Stories, tips & tricks
Ask the Experts
August 2014
What are the tell signs of garnet deposits?
What are the tell signs of garnet deposits?
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.
I Finally Made It to Northern Nevada
August 2014
After a while I got a very nice signal and out came a sweet kidney-shaped bit of gold weighing about three grams.
After a while I got a very nice signal and out came a sweet kidney-shaped bit of gold weighing about three grams.
Sniping for Drought Gold
August 2014
There are not a lot of tools needed to get out and take advantage of the situation. Other than my wetsuit, I typically travel light with a gold pan, maybe a pry bar and a few crevice cleaning tools.
There are not a lot of tools needed to get out and take advantage of the situation. Other than my wetsuit, I typically travel light with a gold pan, maybe a pry bar and a few crevice cleaning tools.
Successful Rally for Suction Dredge Miners in Idaho
August 2014
Representative Paul Shepherd stopped by, and Idaho County Commissioner Jim Chmelik dove with one of the dredgers so he could see for himself that no harm was being done to fish or their habitat.
Representative Paul Shepherd stopped by, and Idaho County Commissioner Jim Chmelik dove with one of the dredgers so he could see for himself that no harm was being done to fish or their habitat.
A Return to Silver City, Idaho
July 2014
...we were able to pull out close to another 3+ ounces of small, angular Silver City gold. This also included several more small nuggets, pieces of wire gold and some quartz-gold pieces—not bad for 4 days with a small sluice.
...we were able to pull out close to another 3+ ounces of small, angular Silver City gold. This also included several more small nuggets, pieces of wire gold and some quartz-gold pieces—not bad for 4 days with a small sluice.
Swing and a Miss
July 2014
A very good baseball hitter might get a hit roughly one time out of every three at-bats, but for prospectors often the results are much sparser and it may take many trips before the prospector hits a home run.
A very good baseball hitter might get a hit roughly one time out of every three at-bats, but for prospectors often the results are much sparser and it may take many trips before the prospector hits a home run.
Romancing the Lens
July 2014
...a large number of these aspiring miners developing their operations seemed to have missed "Placer Mining 101" somewhere along the way.
...a large number of these aspiring miners developing their operations seemed to have missed "Placer Mining 101" somewhere along the way.
Want to Go to Australia?
July 2014
Every year there are large nuggets found by the diligent, and occasionally by the lucky newbie.
Every year there are large nuggets found by the diligent, and occasionally by the lucky newbie.
Finding Gold with a VLF Detector—Part III
June 2014
The higher the sensitivity setting, the louder and sharper the signal from a gold nugget or other metal target.
The higher the sensitivity setting, the louder and sharper the signal from a gold nugget or other metal target.
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...
Arizona's Youngest...and Oldest Prospector
June 2014
I started with, "Hey, Rusty, tell me about the time..." and that was all it took.
I started with, "Hey, Rusty, tell me about the time..." and that was all it took.
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
Gold Prospecting in Gatesville, Indiana
May 2014
Gatesville is not the only place to find easy public access for gold prospecting opportunities in Central Indiana.
Gatesville is not the only place to find easy public access for gold prospecting opportunities in Central Indiana.
Finding Gold with a VLF Detector—Part II
May 2014
It is this ability to hear and respond to the faintest of audio signals that I believe separates the best nugget hunters from everyone else.
It is this ability to hear and respond to the faintest of audio signals that I believe separates the best nugget hunters from everyone else.
Search Coils and Techniques
May 2014
This article is intended to try to help someone who is breaking into gold detecting and using a pulse induction (PI) detector.
This article is intended to try to help someone who is breaking into gold detecting and using a pulse induction (PI) detector.
Scouts New Mining in Society Badge
May 2014
...it's very refreshing to hear that some of our youth will learn of the value of mining without all the environmental spin.
...it's very refreshing to hear that some of our youth will learn of the value of mining without all the environmental spin.
Contrary to Rumors, Couple Will Keep the Saddle Ridge Hoard
April 2014
Some media outlets have speculated the hoard of coins came from a theft at the old US Mint in San Francisco that was reported in 1901.
Some media outlets have speculated the hoard of coins came from a theft at the old US Mint in San Francisco that was reported in 1901.
