Another place for looking for gold is dawson creek in michigan s upper penninsula. Us mining provides information on mines, operators, and minerals mined in michigan. While gold mining in michigan will never rival automobiles as an industry, it has produced over 29,000 ounces of gold mostly form low grade ore. The glitter of gold created an era when a few determined prospectors searched the rugged hills and forests of michigan s upper peninsula for the. Their stories range from the discovery of lake superiors mineral wealth in the 1840s to the modern mining and prospecting practices today. Building on his original book, michigan gold, dan fountain expands the accounts of the quest for precious metals in the upper peninsula. Consequently, a modern commercial mining operation would not be profitable. Houghton is at the center of the copper country and the home of michigan technological university.
At mining books, you can buy best books on gold prospecting at affordable price. The michigan bar mining district the michigan bar mining district covered a vast area roughly between the towns of michigan bar and sloughhouse. There are dozens more and new titles appear frequently. The longest river in the state, the grand river, runs through many major cities in the state, making it convenient for a panning session. Michigan gold panning and prospecting gold fever prospecting. Michigan gold panning and prospecting gold locations, gold panning and prospecting in michigan gold gold was first discovered in the upper. This is a very partial list of current and defunct mines in michigan. One noteworthy area is the ropes gold mine north of ishpeming in michigans upper peninsula. The story of the wall of silver michigans lost silver mine. Michigan copper mining stocks and bonds new book wcolor. Ropes, the states last gold mine, collapsed in 1989. Included in this book is a list of mining companies, interviews with mining inspectors, interviews on diamond drilling, tramming, drilling, hoisting, blasting, company medical care, etc. Name county years material coordinates adventure mine.
There are lots of gold prospecting books out there. Newett of ishpeming, formerly commissioner of mineral statistics of michigan, gives in his report of 1896 an interesting and full account of the discoveries and the mining of gold in michigan. Michigan has 1,853 identified mines listed in the diggings. Dec 30, 2009 the story of the wall of silver michigan s lost silver mine. Gold mining continued for decades, changing hands numerous times until it was closed in 1991. Gold can be found throughout michigan, including the upper peninsula, where the well known ropes gold mine is located. Allen taken from publication 8, mineral resources of michigan 1911 published by the michigan geological survey mr. The mine has a great history that dates back to 1881 when gold was discovered at its site near the town of ishpeming by julius ropes, a postmaster, a former druggist and a school board member. Recreational gold mining and prospecting has become a popular outdoor recreation in a. Fountain 1992, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. Michigan mining, mine companies, mine owners and mine information. In addition there were gold mines and copper return to mining engineering at michigan tech outreach page. Back forty is aquila resources 100%owned developmentstage project zinc and goldrich deposit located in.
However, michigan does have some problems when it comes to where you can find gold almost the entire state is covered with a thick layer of glacial deposit, this means that any gold bearing gravels are buried deep beneath this overburden, the best locations where gold can be found are low lying areas or places where a river or ancient river has cut a large gash through this and created a deep gorge. Apr 2, 2015 like most of the eastern united states, michigans gold exists mostly as glacial deposits of placer gold and not in any great amounts. Michigan abandoned mine lands inventory mining engineering. Gold occurrences in michigan mar 20, 2011 you might not get rich mining gold in michigan, but there is always a chance that you will. An excellent and valuable reference book on michigan copper mining. Courtesy photogold prospecting in michigans rivers can pay off, but dont quit your day job.
There is also a generous amount of discussion devoted to mining technology. By 1922, there were only 32 registered voters in town. Gold had been discovered north of ishpeming as evidenced by the ropes and the michigan fire gold mines and traces of gold, copper, and silver were found on mount mesnard, south of marquette. Michigans first gold mine in decades gets tentative permit.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. This is a true historic tale of exploration, of hardship, of discovery, of gold and of shattered lost hopes in the lake superior region of michigan. Snippets of michigans social and cultural history make the book more than a mere prospectors primer. Early gold and silver discoveries the 1860s silver lead rush the ontonagon county silver rush the ropes gold mine the michigan gold mine michigan range prospects ropes range prospects the dead river gold range other marquette county prospects baraga, iron and dickinson county prospects gogebic range gold and silver mines. Gold, silver, and other mining claims in michigan by county. Recreational gold panning and sluicing on state land. But rivers are not the only place that gold has been found.
