Smaller operations
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!
From Curiosity to Mine Owner - Pt II
October 2015
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When we last heard from Ernie, he was still in Honduras and we were anxiously waiting to hear how the set up and training went at the mine. It got a bit complicated after that.
When we last heard from Ernie, he was still in Honduras and we were anxiously waiting to hear how the set up and training went at the mine. It got a bit complicated after that.
Modern Mining Reclamation
September 2015
A study showed that between 1930 and 1980, only a quarter of one percent of the land in the United States was used in all mining applications combined, including surface mining, tailings disposal, underground mines, and all mineral processing facilities.
A study showed that between 1930 and 1980, only a quarter of one percent of the land in the United States was used in all mining applications combined, including surface mining, tailings disposal, underground mines, and all mineral processing facilities.
From Curiosity to Mine Owner
August 2015
His brother’s friend showed him a vial of gold that originated from his family’s mine in Honduras. Within two weeks Ernie had flown to Honduras to get a first-hand tour of the historic mine and the primitive operation underway to recover the gold.
His brother’s friend showed him a vial of gold that originated from his family’s mine in Honduras. Within two weeks Ernie had flown to Honduras to get a first-hand tour of the historic mine and the primitive operation underway to recover the gold.
The Smell of Gold -- Part II
July 2015
While mapping, I also found rock chips in the soil that were characteristic of the same wall rock alteration that occurs adjacent to the known lodes in the greenstone belt.
While mapping, I also found rock chips in the soil that were characteristic of the same wall rock alteration that occurs adjacent to the known lodes in the greenstone belt.
Hard Rock University: Expensive Hobby or Real Business?
July 2015
Improper sampling techniques lead to more avoidable heartache than almost anything else in micro mining.
Improper sampling techniques lead to more avoidable heartache than almost anything else in micro mining.
The Smell of Gold—Part I
June 2015
Some claim they can smell gold. This may be, but when I take a whiff of gold, I smell dirt, rotten eggs, garlic or just nothing: my nose is everything but sensitive.
Some claim they can smell gold. This may be, but when I take a whiff of gold, I smell dirt, rotten eggs, garlic or just nothing: my nose is everything but sensitive.
The Basics of Froth Flotation
June 2015
I thought it might be worthwhile to take a look at the basics of this important mineral separation technique and how a miner can use it to recover the values out of an ore.
I thought it might be worthwhile to take a look at the basics of this important mineral separation technique and how a miner can use it to recover the values out of an ore.
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.
What To Look For—And Look Out For—In A Placer Mineral Report
May 2015
Buying a placer claim or investing in a placer mining property comes with plenty of financial risks. You need as much information as possible about the mineral deposit in order to minimize those risks.
Buying a placer claim or investing in a placer mining property comes with plenty of financial risks. You need as much information as possible about the mineral deposit in order to minimize those risks.
Ask The Experts
April 2015
• Making a noisy dredge more quiet
• Making a noisy dredge more quiet
One of the Richest Beaches Ever Mined
April 2015
Everyone has heard of the golden beach at Nome, but Nome did not have the richest beach.
Everyone has heard of the golden beach at Nome, but Nome did not have the richest beach.
Small-Scale Hard Rock Mining With Water Recycling
March 2015
Once I have established the presence of gold in the sample, I collect five-gallon bucket quantities of the rock material for processing back at my shop.
Once I have established the presence of gold in the sample, I collect five-gallon bucket quantities of the rock material for processing back at my shop.
Placer Mining At Chititu Creek, Alaska
March 2015
There is reason to believe these stream valleys are still rich with gold, silver and copper.
There is reason to believe these stream valleys are still rich with gold, silver and copper.
How to Field Evaluate A Placer Property
January 2015
If there is misleading wording anywhere, it will be in the sample data and in reserve/resource estimates.
If there is misleading wording anywhere, it will be in the sample data and in reserve/resource estimates.
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.
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.
Guinea Africa: Gold, Ebola, and a Monkey Barbecue
December 2014
With great relief, the equipment I chose worked well, and after shoving into three days what should have been ten days of set-up and testing, we were up and running.
With great relief, the equipment I chose worked well, and after shoving into three days what should have been ten days of set-up and testing, we were up and running.
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…
