OR - mining in eastern Oregon

[IGBT]

HDR, how hard is it to set up a place like that in eastern Oregon?  Is there a lot of red tape?

I have a small 2017 Kubota U35-4 excavator with a 12 and 18 inch bucket but I have no place to mine.

I do have 30 acres in NE washington, which is a gold producing area but I have not really tried prospecting on my property as there is no water and it is not to my knowledge one of the areas that was part of the NE Washington mining boom.   I did dig down about 7 feet in one spot and hit some larger, roundish stone, but maybe that was from glacial movement and not river movement.  At the time I was just after some fill dirt for our pole barn and didn't think of panning any of it lol.

 

[highdesertranger]

As a general rule of thumb as soon as you bring in engine powered earth moving equipment you trigger more regulation. However if I were on private property I would dig a hole and test. Then go from there.

How far are you from the closest historical mining district?
Are you in the same watershed?
Is any body around you mining?
Test any hole you dig, always.

Highdesertranger

 

[G0ldengirl68]

I couldn't believe I found this post of your HDR.  I have a fella here that is 80 and he so wants to take off, camp in his Van, and do some mining.  He was looking at the Baker area, Sumpter?  Anyway, I worry about him because he is really getting up there, but I think the "dream" and looking at his maps, even driving to places, keeps him going.  He makes the most beautiful leather-works I've ever seen, saddles, belts, purses, you name it.  He is an artist.  

He has an amazing amount of camp gear and I actually think he would survive "out there" but I just have to tell him about this info you shared.  He said he checked Sumpter and all there was, was privately own land.  I don't understand it all, but wondering how he might go about being able to camp there?  Even a trip there would be a dream come true for him. He is not online selling, he only goes to our local Fair, and has some word of mouth clients.

He wants to live "out there" though, and just wondering if he might find something like you have

 

[highdesertranger]

It's not all private property there is plenty of National Forest(NF) land for dispersed camping. There are also developed campgrounds both private and NF.

As far prospecting goes a lot of the property is claimed, but not all. I am working private property so I am good to go. The EOMP(Eastern Oregon Miners and Prospectors) have some claims in the area you can also work if you are a member. The GPAA(Gold Prospectors of America) and the LDMA(Lost Dutchman Mining Ass.) also has claims and camps in Baker county.

I would say he could come to my camp however for the moment I am delayed in getting up there. Stayed tuned for updates.

Highdesertranger

 

[highdesertranger]

OOPS while going through pics for my trailer build I found a whole series of pics that I was supposed to post here but never did. I am so bad a documenting stuff. One main reason is I am usually doing stuff and don't have time to stop and take pics. Well my sister and brother in law came to help out for a few days. So I handed Larry my shovel and my sister the camera.

So stay tuned

Highdesertranger

 

[highdesertranger]

So I am running the Highbanker full bore.


And the Larry the digger in the background


 another view come on Larry we need more paydirt


Jeez break already.  You can't find good help now-a-days.  Just kidding Larry was a big help and Doug(ABNORM) before him was a big help
In this pic you can see the water halo on the ground.  One guaranty if you stand inside that halo you WILL get wet.  Look at my pants.


Now I am taking a break and Larry is inspecting the Highbanker.   See how the water is running clear now.  We are getting ready for a clean up and I am letting the water flush out the silt.  I do this ad the end of each shift.

More to come

Highdesertranger

 

[highdesertranger]

The Glory Hole,


You may remember I brought in a mini excavator to strip the top 2 feet off as there was no gold in it.  Then we ran everything down to bedrock.


A little different view.  In this pic you can clearly see the bedrock.  lower right in the foreground.


Cody says "Hey Mike I want to help"


OOPS Cody I don't think mom will be happy.  you're going to need a bath before you go inside.

More to come

Highdesertranger

 

[JasonMcD]

I'd love to lend a hand, just for the experience alone. Giving it my first go this year. If you're still at it by the time i make it through the area, and you're still looking for help i'll let you know.

 

[highdesertranger]

yep let me know. Highdesertranger

 

[highdesertranger]

Clean up time,


everything needs to get washed


come on Larry a little closer so I can accidently  get you wet


That's it I shouldn't be the only one getting wet,  LOL


Now you can see what I am doing


another shot,  hey where did my helper go


I guess he really didn't want to get wet

More to come the next set we actually see gold

Highdesertranger

 

[user 30781]

Highdesertranger, I got a question for you.

I used to live near the confluence of two rivers, and on the smaller one this guy had a sluice set up on the riverbank. I asked him, how do you know where to pan? He pointed to the riverbank and said see those iron rust stains on the bank? Look for that. I thought about it last weekend coming off of Blewett Pass in WA. There an old gold mining town not too far off the summit and as we were coming down the east side, there was a rock cut that was incredibly stained like that.

Is that true?

 

[highdesertranger]

Well most of the time when someone describes the color of mineral staining as rust, It is basically rust. Or more accurately Iron Oxide(FeO) in one form or another. Black Sand is another common Iron Oxide(Fe2O3).

So was that a good indicator for gold...........Depends.

It does indicate mineralization. Mineralized zones always need to be tested for gold. But not all mineralization carries gold. So that sounds like a dodge and it kinda is. Sometimes yes Sometimes no. You never know for sure until you test/sample. sample, sample, sample.

Highdesertranger

 

[desert_sailing]

I sure wish I was out there learning and mucking it up with you. Seems to me you have found the secret recipe.

Are you up high enough to be out of this so called heatwave?

 

[highdesertranger]

Here's a few gold pictures,


in the hopper heading for the wheel


another shot


close up

more to come

Highdesertranger

 

[highdesertranger]

I wish every pan was like this one,




yeah baby,  close up


heating it to get rid of any water




close up

Now for the disclaimer.

never heat gold indoors.
never heat gold in kitchen ware
never heat gold unless you absolutely know what you are doing
never heat gold with mercury on it

That's it for now,  I hope you all enjoyed.

Highdesertranger

 

[Cammalu]

I did enjoy. Wish I was in good enough shape to play too. Oh well, I can stay in camp and cook.

 

[WanderFree]

What are you mining?

 

[highdesertranger]

hahahahahahahahahaha

You must be kidding. Did you not read the thread?

Highdesertranger

 

[vgilbert]

How long are you planning on being there?? I can run a shovel, especially if a little gold ends up in my pocket  :thumbsup:

 

[highdesertranger]

Unfortunately I am delayed in getting up there for the foreseeable future. Highdesertranger