"Can I Make a Living Gold Mining? (Part 4)"

Here We Go Again

OK brothers and sisters, here we go again. This marks the fourth time now I've written about this topic in "Bedrock Dreams" and something tells me it won't be the last!

There are numerous factors at work here and each of them influences people in varying degrees when it comes to the questions of making a living gold mining. These factors include the record high price of gold today ($1,545.38 per troy ounce as I write this), the tough economic climate we are experiencing, and the relative levels of knowledge and expertise of those who pose this question to me (again and again).

Where to Find Placer Gold

Can you make a living as a small-scale gold miner these days? If you can answer a truthful and resounding "YES!" to each and every one of the following 10 questions then you have more than a fighting chance:

1) Do you have a solid background in the theories concerning gold geology and mineralization as well as gold deposition physics?

2) Are you a student of both lode gold and placer mining history?

3) Can you identify placer gold and various types of gold ores if necessary?

4) Do you know how to use a gold pan properly and understand what good sampling techniques are?

5) Are you experienced with various types of small-scale mining equipment such as sluice boxes, drywashers, highbankers, suction dredges, trommels, rockers, etc.?

6) Are you mechanically inclined or have the ability to troubleshoot and/or repair your own gear and equipment?

7) Do you own a gold claim with high potential or have access to good gold ground?

8) Can you afford to approach your mining activities on a full-time footing and not as a hobbyist or part timer?

9) Do you  have the ability to be imminently patient, and persist and persevere though all sorts of extremes in weather, climate, and other physical conditions?

10) Are you willing to work harder than you've ever worked in your entire life, not only physically but mentally and emotionally too?

Will you strike it rich? Probably not. Can you make a modest living at mining and pay the bills? Perhaps...if you're good enough at what you do and are willing to make a 100% commitment to get there.

Types of Placer Mining Equipment

That's it...there are no quick and dirty answers to this question and no "magic" pills that will turn you into a gold mining magnate overnight. If you're good with that, well hell's bells "pard"...I wish you the very best.

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "Can I Make a Living Gold Mining?"

(c)  Jim Rocha (J.R.)  2011

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

"Down But Not Out:" Thoughts From a Michigan Miner (Part 3)

(A crystalline copper nugget from Michigan's famous Keweenaw Peninsula.)

It's been a while since we've heard from him, but Michigan prospector and gold miner "Charlie" checked in recently to let me know how's he's been faring in his search for yellow in the Wolverine State. By the way, for those of you who didn't know already, lode or vein mining for copper and iron played a big part in Michigan's history but gold has been much harder to come by there.

Gold Prospecting Books

One thing to remember however, is that in many instances copper and gold are found in combination in hard rock mining environments and Michigan has produced a healthy amount of copper in days gone by as well as very small amounts of gold in quartz. Detrital gold is said to have been recovered throughout Michigan in small amounts from ancient glacial outflows as well as residual deposits associated with hard rock operations of varying types.

Anyway, here's what "Charlie" has to say about his search for gold in Michigan:

"No Trace of Gold So Far"

"With the other issues I've had going on I haven't had much time to poke at the glacial outflow I've been thinking about all winter, but I did manage to process a few 5-gallon buckets of material. The most promising samples I've run though my rocker box have produced some pentlandite, a bit of ochre-colored hematite (the largest of which is about the size of the end of my thumb), and some material I might need to crush and check for silver content."

Finding Placer Gold

"There are enough heavy minerals in one area that I'm sampling to try to outline it's boundaries but I've found no trace of gold so far. However, I've found enough heavy material that I'll keep working the area in my spare time and when I need material to run though my rocker box in my attempt to fine tune it."

"The Sorting of the Material is Kinda Weird"

"This is not to say that I won't find just a bit of gold in this little area with some of this heavy material I've been recovering. But f the glacial outflow was carrying gold I'm beginning to think I should have turned up a bit of color by now."

(Gold in quartz from Michigan.)

"Still, I'm going to keep pulling samples out of the area trying to zero in on the path the heaviest material is laying in. The sorting of the material is kinda weird here...almost as if it were a "gush" of material from an ice dam breaking."

"If I Find a Paystreak..."

"In a few areas I'm working this material is composed of bits of the shale bedrock in the gravel intermixed with bits of sandstone. Just 10-15 feet away there are small chunks of that ochre-colored hematite, higher levels of black sand, and granite and quartz."

