creek question

[chevyman75]

I have a few creeks close by and they are fast creeks and can see bed rock BUT they have that orange iron stain in them. Would they be worth panning? Probably a dumb question but figured i better ask before i waste my time.

 

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[Underburden]

"...before I waste my time" is called PROSPECTING.
That 'time' is an investment.

 

[smokeythecat]

Are there any metamorphic or igneous nearby? In shale or limestone territory, the answer would probably be no. Otherwise, go for it.

 

[Jason in Enid]

You'll never know if you don't try.

 

[B H Prospector]

Like underburden said, prospect. Test pan several of the likely spots for gold to be. Then depending on the amount of gold you see in each pan will decide if you set up operations. Don't make the mistake alot of people do and run only one pan per spot. I will run at lease six pans before I will decide and note the number of colors in each pan and depth of the hole. Prospecting is never a waste of time. Sluicing and getting nothing is.

Good Luck!

BH Prospector

 

[chevyman75]

I didnt mean waste my time as in just skipping it i was just not sure if that iron slime would come off when workin the sand and rock in the pan.

 

[chevyman75]

So if i do try and pan that how do you get that orange slime off of everything?

 

[B H Prospector]

If I'm getting gold I don't care about any slime. It is only rust due to high iron content in the water and or soil. You and your equipment won't be affected by it unless you are injesting it. I have a claim that has a creek with high iron and the only thing it does is give the gold a little orange/yellow tint. No worries.

Good Luck!

BH Prospector

 

[chevyman75]

Ok thanks bh i just was not sure if it would stick to the gold and to the pan or if it will flow out of pan like dirt.

 

[dvdtharaldson]

I have heard that some people look for orange stained gravel because iron can be an indicator for gold.

 

[chevyman75]

Well next warmer day around 25° or more ill be hittin the creek to give it a try! Its -30 for next few days with wind chill. Thanks for all the help.

 

[B H Prospector]

Iron is an indicator of gold, hence the black sand which is iron ore. It's cold here also. Good Luck!

 

[TerryC]

Do some checking... if the area has produced gold before.... and there is (was) Seismic and hydrothermal activity, go for it. Break a hole in the ice and pan! Or wait for warmer weather! TTC

 

[loco oro]

in your area the iron stianing is from the strip mines,acid runoff,it takes time for that stuff to stain the rocks and everything in the creek,it will wash right off most stuff, i have found small gold up your way,but never invested serious time there to tell you what to expect,the allegheny is near your area and i spent a weekend on it and did find color,but it was in crazy big boulders, right at the high water mark, i tested all around the area i was in with nothing, then i decided to roll a few bigg'uns around,and did get small gold, so i figured this is glacial,so having said that you may want to focus on where the streams are ,at flood stage,there is not much gold in those streams,so it will usually only move in flood conditions,and this is the reason the gold in this area is very spotty, its by no means consitent ,testing is so important,its just as imporant to know where not to dig,as where to dig.best of luck man!

 

[chevyman75]

Thanks for the info loco ill keep that in mind when im out