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GREETINGS to our new website.
The FORUM began in the late 1990’s at origsix.com. Do to its age a modern website became necessary. Here it is; however all the transaction from origsix.com during the transition are not yet available on the site. Our original website will remain. Welcome and enjoy your journey with the oldest USA gold mining corporation. Participate using either or both sites.Hi Rick, nice to see you on the Forum again.
Yes, you began this thread September 12, 2006. I encourage all with curiosity about this little mine that keeps on keeping on to click page eleven, scroll to its beginning and read to the present.
A lot of surface quartz calls your name. Best to you, Mike
Ironic, the Topic Title of this thread….Ideal Time For Facts. Given the ongoing onslaught of political opportunism, I knew when I titled this thread it would endure. Congrats to our visions. Wonderful!
Howdy! What a gem of a mine…congrats to the persistence of the vision
Greatest days have multiple facts ! Today is a great day with three facts: the sun is warming Alleghany and Tahoe National Forest;; the miners are sacking gold; positive news to announce to all you faithful readers.
The MSHA District located in Vacaville services the West, Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam. It is a large area and staffing is difficult due to many retiring employees. Experienced youth with a background in underground gold mining is scarce and getting scarcer. This placed our operation and MSHA many times into conflict. We hold different understandings of CFR 30, (the code of regulations) and safety in this specific underground. Following is the third positive fact:
During quarterly inspections in 2018, I opposed fourteen citations in two combined dockets. After months of paper and talk exchanges, MSHA and I agreed to a settlement: fourteen outstanding citations at $3,249 was proposed assessment: four were vacated; settlement reduced to $1180 (63%). Miners continued to disagree with the “potential danger” alleged by the inspectors but settlement makes monetary-sense. Administration Law Judge Margaret Miller signed the “Order Accepting Appearance Decision Approving Settlement” on April 10, 2019. The office received it April 17, 2019. Today is a great day.
Mr.Clancy Harman
Chief of Emergency Response
Barrick Goldstrike mineDear Clancy,
Thanks for writing about mine rescue. Your new joint venture with Newmont excited our gold industry. Yes we appreciate Barrick’s ongoing coverage in the event of a rescue situation. In 1986, I was invited to attend a two day presentation in New York by the ten leading gold mining companies. The audience was composed of investment leaders of large asset holding entities from across the United States. Chairmen or presidents were the sole representative for each company. I remember vividly Barrick’s presentation dealing with questions from a vastly unfamiliar gold mining audience of financial entities.Ohio’s rep from teaches or government fund continued asking Barrick’s chairman inane questions. His rage was growing, trying to keep his cool, especially in one area. The lady was upset because her fund could not buy stocks other than US listed companies. She kept hammering him to list. Barrick was Canadian listed. It was painful yet fun to watch and finally the Chairman said, “Until you (US security institutions) get its #*+*^ act together we won’t list on America exchanges!”
HIs reasons were classic: how screwed up the American judicial systems operates at times. He said, “Our operation could be producing gold profitably and the stock price tracks financial results; however if some #*+*^ stock paper players decide to unload and the price tumbles, some lawyer will show up to blame us. Our operation will be the same but now some allegation will spew forth. Until New York (SEC or other, I can’t remember which he identified) eliminates this we won’t be here.” I knew exactly his frustrations. Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette branch in San Francisco gave me its invitation to attend with one condition. I could not ask any questions. Those two days, so long ago, were a great inspiration during my early years as president of Original Sixteen to One Mine. The financial world today continues to discount gold as an asset.
Thanks you for helping our little operation keep up with the MSHA rescue requirement. The Sixteen has over 35 miles of underground levels. Our miners have multiple ways to travel in or out of the mine. I understand the regulation. Our operation has shrunk to a disgusting low number of miners. Many old guys live close to Alleghany, if needed for a rescue effort. My point: it is doubtful there will be an emergency requiring your team. But, I invite Barrick to send one or more of its teams to experience a trip in the Sixteen sometime.
The Nevada association of geologists scheduled an underground tour this June. We expect about fifty. Today’s’ gold miners who come to Alleghany marvel at the way we mine, something from the past. This is a unique high-grade deposit, having produced over 1.3 million ounces of gold. Please share my invitation with your Barrick miners. I look forward in hosting the Barrick team inside the oldest and longest operating gold mine in North America.
Thanks again and best wishes. It is impossible to field a mine rescue team in California in today’s mining climate. To my knowledge, no other mines in the Sierra gold belt have a crew. California’s, hard rock, underground gold miners are a rare and endangered species.
Michael Meister Miller
PS: I learned a moment ago that there is a Mike or Michael Miller claiming to be a miner with some questionable facts. In the 1980’s a Michael Miller, a lawyer from New York operated a mine south of Alleghany. He flew around in jets, drove a Rolls Royce and fleeced Johnny Carson and other Hollywood personalities. I’m neither of those guys.Thanks to all of you who read or write in the FORUM. It is about mining. We drift onto related sub topics but the FORUM is an historical chronology of gold mining. I’ve learned that many of our California hard rock experiences are shared by our soft rock miners in the eastern coal mines. Our chronology also reaches Europe, Australia, Canada and even Africa. Something , let’s call it an holiday gift, I wish to give all of you.
