Gold dredging

[BushMasterBoy]

Anybody here have a gold dredge? Or work a gold dredge? I am thinking of buying a used dredge and dredging on the Arkansas river. I am a certified diver. I have never dove AND used a dredge at the same time. Anything advice would be welcome. I would also consider a partner as I am looking at buying some land that is workable. Feel free to comment...

[brutal]

Watch Bearing Sea Gold. They all know what they're doing. [facepalm]

[colorider]

Couple of things.
1st, make sure the area you are dredging is not already claimed. There are a LOT of claims along the Arkansas and you do not want to mess around on a claim.
2nd, read the rules on dredging. Many areas do not allow for it. Some allow non motorized dredges.
3rd, Sluice, A big one of you are going to have a lot of dredged material.
a lot of beer!!!!!

I prospect for gold as a hobby in the nice weather and when I have time. I have a small sluice box and several pans. I have a lot of fun doing it and have found some decent flakes. No nuggets yet.

[Mtn.man]

certified,,, yeah you'll need that.

[def90]

I would love to get out and try some panning some time. Does the fact that much of the Arkansas is a protected trout fishery effect what you can/can't do to the riverbed?

Also, I was under the impression that the old timers did a pretty thorough job of clearing out all of the placer deposits around the state. Is there really anything left worth pursuing?

[theGinsue]

With lots of rain, comes lots of runoff into the streams and rivers. That runoff often brings with it lots of material that's been buried for hundreds (or more) of years. Always new material getting added to the streams & rivers that might make someone rich one day. Or not; YMMV.

I don't know about dredging, but panning for gold or other "valuable" materials can be a fun activity. While I had fun when I did it 20 years ago, I never really expected to get more than just some conversation pieces out of it.

[fly boy]

With lots of rain, comes lots of runoff into the streams and rivers. That runoff often brings with it lots of material that's been buried for hundreds (or more) of years. Always new material getting added to the streams & rivers that might make someone rich one day. Or not; YMMV.

I don't know about dredging, but panning for gold or other "valuable" materials can be a fun activity. While I had fun when I did it 20 years ago, I never really expected to get more than just some conversation pieces out of it.

Same goes with metal detecting. Found out where the old artillery range was and starting digging around. Found some old cool pieces, then followed the Sand creek massacre trail. Nothing of value, just some good times and some pieces of gee that's cool.

[th3w01f]

Same goes with metal detecting. Found out where the old artillery range was and starting digging around. Found some old cool pieces, then followed the Sand creek massacre trail. Nothing of value, just some good times and some pieces of gee that's cool.

I love metal detecting but finding good places is hard. Had some pretty cool finds at my dad's property, mainly old silver coins.

[Duman]

Watch Bearing Sea Gold. They all know what they're doing. [facepalm]

Wait a minute....you mean all the notes I've taken are useless ?!?

[colorider]

Do a little Google searching about where to look for gold in rivers in colorado. There is a great forum out there but I can't remember the name. I think it is treasurenet.com.
There is a colorado section there and the guys are VERY helpful.
As far as the trout thing goes, I would check. Don't want the trout being disturbed and have a warden fine ya.
Regarding the old timers already taking the good stuff... There is plenty still around everywhere.! I still get some good flakes out of clear creek right in Golden. Even in the town of golden. Just have to avoid the obnoxious and annoying kayaks. They are RUDE, obnoxious, and will do everything to get in your way or totally paddle through your setup. This happens often right in the town of golden on the river. They gold prospectors call them Yackers and have some fun stories.
Before you decide on the expense and bulk of a dredge, get a pan or 2, a bucket and shovel and have at it. Read a lot about where on rivers to prospect and proper panning skills. Panning is still used even when you have a dredge. It's a very important skill to have or you will waste a ton of time.

[colorider]

I would love to get out and try some panning some time. Does the fact that much of the Arkansas is a protected trout fishery effect what you can/can't do to the riverbed?

Also, I was under the impression that the old timers did a pretty thorough job of clearing out all of the placer deposits around the state. Is there really anything left worth pursuing?

Panning on public lands in Boulder county is strictly prohibited and they will ticket you and take your equipment. Total bullshit if you ask me, but they made the law.

[BushMasterBoy]

Where I am planning to dredge, the gold is mainly "flour" gold. Extremely fine dust. My understanding is that if you can get to bedrock and find a crevice, you will get paying quantity. I have found some ore near the area, so rich a 5 gallon bucket will bring $50K. Most of the gold found in the area was mined by heavy equipment and run through a washplant. I have done the high banking route and it is extremely laborious. We did find a raw diamond of about a carat. We found a lot of flour gold that was silver colored due to previous miners using mercury. We also found a corked bottle full of mercury while digging. I am not planning on being bound by BLM regs as I will own the property. This dredging operation will be considered "casual recreational" mining for the most part. Most of the material will be returned to almost the same spot it came from and there will be no surface disturbance.

I am buying a 3 inch dredge tomorrow and will probably upgrade it to 4" nozzle. I'll post some pics when it is operational.

[rondog]

That's something I'd love to get into! Except for that whole "making a living" thing.....

[newracer]

I don't know about it at all but buying my kids a couple of pans when we were jeeping in Ouray was the best $30 I have ever spent.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc129/newracer/Ouray%20August%202008/IMG_2011.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/newracer/media/Ouray%20August%202008/IMG_2011.jpg.html)

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc129/newracer/Ouray%20August%202008/IMG_2026.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/newracer/media/Ouray%20August%202008/IMG_2026.jpg.html)

[speedysst]

You might check with Gold Prospectors Association of America (GPAA). I think its $85 per year for the first year and they have claims in CO.

[BladesNBarrels]

Contact the Rock Doc
He has good advice, knowledge, and can help you stay legal.
http://www.therockdoc.net/

[Luck]

[encorehunter]

I have a few sluice boxes and several pans. My mother has a gold wheel for when I can get more concentrate. We have a lot of fun when we go out. I have looked at dredges but hardly have time to use the sluices. I've been tempted to build a small one to carry on a back pack to get further back.

[sniper7]

This sounds like a lot of fun...and work! I have always wanted to try to pan for gold. I knew a couple guys in college that would spend their entire summer just hanging out camping, drinking and panning. It would pay enough for their next years tuition plus some

[BlasterBob]

If anyone will be looking for gold pans, I have two to get rid of. They are pretty well covered with surface rust. I panned gold while stationed at Fairbanks MANY years ago and only found gold dust. I was advised that a rusty pan will make it much easier to spot the gold. Have a large and small one that I had planned to use here in CO but just never got around to it. I'll be posting down in the Trading Post soon.[dig]

[speedysst]

That store is a fun place to visit!
Contact the Rock Doc
He has good advice, knowledge, and can help you stay legal.
http://www.therockdoc.net/

[Luck]

[rondog]

Contact the Rock Doc
He has good advice, knowledge, and can help you stay legal.
http://www.therockdoc.net/

[Luck]
Excellent, thanks! Might have to make a road trip.