Placer Claim Mined Out?

[desertgolddigger]

I belong to a local club that owns a claim. This club has had this claim for many years, and acquired it after the old timers had mined it previously, and others after they commercial outfits closed up.
I walked quite a bit of the 160 acre claim, and noted that just about every wash had been worked. Most of the surface nuggets has also been detected by those with gold detectors. In other words, this place has been picked over and over and over.
But I m a stubborn type of person, and I figured, just watching how people ram their puffer and blower drywashers, that some gold was just being blown through them. maybe not much, but some small stuff that never got a chance to settle behind the riffles.
I know many of you would never go to the effort of digging for three to four hours through the tailings in these washes. Again, I'm a bit stubborn, and anyway, I just wanted to have some fun locally, instead of driving 300 miles roundtrip to something that gives a little more for less effort.
I've spent the last three weeks, digging a few times a week along about 30 yards of wash, and have recovered just about a gram of gold. That might not seem like much, but I have only dug up 5 grams, not counting this one gram in almost 20 years out here drywashing in the desert of southern California.
As you would know, things always seem to go wrong. My gas powered blower motor decided it was time for the repair shop, and haven't heard from the shop in two weeks. So I purchased a WORX WG521 corded electric leaf blower to use with my Royal Large drywasher. I'm using a portable generator to provide the power. And it actually is working better than with my old gas powered blower. I have to run the blower on the lowest speed, or I just blow everything through the riffles. Results are very good, as I am getting gold specks so small that I will have to use the Blue bowl in order to recover them.
I'm not only getting a little gold, I'm having some fun, and I am getting a good workout. I've lost 10 pounds since I started. So things are going well.
I'm still digging test holes around the old time hard rock mines in the hope I will find where the gold has drifted downhill below these mines. So far just a couple specks here and there. I figure I just have to move laterally one way or the other before I get something better Of course, I' don't really know if the old timers stripped the hillsides. Even if they have, they apparently aren't as thorough as I am. I hope that I may be lucky and find a larger piece of gold that the old timers, previous placer miners, and detectorists have missed.
Hope everyone is having as much fun as I have been having.

 

[Jim in Idaho]

Caley, I'm not sure I understand the connection between the on/off switch and the amp rating. You should buy the correct motor horsepower, regardless of the switch. Then install a switch with enough amp rating to handle the motor you bought. With most induction motors what usually goes out is the start capacitor. That's under the "lump" on the side of the motor. Not hard to replace....just get one to match the one that's in there... usually shown in microfarads....like 50mfd, or something. The other thing that goes bad are bearings, but less often.
Jim

 

[desertgolddigger]

Caley, I'm not sure I understand the connection between the on/off switch and the amp rating. You should buy the correct motor horsepower, regardless of the switch. Then install a switch with enough amp rating to handle the motor you bought. With most induction motors what usually goes out is the start capacitor. That's under the "lump" on the side of the motor. Not hard to replace....just get one to match the one that's in there... usually shown in microfarads....like 50mfd, or something. The other thing that goes bad are bearings, but less often.
Jim

I needed a quick way to turn the motor on and off. I got a power cord that has a rocker on/off switch. Cord and switch supposedly can handle up to 20 amps. That problem solved.

I'll look for the capacitor you mentioned, and check the thing with a volt-ohm-meter. If bad, I'll try to find a replacement capacitor, and install it. If that's the fix, I guess I will have a spare motor.

Like everything that goes wrong in my life, they always happen in bunches, never just one every once in a while

 

[Jim in Idaho]

Usually, the symptom of the bad cap is the motor just hums, but doesn't turn. Caps are hard to test with a VOM, unless they're shorted.
Jim

 

[russau]

Using a V.O.M. to check the capacitor, it should have a charge on it (if good ) set the V.O.M. for V.D.C. and place the pos. lead on one side of the Cap and the other lead (neg. ) on the other side of the Cap . If no reading switch the pos / neg. leads in reverse and you (if good ) should get a blip on the V.O.M. meter ! this is from the charge that is built up in the cap. If NO reading here your cap is bad other wise keep looking for the problem. Good Luck in your looking for the problem.!

