Well done video, great points on the nuances of moving dirt with hand tools. Ignore the haters below that have never had to pick up any kind of "hand tool" in their life.
I have to agree I have two years tell my 60th and at that point I hope I'm doing as well I have a advantage on most the young I am a plumber I know how to work a demo hamer pick and shovel. Just ran across your videos and started a marathon been learning a lot !!! Thing I will need to know in the near future hoping to move closer to the blue hills mountains OR. I know you have me by a nomber of year's but hope to meet you some day .
Some great lessons in this video. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge. The reason it caught my attention was due to a hillside property I am purchasing, it starts at 22% and goes up to 35%. Not much in the way of soil 6" to a little more than a foot at 4000 ' elevation. Talk about getting winded. LOL!! We old goats do need our breaks. I'm not fond of those demo hammers, so I'll be starting off with a hammer drill and expansive mortar, want a flat spot for a small house and large barn/shop. Oh, and you published it on my birthday. I hope the vein comes in for you. .
For something of that size, small equipment rental might make a lot of sense. They also have new devices like the Sierra Blaster that work much faster and easier than expanding grout and that are quite safe to use and are not classified as 'explosive devices' or 'explosives' in most jurisdictions. They are not even very noisy. They only need about a 5/16" hole and that is pretty easy to drill. Expanding grout requires about a ten to one ratio of burden to hole diameter if I remember correctly, so a ten inch slab requires one inch holes ten inches apart ten inches back from the face. That is a LOT of drilling. Good luck, Keith
I thought the video was great. For someone that has never tried digging in rocky soil, and even those that have, you gave a lot of great tips. A person could spend a lot of time and hard labor learning them the hard way. I enjoyed the geezer breather part. Reminded me of a rancher friend that would stop every so often, for no apparent reason, to glass the countryside. His wife clued me in one day. He did it when he was winded and he really wasn't looking at or for something. Just catching his breath.
You did a good job with it in the video. I could hardly tell you were puffing. It did help that you turned your back to the camera when you did it. Ha!
I'm getting better at this. Where I really see it is in the editing time. It rarely takes me more than one hour nowadays. Some of that is in more efficient editing, some in making video that's simpler to edit.
From one ol geaza to another .. your doin just fine...whatta hoot ..🤣😂... oh and happy birthday.. oh and snck on dates inbetween looping and sprouting geologic Fraser's.. it works 😁 anywhos that was great thanks
It is ten degrees cooler in the shade that translates to a whole lot more work being done. I set up a tent like screen it lets in light but far less heat and everything just works better.
Yep. If you are on the surface and it is hot- that sure works better. The video shows the 'frigid' winter here in S AZ where it was probably 60 degrees F. :-) I also do some construction and we have a couple of EZ Ups we use for shade from time to time. They can be a lifesaver in the summer. Keith
Keith, expanding the subject of the video, am I right you do not pay too much attention to observing or assaying the outcrop itself, the objective is to make a cut of the structure? So what sort of work you recommend to do with the outcrop and what with the structure cut?
Perhaps we have a little issue with definitions, what precisely do you mean by 'outcrop'? In this case the vein is no more or less durable than the host rock and therefore does not 'outcrop' as such. In this case I was not sampling the mineralized material as much as mining it for feed stock for testing my experimental table. BTW, Dmitri, I have been busy so I haven't answered you email as there is a lot of detail. But, in reference to exploration at your mines, have you ever considered hiring a geophysical contractor to do appropriate surveys to better define the mineralized zones to better target the drilling and estimate the resource? If not, I would suggest you talk to someone in-country about it as the techniques can be very useful at your stage of exploration. Keith
Thanks, Keith. I understand outcrops as superficial showings of the mineralised (or not) structure. The issue is the geologist we contract, does channel sampling of the outcrops along the structure and bases his conclusion as for potential grades on it. In the same time, we have 20.000 M3 of the "disfrutes" dumps from the manual separation of the vein material. The grade of the dumps is much more interesting and stable compared to superficial channel samples. So, I have doubts he is right doing this way. P.S.We have drilling and tunnelling program designed but I want to collect more side opinions before making a step into it. Any help is welcome.
@@dmytromarchuk9532 Especially with base metal sulfides, the metallic minerals including silver and to some extent gold will tend to percolate downward due to the action of rain water. When they get to the water table (not necessarily the current one) they will then re-precipitate in a process called secondary enrichment. Major copper ore bodies are often topped with an 'iron cap' of iron oxide staining as it is one of the least mobile oxidation products. Surface sampling IS NOT necessarily indicative of the underground situation. On top one would expect iron oxides and some gold while at depth on would expect base metal sulfides and silver, sometimes at very high grades near stable water tables from the past. I wish I was free to check out your operation as it sounds most interesting and I would REALLY like to learn about floatation from a skilled operator. But, oh well, I am busy and having fun- so all is not lost :-) Keith
I'm so glad I watched this! My back doesn't hurt nearly as bad as it did! This is all I've been doing all winter only 300' underground! Come on down and join the team!
