From reading the land to setting up your equipment
Enrichment of Mineral Deposits by Weathering—Part I
March 2016
The exact minerals formed in the concentrated supergene deposits depends much on the type of country rock around the deposit and the chemistry of the deposit itself, but if conditions are right, this process will form some rich patches of bonanza ore, in some places valued at thousands of dollars to the ton.
The exact minerals formed in the concentrated supergene deposits depends much on the type of country rock around the deposit and the chemistry of the deposit itself, but if conditions are right, this process will form some rich patches of bonanza ore, in some places valued at thousands of dollars to the ton.Ask The Experts
February 2016
Designing my own dredge...
Designing my own dredge...
Gold in Quartz
February 2016
Because quartz and gold may be deposited together across a considerable range of temperatures, not all quartz veins are the same, and there are several different types of gold-quartz deposits.
Because quartz and gold may be deposited together across a considerable range of temperatures, not all quartz veins are the same, and there are several different types of gold-quartz deposits.
The Fire Assay of Carbon
February 2016
Carbon, activated charcoal, or “char,” as some old timers refer to it, can be an assayer’s nightmare.
Carbon, activated charcoal, or “char,” as some old timers refer to it, can be an assayer’s nightmare.
Determining the Amount of Gold in Rich Ores
February 2016
This is just the type of specimen that could have been easily ignored by the old-time miners. It felt a little heavier in my hand than a chunk of quartz of that size ought to have been.
This is just the type of specimen that could have been easily ignored by the old-time miners. It felt a little heavier in my hand than a chunk of quartz of that size ought to have been.
Ask The Experts
January 2016
Viewing details on Google Earth
Viewing details on Google Earth
Ask The Experts
December 2015
• How do I separate silver from lead ore?
• How do I separate silver from lead ore?
Small-Scale Hard Rock Production
December 2015
So far this year we have recovered over three pounds of gold and the hard rock veins seem to go on forever. We now have three claims that can produce good enough gold to set up a productive operation.
So far this year we have recovered over three pounds of gold and the hard rock veins seem to go on forever. We now have three claims that can produce good enough gold to set up a productive operation.
Using Geologic Maps
December 2015
In order to see what geologic maps can do, we need to think about what we are looking for.
In order to see what geologic maps can do, we need to think about what we are looking for.
The Snapshot
November 2015
Once all the numbers from all the samples and water tests are compiled, a snapshot of the performance of each tank in the process circuit can be seen side-by-side.
Once all the numbers from all the samples and water tests are compiled, a snapshot of the performance of each tank in the process circuit can be seen side-by-side.
Prospecting for Liberated Gold
November 2015
Some will doubt its value given the ultra-fine particle size… Some will become encouraged about not having to incur significant time and expense to break rock.
Some will doubt its value given the ultra-fine particle size… Some will become encouraged about not having to incur significant time and expense to break rock.
The Bucking Room
October 2015
Since this position was the least desirable due to the hard physical labor, the bucking room was used as punishment. Do you have a mediocre worker? Bad attitude? Off to the bucking room!
Since this position was the least desirable due to the hard physical labor, the bucking room was used as punishment. Do you have a mediocre worker? Bad attitude? Off to the bucking room!
Where Should I Start?
October 2015
Digging in the right spots will produce excellent results, like this group of nuggets taken by the author while metal detecting during the last few months. The biggest nugget is over an ounce.
Digging in the right spots will produce excellent results, like this group of nuggets taken by the author while metal detecting during the last few months. The biggest nugget is over an ounce.
Ask The Experts
September 2015
What are the steps for filing a mining claim?
What are the steps for filing a mining claim?
From Curiosity to Mine Owner
August 2015
His brother’s friend showed him a vial of gold that originated from his family’s mine in Honduras. Within two weeks Ernie had flown to Honduras to get a first-hand tour of the historic mine and the primitive operation underway to recover the gold.
His brother’s friend showed him a vial of gold that originated from his family’s mine in Honduras. Within two weeks Ernie had flown to Honduras to get a first-hand tour of the historic mine and the primitive operation underway to recover the gold.
Hard Rock University: Expensive Hobby or Real Business?
July 2015
Improper sampling techniques lead to more avoidable heartache than almost anything else in micro mining.
Improper sampling techniques lead to more avoidable heartache than almost anything else in micro mining.
The Smell of Gold—Part I
June 2015
Some claim they can smell gold. This may be, but when I take a whiff of gold, I smell dirt, rotten eggs, garlic or just nothing: my nose is everything but sensitive.
Some claim they can smell gold. This may be, but when I take a whiff of gold, I smell dirt, rotten eggs, garlic or just nothing: my nose is everything but sensitive.
A Few Tips and Tricks for Beach Mining
June 2015
When you think about the extremes to which a miner will go to get a little gold, it occurred to me beach gold could be "easy pickings."
When you think about the extremes to which a miner will go to get a little gold, it occurred to me beach gold could be "easy pickings."
The Basics of Froth Flotation
June 2015
I thought it might be worthwhile to take a look at the basics of this important mineral separation technique and how a miner can use it to recover the values out of an ore.
I thought it might be worthwhile to take a look at the basics of this important mineral separation technique and how a miner can use it to recover the values out of an ore.
What To Look For—And Look Out For—In A Placer Mineral Report
May 2015
Buying a placer claim or investing in a placer mining property comes with plenty of financial risks. You need as much information as possible about the mineral deposit in order to minimize those risks.
Buying a placer claim or investing in a placer mining property comes with plenty of financial risks. You need as much information as possible about the mineral deposit in order to minimize those risks.
