Geology and stories from the past
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.
Prospecting for Diamonds in Kimberlite
January 2014
Kimberlite is very difficult for geologists to find, let alone prospectors and rock hounds. This is because kimberlite is rarely exposed on the surface and few people know how to identify the rock.
Kimberlite is very difficult for geologists to find, let alone prospectors and rock hounds. This is because kimberlite is rarely exposed on the surface and few people know how to identify the rock.
Sierra County Gold—Part I
December 2013
...this county contained some of the richest placer ground found in all of California and still produces some pretty impressive finds to this day.
...this county contained some of the richest placer ground found in all of California and still produces some pretty impressive finds to this day.
Gold in the San Francisco District Oatman, Mohave County, Arizona
December 2013
I suspect detailed geological mapping and prospecting would lead to discovery of one or more overlooked gold deposits in the district even though it has been heavily prospected in the past.
I suspect detailed geological mapping and prospecting would lead to discovery of one or more overlooked gold deposits in the district even though it has been heavily prospected in the past.
Strategic Metals—Part II
December 2013
There are literally thousands of abandoned wasterock and ore dumps that dot the United States that could hold many tones of strategic metals.
There are literally thousands of abandoned wasterock and ore dumps that dot the United States that could hold many tones of strategic metals.
The Amazing Mineral Tourmaline
December 2013
It is a gemstone, and yet it is also closely associated with many types of metal ores. It's valuable itself but often points toward other valuable minerals—that is certainly something prospectors want to know more about!
It is a gemstone, and yet it is also closely associated with many types of metal ores. It's valuable itself but often points toward other valuable minerals—that is certainly something prospectors want to know more about!
Strategic Metals—Part I
November 2013
A bill was introduced and passed by the House of Representatives earlier this year that should make the exploration and opening of a mining operation faster and easier.
A bill was introduced and passed by the House of Representatives earlier this year that should make the exploration and opening of a mining operation faster and easier.
Ophir—Possibly the Best Kept Secret in Alaska!
November 2013
...I decided to excavate the semi-frozen high-bank that was resting on a soft shale bedrock footing. Within three feet, I encountered an intrusive!
...I decided to excavate the semi-frozen high-bank that was resting on a soft shale bedrock footing. Within three feet, I encountered an intrusive!
Greenstone and Gold
September 2013
Contacts, faults and zones of weak rock are all places that can act as a pipeline to convey gold-bearing fluids, leading to valuable deposits.
Contacts, faults and zones of weak rock are all places that can act as a pipeline to convey gold-bearing fluids, leading to valuable deposits.
The Long Road to Gold Point, Nevada
September 2013
Apart from the hard rock mines, there are abundant gold-bearing placers, especially in the areas in and around Oriental Wash.
Apart from the hard rock mines, there are abundant gold-bearing placers, especially in the areas in and around Oriental Wash.
Gold in Beatty, Nevada
September 2013
In this case, signs of gold were found at the bottom of the alluvial and then traced in a triangle up the face of the mountain until they stopped—that is where the digging began.
In this case, signs of gold were found at the bottom of the alluvial and then traced in a triangle up the face of the mountain until they stopped—that is where the digging began.
The Pearce Mineralized Area, Dragoon Mountains, Arizona—Part II
August 2013
There are many prospects within the known mineralized area and along the margins of the mineralized area that should be examined for gold and silver.
There are many prospects within the known mineralized area and along the margins of the mineralized area that should be examined for gold and silver.