 

[Jim in Idaho]

Using a V.O.M. to check the capacitor, it should have a charge on it (if good ) place the pos. lead on one side of the Cap and the other lead (neg. ) on the other side of the Cap . If no reading switch the pos / neg. leads in reverse and you (if good ) should get a blip on the V.O.M. meter ! this is from the charge that is built up in the cap. If NO reading here your cap is bad other wise keep looking for the problem. Good Luck in your looking for the problem.!

The only weakness of that test method is that it will show capacitance, but not how much capacitance, and that's the main thing, other than a short.
Jim

 

[russau]

Jim your correct , BUT it's better than putting a wet finger tip onto the cap terminals to check it out ! As a joke in any electrical shop don't ever pick up a cap that's been left laying on a bench and people are sitting around and obviously don't have anything to do ! DON'T touch the connector's on this cap OR your have everyone laughing ! I know because I've been there and it was done to me ! everyone had a good laugh , including me when I got up ! and getting back on topic , I don't really think that a location is ever really all worked out , but it is to a point that the pickins are real slim and the prospector is tired of getting by with the minimal gold color's he's getting. If he can't make wages then he will move on! Nature has her own way of replenishing itself every year to a point !

 

[Jim in Idaho]

Jim your correct , BUT it's better than putting a wet finger tip onto the cap terminals to check it out ! As a joke in any electrical shop don't ever pick up a cap that's been left laying on a bench and people are sitting around and obviously don't have anything to do ! DON'T touch the connector's on this cap OR your have everyone laughing ! I know because I've been there and it was done to me ! everyone had a good laugh , including me when I got up !

LOL...reminds me of radar tech school in the Air Force, Russ.....a guy was trying to short a big cap with a pair of long-nosed pliers. But, he got across the mains input leads, without shutting off the power, instead. Blew the end of the pliers across the room, and embedded it into the wall. Flash was like a lightning bolt. The look on his face made me laugh outloud. Lucky he didn't hurt somebody. messing with caps, especially in DC circuits, can be deadly. Capacitance testers are so cheap now, everybody that does electronics work should have one.
Jim

 

[desertgolddigger]

I found the capacitor. I thought it would be a tiny disk with two leads sticking out. My knowledge of capacitors date back to the early 60's. Shows how much I understand technology of today.

I looked for something printed showing capacitance, but nothing but the fact it was manufactured in China..\

As you Guys are joking about getting zapped by picking the thing up, I had already thought of that yesterday. I am deathly afraid of electricity. I got knocked backwards about 10 feet when my body tried to make a full circuit. I was about 13 years old. Was told I was lucky to get knocked out of the circuit.

I think I just have another piece of garbage to throw away because of that fear.

 

[Jim in Idaho]

As long as you don't touch bnoth terminals on the cap, at the same time, you're perfectly safe Caley. Hold a plastic-handled screwdriver by the handle, and touch the metal blade to both terminals at the same time....that will drain any charge from the cap quickly, and then you can play with it all you want. What HP is the motor? I would bet on a 1/2HP motor you'd want a start cap between 200 and 250 MFD. Be sure and get one that's 250v rated. When you order, like from Amazon, they should show a pic with the dimensions so you can be sure it will physically fit into the enclosure.
Jim

 

[desertgolddigger]

As long as you don't touch bnoth terminals on the cap, at the same time, you're perfectly safe Caley. Hold a plastic-handled screwdriver by the handle, and touch the metal blade to both terminals at the same time....that will drain any charge from the cap quickly, and then you can play with it all you want. What HP is the motor? I would bet on a 1/2HP motor you'd want a start cap between 200 and 250 MFD. Be sure and get one that's 250v rated. When you order, like from Amazon, they should show a pic with the dimensions so you can be sure it will physically fit into the enclosure.
Jim

It's a one HP motor, 165VAC, and I finally found the capacitance 540-605 micro farads. I'll wear rubber gloves, and then discharge as you described.. BTW, when the motor was coming to a final stop (when dying), the shaft moved smoothly, as it normally does, when slowing to a stop. So the bearings are probably fine. I just need to lube the bearings, if I can locate them.

