The Art of Dry Placer
I have posted a short version of this concept on Rob Alison’s Site and Bill Southern’s Site. I hope to go into more detail here especially for those who are still struggling with the hobby. Just so you all know I am not expect by any means. I have had no formal training in geology, but I did have the privilege of sitting at the feet of some oldtimers who have since passed on. I will try to post as many pictures as possible with explainations.
There is a gentleman on Bill Southern’s Site by the name of Paleface and I have come to realize he and I have a lot in common. We have both spent the better parts of our lives digging underground(hardrock mining), if not for ourselves, then for different companies. We have both done placer mining(wet and dry) and metal detecting. Although I do believe Paleface has more experence at dredging and metal detecting.
If there is one thing that I can honestly say about recreational mining it is this, “its not cheap and the majority of the equipment is heavy”. Please do not get discouraged for the rewards far exceed the pain.
Due to the lack of water in the desert, all my placer work has been of the dry type. I have had people, who have known me for most of my life, ask why? Why do you bust your butt digging in the dirt, putting up with rattle snakes, bees and the hot sun? Most of these people don’t get out in the desert for days at a time and enjoy the quite. Their idea of gold mining is walking around with a metal detector and just picking gold nuggets up off the ground.
Now I agree that is a very good question. So in order to answer that question I have decided to post a few pictures that I have taken over the years of some of our adventures. I will try to explain each picture as best I can. The gold pictures are from different washes. The washes span from the Pinto Mnts. to the Old Women Mnts. and the majority of it was found working beside my father.
You see, for me, its not about the gold. Its about being with friends or even being alone with the desert. My time prospecting and mining allows me the time to become one with the desert, learning from its ancient rocks and formations.
The gold, what about the gold? Well That’s God’s reward for my respecting of him, his earth, mankind and his solar system. God Bless all of you in your quests for that which is buried.
29 Prospector
Real Nugget Hunters
