Gold Prospecting

California Gold Mining History

California Gold Mining History

Very good video of the history of California Gold Mining in Kern county’s Sierra Nevada!

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

At the beginning of the Gold Rush, there was no law regarding property rights in the goldfields and a system of “staking claims” was developed. Prospectors retrieved the gold from streams and riverbeds using simple techniques, such as panning. Although the mining caused environmental harm, more sophisticated methods of gold recovery were developed and later adopted around the world. New methods of transportation developed as steamships came into regular service. By 1869, railroads were built from California to the eastern United States. At its peak, technological advances reached a point where significant financing was required, increasing the proportion of gold companies to individual miners. Gold worth tens of billions of today’s US dollars was recovered, which led to great wealth for a few, though many who participated in the California Gold Rush earned little more than they had started with. (more…)

By Bob711, ago

Arizona Gold Mine

Arizona Gold Mine

This old abandoned gold mine was just outside of Yuma Arizona not far from the Colorado River. 

It’s obvious that the old-timers were following a quartz vein that was carrying the gold. Dry washing the mine tailings show that this was a very rich mine. Even dry washing in the general area produced some very fine gold dust. From poison gas, unseen drop offs, wild animals and rattlesnakes, I would never advise anyone to go into one of these old abandoned gold mines (more…)

By Bob711, ago

California Gold Prospecting Show

California Gold Prospecting Show

A look back before the Covid-1

– Gold nugget prospecting equipment – prospecting equipment demos, gold mining hand tools, floating dredges, fine gold recovery, gold nuggets, gold nugget detectors, prospecting maps, metal detectors, California gold nuggets & Arizona gold nuggets. (more…)

By Bob711, ago

Gold Panning

A lookback at GPAA show in California on gold panning with a new type of gold pan.

Panning for gold is no doubt the most popular way for finding fine gold. A well-designed gold pan, whether the currently popular plastic ones, or the original metal ones is a stable part of every gold prospectors equipment. The proper gold panning technique is not hard to master and when properly done, can extract a very high percentage of the fine gold. (more…)

By Bob711, ago

Gold Prospecting in Wickenburg Arizona

Gold Prospecting Arizona

Did you know gold is 19 times heavier than water? Well, that’s part of the science behind how Wickenburg prospectors search for gold.

Arizona has produced more than 16 million troy ounces (498 tonnes) of gold.

Gold mining in Arizona reportedly began in 1774 when Spanish priest Manuel Lopez directed Papago Indians to wash gold from gravel on the flanks of the Quijotoa Mountains, Pima County. Gold mining continued there until 1849, when the Mexican miners were lured away by the California Gold Rush. Other gold mining under Spanish and Mexican rule took place in the Oro Blanco district of Santa Cruz County, and the Arivaca district, Pima County.

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By Bob711, ago

Gold Nugget Hunting

Gold Nugget Hunting Tools

When gold prospecting, you need good equipment to save time & help in finding gold nuggets by removing trash.

Many of the areas that we go to to prospect for gold are very remote. Actually, once we leave a paved road it could take some time before we reach our intended campsite. Most of the time, we are out of reach of cellular service. (more…)

By Bob711, ago