"The current theory I'm operating under should have me sampling a few feet deeper under this material and what would have been upstream of it. If I find a paystreak here it will be pretty damn small, but I'm not having to outlay much in the way of money as I work this site."
There's more to come from "Charlie" so stay tuned. Best of luck to each and every one of you out there.

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "Down But Not Out:" Thoughts From a Michigan Miner (Part 2)"

(c)  Jim Rocha (J.R.)  2011

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

A Miner Speaks Out on the Madness in California

Gold miner John S. sent his view of the anti-mining, anti-dredging issues plaguing our compatriots in California (the "once-golden State"). I apologize to John for taking so long in getting his words published, but these days my blog posts are stacked up like airliners over O'Hare Airport.

Gold Prospecting Books

Anyhoo, here's John's take on things (with minor formatting and editing on my part):


"Regarding the 'Legislative Push to End California Gold Rush Has Miners Panning Environmental Rules:'"

"1. Start voting the current California Legislature out and put in your own legislator for the people.....a prospector/miner friendly version. (Hint, hint..)"

"2. Start a class-action law suit to recover all the money owed from dredging permits that will never be handed out to small-scale miners if things are left as is. That's theft and should be punished by jail time...a career-busting response."

"3. George 'Buzzard' Massie would be rolling over in his grave knowing our rights have been trampled this way. It's time to obtain help from his two sons Tom and Perry since they also have a large investment in this lame decision."

(Note: George "Buzzard" Massie was the founder of the Gold Prospector's Association of America [GPAA]. J.R.)

"4. I think it all boils down to this; We should then cut every type of activity that the government currently supports and funds, including:"

• "Policemen's Balls" (Note: I think John means the social function type of balls here! J.R.)
• "Governor's Ball"
• "Fishing"
• "Boating"
• "Race cars"
• "Building permits" 
• "And every other type of cash-strapped organization there is"

"We could then say we were not picked on if everybody else got screwed along with us. But sadly, we all know that's not the case. They (the powers at be) want to be selective on what they want and who they want to cut (screw?). What gives them the almighty right to pick this type of organization to cut? Moreover, who has the right to pick and choose what organizations get funding cuts??"

"A Great Example of Wasted Money"

 (Note: Here John speaks about his own small community. J.R.)

"Back in the old days we had to walk to school 7+ miles both ways. Now the government taxes us for school buses at the rate of $14 million annually and then places that tax on your property taxes. Next they build a school gym so the kids can exercise (to the tune of $32 million) and that tax is also  applied to our property taxes."

 "So my point is: In just this little community of ours the powers-at-be spend large amounts of taxpayers' money on stuff that is not really necessary and potentially wasteful. If you were to add up all the $$$ the government spends on the schools in California they could buy a house for every person in the state and suction dredging would live on forever.

Gold Mining Gear

"These career politicians need to think before they act or else we need to VOTE THEM OUT and SEND THEM PACKING!"

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "Striking it Rich:" California Man's 9-Pound Nugget a Scam?

c)  Jim Rocha (J.R.)  2011

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

"Striking it Rich:" California Man's 9-Pound Nugget a Scam?

 (The so-called "Washington Nugget" may not be from California after all.)

Batten Down the Hatches!

Stand by for heavy seas and batten down the hatches, me hearties! The nearly 9-troy pound "Washington Nugget" supposedly uncovered by Jim Sanders (yep, now his full name is out) on his Nevada County property and recently sold to a private collector for nearly half a million dollars may not be California placer gold after all.

Before I get into the meat of the matter here, you can read these posts for background info leading up to this latest revelation:

"Striking It Rich:" California Man Finds 9-Pound Nugget (Updated)"

"Striking It Rich:" California Man Cashes in on Spectacular Nugget"


Same Nugget Found Near Ballarat?

OK, back to this unusual tale turned even stranger by recent events. It seems an Aussie placer miner named Murray Cox is claiming to all who'll listen that he and his "pard," Reggie Wilson, found this very same nugget in the Outback way back in 1987. In case you didn't already know it, the 1980s produced a veritable explosion of very large gold nuggets (including the "Hand of Faith") in the Aussie Outback as newer and better metal detectors began being used by a new breed of prospector turned treasure hunter...the nugget shooter.

Gold Prospecting Books
Gold Pans

Cox claims he and Wilson found this very same nugget which they called the "Orange Roughie" near Ballarat, Victoria in 1987 and that Wilson sold it in 2000 to a dealer for just $50,000. Interestingly enough, photos of their find show a nugget that is essentially the same size, shape, color, and weight as the "Washington Nugget." Hmmmmmmmm....