The topic “Ideal Time for Facts” caught my eye. Rick started it September 2005, so I went back to check out its beginning (page 11). John Yuma wrote a piece in November that included “beaconsfieldgold.com.au”. I wanted to see how beaconsfieldgold was doing and discovered a story. If you have a moment, click on Wikipedia: google beaconsfieldgold. Read the story. Happy holidays to all of you and all the miners and their financial backers throughout the world. Without you civilization would crumble.
Dear “MTom”,
How in the WORLD did you manage to get that URL to “highlight” on this forum? I have never been able to do that!
Anybody have any ideas about this?
Regards,
Fred M. CainClassic examples of human behavior exist. They have existed for centuries; one of multiple reasons to develop an historical concept via reading is for their use, knowledge and enjoyment.
“The Four Phases of a Bull Market” has an historic past. Its time line varies, but its components are established: Stealth Phase, Awareness Phase, Mania Phase, Blow off Phase. Sub divisions of the time line are: Take Off, First Sell Off, Media Attention, Enthusiasm, Greed, Delusion, Top, Denial, Perception of Normal, Fear, Capitulation, Despair, Today – the Moment.
Where are the spot prices for silver and gold markets? Where are the markets of the silver, gold, copper and all metals? If you have theories, concepts, questions or any interest, I would enjoy hearing about them.
IN 1970, JACK R. WAGNER WROTE “GOLD MINES OF CALIFORNIA”. It is a must read for those interested in understanding California gold. Chapter 14 entitled “The Original Sixteen to One Mine”, in thirteen pages, details one of the world’s greatest mines in a top ranking gold field, California. Following is the beginning of the author’s PREFACE.
“As a native Californian I was brought up to think of California as the “Golden State”, not only because of its heritage, but because gold mining was still a fairly important industry. Today this is no longer the case and I now realize that much of the California I knew is slipping away. Even the physical evidence is rapidly eroding due to the ravages of time, neglect and the constant rearranging of the landscape. In its own way I hope this book will capture the dramatic life and sad ending of what once was a major California industry produced between 1848 and 1967 nearly $2.5 billion in gold. It was an industry that influenced the placement and development of many California towns and contributed enormously to the prosperity of our state.
From the discovery of gold-bearing quartz on Gold Hill near Grass Valley in 1850 until December 31, 1965 when the Sixteen to One Mine in Alleghany shut down, California was world renowned as one of the most important gold fields. Fortunately in 1850, about the time when most of the easily-mined placer claims were worked out, miners were able to turn to deep or hard-rock mining. This period, which lasted 115 years, was aided by the newly discovered dynamite and the perfection of the air drill, both of which carried gold production to great heights and the mines to great depths.
Actually, it was the Sixteen to One mine that led to my undertaking this project in the first place. It all began when I read a short article hidden away on the financial page of a San Francisco newspaper, reporting the demise of California’s last producing gold mine. While I had known for years that profitable gold mines were few and far between, I had no idea of how many or how few still existed in California. It became apparent to me that this was truly the end of an era in our time and I determined to set some of it down on paper before it became lost entirely. Since the Sixteen to One was the last operating quartz mine it also seemed appropriate that it should be the final chapter in the book, which means that I wrote the last first.”
Does Jack Wagner’s research have any meaning 48 years later? Déja vu regarding the last operating quartz mine in California. The layoff of our Company’s miners in 1965, was directly related to the thirty six year freeze on spot price of gold plus the fact all production must go to the US government. Whew! No déja vu to that economic legislation. At today’s spot price for one ounce of gold, the Sixteen production according to Mr. Wagner is $1,350,000,000. Yes, over one billion dollars came from Sixteen to One gold. How much remains? Read our web site. The June shareholder meeting in Alleghany will number 107.
Jack Wagner began Chapter 13 with:
“A good story, like gold, is where you find it and this one began in he classified section of the San Francisco newspaper in June 1965 with an ad which read: To be sold. 25 beautiful irreplaceable quartz and gold specimens suitable for museum or private display. A simple ad, but behind it ran a pathetic story of the decline in the fortunes of one of California’s most famous gold mines, the Original Sixteen to One Mine of Alleghany. It is a story so typical of the plight of the California gold mining industry that it could be used as a textbook example.”
What Jack did not know was the miners stayed operating as independent miners keeping the main adit and some levels open as water flowed into the mine. The author concludes his wonderful story. “Barring an increase in the price of gold or some other economic miracle (or catastrophe) future historians must surely agree that the Sixteen to One mine was truly the last producing gold quartz mine in California, the once golden state.” The miner’s prayer: gold in the next round we drill, blast and muck.
In addition to the Sixteen’s petition for review by the State Water Board (full petition under Topic: Water and Arsenic: which came first? 01/26/2018), all residents have rights to petition this board for redress of an absurd position by public personnel. I chose to exercise this right and below is my petition to be heard by the State Board. Although I wrote both petitions, the tone represents a different perspective. If you have discovered this abuse of our public servants on our website, please help us broaden the exposure of this ignorance. For you and for future generations of Californians, public accountability of destructive powers based in Sacramento must be challenged and returned to the beneficial powers we want and expect. Help us.
