Keene Engineering, Inc.

1 month ago

Choosing the Best Mining Equipment For YOU!
By David Knowlen

I’ve sold mining equipment for nearly twenty-five years and have seen way too many enthusiastic people come into our store, make a major purchase, only later to discover that they chose the wrong equipment.
I’m not referring to the occasional weekend prospector whose primary recovery tools are a shovel, a gold pan and a bucket. This is about people who likely had caught a case of “gold fever” and decided to attempt gold mining on a much larger scale without considering the requirements of effort, time and challenges.
Some people became inspired and rush into believing that finding gold might be a chance to get-rich quickly, especially when they may be dealing with personal financial challenges in a poor economy. Truth is that their chances of being successful at getting rich by striking the ‘motherlode’ are pretty slim.
Becoming successful at gold mining just because you’ve purchased a new gold dredge does not guarantee success at recovering gold. Success at mining takes lots more than fervent determination and an insatiable desire for finding gold. You need the right tools in your mining equipment inventory that fit the level of your interests, skills and capabilities. You also need plenty of knowledge in how to operate these tools properly and in a good gold-bearing location that has a potential of good gold recovery.
Could be that you’re looking for some new high-performance mining equipment such as a new gold dredge or a high-banker/concentrator. How about a portable trammel (wash plant)? Maybe you’re looking at a high-end metal detector with all the latest electronic features? If this best describes your level of interest you are not alone.
Some think that they know just what they need but acquire the wrong tools while others buy equipment not fully knowing how to effectively utilize it. Many purchase the wrong size of equipment for their current and future needs. They rush into a purchase not realizing that over time they might not have the sustaining interest required for successful gold prospecting, later realizing they wasted their money.
For these reasons these people need help to make the right decision before they make your purchase. Use common-sense and understand your requirements in the selection of equipment for your unique capabilities, skill and level of interest to avoid future disappointment or dissatisfaction.
TODAY’S 21ST CENTURY GOLD RUSH
More people are out looking for gold today than ever before in the global history of mankind. With so many gold and treasure shows on TV or articles in major magazines the growing amount of publicity given to the search for gold has just made prospecting so much more popular. For this and many more reasons prospecting has become an appealing endeavor.
Page 1
Ask the gold mining equipment manufacturers and retailers. They are selling a lot more high-performance, small-scale mechanical mining gear these days than in the past.
Consider this fact. Another reason for renewed interest has been driven by two basic forces, the dramatic rise in the global demand for gold that has driven its value steadily upward and the current economic crisis. Both have produced a kind of quiet “gold rush” now occurring across the western United States.
From Alaska to Arizona, Colorado to California and within our nation’s historic western gold-bearing sites an increasingly large number of people out there prospecting for and finding naturally occurring gold.
As you’re reading this article it’s likely you have acquired a strong and growing interest in gold prospecting and mining. Maybe your interest has become so vivid that you find yourself daydreaming of finding gold nuggets or you’ve discovered a recent passion for simply staring at the flow within local rivers and streams. Knowledgeable people simply refer to this as a beginning case of “gold fever”.
Small-scale gold mining by individuals just like yourself has gained a new and growing popularity but to newcomers to this enterprise willing to make an investment in larger scale equipment we offer some sound advice. It is…if you are truly dedicated to this gold mining enterprise, take your time, buy smart and buy for the long term.
Long ago someone told me, “Success, quite simply, is a combination of personal commitment, acquired knowledge, skill and application, coupled with opportunity, when assembled equals reward”.
This might also apply to gold mining.
It helps to have the right type and size of tools designed specifically for the type of work you’ll be doing. I’ll share some other helpful tips that may aid you in making the right choice before you spend your hard earned money.

Tip #1: Before investing in equipment know your specific mining interests and buy equipment suited for your near-term mining needs.

