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Post by GoldenPhotoGuy on Feb 16, 2009 14:44:31 GMT -5
Ok, lets put this into 2 categories....answer one or both!
1. What is the biggest lesson you learned about mining technique
2. What is the biggest mining NO NO you learned the hard way (or almost the hard way ;D )
lets see what ya got! i'll post mine in a bit.
blake
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Post by scottnugget23 on Feb 16, 2009 20:24:54 GMT -5
#1: slowing down and showing patience while finish panning. #2 Do not undermine large boulders!!! When I was learning to dredge there was a boulder that was about 3 feet around sitting partly in the water and partly out. I thought about moving it out of the way but thought well I"ll dredge under it a little more, well I pulled a basketball size boulder about 3 feet away to dredge a little bit more.BAM, that is when the big boulder broke loose, it moved about 4 feet downward toward me. luckily it just hit me very hard in my left leg and arm.I had the biggest bruise on my leg though. It also bent the SH*T out of my swivel nozzle and my hose. Now when in doubt I winch the boulders out of the way. It could have been much worse though. I'm very thankful that I didn't get hurt. Although my wife and mother in law were there,I don't think they could have moved that boulder. If possible have an good mining partner with you.  |
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Post by Steel Pan on Feb 17, 2009 8:41:43 GMT -5
If by "biggest", you mean most important,......hmmmm....
1. Learning how to "read" an area of interest and being methodical about your approach in working an area. ( O.K., that's two, but they kinda go hand in hand. )
2. Wait until the roads have firmed up after the winter run off. You not only tear up the roads by putting in deep ruts, but you may find yourself walking a long way to get back out after burying your truck to the frame. ( Learned that one when I was about 14. LOL )
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Post by kgphoto on Feb 18, 2009 18:48:11 GMT -5
Biggest lesson on mining techniques, is to classify.
Biggest NO NO is not to pay attention when undermining the dirt above you. A relatively small rock fell down and broke my 1/2 classifier. Fortunately, missed my kids. Lesson learned. Have them stand closer. LOL.
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goldcam
New Member
Prospecting is the gold.
Posts: 33
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Post by goldcam on Feb 18, 2009 21:36:49 GMT -5
Blake! Your the goldenphotoguy? Good to have you on the Forum. The best technique I would say is take your time and enjoy it. If it's a hot day, jump in the river or if your in the desert stop, relax and have a drink and a snack. Evaluate your progress and see what is going to make your mining enjoyable for you. Don't rush it. ;D Learned to always bring gloves if I am going to be doing a lot of digging to avoid blisters.  Joey |
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Post by GoldenPhotoGuy on Feb 20, 2009 2:09:36 GMT -5
Yep Its Me Joey  Best technique....well 2.... Classify! As many of you know, gold is usually at least 2 times as heavy as anything else in the pan of the same size....USE THAT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE! I classify at 4, 8, and 16 mesh at least and if i am in a fine gold area, i'll do 30, 50 and sometimes even 100 mesh! makes panning much easier! When Dredging, TAPER YOUR HOLES! To prevent burying your tools...or yourself Takes a little extra time but will definitely pay off in many ways! Ok...the NO NO is a little funny in hindsight... So i had been in the water for about 7 hours this day and was a little pooped....we were standing in the water beside the dredge picking out the pickers and nuggies when i lost my footing and FIRMLY planted my hand on the first thing that happened to be in the way of my fall....and that just so happened to be muffler of the pump! i proceeded to jump around holding my hand growling like a bear that is being attacked by a swarm of bees....or something like that. needless to say, ....INSTANT BLISTER covering half the palm of my hand. the burning sensation was so bad that for the next half hour at least, it felt like my hand was still being cooked! A little bit of burn cream, gauze, duct tape, 2 vicodin and i was as good as new |
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Post by wyomucker on Feb 20, 2009 9:56:31 GMT -5
The one thing I have learned, is not to run your highbanker too fast. I have run tailings material where a couple of guys were highbanking and found a good amount of gold. They were running their highbanker fast and feeding material even faster.
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Post by kgphoto on Feb 22, 2009 0:33:36 GMT -5
What do you find in the tailings? Nuggets or just flour?
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Post by gcma4me on Feb 22, 2009 23:54:06 GMT -5
Pay attention to what other miners have to say, you'll learn a lot, just by listening. Some are full of BS, but for the most part, you'll learn something.
Biggest NO, NO...... probably hogging to much in the nozzle, and plugging the suction hosewww.golden-caribou.com
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Post by GoldenPhotoGuy on Feb 23, 2009 0:31:48 GMT -5
Biggest NO, NO...... probably hogging to much in the nozzle, and plugging the suction hosebad bad bad! no pluggy pluggy suction hose!!! Hell....dont even leave the nozzle facing down when you get out of the water! i made that mistake the first time i ran an 8" dredge. sucked a torpedo rock and got lodged 1/2 way up the 30 ft of hose! oopsy! lol |
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Smithsgold
Full Member
Production Coordinator Northern California
Buckshot & Me
Posts: 103
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Post by Smithsgold on Feb 23, 2009 10:22:55 GMT -5
Pay attention to what other miners have to say, you'll learn a lot, just by listening. Some are full of BS, but for the most part, you'll learn something.
Biggest NO, NO...... probably hogging to much in the nozzle, and plugging the suction hosewww.golden-caribou.com |
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Post by renochris on Feb 23, 2009 17:27:10 GMT -5
1. What is the biggest lesson you learned about mining technique
The most important equipment you can own is the knowledge stored in your head.
2. What is the biggest mining NO NO you learned the hard way (or almost the hard way)
To blindly start digging in a spot without thinking about it first and looking for the location with the most gold.
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Post by aunugget on Feb 28, 2009 16:41:04 GMT -5
my biggest lesson learned is that im learning every trip out so ill have to answer that one a little farther down the road but if I was to give a answer now it would be to slow down alittle and enjoy the experience more.
my biggest mining no no was over looking a safety hazard and finding myself buried under 9 yards of material
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Post by scottmeadows on Mar 2, 2009 7:22:30 GMT -5
Biggest lesson I've learned I must say is "gold is where you find it." My dad and I scouted an area about 50 miles wide and found the creek we thought was the source. We prospected up it until we didn't find anymore gold. Then we went back to where we found gold and all signs pointed to this spot. We camped out with a 4" dredge for 2 months straight. End result... It wasn't any better than any other place in the area but we had a great time and lots of memories.
Biggest no no...
Don't stay underwater with your air breather for to long. I must had stayed there for an hour and a half about 10 ft. deep... It was so beautiful, calm, and peaceful. Well it gave me an ear ache I'll never forget and even to this day it comes back when I ride on a plane. Very big no no!
Much love and...
May your pan be filled with color...
scottmeadows.com
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snakehawk
New Member
I like Gold Prospecting,Rockhounding,Metal detecting,Gem huntin,Fishing,Hiking,Camping,Hunting,
Posts: 2
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Post by snakehawk on Mar 13, 2009 19:53:19 GMT -5
I would say it was Learning Hot to Read the rivers and creeks and event smaller water run offs even in big and little ditches to find the gold..
oh and the biggest no no i did was to tell a fellow gold prospector where my spot was that i was getin great gold from..He then Bulldozered It All for him self in his big shaker trummal all 20 or so Ounces of it..
May yee all find lots O Gold In Yee Pans...
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