January 2003 (Vol. 72, No. 5) $3.25
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Legislative and Regulatory Update
• The ESA used, and apparently abused, in Arizona and New Mexico
• In a somewhat related story...
• Among the numerous bills that died when Congress adjourned...
• More on the ESA
• Miners must present proof of filing, says IBLA
• Federal government backs mining project
• Appeals Court says Clinton roadless rule can stay -
The Old Dutch Cleanser Mine
The naturally occurring white scouring powder called Old Dutch Cleanser, originally from Kern County, California, is a household helper known throughout America. As a sink, stove, and tub cleaner, the abrasive pumicite is one of... -
The Ferris-Haggarty Copper-Gold Mine, Grand Encampment District, Wyoming
At the close of the 19th Century, optimism was high that Wyoming would become an important source for copper much like the neighbor states of Colorado, Utah, and Montana. This dream was short-lived... -
Directory of Active Mines in Arizona Available
The Arizona Department of Mines and Mineral Resources has released the Directory of Active Mines in Arizona, 2001-2002. -
Picks & Pans: Gold Prospecting on the East Fork River, Alaska
It is not my choice to be diving under the icy waters of the East Fork River in the last days of chilly January. But indeed there are a few brave souls that like to suffer, as I see it. Then again the rewards can be great. If you have the proper equipment and the... -
Beryllium in Nevada
Before the world class beryllium deposits were discovered at Spor Mountain, Utah, in 1959, Nevada was the nation’s principal producer of beryllium. Whereas beryl, found in pegmatites worldwide, is fairly common, some of the other... -
Company Notes
• Vista Gold Corp.
• Wolfden Resources Inc.
• NovaGold Resources
• Globex Mining Enterprises
• Canyon Resource Corp. -
The Cemetery Rush
In 1893, Jerry McAuliffe led a team of prospectors east of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia and found the famed Kanowna goldfield. On their first day on the field, they picked up a total of more than 300 ounces of gold nuggets from the ground. As the rush began to increase in momentum, other prospectors found patches of nuggets simply lying on the ground near rich outcroppings of reef. In very quick time, hard rock miners were tearing into the rich reef lines... -
Border Silver
There is a sizable area that straddles the U.S.-Mexico border where native silver occurs in shear zones at relatively shallow depths. The district is in the low but rugged Pajarito Mountains, the highest point of which is 5,838 feet at Cerro Ruido, on the Mexican side. The deceptively rough terrain forced the first border surveyors, in 1855, to kill several mules and horses because of their injuries. -
Grandfather John's Notes
In June 1997, a story I wrote was printed in the Journal titled, “His Name Was John.” Occasionally Grandfather John jotted down notes about his life in America and in the mines. He planned to give these mementos to his sons. The only time he wrote home was to let his wife know when he was booking a trip back to Italy. He sent whatever money he could from his pay in the Argonaut and Kennedy mines in Jackson, California. Mailing letters was expensive, as was everything else. -
Tiffany & Co. to Open Plant in Northern Canada
Tiffany & Co. plans to open its first diamond cutting and sorting plant early this year in conjunction with its investment in a diamond mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories. -
The Patio
“Hey, R.B., let’s go down and see how the patio is going.” Bart, my neighbor, called to me across the fence as he strolled by, heading towards the mine superintendent’s house. -
Looking Back
Excerpts from California Mining Journal, our original title, published 50 years ago this month. -
Melman on Gold & Silver
When I was a college student, I remember participating in a huge religious rally and the theme song, sung by hundreds of participants, had this repeating line: “I ain’t-a going to study war no more...” Those days surely are gone as headline after headline now shouts out at us that we had indeed better study and prepare for war.
