Stories, tips & tricks
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.
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.
Hundreds Rally in Support of PLP Octoberfest Fundraiser
December 2014
...more folks rolled in on Saturday morning and many were eager to venture out onto the Sleepy Bear property—all 415 acres—and try their luck at finding some gold.
...more folks rolled in on Saturday morning and many were eager to venture out onto the Sleepy Bear property—all 415 acres—and try their luck at finding some gold.
Finding Gold in Tailing Piles
December 2014
Old mine workings and tailing piles can represent opportunities on many levels, from the chance to simply find a nugget on up to the commercial reworking of the old tailings for profit.
Old mine workings and tailing piles can represent opportunities on many levels, from the chance to simply find a nugget on up to the commercial reworking of the old tailings for profit.
Uncovering the Find of a Lifetime
December 2014
• The 75-ounce Butte County nugget is the largest found in California since the 156-ounce Mojave nugget in the 1970s...
• The 75-ounce Butte County nugget is the largest found in California since the 156-ounce Mojave nugget in the 1970s...
California State and US National Panning Championships
November 2014
Over 200 panners competed in this two-day event to decide who was the best of the best.
Over 200 panners competed in this two-day event to decide who was the best of the best.
A Golden Summer
November 2014
His take of gold was pretty close to what mine was—about a quarter of an ounce. We had just gleaned about half an ounce of gold in just twenty minutes.
His take of gold was pretty close to what mine was—about a quarter of an ounce. We had just gleaned about half an ounce of gold in just twenty minutes.
The Hunt for Remote Canyon Gold
November 2014
A large, 8-pennyweight piece popped out of a very small crevice where the water had been extremely swift in the winter, leaving no visible gravel.
A large, 8-pennyweight piece popped out of a very small crevice where the water had been extremely swift in the winter, leaving no visible gravel.
Geobotany: Plants Associated With Mineral Deposits
November 2014
Science has shown, over the past few centuries, that there is a direct correlation between certain plants and their geophysical surroundings.
Science has shown, over the past few centuries, that there is a direct correlation between certain plants and their geophysical surroundings.
Guinea Africa: Gold, Ebola, and A Monkey Barbecue
November 2014
Doubters be informed, yes, there is gold in Africa—lots of gold—and all the good and bad that comes with it.
Doubters be informed, yes, there is gold in Africa—lots of gold—and all the good and bad that comes with it.
The Dredge Report
November 2014
As a plaintiff in one of the lawsuits, I’m not allowed to talk about specifics in the court-ordered negotiations currently underway in San Bernardino. However, I do want to let you know we are making progress…
As a plaintiff in one of the lawsuits, I’m not allowed to talk about specifics in the court-ordered negotiations currently underway in San Bernardino. However, I do want to let you know we are making progress…
Gemstones to Die For
November 2014
Some gems can potentially poison you, make you sterile and even make you forget who you are.
Some gems can potentially poison you, make you sterile and even make you forget who you are.