State Water Resources Control Board January 8, 2018
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814Dear Members of the Board,
The Porter Cologne Act passed in California legislation as solutions of water quality, conservation, control and utilization. What water issues troubled elected officials, industries and businesses in the 1960’s? Fundamental observations, conditions, predictions and downright speculations contributed to this law. It was justified according to give and take actions by Californians for the benefit of Californians: protected for use and enjoyment by the people of the state. The Legislature declared regulations shall be reasonable, considering all demands made on our water quality and considering the total values involved, beneficial and detrimental economic and social, tangible and intangible. Development projects were growing in scope and size; however the law specifically cites factors of precipitation, topography, population, recreation, agriculture, industry and economics shall apply.
The law established a State Board and regional boards. They shall conform to and implement the policies of Chapter 1, (policy) at all times of the Act. Water quality objectives mean the limits or levels of water quality constituents or characteristics which are established for the reasonable protection of beneficial uses of water. The first item listed for a water quality control plan is: (1) Beneficial uses to be protected. The intent of the Legislature is unequivocal: waste or contamination must create a hazard to the public health through poising or the spread of disease.
One key in the Legislative and administration process was science. Science began and drove concepts and words that eventually were passed by our Senate and Assembly. Science, after all, is knowledge, understood facts or principles. Knowledge is gained by systematic observations, experiment, and reasoning; knowledge is coordinated, arranged, and systematized. Its goal is the prosecution of truth thus known, both in the abstract and as an historical development.
What John Stuart Mill wrote 160 years ago holds true today: “Since all phenomena which have been sufficiently examined are found to take place with regularity, each having certain fixed conditions, positive and negative, on the occurrence of which it invariably happens, mankind has been able to ascertain the conditions of the occurrence of many phenomena. The progress of science mainly consists in ascertaining these conditions. Science is nothing but the finding of analogy, identity in the most remote parts of the subject.” There is no science involved with the enforcement of the current CVRWQCB in Rancho Cordova, California.
In science, you must not talk before you know. In art, you must not talk before you do. In literature, you must not talk before you think. In government all three apply to our public agencies, public employees, elected and appointed officials. Science persists with the knowledge of things, whether ideal or substantial. Art works the modification of substantial things by our substantial power. Literature brings to the mind the modification of ideal things by our ideal power. All are lacking with the Prosecution Team, the Administration Team, most of the Board members and the Executive Team.
The work of the true masters of Science is a perpetual striving after a better and closer knowledge of their environment from the planet on which their lot is cast and the universe in the vastness of which our planet is lost. CVRWQCB execution of the Porter Cologne act has become an illegal taker of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness with no sense of support from Science, Art or Literature. It’s good and worthwhile intent turned into a sham, nothing more than a trick put upon the public. It has become evil that lacks any bearing on its expectations. The people should fear the destroying of long standing public and private benefits of our water. If the environment is sought to be defended or pressured for the safety and benefits of Californians, some advocates and some enforcers twist, ignore and lie. It is a sham and the goodness we know and expect will be lost for future generations. The actions I witnessed at the December 8, 2017, public CVRWQCB hearing will alarm Californians as I was alarmed.
Porter- Cologne Water Quality Control Act is the law. It preempts all other plans, such as the Valley Basin plan. Its importance in Californian’s behaviors patterns the relationships between the Constitution of the United States of American and the Constitution of the State of California. Law has definitions: recognize shame answers, sham defenses, and sham pleas. The entire agenda item on December 8, 2017, was so clearly shameful, in fact, presenting no substantial issue. It is make believe to assert that natural waters traveling through the Alleghany aquifers, above and underground, produce harmful conditions to public health. An historical mantra holds true here in Sacramento: “We must have a case that we do not sham fallacies upon the people for current reason.”
Fear of this material (natural elements for life) and native water precipitating high in the Sierra Nevada mountains is a pretense for highjacking industrial freedom and rights, justify employment for the prosecutors, fatten self-serving appetites, and is illegal, immoral and against both State and Federal Constitutions. “Truth, like gold, lies at the bottom.”
In reference to the degree of specialization on display during this public meeting, the sciences may be arranged as follows:
(A) Mathematics, the study of relations of the parts of hypothetical constructions, involving no observation of facts, but only of the creations of our own minds, having two branches – (1) pure mathematics, where the suppositions are arbitrary and (2) applied mathematics, where the hypothesis as simplifications of real facts – and branching again into (a) mathematical philosophy, as the theory of probabilities, etc. (b) mathematical physics, as analytical mechanics, etc. and (c) mathematical physics, as political economy.
(B) Philosophy, the examination of and logical analysis of a general body of fact is a science in which reason and history precedes successful dealing with special elements of the universe – branching into (1) logic and (2) metaphysics.
