Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1873-04-26
How to Search for Metals.
SEARCHING FOR COPPER.

SEARCHING FOR COPPER.
The copper ores, after exposure, or al
ter being dipped in vinegar, are almost
invariably green on the surface. they
are most abundant near trap-dykes. The
pyrites are generally found in lead mines,
AMI in granite and clay slate. Copper
very rarely occurs in new formations, as
along the Atlantic and Gulf borders, and
in the Mississippi valley south OF Cairo.
SEARCHING FOR LEAD.
Lead is seldom discovered in the sur
face soil. 1t is also in vain 70 look for 1t
i'm the coal region and along the coast.
1t must be sought in steep hills. in lime
stone or steep rocks. A surface cut by
frequent ravines. or covered by Vegeta-
ton in lines, indicates mineral crevices.
The galena from the slate is said to con-
taid more silver than that from the lime
stone. The purest specimens OF galena
are poorest in silver: the small veins are
richest in the more precious metat "A
lead vein is thickest i'm limestone, thinner
in sandstone, and thinnest in slate.
SEARCHING FOR SILVER.
This metal is usually found with lead
ore and native copper. States and sand
stones intersected by igneous rocks, as
trap and pOrphyry. are good LOCALITIES.
Pure silver is often found in or near iron
ores and the dark brown zinc blende.
| The Colorado silver lOdes are porous at
the surface and cOlored more or less red
or green. Any rock suspected OF con-
tanning silver should be powdered and dis
solved in nitric acid. Pour off the liquid
and add to it solution of salt. II white
powder falls to the bottom, which. upon
exposure turns black, there is silver IN it.
Silver mines increase in value as in depth,
whereas gold diminisheS as we descend.
SEARCHING FOR GOLD.
The paying localities of gold deposits
are the slopes of the Rocky and Alleghe-
nv Mountains. Gold need not be looked
for i'm the anthracite and bituminOus coal
fields, nor in limestone rock. 1t is seldom
found in the beds of rivers. The thing
itself is the surest Indication of its exist
ence. Ii soil or sand is washed, and the
particles of gold are not heavy enough to
remain at the bottom, but float away, the
bed will not pay.
Among streams rather higher up among
the mountains, and in the gravelly drift
covering the slope of the valley below. are
the best prospects. Where the steam
meets an obstacle in its path, or makes &
bend. or has deep holes. there we may
look for pockets of gold. Black or rec
sands are usually richest. GOla-bearine
rock is slate or granite Astounding II
rusty looking quartz veins, the latter con
tanning iron pyrites or cavities. Alinos
all iron pyrtes and silver ores may bt
worked for gold. When the quartz veinr
are thin and numerous rather than mas
sive. and lie near the surface, they are con
sidered most profitable. Few veins cal
be worked with profit very far down. "A
traces of gold may be found everywhere
no one should indulge in speculation be
tore calculating the per centage and TIN
cost of extraction. Gold hunting, aite
all, is a lottery, with more blanks than
prizes.
The substances most frequently mis-
taken for gold are iron pyrites, Cope
pyrites and mica. The precious metal i
easily distinguished from these by it
malleability (flattening under the hammer
and its great weight, sinking rapidly il
water.
SEARCHING FOR IRON.
Any heavy mineral of a black, brown
red or yellow celor may be suspected t
be iron. TO prove it. dissolve some in OF
of vitrOl and pour in an infusion of nu
gall or oak bark /; if it turns black, iron
present. If a ton of rich magnetic or
costs more than 81 at the furnace, goo
hemqtite more than So, and poor ore
more than Sl.50 or 81, they are too *
pensive to pay, unless iron is unusuall
high. Deep mining for iron is not profit
able. General speaking. a bed OF goo
iron ore, a foot thick, will repay the cos
of stripping it, of soil, ETC., twelve fee
thick. Red and yellow earths, Gale,
ochers, contain iron. Magnetic ore
easily found by compass. Undeyyroun
Treasures, by Prot. lanes orion.