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Colorado Prospector - Gem and mineral prospecting and mining forums _ Rallies and Coming Shows _ Ice Cold Gold

Posted by: leonard May 29 2013, 09:08 AM

Did anyone else catch the final episode on NATGEO of this? They didn't find any gold but they found a ruby deposit where the rock was impregnated with small rubies. They were digging them out with a knife. If it comes on again I'll dvr it and get some pictures. I was impressed!

Leonard

Posted by: swizz May 29 2013, 10:59 AM

Impressive find..... yes, not jaw-dropping though. That's all they found of value during the entire series.
The series was horrible in my opinion with an overload of contrived drama. The idiot from Colorado was the worst, the Brokeback Cowboy brothers run a close second.
So... they had "4 hours" left to prospect in Greenland and they miraculously find those Rubies on the side of a snow-covered rock that they chartered a helicopter to. This doesn't strike you as odd?
Here's how it works: The leader of that group is the Geologist. He had been to Greenland before. I can almost guarantee you that he discovered that rock on a previous visit to Greenland. So... on the last day of the entire expedition he pulls that out of his ass to save a little face for the series. They struck out on every other attempt at "mining" during this series... then: "let's form a team to inspect a snow-covered boulder field I saw on a map for our last day". I don't think this was a poke-and-pray, then get super lucky in the final hours of the whole expedition as they portrayed. Let's get real here. The Geologist knew about that Ruby-laden rock he found on a previous trip to Greenland was his last ace in the hole if they completely failed (which they did). He likely GPS'd it and told the heli pilot to "land here". Yes, in the middle of a fricking foot-deep snow covered boulder field in the middle of nowhere in Greenland. Just a hunch by the Geologist that there's some Rubies very close to where he lands? Yeah, right. He knew that rock was nearby... probably knew he had to get to it before another foot of snow set in too or he'd have been completely screwed and the final episode would have tanked. The producers likely hastened that last trip to save face.
No way those Rubies paid for that entire season they spent there either.... incredibly nice gear for everyone, travel, foods, heli charters, boat charters, gear heli shuttles to very remote drop points etc, etc, etc.... come on now.
That's my take anyway. 2c.gif

Posted by: Woody May 30 2013, 07:29 AM

I agree with Chris,

The entire series seemed to be scripted. I watched every episode and only learned something of value in the last 5 minutes of the last show, "what Rubies look like in host rock". I had high hopes for this but was extreamly let down when the camera spent more face time on a 50 year old spoiled brat than on prospecting. I think that the producers/media feel this type of drama sells better than focusing on true prospecting. I hope someday a prospecting show will come along that is filmed and produced by, oh I don't know, Prospectors maybe. Any takers? Woody.

Posted by: ColoradoProspector May 30 2013, 09:28 AM

Bummer to hear that again with yet another new "prospectors show". We actually received an invite from the producers of this one and the weather channels latest on Mt. Antero and many others in the past few years. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately?!) after my responses to the production invites of "yes, I'll be happy to help your company with this project (with compensation of course)......but I will not play up drama nor will I help propetuate a greed attitude to the public. I will definately help your company show the reality of prospecting for this project."... or similar responses .....

We've never heard back again from one producer yet. That's also why we never post up these invites in the forums either, they just don't seem to really have true prospectors desires/intentions in mind when producing what they call "entertainment".
Why waste ours (or anyone elses) time with good efforts to help in an educational way, only to see most of what is educational end up on an editing room floor so that some dramatic bs can be aired.
Latest one we've gotten (month stale in email) is supposedly for a national geo show, but doesn't sound like much difference from the production invites of past.

We may do some in the future for sure Woody, but I think it will have to be a self production since the current production studios seem to be lacking the knowledge of what they produce on air for the prospecting/mining topics.

Posted by: russau May 31 2013, 04:49 AM

:) the truth dont sell shows! made up drama is what they want,and what they get! im suprised that some of this stuff thats on these kinds of shows dont end up as evidence by some envirowacos in court as "proof" of what prospectors/miners do! some posts over the net do! ive seen it!

Posted by: Kevin In Centennial Jun 9 2013, 08:44 AM

What do you all think of the "Prospectors" show on The Weather Channel? That one focused mostly on the actual prospecting I thought.

Posted by: swizz Jun 9 2013, 09:09 AM

QUOTE (Kevin In Centennial @ Jun 9 2013, 08:44 AM) *
What do you all think of the "Prospectors" show on The Weather Channel? That one focused mostly on the actual prospecting I thought.

I like it! Much less drama and a lot of digging with some good recovery success on every show. They tend to slightly dramatize a few things but really not bad. I also think they overvalue some of the finds but maybe not. confused0082[1].gif
Nice that it's filmed in Colorado and I think that Woody would be an excellent candidate for the next season's cast! greensmilies-012.gif

Posted by: russau Jun 9 2013, 04:40 PM

whoaaaaaaaaa! what about Dan and Denise?? if one of them guys started mouthing stuff, Dan could WHAMP him quite! heck id drive out there to watch that!:)

Posted by: Crusty Jun 9 2013, 11:46 PM

QUOTE (Kevin In Centennial @ Jun 9 2013, 08:14 PM) *
What do you all think of the "Prospectors" show on The Weather Channel? That one focused mostly on the actual prospecting I thought.



