Is it even worth it? - Fine Gold

[cali209]

On our land we have a mountain full of hydraulic tailings and in every pan I sample I find anywhere from 2-5 specks of gold. We're talking tiny specks like the tip of a needle.

We are gonna be using a highbanker soon on it but Im starting to wonder if its even worth it.

I figure with the highbanker some of that small stuff will be lost so I may even get less than what I get when I pan.

Its consistent too...2-5 specks per large pan...but man, thats gonna take forever to add up...

What do you all think? Anyone here ever tackle a job like this?

Here's a pic...

 

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[Eu_citzen]

I am new to this prospecting does anyone use the desert fox panning machine to get the fine gold Bob

labradoodle: I find it disrespectful to hijack someones topic, start your own.
A blue bowl or a keene green bowl gets the fine gold better. Depending on your definition of fine gold?
I think about -50 mesh is fine gold for me.

Let's see Cali.
1 cubic yard= approx 202 gallons
202/5=40,4 buckets.

 

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[jewelerdave]

http://www.stoneplus.com/calculators.html

They seem to have a pretty good calculation chart.

1 Cubic Yard Equals:
27 cubic feet
(54) ½ cubic foot bags
(36) 5 gallon buckets
(23.5) 1.15 cubic foot rubber mulch bags
(13.5) 2 cubic foot mulch bags
(9) 3 cubic foot mulch bags

River Rock (all) = 1.325 tons (2650 lbs.) per cubic yard

So figure 36 bucket fulls, But the trick is you have to count the boulders in that for an accurate estimate.

But this also will give you an apx yield per ton of material, as a Cubic Yard is about a ton or more.

Most hard rock modern mines are economical at 1/20th of an ounce per tone, thats blasting and crushing rock, Current value about $50 per ton gold, but it was economical at $300 gold so that was at $16 per ton.

Moving dirt is easier, and cheaper and safer. And requires no chemicals to remove it. this is why even "poor" yields can be quite rich.

Id say spend the time to see if its viable to do. Some good 1 yard samples at different spots.
check on the cost of a back hoe "Used", check on fuel consumption rates. check on the cost for a trommel wash plant.
check on regulations that you may need to be aware of.
Calculate how many cubic yards of material you have,
check the stuff that has been gone though as well as what has not, take a record of each.
Figure out how long it will take you to go though it.
run some numbers and see if its profitable or not.

 

[Lookin]

Is it worth it, these specks? Chuck Lassiter's book, Midwest Gold Prospecting (Chuck's website is www.midwestprospector.com) indicates there are about 12,000 specks of gold per ounce. At $980 an ounce, that would make each speck worth a little over 8 cents each. Now, five specks per pan would be 40 cents per pan. How many pans per day can you do? How about if you get a highbanker/trammel/etc that has been suggested on this forum? I'd sure say that it is worth it! I'm right with the others who have indicated that they wished this was their land! Good luck and start collecting those specks!!!

 

[cali209]

Good stuff guys.

Now I cant wait to get out there again!

I'll be running the highbanker out there in a couple of days...so I'll have better data on how much gold Im getting.

With a few Red Bull's I should be able to handle 36 buckets no problem.

 

[labradoodle of pa]

Cali209 I didn't mean to high jack your post asking about the desert fox for fine gold Eu_citzen from sweden thinks I did I should of worded it different or started a diffierent post I am sorry that hammer sure put alot of lumps on my head Bob

 

[Eu_citzen]

Is it worth it, these specks? Chuck Lassiter's book, Midwest Gold Prospecting (Chuck's website is www.midwestprospector.com) indicates there are about 12,000 specks of gold per ounce. At $980 an ounce, that would make each speck worth a little over 8 cents each. Now, five specks per pan would be 40 cents per pan. How many pans per day can you do? How about if you get a highbanker/trammel/etc that has been suggested on this forum? I'd sure say that it is worth it! I'm right with the others who have indicated that they wished this was their land! Good luck and start collecting those specks!!!

Lookin he already has a highbanker, read it again and you'll see.

labradoodle:

 

[spelunker2]

Gosh, I think you folks have given me an infection.
I think I have a fever now.
Loved that video, taught me some things.
Am not sure what "high mining " is.
Have heard about mercury in gold working but sounds dangerous.
I don't think I want to go there.
Will build a sluice box and see what happens when just camping by flowing water.
Can always flyfish upstream and kick the bottom a bit.

 

[Lookin]

Lookin he already has a highbanker, read it again and you'll see.

EU, right. The point I was trying to make was the number of "specks" he'd be getting by getting a highbanker out there or other equipment available. Thanks for being the forum police and keeping us all on the up and up!

 

[Eu_citzen]

Lookin he already has a highbanker, read it again and you'll see.

EU, right. The point I was trying to make was the number of "specks" he'd be getting by getting a highbanker out there or other equipment available. Thanks for being the forum police and keeping us all on the up and up!

I thought you missed it Lookin. Yeah I can only confirm what your saying.

 

[golddigger14s]

Remember, spiral wheels are mainly for cleaning concentrates not processing cubic yards.

 

[El Cooter]

Stick to the bottom of that pit and you might be SURPRISED! You can get a VLF type detector and clean up on small nuggets.


Cooter

 

[Stryker_FO]

here is a great info Credit to the Pop and Sons.. for breaking their research and testing down for all to share.

http://bb.bbboy.net/alaskagoldforum-viewthread?forum=2&thread=694

 

[extractor]

Fines are always worth the time, they all add up.

 

[boogeyman]

Good stuff guys.

Now I cant wait to get out there again!

I'll be running the highbanker out there in a couple of days...so I'll have better data on how much gold Im getting.

With a few Red Bull's I should be able to handle 36 buckets no problem.

Nice spot! Some one said "It's not the motherlode, but it'll fill the piggybank. Oh yeah, Don't drink the Red Bulls! Take 1 Centrum & 2 B-12s wash em down with a strong cup of coffe & you're good to go! Won't have to be takin so many behind the bush breaks.