Kern County California Gold

A total of 1,777,000 ounces of gold came from Kern County between 1851 and 1959.

Amalie District

Amalie district, is located between south summit of the Piute Mountains and Caliente Creek in township 30S. range 33E and 34E, it had a total production of 30,000 ounces of lode gold. The Amalie Mine was a major producer; but there were several other area mines that produced lode gold.

Green Mountain District

If you head southeast by dirt road to Bodfish, the Green Mountain district located between the west slope of the Piute Mountains and edge of Kelsey Valley on east side of mountains, you will find the Bright Star Mine, which had production around, 34,000 ounces of lode gold. 7 miles northwest of Piute, in township 29S and range 33E, you will find the Joe Walker Mine which produced about 100,000 ounces of lode gold.

Cove District

In Kernville, located in township 25S. range 33E, the Cove district had a total production, 262,800 ounces, primarily from the Big Blue Mine. It produced free gold, associated with arsenopyrite.

Keyes District

West in the Greenhorn Mountains at Lake Isabella along Greenhorn Gulch, extensive placers produced rich gold deposits. Also in area quartz mines there was some lode gold. West in township 26S. range 32E and 33E, the Keyes district had a total production, 39,600 ounces through 1959. There were numerous area Mines that produced lode gold.

Rosamond-Mohave District

In Mohave in township 11N and range 15W, you will find the Pine Tree Mine, which produced 75,000 ounces of lode gold. If you go southwest by 4 mile in township 10N and 11N and range 11W, 12W, and 13W, you will find the Rosamond-Mohave district, that had total production, 278,250 ounces of gold plus silver. West of Rosamond several miles, you will find the Tropico Mine, it was a major producer into 1950s. Many other area mines around adjacent Wheeler Springs produced lode gold. If you go to the northeast 25 miles in the El Paso Mountains, all regional gravels contain placer gold, This is a rich area. There are major mines in the area. The Cudahy Camp, Owens Camp, Burro Schmidt’s Tunnel, Colorado Camp, etc. all were rich in lode gold.

Rand District

If you go to Randsburg, in the heart of the Rand district, which lies along the Kern County, San Bernardino County line, produced nearly all of the 836,300 ounces of gold is from the Kern County half, with silver as a by product. The Yellow Aster Mine was the largest producer, and many other area mines produced lode gold. If you go northwest 9 miles, in Goler Gulch, the placer deposits were worked 1893-94. The GPAA has a claim at Goler Gulch.

The Yellow Aster Mine that was equipped with a 30 stamp mill.

The Mojave nugget, which weighs 156 ounces was unearthed near Randsburg using a metal detector in Kern County.

The 156 ounce Mojave Nugget.

Colors can be found by the dry wash method in Goler Wash located approximately 3 miles north east of Garlock Ghost town. Some of the area is owned by a prospect club out of Barstow. They are real friendly and encourage site tours and membership. The down side to this area is that it is open to off highway vehicles and the dirt road traffic gets heavy and noisy at times. There are no toilets or water or organized camping of any kind. The nearest formal camping is at Red Rock Canyon about 15 miles away.

If you go to 16 miles south of Weldon, in township 28S. range 35E, you will find the St. Johns Mine, which was a rich lode gold producer.

View the original article here

Gold Miners Private Property Rights

Submitted by Old Gold Miner

All National Forest System lands which (1) were formerly public domain lands subject to location and entry under the U.S. mining laws, (2) have not been appropriated, withdrawn, or segregated from location and entry, and (3) have been or may be shown to be mineral lands, are open to prospecting for locatable minerals (16 U.S.C. 482).

“Under the mining laws a person has a statutory right, consistent with Departmental regulations, to go upon the open (unappropriated and unreserved) Federal lands for the purpose of mineral prospecting, exploration, development, extraction and other uses reasonably incident thereto.” (See 30 U.S.C. § 21-54, 43 C.F.R. § 3809.3-3, 0-6).

16 U.S.C. § 481, Use of Waters: All waters within boundaries of national forests may be used for domestic, mining, milling, or irrigation purposes under the laws of the state wherein such national forests are situated or under the laws of the United States and the rules and regulations established thereunder.