I actually caught an episode while I was home on R&R. I enjoyed it and left me wishing I'd have time to get out in the hills sometime during the hectic 2 weeks I was home. Can't wait to get home in August and get back to it!

Another upside is, it'll be cool there, as we're already hot as hell here; was 116° here yesterday!

Posted by: Woody Jun 12 2013, 07:40 PM

Hey Crusty,

Keep me in mind and when you get home in August and if you need a quick fix let me know. I am in need of someone to help kick around a few rocks myself.
I know what you mean about that heat, I am out in Ft Irwin NTC. It has been 114 degrees a few times and is expected to stay that way for a while. But at least it is still the good ol’ USA and I will be back home in a few weeks. Stay safe, Woody.

Posted by: Dypheron Jun 12 2013, 08:40 PM

QUOTE (Woody @ Jun 12 2013, 08:40 PM) *
Hey Crusty,

Keep me in mind and when you get home in August and if you need a quick fix let me know. I am in need of someone to help kick around a few rocks myself.
I know what you mean about that heat, I am out in Ft Irwin NTC. It has been 114 degrees a few times and is expected to stay that way for a while. But at least it is still the good ol' USA and I will be back home in a few weeks. Stay safe, Woody.


Get back to work! Damn civilians always taking time off and stuff! whip.gif

Seriously though, you'll have a good time with Woody. If you're anything like me you'll watch him casually show you a nice plate of quartz or microcline and then toss it down the hill. He sees it as being ok at best, I see it as being OHMYGODTHATSFREAKINGAWESOME! Oh. There it goes. Way down there. I had to chase my thermos of coffee down the hill when I went with him and I swear the bottom of the hill was a graveyard of awesome.

Posted by: Crusty Jun 12 2013, 10:45 PM

QUOTE (Dypheron @ Jun 13 2013, 08:10 AM) *
Get back to work! Damn civilians always taking time off and stuff! whip.gif

Seriously though, you'll have a good time with Woody. If you're anything like me you'll watch him casually show you a nice plate of quartz or microcline and then toss it down the hill. He sees it as being ok at best, I see it as being OHMYGODTHATSFREAKINGAWESOME! Oh. There it goes. Way down there. I had to chase my thermos of coffee down the hill when I went with him and I swear the bottom of the hill was a graveyard of awesome.



I can see it now... I've always been crazy about rocks. I've got a whole box of them (not counting the ones in my head!) that I've picked up walking around here, and that is just the gravel/river rock that you know is ALL OVER this joint. Anytime I walk around my neck gets sore from looking down and scanning the ground while I walk! ;)

Woody, I will gladly take you up on that offer! Would love to learn from someone who's been out & about. RIght now my method involves stumbling around like a blind man until I get lucky bump in to something. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now & again! Hoping to get home the first week of Aug. Will definitely see when you're available, thanks!!

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Sep 12 2013, 09:04 AM

QUOTE (russau @ May 31 2013, 04:49 AM) *
:) the truth dont sell shows! made up drama is what they want,and what they get! im suprised that some of this stuff thats on these kinds of shows dont end up as evidence by some envirowacos in court as "proof" of what prospectors/miners do! some posts over the net do! ive seen it!


Yes this can and does happen......from a recent article in the Denver Post.
Unfortunately the author Nancy is the enviro nut slant and the Post see's no value in checking references/facts or information published.
Full article here http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_24041641/reality-show-prospecting-meets-reality-colorado

excerpt from the article
QUOTE
In online prospecting blogs and forums, proponents of ignoring permits say they are following an 1872 law that allowed miners to file a claim and get to work digging without further ado.

The problem is that more recent laws supersede that. There is also some confusion over claims and permits. Some online prospecting forums state that a claim on public lands is enough to allow prospecting. That's not the case. A permit is still needed for any activities like prospecting that take place on that claim.

"It's not 1872 anymore," Pineda said. "We have environmental protections in place, and a lot of Colorado areas need that."

Rockhounds don't need a permit if they are only engaged in "casual use" of land and don't disturb more than 1,600 square feet. None of the "Prospectors" show prospectors fall in that category. They are actually mining gemstones, and that triggers a maze of county, state and federal requirements that can cost thousands of dollars, depending on size and amount of disturbance, Waldron said.

More than 130 mineral-gathering operations have been permitted for prospecting in Colorado, and another 240 have filed notices that they are intending to prospect — the first step in determining if there is a vein of gems to dig.


Wow! Not true at all and yet another poor precedence set in the publics eye both on the claim owners and show's lack of attention to permits needed. Good job, put it on the tv whilst operating without proper permits for blasting?! SMOOTH!!
And then further compounding the problem with an article like this that basically has 2 or 3 facts in it's content, while the rest of the content is opinion, contradicting in itself and not fact what so ever! Can you spot which is fact and what's fiction in the article? Kind of even hard to tell who she's quoting and when it's her spewed opinion mixed in.
If one were to believe that article......it implies one would first need to stake a claim and file for a "prospecting permit" to find a vien of value?!!
Anyone with the basic understanding of staking a claim knows that's incorrect, but why would they be concerned with facts?
Thanks to all the prospector shows for doing such a bang up job "helping to educate".....oops guess not!

