I’m sure he meant it to be a real eye opener as well.
Colorado Mining Association Appeals Roadless Ruling
June 2012
The Colorado Mining Association is asking the US Supreme Court to review a 2001 rule that largely barred new roads on 58 million acres of roadless areas in national forests.
The Colorado Mining Association is asking the US Supreme Court to review a 2001 rule that largely barred new roads on 58 million acres of roadless areas in national forests.
Ganes Creek Hits 10 Years—Part II
June 2012
You keep all you find at Ganes, with weekly tallies kept for a loose competition that I find helps motivate me. I seriously try to find more nuggets than anyone else in a given week, and usually make it or close to it.
You keep all you find at Ganes, with weekly tallies kept for a loose competition that I find helps motivate me. I seriously try to find more nuggets than anyone else in a given week, and usually make it or close to it.
Fifteen and Counting
June 2012
For the 15th consecutive year, ICMJ’s Prospecting and Mining Journal was recently honored as “Prospecting Magazine of the Year” by the Best O’ North East Treasure Hunters!
For the 15th consecutive year, ICMJ’s Prospecting and Mining Journal was recently honored as “Prospecting Magazine of the Year” by the Best O’ North East Treasure Hunters!
Melman on Gold & Silver
June 2012
Unquestionably, it was the other side of the Atlantic Ocean—that is the European side—that provided virtually all the political, economic and social fireworks during the past month.
Unquestionably, it was the other side of the Atlantic Ocean—that is the European side—that provided virtually all the political, economic and social fireworks during the past month.
The Bawl Mill
August 2001
• ...three more days
• ...three more days
