Stories, tips & tricks
Bedrock
March 2014
I am going to break bedrock down a bit and explain my view of the varying scenarios I come across in the field.
I am going to break bedrock down a bit and explain my view of the varying scenarios I come across in the field.
Comments on Gold Rush and Bering Sea Gold Series
March 2014
The 316 Mining Company has not been all that successful, but does not ever seem to learn from their past mistakes.
The 316 Mining Company has not been all that successful, but does not ever seem to learn from their past mistakes.
Hidden Value in Old Tailings
March 2014
The 15 rare earth elements were discovered long after the gold rush began to wane, but demand for them only took off over the past 10 years...
The 15 rare earth elements were discovered long after the gold rush began to wane, but demand for them only took off over the past 10 years...
Our Readers Say
February 2014
• Prospecting for Diamonds in Kimberlite by W. Dan Hausel
• Miners referring to their activity as “recreational”
• Prospecting for Diamonds in Kimberlite by W. Dan Hausel
• Miners referring to their activity as “recreational”
The Perfect Summer
February 2014
Within the first 3 hours he and I had found pocket after pocket of gold and couldn't wait to tell Levi of our treasure.
Within the first 3 hours he and I had found pocket after pocket of gold and couldn't wait to tell Levi of our treasure.
Divide and Conquer—Detecting Old Placer Grounds with Friends
February 2014
He no sooner had turned around and started moving when I hollered again that I had another nice one.
He no sooner had turned around and started moving when I hollered again that I had another nice one.
Coprolite—A Prospector's Tale
February 2014
Gold nuggets come in all forms, but I never expected that dinosaur nuggets would too, and at a decent price.
Gold nuggets come in all forms, but I never expected that dinosaur nuggets would too, and at a decent price.
Sierra County Gold—Part II
January 2014
...we will continue our examination of the rich streams and mining districts, and then take a look at some of the big nuggets that have been found here.
...we will continue our examination of the rich streams and mining districts, and then take a look at some of the big nuggets that have been found here.
Gold Placers of the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
January 2014
The biggest obstacle is that like many streams on the Kenai Peninsula, high water during the summer months from snow melt and rain can make dredging nearly impossible. The best dredging is in the colder months of the year.
The biggest obstacle is that like many streams on the Kenai Peninsula, high water during the summer months from snow melt and rain can make dredging nearly impossible. The best dredging is in the colder months of the year.
California Gold Adventure
January 2014
All locations gave up some gold, but one particular section of exposed bedrock with steep, packed crevices kept giving us good, consistent results. We had found our spot.
All locations gave up some gold, but one particular section of exposed bedrock with steep, packed crevices kept giving us good, consistent results. We had found our spot.
Prospecting for Diamonds in Kimberlite
January 2014
Kimberlite is very difficult for geologists to find, let alone prospectors and rock hounds. This is because kimberlite is rarely exposed on the surface and few people know how to identify the rock.
Kimberlite is very difficult for geologists to find, let alone prospectors and rock hounds. This is because kimberlite is rarely exposed on the surface and few people know how to identify the rock.
Take a Kid Detecting
January 2014
I thought things started off okay until I realized I had forgotten some of my gear and had to return to the house. My troubled start was not helped when my boy came up to me a few minutes after my return to show me his first nugget of the day.
I thought things started off okay until I realized I had forgotten some of my gear and had to return to the house. My troubled start was not helped when my boy came up to me a few minutes after my return to show me his first nugget of the day.
Sierra County Gold—Part I
December 2013
...this county contained some of the richest placer ground found in all of California and still produces some pretty impressive finds to this day.
...this county contained some of the richest placer ground found in all of California and still produces some pretty impressive finds to this day.
Ophir—Possibly the Best Kept Secret in Alaska—Part II
December 2013
I knew the nuggets got into the nugget patch somehow, I just had to figure out how and from what direction they came.
I knew the nuggets got into the nugget patch somehow, I just had to figure out how and from what direction they came.
Our 29-Troy-Ounce Golden Blessing
December 2013
I picked up a noticeably heavy, fist-sized chunk of what I thought was a heavy piece of iron. After wiping some of the dirt and clay off, I still didn't know what on earth this object was.
I picked up a noticeably heavy, fist-sized chunk of what I thought was a heavy piece of iron. After wiping some of the dirt and clay off, I still didn't know what on earth this object was.
Hunting for Hardrock: The Basics
December 2013
Exposed veins and outcroppings can be a great source for gathering good gold ore for processing. Veins and outcroppings do require a lot of work to free the ore from its earthen grip, but this labor can be very rewarding.
Exposed veins and outcroppings can be a great source for gathering good gold ore for processing. Veins and outcroppings do require a lot of work to free the ore from its earthen grip, but this labor can be very rewarding.
Gold in the San Francisco District Oatman, Mohave County, Arizona
December 2013
I suspect detailed geological mapping and prospecting would lead to discovery of one or more overlooked gold deposits in the district even though it has been heavily prospected in the past.
I suspect detailed geological mapping and prospecting would lead to discovery of one or more overlooked gold deposits in the district even though it has been heavily prospected in the past.
Heavy Glacial Rocks and Gold in the Midwest
December 2013
Over the years, I've noticed a pattern in the type of rocks associated with the best gold deposits in Midwestern glacial gravel.
Over the years, I've noticed a pattern in the type of rocks associated with the best gold deposits in Midwestern glacial gravel.
One Potato, Two Potato...
November 2013
Normally the detector he was using would sound off with a definitive high-to-low tone when passed over a piece of gold, which distinguished the gold from the many high iron content "hot rocks," but this one was different...
Normally the detector he was using would sound off with a definitive high-to-low tone when passed over a piece of gold, which distinguished the gold from the many high iron content "hot rocks," but this one was different...
Proper Placer Sample Processing
November 2013
...your sampling procedures should not be designed to catch gold your mining technique will never recover.
...your sampling procedures should not be designed to catch gold your mining technique will never recover.
