Golden Legends Tales of Buried Treasure

Here are plans for building a plastic highbanker. http://excelgold.com/highbanker-plans/ You will need to click on the "here" button to get the plans, but the video is compelling. That is, it is interesting, original, and seems to work well. In addition, there is a YouTube video presentation about how to do it yourself. What's different about a highbanker and a sluice? Well, you have  a spray Hopper with spray bars to wash the rocks as they enter the high banker sluice box.  And the grizzly grate has one end that allows rock to be unstock easily.

I just found a site with an article about a fellow who has discovered a way to separate gold. He can replace cyanide with corn starch and pull out the gold. This was so interesting that I decided to share it. http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-05/cornstarch-replaces-cyanide-clean-new-gold-extraction-method

This website  http://sluiceboxplans.net/  advertises free sluice box plans if you provide an email address. If I know water is running wherever I go in Arizona, I bring a pan and a sluice; otherwise it's just a dry washer. You can get more promising material with a sluice than only a pan. The following is a quote from Dave McCracken, " The water flow should be just enough to keep the concentrating action going behind each riffle, yet not so much that the riffles are being swept clean." http://www.goldgold.com/setting-the-proper-water-velocity-through-a-sluice-box.html While you're at it, sign up for his free newsletter at the address above.

This is a detailed book discussing the locations of all the gold mines in the Black Canyon region of Arizona (Bradshaw Mountains) (circa 1920's). It also discusses how to mine, shows plans for shafts and shoring, rules and regulations of the mining industry in the State of Arizona, filing claims, etc. I particularly like the maps. Nothing better than an old map of gold mines to spark an interest. http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015077569633;view=1up;seq=1

I know that I bring a small milking stool to sit on when my back gets tired. I have even been known to sit in the middle of a running creek (with my rubber boots on) and pan. This stool may not be the best for submerging in water, but it would be plenty handy in a sandy stream bed. Good, clear plans - an easy, sturdy build. Don't quit! Sit down and find those nuggets!:) http://sawdustmaking.com/MilkingStool/milking_stool.htm

Alaska has the largest potential and known reserves of gold in the United States. This website discusses recreational gold panning areas in Alaska. Check out: Dalton Highway south of Atigun Pass (MP 244),  Nome Creek Valley, and  Kenai Peninsula. Don't miss these free resources for those on a budget who can't afford thousands of dollars on a gold prospecting club trip. DaltonMineralRec05.pdf You even get a dollar potential for placer at the 17 locations for free panning. Fees per night for camping can be found at. I am not sure if a user fee is required at the recreational gold panning set asides, but generally they are modest. http://www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/prog/recreation/activities/campgrounds/camp_amenities.html

Gold prospecting maps are available at the link below. In addition, and more important are lists of areas that may be prospected. 5/07/2013 The Agriculture Department rules that  gold panning and gold prospecting is permitted in the general national forest areas, provided no machinery is used. the nice thing about this site is that it can save you money. Time is money, and the more time you can put into prospecting, the more gold you should find. Maps make it easier. Another feature that I like, and is probably most important, is a list of areas (no map). Counties with proven gold finds and mines are named. Six gold maps of California alone can be requested. Other info subtitles include: Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Alabama. This site is a must. Even if you don't order a map, the information here for free is terrific. http://www.goldmaps.com/index.html