Prospecting for Gold and Silver with an XRF

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  • Опубліковано 30 січ 2025

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  • @lotharschiese8559
    @lotharschiese8559 Рік тому +1

    23:05 Would be nice to see from the top and sunny side your creation and a little explanation how she works. Eh? I've worked in an assay lab.

  • @johnglasgow4176
    @johnglasgow4176 Рік тому +4

    I like the video sampling is fun can't wait till October when we start seeing buttons and bars forming thanks again mine operator

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому +1

      Us too John! That will make some great smelting videos.

  • @denziyaman7895
    @denziyaman7895 Рік тому

    w0w amazing vdeo sir... love it..

  • @lotharschiese8559
    @lotharschiese8559 Рік тому +1

    I just found this, you should explore further, hidden to you, a use for your XRF. Portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) instruments, such as Olympus' Vanta™ handheld XRF analyzer, can help identify hidden minerals and contaminants in your drinking water.

    • @lotharschiese8559
      @lotharschiese8559 Рік тому

      Remember, water is life, only if it is clean of metals that are a hinderance to life! Eh?

  • @kwilliams420
    @kwilliams420 Рік тому +2

    I am going to take a guess that the XRF gun is not cheap! I sure would love to have one though.

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому +4

      They're not. I haven't priced them for a few years but I'd approximate between $10,000‐$25,000 for a used one and $25,000-$50,000 for a new one. Having it calibrated for your specific type of prospecting or testing is very important. Go with a 50kv unit over a 40kv unit. For anodes, you can choose from tantalum, gold or rhodium. I'm not sure if there are other choices. You'd want to talk with the manufacturer.

  • @dodgeit3014
    @dodgeit3014 Рік тому

    Awesome video

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому

      Thank you. Slowly getting better at this.

  • @4seasonspix
    @4seasonspix Рік тому +1

    Since the very beginning, I have been admiring and enjoying how inventive and organized you are 💛
    And I can confirm seeing the laser pointer, even when watching the video on my phone.
    Re: XRF results:
    So, what's the conclusion about the choice of best mining process when you get two different silver content readings depending on whether the device is set to "precious metal" or "soil"?
    What does this difference indicate? That you're better off digging your own (new) holes instead of mining the tailings?

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому +1

      We use the XRF to help identify possible metals present. We then confirm those readings with a fire or chemical assay. This information will help us determine if more money and effort should be spent to prove out a resource to mill. It also helps us identify the ore and waste rock. This will help us when we explore underground. We will post a follow up video of the results and compare them with the XRF assays. This will confirm our XRF results too. The more sampling we do, the more data we get. That will help us a lot.

    • @4seasonspix
      @4seasonspix Рік тому

      @@mineoperator Thank you very much for your helpful insights, and I look forward to your follow-up video 🥰

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому +1

      @4seasonspix your very welcome. We enjoy your comments. Great questions.

  • @Ed_in_Md
    @Ed_in_Md Рік тому

    Good hunting!

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому +1

      We panned 29 samples that day and took many grab samples back. We'll post a follow up video once we get the assays back.

  • @jeffashton3352
    @jeffashton3352 Рік тому

    I use my Olesi 4 orbital crusher almost every weekend. I feel confident that rock that didn't crush up would have, had there been enough material in the hopper to weigh it in to the jaw. I keep my hopper full and chew through everything that can fit through the box. I do try and not feed ore that large continually just to not tax it so hard. The ore I crush is really hard quartz. Love your work. thank you for the videos.

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому

      We love hearing from others using the orbital crusher. Great recommendation. Thank you for your comment!

    • @lotharschiese8559
      @lotharschiese8559 Рік тому

      The old timers used to roast the quartz in ovens, before using the stamp mills, free milling gold then just pops out of the quartz. Caution! Any Hg, Arsenopyrite is heated, it produces arsenic vapor, in the ore will get airborne. Test your ore sulphides from any toxic metals before roasting, no small wonder why there is a dead zone downwind of any smelter! Wawa and Sudbury, Ontario perfect examples.

  • @bretthumphries7911
    @bretthumphries7911 Рік тому

    Nice. Very intriguing. How will you be processing the sulfides? Good hunting

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому +2

      Now, that's the ultimate question 🤔. We have a company performing a leach test on the ore. One idea is producing a concentrate that the owner can sell or this company can leach. We get more information in the next few weeks. Our goal is for us to mill and concentrate the ore to a sellable product.

    • @lotharschiese8559
      @lotharschiese8559 Рік тому

      @@mineoperatorI think your barking up the wrong tree, you have refractory ore. In order for the gold hiding inside the sulphides to be exposed, the sulphides need to be oxidized. Cyanide leach only works if it can see and find the gold, if it is hidden a waste of time & effort. Divest yourself of this company and find another that deals in refractory ore. SIMPLE!

