Hi all. Jim from AZ here. New to goldprospectorsspace. Been prospecting for a couple years now. Always liked hiking and being outdoors. Started running across old mines on hikes. Got curious when someone told me they used to mine gold. Did some looking around the internet and found Ask Jeff Williams videos. Thought the guy was nuts at first. Couldn't handle the craziness but he always included enough real information to put me on the right track. His enthusiasm is contagious.
Mostly do lode prospecting and mining. Exploring old mines, researching history etc. Dipped a pan in the creeks once or twice. Doesn't do it for me. More interested in getting where its coming from. That'n most watered gold bearing placer ground down here that is claimable is generally claimed up.
My experience is beyond my expectations. Four years ago it was completely outside what I considered a possible reality this day and age. Digging rocks high up on the side of a mountain canyon getting gold. Its not easy (see last sentence) but its still out there. Real special. Things Ill never forget. The first time I broke open a rock and seen it lined in gold foils. The excitement of finding an old mining report that lead me to a long forgotten gold mine.
Always up to talk to other lode prospectors and miners, not too many I've found. Tight lipped bunch, for various reasons. Obviously I'm not up to get into specifics on "where", but I'm plenty open to discuss anything (prospecting, claiming, mining, processing) related to the "how".
Replies
Still digging holes and glassing rocks dust. Best hobby ever.
Getting under the vein. Time for a hammer drill and a little black powder.
Thought about trying some calcium oxide and water. Never tried it yet. Poor mans expanding compound . Spanish used it for making headway through rock when black powder was in short supply or needed elsewhere. Nasty to work with though. Turns to lye when you get it wet.
Running a little ore in the sampling mill.
very nice and thanks again for joining us