🥇 BANNER 153 lbs of Silver.

[cryptic]

Went metal detectecting in the old silver tailings around here and I got a great signal on the F75. It came in at around 67 on the screen. Oh great another piece of tin i thought to myself. Oh well, dig everything because you never know what it might be. After about 35 minutes of digging and having the hole collapse in on me many times I finally saw the target. It was a nice pink coloured rock. That is a good sign since around here a lot of silver has Cobalt in it. That is one of the ways the miners would find silver veins back in the old days. Anyways, after finally digging it out, I couldn't lift it out of the hole. It was too heavy for me. It was also a very deep hole. I had to get a ratchet strap from my truck and pull it out of the hole. It is so heavy that I could hardly carry the thing over the tailings piles and through the bush. I ended up dragging it most of the way with the ratchet strap which finally gave in and broke apart from the abuse. I ended up rolling/carrying it the rest of the way. When I got home I found out the true weight of it. It weighs over 150 lbs. I still have to clean it up. It has cobalt and calcite in it and I estimate it to be at least over 75% silver. I rubbed it up a little bit to show some of the silver. It still has to be cleaned.

 

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[bradk05]

Hahaha yeah wht he said the GPS coordinates. Haha congrats again

 

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[Erik in NJ]

A great find indeed -- congratulations! Here's a few sincere questions: how did a specimen this large end up on a tailings pile? How long ago was this ore mined? And how do you think they missed this one? I know little about mining and and interested in learning something new here.

 

[coinshooter]

If they were using a trommel for the specific sized pices, it would hae kicked these big ones out the end.

 

[Shortstack]

WOW. Congratulation. I would bet keeping it as ONE, LARGE nugget will ADD value to it beyond the silver value.

 

[timbobwey]

that's just absolute insanity. I would sell it, and probly buy some silver coins with it, thats just me. I guess you could totally sit on it for a while and see if the market goes up and up and up. Either way, congrats!

 

[Syrena Hunter]

WOW! I'm so happy for you that it did not end up being an old can of oil or gas can. HH

 

[MotoGP1199]

That is freakin awsome, this thread alone makes me want to order a detector online right now. Please keep us posted on that assay.

 

[kc10bull]

Just by reading your post, and thinking what length's you had to dig that monster rock out of the ground, and then wrestle that thing out of the hole, followed by tugging it all the way back to your vehicle. All I got to say is you are totally dedicated and an inspiration to me. I hunt in the ocean and deal with things like waves, and sea creatures, but man you have done more work with that one monster boulder / ore that I probably do in several months in the water. I salute you, keep up the post and let us know what you turn up next!!!!!!!

 

[cryptic]

Thank you for the positive comments!

 

[worldtalker]

No luck,a BLESSING!

 

[Grizzly13]

WOW and I get excited over a tiny Merc Dime : )

 

[Mercy]

WOW! No more to say

 

[Valley Ranger]

Cha-ching!

 

[ynpto804]

First this is a fantastic find. I want to ask a few questions cause I have no idea how this works. Was this found on public land? And you said these rocks came from tailings? So if these came from tailings doesn't the person who owns the mineral rights really own these rocks? I understand that many old mines still have mineral rights assigned to them and some have expired. How do you find out who's rights for minerals are still valid? I guess all of it is out of the window if its private land with permisson. I ask because I have always wanted to search tailing piles in MT. I know where a ton of old mines are and have always thought that would be fun. I know outside of mines you need a permit for hobbiest panning and such from the local National Forrest office.
Thanks
ynp

 

[cryptic]

It was found on crown land in Canada. There are no mineral or surface rights claimed where it was found. It is a 100+ year old abandoned minesite. CLAIMaps is one source on the internet where you can find out who holds any surface or mineral rights in Canada. There must be something like this where you can find out who owns the rights in your area. I do not know if the hobbiest panning permit is the same as a prospectors license. Around here hobby mineral collecting is allowed. Hope that helps out a little bit.

 

[kuger]

First this is a fantastic find. I want to ask a few questions cause I have no idea how this works. Was this found on public land? And you said these rocks came from tailings? So if these came from tailings doesn't the person who owns the mineral rights really own these rocks? I understand that many old mines still have mineral rights assigned to them and some have expired. How do you find out who's rights for minerals are still valid? I guess all of it is out of the window if its private land with permisson. I ask because I have always wanted to search tailing piles in MT. I know where a ton of old mines are and have always thought that would be fun. I know outside of mines you need a permit for hobbiest panning and such from the local National Forrest office.
Thanks
ynp

I would urge you to research in earnest before setting out....especially in Montana...most all gold bearing areas their are under active claim...most by large Corps which will prosecute to the full extent...they have the means

 

[FreedomUIC]

Any update on the assay?

 

[HISPAN]

interesting find !

 

[TheIronMonkies]

That would be a great center piece for a table. haha

 

[cryptic]

Hi everyone!

I am still waiting for the assay results..

Decided to do a "visual" assay while I'm waiting and got two slabs cut off the big piece to see what was inside. Here is a picture of the second cut and what it looks like. Sorry my camera does not take the best pictures and silver is hard to photograph.

Thanks!