Tuesday, 15th April 2008 (709 views)

A retired geologist in California is offering prospective prospectors the benefit of his wisdom as strong market prices drives a new wave of gold exploration in the state, according to reports.

The Hesperia Star says Ted Sparks is a "gold mine of information" about the geology and chemistry of mining - and he is happy to give the benefit of his experience to new gold hunters looking to strike it rich.

However, the newspaper reports, he hates to disappoint those who mistakenly think they've discovered the yellow metal.

"People come in all the time convinced they have found gold. I hate to tell them it's not," he said.

Mr Sparks added that the chances of getting rich from gold prospecting were "pretty slim" - but that it can happen. He said a "couple of guys" recently discovered 16 troy pounds of gold - worth around $192,000 (£97,613) at the time - while another regular prospector "takes his wife to Hawaii every year" with the proceeds from his finds.

He recommended Nugget Hunting Essentials volumes one and two for any prospective explorers.

High gold prices have recently sparked new gold rushes in Mexico, Arizona and Alaska. In California, ABC affiliate News10 recently reported that rivers and streams in the state are "busier than ever" with people panning and mining for gold.

 

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