What? How? When? Where?
Ask The Experts—Difference between a Geiger counter and scintillator
October 2011
Would you explain the difference between a Geiger counter and a scintillator and how they operate in uranium prospecting?
Would you explain the difference between a Geiger counter and a scintillator and how they operate in uranium prospecting?
Ask The Experts—Extraction of micro gold from black sands
October 2011
I know big mining companies use cyanide and other leach systems to recover gold from ore. Is this the only economically feasible way to recover the values?
I know big mining companies use cyanide and other leach systems to recover gold from ore. Is this the only economically feasible way to recover the values?
Ask The Experts—Separating platinum from sands using bubbles
October 2011
I am trying to find any information about using bubbles to separate platinum from sands and small particles. I think it has to have a surfactant in the process. Do you know of this bubble tech?
I am trying to find any information about using bubbles to separate platinum from sands and small particles. I think it has to have a surfactant in the process. Do you know of this bubble tech?
Ask The Experts - Could I stake out a 20-acre claim with a waterway running through it just as I would a lode claim?
September 2011
Q: Could I stake out a 20-acre claim with a waterway running through it just as I would a lode claim?
Q: Could I stake out a 20-acre claim with a waterway running through it just as I would a lode claim?
Ask The Experts - Do I have any grandfathered rights that post FLPMA claim holders do not have?
September 2011
Q: Does a claim holder of a claim that has been under constant, active status since 1932 have any rights that owners of newer claims do not have? In other words, do I have any grandfathered rights that post FLPMA claim holders do not have?
Q: Does a claim holder of a claim that has been under constant, active status since 1932 have any rights that owners of newer claims do not have? In other words, do I have any grandfathered rights that post FLPMA claim holders do not have?
Ask The Experts—Studies with summaries and conclusions please...
August 2011
Q: ...A number of scientific studies have been done that concluded our level of dredging is “not” harmful to fish or habitat. I suggest that the Mining Journal list some of these specific studies with brief summaries and conclusions.
Q: ...A number of scientific studies have been done that concluded our level of dredging is “not” harmful to fish or habitat. I suggest that the Mining Journal list some of these specific studies with brief summaries and conclusions.
Ask The Experts—What's the cheapest way to mine quartz for gold?
August 2011
Q: I have a gold mine in Colorado. There was an assay done which stated [there is] a lot of quartz within the mine. What is the cheapest way to mine it for gold? I don’t have the money for mills, etc. Can I do it by hand (during summer holidays), and how would I get started?
Q: I have a gold mine in Colorado. There was an assay done which stated [there is] a lot of quartz within the mine. What is the cheapest way to mine it for gold? I don’t have the money for mills, etc. Can I do it by hand (during summer holidays), and how would I get started?
Which Specific Gravity Test Works Best?
August 2011
Have you ever wondered how accurate specific gravity tests are in determining the amount of gold in a specimen?
Have you ever wondered how accurate specific gravity tests are in determining the amount of gold in a specimen?
Ask The Experts—14-day camping limit
July 2011
I was informed, in a less than friendly manner, that I can only camp on the claim for 14 days of every 90.
I was informed, in a less than friendly manner, that I can only camp on the claim for 14 days of every 90.
Ask The Experts—Where can I find information on the Abby mine?
May 2011
Q: I would like to know where I can find information on the Abby mine located at Hildreth, CA.
Q: I would like to know where I can find information on the Abby mine located at Hildreth, CA.
Ask The Experts—Is it possible for a mountain range to have good lode gold deposits and yet the area streams not carrying like deposits of gold?
May 2011
Q: Is it possible for a mountain range to have good lode gold deposits and yet the area streams not carrying like deposits of gold? Or do the two go hand-in-hand?
Q: Is it possible for a mountain range to have good lode gold deposits and yet the area streams not carrying like deposits of gold? Or do the two go hand-in-hand?
Ask The Experts—How do you amend a placer claim?
May 2011
Q: How do you amend a placer claim?
Q: How do you amend a placer claim?
Ask The Experts—What happened to the BLM web site geocommunicator.gov?
May 2011
Q: What happened to the BLM web site geocommunicator.gov? We cannot get mining claim info any more. Can you write about this? Or if you did what volume and number? Thanks for keeping the ICMJ alive and well.
Q: What happened to the BLM web site geocommunicator.gov? We cannot get mining claim info any more. Can you write about this? Or if you did what volume and number? Thanks for keeping the ICMJ alive and well.
Ask The Experts—Do I still have rights to this mining claim?
March 2011
Q: Do I still have rights to this mining claim?
Q: Do I still have rights to this mining claim?
Ask The Experts—What minerals are magnetic? Can rare earth magnets capture platinum?
February 2011
What minerals are magnetic? I have heard that super magnets (rare earth magnets) can capture platinum. True?
What minerals are magnetic? I have heard that super magnets (rare earth magnets) can capture platinum. True?
Ask The Experts—Jet nozzle or suction nozzle? Which is best for my highbanker?
February 2011
I have a highbanker, and I am considering adding a suction piece to make it a combo.
I have a highbanker, and I am considering adding a suction piece to make it a combo.
Ask The Experts—Precious metals in water?
February 2011
How can I determine if there are precious metals in the groundwater?
How can I determine if there are precious metals in the groundwater?
Ask The Experts—Amalgamation
January 2011
Q: Exactly how does amalgamation work? Does it “melt” the gold (or copper, or silver, etc.) and form an alloy? If one leaves a piece of gold in mercury, will the entire sample become an amalgam (combination) of gold and mercury? Or does it only affect the surface...
Q: Exactly how does amalgamation work? Does it “melt” the gold (or copper, or silver, etc.) and form an alloy? If one leaves a piece of gold in mercury, will the entire sample become an amalgam (combination) of gold and mercury? Or does it only affect the surface...
Ask The Experts—Iridium
December 2010
Q: I believe I have found a deposit that contains iridium. What can you tell me about iridium? Are there any tests I can do in the field to confirm it is iridium? How much is iridium worth? Where can I get it assayed? Can I refine it myself?
Q: I believe I have found a deposit that contains iridium. What can you tell me about iridium? Are there any tests I can do in the field to confirm it is iridium? How much is iridium worth? Where can I get it assayed? Can I refine it myself?
Ask The Experts—Highbanker legal in CA?; Best place to sell raw gold?
December 2010
Q: If a high banker is outfitted with a suction hose, is it considered a dredge in CA even if it is sitting on the ground? Also, how do I find the best places to sell raw gold (flour, pickers, nuggets, gold in quartz, etc.)?
Q: If a high banker is outfitted with a suction hose, is it considered a dredge in CA even if it is sitting on the ground? Also, how do I find the best places to sell raw gold (flour, pickers, nuggets, gold in quartz, etc.)?
