Placer Mining: Understanding Geological Structure

This is a center cut on a gulch placer we were working here in western Montana years ago. At the time of this photo, we were getting ready to move onto the bench placer in the upper left of the photo.  On the upper right you can see the drain ditch doing its job perfectly.

Understanding the geological structure will enhance your mineral extraction strategy. I was fortunate enough to be trained by the best of the best, old timers who had been mining all their lifetime. What they taught me is priceless hands-on experience. That is what, I think, every successful miner has to develop - the hands-on experience.

Keep in mind, you are always trying to achieve digging dry gravel. In reality, most of the time you will have water issues of one kind or another.

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