Signs of Gold Veins

 

The occurrence and appearance of the gold itself may a sign of the presence of gold veins. The color of the rock is also often an indication of the presence of veins and when stained red or brown, by iron oxide, it is known as gossan rock. The iron stone needs careful examination and testing. It is fully important to know what minerals are commonly associated with gold and silver and their properties as to be acquainted with the properties and characteristics of the metals themselves. Further, simple blow-pipe tests are often of inestimable value to the gold prospector and should constitute and important part of his equipment.

There some facts, which must be considered in gold prospecting. The gold contained in the surface wash is the main guide to the vein or the localized values therein. The work of prospecting by shafts on veins unless values are obtainable from the outcrop, it is not recommended. If the gold found in tracing is smooth and rounded, there little chance of finding the source. If a trace extends to a clay bed, begin immediately to search for the vein. Serpentine traces usually show values, but they are not very reliable. Numerous fine colors with occasional coarse one are preferable to a single nugget, even if rough. A coarse gold district is to be preferred as the veins and pockets are apt to be larger and more readily found. In gold prospecting it is well to bear in mind that the majority of gold bearing veins do not reach the surface.

It is important to indicate that the prospecting of gold veins is a rule more satisfactory than their location, for their position with regard to the surface is usually pretty well known, while possible points of attack are limited. However, prospecting by shafts, tunnels and drifts is more difficult and expensive owing to the hardness of rock and in more extended work, the necessity of ventilating and draining the workings. Formerly, the work may be done by driving tunnels and drifts, and sinking shafts, but in some circumstances, exploring by means of drills, both churn and core, has come into great favor and their use is extended both above and below ground. The advantage of the former over the latter methods consists in the fact that larger cross sectional area is exposed with the results that sampling can be done advantageously and accurately.

Shafts for exploratory work are usually sunk in the vein and lie in a vertical plane cutting the vein transversely. Drifts are also driven in the vein, but are horizontal openings or nearly so, being given sufficient grade for purposes of haulage and drainage. Tunnels are distinguished from drifts do not follow the vein, but usually run normal to the stratification of the rocks and therefore cut the vein transversely. Shafts and drifts prove the vein-contents over a large area while tunneling is more in the nature of drilling in that respect. The especial advantage of tunneling consists in exploring ground lying without the vein and locating deposits that do not come to the surface. Drilling has all the advantages of shafts, drifts, and tunnels with respects to position as holes can be drilled in any direction. The results and information obtained must be carefully analyzed to determine rock types, mineralization and any special characteristic of the material.