Stories, tips & tricks
Drywashing Arizona Gold
January 2016
His findings were not exaggerated—after running 82 buckets of gravels in two days we had a remarkable 27.8 grams of gold!
His findings were not exaggerated—after running 82 buckets of gravels in two days we had a remarkable 27.8 grams of gold!
Sunshine and Gold
January 2016
His eyes were gleaming and he was smiling as he dropped his first piece of gold into my hand. It was a small, earring-size nugget, and he had found it almost immediately.
A Successful Trip Through Gold Basin
January 2016
This time we took the detectors. Roger had worked that spot very well and wanted to see if my new detector would uncover any gold he might have missed.
This time we took the detectors. Roger had worked that spot very well and wanted to see if my new detector would uncover any gold he might have missed.
The Significance of Nuggets in Placers
January 2016
Chances are better that both types of gold did not come from the same source. Let's look at the probable conditions to cause two types of gold in a placer.
Chances are better that both types of gold did not come from the same source. Let's look at the probable conditions to cause two types of gold in a placer.
Maitland Bar Nugget to Go On Display
January 2016
The box sat in a hallway and employees began using it for impromptu cricket games, no knowing what it contained.
The box sat in a hallway and employees began using it for impromptu cricket games, no knowing what it contained.
VLF Detector Operating Modes
December 2015
It is important to note that discrimination is a type of electronic filtering. The signal is analyzed, and depending on the discrimination setting, identified as either a target to be dug or a target to be ignored.
It is important to note that discrimination is a type of electronic filtering. The signal is analyzed, and depending on the discrimination setting, identified as either a target to be dug or a target to be ignored.
Lost Sally's Gold
December 2015
She said a few thoughts did cross her mind at the time; she thought maybe she should have looked more thoroughly for that hand-drawn map to the claim that we had given her the previous year.
She said a few thoughts did cross her mind at the time; she thought maybe she should have looked more thoroughly for that hand-drawn map to the claim that we had given her the previous year.
Picking Our Way Through Bedrock
December 2015
Once again the coil was put over the spot but the target was in the pile now. I pinpointed, grabbed a handful of dirt and began sprinkling it over the coil until I heard that mild thud.
Once again the coil was put over the spot but the target was in the pile now. I pinpointed, grabbed a handful of dirt and began sprinkling it over the coil until I heard that mild thud.
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.
Detecting Clay Seams
November 2015
Because the old timers were so good at locating the better paying deposits—most of them along clay seams in this particular area—it makes good sense to try and locate these clay lines at old mining sites.
Because the old timers were so good at locating the better paying deposits—most of them along clay seams in this particular area—it makes good sense to try and locate these clay lines at old mining sites.
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!
A Long Dry Spell
October 2015
Just three weeks ago one of our prospecting team members decided to go back to this location on his own. He had a new detector and wanted to try it out some.
Just three weeks ago one of our prospecting team members decided to go back to this location on his own. He had a new detector and wanted to try it out some.
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.
Growing Up Gold
October 2015
If you’re going to successfully detect nuggets you must not only know a little about finding gold and detecting, but you also need to know your own limits, have a dash of luck and a lot of persistence.
If you’re going to successfully detect nuggets you must not only know a little about finding gold and detecting, but you also need to know your own limits, have a dash of luck and a lot of persistence.
2015 World Gold Panning Championships
October 2015
Every Spanish village seems to hold their pride in one unique area of expertise. Pamplona has its bulls, Barcelona its architecture, and gold panning belongs to Navelgas.
Every Spanish village seems to hold their pride in one unique area of expertise. Pamplona has its bulls, Barcelona its architecture, and gold panning belongs to Navelgas.
Detecting Nuggets—Overcoming New Challenges
September 2015
Depth is not an issue unless the site is thoroughly cleaned of shallow trash, and it is far easier to isolate and remove targets using a small coil in a target rich location.
Depth is not an issue unless the site is thoroughly cleaned of shallow trash, and it is far easier to isolate and remove targets using a small coil in a target rich location.
Piles of Gold
September 2015
These gritty clay lines were only a quarter of an inch up to three inches wide. Once the line had been laid out, they would look at the wall of gritty clay material and seek more indicators.
These gritty clay lines were only a quarter of an inch up to three inches wide. Once the line had been laid out, they would look at the wall of gritty clay material and seek more indicators.
Ask The Experts
August 2015
Problems finding gold with a detector
Problems finding gold with a detector
Detecting During Summer Heat
August 2015
This concept of detecting does not always work as we sometimes get a week or so where the temperatures rise to 116°—sometimes more.
This concept of detecting does not always work as we sometimes get a week or so where the temperatures rise to 116°—sometimes more.
A Great Day On The Feather River
August 2015
Mike and Machael dug in just downriver of that boulder pile and right away found good color and a few small pickers.
Mike and Machael dug in just downriver of that boulder pile and right away found good color and a few small pickers.