(C) Nomology, the science of the most general laws or uniformities, having two main branches – (1) psychology and (2) general physics.(D) Chemistry, the determination of physical constants and the study of the different kinds of matter in which these constants differ.
(E) Biology, the study of a peculiar class of substances, the protoplasms, and of the kinds of organisms into which they grow.
(F) Sciences of organization of organisms, embracing (1) physiology, the science of the working of the psychical structures of organs and (2) sociology, the science of psychical unions, especially modes of human society, including ethics, linguistics, politics, etc.
No science was on display by the Prosecution Team, the Advisory Team or other public employees. My wonderment is that the seven board members voted six to one in support of the staff with so little knowledge of what they were voting for. Science is nothing but the finding of analogy, identity in the most remote parts of the subject: water. “The work of the true man of Science is a perpetual striving after a better and closer knowledge of the planet on which his lot is cast, and of the universe in the vastness of which that planet is lost.” –J.N. Lockyer. What science triggers the serious efforts across the spectrum of living in our Golden State? What is the duty of water?Terms contain some qualification to denote that it must not be excessive are to be based in science. The buzz ‘word’ has become ppb. The word “reasonable” being considerably used in law is not used now in science: reasonable in care and diligence, reasonable in economic evaluations (cost/benefits), reasonable unavoidable. This board lacks an understanding of reason because the staff either fails to know or withholds important information (exculpatory evidence or statements which tend to clear Original Sixteen to One Mine, Inc. from alleged fault or guilt). The duty of water is found not to be a constant factor for all places but varies with the character of natural surroundings, climatic conditions, diversification of environments and various other conditions.
Kanaka Creek does not present a water quality problem for fish, plant life or aquatic insects. No one suffers a beneficial loss downstream from the ancient 21 portal. During the meeting the question, “What is the full definition of serious?” was brushed aside by staff. The proper action for the Board to take at this meeting was to table the topic and send it back to staff for review and clarification on the issues raised by Operator. The insistence that it could not take this action is weak.
I am aggrieved by the action at the December 8, 2017 CVWQCB meeting.
I file this petition for review with the State Water Board.
I hereby attach to this petition by reference the three attachment filed by Original Sixteen to One Mine, Inc. as support for my request for the petition. I have suffered great financial losses due to the ongoing behavior if CVRWQCB in the Kanaka Creek watershed. I have suffered great mental strain and harassment.
Required Information:
Michael Meister Miller
PO Box 941
Alleghany, CA 95910
(530) 287-3224
mmeistermiller@gmail.comA copy of this request is given to the US Postal office in Alleghany today, addressed to the CVRWQCB in Rancho Cordova. Presenting new and accurate information and delivering true and scientific information regarding the issues under review by CVRWQCB in order to preserve, protect and enhance the regional environment both naturally and socially are not a choice but a right and a public responsibility.
Sincerely,
Michael M. MillerGoogle “New California.”
Good bye to the Water Board!
Michael,
I would gladly drink a glass of cold water that had leached out of your mine long before I’d gladly drink a glass of tap water in Sacramento !
Regards,
Fred M. CainTRUE OR FALSE
The arsenic limit established by governmental speculation for harmful health is set ten times below the number used as medical dosages in the treatment of cancer. California enforces the natural runoff from subterranean sources flowing into Kanaka Creek (contains arsenic) be reduced to drinking water standards, which are arbitrarily set lower than the amount physicians prescribe intravenously to patients to cure leukemia and other diseases or conditions.
Sadly, this is true. Is this deliberate behavior?
Supply/demand news on India’s gold market (GST).
The simplified taxation structure will make the gold supply chain more transparent and efficient. It should also boost India’s economy which in turn will support gold demand
Key points:
• At 3%, the GST rate announced on the 3rd June was lower than the industry had feared. Industry reaction has been positive.
• There are two important GST rates which will affect the gold industry: the 3% tax on gold products – which replaces the excise duty and VAT components, but sits on top of the import duty – and an 18% tax on services, which will affect small-scale artisans who design and manufacture jewelry for larger manufacturers.
• While the overall tax rate consumers face is likely to increase slightly, GST will bring benefits too. Firms will be able to offset the GST they pay against their revenues, and double taxation throughout the supply chain will be eliminated. Supply chains will become more efficient.Gold mining in Mexico has a 500 years history of both commercial and artisan production. Today, gold and silver account for more than 50 percent of the country’s total metals output.
Over the last decade, gold production in Mexico stayed relatively stable; however, an uncertain gold price environment limited new mines openings in recent years. Most mining companies operating in Mexico focused on reducing costs and improving capital management. In 2016 gold output dropped from 135 MT to 125 MT. The decline, which was one of the country’s biggest, was partly due to harder and lower-grade ore types available.
One problem is that relatively little exploration is taking place. Last year, spending on exploration and development declined for the fourth year in a row to reach a 10-year low of $483 million. Mining in Mexico is a significant employment industry and valuable as an export producer of gold, silver and copper in that order. Expect it to continue.
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downloadingsupertorrentwebsite.ruSome good comments/info in the post below.