  • @lotharschiese8559
    @lotharschiese8559 Рік тому +1

    You have an ore, a concentrate that is high in sulphides, which classifies the ore as refractory. The main three options for the treatment of refractory ores and concentrates include the traditional oxidation roasting, the modern pressure oxidation and the bacterial oxidation which is still at an advanced experimental stage. This mine was not very profitable, as the cyanide process cannot pull the gold out of the sulphides. To gain better understanding of the ore mineralization and where the gold hides, find the best specimen on the property and send to a Metallurgist for Ore microscopy. Thin sections are observed under microscope. Google - study gold in arsenopyrite minerals under microscope.

    • @lotharschiese8559
      @lotharschiese8559 Рік тому

      Yah, you need a mini excavator to dig up that compacted material into bulk sample piles, pulverize each pile, run on a shaker table, save the free gold and send the sulphides away to be properly processed to recover the gold & silver, for a proper evaluation of Au, Ag per ton. ua-cam.com/video/-NBy_I2LqxY/v-deo.html

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому

      Great comment Lothar! Thank you.

  • @conservativerealist
    @conservativerealist Рік тому

    We're the magnified sulfide at the20:30 seconds pyrite?

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому

      Possibly. I'm thinking arsenopyrite as well. Possibly sphalerite as well because of high zinc content.

  • @raydowdy6914
    @raydowdy6914 Рік тому

    I really enjoyed the video. Wish I luved close I would definitely help.

  • @jamescason7783
    @jamescason7783 Рік тому

    I thought those were pyrite cubes till u said sulfide 🤷‍♂️ I guess I need to do more studying 😂

  • @brentsmith981
    @brentsmith981 Місяць тому

    How much do you trust an xrf gun? I purchased @4oz of metal purported to be dirty gold, had it tested with xrf at a jewelers, and they said it was rhodium, palladium, and silver. D.H. Fell co. Said it was copper and tin...what do you think?

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Місяць тому

      Great question. Depends on the XRF and it's programming. Also was it drilled and the cuttings XRF tested or just the surface? Surface can read wildly different. Sometime when scrappers melt alloys they use the same melt dish/crucible and contaminate everything they melt. Happen to me. With copper. Ended up with silver contamination.

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Місяць тому

      Also, if you test known metals with XRF and then unknown metals this can give you a warm and fuzzy it's a good scan.

  • @bigdsminingandmilling8421
    @bigdsminingandmilling8421 Рік тому

    looks like possible tellurides in some of those pieces.

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому

      Copy that. That would be great. We'll get it tested and, hopefully, find the source.

  • @rogerhanson3468
    @rogerhanson3468 Рік тому

    What brand are you using of the xrf, I've seen a few most are around 30,000.00 or are you using a reconditioned one

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому

      We're using the Olympus DP-6550 50KV Tantalum anode. We bought it used, calibrated with Olympus, and additional settings and metals added.

    • @rogerhanson3468
      @rogerhanson3468 Рік тому

      @@mineoperator thanks for the info, I was inquiring about Hitachi and Fisher but have not received any information on the Olympus, I'll do more research, thank you

  • @NET-POSITIVE
    @NET-POSITIVE Рік тому +1

    That last image was arsenopyrite.

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому

      Thank you! After doing some research, that's what I started thinking. It's throughout the rock and has magnetic properties.

  • @ProspectorFrank
    @ProspectorFrank Рік тому +1

    How much would you charge for a membership?

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому +1

      Hey @ProspectorFrank. Great question. We have Copper membership for $2.99 per month, Silver membership for $4.99, Raw Gold membership for $9.99, and Pure Gold membership for $24.99, if you want to join us in a video at a mine or at the mill site. There are different perks for each level. When you click on the "Join" button, it will describe the perks you get. Please let me know if this helps. Chad - MineOperator.

  • @jjdjj5392
    @jjdjj5392 Рік тому

    Ya but if you join you dont get to keep what you find. What state are you in?

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому

      It depends. You could keep what you find if its on one of our properties. We'd even mill it for you so you could take it home and pan it when you want. If it's a property we don't own, we'll need to get it approved from the claim owner, which usually isn't an issue. Let us know what you're interested in. We're located in Southern California.

  • @leshenderson5746
    @leshenderson5746 Рік тому

    Where do we acquire the xrf ?

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому

      I will respond with details soon. Off the grid in WA helping Jason. If I forget let me know. Will be available Wednesday onward.

  • @brodrick3164
    @brodrick3164 Рік тому

    Laser point was visible and distinct. The mine looked like it may be worth exploring. Leave the bats we need them. Get some sleep. Best I can do for input because I am tired as well.

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому +1

      Rest up and thanks for your feedback! We'll keep the bats right where there at.

  • @arakaida
    @arakaida Рік тому

    Hey guys where are u out of state wise

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому

      Hi Toyota John. We operate in Southern California. Throughout the Mojave Desert but we also explore mines in NV, AZ, & WA. We're open to ideas.

