From reading the land to setting up your equipment
What Equipment Do I Need?
October 2014
Getting started in prospecting often requires the purchase of some equipment, but one can spend as little as $10 and be finding gold or spend thousands and also be finding gold—yet you will probably have many more opportunities and possibilities with more and better equipment.
Getting started in prospecting often requires the purchase of some equipment, but one can spend as little as $10 and be finding gold or spend thousands and also be finding gold—yet you will probably have many more opportunities and possibilities with more and better equipment.
Detecting Alone -- What to Look For
October 2014
I figure there are a lot of new people out there who have the same question. I will try to give some answers that hopefully will give you more confidence in finding your own spots.
I figure there are a lot of new people out there who have the same question. I will try to give some answers that hopefully will give you more confidence in finding your own spots.
Operation And Application Of Magnetometers
October 2014
The technology used in these devices has advanced greatly in the last century. Many different types of physical effects are used to measure these magnetic fields and we will briefly look at some of these.
The technology used in these devices has advanced greatly in the last century. Many different types of physical effects are used to measure these magnetic fields and we will briefly look at some of these.
Wilfley Tables—Repair, Rebuild & Set Up
September 2014
I researched the Internet and found a number of table makers, but technology has changed in the last 25 years. No one could sell me a kit for a new deck with wooden riffles...
I researched the Internet and found a number of table makers, but technology has changed in the last 25 years. No one could sell me a kit for a new deck with wooden riffles...
Designing and Evaluating Placer Gold Recovery Plants
September 2014
For this article, I am focusing on industrial production plants that can handle 10 cubic yards per hour or more and would be fed by a loader or other heavy equipment...
For this article, I am focusing on industrial production plants that can handle 10 cubic yards per hour or more and would be fed by a loader or other heavy equipment...
Lode or Placer: What Difference Does It Make?
September 2014
This explains the large difference in particle sizes between placers and hydrothermal lode deposits, but also means that while the mining may be similar in some cases, the sampling and recovery techniques are usually quite different.
This explains the large difference in particle sizes between placers and hydrothermal lode deposits, but also means that while the mining may be similar in some cases, the sampling and recovery techniques are usually quite different.
Ask the Experts
August 2014
What are the tell signs of garnet deposits?
What are the tell signs of garnet deposits?
A Model Mining Operation
August 2014
After he excavates the ore down to bedrock, he goes over the bedrock with a metal detector to ensure he didn't leave any gold behind before he backfills the area.
After he excavates the ore down to bedrock, he goes over the bedrock with a metal detector to ensure he didn't leave any gold behind before he backfills the area.
Sniping for Drought Gold
August 2014
There are not a lot of tools needed to get out and take advantage of the situation. Other than my wetsuit, I typically travel light with a gold pan, maybe a pry bar and a few crevice cleaning tools.
There are not a lot of tools needed to get out and take advantage of the situation. Other than my wetsuit, I typically travel light with a gold pan, maybe a pry bar and a few crevice cleaning tools.
Gold Recovery with Centrifugal Bowls
July 2014
Centrifugal bowls are very efficient, and with proper operation they can consistently achieve gold recoveries above 95% with gold of about 50 mesh size.
Centrifugal bowls are very efficient, and with proper operation they can consistently achieve gold recoveries above 95% with gold of about 50 mesh size.
Cutbacks at S. African Mines—Britain Blamed
August 1999
South African gold miners are turning their anger towards Britain, charging that the sale of 25 tons of gold by the Bank of England has depressed gold prices and put them out of work.
South African gold miners are turning their anger towards Britain, charging that the sale of 25 tons of gold by the Bank of England has depressed gold prices and put them out of work.
Company Notes
August 1999
• Homestake Mining Company
• Placer Dome Inc.
• AZCO Mining Inc.
• Guyana Diamond Corp.
• Canadian Mining Company, Ltd.
• Hecla Mining Company
• Pan American Silver Corp.
• Homestake Mining Company
• Placer Dome Inc.
• AZCO Mining Inc.
• Guyana Diamond Corp.
• Canadian Mining Company, Ltd.
• Hecla Mining Company
• Pan American Silver Corp.
Nevada Looks to Tourism to Fill Mining's Gap
August 1999
Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt and the Nevada Commission on Tourism have agreed to seek an unspecified amount of marketing funds to boost tourism in the Ely, Nevada area in the wake of a mine closing.
Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt and the Nevada Commission on Tourism have agreed to seek an unspecified amount of marketing funds to boost tourism in the Ely, Nevada area in the wake of a mine closing.
A Few Methods for Sampling Hardrock Deposits
June 2014
With a little homework and a methodical approach to sampling, a prospector can determine if a deposit is worthy of more of an investment...
With a little homework and a methodical approach to sampling, a prospector can determine if a deposit is worthy of more of an investment...
Exploring Placers with Auger Drills
June 2014
Augers can be used effectively for placer exploration with certain limitations.
Augers can be used effectively for placer exploration with certain limitations.
Crushing Quartz in Calaveras County: A Placer Miner Learns New Tricks
June 2014
I had never run an impact mill before, but anything involving rocks, water and a big electric motor sounded great.
I had never run an impact mill before, but anything involving rocks, water and a big electric motor sounded great.
Ask the Experts
May 2014
How do mines and refiners deal with doré bars?
How do mines and refiners deal with doré bars?
Finding Gold with a VLF Detector—Part II
May 2014
It is this ability to hear and respond to the faintest of audio signals that I believe separates the best nugget hunters from everyone else.
It is this ability to hear and respond to the faintest of audio signals that I believe separates the best nugget hunters from everyone else.
Ask the Experts
April 2014
Bismuth oxide for assaying?
Bismuth oxide for assaying?
Mining for Gold and Sapphires in Montana
April 2014
Fascinated by the sapphires—and the gold that occured with them—he was soon buying parcels of property and setting up his own commercial-scale gravel processing plants.