 

[Jim in Idaho]

Getting to the bearings is a bit of a pain. Usually, the end plates on the motor have to be removed. They may be permanently lubed, sealed bearings. If they're turning smoothly I wouldn't worry about it. Take a look and see if there are "lube cups" on the outside. If there are then put a few drops of oil in them...if not, don't sweat it, Caley, unless they start making noise.
Jim

 

[russau]

Caley you were referring to a Ceramic Disc Capacitor (CDC) Good Luck on your repair !

 

[desertgolddigger]

Caley you were referring to a Ceramic Disc Capacitor (CDC) Good Luck on your repair !

Yes, the last electronics I did was back in the early 60's when electronic components were large pieces you soldered on a circuit board you hand etched. I got my stuff from Radio Shack. I see that capacitors are now in larger metal containers, like this motor.

Haven't done much of anything, as I was sick for several months. I didn't even know I was sick until I got to the point I had to drive to the emergency room. I've a very weak immune system, and the virus I got nearly put me 6 feet under. Never knew viruses could slowly weaken you over weeks, and then pounce like that.

I'm much better now, with strength I haven't had in months. I'm slowly getting things done, but probably won't repair anything until around October when the heat subsides. The heat tends to shut down all the motors I use, and I think it helps degrade the metal housing on my chain mills.

 

[desertgolddigger]

Still terribly hot here, with mid afternoon temps in the range of 100 to 110. I decided not to keep refilling my water troughs, as it was just a waste of water. In a week, half of each 110 gallons has evaporated, And as I said previously, no point in fixing anything until things cool off because of that heat.

I sure will be looking forward to when the heat finally ends, and get back to placer mining, and running material I've stock piled through my equipment for hard rock extraction.

 

[Assembler]

Still terribly hot here, with mid afternoon temps in the range of 100 to 110. I decided not to keep refilling my water troughs, as it was just a waste of water. In a week, half of each 110 gallons has evaporated, And as I said previously, no point in fixing anything until things cool off because of that heat.

I sure will be looking forward to when the heat finally ends, and get back to placer mining, and running material I've stock piled through my equipment for hard rock extraction.

Possible dry washing in the cooler hours?

 

[desertgolddigger]

Possible dry washing in the cooler hours?

I sure wish I could, but my electric blower motor gave up the ghost. I'm waiting for a replacement.

I have two 4 cycle gas leaf blowers, but neither will start. I can't find anyone locally that works on them. I get the feeling it's just a carburetor adjustment, but I can't figure out what that looks like. I've said before I'm not mechanically inclined, and that means I need someone who can teach me like I'm someone without any knowledge. So far my Googling hasn't turned up a no brainer tutorial video. I think people who make these videos think everyone is an expert mechanic.

Our cooler hours are from just before sunup to 8am. At sunup, the coolest daily temperature is usually around 85 F.

I may just go to the claim and spend an hour working the old timer waste piles, and hauling the dirt, pea gravel and any promising looking rock. The rock with pock marks usually still has fine gold in it. As I understand things, iron pyrites when exposed to water and oxygen tend to disintegrate, leaving behind those pock marks and in a lot of cases, fine gold.

 

[desertgolddigger]

I finally got my corded leaf blower. I also got my generator working.

Since I had these two successes, I just needed a fairly cool morning.

Went out this morning with temps in thew high 70's. My goal was just ten 40 pound pails of sifted material.

As usual I didn't just toss the rock and dirt back in the hole like most people do. I hauled that to areas of our claim access road needing repair, or firming up.

I finished packing up by 8:30 AM, and was back home by 9:30 AM.

I'm always a big pessimist, and wasn't expecting much, if anything. I was pleasantly surprised when the weigh gave me 1/6th gram. That's probably three times what I averaged per outing the previous year.

I'm hoping this new area gives fairly good gold, but knowing my kind of luck, this was a one time event. If I get three outings in a row of 1/10 gram or better, then I will know I finally found a good place.

None of the gold was very large, or chunky. There was just a lot of little pieces, over 100.

Temperature permitting, I'll try to get another 10 pails to run through the drywasher. 10 pails takes me about two hours to dig and sift.

It was nice getting out, digging, and enjoying being away from the four walls.

 

[Assembler]

I finally got my corded leaf blower. I also got my generator working.

Since I had these two successes, I just needed a fairly cool morning.