  • @greedygringoprospecting6941

    ever test for rhodium. ,if your in california. there are rhodium mines here. have a good day

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому

      I had Rhodium show up after a 2 ton heap leach test. Incinerated the activated charcoal, smelted the ash, used Aqua Regia and C.W. Ammens 17 step precipitation method and recovered tiny red Rhodium salts. I haven't tried since, due to many irons in the fire. Maybe this fall/winter. Have you been able to locate any? That you feel like sharing of course.

    • @greedygringoprospecting6941
      @greedygringoprospecting6941 Рік тому

      @@mineoperator so if in california. can i come help. please. i'll give you $1. 🤣. ok i tried.

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому

      @@greedygringoprospecting6941 we'd love to have you come join us. Take a look at our Pure Gold membership. Come put boots 👢 on the ground with us and be in a video 📹. If you're so inclined. Love your feedback, thanks.

    • @naughtiusmaximus830
      @naughtiusmaximus830 Рік тому

      @@mineoperatorI have my own atomic absorption spec. I would consider setting up for rhodium if there was a need. 5 g raw sample is probably enough.

  • @ClaytonPettyjohn
    @ClaytonPettyjohn Рік тому

    Hello Chad, I've been developing a silver with gold mine in southern Arizona. I'd like a chance to talk.

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому

      Sure thing. Email me your contact info at info@mineoperator.com. I have limited Starlink availability up in WA with Jason and Harry. Will be back in town this coming Wednesday.

  • @naughtiusmaximus830
    @naughtiusmaximus830 Рік тому

    I’m playing around with capturing metal ions with ion exchange resins. I think the big mines use carbon but the the way they bind suggests you can selectively release them making purification much easier. Russians are playing around with this now too. Nobody really publishes this stuff.

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому

      Are you performing your own test? I've heard of selective recovery from resins too. Any idea which reagents work best for this technology?

    • @naughtiusmaximus830
      @naughtiusmaximus830 Рік тому

      @@mineoperator I was talking to the hard rock university guy and he gave me some leads on resins. I want to do some tests. Apparently regenerating them well is the key.

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому

      @@naughtiusmaximus830 Keith Bohen is great to work with. If you need some ore to practice with, let me know.

    • @naughtiusmaximus830
      @naughtiusmaximus830 Рік тому

      @@mineoperator Yes that sounds good! I’m doing 1g samples now. 5g samples are ideal but too much to handle right now. I would rather do several 1g samples. I’ll get back on your offer thanks!

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому

      @@naughtiusmaximus830 sounds good. Let me know info@mineoperator.com. Thanks!

  • @lotharschiese8559
    @lotharschiese8559 Рік тому

    Please, please, wear good proper, industrial grade respiratory protection when dealing with the pulverized rock against silica and Arsenopyrite. Get ones that are easy to keep clean.

  • @hadjiic
    @hadjiic Рік тому

    ask jason for the crusher its movable/ you can set it u on a truck

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому +2

      I like the idea. The claim owner of this property wants to use the mobile setup. Hopefully we can help him get there.

    • @lotharschiese8559
      @lotharschiese8559 Рік тому

      @@mineoperatorJason has a video on his mobile, truck mounted equipment for sale. ua-cam.com/video/iU5x6yvPdMY/v-deo.html

  • @abeneg4464
    @abeneg4464 Рік тому

    We need a little dance in the middle of the time lapse video.

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому +1

      You're right! I knew we missed something.

  • @danduzenski3597
    @danduzenski3597 4 місяці тому

    Fools gold.

  • @V_AAM
    @V_AAM Рік тому

    not a very good take on the historical environmentally POOR process and reality on site ... is the claim OSMRE listed or in NMMR? Intriguing operation .. lots of onsite issues "volunteers" should keep in mind Arsenic etc .. not fearing people... just reality-ing them ... would be interested in "seeing" from above what the Areas of Interest you are pursuing look like ... and it may be helpful for you all on the ground as well ..

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому +1

      Good morning @V_AAM. I appreciate your comment. The property owner has been working on a mine reclamation plan for awhile. He has spent many thousands of dollars finding an environmentally friendly way to reclaim the land. He is extremely passionate about mine reclamation and is disturbed from past mining methods. We need more people like him. I haven't shared that information yet. That'll be a future video. Arsenic has come in very low in the tailings and throughout the property. We are testing for any presence of Cyanide in the tailings as well. Most cyanide has been destroyed by UV over the past 100 years. I'm looking forward to sharing these updates in a future video.

    • @lotharschiese8559
      @lotharschiese8559 Рік тому

      @@mineoperator Your mind's eye seems to be working

  • @myadventure7069
    @myadventure7069 Рік тому +1

    Use zoom with camera ! Use two fingers to zoom it

    • @mineoperator
      @mineoperator  Рік тому

      I have never tried that. Great idea. I'll test it out.