2015: The Best Mining Season in Decades!!
By Charles P. Watson
They are already talking about it. The murmur is growing and the consensus is building. People are tuning up their machines, gathering supplies, and scoping out new spots. This is going to be one of the best mining seasons in decades!
Several things are working in favor of the miner; as it appears the winter storms have eased somewhat the three-year long drought, the moratorium on suction dredging mining was lifted, the price of fuel and supplies has gone down, plus gold remains above $1,200 per ounce. All that points to a good year for gold mining!
The miners can feel it, too. That tug on their souls; the calling from their claims in that visceral burning, passionate desire to go gold prospecting again. The bitter cold is behind us and the snow is melting, filling the drainages with the turbulent waters that you know are bringing down more gold from the highlands – and you want some of that! You want to be part of the new gold rush!
The history of gold is riddled with tall tales, folklores, and exaggerations that would make the less inclined person scoff and say, “Bah, humbug! There’s no more gold out there!” But knowledgeable miners and prospectors of today are still finding gold, and many are becom- ing pretty darn rich – and having fun doing it!
Of course there is still gold out there – lots of it! Just last year there was a huge 6-pound gold nugget found in Butte County, a 74-ounce nugget laced with quartz and country rock found in Plumas County about six years ago, and just before the moratorium on suction dredging took effect in 2009, a two-person team recovered 24 pounds of gold in four months on the Feather River. This year, the season looks like another banner year for the Golden State.
Remember your California history? One of the largest gold areas in the Golden State is called the Mother Lode Belt – a 400 mile-long, 75-mile-wide swath of gold-bearing rocks and gravels in the foothills of the Sierra. Numerous old mining towns dot the region with names like Seneca, Quincy, Downieville, Nevada City, Placerville, Angles Camp, and Sonora. Each have their own history, how the gold was discovered, where the richer mines were located, and who the people were that found their fortunes.
For some, it is the history of those times that provides them with their wealth, while for others it is and will always be about the yellow metal. Both are compelling and each will change how you live your life.
Plumas County is the northern-most county in the Mother Lode Belt, and was one of the richest gold-bearing counties in California. The Plumas County Museum is a huge source of information on what
happened in the county during the earlier gold rushes. Be sure to check out their exhibits too! The Plumas-Eureka State Park has wonderful displays as well. Find an expert, a geologist or miner, and learn from them. Re- search the Internet for information, tips and techniques. You’ll find gold – there’s no doubt! There is still plenty of it out there.
Gold mining is not a new thing. It is something in our blood – something that we feel is right. Today’s miners are smarter than ever before. They have better tools to recover the precious metal and the wisdom to work with Mother Nature. Today’s miners are responsible citizens and reclamation is part of their mining process.
It is a thrill to find your first gold speck, flake or nugget. Once you do, you will be hooked forever. It is fun for the whole family and who knows, maybe, just maybe, if you are a wee bit lucky… you too, will jump for joy, click your heels, and shout “Eureka! I found it!”
Charles P. Watson is the chief geologist at Advanced Geologic Exploration, Inc. located in Chester, 
California. He is an expert on gold exploration, mining, permitting, and a mining history buff as well.
He can be reached at cwatson@advancedgeologic.com or at www.advancedgeologic.com
Advanced Geologic locates and sells high quality gold mining claims. They also provide superior mining and geologic consulting, and can assist you with all your mining and permitting needs. The gold rush is on! Contact them and claim your fortune!
