New Blood

[Joe S (AK)]

Many of us are crusty "Old Timers" here, having dug in the dirt for years and years. We have 'been there' to answer questions, clarify something that seems a bit fuzzy or just explain 'the why' of mining things for a long time now. In doing that we all learn and share that learning which certainly is a good thing.
In my opinion limiting our scope to just that level of new activity on posting new "stuff" here will eventually bring everything to a grinding stop here.
The simplistic answer to that devolving situation is to simply draw in new members with their fresh insights, ideas and opinions.
New members are curious, inteligent, and full of questions. We all were that energetic - way back in the olden days - and it seems to me we need that again.
New members bring with them solid, well thought questions that get conversations going. Sometimes just clarifying a point, sometimes opening up various opinions and sometimes exposing all of us to new products or techniques - and we all need that.
We ALL know someone who would like to hear knowlegable answers to something right on the fingertips of their own knowlege. The only way to get the ball rolling then is to spread the word that good, new, folks are wanted - to join in right here and make things happen.
Those who exercise their right to do nothing at all, while just lurking, certainly can do that, but with the acompanying, eventual, reduced activity, everything will finally come to a grinding halt -- yes - a final collapse.
So, the next time a relative, neighbor or guy at work shows an intrest in what we do why not answer their question first AND also refer them here - we'll all gain from the new members that stir up the dust - and that kicking "stuff" around will help everyone.
As an extra idea - for those who are members of Gold Mining Clubs - not a bad idea to put in a plug for our group here, too.
Sharing knowledge means that everyone wins.
Anyone have other thoughts on all this?
Joe

[one blanket]

Thanks for "stirring the pot"
So here is something for ya'll to think about. Background is I don't do social media so can't reach the Gold Rush TV miners & offer my input. Maybe some other miner/prospector is already into my idea.
I see GR White fighting to move boulders by cable / pry bar / etc. A medium size excavator with a thumb would make short work of building the dam for dredge float. The floods in nugget creek do more damage than the miners so I don't see a problem with EPA /natural resources.
Hopefully someone reading & using my idea will send me say a 5% consulting fee. LOL

[Joe S (AK)]

Hey, One Blanket, good thoughts there - but - consider this: a boulder submerged in water is "lighter" by the weight of the water it displaces. Taking that into account starts a trend towards a difference in practicality.
Next - rolling a boulder is much easier than trying to lift it with machinery, while big boulders (OK, technically Glacial Erratics) don't happen along all that often and, yes there are exceptions, but .........
Third is the $ aspect. Unlimited funds would mean that a big- ole excavator would surely be handy, especially if unlimited fuel and maintenance were thrown in. Even a small -un costs. We little operations guys tend to squeeze $ really hard.
And, of course, operators of those excavators and the fixer uppers do demand $ for their expertise - and that is also a factor.
All-in-all, a very large operation could just roll those big old marbles around with a very large cat instead of trying to pick 'em up and toss 'em.
"LEAN and MEAN" usually is the way that smaller operations have to operate in their smaller parcels --- while very large operations just keep on rollin' along.
Oh, bout those floods and the EPA type folks -- EPA and those types of folks don't use common sense. If something isn't written down as a policy or proceedure - well - they aren't interested in it nor do they recognize it for whst it is.
Dick - any thoughts from you? You're MUCH wiser in this sort of "stuff" than I am with my True Temper #2 Hand Held Steam Shovel scope.
Joe

[chickenminer]

Most of the time there is a good reason why miners work the way they do.
It may seem to an observer that they are 'doing it all wrong' but until you know all the details of
a persons operation you shouldn't critique too harshly!

Adding a piece of equipment to an operation really ups the game as far as government agencies are concerned. Unless you have taken the route of the permit paperwork jungle of laws, rules, regulations and stipulations, an outside observer has NO idea !!

Like Joe said, common sense in government agency regulations is a pipe dream.

Thanks for the thought fodder One Blanket, but you'll need to do better for your 5%

[Slatco]

Hi Joe/Chicken- Started recruiting and even though most of my contacts are BC miners and not Alaska, alot of what we talk about is universal to placer mining.

[Joe S (AK)]

The good news is that, outside of regional or national laws, the techniques and equipment used in the recovering of placer Gold are understood world wide. Simply put, Gold physically acts the same everywhere. What is discovered and 'works' in one country works elsewhere and sharing techniques directly benefits all of us.
So, some mining technique discovered in a far flung corner of the Yukon, or Europe or Asia, might be just the perfect answer to some frustrated miner far, far away.
Over the years here we have also debated the merits (or failings) of equipment and concepts and yes, we all learn from that as well.

[chickenminer]

Slatco ...
Great! Keep recruiting We have a lot more in common than not when it comes to placer mining.
Lots of great info concerning fine gold recovery has come from KPMA and the Canadian side !

We are all just one big family trying to survive!