Oregon-Hard Rock Claim Exploration.

[Needle]

This is not Hard Rock Mining, this is exploration of a Hard Rock Claim to determine the economic potential and to decide the best location for a tunnel site.
I spent 2 months with a wheelborrow, pick and shovel every day like it was a legitimate job, when my gallon of water was gone I would go home.
This picture shows the trench I dug, looking from the bottom - in...


This picture shows the trench from the top looking down...


This picture shows the way the bed rock looked after the talus was removed.
The trenches and benches were formed at a contact point and it had faulted and slipped about three feet down and sideways.


This is the same spot after more material was cleaned out.



The Gold is micron ( very small ) it is found with a red oxide and there are pyrites. The vein is about as wide as a Volkswagen Bug and is trending from the southwest to the northeast. I hit one hot pocket about the size of a wheelborrow - just hotter material than the actual vein material.

[littleneckhalfshell]

I would guess that you are short on funds working the site like that, or you like doing it the old way.
It would seem to me that once you got the idea where roughly the mineralized area lay, that you would employ a portable core drill.
Even back in the 1970's up in Ontario, working with a local who had some claims under contract to some major mineing companies for further exploration and possible development, we used a portable rock drill. If we had what is available now, it would have been a lot easier.

Core drills are not too expensive and can give a lot of info. Running across old mine workings up in northern ontario, we always found tons of core samples.

http://www.backpackdrill.com/purchasing.html is a example of what I would say is your best way to get a quick idea of what may be underground and insight where to make that first big hole.

[Needle]

Thank you for the information, that is what this is all about - information... to inspire whom ever it may concern.

[Kid Saxon]

Looks like you have a lot of work ahead of you. Guess it's my turn to post some pictures this weekend.

[Jeffro]

Looks like Big John's highbanking digs, almost. Whew! lot of sweat there- Hope it pays off for you.

[Needle]

Looks like you have a lot of work ahead of you. Guess it's my turn to post some pictures this weekend.

Bring it on, share your experience... the weather is too miserable for anything else.

[Needle]

Looks like Big John's highbanking digs, almost. Whew! lot of sweat there- Hope it pays off for you.

Thanks Jeffro, I can see you know the results of hard labor-( lot of sweat ).

[Eu_citzen]

I know the fun in moving lots of material and then work on that micron(/flour) gold to. But it sure keeps you in form better then a day at the gym.(and more FUN to!)

Cheers,
Eu

[Jeffro]

Looks like Big John's highbanking digs, almost. Whew! lot of sweat there- Hope it pays off for you.

Thanks Jeffro, I can see you know the results of hard labor-( lot of sweat ).

Oh, I've budged a rock or two in my day. Nothing like that dry trench though!

These were just south of you a bit- around Wolf creek.

[Needle]

Jeffro, I've done a little of that too... it is amazing how many rocks a guy can throw upon the bank in one weekend while dredging, and it is great recreation for the whole family. I was privileged to have my granddaughter at the time and she got to go camping with us and play in the creek - Good memories all round. Needle

[Needle]

I know the fun in moving lots of material and then work on that micron(/flour) gold to. But it sure keeps you in form better then a day at the gym.(and more FUN to!)

Cheers,
Eu

It is amazing how much fun it really is as long as you are finding some Gold, but if there is no color in the pan, then it is not fun!
Another thing about it also, after a day of hard digging - sleep is a pleasure.

[Eu_citzen]

I know the fun in moving lots of material and then work on that micron(/flour) gold to. But it sure keeps you in form better then a day at the gym.(and more FUN to!)

Cheers,
Eu

It is amazing how much fun it really is as long as you are finding some Gold, but if there is no color in the pan, then it is not fun!
Another thing about it also, after a day of hard digging - sleep is a pleasure.

Yeah I know what you mean especially if your working 2 days working all day and sleeping in a tent military style.(not comfortable, hard ground and no pillow)
Your gonna LOVE your bed after that trust me.