One thing they did not mention was the current strength of the US $, and the fact that it may become weaker (Trump has alluded that he would like a weaker USD – this helps any USA company that exports goods/services to countries who pay in other currencies). If the USD weakens, then that should be good for the price of gold (and other commodities in general). I do not want to get into it here, but there is usually an inverse relationship between the strength of the dollar and the price of gold/commodities. One of many caveats however, is the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee. If they continue to raise the federal funds target rate, a result should be a stronger US dollar. The USD is the reserve currency of the world, and will be for the foreseeable future. It’s strength or weakness should have some effect on spot gold prices.
Information about gold has numerous sources. Many relate facts and opinions to support a bias view intend to support some theory, position or gain by the writers. My subscription to the World Gold Council goes back decades. It is required to declare ones interest from six categories. I checked ‘Gold Mining and Gold Technology”. Below is a summary from a report I received today. It covers investment yet you may find it interesting as I did.
Outlook 2017 World Gold Council
Global economic trends and their impact on goldThe gold price had a strong performance in 2016, rising close to 10% in US dollar terms (higher in most other currencies) and amassing multi-year record inflows through physically-backed gold ETFs – making it one of the best performing assets last year, despite a post-US election pullback. And the price has gained more than 5% since the Federal Reserve (Fed) increased rates in mid-December.
Political risk is rising. Europe will hold key elections in the Netherlands, France and Germany in 2017. The election cycle will happen “against a backdrop of continued citizen unrest, fueled by the ongoing uneven distribution of economic welfare.” In addition, Britain must negotiate its exit from the European Union. In the US, there are positive expectations about some of the economic proposals of President-elect Donald Trump and his team, but there are also concerns
Monetary policy is likely to diverge between the US and other parts of the world. The Fed is widely expected to
tighten monetary policy, but it is far from certain that other central banks may be willing and/or able to do so.
over the past century, gold has vastly outperformed all major currencies as a means of exchange. One of the
reasons for this is that the available supply of gold changes little over time – growing only 2% per year through mine production. In contrast, fiat money can be printed in unlimited quantities to support monetary policies.Nominal interest rates are widely expected to increase in the US this year, but all the economists we spoke to
forecast that inflation will rise as well. An upward inflationary trend is likely to support demand for gold for three reasons. First, gold is historically seen as an inflation hedge. Second, higher inflation will keep real interest rates low, which in turn makes gold more attractive. And third, inflation makes bonds and other fixed income assets less appealing to long-term investorsStock markets had a significant rebound in the last stretch of 2016. And while some stock markets are just recovering from lackluster multi-year performance, stocks in the US have reached historical highs. In many cases, valuations have been elevated, as investors increase their risk exposure in search of returns in a very low yield environment.
Until now, investors have used bonds to protect their capital in the event of a stock market correction. As rates
rise, this is a less viable option – and in the meantime, the risk of a correction may be increasing. The interconnectedness of global financial markets has resulted in a higher frequency and larger magnitude of systemic risks. And as Jim O’Sullivan puts it: “The [US economic] expansion will not last forever.” In such an environment, gold’s role as a portfolio diversifier and tail risk hedge is particularly relevant.Macroeconomic trends in Asia will support economic growth over the coming years and, in our view, this will
drive gold demand. In Asian economies, gold demand is generally closely correlated to increasing wealth. And as Asian countries have become richer, their demand for gold has increased. The combined share of world gold demand for India and China grew from 25% in the early 1990s to more than 50% by 2016. And other markets such as Vietnam, Thailand and South Korea have vibrant gold markets too.While jewelry demand in China has suffered from changing consumer tastes, the investment market has undergone a remarkable period of development. In little more than 10 years its bar and coin market has become one of the world’s largest. Trading volumes on the Shanghai Gold Exchange are increasing. And interest in new products continues to increase; we believe innovation should continue to support China’s gold market in years to come.
Gold is becoming more mainstream. Gold-backed ETFs made gold accessible to millions of investors, primarily in the West, over the past decade, but other markets continue to expand too. China has seen dramatic growth in recent years through Gold Accumulation Plans, physically settled gold contracts in the Shanghai Gold Exchange
In Japan, pension funds have increased their gold holdings over the past few years. In the corporate sector, more than 200 defined-benefit pension funds have invested in gold. In addition, more than 160 defined-contribution plans have added gold to their list of investments. We expect this trend to continue and expand into Western markets, where pension funds have had to rethink asset allocation strategies following prolonged exposure to low (and even negative) interest rates. In our view, this will result in structurally higher demand. Innovation is evident across all markets, but at the end of last year one development stood out. The Accounting and Auditing Organization of Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), with support from the World Gold Council, launched the Shari’ah Standard for Gold, opening up the Muslim world to gold investment.
Found this at the bottom:
“Mariposite formed when serpentine was altered under pressure by mineral-laden hot (650oF) water. The water, containing potassium, silica, carbon, oxygen, and other elements, flowed upward from sources deep in the earth’s crust along fractures, faults and fissures in the rocks. When these hydrothermal fluids reacted with the serpentine, they formed deposits of quartz, chromium-rich mica, sulfides, and occasionally gold. At that time these rocks were completely hidden under the surface of the earth. The ancestral Sierra Nevada began to began to rise 100 million years ago (Hill 1975) and the rock above the mariposite slowly eroded. The rich veins were exposed about 45 million years ago. Continued erosion released the gold from the rock and streams carried it down the slopes.
