Gold Dredge tailings

[UncleVinnys]

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/16072075

These are river rock tailings - the leftovers from gold dredging operations. All the rocks are rounded from water erosion. Here we see two light-colored quartz rock. Gold is found in quartz, and someone broke these up to look for specs of gold.

 

[rginn]

Cool pic. We have piles and piles of these here in Summit County CO and lots of mine tailings. You think it's worth my time to poke around in these with my MD (the Forest Service would frown on a cyanide mill) or were the recovery techniques good enough in the old days that nothing much would be left?

 

[packerbacker]

There is a LOT of gold in tailing piles. Some are quite large like this 14+ ouncer a friend of mine found.

 

[rmptr]

WoW!

14oz!!!!!!

I may NEVER pass a tailing dump again!

That is AWESOME!

 

[UncleVinnys]

I've HEARD that only about two-thirds of the gold in
river rock dredging operations is actually recovered, and
that there is a lot left in the tailings piles.

I have searched the ones near my home for a total of about 8 hours,
and I did find an old nail, but no gold.
I would like to know if it is worth it to continue to search.

 

[packerbacker]

More from the tailing piles taken within a few hundred feet or less from the vehicle, just outta town.

 

[UncleVinnys]

Whoa! Packer - my new best friend!

Well, that's enough to convince me - I'm going back to the rock pile!

 

[rginn]

Well, you all's convinced me. Although you all are in California, it should work here. I'll go check those piles and IF there's not too much snow and IF the Forest Service don't run me off, maybe I'll come up with something. I'll settle for slightly less than 14 oz. I'll post it and give directions IF I find anything. Later!

 

[bigfish31]

Howdy neighbor! Can I borrow a cup of nuggets?