Need to Locate More

[Primrose]

Hello All,
I hope everyone is having a very prosperous mining season. I would like to get some core drilling done on some placer claims but I do not know where to turn. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Primrose

[Joe S (AK)]

Well hello there, Primrose! Great question!

The term "Core Drilling" (as far as I have ever heard for mining that is) is usually reserved for hard rock mining where an actual core of rock is cut from the living bedrock to test for the actual presence of elemental Gold or the minerals often associated with it.

What I suspect you really want is someone to auger in test holes into loose soil / gravel to search a known 'good area' for higher concentrations of placer Gold --- and by doing that, maximize your exploration efforts.

Usually a grid is superimposed on the ground (paying no attention to physical features or personal and arbitrary thinking such as "OOOOH - That looks like a good spot!") and then pre-determined test holes are augured down as deep as practical or, if possible, to bedrock. The results are then panned out (or just identified and saved for winter work) and the grid location on a map is annotated with individual notes and results. All that to attempt to locate, underground, higher concentration zones. OH YES, don't forget to mark the test hole locations with stakes so you can find them in the future!

It's tough to find a small scale operator who is set up to work small, self funded operations as yours seems to be (and mine REALLY is).

IF the intent is to grid test a relatively small area you might consider rounding up a couple of relatives or other 'helpers' and renting a post hole (or ice fishing) augur for a long weekend's expedition. Bruno and Sampson can handle the post hole augur, Sally and Mary Lou can mark the pre determined test hole points, Paul, "The Pannin' Fool" can carefully pan out the individual samples and Al, the bookie , can carefully mark the test hole results on the spread sheet. At the end of each day "Sister Sue" can update everyone on the day's progress. Could be a fun time for all.

Of course, it's the first of September and the ground will be crunchy before the operation could be planned out for this year (unless a rush job with only a few mosquitoes seems in order. Looks like a post breakup project to plan for after this coming spring.

All the best in fortune !!!

Joe

[Primrose]

Greetings Joe,
I would like to thank you for your detailed response. As a hard rock miner turned placer, core drilling is all I know. As I fool around in the water, I gaze upon the benches wondering what untold riches are hidden from view. As I ponder that I am awaken by the fact that I will have to fill out 40 pages of the permitting process to really dig into those benches and is it worth it. I had thoughts of accomplishing the prospecting before the ground freezes and then attempt the paperwork. When will you and your extended family be available to assist

Again thank you for the response,
Primrose

[chickenminer]

Primrose ...
Are you in Alaska? If so, what mining district?
I might be able to help you out with a few names. Just drilling is still going to require a certain amount of paperwork. How much depends on where you want to drill !

[Primrose]

Chickenminer,
I am on the Kenai Peninsula at Hope/Sunrise area.

Thanks,
Primrose

[Jim_Alaska]

Primrose ...
Are you in Alaska? If so, what mining district?
I might be able to help you out with a few names. Just drilling is still going to require a certain amount of paperwork. How much depends on where you want to drill !

Dick, have things changed so much that you now need paperwork to prospect? if so this is not right, the mining law specifies "free and open to prospecting and exploitation".

[chickenminer]

Primrose,
I was hoping you were in the interior. Don't know any miners down that way with a drill rig. If you are serious, you might run an ad in the AMA journal looking for someone with a drill.

[chickenminer]

Jim,
Takes paperwork to do anything anymore! As you know Alaska land status can be complicated. If you are doing any prospecting with a piece of equipment you can bet there is paperwork involved.

[Primrose]

Chickenminer,
Thank you, I appreciate the response.

Primrose

[Geowizard]

Need to locate more;

Every prospector "needs to locate more"!

Core drilling is routine for hardrock prospecting. Does it require a permit? Within certain limits, No. Beyond that, the answer is Yes.

The proper place to go is the respective permitting agency. If it's on State of Alaska Domain, pick up the phone and call DNR. If it's on BLM administered land, call BLM.

State of Alaska permitting is done with an APMA. They now have a hard rock APMA.

What's the plan?

You need to have a PLAN and be able to write legibly to fill out a permit. Go to the DNR website and download the APMA permit. Describe YOUR PLAN. There are live people that know the rules and are willing to correspond by email that do nothing but answer questions at DNR.

Why spend days chatting about "what to do"?" Get the information straight from an official representative of the respective agency in 30 minutes, maybe less. You will be doing business with them anyway if you decide to go forward with your plan.

Good luck!

- Geowizard