Geology and stories from the past
Over the Divide: John A. Miscovich
October 2014
Mining “giant” John A. Miscovich died August 22, 2014, at the age of 96. He was the well-known inventor of the “Intelligiant” water cannon.
Mining “giant” John A. Miscovich died August 22, 2014, at the age of 96. He was the well-known inventor of the “Intelligiant” water cannon.
The Pedro Gold Dredge
October 2014
The decision was made to move the dredge intact, a massive undertaking indeed. The goal was to move it only one mile to the Busby’s Chicken Gold Camp, but what a mile that was to be.
The decision was made to move the dredge intact, a massive undertaking indeed. The goal was to move it only one mile to the Busby’s Chicken Gold Camp, but what a mile that was to be.
Ganes Creek After The Flood
October 2014
Doug told me that there had been a 100-year flood that took place in October of 2013 and it washed out part of the mile-long landing strip. It also washed a large, wide gully down below and above the camp.
Doug told me that there had been a 100-year flood that took place in October of 2013 and it washed out part of the mile-long landing strip. It also washed a large, wide gully down below and above the camp.
Gold Ores of the Delamar District, Nevada
August 2014
Even as late as 1906, Delamar was second only to Tonopah and Goldfield in production outshining many better known areas. Since the first discoveries, more than 700,000 ounces of gold have been produced from the mines here.
Even as late as 1906, Delamar was second only to Tonopah and Goldfield in production outshining many better known areas. Since the first discoveries, more than 700,000 ounces of gold have been produced from the mines here.
The Giant King Mine
July 2014
Most gold-bearing veins in this region are controlled by fractures associated with the Melones Fault, a late Cretaceous structure that is 108 to 127 million years old.
Most gold-bearing veins in this region are controlled by fractures associated with the Melones Fault, a late Cretaceous structure that is 108 to 127 million years old.
Our Readers Say
August 1999
• "...just about more than I can stand."
• "I hope you can answer my number one question..."
• "...I still go out and mine a little at my old stompin' grounds in Siskiyou County..."
• "...New Prospecting Club in the Southeast."
• "...9 ounces...in two weeks."
• "...It's no secret..."
• "...just about more than I can stand."
• "I hope you can answer my number one question..."
• "...I still go out and mine a little at my old stompin' grounds in Siskiyou County..."
• "...New Prospecting Club in the Southeast."
• "...9 ounces...in two weeks."
• "...It's no secret..."
Picks & Pans: Gold Recovery in Placer Mining Operations
August 1999
Two of the major factors affecting the profitability of a placer mining enterprise are the relative efficiency of the mining equipment, and the rate and percentage of recovery obtained while conducting mining operations.
Two of the major factors affecting the profitability of a placer mining enterprise are the relative efficiency of the mining equipment, and the rate and percentage of recovery obtained while conducting mining operations.
PGMs in the United States
August 1999
Until just recently, platinum-group metals (PGMs), especially palladium, had been holding their own on the market. But, Russia has now resumed shipments and it has brought prices down.
Until just recently, platinum-group metals (PGMs), especially palladium, had been holding their own on the market. But, Russia has now resumed shipments and it has brought prices down.
Silver and Base Metal Deposits of the Pioche District
June 2014
The areas that were mineralized with the bedded ore were huge and vast tonnages were indicated, although they had no idea at the time.
The areas that were mineralized with the bedded ore were huge and vast tonnages were indicated, although they had no idea at the time.
Round Mountain, Nevada
May 2014
There are a number of veins in the disseminated mineralization, but the principle ones on Round Mountain are known as the Los Gazabo and the Keane.
There are a number of veins in the disseminated mineralization, but the principle ones on Round Mountain are known as the Los Gazabo and the Keane.
Gold Deposits of the Ivory Coast
April 2014
Ivory Coast has considerable gold reserves, and this nation has the largest area of greenstone belts prospective for gold in the continent.
Ivory Coast has considerable gold reserves, and this nation has the largest area of greenstone belts prospective for gold in the continent.
Reese River Silver Mining District, Nevada
March 2014
The strike and the dip of the veins can be broken down into two categories: veins in the eastern area and along Lander Hill, and the veins in the southwestern portion of the district.
The strike and the dip of the veins can be broken down into two categories: veins in the eastern area and along Lander Hill, and the veins in the southwestern portion of the district.
Gold of the Iditarod Mining District, Alaska
March 2014
It was the middle of winter and the valley was covered in snow, making prospecting a matter of sinking shafts in the ground.
It was the middle of winter and the valley was covered in snow, making prospecting a matter of sinking shafts in the ground.
Natural Gold Alloys
March 2014
Natural gold is never 100% pure; all natural nuggets contain at least some impurities. We're going to take a look at just what some of those impurities might be.
Natural gold is never 100% pure; all natural nuggets contain at least some impurities. We're going to take a look at just what some of those impurities might be.
Eolian Gold Deposits
February 2014
Prospectors who specialize in electronic detecting for nuggets in desert areas are especially interested in this type of deposit, as it yields nuggets that are close to the surface of the ground...
Prospectors who specialize in electronic detecting for nuggets in desert areas are especially interested in this type of deposit, as it yields nuggets that are close to the surface of the ground...
Copper Deposits of Alaska
February 2014
Only the famous Kennecott copper mine was able to continue operating through the Depression owing to the exceptional richness of its ore.
Only the famous Kennecott copper mine was able to continue operating through the Depression owing to the exceptional richness of its ore.
Critical Metals: Lithium
February 2014
Prospecting for lithium deposits can take a number of different directions, because this metal can be extracted from a variety of geologically differnet sources.
Prospecting for lithium deposits can take a number of different directions, because this metal can be extracted from a variety of geologically differnet sources.
Sierra County Gold—Part II
January 2014
...we will continue our examination of the rich streams and mining districts, and then take a look at some of the big nuggets that have been found here.
...we will continue our examination of the rich streams and mining districts, and then take a look at some of the big nuggets that have been found here.
The Silver Islet Mountains of Utah
January 2014
I set up my dry washer on the north side of the cut and sampled the bed rock and dumps around me. As I was only sampling, I ran for 20-30 minutes, shoveling from a variety of areas.
I set up my dry washer on the north side of the cut and sampled the bed rock and dumps around me. As I was only sampling, I ran for 20-30 minutes, shoveling from a variety of areas.
Gold Placers of the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
January 2014
The biggest obstacle is that like many streams on the Kenai Peninsula, high water during the summer months from snow melt and rain can make dredging nearly impossible. The best dredging is in the colder months of the year.
The biggest obstacle is that like many streams on the Kenai Peninsula, high water during the summer months from snow melt and rain can make dredging nearly impossible. The best dredging is in the colder months of the year.