(Reggie Wilson with the "Orange Roughie" nugget from Ballarat, Australia.)

Tests Could Confirm or Deny

Now even Fred Holabird, the geologist who conducted the recent auction of the "Washington Nugget," is having second thoughts and admits he (and others) may have been scammed. Holabird is now calling for mineralogical identification tests to be performed on the purported find by Jim Sanders (who also goes by the moniker of James Saunders Grill) on his Nevada County, California property. Chemical/mineralogical tests would confirm for once and for all that the nugget in question is Aussie gold from Ballarat and not gold from California's Northern Motherlode region.

Where to Find Gold

Jim Sanders (a.k.a, Saunders, Grill, etc.), who claimed to have found the "Washington"/"Orange Roughie" on his property outside Nevada City is not talking to the press or anyone else these days. Nor is Spectrum Numismatics International, the company that placed the winning bid at the nugget's recent auction.

I'll Tell You What I Know

Who's telling the truth and who's lying here? No one seems 100 percent certain at this point. Those in Sanders' camp say that Reggie Wilson and Murray Cox are liars and the two Aussies maintain steadfastly that the "Washington Nugget" is in reality, their former "Orange Roughie" and that Sanders and the rest of his co-conspirators are "scammers."

What is known is that Sanders or Saunders or Grill or whatever his name is who owns the California property where the "Washington Nugget" was supposedly found was asking millions of dollars for his land. Sounds a bit like "salting the works," doesn't it?

(Comparison photo; "Washington Nugget"on left and the "Orange Roughie" on the right.)

I'll tell you what I know...right now is a very good time to get your ass scammed or hustled...especially with anything dealing with gold or gold mining. With gold as high as it is, the red warning lights should start blinking inside your head because every 2-bit hustler, scammer, con artist, thief, and liar is out there trying to cash in on your dreams.

Carhartt Wear
Wolverine Boots

I know this only too well from my own recent claim scam experiences....so do as I say and not as I do...be smart and DON'T ASSUME ANYTHING...moreover, don't believe anyone or anything until the proof is solidly in hand.

Good luck to one and all.

(Thanks to California miner Phil C. for bringing this news to my attention.)

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "Bedrock Dreams" Rogue's Gallery (Part 2)"

(c)  Jim Rocha (J.R.)  2011

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

"Bedrock Dreams" Rogue's Gallery (Part 2)

Thanks to California placer miner Ron Ray ("Norcal Ron") I have my second "thumbs down" inductee into the "Bedrock Dreams" Rogue's Gallery. Remember, the Rogue's gallery consists of those individuals, businesses, or organizations who conduct themselves in a dishonest or unethical manner and who, for all appearances, fall into the liars, thieves, scammers, and hustlers categories.

Here's what Ron has to say (with independent verification from G. C. in Albuquerque, New Mexico):

"Here's one you can add to your Rogue's Gallery."

"Concentrates for Sale"

"Last summer I was out in Colorado to prospect on the Conejos River. We set a Saturday as a training day for the U.S. Forest Service, the State Biologist, and the Fish and Game Department, as none of them had ever seen a suction dredge in operation or ever seen any placer gold."

Where to Find Placer Gold

"I didn't bring any gold concentrates with me for the demonstration but there were concentrates for sale at the XXXX XXXX Lodge where we were staying at. The Lodge had bought their concentrates online on eBay from an individual who called himself (his company) 'The Colorado Prospector.'"

(IMPORTANT NOTE: There is a well-known gold mining and prospecting club called Colorado Prospector listed in my "Recommended Links" Section in the right lower sidebar of this blog. Colorado Prospector (the club) has been around for a while now, has an absolutely sterling reputation, and has NO ASSOCIATION WHATSOEVER with the rogue calling himself the "The Colorado Prospector," so please do not confuse the club with this scammer. J.R.)

"A Single Flake of Gold!"

"The Lodge paid the 'The Colorado Prospector' $15.00 per bag of gold concentrates and then sold them for $25.00 each. On the bag the 'The Colorado Prospector' stated that he had added at least one flake to his concentrates."

"Well, that part was true...he did add a single flake of gold to this bag of roadside dirt...there was NO river gravel in it or any black sand. When you panned it out all you got was mud and a single flake of  gold!"

