The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1905-12-06
MODERN SEEKER FOR gold
His Method Differs From Those
of Old Prospectors.
DRILL USED IN THE WORK

DRILL USED IN THE WORK
Great Cost Sometimes Incurred in
Projects Preliminary to Opening
Mine-ChercaI Laboratory Car
ried by Pack Administrators
Drawn on the Spot.
The yield from the gold mines has
increased 60 per cent in less than q
decade. In seeking the reasons Tor
this truly remarkable development
one is especially prominent-the great
advance which has been made in the
methods followed by the modern gold
seeker. The prospectors, says the Sci
entifc American, have taken adVan-
tage of progress in geology, chemistry
and other sciences and have pro-
yided themselves with mechanical aids
which are far superior to the crude
implements employed by the metal
hunters Of the past.
In the examination of rock for metal
bearing ore, the arrastra OF the Mex
leans and Spaniards has been used
extensively, especially in California
and Oregon. This contrivance con-
sists of vertical shaft or axis, which
supports several wooden bars fastened
at right angles to it. To the ends OF
the bars are attached heavy nat
stones, which, by the movement Of the
axis, revolve in circular pit, stream
of water is turned upon them and the
arrastra placed in motion by animal
OF water power The ore is resolved
into Shiny sediment by being ground
in the water, and passes off through
the sluiceway, which is provided with
rifles for catching the gold.
The modern methods for searching
for desposits Of precious metal are sc
radically different from those describ
ed that it may be said revolution
has taken place in prospecting in the
United States. In the Rocky Mountain
region the formation has been pierced
as far as 1000 feet in the effort to as
certain the existence of vein.
Among the mechanical appliances
which have been Of great assistance
to the modern prospector is the drill
With it he can make borings IN
week where, if a shaft were sunk,
year would be needed. If the forma
ton is to be examined by a shaft
however, the cost of sinking it is re
duced to a minimum by means Of e1
plosive cartridges, which are now
manufactured especially for such ser
vice.
Few expeditions Of any size are SEN
out without an experienced geologlst
who is usually provided with maps
and other data giving the best infor
nation available regarding the regio1
to be explored.
Besides the geologist, the service:
of an expert chemist are also OF grea
importance and laboratory in min
iature is contained in the packs car
risd by the animals. So complete i
this portion Of the equipment that
fairly correct field analysis can b.
made OF the specimens secured by tn
use of the drill or by the other pros
pecting tools. If the outcropping c
q quartz vein is discovered, eEougl
Is broken off to allow its characte
to be studied both from a geological
and a chemical standpoint.
After examining it in connection
with the formation in the vicinity, tn
geologist is often able to indicat
where the. surface can be bored wit
the possibility of reaching the or
bearing stratum at once.
The value Of the ore from the out
cropping and that from the interlo
can be approximately determined b,
the chemist. To crush the ore is
slight undertaking, and with the leat
which he has brought along the ma
terial can be readily fused in port
able furnace. In fact, he has the es
sentials for making dry assay o.
limited scale, for cupels are nov
made Of such light weight that the.
can readily be carried on muleback.
In the outfit Of the modern pros
pector quicksilver has become prae
tically indispensable. It's affinity TO
gold makes it raost valuable agent
Where the existence Of placer gol'
is imagined, the Introduction Of mel
cury into the test washer soon solve
the problem and avoids the use Of Ri
fes and other crude appliances whicl
were formerly dependent upon almos
entirely. After crushing the specl
mems Of test ore, the quicksilver cal
also be used to ascertain the quantit.
Of free gold among the particles. A
the mercury can be eliminated b!
heating the composition to a sufficient
" high temperature, it is now utilizet
in large quantities by the modern
prospector.
Taking the ingot Of lead and Of pre-
cious metal he can easily oxidize th'
lead by placing it in his cupel an
heating the latter to the required TEN
perature In an oven constructed OF ma
terial which he can obtain in the VI
cinity. With his nitric acid he sepa
rates the silver which may remain
leaving the gold only to be tested TO
its value. The proportion Of the gol
to a given quantity Of ore can be de
termined by his scales, but by usin!
his touchstone or black basalt he cal
detect the quality Of the gold by tn
color which this substance make
when drawn over the surface Of tn
metal.
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