This had a dramatic impact on michigan bluff and other mining towns that relied on this particular form of mining for gold. The general area is considered to be between 3 and 5 miles northwest of ishpeming. Mining in the upper peninsula paperback november 1, 1992 by isbn. That was the extent of the gold mining in michigan. Building from his original book, michigan gold, dan fountain expands the accounts of the quest for precious metals in the upper peninsula. The glitter of gold created an era when a few determined prospectors searched the rugged hills and forests of michigans upper peninsula for the valuable mineral. From the discovery of the mineral wealth in the 1840s to modern mining and prospecting practices today, this publication is the only complete history of michigans gold mines. The zinc, copper and gold rich mine is the first gold mine in michigan since the 1990s. Gold panning in michigan learn about the best spots for. Mar 20, 2017 check out our awesome adventure exploring an old michigan gold mine on the first day of spring 2017. All around marquette discoveries were being made and daniels and his companions were certain that to the north would be no exception. In case youre not clued in, an ounce of gold is worth. I found gold prospecting an old upper michigan mine. Gold primarily occurs in three different geologic settings in michigan.
Privately published in 2011, there are over 400 pages with all illustrated certificates shown in full color. Get the best deals on collectible mining paper items when you shop the largest online selection at. Read about more than 75 gold mining ventures in michigan s upper peninsula and the people who. In general, this activity is intended to be recreational in nature. Bonus video i also fell into a deep ravine, buried to my waist in snow and knee deep in water. About 1880 a quartz vein with gold was discovered and mined until 1897.
There are limits on the amount of gold that can be taken in any given year. Eventually, miners and residents began to slowly leave the town and move on to other prosperous locations. The districts placer gold deposits were mined extensively between 1849 and 1900, primarily by hydraulic and ground sluicing techniques. Mining in the upper peninsula book online at best prices in india on. Men, mines and memories, 2002 this book provides an extensive history of iron mining in iron county, michigan.
The creeks and rivers of the upper and lower peninsulas may yield some fine gold for you, since placer mining has not been profitable commercially. By 1906, gold mining was but a memory to most of michigan, but the grummett gold and silver mining company was still in existence and proposing to renew its explorations on its michigamme prospect. Here, prospectors flocked for their chance at wealth, searching for a glint of gold or a vein of silver amid the betterknown copper deposits. These are a few of the best and most highly recommended books about mining for gold.
Daniel fountain the glitter of gold created an era when a few determined prospectors searched the rugged hills and forests of michigans upper peninsula for the valuable mineral. Local inquiry is advised for very little in mining books covers this area. Michigan mining, mines, mine owners and mine statistics. Metal detecting, gold detecting books online mining books. It is questionable if any significant amounts could be recovered today, but even small specimen from this state would commend a high premium from a collector.
The 8th annual conference of the mining history association was held in houghton, michigan, june 58, 1997. Gold was first discovered in michigan in 1881 and commercial mining started soon afterwards. In 1881, julius ropes discovered gold in some rock outcroppings there, and formed the ropes gold and silver company to expand works on his new discovery. The true story of the lost sauks head mines in marquette county. Read about more than 75 gold mining ventures in michigan s upper peninsula and the people who pursued them. You might not get rich mining gold in michigan, but there is always a chance that you will. The michigan department of natural resources announced last week that it has issued a permit to the mining company orvana resources, reports alyssa parker for wluc. In addition to glacial deposits, there are also some known lode deposits that are found here. The ropes gold mine is the most important historic gold mine in michigans upper peninsula.
There were other mines that operated that were bonafide gold mines. I found gold prospecting an old upper michigan mine jason. Mining exploration begins in michigans porcupine mountains. Iron, marquette, houghton, and other counties with gold, silver, and other mining activity found in michigan. Ive made only 2 visits to this new creek thats about a 2hr. Michigan gold mining, mines, mine owners and mine statistics. While many have mined for gold in the state, very few have made a profit from their efforts.