Went out this morning with temps in thew high 70's. My goal was just ten 40 pound pails of sifted material.

As usual I didn't just toss the rock and dirt back in the hole like most people do. I hauled that to areas of our claim access road needing repair, or firming up.

I finished packing up by 8:30 AM, and was back home by 9:30 AM.

I'm always a big pessimist, and wasn't expecting much, if anything. I was pleasantly surprised when the weigh gave me 1/6th gram. That's probably three times what I averaged per outing the previous year.

I'm hoping this new area gives fairly good gold, but knowing my kind of luck, this was a one time event. If I get three outings in a row of 1/10 gram or better, then I will know I finally found a good place.

None of the gold was very large, or chunky. There was just a lot of little pieces, over 100.

Temperature permitting, I'll try to get another 10 pails to run through the drywasher. 10 pails takes me about two hours to dig and sift.

It was nice getting out, digging, and enjoying being away from the four walls.

Any chance this new area has a different rock that the values are coming from?

 

[desertgolddigger]

Any chance this new area has a different rock that the values are coming from?

This claim is 160 acres. It has four vertical shaft mines, one horizontal cave type mine, three large pit mines, and dozens of small surface quartz outcrop digs. Gold was found in all, but the more than likely leached out a lot of gold before mankind ever prospected/mined them.

The who claim has been gone over by modern prospectors, resulting in a few of these mines I mentioned. If there are more veins of gold, they are subsurface, and not visible. They would require luck, and lots of hard work to find them. I'm sure there are dozens of gold veins of this type waiting for someone to discover them.

I just turned 75. and am no longer able to dig like I did 25 years ago. So I'm happy with placer mining, and digging in old timer waste piles.

The gold I found today is about 2/3rd's of the way down the wash, where no one has dug in the nearly 25 years I've mined this claim. That's probably the reason for the high quantity of gold specks I found.

Each year, more of this small gold gets washed down from the hillsides below all of these mines/digs, so if one wants gold, they will more than likely find lots of these tiny pieces of gold. The problem is that most people want big gold. The other problem is most people who use a drywasher, haven't a clue about how to run them, and as a consequence, blow most of this small gold right through their drywasher. It took my a little over half an hour to run the 400 pounds of classified material. I don't dig up material with a big shovel, and just throw it onto the drywasher hopper. I've gotten about an ounce of gold going through tailings that shovel like that. Either the gold bounces off, the gold remains attached to rock, or is blown through their drywasher.

Anyway, hopefully some newbies will read this, and be more patient, and avoid the mistakes most people who drywash make.

 

[Assembler]

This claim is 160 acres. It has four vertical shaft mines, one horizontal cave type mine, three large pit mines, and dozens of small surface quartz outcrop digs. Gold was found in all, but the more than likely leached out a lot of gold before mankind ever prospected/mined them.

The who claim has been gone over by modern prospectors, resulting in a few of these mines I mentioned. If there are more veins of gold, they are subsurface, and not visible. They would require luck, and lots of hard work to find them. I'm sure there are dozens of gold veins of this type waiting for someone to discover them.

I just turned 75. and am no longer able to dig like I did 25 years ago. So I'm happy with placer mining, and digging in old timer waste piles.

The gold I found today is about 2/3rd's of the way down the wash, where no one has dug in the nearly 25 years I've mined this claim. That's probably the reason for the high quantity of gold specks I found.

Each year, more of this small gold gets washed down from the hillsides below all of these mines/digs, so if one wants gold, they will more than likely find lots of these tiny pieces of gold. The problem is that most people want big gold. The other problem is most people who use a drywasher, haven't a clue about how to run them, and as a consequence, blow most of this small gold right through their drywasher. It took my a little over half an hour to run the 400 pounds of classified material. I don't dig up material with a big shovel, and just throw it onto the drywasher hopper. I've gotten about an ounce of gold going through tailings that shovel like that. Either the gold bounces off, the gold remains attached to rock, or is blown through their drywasher.

Anyway, hopefully some newbies will read this, and be more patient, and avoid the mistakes most people who drywash make.

What if some of the fine gold is not coming from the quartz?
You may be digging in such an area?
The method of classifying can depend on a few different factors and what you are willing to settle with as an end result.