February 2010 (Vol. 79, No. 6) $3.75
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Legislative and Regulatory Update
• California dredging update
• On a related issue, SB 233
• EPA and greenhouse gases -
Mining Reform and Congress
After years of negotiations between environmentalists and industry groups, observers say efforts to reform the 1872 Mining Law may finally pick up steam in Congress. -
Placer Mining in Canada's Yukon Territory
Frank Taylor’s family has been mining in the same area of the Yukon Territory since 1935. He’s been working his current placer operation on Duncan Creek near Mayo since 1975. -
California's Rich Pocket Mines
The seven geologic indicators... are important concepts for prospectors to focus on when searching for gold pockets. -
The Significance of Boulders in Placer Deposits
The good news about boulders is they can trap heavy minerals. The bad news is moving them out of the way can be a real struggle. -
Oregon Suction Gold Dredgers Score Big Win
The main issues in this case involved the DEQ’s authority to regulate discharges under sections 402 and 404 of the Clean Water Act. -
Michigan Approves Nickel, Copper Mine
Regulators gave final approval to a nickel and copper mine for the Upper Peninsula. -
Desert Drywashing
I thought I’d try something totally different—a large area of small material tailings. After about an hour of digging and test panning we both had more gold than all the other digs combined. -
The History of Gold Mining in Sierra County
There may be some truth to some of the fantastic claims. The Ruby Drift Mine near Forest City is where 159 nuggets were taken out between 1937 and 1942—a total of about 1,000 ounces with an estimated value of $1.5 million when gold was... -
Melman on Gold & Silver
As laws become cluttered, difficult to understand and almost impossible to enforce both effectively and economically, they are bound to drag down industry and commerce inside a welter of complications.