"It Was a Rip Off"

"I went to the owner of the Lodge and informed him about what he had bought and was selling for $25.00. I also told him that he should not sell these concentrates if he had any conscience at all...it was a rip off."

"The Lodge owner responded that he would mark the concentrate bags as 'No Guarantee.' To me that was no better than 'The Colorado Prospector.'"

Although I understand Ron's viewpoint here, I am letting the Lodge off the hook on this one. By marking the gold concentrates as "No Guarantee" that at least allows a potential buyer to come to his or her own conclusion. But in truth, the Lodge probably shouldn't sell that crap, regardless.

My Recommendation: Don't do business with "The Colorado Prospector." This rogue is looking to get his money ticket punched at your expense by selling gold concentrates with little, if any, gold in them. He's a scammer for certain.

Myself? I never buy gold concentrates from anyone, anywhere. It's better to go out and get your own...

Additional Info: Here's info I just received from Norcal Ron:

"J.R., don't confuse this guy 'The Colorado Prospector' with the Colorado Prospector club and forum. When I returned from Colorado I googled this dude and he showed up as 'The Colorado Prospector' in Fairplay, Colorado, with a post office box address only. I googled him again today and nothing showed up. He may be going by another name and G.C. said this guy has been kicked out of about every town in Colorado. Jim, that was the first and last bag of gold concentrates that I ever bought. I hope this info can help."

Fairplay, huh? Interesting that this scumbag chose that town, isn't it?

Anyway, my thanks to Norcal Ron and G.C. for putting the spotlight on this bag o' poop.

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "Rocks in My Head:" a Prospector and Miner in the Making (Part 8)"

(c)  Jim Rocha (J.R.)  2011

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

"Rocks in My Head:" a Prospector and Miner in the Making (Part 8)

(Gold display at the Dahlonega, Georgia Gold Mining Museum.)

Here's a bit more from aspiring placer gold miner Alan Brown of Dahlonega, Georgia. Please note that I've made small editorial changes for formatting and readability purposes:

"Enough Gold to Actually Display!"

"By this last winter I had pretty much cleaned out my spot all the way down to bedrock. Surprisingly, it seemed  at this point I was no longer recovering any gold at all. There had been a reddish clay and sand layer just above the bedrock that contained the majority of the gold I found."

"As I continued to clean the area out thoroughly, it became perfectly obvious that the bedrock here was not a good place for gold to collect. One reason for this is that the bedrock was relatively flat and smooth. But by the end of this entire process I had recovered enough gold to actually display...quite proudly, I might add!"

"My New Spot"

"I had learned a great deal along the way, but by December the weather directed me more toward family, fireplace, and football games. It was just too cold out for the likes of me, so I'd give gold mining a break until around March or so...that's about all I could stand to wait. One reason for my impatience was that I'd already picked out my next spot."

Gold Panning Kits
Gold Concentrators

"My new spot was just below the one I had been working where a smaller stream coming off the hillside entered the main stream channel. At the point where this 'feeder' stream dropped down to the main stream level, it had eroded an area about 3 feet in and had exposed a gravel layer sitting above bedrock."

"Suffice it to say that I did a fair bit better at this spot and also learned a few new mining 'tricks' as well. But that's a story for another time perhaps."

"Gold in More Than the Riverbed"

"Since I began my search for gold I've found it in many forms. I've found it in the people I've met along the way, the experiences I've had outdoors, the time well spent with my kids, and being able to write about it all. In a future installment I'd like to introduce a new friend and fellow prospector, William (Bill) Findley."

Gold Mining Equipment

"Bill had read my story in 'Bedrock Dreams' and contacted me with an invitation to work a private spot. Needless to say, I gratefully accepted his kind offer. I'll have the details soon."

"Thanks for reading and good luck out there!"
If you liked this post, you may want to read: "Claim Your Own Land: Don't Deal With Frauds"

(c)  Jim Rocha (J.R.)  2011

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

"Claim Your Own Land: Don't Deal With Frauds"

 Brian, one of my readers and a California miner who was also adversely impacted by the claim scammers of the North American Mining Company (NAMC; Brandon Esposito, Alex Long, et al) that I bought my N. Yuba River claim from, sent this in as a follow up to his previous comments posted in "Be Wary of Buying Unpatented Mining Claims in California." Brian's words are so on target and timely that I decided to devote a full post to his advice:

Gold Pans
Gold Prospecting Books

(Note: My own comments will be in regular type font throughout. I've also made some slight editorial changes here for readability and formatting purposes. J.R.)

