Arizona, the Copper State, not only has considerable copper, but is also rich in gold, silver and other metals. More than 16-million ounces of gold and 500-million ounces of silver mined in Arizona since the 19th century, places the state as 8th largest gold producer in the US In this book, the author guides you to gold deposits in several mining districts, mines, and prospects using his experience as a gold hunter - a member of a geology team that found one of the largest gold deposits in history. So, take the opportunity to tap into the author's experience in searching for gold in Arizona. Prospects and mines are discussed with Public Land Survey System (PLSS) locations and/or GPS coordinates so you can visit these gold properties using aerial photography and satellite imagery available on the internet. If you visit these in the field, access and ownership is left up to reader, as mining properties and prospects often change ownership or are abandoned. The best advice for any prospector, rock hound or geologist, is learn about geology along with prospecting techniques. Any discussion on prospecting requires some knowledge of geology, so geological terms are used throughout this book with explanations. Start your search in known gold and silver mining districts - these have proven mineral deposits. Remember, the old timers found some gold and silver, but they also overlooked many deposits and ignored those that were too low-grade to mine at low precious metal prices of the past. Today's gold price is 40 to 75 times higher than in the distant past, suggesting many so-called, 'mined-out' gold properties, could still have considerable ore. As an example, some past commercial gold mines were closed during World War II to focus industry on mining primary and recycled metals needed for the war effort (copper, manganese, molybdenum, iron, chromium, lead, zinc, etc). Many of these gold mines remain a casualty of the war and did not reopen. But, if commercial at a $35/ounce gold price in 1942, they are likely commercial at recent gold prices ($1,200 to 1,500 per troy ounce). As you search for gold prospects, look for mine symbols on topographic and geological maps, and search for linear patterns of mines and prospect pits suggesting possible, continuous, linear, mineralized, fractures, veins, and structures (trends) that likely have considerable unprospected ground in between prospects. As you prospect, be careful around old mines - there are thousands in Arizona, and most have hazards you may not be familiar with such as rattlesnake dens, shafts and stopes in the middle of tunnels, unstable rock, bad air, and unstable dynamite to name a few. Most elect to search for gold in nearby drainages and stay away from mine hazards. But in Arizona, you must be aware of land ownership, weather changes, flash floods and excessive heat. And if you explore southern Arizona, illegal aliens and drug cartels are another concern and some may be heavily armed. So, when you prospect, use caution and good judgement - and remember, you are responsible for your own actions and decisions. Gold is found in many wet and dry placers, and gold and silver also occur in veins, replacement deposits and fault-controlled deposits such as those mined by Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday in the Tombstone Hills. Other gold deposits include rich veins at Vulture near Wickenburg, and extensive prolific, structurally-controlled, gold veins surrounding Oatman. Wet placers occur along the Colorado River near LaPaz, Bullhead City, and Lake Havasu City in western Arizona. Other placers of note include Lynx Creek south of Prescott, and many dry gold placers such as those surrounding Quartzsite and Yuma.
