If you faint easily and need therapy after witnessing a bicycle accident, you may want to stay home where it's safe and watch Gold Rush on TV!
Pilots when returning from flying often refer to having "cheated death one more time".
- Geowizard
Remote Prospecting?
Moderator: chickenminer
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Geowizard
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Re: Remote Prospecting?
Prospecting takes courage;
If you faint easily and need therapy after witnessing a bicycle accident, you may want to stay home where it's safe and watch Gold Rush on TV!
Pilots when returning from flying often refer to having "cheated death one more time".
- Geowizard
If you faint easily and need therapy after witnessing a bicycle accident, you may want to stay home where it's safe and watch Gold Rush on TV!
Pilots when returning from flying often refer to having "cheated death one more time".
- Geowizard
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Geowizard
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Re: Remote Prospecting?
Barriers to entry;
Prospectors face many barriers in their efforts to prospect in Alaska...
In any exploration/prospecting campaign, the first potential barrier is cost. The cost of prospecting begins way out in front of the execution of the plan! Unfortunately for many, this is where the campaign ends.
Transportation of one's self and others along with the mission critical hardware, food, equipment, etc. probably by airplane requires an understanding of the limitations and capabilities of airplanes. One of the first things to do is look at the nearest possible choices for an airstrip. A Super Cub is a two place airplane that includes the pilot. It will carry a single passenger and between 100 and 200 pounds of gear. Fortunately there are examples of remote mining operations that are abandoned and have existing airstrips. Contacting a local air charter service by phone or email will provide the information needed to determine the cost and capabilities of the respective air service.
My personal experience has been that the cost of getting geared up and arranging transportation into and out of a remote airstrip is reasonable. Each barrier should be viewed as a challenge that is part of the process of getting there from here!
- Geowizard
Prospectors face many barriers in their efforts to prospect in Alaska...
In any exploration/prospecting campaign, the first potential barrier is cost. The cost of prospecting begins way out in front of the execution of the plan! Unfortunately for many, this is where the campaign ends.
Transportation of one's self and others along with the mission critical hardware, food, equipment, etc. probably by airplane requires an understanding of the limitations and capabilities of airplanes. One of the first things to do is look at the nearest possible choices for an airstrip. A Super Cub is a two place airplane that includes the pilot. It will carry a single passenger and between 100 and 200 pounds of gear. Fortunately there are examples of remote mining operations that are abandoned and have existing airstrips. Contacting a local air charter service by phone or email will provide the information needed to determine the cost and capabilities of the respective air service.
My personal experience has been that the cost of getting geared up and arranging transportation into and out of a remote airstrip is reasonable. Each barrier should be viewed as a challenge that is part of the process of getting there from here!
- Geowizard
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Geowizard
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Re: Remote Prospecting?
Political barriers to entry;
Before we dig, we must ask what are the political forces that control "digging"...
This forum has many examples of the political issues related to the efforts of prospecting and mining.
A savvy prospector is well advised to select a politically FRIENDLY area to prospect and mine - like Alaska.
Barriers represent obstacles to what we want to do... The choices of where to prospect involve trade-offs between the cost of time and money and selecting a region of the world that is mining friendly and is politically stable.
It may make more sense to spend additional money to buy a round trip ticket to Alaska than spend TIME and money for unreasonable permitting and bonding in the lower 48.
- Geowizard
Before we dig, we must ask what are the political forces that control "digging"...
This forum has many examples of the political issues related to the efforts of prospecting and mining.
A savvy prospector is well advised to select a politically FRIENDLY area to prospect and mine - like Alaska.
Barriers represent obstacles to what we want to do... The choices of where to prospect involve trade-offs between the cost of time and money and selecting a region of the world that is mining friendly and is politically stable.
It may make more sense to spend additional money to buy a round trip ticket to Alaska than spend TIME and money for unreasonable permitting and bonding in the lower 48.
- Geowizard
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Geowizard
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Re: Remote Prospecting?