Mariposite rock and the varied quartz and gold veins are found along the mother lode’s Melones fault which separates the Paleozoic Calaveras Complex phyllite from the late Jurassic Mariposa Formation greywacke and volcanic rock.”
Dear geologists on this forum:
“The appearance of Mariposite all over the Northern Sierra Nevada was caused by the same hydrothermal processes that caused the gold precipitation inside the quartz veins.”
Is that true?
When I take people into the mine, I stop on the 800 level where there are magical open stopes, pillars and thick quartz. Included in the quartz is a “horse”, a miners term for some irregularity dragged into the vein.
Most of the time a horse is a mass of country rock lying within the vein. This horse is mostly bluejay. I asked what makes this rock green? Copper is the favorite guess, which is not true. The answer is chrome.
For those geologists out there mariposite is a chromian variety of phengite, a siliceous variety of muscovite.
The real old timers believed that the appearance of bluejay held promise of gold nearby.
Thank you Big Al. I understand now what the miners mean when they speak of BlueJay.
Hi again Hans, I misspelled it, it is spelled Mariposite. Here is a link to more information and pictures. Big Al http://mariposachamber.org/mariposa/mariposite-the-rock-that-made-california-famous/
Hi Hans, BlueJay is another name for Maraposite, it is quartz based with white and green to blue green characteristics, there is quite a bit of it in the Allegheny mining district. I have personally saw a lens at a mine I worked at that was over 50 feet long, it is a very hard rock. BigAl
Could readers of the Forum please give me some information on the chemical nature of the mineral that the miners call “Bluejay”?
In addition it would be interesting for me to learn more about the appearance of Bluejay in the neighbourhood of of gold-bearing quartz veins.
Consumer demand within two countries have acted as sponges for surplus gold in recent years – China and India – marked time during much of 2015. There was a noticeable upturn in interest later in the year. China increased the value of gold reserves to 1,762 mt by the end of December, worth $56.7 billion. The addition was 104 mt during the second half of the year. Indian imports totaled more than 900 mt of gold worth some $35 billion in 2015. 105 mt of imports in December alone.
For producer the main focus worldwide continues on cutting costs. Much of the industry benefitted from favorable exchange-rate movements, while the fall in the price of oil helped producers across the world as diesel costs came down
The Russian gold sector has been subject to some unwelcome influences over the past year or so, as the devaluation of the rubble against the dollar and the effects of economic sanctions imposed by the rest of the world over Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine have taken hold.
Chinese money may soon appear in Russian gold mining. Chinese gold miners have skimmed off the cream at home so today they’re looking at Russia with interest. They recognize that the ruble devaluation has made mining in Russia more attractive.
Although China’s gold output has achieved spectacular growth over the past 10 or 12 years, (World Gold Council (WGC), its reserve base cannot support current output levels. The bulk of the country’s production comes from relatively small mines. The “low-hanging fruit” in China’s gold deposits may already have been picked.
Three main factors contribute toSouth Africa’s decline from world leader to the current No. 7: cost of labor, cost of electricity, and the depth of the mines. The resources are there in the ground, but the economics of turning these resources into reserves are uncertain. OPINION: If South Africa largest gold miners are going to survive beyond the next few decades, a radical reshaping of the industry is necessary.
PAPER GOLD IS A COMBUSTIONABLE
Very quickly, here is a news flash (July 7, 2016) that crossed my office from Calico Resource Corp. The officers and directors are pleased to announce that they sold out to Paramount Gold Nevada Corp via a court approved plan of “arrangement”. Love it! It used to be called reorganization under bankruptcy laws.Look at how the insiders financed this raw land proposal to the public.
Common shares outstanding 2011: 15,275,127
Common shares outstanding 2012 29,923,504
Common shares outstanding 2013 = 38,669,547
Common shares outstanding 2014 = 51,557,212
Common shares outstanding 2015 = 75,785,794
Common shares outstanding 2016 = 102,445,845The Canadians have another sweet accounting gimmick, all legal, I presume. It is called “Exploration and Evaluation Asserts”. While this remarkable asset basically stayed physically the same, its exploration and evaluation numbers explode from $140,795 in 2010, to $1,168,286 in 2011, $8,777,390 in 2014, $12,433,509 in 2015 and at the time of the “arrangement” is listed at $14,381,982. How does this happen when the cheap nike free expenses mostly listed are: investor relations, management and professional fees. They exploded and are most of the annual corporate expenses.
Keep your eyes wide open air jordan to what may be heading into the financial news as gold gains more attention. This game is as old as gold, when those crafty people centuries ago filed a little gold from the currency.
Hans,
You are correct, kind of. The Washington Mine is in a community called French Gulch, NW of Redding, CA. They are one and the same mine. I believe the company used the names interchangeably – or referred to it as French Gulch, being the town that it is near.The name “French Gulch” seems to be a part of several different underground operations in the Redding area.
