Union Copper Mine

This is part of an excellent and very fragile specimen (2" x 3") of pure copper that had leached out of the matrix rock at the Union Mine. Amanda Brosseau flipped over a big rock and this was under it. They asked my advice as to how and preserve it? I had no clue since it is so fragile. I tried to move it and the entire piece started to move, it was as big as my hand, but when I tried to pick it up, it broke into four or five pieces. We each took a piece. John L. said if it dries out, it will disintegrate, I will try to coat this piece with something before that happens, but if it does crumble, At least I have some pics.

Pyrite with some copper and gold ore in quartz matrix.

Rick B. and Tom checking out a barite specimen Tom found.

Barite crystal on host rock, Tom Leary specimen.

Amanda and Vel Brosseau.

One of the locals chillin in the shade at the Union Mine.

Tim H. found this cool specimen of what I think are either quartz or barite crystal sprays on matrix.

Two of Lizzie's favorite specimens, above, big pyrite cube, below, malachite on host rock. (Lizzie pics)

Cotton Patch Gold Mine

Cotton Patch Boot Camp Report by Sam Burgin

I thought I would provide some info on how the Prospecting Boot Camp went.

Of the 120 weekend participants, 40 of them prospected or participated in the Boot Camp. We had may first-timers and several grizzled prospectors working in the creek panning, sluicing, high banking, metal detecting, hard rocking, and the most popular activity, crevicing for gold.

To my knowledge, everyone found gold, and some folks did very well.

There were lots of nice pickers found and one very large nugget, but alas, I did not get pictures, so I would appreciate the present owners of same to release a picture of the captured gold.

I've spoken with Rick about future opportunities to prospect at Cotton Patch, and expect those opportunities to be in concert with additional mines in the area which will be made available. We are working with the owners of several mines which have not been available to rock hounds for decades, so stay tuned for further developments.

How about some pictures of the gold!!

Sam

Gene working the flume.

Gene's gold

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