Social barriers to entry;
I spent more than a decade developing a mine in the Mountains, in southeast Arizona. The first barrier was imposed by "bird watchers" that owned property on both sides of the access road. The properties were fenced with barbed wire with a "No Trespassing" sign every 50 feet. It was a way of locking others out of their private and surrounding public domain.
After further investigation, I found there were "No Trespassing" signs posted on the public domain!
Eventually, after more follow-up at the county assessors office, I determined where "Rights of Way" existed. That included roads that were also posted - "No Trespassing". I obtained property maps, with descriptions and compiled a notebook of properties.
Before long, I was stopped by a State Fish and Game officer. He advised me that the locals didn't want me trespassing on the road to the mine... I explained that I have a notebook that shows the "Rights of Way" on the access roads and showed him the notebook with current copies of deeds, titles and conveyances of "Rights of Way".
- Geowizard
I spent more than a decade developing a mine in the Mountains, in southeast Arizona. The first barrier was imposed by "bird watchers" that owned property on both sides of the access road. The properties were fenced with barbed wire with a "No Trespassing" sign every 50 feet. It was a way of locking others out of their private and surrounding public domain.
After further investigation, I found there were "No Trespassing" signs posted on the public domain!
Eventually, after more follow-up at the county assessors office, I determined where "Rights of Way" existed. That included roads that were also posted - "No Trespassing". I obtained property maps, with descriptions and compiled a notebook of properties.
Before long, I was stopped by a State Fish and Game officer. He advised me that the locals didn't want me trespassing on the road to the mine... I explained that I have a notebook that shows the "Rights of Way" on the access roads and showed him the notebook with current copies of deeds, titles and conveyances of "Rights of Way".
- Geowizard
Last edited by Geowizard on Fri Nov 25, 2022 10:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Geowizard
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Re: Remote Prospecting?
Another note on flying;
I'm a Commercial Pilot. With about 4000 Hours of flying time, I would like to share a pilot's point of view on the subject...
The rule that pilots are always reminded of is "See and be seen." That is because one of the most frequent forms of disaster in aviation is mid-air collisions. Surprisingly, mid-air collisions happen in perfectly clear weather, during daylight with excellent visibility.
Passengers provide extra sets of eye-balls. When prospectors are in the air - moving people and hardware in and out of remote locations, keeping a vigilant eye out for other air traffic and alerting the pilot by at least pointing at other airplanes nearby can help avoid a mid-air collision.
Who's the "Boss"?
The pilot in command is responsible for and has the final authority as to the operation of the aircraft.
A charter flight happens when and where a "Customer" makes the decision that the conditions are safe. A smart prospector must be aware of unsafe conditions that may lead to a disaster. Recognition of poor weather conditions, a tired or careless pilot or an airplane that appears to be poorly maintained are all part of evaluating the situation that you are getting into when flying. Don't be afraid to ask questions...
Did you check the weather?
What is the forecast?
Does the airplane have a "Spot" locator?
Will the flight be operating on a flight plan?
Watch the pilot...
Is he using a check list?
Did he do a pre-flight inspection using the checklist?
Avoid "marginal" weather conditions that could worsen. An example is cool, wet weather conditions that will develop into increasing clouds and/or fog late in the afternoon or evening.
- Geowizard
I'm a Commercial Pilot. With about 4000 Hours of flying time, I would like to share a pilot's point of view on the subject...
The rule that pilots are always reminded of is "See and be seen." That is because one of the most frequent forms of disaster in aviation is mid-air collisions. Surprisingly, mid-air collisions happen in perfectly clear weather, during daylight with excellent visibility.
Passengers provide extra sets of eye-balls. When prospectors are in the air - moving people and hardware in and out of remote locations, keeping a vigilant eye out for other air traffic and alerting the pilot by at least pointing at other airplanes nearby can help avoid a mid-air collision.
Who's the "Boss"?
The pilot in command is responsible for and has the final authority as to the operation of the aircraft.
