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Date Posted: 01:33:33 08/12/02 Mon
Author: Reg
Subject: Re: Beginner Question
In reply to: Gunswinger / Bernie in WV 's message, "Beginner Question" on 13:28:26 08/11/02 Sun

Hi Bernie,

One of the first things I would do would be to try to find out as much as I could about the mine itself. You mention it is a gold mine, but how is this substantiated? Are there other gold mines in the area? If so, then there probably information written about them and the gold found in them.

The reason I mention this is because a gold mine can take on several forms. Some follow obvious quartz veins having visible gold, others will follow certain other rock formations where the gold is extremely small and mixed in amonst other materials, generally some form of iron oxides. If this is the case, you will probably find iron pyrite.

At one extreme here in Colorado, one large company is basically leveling a mountain and processing it. In this case, the gold is most likely in a Telluride form which doesn't even look like gold.

So, in my opinion it is best to try to track down as much information as possible about the mine before you start just to know what to look for.

On a more general note, one can tell a little about the mine by looking at the size of the tailing piles associated with it. If the mine was successful, then there will be a large area covered with rock removed from the mine. That would indicate that those who worked it had some success.

As for entering the mine, I would use extreme caution. It is impossible to tell you what to expect since some mines have horizontal shafts and others have vertical shafts. Some are cut into solid rock and others have timbers in them for support. In any case, I wouldn't venture into a mine without first having a good idea of how it is constructed.

On a little different note, while investigating the tailings, look for interesting "rocks". Some of the crystals and other byproducts can be very valuable.

One final note, be careful about catching "gold fever". It can cause people to do strange things. I have seen it make enemies out of the best of friends. A while back I wrote an article about some people who stumbled into some gold. Without going into details, in my estimation the gold involved only amounted to a couple hundred dollars in value. Anyway, when it was all said and done, the couples went from the best of friends to having nothing to do with each other after the discovery.

With that in mine, have fun and whatever you do, be careful.

Reg

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Replies:

  • Hi Bernie -- Seeker (ak), 12:23:57 08/12/02 Mon
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