Mercury in pay dirt

tolan · Jan 10, 2013

Is there really any mercury in the pay dirt you dig up when gold panning ?

TerryC · Jan 12, 2013

I found native mercury in one of the rocks at the old mine on the south end of 49 where it crosses the Melones (on BLR). A very white rock but not quartz. After breaking it open (proving it was native and not residual) the globuals eventually "fell off". Tolan, don't be too hard on Mad. You do have a right to ask questions but Mad's thoughts are legitimate. You wouldn't ask a civil engineer for legal advice, why would you ask Tnetters for serious health questions? Most here have the knowledge you need but would you bet your life on it?? TTC

kuger · Jan 12, 2013

Well,I didnt want to tell to much to prying eyes,but I have stated it before and its not that uncommon,but my average season dredging used to produce anywhere fro 5-15 POUNDS of mercury,as said nearly every water way in the gold fields has mercury,the only way to remove it is suction dredging.I hate it.....it has its place but not in the field...but its there, always ....more often than not has gold in it,it has to be burned off either through a retort or by Nitric acid,both can emit toxic fumes and leave toxic residue that can be absorbed through your pores......the toxic fumes smell like burnt almonds so there you know what it smells like.......I know,yea,not good,have been through all the testing too,not fun,35 years around it though,and I am not dead,dont sweat the panning/you are in no danger.Many on here myself included used to shine dimes,put it in our shoes,pack it around in my pocket(in a vial)its not Satans brew...but has to be respected

also as Terry stated it is naturally occuring as well....

HappyTrails55 · Mar 1, 2013

The Prospector's Dilemma is trying to figure out what exactly a felle'r is looking at. Not only in every creek drainage out here in the La Panza Mountains has something mixed into the sands with the gold that resemble either Mercury, Lead or something else. I've always steered clear of harsh chemicals, however a few drops of nitric acid should tell more either way of what this stuff is, then report back afterwards...here's some pic's...3 dry one's, er, no water, 3 wet one's...see what you think...Darrell