Hi to all, As I’ve mentioned before I’m not a treasure hunter although I do post here on this site and through my running around I am occasionally approached by people with treasure stories so I like to think of myself as a treasure hunter of sorts. Also I’m fluent in Spanish, read write and speak and that has given me access to a whole different source for information. In my opinion much more accurate information and more intimately connected to the source. To be a successful treasure hunter one needs information that no one else has and substantial capital and expertise in a rather unique set of skills in order to be successful. Building those skills has been a life’s work, studying geology, metallurgy, dialects, local geography and history and be comfortable in the field with different conditions and different cultures. Knowing the mood and mindset of the people, plus being aware of the legal aspects of the particular activity one is pursuing. As a kid I recycled car batteries , later on as I wrote here I recycled catalytic convertors, then I moved on to suction dredging, then I setup a couple of gold placer operations ,then I offered my services as a mining consultant, as I saw most people running around Latin America completely lost and losing money. I thought ,I knew I could help them to the point of guaranteeing success. This work took me to many countries and involved me in many commodities, diamonds ,emeralds ,gold ,platinum ,silver ,mercury, talc, zeolites, calcium carbonate ,strontium, gypsum , jade, serpentine, phosphates, barite, opals and lead. I can tell you that with anyone of these activities one can net over 100k per year with a little capital and a proper plan and proper knowledge within two or three years of growth pains and getting through the learning curve just by oneself. After that one can get to 200 to 400k if one has that ambition, and working completely alone. And the product is right in front of you, not hidden, it doesn’t have to be decoded, etc. So, although seduced by treasure stories as a child and that magical and addictive urge to seek and find is what initially struck my interest, I quickly saw the probabilities of success and risk to reward were nowhere near reasonable. So I once again became a junk man ,looking around for what no one wants, ore piles, slag piles, deep pools in streams containing gold , buying gemstones ,faceting them and sending them to auction, these are my treasures. I rarely post here, and I’m usually working. But for the last 10 years or so I’ve been reading here ,about the same people and discussing whats on the other side of the mountain or the other side of the world. Yes its great reading, and I understand that most are elderly, most are armchair treasure seekers, and most are probably bored. Meanwhile Ive been plodding along with my little treasures one by one. I say this not to be presumptuous, only to offer another train of thought and hopefully encourage others to think outside the box as to what could be attainable for them wherever they are. I promise that there are treasure opportunities out there. From looking for vintage clothing at yard sales (I recently saw where a girl in LA started this idea and now sells on a website which is valued at 50 million dollars, she was on TV promoting her book about her journey) to taking a class to facet gemstones(you can work your way up to a master faceter level if that’s what you want) to building a backyard forge and hunt for scrap metal. At a higher level, there are two excellent schools, in the USA to train one to be a diamond buyer. Upon graduation they will actively seek investors (if you’re good enough) for which you will go to all parts of the world to buy rough stones in the field on their behalf. Eventually you can also buy for yourself. I can go on and on about the possibilities. As for treasure leads I do feel I have a couple that exhibits more than enough data to get anyone off of their chair,but I will never pursue them. I also know of mining deposits where the ore can be dug up right on the surface of the earth and be sold for a thousand dollars per ton. No processing, nothing, just dig and load up and drive to the buyer. I also know of pools in streams that based on personal calculations should exceed 300 lbs in gold minimum , and should be completely mined in 4 months of low water,the dry season. Small mine dumps completely unknown that calculate via assay over 7 million in silver, and could be completely processed in 24 months or so. So there are many possibilities out there. As far as leaving detailed information , well my children are grown and have no interest at all although my work as a modern day prospector has given them very secure lives. I have frequently wished for a partner (I really don’t need one, but sometimes I wish I had a real friend to run around with) and I would think that a partner should bring something to the table , knowledge ,equipment , connections ,capital ,something. But they never have anything and disappear. I have given away incredible mines to people and companies for free, and I never hear from them again. I have given mines , locations, reports for free and I see these people on internet mining sites trying to raise money on those properties, of which they are not the owner , and have no contractual agreement with the owner. I have flown halfway around the world to setup a project for people and when its time to act they disappear. So Ive had really bad luck with people, and I do just fine on my own. My wife is my best friend and partner but shes a professor ,loves her work and now is seldom free. Its our hope to attack one of the larger projects in a few years just for the fun of it to see if we can pull it off. I am happy to help anyone in anyway I can. But those who are destined to truly succeed in these “treasure”activities will most likely have enough personal drive and ambition to strike their own path. There are quite a few people who have carved out their lives in this manner ,in an atypical manner somewhat under the radar, in the world of mining , gemstones and treasures. Some of them are personal heroes of mine. The idea ,in my mind is to be successful, and Id rather be successful recycling computer scrap and mastering it ,than to dream about something that’s well beyond my reach. I too ,enjoy immensely reading about Gengis Khan, to Moctezuma to Al Capone. And all in between. So keep those stories coming.