Even looks as if the author read some information here (online blogs and forums) about the process and permitting thresholds but didn't agree? At least we have the facts here on the "online forum" about the REALITY OF PROSPECTING!

What do you all think about the shows now? I know it's suppose to be entertainment but when does it cross the line and cost folks actually in the proffessional world of propsecting/mining? Probably one of the correct facts in the aricle is....the officials will now be watching that area much more closely.....and that means ALL CLAIMS not just the tv jockeys!


Posted by: russau Sep 13 2013, 08:24 AM

i agree Dan! the shows that are on now have been watched by MSHA and others and they have acted!why would anyone want to be scrutinized by the wacoenviromentalists and our own gubermint? Gold Rush,Mountain men,Gunsmoke (the Colorado gunsmith)that logging show have been "enlightened" !

Posted by: swizz Sep 13 2013, 07:07 PM

Well, it's an incredibly biased and blatantly nonfactual article about the show "Prospectors" (not Ice Cold Gold... which sucks). I can only speculate that the writer's (not thinly veiled) agenda is merely to slant public opinion.
That's a shame. This is actually the best of all those goofy shows. The only outfit I've seen using mechanized equip was the Dorris family and they are a legitimate mine with all POOs and NOIs filed along with reclamation bonds as well, I'm sure. The article does mention that the Dorris' hadn't violated anything but then went on and on with complete nonsense about the smaller miners (whom are also claim owners). Rambling about "permit" BS. I saw nothing they were doing that would require a "permit".

This show is very tame to the environment, especially when compared to any of the Gold or logging shows, by far. That's why I'm surprised to see it getting attacked. These miners haven't even disturbed a single tree in any of the episodes I've seen, hell most of them are above timberline. I have not seen a single episode of Prospectors where any of these miners have used "dynamite" as mentioned in the article either. I don't recall seeing anything more than hand carried tools and brutal hard hand work.
She's really grasping at straws by writing that article. It will certainly tarnish her credibility if she has or had any if anyone is curious enough to watch the show. Those miners work hard and are pretty skilled.
I do see how opinionated people like that try to twist things, but her article was amateur-hour compared to The Sacramento Bee editorials. Those are even more entertaining.

Posted by: Caveman Sep 16 2013, 03:37 PM

You can prospect w/o a permit (or NOI) on any and all federal public land open to mineral entry (that has not already been claimed or placed in special status - for example, an ACEC) in Colorado. This is direct from the BLM office in Canon. Even most battery powered (and some gasoline powered) equipment falls into the "casual use" category - this even in some "ACEC's" (but not on the Arkansas River - I guess because of it's popularity in the other "recreational use" communities). Almost all rockhounds I know dig, and do more than just a little bit of "surface scratching" And what the hell does someone's former profession have to do with it? Former bikini clad model or former beauty pageant contestant? Also, most - and I mean MOST - prospectors I know or have met carry weapons, firearms and otherwise. I seem to be the only one who does not, but only because I frequent "public areas" and am technically a "recreational use" guy (for the time being). Rest assured, when I do go out and actually prospect in a less "public" area, I will carry as I am lawfully and Constitutionally allowed. "Rambo" can carry that AK-47, or any other weapon he chooses as he is allowed to do the same. Claim jumpers have no respect for the law and do carry weapons themselves, and do threaten and abuse (bully) others when they think they can get away with it.

In most of what I saw on Prospectors, no "permits" or NOI's were needed. Some needed a POO, but most are doing little more than "surface scratching", and in a scree zone, anything you do is going to be covered up by Nature. Interesting how the Dorris's are labeled as the only "Legal" prospectors on the show - because they are actually using mechanized equipment and are disturbing more than 1,600 square feet in one dig, and have filed the appropriate paperwork and paid the appropriate bonds to do just that. By the way, that lightning strike on Amanda's claim disturbed a hell of a lot more than 1600 square feet - but that's just Nature at work, doing some "mining" Herself! - No permit needed. Nor is any permit needed to pick up the "float" that resulted from it (Only a sanity check for actually doing it! jawdrop.gif sadno.gif greensmilies-025.gif )

The "explosives" that were used in one and only one episode barely classify as such - they only expand under intense pressure, hence the CO2 cartridge "trigger" mechanism. And, if you don't get it right, they will not expand - as perfectly demonstrated in that episode. Dangerous only in the immediate use of, not in storage or transport. Dynamite was never used that I saw in any of the first 9 episodes I watched - only mentioned once in passing - "The oldtimers would have used black powder or dynamite - " or something similar. Obviously, the article writer never actually watched (or paid attention to) the show, and showed her bias - as I am BLATENTLY doing here! happy112.gif

Thanks for reading! smile.gif

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