"The LR2000 Helps But is Not Entirely Accurate"

"As a side note regarding claims: PLEASE use the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) LR2000 website. Just enter LR2000 into your web browser and it "should" pop-up. (Note: Here's the URL link: http://www.blm.gov/lr2000/) By using the LR2000 you can at least research the CAMC Serial Numbers of the claims. This will tell you if the claim numbers are active along with listing the claimants' names and addresses (which could be fake, by the way.)"

(Note: In California a mining claim is denoted by its CAMC serial number. The first 2 letters indicate the state and MC means mining claim. Here in New Mexico a typical claim would be listed as NMMC followed by the appropriate number sequence.)


"The LR2000 is NOT entirely accurate but it helps when you are researching basic claims information. Unfortunately the one thing it DOESN'T tell you is the original claim location's land description or size. It only tells you which 1/4 Section(s) of land the claim is ON. Many of the claim vendors out there are selling 120 acre claims which represent a full 1/4 Section. The LR2000 data will reflect that a 1/4 Section IS claimed, but that might not be the case in reality."

"My 'Fatal Flaw'"

"In my situation Mr. Esposito (Note: the so-called 'president' of NAMC. By the way, Brian is being a gentleman by calling Esposito Mister. I'd just use the term scumbag myself.) was selling an unpatented 120-acre claim. The CAMC was legitimate and active. My 'fatal flaw' was that I didn't research the actual 'original location notice (which is not in the LR2000 database)." 

Wolverine Boots
Dickies Work Clothes

"Once I got to the BLM office in Sacramento and saw the location notice I realized that the claim I was interested in was only a 20-acre claim within the same 1/4 Section of land. AMAZINGLY enough, even with the location notice SO screwed up (along with the map) I was luckily able to amend the original location notice, the quit claim deed, the map, and then re-record the quit claim deed. To do all this, I literally, spent an entire week driving between Sacramento and Quincy to fill out and record paperwork. Ugh!"

 "SO... Here Are My Helpful Hints:"

"A) Use the LR2000 as a reference before you buy (or for research)."

"B) Research the claim number directly through the BLM LR2000."

"C) Make sure you SEE and UNDERSTAND the original notice of location."

"D) ALSO REMEMBER any 'seller' who will NOT give you the CAMC Serial Number is a FRAUD! Many say they withhold it for the buyer's 'safety.' WRONG! This information is public domain. The only reason to withhold it is for the purpose of perpetrating fraud."

"PS: Once you can navigate the LR2000 system, and the BLM Office PLEASE go out and claim your OWN land! It's cheaper, less stressful, and (personally) more meaningful!"

"Don't deal with these FRAUDS!"

(Note: Like the losers at NAMC; Esposito, Long, and their buddies.)


I want to thank Brian very much for his perspective and for providing this important and timely information.

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "Be Wary of Buying Unpatented Mining Claims in California"

(c)  Jim Rocha (J.R.)  2011

 Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

Be Wary of Buying Unpatented Mining Claims in California

As some of you have already figured out, I'm great at dispensing advice when it comes to the ins and outs of buying unpatented mining claims. In fact, I've written a number of posts over the years on that very topic.

(Note: If you don't already know the difference between a patented and unpatented claim, you best get that sorted out quickly. Try using my search "Bedrock Dreams" tool on the right sidebar.)

Sad to say, I'm not as good at following my own advice in this regard at times. My (and my co-claimants') recent issues with the rogues who sold us our North Yuba River claim in California's Motherlode is a classic example.

You can read about all that here, if you haven't done so already:

"Rogue's Gallery (Part 1)"

Fortunately for us, things will probably work out all right after we've filed the appropriate paperwork with Sierra County and the Sacramento Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Office, no thanks to the seller who is, by the way, on my shit list for obvious reasons.

The Main Thrust of This Post

But I'm not here to whine about all that stuff. My own example does, however, lead into the main thrust of this post.

Aside from being "worked" by a number of current claim scammers and hustlers like Alex Long, Brandon Esposito, and others, California is not the place to be buying an unpatented placer mining claim right now. The "Dark Force" in California is doing its damndest to ensure that suction dredging is over and done with permanently there and I suspect that if it can be done in the future, all aspects of small-scale and recreational gold mining will go by the wayside as well.

Gold Prospecting Books

Yep, you heard me right. And yes, maybe I am going a bit overboard here, but the reality of you NOT being able to even dip a pan of gravel in a California stream is not beyond the realm of possibility down the road. So take heed.

