Arrastra or Leaching tank?

[Sample Pan Dan]

I plan on digging out the dirt and ashes next time I'm out, so I can find out first hand. In the meantime just curious what y'all's thoughts are.

 

[TerryC]

OUTSTANDING find! Most likely used for gold .... or maybe grain. Nice find, nice pic. Keep us posted. Don't overlook those foliated places nearby. The REAL finds may be in the shade! Tnx. TTC

 

[Sample Pan Dan]

Thanks Terry

We know it was for gold, no volume of grain ever grown in that area, but there was tons of old mining activity. This was either a very large grinder, possibly with grinding wheels vs drag stones, or it was froth flotation tank. Unfortunately it's been used as a fire pit for many years it seems. So the metal detector was no help. We plan on digging to the bottom of it next time we're there, to see if it has a solid bottom or just rocks sitting in dirt.

 

[Hoser John]

Milling fer sure as massive steel turnstile would predicate that use--lotza luck-John

 

[Sample Pan Dan]

Thanks for the input John.

 

[bill-costa rica]

arrastra for sure, this is a photo of a more modern one

 

[Sample Pan Dan]

Wow thanks Bill... Is that one being used currently?

 

[Gold Maven]

since it has concrete walls, I bet it has a concrete floor too.I'd sluice a few five gallon buckets, ashes and all, but especially the stuff at the bottom. Good Luck.

 

[bill-costa rica]

Wow thanks Bill... Is that one being used currently?

there are many of these still in use up in the hills, small mom and pop mines. some are gas powered , most with electricity

 

[TerryC]

Do the best you can, Drywall, but try to keep the site as intact as possible. TTC

 

[Hoser John]

BCR walks the walk and CR is indeed a beautiful place and waaaaaaay back in them jungles freedom still rings true. A rich legacy of gold production,jewelry creation and unboundless beauty and toothy critters a galore-thanx mucho BCR for that great pic--sooo cool-John ps-BEEN ASKED FOR INFO-bILL LIVES IN cOSTA rICA-i WENT DOWN FOR A MONTH OR SOOO LOOKING ALL OVER FOR A PLACE TO MINE/REGS/FOLKS ATTITUDES/INDEGENOUS FEELINGS. oops sorry-- The Museam in San Jose has a underground gold museum with MANY BILLIONS in pure gold artifacts that I almost got shot whilst trying to take a pic-warning when a flash goes off guns come out-steel doors slam and all shot on the spot immediately. Sooo since Bill showed how,I thought end products would be nice. Toothy critter on sandbar is a HUGE gator who tried to be friendly with my kayak the yellow contaminated water ran him off as the brown stuff floated when he nuzzled the kayak. Last is vista adjacent to San Juan waaay up in the hills after a DANGEROUS insane atv ride--as went from coast to coast and amazing throughout-click on pics and they get bigger-thata all folks-John

 

[Oakview2]

Google has some great images.... Arrastra - Google Search

 

[Sample Pan Dan]

Ya Oak, I've looked at all of those over and over again. The only one I've seen that looks like the one I posted, I'm pretty sure is the same one! Just by the background ya know? Any how, I love the living history lesson I get as a byproduct of my exploring and prospecting.

 

[Sample Pan Dan]

Oh and Terry, I'm all about leaving it intact and behind for the next guy...all but some Au and whatever other "goodies" we find out there :-)

 

[russau]

thanks for the pictures John!

 

[TerryC]

Oh and Terry, I'm all about leaving it intact and behind for the next guy...all but some Au and whatever other "goodies" we find out there :-)

Yes sir, Drywallman.... take all you can but leave only footprints. Go for it! TTC

 

[Sample Pan Dan]

Well we went back to the arrastra yesterday and started moving dirt. What we found appears to be 2 or 3 layers of large, well packed rocks in the bottom. We managed to wiggle a couple out and got some good looking dirt samples from the crevices below. Planning on taking out a breaker bar and a large pry bar next time, so we can get down to the bottom, as we now know there's some ore stuck in there too! :-)

 

[bill-costa rica]

here are some photos and stories from washinton state. the arastra in the river is where i found my first washinton gold back in the olden days of 1969.
bill-cr

Blewett Washington Mining Arrastra

 

[Sample Pan Dan]

Thanks Bill,
Good stuff