Michigan silver mines us mining has mines, mining companies. Gold prospecting in a small river in norther lower michigan. The most commonly listed primary commodities in michigan mines are iron, copper, and silver. Gold prospecting in michigan gold prospecting, gold mining.
Prospectors have found gold in the manistee, au sable and other rivers. Michigan s upper peninsula was a treasure trove of wealth in minerals and gold was no exception. Michigan mine michigan gold mine, north lake, ely township, marquette co. Michigan silver mining, silver mine companies, mine owners and mine information. Lode discoveries have been made across the state, but most have been very lowgrade, and gold production has been a byproduct of other mineral extraction efforts. Recreational gold prospectors have permission to pan for gold on land where both the surface and mineral rights are owned by the state. From the discovery of the mineral wealth in the 1840s to modern mining and prospecting practices today, this publication is the only complete history of michigan s gold. Certain rivers in michigan enjoy a reputation for being exceptionally productive to gold panning. We have new and used copies available, in 1 editions. A sequel to his 1992 book michigan gold mining in the upper peninsula, fountains new work contains expanded and updated sections on gold, as well new chapters on michigan s 19th century silver rushes, plus an epilogue on recent discoveries of precious and base metals and the ongoing efforts to develop these deposits into new 21st century mines. Mining books offer best books on gold detector, garrett metal detectors at affordable prices. The gold prospectors guide 65page ebook covers historic mining methods, basic and advanced prospecting techniques, how to located gold deposits, information about prospecting clubs throughout the u. Michigan mine michigan gold mine, north lake, ely township. Gold locations, gold panning and prospecting in michigan gold gold was first discovered in the upper peninsula in 1845, but placer gold has been found in numerous creeks and rivers in both the upper and lower peninsulas since.
Mining in the upper peninsula 9780942235159 by fountain, daniel r. In many cases the property was salted with gold to make it look like a good investment to get money from suckers. The story of the wall of silver michigan s lost silver mine. Panning in area that gold has been found in the past is always a good tip.
It is very thoroughly researched, and provides a wealth of historical and statistical information on the gold mines of michigans upper peninsula. Michigan gold mining in the upper peninsula powells books. Mar 24, 2011 many of the prospects of both placer and lode gold deposits were scams. Michigan gold mining in the upper peninsula by fountain, daniel r. From the discovery of the mineral wealth in the 1840s to modern mining and prospecting practices today, this publication is the only complete history of michigan s gold mines. Mining in the upper peninsula by author daniel fountain, more than 40 gold mines and prospects developed in the late 1800s, but most gold prospecting ended by the. Just out running some test pans to check a few new spots. Michigan is divided into two parts that have entirely different geology. Athens michigan lost dutchmans mining association duration. Just about any river or stream in the lower part of michigan can carry placer gold as well as the beaches of the great lakes and other lakes found throughout the state. A 40foot quartz vein carrying free gold extends across the property.
As far as beach sand goes lake superior east of grand marais is perhaps the best place in the country with the exception of alaska for beach mining. The highly illustrated, hardcover book lists and describes all known michigan copper mining stock and bond certificates. Mining in the upper peninsula by daniel r fountain, paul l hayden editor online at alibris. The readings and references list below provides a starter set of excellent books and other publications. Mine headframes and structures of michigan michigan has four major metallic mining ranges, the copper country mining district of keweenaw, houghton, ontonagon counties and some explorations in gogebic, the marquette iron range of marquette and baraga counties, the menominee iron range of dickinson and iron counties, and the gogebic iron range of gogebic county extending. The areas around ionia and the portland state game area are especially fruitful. A gold mine located n of north lake town in ely township. Mike higbees prospectors cache michigan gold sites. Still, placer gold can be found in allegan, antrim, charlevoix, emmet. Gold, silver, and other mining claims in michigan by county the diggings home. A guide to prospecting in the midwest 50page ebook about where to finding gold in the midwestern u. At the time these mines were surveyed, 215 mines in michigan were observed to have ore mineralization in an outcrop, shallow pit, or isolated drill holeknown as an occurance mine. Forest service officials report that just about every river system in michigan has had shows of gold. Mining in the upper peninsula paperback august 1, 1992 by daniel r.
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