A charter flight happens when and where a "Customer" makes the decision that the conditions are safe. A smart prospector must be aware of unsafe conditions that may lead to a disaster. Recognition of poor weather conditions, a tired or careless pilot or an airplane that appears to be poorly maintained are all part of evaluating the situation that you are getting into when flying. Don't be afraid to ask questions...
Did you check the weather?
What is the forecast?
Does the airplane have a "Spot" locator?
Will the flight be operating on a flight plan?
Watch the pilot...
Is he using a check list?
Did he do a pre-flight inspection using the checklist?
Avoid "marginal" weather conditions that could worsen. An example is cool, wet weather conditions that will develop into increasing clouds and/or fog late in the afternoon or evening.
- Geowizard
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Geowizard
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Re: Remote Prospecting?
Calling for help;
Ask a simple question... What if?
What if I am prospecting in a remote area and break a leg?
There are other possible injuries that can make it impossible to get out of a remote location.
Christopher McCandless is an example of a good situation - gone bad.
Having a Hand-held Aviation Radio to communicate with pilots flying over-head or nearby may be the only way to alert outside help and get rescued.
Here's a link to one type of Radio; https://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/yaesu ... eiver.html
I have a similar Aviation band handheld that I keep in my backpack - ready for use if needed.
The emergency frequency is 121.5 and a second monitored frequency of 122.9 can be used.
Unlike a Sat phone, there is no subscription. You buy it & you own it.
- Geowizard
Ask a simple question... What if?
What if I am prospecting in a remote area and break a leg?
There are other possible injuries that can make it impossible to get out of a remote location.
Christopher McCandless is an example of a good situation - gone bad.
Having a Hand-held Aviation Radio to communicate with pilots flying over-head or nearby may be the only way to alert outside help and get rescued.
Here's a link to one type of Radio; https://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/yaesu ... eiver.html
I have a similar Aviation band handheld that I keep in my backpack - ready for use if needed.
The emergency frequency is 121.5 and a second monitored frequency of 122.9 can be used.
Unlike a Sat phone, there is no subscription. You buy it & you own it.
- Geowizard
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Micropedes1
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Re: Remote Prospecting?
https://aviationweather.gov/metar/plot?region=pak https://avcams.faa.gov
Are the ones that I use most often. They have the most up-to-date info I have found.
The only thing worse than sitting on the ground wishing you were in the air is flying thru the air and wishing you were on the ground!!!
Are the ones that I use most often. They have the most up-to-date info I have found.
The only thing worse than sitting on the ground wishing you were in the air is flying thru the air and wishing you were on the ground!!!
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Geowizard
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Re: Remote Prospecting?
Technology;
Remote prospectors, today, have the advantage of technology that didn't exist a few decades ago...
Using a smart phone, you can get aviation weather and view live web cam video.
ADS-B;
A new system allows pilots to avoid collisions with other airplanes. It is called ADS-B. The system uses GPS to locate position in a 3D airspace and transmit the aircraft position and identification to other aircraft using ADS-B.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDLFHdq540g
This system allows pilots to be able to see nearby aircraft that might not otherwise be within view.
- Geowizard
Remote prospectors, today, have the advantage of technology that didn't exist a few decades ago...
Using a smart phone, you can get aviation weather and view live web cam video.
ADS-B;
A new system allows pilots to avoid collisions with other airplanes. It is called ADS-B. The system uses GPS to locate position in a 3D airspace and transmit the aircraft position and identification to other aircraft using ADS-B.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDLFHdq540g
This system allows pilots to be able to see nearby aircraft that might not otherwise be within view.
- Geowizard
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Geowizard
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Re: Remote Prospecting?
Kougarok;
We spent quite some time on this thread discussing the challenges of one real, remote prospecting effort on the Kougarok River. Anyone interested in sharing some of their recent experiences getting into this area?
What were the take-away's from that adventure?
It could make for some interesting discussion!
- Geowizard
We spent quite some time on this thread discussing the challenges of one real, remote prospecting effort on the Kougarok River. Anyone interested in sharing some of their recent experiences getting into this area?
What were the take-away's from that adventure?
It could make for some interesting discussion!
- Geowizard