AZ Claim

[mu50stang]

I was wondering what prospecting items would be good to bring with for AZ prospecting Thanks for any info.

 

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[Terry Soloman]

Where is your claim? Southern, Central, Northwest Arizona? What type of drywasher do you have? Recirculating sluice? Ever done this before?

 

[mu50stang]

Close to mayer AZ. I have been gold prospecting for 2 years now, mostly dredging. This will be my first time drywashing. I was going to buy a keene 151 drywasher. It will be me and 3 other friends.

 

[Fullpan]

Oh my - TerryS, are you as nervous about this as I am?

 

[TerryC]

Where is your claim? Southern, Central, Northwest Arizona? What type of drywasher do you have? Recirculating sluice? Ever done this before?

Terry, Mayer is southeast of Prescott. Between Wickenburg and Prescott. I've been through there but no digging. It should be a good place for him. Hope he didn't get soaked for the claim. There are SO MANY coming up for claiming with only the cost of filing. Ok, I got bit recently.... but I'm not out thousands. THAT would be hard to swallow! I hope that works for you Mu50tang. Good luck. Let us know. (a PM would get TimC or me to come and help you out when you get here. We are less than an hour away) TTC

 

[Rdg Sluicer]

Terry, Mayer is southeast of Prescott. Between Wickenburg and Prescott. I've been through there but no digging. It should be a good place for him. Hope he didn't get soaked for the claim. There are SO MANY coming up for claiming with only the cost of filing. Ok, I got bit recently.... but I'm not out thousands. THAT would be hard to swallow! I hope that works for you Mu50tang. Good luck. Let us know. (a PM would get TimC or me to come and help you out when you get here. We are less than an hour away) TTC

I drove Hwy 93 last weekend between Kingman and Phx.... wow I like that out there! I grew up in Ariz, Flagstaff actually. That was the first time I had driven 93.... made me want to go out and buy a drywasher for sure!

 

[Terry Soloman]

Close to mayer AZ. I have been gold prospecting for 2 years now, mostly dredging. This will be my first time drywashing. I was going to buy a keene 151 drywasher. It will be me and 3 other friends.

Before you spend too much money on a name, check out Bret Chilcott out of Chandler, AZ. - AZ Desert Gold He builds the machines for our school, and in my opinion they are the best at keeping the gold in the tray. We call the "Pocket Rockets," because they are compact, light and fast! I think you are a little above the trend in Mayer, but I hope I'm wrong. Big Gold!

 

[TerryC]

I drove Hwy 93 last weekend between Kingman and Phx.... wow I like that out there! I grew up in Ariz, Flagstaff actually. That was the first time I had driven 93.... made me want to go out and buy a drywasher for sure!

As you found out, the desert areas along that part of 93 are BEAUTIFUL! A rugged beauty the Flag forests don't have. Take care. TTC

 

[mu50stang]

I I was looking at a map and did see the name of a creek running through it but the previous owner said there wasn't any water on the property. The owner did claim to have found some pickers and an occasional small nugget when they were using it, but who knows how much truth there is to that.

 

[TerryC]

I picked it up for less then a basic drywasher and its 160 acres so the price wasn't bad. Looking at google maps it looks real promising. I was looking at a map and did see the name of a creek running through it but the previous owner said there wasn't any water on the property. The owner did claim to have found some pickers and an occasional small nugget when they were using it, but who knows how much truth there is to that.

There is an oft quoted saying that at the bottom of a gold mine is a liar. You will soon learn if the claim is worth it. TTC

 

[TerryC]

Incidently, you know you will pay maintainance fees every year, right? Per 20 acre piece, right? At (I believe) $140 per 20.... or file waivers. I don't think you got a patented claim. Did you do the filing with Feds and county? Just looking out for ya. TTC

 

[Goodyguy]

I picked it up for less then a basic drywasher and its 160 acres so the price wasn't bad. Looking at google maps it looks real promising. I was looking at a map and did see the name of a creek running through it but the previous owner said there wasn't any water on the property. The owner did claim to have found some pickers and an occasional small nugget when they were using it, but who knows how much truth there is to that.

Congratulations on acquiring your first claim
It will be a learning experience that will help prepare you for a lifetime of prospecting adventures.

GG~

 

[calisdad]

From what I've read here you're going to need a good respirator if you intend drywashing. Me, I'd bring enough water to run a recirculating sluice.

Good luck to you! Just being outside in beautiful country is a reward in itself.

 

[Goodyguy]

Incidently, you know you will pay maintainance fees every year, right? Per 20 acre piece, right? At (I believe) $140 per 20.... or file waivers. I don't think you got a patented claim. Did you do the filing with Feds and county? Just looking out for ya. TTC

They just passed that last year http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/info/newsroom/2012/july/NR_07_27_2012.html
Used to be one fee per claim now it's based on acreage.

 

[TerryC]

They just passed that last year BLM Issues Interim Final Rule Regarding Placer Mining Claim Maintenance Fees
Used to be one fee per claim now it's based on acreage.

Yes, a bane to the big guy. A plus to us little guys! The big guys are dumping claims left and right! TTC

 

[mu50stang]

Wouldn't the water get to muddy with a recirculating sluice. We plan to run for at least 10 hours a day. I would prefer the water method but it seems it might not work to well.

 

[Goodyguy]

Wouldn't the water get to muddy with a recirculating sluice. We plan to run for at least 10 hours a day. I would prefer the water method but it seems it might not work to well.

At some point you will need to be able to transport your concentrates to a water source for further processing. That includes concentrates from a drywasher.
Most residents take their concentrates home to wet process them. Since you are a non resident you will need to make arrangements to access a water source.

Also did you know that on BLM land you will fall under "Dispersed Camping" rules:

"Dispersed camping is allowed on Public Lands in Arizona for no more than a period of 14 days within any period of 28 consecutive days. The 28-day period begins when a camper initially occupies a specific location on public lands. The 14 day limit may be reached either through a number of separate visits or through 14 days of continuous overnight occupation during the 28 day period. After the 14th day of occupation, the camper must move outside of a 25 mile radius of the previous location until the 29th day since the initial occupation. The purpose of this special rule is to prevent damage to sensitive resources caused by continual use of any particular areas. In addition, campers must not leave any personal property unattended for more than 10 days.

To further protect your public lands, campers must not dispose of any refuse, hazardous materials, sewage, or gray water, in any manner that would pollute the surrounding area. PACK IT OUT."



Here is a link for some good info on what you may need permitting wise depending on what type of land disturbance you may be planning on in the future: How to file a Notice of Intent or Plan of Operation arizonaminingclaims.com

 

[mu50stang]

Thanks for all the info so far. If we are just drywashing with a shovel do we need to file a notice of intent?

 

[TerryC]

Thanks for all the info so far. If we are just drywashing with a shovel do we need to file a notice of intent?

No. There are 3 levels of mining. Casual, which includes panning and drywashing, notice of intent (explosives and dozers) if less than 5 acres of disturbance a year, and Plan of operation, which is all larger than 5 acres of digging. TTC

 

[mu50stang]

Thanks Terry. This first trip is just to sample and find out whats there. What amount of gold would warrant bringing in a small excavator to move more dirt?