
audiobook
THE A B C OF MINING A Handbook for Prospectors
PREFACE.
PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION.
CONTENTS. THE A B C OF MINING.
CHAPTER I. PROSPECTING.
CHAPTER II. HOW TO TEST FOR MINERALS.
CHAPTER III. BLOW-PIPE TESTS.
CHAPTER IV. ECONOMIC ORES AND MINERALS.
CHAPTER V. MINING.
CHAPTER VI. CAMP LIFE.
A straightforward, illustrated handbook that walks newcomers through the essentials of prospecting, this guide shows how a modest kit and a keen eye can turn raw curiosity into real finds. It stresses practical field experience—learning the look, feel and weight of rocks, distinguishing sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous types, and spotting the subtle signs that hint at buried ore. The author’s own stories of early successes with simple tools make the advice feel both accessible and trustworthy.
Beyond basic rock identification, the book covers every step a budding miner needs: quick chemical and blow‑pipe tests, basic assaying techniques, and the fundamentals of quartz and hydraulic mining. It also offers pragmatic advice on camp life, surveying, financing a claim, and even health tips for remote work. With clear explanations and helpful illustrations, listeners will gain a solid foundation for venturing into the world of mineral exploration.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (227K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Chris Curnow and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2014-04-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects
A practical mining writer from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, he turned field experience into clear, usable advice for prospectors, travelers, and gold seekers. His books capture both the hard realities and the rough excitement of frontier exploration.
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