Stories, tips & tricks
Moore Creek, Alaska—Then and Now
June 2015
The gold was very chunky and much of it had quartz attached. Even back then I knew that the gold was very close to its source.
The gold was very chunky and much of it had quartz attached. Even back then I knew that the gold was very close to its source.
Nome Offshore Dredging Creates Challenges
June 2015
The Alaska state government has been trying to keep up with and maybe even stay on top of the situation by studying the problems associated with rapid growth and how to solve them.
The Alaska state government has been trying to keep up with and maybe even stay on top of the situation by studying the problems associated with rapid growth and how to solve them.
Key to Successful Prospecting: Confidence
May 2015
The one undeniable truth in prospecting is that the more time you spend in the field, the more gold you will find. Here are a few keys I use to help build my confidence.
The one undeniable truth in prospecting is that the more time you spend in the field, the more gold you will find. Here are a few keys I use to help build my confidence.
Piggin' for Gold
May 2015
Take a look at the picture—it’s pretty simple and you can build it yourself.
Take a look at the picture—it’s pretty simple and you can build it yourself.
Ask The Experts
April 2015
• Making a noisy dredge more quiet
• Making a noisy dredge more quiet
Exploring Snakehead
April 2015
On our fourth trip, we finally reached the top edge of the old hydraulic pit, and it was monstrous.
On our fourth trip, we finally reached the top edge of the old hydraulic pit, and it was monstrous.
Prospecting for Gold in Baja California
April 2015
It was one of those awkward situations as we walked, fatigued and too thirsty to speak a word.
It was one of those awkward situations as we walked, fatigued and too thirsty to speak a word.
Tips for Detecting Nugget Patches
April 2015
Certainly many other successful nugget hunters have mentioned these methods; hopefully I can add to or clarify these methods.
Just Another Ordinary Weekend
March 2015
There was no evidence that anyone else had ever worked this gully with the exception of some old sample piles near the foot of the ravine.
There was no evidence that anyone else had ever worked this gully with the exception of some old sample piles near the foot of the ravine.
Getting A Successful Start in Metal Detecting for Gold
March 2015
Once you have a detector, learn how to use it and get out in the field—you can’t find anything with it in your garage.
Once you have a detector, learn how to use it and get out in the field—you can’t find anything with it in your garage.
Thinking Outside The Creek
March 2015
Imagine for a minute the year is 1850. You’ve read and heard that gold was discovered in California and the creeks are so rich you can just scoop it up with your hands.
Imagine for a minute the year is 1850. You’ve read and heard that gold was discovered in California and the creeks are so rich you can just scoop it up with your hands.
Ask the Experts
February 2015
• Drones for the independent prospector
• Drones for the independent prospector
Metal Detector Testing Methods
February 2015
It will not be any easier than on your table at home, and so testing a very small test target like the ballpoint pen can tell you immediately if a detector is suitable for looking for tiny gold nuggets.
It will not be any easier than on your table at home, and so testing a very small test target like the ballpoint pen can tell you immediately if a detector is suitable for looking for tiny gold nuggets.Prospecting for Surface Flood Gold Placers on Low and Intermediate Gradient Streams
February 2015
Sample panning is a very important method used to find the richest parts of a flood gold deposit before setting up equipment and running material.
Sample panning is a very important method used to find the richest parts of a flood gold deposit before setting up equipment and running material.Introduction to Meteorites
February 2015
The distribution of meteorites across the planet was, at one time, thought to be random and unpredictable.
The distribution of meteorites across the planet was, at one time, thought to be random and unpredictable.
Return to Chicken, Alaska
January 2015
I figured it would be quite conservative of me to shoot for about four ounces of gold instead of the twelve ounces I had found in 2013.
I figured it would be quite conservative of me to shoot for about four ounces of gold instead of the twelve ounces I had found in 2013.
The Pothole Patch
January 2015
"Suh-wheet!" I exclaimed as I sprang to my feet and quickly pumped my detector coil high overhead to alert Smokey that I had just found a nugget.
"Suh-wheet!" I exclaimed as I sprang to my feet and quickly pumped my detector coil high overhead to alert Smokey that I had just found a nugget.
Diamond Prospecting in Indiana
January 2015
My first personal experience with placer diamonds was on a gold prospecting trip in Indiana about 8 years ago, when a fellow prospector was cleaning his gold concentrates.
My first personal experience with placer diamonds was on a gold prospecting trip in Indiana about 8 years ago, when a fellow prospector was cleaning his gold concentrates.
Get The Lead Out!
December 2014
If you do the math, it equates to about $1,500 of heavy metal value per three-hour dive. This is good wages, and you are doing a service to the environment by removing this toxic metal.
If you do the math, it equates to about $1,500 of heavy metal value per three-hour dive. This is good wages, and you are doing a service to the environment by removing this toxic metal.
Small-Scale Processing of Hard Rock Ores
December 2014
Depending on the ore and if significant sulfides are present, a hard rock miner may be able to get away with simply using a flux to digest the other minerals that may be present.
Depending on the ore and if significant sulfides are present, a hard rock miner may be able to get away with simply using a flux to digest the other minerals that may be present.
