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Western Oregon | B-I-L and I have had a small claim in central/eastern Oregon since we retired in 2011. In the hills above Sumpter and the river where the gold dredge run years ago. The gold washed down from the hills to the river so the deposits are up there. He just got another 50 acre claim that is right beside it, for the water. As the operation has gotten bigger, he ran out of water this year. Dry year. Small spring piped to a pond, then piped to operation. 1 1/2" pipe. Runs a micro-hydro unit, then sluice. He and a partner are going to work it this year. I haven't worked it at all the last 5 years, he gives me a 1/4 of the gold. He and I are 1/2 partners in a 350 Case crawler, a small excavator, micro-hydro, sluice and 2 panel solar set up. It pays it's way, but about the time you start making much, the gold runs thin and have to move to the next pot. Crawler makes the roads and pots, excavator feeds the sluice. He wants to expand, (gold fever) I want out for health reasons. I could walk away and be happy with the gold I've gotten from the partnership but looks like his new partner will be buying out my 1/2 of claim and equipment. It was a fun summer vacation spot along with our cabin at Wallowa Lake....James | |
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Yukon gold mining video