Riparian “water” is appurtenant to federal “land”, as are minerals. (30 U.S.C. § 21)

The law is well settled by innumerable decisions that when a mining claim has been perfected under the law, it is in effect a grant from the United States of the exclusive right of possession to the same. It constitutes property to its fullest extent, and is real property subject to be sold, transferred, mortgaged, taxed, and inherited without infringing any right or title of the United States. Ickes v. Virginia-Colorado Development Corp., 295 U.S. 639, 55 S. Ct. 888, 79 L.Ed. 1627; Wilbur v. U. S. ex rel. Krushnic, 280 U.S. 306, 50 S.Ct. 103, 74 L.Ed. 445; Clipper Mining Co. v. Eli Mining & Land Co., 194 U.S. 220, 24 S.Ct. 632, 48 L.Ed. 944; St. Louis Mining & Mill Co. v. Montana Mining Co., 171 U.S. 650, 19 S.Ct. 61, 43 L.Ed. 320; Belk v. Meagher, 104 U.S. 279, 26 L.Ed. 735.

This possessory interest entitles the claimant to “the right to extract all minerals from the claim without paying royalties to the United States.” Swanson v. Babbitt, 3 F.3d 1348, 1350 (9th Cir. 1993).

Federal mining claims are “private property” Freese v. United States, 639 F.2d 754, 757, 226 Ct.Cl. 252 cert. denied, 454 U.S. 827, 102 S.Ct. 119, 70 L.Ed.2d 103 (1981); Oil Shale Corp. v. Morton, 370 F.Supp. 108, 124 (D.Colo. 1973).

“Uncompensated divestment” of a valid unpatented mining claim would violate the Constitution. Freese v. United States, 639 F.2d 754, 757, 226 Ct.Cl. 252, cert. denied, 454 U.S. 827, 102 S.Ct. 119, 70 L.Ed. 2d 103 (1981).

Federal Reserved Water Rights
Predates 1909 Oregon Water Code

Organic Administration Act of 1897
30 Stat. 36, Act of June 4, 1897

16 U.S.C. § 481

All waters within the boundaries of national forests may be used for domestic, mining, milling, or irrigation purposes, under the laws of the State wherein such national forests are situated, or under the laws of the United States and the rules and regulations established thereunder. (June 4, 1897, ch. 2, Sec. 1, 30 Stat. 36.)

As this federal statutory mandate and its legislative history clearly evidence, Congress explicitly authorized that water within national forests may be used for mining purposes, as a riparian right appurtenant any valid mining claim situated within a national forest.

Furthermore, waters utilized in placer mining is not a consumptive use; it does not subtract from the amount of water that is available to downstream appropriators. These reserved riparian rights are indefinite in duration and, for the most part, immune from state water laws and therefore, are not subject to diversion and beneficial use requirements and cannot be lost by non-use.

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

Section 301(a) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act – CWA) provides that “the discharge of any pollutant by any person shall be unlawful.” 33 U.S.C. § 1311(a)

In turn, § 502(12) defines the term “discharge of a pollutant” to mean “any addition of any pollutant to navigable waters from any point source. . . .” 33 U.S.C. § 1362(12)

Thus, the Act prohibits only the addition of any pollutant to navigable waters from a point source.

Those constituents occurring naturally in the waterways or occurring as a result of other industrial discharges, do not constitute an addition of pollutants by a plant through which they pass” (Appalachian power 545 F.2d 1351). “only if the point source itself physically introduces a pollutant into water from the outside world” (Gorsuch 693 F.2d 156)

“Had Congress wanted to use CWA §402 to regulate all sources of pollution, ” ‘it would easily have chosen suitable language, e.g., all pollution released through a point source.’ ” Gorsuch, 693 F.2d at 176.

Instead, Congress chose the word “addition.” The NPDES system is limited to ‘addition’ of ‘pollutant’ ‘from’ a point source.”

Small scale suction dredge gold mining does not “add” any “pollutant” to water.

View the original article here

Gold Rush of 2011 has started

Spectacular Views of the Dalton Trail

The first “Gold Rush to Porcupine Tour” started on Memorial day weekend with 10 people on board to the gold road to Porcupine.  We drove up the scenic Haines Highway through the Bald Eagle Preserve.  Joe Ordonez and CJ Jones gave excellent commentary of the area and the rich history of Dalton’s Trail.  We crossed over the Klehini River and into the Porcupine Gold District of 1898.

Dandelions in bloom – they may be weeds but they are sure pretty

We visited 16 yr old Parker Schnabel at his Big Nugget Mine where  their operation is in full swing.  Parker explained the workings of the “grizzly” and “jig” while we stood beside the raging Porcupine Creek.

Parker Schnabel at his Big Nugget MineGrizzly, Jig and Trammel talk – keys to getting placer gold

It is pretty awesome to see a 16 yr old young man in charge of his grandfather’s, John Schnabel, successful Gold Mine of 25 years.  Normally, it is hard just to get a 16 yr old to make their bed….and here Parker is running the gold mine and allowing tours to come and catch gold fever by panning for the rich yellow nuggets.

