Stories, tips & tricks
Finding Gold with a VLF Detector—Part I
April 2014
The very first thing to find out...is if the detector has the ability to be ground balanced.
The very first thing to find out...is if the detector has the ability to be ground balanced.
Creating Your Own Luck
April 2014
Now that you are actually going to be out there doing some prospecting, I may be able to help.
Now that you are actually going to be out there doing some prospecting, I may be able to help.
Continuing Hard Rock Exploration
April 2014
We had been picking away at it, but the going was mightly slow. Why not use some explosives to advance a little quicker?
We had been picking away at it, but the going was mightly slow. Why not use some explosives to advance a little quicker?
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.
Detecting for Gold in Nevada
April 2014
Within a few minutes I got my first signal and dug out a small flake about three grains.
Within a few minutes I got my first signal and dug out a small flake about three grains.
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.
Ask the Experts
March 2014
Breaking cemented gravels
Breaking cemented gravels
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.
Twenty-Five Gold Indicators You Should Know
March 2014
I frequently get asked, "What should I look for when I am out prospecting that will tell me there are good amounts of gold present in the ground?"
Bedrock
March 2014
I am going to break bedrock down a bit and explain my view of the varying scenarios I come across in the field.
I am going to break bedrock down a bit and explain my view of the varying scenarios I come across in the field.
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...
Our Readers Say
February 2014
• Prospecting for Diamonds in Kimberlite by W. Dan Hausel
• Miners referring to their activity as “recreational”
• Prospecting for Diamonds in Kimberlite by W. Dan Hausel
• Miners referring to their activity as “recreational”
The Perfect Summer
February 2014
Within the first 3 hours he and I had found pocket after pocket of gold and couldn't wait to tell Levi of our treasure.
Within the first 3 hours he and I had found pocket after pocket of gold and couldn't wait to tell Levi of our treasure.
Divide and Conquer—Detecting Old Placer Grounds with Friends
February 2014
He no sooner had turned around and started moving when I hollered again that I had another nice one.
He no sooner had turned around and started moving when I hollered again that I had another nice one.
Coprolite—A Prospector's Tale
February 2014
Gold nuggets come in all forms, but I never expected that dinosaur nuggets would too, and at a decent price.
Gold nuggets come in all forms, but I never expected that dinosaur nuggets would too, and at a decent price.
Sierra County Gold—Part II
January 2014
...we will continue our examination of the rich streams and mining districts, and then take a look at some of the big nuggets that have been found here.
...we will continue our examination of the rich streams and mining districts, and then take a look at some of the big nuggets that have been found here.
Gold Placers of the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
January 2014
The biggest obstacle is that like many streams on the Kenai Peninsula, high water during the summer months from snow melt and rain can make dredging nearly impossible. The best dredging is in the colder months of the year.
The biggest obstacle is that like many streams on the Kenai Peninsula, high water during the summer months from snow melt and rain can make dredging nearly impossible. The best dredging is in the colder months of the year.
California Gold Adventure
January 2014
All locations gave up some gold, but one particular section of exposed bedrock with steep, packed crevices kept giving us good, consistent results. We had found our spot.
All locations gave up some gold, but one particular section of exposed bedrock with steep, packed crevices kept giving us good, consistent results. We had found our spot.