A Cottage Industry in California

Interestingly enough, I've noticed a lot more unpatented California mining claims listed on eBay and elsewhere just since this new dredging issue has come to the forefront. Methinks the claim sellers (and claim hustlers too) in the once-Golden State are getting a tiny bit nervous these days. Why, you ask? Well, if the crapola really does hit the fan down the road, they'll be stuck with lots of California mining claims that they've been selling for good money since gold hit record highs a few years back.

And ladies and gents, I am talking about unpatented placer claims that have been sold for one or two thousand dollars, or tens of thousands on up to hundreds of thousands (if you were stupid enough to pay that much for an unpatented mining claim). Selling claims has become a cottage industry of sorts in California over the past few years and now claim vendors are worried about the writing that may be on the hypothetical wall.

Be Very Wary

So this brings me back to my original point. Be very careful about paying your hard-earned cash for unpatented placer claims in California that eventually may become nearly (if not totally) worthless in the future. I speak to myself here as well, so don't feel like you're alone. Even if the "Dark Force" in California doesn't get its way completely and stop panning and sluicing as well by some future fluke, you're ability to work your claims in Califa is going to be even more seriously hampered than it is now.

I'm not advising you to panic or sell if you do own an existing claim or claims in the once-Golden State. Hang on to what you have, just as I and my "pards" will hang on to our N. Yuba claim. But be very wary about buying a claim in that cesspool of claim scammers (such as the North American Mining Company, Alex Long, and Brandon Esposito) anti-mining special interests, and the slack-jawed, spineless politicians who kowtow to the latter every step of the way.

Tips for Gold Miners

Eventually those dog turds will figure out a way to take your money and/or your gold ground away from you. That is, if we don't stop them first.

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "The 'Dark Force' Does It Again: California Suction Dredging May End Permanently"

(c)  Jim Rocha (J.R.)  2011

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

The "Dark Force" Does It Again: California Suction Dredging May End Permanently (Part 2)

In Part 1 of this series of posts I warned you that the "Dark Force" is hard at work in California. Not only are its minions pressing forward with the current suction dredging moratorium, but they are trying to put an end to dredging in the much tarnished Golden State permanently. Although not a "done deal" at this juncture, the writing may indeed be on the wall.

Who composes the "Dark Force" I speak of? Well brothers and sisters, I exposed two elements in my last post and now I'll throw in a few others:

Left-of-center liberals and intellectual elitists who believe they are intrinsically superior to the lower classes (that includes us by the way) and that they, just by virtue of being born, have a corner on the truth market. Of course, only they know what is right for the rest of us lesser beings. Like condescending parents, these types view us a children to be led and punished. Most of them have never worked a real job in their lives or earned anything by the true "sweat of their brow," nor have they ever tried to run a business.

They are invariably the gentry: trust-fund babies, academics, and theoreticians with advanced degrees but little, if any, common sense. You know the type...they pontificate about everything and act like the friends of the poor and downtrodden when in fact, they despise anyone who is not a clone of themselves. They want our mining claims transformed into nature walks that only they and those like them can appreciate...after all, mining is soooooooooo dirty and destructive. You'll know these idiots by their hybrid vehicles plastered with all sorts environmentalist and hippy dippy slogans.

Dickies Work Clothes

Leftists and "wannabe" socialists who seek to transform the fundamental structure of our country, one brick at a time. They scoff at our Constitution and manipulate the Bill of Rights to pursue their own agenda, much of which envisions a socialist state where everyone is "equal." In case you don't know what that means, take a stroll down memory lane in Soviet Russia under Stalin, Red China under Mao, and other sterling examples of socialism taken to its logical conclusion like North Korea. These are the same "caring" people who gave aid and comfort to the enemy and literally and figuratively spat upon those of us who were fortunate enough to return home from the Vietnam War.

They really don't care much about "green" agendas but manipulate the environmentalist whack jobs like puppets in a Punch and Judy show. This is the most dangerous element of the "Dark Force" we face as miners and as Americans because they want us all marching lockstep with their world view. Government control is what they are all about and Big Brother is their leader. They hate "fascism" but they themselves are classic examples of fascists. Go figure...

In Case You're Wondering...

In case you're wondering what this all has to do with suction dredging and mining you better stop, think, and look around a bit. The threat is real and it appears that California has already been overrun in more ways than one.