Parker brought each of us a pan and a bag of dirt so we could try our luck.  Soon everyone was working the pan like pros and after a bit you could hear the holler of delight as they glimpsed gold in the bottom of their pan!  Everyone was thrilled to find $20 to $30 dollar nuggets in their pan!  Parker is a great gold host.

Parker Schnabel with an ounce of gold
over $1500.00 in US dollarsJudy & Louise catching Gold Fever

Parker, of course, is a pro…..so he found a bit more in his pan.  We were all smiles as we said our good byes to Parker and Big Nugget Gold Mine.  We made a last stop by Porcupine Creek where a veranda and chairs are available to sit and take in the gorgeous views of the mountains and creek……oh, and the Discovery Channel’s hit TV Show, “Gold Rush: ALASKA”.

Discovery Channel’s, “Gold Rush: ALASKA” mine in Porcupine Creek

Their gold mine operation is right there and visible for a sneak peak at the happenings on the site. You can’t see their set up from the main road, they have it blocked off to visitors.  The only way to view their mine is on the Schnabel’s land, as they are neighbors with the Porcupine Creek in the middle.

Road Closed to the Gold Rush Alaska gold mine where
Dakota Fred and crew are getting GOLD

We had 3 tours go out for our starting week of the Gold Rush to Porcupine Tour. Gold Fever was contagious with many saying they want to come back for more gold panning.  They also said they would check out Discovery Channel’s TV show next season as Parker Schnabel is being filmed more often this summer and may become a little celebrity himself.  He is such a cute kid, he deserves all the success in the world!

I made sure I got a photo with Parker next to Porcupine Creek
I’ll have him autograph it, cause he is gonna be a STAR -
and quite possibly a gold mining heart throb for the gals!Really neat photo opportunity’s of old buildings at the historic Porcupine
City of 1898 to 1905 eraGold Panning at Porcupine CreekYoung Stella catching gold fever with an
ounce of the yellow pay dirtRobyn is a happy and successful gold pannerI couldn’t resist being a rebel at the road block to the Gold Rush Alaska
mineFans of the TV show were excited to get a peak at the locationHello you got to come…. Rainbow Glacier Adventure Team with Parker Schnabel at
Porcupine Creek.  Joe Ordonez established RGA in 1987 – top notch tours of
Haines Alaska

View the original article here

Boise County Idaho Gold

Pioneerville "Photo (C) by Daniel Ter-Nedden / GhostTownGallery.com"

GhostTownGallery.com

Pioneerville was also known as Pioneer City and Hogem.? A mining town that was here and gone in handful of time. Pioneerville is located north of Boise off of Highway 21 near Grimes Pass, and still has a few standing buildings. The miners had to endure ore shortages and frequent raids by Indian warriors which led to it’s downfall. Pioneerville was one of the first places to be claimed up in the old days and because there was no room for the hoards of miners who came looking for riches, they moved down Grimes Creek to form another mining town called Centerville (see below). In it’s Hey-Day Pioneerville had a population of over two thousand and had the first post office in the Boise Basin. The Grimes Pass area produced roughly 25,000 ounces of gold. Notable gold mines in the area included the Golden Age Mine, the Mammoth Mine, and the largest producer in the area: the Comeback Mine, which produced 50/50 gold and silver.

Centerville once boasted a population of around three thousand people. Once the white miners left the Chinese miners moved in. Once there were a great number of buildings, today however there only remains the outlines of old timbers that marks the spot. There are rich placer deposits all along Grimes Creek, especially on the way to Placerville (see below). Near Twin Springs, along the Boise River are some rich placer deposits. All area gravels, benches and terraces within the historical waterlines contain placer gold. The Illinois Mine and Gambrinus Mine were large lode producers in the area. Across Grimes Creek to the east is the remains of Twin Sisters Mill.

Placerville is mentioned for the sake of history. It was the key supply point for the mining towns that connected to it. To this day there are many standing, in fair shape buildings including a Saloon.In 1863, Placerville had a population of over five thousand. Placerville is part of the Quartzburg District.

Quartzburg got it’s mining jump-start around 1864, when the Gold Hill Mine was found. The Gold Hill Mine had many employees and was operating for several years and produced a lot of gold. 400,000 ounces or more are estimated to have been mined. The Quartzburg District is located in Township 7 North Range 4 East. The Mountain Chief Mine and the Belshazzar Mine were also notable gold producers in the district. In 1931, a fire destroyed most of the town. Many old mines and smaller mining camps can be found throughout the district.

