So, friday i went to my usual spot to play, and on the trail leading to my area there is about 20 yards of decomposing granite. I had seen a video somewhere of a guy panning gold from crushed decomposing granite. I have been meaning to grab a few scoops to take home and test it out but im usually too exhausted, so i just pass by. Finally i got a sample of it and took it home. This morning i grabbed a coffee can and aluminum bat and crushed up a hand full and to my suprise there was some fine gold in it. Not a whole lot but some. There is a lot of this material naturally in my area and if i had the means to crush up large quantities it might be worth the effort. For all the prospectors not as fortunate as i am to live close to gold bering areas, it might be an option for you to play around with. Come winter time when the weather isnt cooperating i might just do the same. Any ways just thought it was interesting and wanted to pass on what i found and that it is true that some decomposing granite does infact contain gold.
Its funny, i have been racking my brain trying to figure out how the gold got concentrated on the high side of the bank in my spot. There isnt anything down close OR in the water, atleast i havent found much but the heaviest deposit has been a line the length of the bank 40yards +. After i worked that line i started moving large chunks of rocks that piled up like concrete riprap moving up the incline of the canyon wall. Its very possible that all the gold in this spot is coming from the decaying canyon, that would explain why most of the gold is from the surface to 2' in loose sand and gravel. Also why some of the gold looks untouched and others pounded paper thin with sharp coarse edges. I found gold 20-25' above my main dig area. The gold stays put even at high water becaus of the coarse of the river creating a low pressure zone here so it would accumulate over time. I should probly be looking closer at these rocks and maybe sample and crush some. If thats the source i might find some good color high up on bedrock. Now i really need to get a metal detector
"Rotten Rock" is a prospectors best friend! If you can a decent natural catch basin with evidence of runoff AND that decomposed granite, it might be worthwhile to dig a bucket or two! Good luck!
Comments
"Rotten Rock" is a prospectors best friend! If you can a decent natural catch basin with evidence of runoff AND that decomposed granite, it might be worthwhile to dig a bucket or two! Good luck!