On Shasta Gold Corp’s website a company by the name of “French Gulch (Nevada) Mining” is mentioned as a whollly owned subsidiary of Shasta. But they are working the “Washington Mine” near Redding, not the “French Gulch Mine”.
This habit of using small companies as subsidiaries for single mine operations is confusing to foreign observers.
Bullion River Gold Corp., parent company of French Gulch Mine, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
The Reno company, which started mining in western Shasta County in 2006, said in court papers the bankruptcy was necessary because creditors were threatening to shut down its operations.
Bullion River Gold also claims it intends to reorganize. The company, which declared bankruptcy Feb. 27, lists $30.1 million in assets and $10.56 million in liabilities.
French Gulch is one of six subsidiaries owned by Bullion River Gold, a company started by a group of investors in 2003 under the name Dynasty International Corp. It changed its name to Bullion River Gold in January 2004.
Story here, but may be behind paywall (hit stop on your browser before the page fully loads and you may be able to read it):
Mike,
the underground operation just west of Redding that closed down was that the operation, that was reorganized with money from Germany a few years ago?Mike,
French Gulch used to be a wholly owned subsidiary of Shasta Gold Corp.
And Shasta got several million Euros from Germany a few years ago. Among other purposes, to clean up a waste-water mess at French Gulch if I am not mistaken.
They had been operating a mill there and were using chemicals to extract the dore. The waste water was released in an inappropriate way and the person who was responsible for the operation of the mine got a six month jail term last year.
It all surfaced after a pipe broke and waste water found its way into a stream and a lake.After a waste water treatment plant had been built operations were resumed. Until very recently, it seems. Could you check on that Mike? I do not want to do anybody wrong in case I should be mistaken.
When I talk to experienced German Investors about Gold Mining in California today everybody tells me that California has outlawed all leaching operations and that there is just no way to earn money in that industry in California any more.
Of course they do not know about “boutique gold mining” yet.
Hans,
The story at French Gulch (west of Redding) says the investors stopped support. The crew came to work and was laid off that morning. I made a call to verify if the investors were from Germany. My recollection is the German investors were at the Ruby mine, which also closed down last year. When I confirm the mine that the Germans were financing, I’ll let you know.Failures in mining outpace successes. It’s true going back decades, centuries. For success three ingredients are vital: a strong gold deposit, wise and dedicated people and working capital. Other factors include commodity price, location of operation and goals of management.
Over my forty years involvement in a small part of the industry (underground gold mining in California) the many failures of actually mining gold have similarities. During the wild days of the late 1970’s and early 1980’s some investors did well pushing stock. Many were left holding worthless shares. The game was easy to spot and took place in other fields than gold mining. Paper promotions date back hundreds of years and will always be around.
The Sixteen to One is different from most others. The company has a history to match its fine gold properties in California. Money issues have surfaced over our 150 year history of mining in Alleghany. When I took an interest in the mine in 1974, I found great prospects but a tired management. The owners must get good “at-a-boys” because the directors kept the property and corporation intact during difficult times for mining.
Three men who were not directors played a significant role during the 1960’s. Gold mining suffered almost to extinction due to the control of price slapped on America in 1934. Could any industry continue under the same restrictions? No. Up steps Fred Searls (founder of Newmont), Bernard Baruch (worldly financier) and Lucius Clay (retired General). Fred worked at the Sixteen as a young man and remembered the northern Red Star history. He told the others and they ponied up some capital to work the northern deposit. Gold was found but not enough to pay the operation (gold was set at $35 an ounce in 1934 and held that price up to 1975). We have the records and maps of this failed endeavor.
It is an interesting story. Why do I relate this to you in Germany this morning? Last night I continued reading Dwight Eisenhower’s account of the war in his book written in 1948. General Eisenhower handled the Berlin situation during the closing years and after the war in Europe ended. He complements one of his top advisors, General Lucius Clay. It is a small world when it comes to significant events and bringing peace to Germany had complications. General Eisenhower describes the complex issues of making peace in Berlin, which interest me.
Did I tell you that I was in Berlin in the fall of1962? I saw the wall under construction. I also passed through Check Point Charlie three times into East Berlin, an experience I will never forget. As chance had it, I returned to Berlin with my family in 1989, when the wall was penetrated and East Berliners were passing through. I will never forget this either. So now, I work in Alleghany, planning an operation to continue what Baruch, Searls and Clay undertook fifty years ago. What a long slow trip it’s been.
Our miners know that underground mining is a dangerous occupation. Our legislative direction (the mine act of 1977) towards safety is the responsibility of operators and miners. It rules every moment of our work… underground and on the surface.
Hazards lurk everywhere. This is a universal truth in most occupations. For us the first step in safety is recognizing hazards. The next step is to evaluate the hazard. The third step is to eliminate or mitigate the danger. The hazard still exists, yet it poses no danger to the miners.
MSHA is our legislated safety agency. It plays an important role for miners and our country. The best way for MSHA to assist an operator/miners with safety is for both sides to act responsibly.