I’ve emphasized the above because this is the reason for you considering a purchase of a specific type and size of mining equipment. It is you who will be operating this equipment and it is you that should get the greatest return for your equipment investment. After all it was not designed to hang for years unused on your garage wall.
Hands on experience here is invaluable. Because you’ve likely seen and even likely tried your hand at operating a small-scale gold dredge or a power-sluice, you now realize that both process a significant amount of concentrated material. When compared to your basic gold pan or sluice box, today’s mechanized, high-tech equipment is highly efficient but to recover the gold, all require a depth of knowledge, experience and personal ability along with access to gold bearing areas to get the most back from an often large initial equipment investment.
Page 2
Buying a dredge or other equipment does not assure you’ll find gold but it will commit you to a much larger personal involvement in this enterprise. You need a good working knowledge of the type of equipment you plan to operate, which is vital for success. Ask yourself if you are truly ready for this level of personal involvement with gold mining.
You should also know that for preference of the majority of today’s more serious small-scale miners favor the use of motorized floating suction dredges, from small, portable units I call “back-packers” up to eight-inch commercial rigs. A close second are power-sluices, also known as “concentrators” or “high-bankers”, and both obviously are used in regions where there is an ample supply of water required for their function.
While it’s great you might be contemplating the purchase of a portable gold dredge or power-sluice all too often we hear of newcomers making the wrong choice or later determine they purchased the wrong size of mining equipment. That’s unfortunate…and it is unnecessary.
An example is of the person who bought a highly-priced metal detector best suited for Arizona’s highly-mineralized regions BUT he lives in in a western state well suited for mechanical mining gear. The same could be said the same about someone who bought a dredge and resides in New Mexico.
You see…with a little basic knowledge and some hands-on experience, you likely won’t make this kind of mistake. It is also most important that you determine your specific type of mining interests well in advance of your equipment selection and before laying down your hard earned cash.
If you have the opportunity try operating different types and sizes and become familiar with the features of each.
That’s not you, you say, and that you won’t make these mistakes? And you’ve already tried dredging or even worked on a common operation and shared in the gold recovery. Perhaps you have already made your equipment choice? Well this should still help, so please read on!
Buying the wrong type or size of equipment happens all too often. It usually happens after someone finds a little “color” and gets a case of gold fever. They realized that larger and more effective processes of gold recovery might bring them more gold. Having some basic knowledge of gold recovery methods they start dreaming of finding those golden riches believing that gold is just waiting for them to find it.
While this can be true it is frankly not just that simple. In more than thirty years of dredging I learned that finding gold is an actual bonus to simply enjoying your search for gold as the hunt for gold should be the most satisfying part of the adventure.
While every story of an unsatisfied person with a nearly new gold dredge for sale, the reason it is for sale are usually pretty common. Some went out and purchased mining equipment only to realize that it was the wrong equipment type or size or that they weren’t able, perhaps not physically capable to use it enough to justify their investment, or they quickly outgrew the capability of the equipment.
Page 3
Maybe they did not full comprehend the significant amount of time and effort proportionally necessary to become successful at this enterprise. Others discover that their mining equipment cannot be used in their favorite mining spot, often because of the lack of information of important regulatory limitations. It’s critical to determine the applicable regulations within the areas you plan to work.
Others did not find a buddy to be involved with their operation. In the case of gold dredging everyone should know that truly safe dredging and diving requires two people, one to back up the other in case of an emergency. I know this firsthand because a dredging partner once got me out of a serious situation that I could not handle alone.
Anyway, you get the idea. The end result is that NOT having basic information, knowledge and experience aids in making a bad choice that can sour a newcomer and make him lose interest in gold mining when he only needed some good insight BEFORE making their selection and purchase. Here is another tip to help you avoid this problem.

Tip # 2: Don’t buy expensive mining equipment if you are not absolutely certain about your future involvement.

There is a simple way to evaluate the depth of your mining interests in advance of your purchase. Ask yourself if this is [honestly] is this just a passing interest or are you truly determined enough in your pursuit of gold and committed for long term involvement. Consider the time required for a productive and effective mining operation which means time away from your family and your job. Are you able to make this commitment?
It will also help if you prepare a plan for your current and future mining interests. We call this an “operating plan”, as you’ll need to become fully comfortable with going beyond your current recreational involvement. This is the basis for your plan and you need to know exactly what will be required.
Next, be absolutely certain that you can afford to lay out some significant cash for going to this greater level of involvement. Good equipment is not inexpensive and should be considered an investment into your larger, long term involvement and operating plan.

