Geology and stories from the past
When Legends Were Made and Fortunes Found
August 2011
Sylvester Smith and his younger brother Nathan were among this group who rode and led their Indian ponies, while climbing the rugged Salmon River breaks and rockhewn mountains, looking for a path that would lead them up and over the uncharted wilderness.
Sylvester Smith and his younger brother Nathan were among this group who rode and led their Indian ponies, while climbing the rugged Salmon River breaks and rockhewn mountains, looking for a path that would lead them up and over the uncharted wilderness.
Exploring and Mining for Uranium
August 2011
For a time uranium was more popular with prospectors than gold, but this is no longer true, and it has been decades since it was common to see individuals armed with Geiger counters out in the field.
For a time uranium was more popular with prospectors than gold, but this is no longer true, and it has been decades since it was common to see individuals armed with Geiger counters out in the field.
What Are Those Rocks In My Pan?
June 2011
The placer mineral identification key is designed to answer this question. It attempts to recognize all the minerals in your gold pan concentrates.
The placer mineral identification key is designed to answer this question. It attempts to recognize all the minerals in your gold pan concentrates.
"Gold Rush: Alaska" in the Porcupine Mining District
June 2011
Honestly, I don’t believe it is likely there would be a glory hole where they described one at the bottom of the waterfall because plunging water with enough energy to scour out a large hole in bedrock would have the scouring ability to grind up and...
Honestly, I don’t believe it is likely there would be a glory hole where they described one at the bottom of the waterfall because plunging water with enough energy to scour out a large hole in bedrock would have the scouring ability to grind up and...
Why Haven't They Mined This Claim?
May 2011
Improvements in mining equipment and techniques, along with a higher gold price, make many mining properties profitable today that may not have been in the past.
Improvements in mining equipment and techniques, along with a higher gold price, make many mining properties profitable today that may not have been in the past.
The Ups and Downs of Geologic Faults
May 2011
Faults are fractures, breaks and broken zones in the Earth’s crust where one side of the break has moved relative to the other, and they come in many different varieties.
Faults are fractures, breaks and broken zones in the Earth’s crust where one side of the break has moved relative to the other, and they come in many different varieties.
One Question, Forever Unanswered—Did He Really Find the Gold?
May 2011
This was one of those stories where you have no doubt that the person telling it believes it to be true. But was it?
This was one of those stories where you have no doubt that the person telling it believes it to be true. But was it?
The Golden Streams of Butte County, California
May 2011
Even though these were some of the earliest placer deposits to be worked, there is still plenty of gold left today—it just takes more work to recover. Knowing about the old locations where gold has been found is the first step to success.
Even though these were some of the earliest placer deposits to be worked, there is still plenty of gold left today—it just takes more work to recover. Knowing about the old locations where gold has been found is the first step to success.
A New Look at Old Mines
April 2011
Exploration companies are actively looking for properties with profitable potential, even if the ground was once cast off as too low in grade to be economically viable. This is especially true in states that are reasonably friendly toward...
Exploration companies are actively looking for properties with profitable potential, even if the ground was once cast off as too low in grade to be economically viable. This is especially true in states that are reasonably friendly toward...
Indicator Minerals for Gold & Silver
April 2011
In this article, we’re going to take a look at the minerals that contain gold and silver, and how you as a prospector can identify them in the field.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at the minerals that contain gold and silver, and how you as a prospector can identify them in the field.
Eastern Arizona: Gold and Base Metal Deposits Part II
March 2011
In this review of precious and base metal deposits in Arizona, it is apparent that several significant mines and mineral deposits occur in eastern Arizona, and there is considerable potential for new discoveries.
In this review of precious and base metal deposits in Arizona, it is apparent that several significant mines and mineral deposits occur in eastern Arizona, and there is considerable potential for new discoveries.
Prospecting With The Help of Fluvial Geomorphology
March 2011
Quiz yourself about the stream in figure 5. Based on your previous knowledge of where gold is found in a stream and in this article, where do you think you will find the most gold?
Quiz yourself about the stream in figure 5. Based on your previous knowledge of where gold is found in a stream and in this article, where do you think you will find the most gold?
Eastern Arizona: Gold and Base Metal Deposits—Part I
February 2011
Arizona is well-known for its copper-gold porphyries and massive base metal-gold sulfide deposits such that primary gold deposits in the state are often overshadowed.
Arizona is well-known for its copper-gold porphyries and massive base metal-gold sulfide deposits such that primary gold deposits in the state are often overshadowed.
The Downieville Gold District
January 2011
Many locals are just waiting for California to allow dredging once more, especially with the current gold prices. There are still plenty of good opportunities for prospectors in this area, just as it has been for so many years.
Many locals are just waiting for California to allow dredging once more, especially with the current gold prices. There are still plenty of good opportunities for prospectors in this area, just as it has been for so many years.
Detecting for Gold in Australia—The Kimberley Trip
December 2010
The hair stood up on the back of my neck when I saw this, especially the nice patches of wash in the bottoms of the gullies, a sure sign of an auriferous source being nearby.
The hair stood up on the back of my neck when I saw this, especially the nice patches of wash in the bottoms of the gullies, a sure sign of an auriferous source being nearby.
Know Your District
December 2010
We have to remember that the earliest miners were not geologists, but came from a variety of backgrounds. Their survival depended on finding enough gold so they worked hard and adapted to whatever challenges these new areas presented.
We have to remember that the earliest miners were not geologists, but came from a variety of backgrounds. Their survival depended on finding enough gold so they worked hard and adapted to whatever challenges these new areas presented.
Undiscovered Placer Deposits in Alaska
November 2010
These conditions don’t just apply to Alaska and the Yukon; they apply to western Canada and even to the mountainous western United States.
These conditions don’t just apply to Alaska and the Yukon; they apply to western Canada and even to the mountainous western United States.
Gold of Plumas County
November 2010
Plumas County has a rich heritage of gold mining, much of it from placer deposits that can still be searched and panned today. Being at the far northern end of California’s famed Mother Lode, it is quite often overlooked by those searching for gold today—really a well-kept secret after all of these years!
Plumas County has a rich heritage of gold mining, much of it from placer deposits that can still be searched and panned today. Being at the far northern end of California’s famed Mother Lode, it is quite often overlooked by those searching for gold today—really a well-kept secret after all of these years!
Prospecting for Nickel Deposits
November 2010
The periodic exploration efforts for nickel during periods of high prices have been sporadic and incomplete. There is a role for the prospector and geologist in searching laterites potentially rich in nickel and mafic igneous bodies that may be rich in nickel.
The periodic exploration efforts for nickel during periods of high prices have been sporadic and incomplete. There is a role for the prospector and geologist in searching laterites potentially rich in nickel and mafic igneous bodies that may be rich in nickel.