MSHA recently began helping our industry with email alerts. One arrived today and follows:
Dear Metal and Nonmetal Mine Operators,
April is the second deadliest month in the Metal and Non-Metal mining industry. Only October has recorded more mining deaths than April, and not by many. Since 2000, a total of 50 metal and nonmetal miners have lost their lives in April, and many more have suffered serious and disabling injuries.
As warmer weather returns, so do many of the metal and nonmetal mines that were idled during the winter months. Equipment and plants that have not run for several months are pulled out of storage and set up again, ready to get back to work.
This time also sees an increase in new miners, but they are not the only ones at risk. Even experienced men and women need retraining. Mine management and miners alike must recognize the hazards and commit to a vigilant and safe mine health and safety program. Training new employees and refreshing experienced personnel, examining workplaces and correcting safety defects, analyzing tasks and planning jobs before beginning work, and being your brother’s or sister’s keeper are the hallmarks of a safe and successful operation.
In mining and milling, there is no room for warming or ramping up on safety or easing into risk control the first few days or weeks. Safety must be full-on and in the forefront of everyone’s mind from day one. END
The mining industry is shrinking in California and America. It receives bad press and little good press. All of us benefit from well run mining operations. With the closing of the underground gold mine just west of Redding, the Sixteen to One is the last commercial underground operation in California. This is sad.
Eight silver producing companies listed on New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ reported combined silver production for 2015. The total silver production is 85.5 million ounces.
Ah, voices from the past. How refreshing!!
Public Paw 91-173 called “FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ACT OF 1977”. Most historic publications call it “An Act”. It should come up on any search. Before MSHA came into existence, a different agency handled regulation. Congress’ intent is clear in An Act. It is also clear that the intent of An Act today does not follow its original and amended purposes.
So no one miss characterizes my position, I want regulations. They are needed; however this is not what is coming to Alleghany. I speak with people in the mining industry often and throughout the country. Poor regulation is a national epidemic and it hurts every person in the United States. I know this to be true from North Carolina to Idaho to Arizona and of course in California.
“Truth, like gold, lies at the bottom.”
Wow, has it been that long ???? I originally started the topic when we were neck deep fighting the falsehoods and propaganda spewing from the illegal behavior of the CDAA. It is epic that this mining operation survived, and is on the brink of proving once again that the truth works every time its tried…eventually. Keep it up Mike!
Hi Mike, I have looked for the ACT you mentioned, there are several in 1977, is it the mine saftey act? or one of the others?
I am in the Summary Judgement phase of Gene’s and my suit. For the value we could use your help if you can, for instance, how much 2300 feet of drift is worth. Thanks, Big Al
This topic began ten years ago. I have enjoyed writing on the Sixteen to One web site as much as I have enjoyed reading what you write. Neither of us have been doing much writing lately. As the 2015 year closes down and 2016 looms ahead, the Ideal Time for Facts should be a fun and informative hobby. Check it out. Comments started in September 2005.
Gold mining and even our nation’s unquestionable need for coal and other non-precious minerals are under attack from the public, the media and even some Federal and State agencies. A counter attack is vital to secure social and economic freedoms that you and I value. I have continued my effort for legal justice under a federal law passed in 1977 called “An Act of 1977”. This lost right is contained in Section 4. It has been emasculated by the people, agency and system created to protect the miners of America.
Most Americans today never think about the value of our domestic mining industries. They only hear about bad stuff, which mostly is an allegation of a toxic harm to the earth or humans. Other topics on this FORUM are also appropriate for specific comments. Let’s give it a try and see where this path leads. Can we affect changes? Does anyone even care?
Other topics on the FORUM are there for education enlightenment of venting. My absence from regularly typing these keys, then pressing “Submit” are actually very positive. I,ve been very busy leading the operations and abnormally frustrated with regulatory nonsense. BUT, our operation in Alleghany has turned around from a decade of sorrow. One can easily call it a decade of under performing. We found some good exploration targets in June and guess what? We are mining some gold. One of these targets is very exciting. It is above the main adit, which is a blessing. Travel time to the working face is doable and utilities and their extension are not problems. The potential for developing a major pocket is real. I say real because of the location, geology and past production nearby and some history that apparently was overlooked by all of us associated with operating the mining program. Remember, in a high-grade gold mine like ours, proven reserves is impossible to determine.
Regulators continue to harass us as well as other mining operations. I know this from personal experiences with the Mine Safety Health Administration (MSHA0 and the State of California at the Sixteen to One. I also know this rolex replica from my background in mining. Too many people both in the industry and regulating the industry tell me horror stories about the quality of regulators. The issue is not always the individual but the lack of real experiences to judge what they are inspecting. . Many tell me that the root cause lives in Washington DC. Do we have a chance to correct the sorry decline in public services? I think the answer is, “YES”. Is the effort worth the time? It is for me not just because I run a gold mining operation. I live in California, have family, friends and community in California and I am an American.
So, my new year’s resolution is coming ahead of the calendar date. I resolve to work on this problem, share information with you and ask for your efforts as well. Who was it that said, I love it when a plan comes together”?
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