Tip #3: Know Your Preferred Mining Method

Purchase only the equipment manufactured for the specific mining process that meets your level of interest. I’d question the logic of someone who buys a metal detector when their primary interests are in operating a gold dredge, but some people do just this.
I suggest that you look at all the different methods and processes of gold mining and select the type of mining method that you would most prefer for the long term and also know exactly what you are capable of operating.
Page 4
If your preference is dredging and you have friends involved or you can participate in a club’s common dredging operation, that’s great. This initial experience will help you also gain basic knowledge of diving and an understanding of the overall process. Remember that capably working underwater is a pre-requisite for effective dredging.
If you live in an arid climate consider the equipment most effective for that region might be a “dry-washer” or a metal detector so compare the different equipment types, models, brands, efficiencies, prices and sizes. Ask your dealer about equipment prices and features and compare models and capabilities of each to more clearly understand what you want AND need so you can become proficient with its operation.
I cannot state this enough. Make absolutely certain that you clearly know your personal and physical limitations asking yourself if you are truly right for this kind of dedicated enterprise.
Even part-time mining requires a substantial commitment of time, travel and involvement beyond a recreational interest. If you can only spend a few days or less then a week each year at gold mining ask yourself if you can afford to invest the money necessary to purchase a dredge or other piece of mechanical mining equipment and at best, find only a limited return. Perhaps you might find a buddy to share in the expense.

Tip #4: Equipment Selection…Chose Right The First Time!

Your personal mining interests and your physical limitations should affect your selection of equipment features and size.
Dredging and power-sluicing are different mining methods but both require lots of physical effort and stamina. Are you up to the challenges and do you have the physical capabilities necessary for suction dredging because this might determine the size selection for your mining equipment purchase?
Remember that choosing what will be the best size of equipment for your “long term” requirements is critical. Why purchase a two-inch dredge when you might quickly outgrow this unit, say within a year or two, later wishing you had purchased a larger and more productive model. This happened to me when I just first got involved and acquired a smaller-sized dredge. My interests and involvement quickly exceeded my dredge’s capabilities so I went on to purchase a larger unit only a year after getting my smaller unit. The opposite here might also apply and I’ve seen where someone buys equipment much larger then they could operate.
I urge you…do not buy a large dredge strictly upon a dream of finding larger amounts of gold. The end result is always the same. That person will become disillusioned and disappointed. I once met a new gold dredger who believed that “bigger is better”. After only a couple of attempts at working in a common dredging operation on a summer vacation he became convinced that he could become successful at operating larger equipment.
Page 5

He purchased a six-inch dredge, later realizing that he could not operate it by himself. He did not want a partner to share in the operation and also had restrictive limitations for his time dredging. Add to this is that he lived several hundred miles east from access to gold-bearing rivers. It was only a few months before his equipment was up for sale.
Tip #5: Experience First…Then Purchase!

If you have never attempted dredging or other processes we’d suggest getting some hands-on training and personal experience first. Best way to obtain some initial experience is by working with others who can offer their advice and share their experiences. What you’ll get back is a working knowledge of the specific process.
If you decide that dredging is what you prefer, ask yourself whether you would feel comfortable and proficient in working underwater for long periods of time using a face mask and an air regulator?
Have you had prior training in using underwater breathing (hookah) gear? Still inclined to pursue getting a dredge but lack the experience, enroll in one of your local mining association dredging classes or purchase a week’s education from an experienced teacher in one of those larger scale operations that offers summer training classes. Better yet, locate a partner who already knows how to dredge and learn from him. The same goes for all other mining methods.
Here is another consideration. Check to see if your state has restrictive regulations that prohibit dredging. Then decide if you are still willing to travel to more distant gold bearing rivers and streams for your dredging operations. Find experts and ask for their advice. What better source of helpful information and advice about gold mining then from a seasoned veteran in your local mining association, you’re nearest mining supply dealer or from the experts that design and manufacture today’s mining equipment.
Either can help because as you’ve learned there are lots of factors to be considered before purchasing ANY mechanical mining equipment. And their expertise can help you avoid making costly mistakes. Ask your local dealer as he can offer valuable advice based upon your interests, location and what you want to spend.
We cannot overstate the need in having the knowledge of the type of mining you want to pursue, having the right equipment selected for your needs and a clear understanding of the required time, money and dedication to realize your golden dream.
I’d also suggest calling the experts at Keene Engineering. Ask them specific questions about equipment types and sizes, their efficiency and productivity AND most importantly help you determine what might be right for you.
And yes, there is still lots of gold waiting to be recovered, but finding it and recovering it requires all the right ingredients…knowledge, time, patience, dedication, having the right equipment and a commitment to the overall effort (make that hard work). We hope you too find your golden riches. Good hunting.
Page 6 ... See MoreSee Less