Smaller operations
Ask the Experts
August 2014
Centrifugal bowls versus jigs
Centrifugal bowls versus jigs
Conductive Minerals and Your Metal Detector
August 2014
...most prospectors don't even think about the conductivity of minerals, but there are some that do conduct electricity to a certain degree, so metal detectors will respond to them.
...most prospectors don't even think about the conductivity of minerals, but there are some that do conduct electricity to a certain degree, so metal detectors will respond to them.
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.
The Giant King Mine
July 2014
Most gold-bearing veins in this region are controlled by fractures associated with the Melones Fault, a late Cretaceous structure that is 108 to 127 million years old.
Most gold-bearing veins in this region are controlled by fractures associated with the Melones Fault, a late Cretaceous structure that is 108 to 127 million years old.
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.
Mining on the Comstock Lode
July 2014
Even with the decades of mining and exploration, much of the Comstock is still underdeveloped and its potential not fully tapped.
Even with the decades of mining and exploration, much of the Comstock is still underdeveloped and its potential not fully tapped.
Long-Term Camping Plan at Fortymile Proposed by BLM
August 1999
A draft environmental assessment of a proposal to allow long-term camping by gold miners along 21 miles of the North Fork of the Fortymile Wild and Scenic River is available from the Bureau of Land Management.
A draft environmental assessment of a proposal to allow long-term camping by gold miners along 21 miles of the North Fork of the Fortymile Wild and Scenic River is available from the Bureau of Land Management.
California Dredgers: A Step Closer to Getting Back in the Water
June 2014
...Judge Ochoa ordered the parties to participate in mandatory settlement hearings starting June 24, 2014.
...Judge Ochoa ordered the parties to participate in mandatory settlement hearings starting June 24, 2014.
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
Setting up a gravity dredge
Setting up a gravity dredge
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.
Recovering Fine Gold with Oleophilic Adhesion
April 2014
Oleophilic means "affinity to or attracted to oils," and this includes gold an diamonds.
Oleophilic means "affinity to or attracted to oils," and this includes gold an diamonds.
Using Structural Clues to Locate Buried Placer Channels
April 2014
They must have assumed the paystreak was spotty and had been mined out, so they never mined as close to the side of the valley as they should have.
They must have assumed the paystreak was spotty and had been mined out, so they never mined as close to the side of the valley as they should have.
Gold Deposits of the Ivory Coast
April 2014
Ivory Coast has considerable gold reserves, and this nation has the largest area of greenstone belts prospective for gold in the continent.
Ivory Coast has considerable gold reserves, and this nation has the largest area of greenstone belts prospective for gold in the continent.
Ask the Experts
March 2014
NOI or POO for small backhoe
NOI or POO for small backhoe
Prospecting Hard Rock
March 2014
We panned out maybe three gold pans of the material and we were shocked at the gold that was there. This rock appeared to be rich.
We panned out maybe three gold pans of the material and we were shocked at the gold that was there. This rock appeared to be rich.
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...