Gold Panning Kits

Next it will be Oregon, then the entire Northwest and West. Oh, and it won't just be suction dredging that will go by the wayside. If this trend isn't stopped soon, at some point you won't be able to pan, sluice or look for gold at all in the West....or perhaps in the entire U.S.itself.

But hey, maybe you can take one of those nature walks...

(Again, please heed the following:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/06/01/fortune-seekers-bemoan-potential-end-dredge-gold-mining-california/

Please FAX Governor Brown and tell him that you OPPOSE the proposed 5-yr moratorium and $1.8 million budget cut on the suction dredging program. His fax number is (916) 558-3160.

Thanks for your help!

Dave Mack (Dave McCracken)
The New 49er's, 27 Davis Road, Happy Camp, California 96039, USA)If you liked this post, you may want to read: "The 'Dark Force' Does It Again: California Suction Dredging May End Permanently"

(c)  Jim Rocha (J.R.)  2011

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

The "Dark Force" Does It Again: California Suction Dredging May End Permanently (Part 1)

Well, lo and behold, the "Dark Force" in the once-golden state of California wasn't satisfied with a 5-year suction dredging moratorium. Nope, that wasn't good enough. Now the "Dark Force" is looking to shut down suction dredging in the state permanently.

What is the "Dark Force" I speak of? What, you didn't know already? Hmmm, let's see:

Hypocritical Indian tribes who profess a unique oneness with nature and tout the purity of their way of life but have no qualms about paving over huge tracts of land to erect obnoxious and outlandish casinos in their chase for the "white man's gold." Oh, and aren't these the same "noble savages" that don't pay taxes, get all sorts of government "freebies," and are considered sovereign nations when it comes to following the oppressive rules that the rest of us are typically jailed for breaking?

Wow...what I don't understand is this...if they're sovereign nations and all that and we can't break their rules or intrude in their business, why is it they're always OK with government handouts from American taxpayers and it's fine for them to intrude in our business? Go figure...

Placer Gold Locations

By the way, I wasn't alive in 1849 and couldn't have participated in the "genocide of native peoples" in California (or anywhere else for that matter). So if you're looking to make me feel guilty on that one, homie don't play that game. Oh don't worry, I know I'll be accused of racism here...that's always the fallback position these days, isn't it? But in reality it's a just a classic case of "money talks and bullshit walks..."

Various and sundry environmental whack jobs who would rather see you lose your livelihood or even your life "lest one branch be harmed on the head of that redwood tree" or "one little fishy be displaced from this rock to the adjoining one." You'll know these types by their cult-like, religious fervor about all things "green" and their "I've drunk the kool aid" stares.

Oh, and don't forget their lingo, constantly filled with buzz words and phrases like "sustainability, carbon footprint, eco-friendly, greenhouse gases, all natural, organic, waste neutral," and God knows however many other pieces of contrived horseshit they concoct to bedazzle each other and get the easily swayed and led out there to march lockstep with them.

Wolverine Boots

And while I'm at it here, don't you recreational and small-scale miners out there know what horrible people you are??? Sob, sniff, cry.....don't you realize the harm you cause to all living things and the damage you do to the environment by releasing copious amounts of methane after eating all those beans and that bacon? Shame on you all!!!

There's more to come but in the meantime I suggest you read the following from Fox News:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/06/01/fortune-seekers-bemoan-potential-end-dredge-gold-mining-california/

 Please Heed the Following

Also please heed the following request from Dave McCracken, founder of the New 49ers. Dave has fought this fight for us harder than anyone else I know for a long time now and he deserves your support:

Please FAX Governor Brown and tell him that you OPPOSE the
proposed 5-yr moratorium and $1.8 million budget cut on the
suction dredging program.  His  fax number is (916) 558-3160.

Thanks for your help!
Dave Mack

The New 49er's, 27 Davis Road, Happy Camp, California 96039, USA

I'll have more to say on this subject in my next post. Stay tuned...
(c)  Jim Rocha (J.R.)  2011

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

"Bedrock Dreams" Rogue's Gallery (Part 1)

In my earlier post, "Coming Soon: the 'Bedrock Dreams' Rogue's Gallery," I mentioned that I'd begin publishing a list of small-scale mining and treasure hunting liars, cheats, thieves, hustlers, scammers and basic n'er-do-wells who conduct their "business" in an unfair, deceitful, or unethical manner.  Once again, I will remove anyone or any business from the Rogue's Gallery once they have taken documented corrective actions and/or made restitution.