Idaho City streams and creeks all contain gold. Most notable are Mine Creek, and an area known as Horseshoe Bend on the Payette River. The high bench terraces are very rich between streams in the area.

Between 1863 and today over 3,000,000 ounces of gold has been produced in Boise County.

Further Reading:

Arthur A. Hart

This book captures the flavor of life in the bustling mining camps in the Boise Basin, an area of roughly 20 square miles in the mountains of southwest Idaho. Gold was discovered there in 1862. The words of those who lived in the Basin in the 19th century have qualities that make them worth quoting — they are often picturesque, witty, charming and humorous.

8×8, Paper, 84 pages, illustrated.

View the original article here

Lane County Oregon Gold

Gold mining began in Lane County in 1858 and continues today. Gold has not been an important commodity in Lane County and only about 50,000 ounces have been reported. All this came from two locations. The Blue River District is actually in Lane and Linn counties, but it’s only productive mine, the Lucky Boy Mine, was located between the Calapooia and Blue River systems. It produced about 10,000 ounces, all from lode deposits. About 40,000 ounces came from the Bohemia District about 35 miles southeast of Cottage Grove.

Most forestry campgrounds are “Mineral Withdrawal Sites” and may be used for gold panning, nugget hunting with a metal detector. The larger “Mineral Withdrawal Sites” within the Forestry Service have plainly marked boundaries to indicate the “Free Use Sites” where dredging, gold panning, sluicing and nugget sniping can be done.

BLUE RIVER

Well east of Springfield on U.S. 126, this district overlaps into Linn County. The total production between 1887-1959 was 10,200 ounces of lode gold. The Lucky Boy Mine is 14 patented claims lapping into Linn County. See Linn County for more information.

COTTAGE GROVE

Southeast of Cottage Grove 35 miles on a divide between the Willamette and Umpqua Rivers is the Bohemia mining district. This was the largest and most productive gold district in the West Cascade Mountians. Along Sharps Creek, Martin Creek, and Steamboat Creek, placer gold is located in the gravel bars and benches. There are many lode mines in the area. The Champion (Evening Star) Mine had an 18,000 foot underground tunnel with a by product of gold from copper zinc ores. The Music Mine (14 claims) along Sharps Creek had a rich history and produced about $300,000 in gold from 1891-1949. The Crystal (Lizzie Bullock) Mine had a by product of gold from copper ore. The Helena Mine produced $250,000 in gold from 1896-1950. The Mayflower mine on Horseheaven Creek also has a good history. Other mines in the area are the Star, Captian, President, Grizzly, Leroy, Shotgun, Carlisle, all of which produced lode gold.

BRICE CREEK

Parts of Brice Creek are open to the public through Mineral Withdrawal as a “Free Use Site.” Brice Creek can be reached by travelling from Cottage Grove exit 174 on 1-5 and turning east past Dorena lake for 18 miles. Follow the Row River on the Brice Creek Road past Culp Creek to Disston, turn right onto County Road #2470 and Forest Service Road #22 which leads to Champion Creek. There are patented mining claims in the area. Stay off the private property. Brice Creek and it’s tributaries share heavily in the distrubution of flood gold particles after each new spring thaw and summer thunderstorms. It also has easy access.

Edwin Waters (webmaster of OregonGold.net) on the GPAA claim "Golden Cat" located on Brice Creek.

View the original article here

I am following John & Parker Schnabel on Gold Rush Season 3

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

View the original article here

Canyon City – Oregon Gold Locations

Canyon City has a wonderful history behind it, and better than that it has gold! Gold was first discovered on June 7, 1862 on a stream near the John Day River. An estimate of twenty six million dollars worth of oregon gold was taken from the area. Please keep in mind that these were not based on the present price of gold. In 1862, gold sold for just around twenty dollars an ounce and held pretty steady for two hundred and seventeen years at that price.

Whiskey Gulch and Canyon Creek was estimated to be one of the most concentrated places of gold in one place within the whole State of Oregon. At it’s peak, the area produced five million dollars worth of gold per year. Humbolt drive, the area between the present day town’s of John Day and Canyon City was once priced at five hundred dollars a square yard. It is said that a single pan could hold as much as seven ounces of gold. Much more history can be found at the current day museum located at Canyon City.

Many other mining towns sprang up around the area and this is a good area to start looking for that Oregon Gold.

View the original article here