Here is my first Rogue's listing to receive a big thumbs down:

1. North American Mining Company (Alex Long and various and sundry partners)

Operating (and I do mean operating) under the vague umbrella of the North American Mining Company (NAMC), Alex Long is a Canadian hustling various mining claims and properties here in the West, including California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and elsewhere. NAMC used to have a promotional website, but I've been unable to locate it online any longer. Be advised that Alex Long and NAMC have a Facebook page, but there is little info there except for a Sacramento PO box and and phone number.

I did find the following info about NAMC online however:

"On October 13th, 2010, the North American Mining Company (NAMC), owned by Alexander Long and Brandon Carreau announced that the company started a mineral properties division engaged in the business of selling gold mining claims. NAMC is planning on selling to the mining community."

(Note: Someone named Brandon Esposito-Carreau lists himself as the "president" of NAMC. You can read more about Esposito-Carreau in the comments section at the end of this post.Oh, and that last line should have read "NAMC is planning on 'snookering' the mining community." )

Selling Claims on eBay

In the past Alex Long sold mining claims on eBay under the moniker of ugodsdaddy. It was on eBay that I first came into contact with Long and NAMC. By the way, mystery of mysteries, Long had very high customer ratings on eBay...go figure. However, I see no offerings from ugodsdaddy listed on eBay at the present (time to take the money and run I guess).

Long and his NAMC "pards" were selling 2 adjoining placer claims on the North Yuba River in N. California, my old dredging stomping grounds. Since N. Yuba claims are hard to come by and these appeared to be good ones, my California mining partner (the other Jim R.) and I bid on one and purchased it in the Fall of 2010. Someone else purchased the other claim.

Right off the get go there was some confusion as to which claim went to which bidder and according to what Long told me over the phone, the other original buyer got pissed off and backed out of the deal. I also received an e-mail from another eBay seller of claims in the area who suggested there may be issues with the claims. Long blew this off as "professional rivalry" in an e-mail exchange with me

"I Will Take Care of the Paperwork"

But the crux of the Long's roguishness lies within the following e-mail he sent me after we successfully bid on the N. Yuba claim:

"J.R., I will take care of the paperwork with both the county and the BLM, and as soon as you send the full payment for the auction I will send the paperwork out with maps, the total cost of the claim will be the high bid and thats all. THe claim is current and all taxes are paid through 2011 and yes my claim is active."

Sounds good huh? Except for the fact that once Long and his NAMC buddies got our money that was that. Long or NAMC NEVER filed the appropriate paperwork with Sierra County or the Sacramento, California Bureau of Land Management (BLM) office. This left the claimants still listed as Alex Long and others.

Thank God we did receive the signed quit claim deed, because that's what really matters in terms of registering claims. But because of Long's hustle and BS we are currently having to take care of this business ourselves with the county and the BLM from long distance. (I might add here that the folks at the Sacramento BLM and Sierra County deserve kudos for their prompt help in this matter. This has been a very positive note in all this furor and my sincere thanks goes out to the BLM and Sierra County employees.)

Surprise, Surprise

Last Thursday (May 26, 2011) I called Alex Long and had a rather heated conversation with him over his failure to fulfill his part of the claim deal. Long blamed an unnamed "assistant" for the failure (i.e., made excuses) and said he was in Arizona but would personally go to the Sacramento BLM office and "make things right" for us the next day. Then he would call me.

I told Long that he better make things right or I would make him the first member of my Rogue's Gallery and put the bad "ju ju" out on him via "Bedrock Dreams." He seemed genuinely concerned about this possibility but that was probably just more smoke blown up my rear end. Of course, Long never went to the BLM and I've not heard back from him since. Surprise, surprise. He (and NAMC) already have our money, so why do they need to make things right? Sound like someone you'd like to do business with?

Alex Long is "long" on BS and short on delivering the goods. In my opinion he, Brandon Esposito, and the rest of NAMC operate dishonestly and are NOT trustworthy, period. Don't let Long's good 'ol boy slickness and false promises sway you. He talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk.

Gold Concentrators
Metal Detectors

My Recommendation: Avoid (like the veritable Black Plague) doing business of any sort with Alex Long, Brandon Esposito-Carreau, or NAMC. Better safe than sorry when it comes to dealing with this bunch of conniving rogues.

Oh, and one last personal note to Long, Esposito-Carreau, and NAMC: So you thought I was joking huh?

(c)  Jim Rocha (J.R.)  2011

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com