The 1000 is light enough I can use it horizontally with a prop. The 3000 would probably be too big. If all you were doing was digging bottom the 3000 would give you more capacity especially with harder rock. In general, the smallest breaker that will do the job well is the best as it is less effort. If the rock is soft enough even Harbor Freight will do OK>
There is a small vein with gold in the face I was working. I was just moving waste to expose more vein. I took the opportunity to show how it's done. In addition, I am using the waste to improve a short trail to the upper level just above. I always prefer to do more than one thing at once if at all possible. keith
Actually, I thought you did a pretty good job of dubbing that mike. Although it came off kinda comical at times. Like the old " un-necessary censorship" comedy routine. Where words are dubbed over (like curse words). Even when there was no curse words used. LOL. Really enjoying your videos and subbed. Nice to see a serious take on hard rock mining.
Thank you. It seemed a really under served market. Then I found I actually enjoy making the videos. I like the people I meet and the projects I get to look at. It's a different way of prospecting. Having fun. keith
+Jeff Brasfield It can also be a friend when moving material from one process to another. That is why the often build mills on hills. The slurry just keeps flowing downhill.... Keith
instead of a shovel why not put a Tarp down and then just dump it in the barrow before it is too heavy to lift- or just turn it on its side and scrape the samples in?
+Jeff Brasfield Assuming I get 8-10 lbs per shovel full and I can only lift about 40 lbs comfortably, the extra time of starting and stopping the Hilti doesn't seem to make it worth it. It would also be hard on the tarp. Many small miners who are blasting rock will lay down a sheet of steel in front of the face before blasting to make it much easier to scrape up. That is called 'slick sheeting'. For sampling a tarp works very well. This is production methodology. Excellent question though. I like it when people keep looking for a better way. Not surprisingly, that is how we find better ways! Happy birthday to you also Keith
If the Hilti is insufficient, a Sierra Blaster will work. This is all for micro scale though. For more production, there are established methods. However, they all require costly and time consuming permitting.
I'm not sure what the brand is, but the bits I get from Sierra Blaster have held up the best. Two tricks to keep them alive, change them out every ten seconds to allow cooling, and learn how to re-sharpen in the field. It isn't too hard with bits with only two carbides.
I have lived in S Arizona most of my life. I ALWAYS bring more water than I need. :-) I bring enough water to keep me hydrated until the next day when Search and Rescue finds me if I get hurt or the vehicle immobilized. There is ALWAYS someone who knows when I'll be back and where I am.
@@hardrockuniversity7283 Good to know! People look at me weird because of the huge mug I go around with. Just to operate m track loader on a job site I always keep a 10 gallon thermos iced up so that not only myself, but any other people working there will have enough water.
@@DeliciousDeBlair I used to work open pit in Yuma AZ. Numerous days in the summer were over 110 degrees. I would usually drink about 2 gallons per shift.
No such thing as gravity, it's density and weight that causes objects to remain upon the face of the earth. For an example I knew of a object that was no more than 5 inches square and need a fork lift to pick it up, no bull.
I don't believe the title says SIMPLE. I believe I mention the price (about $1,500.00) also. What it is, is LEGAL in many cases where alternatives are not. I have run equipment up to Cat 992C loaders (which can literally lift a fully loaded Semi Truck) and have no problem with them. The government OTOH often does. In some cases hand tools are adequate to the job or for testing and start up. Sometimes a tack hammer is more appropriate than a sledge, or even a claw hammer. Nothing is best for everything and these methods work quite well for some. The video is for people in that situation who have little to no experience on how to handle it. Keith
It is by the BLM. It is a powered hand tool like a drill or circular saw. They are controlled by hand as opposed to 'driven' or controlled by some mechanism. You might not care, but the regulators do, and that's what counts. It is also a lot cheaper than a bobcat. As Chong used to say "Why the hostility man?' Keith
Boring if you don't have to do it for real. BTW, that is ALL bedrock in various stages of decomposition. The soil is less than 6" deep there. I'm guessing you have never HAD to do this for real or you would recognize that fact. It is not meant for those not serious about small scale mining. Keith
Well done video, great points on the nuances of moving dirt with hand tools. Ignore the haters below that have never had to pick up any kind of "hand tool" in their life.
Thank you. Just saw the comment.
I have to agree I have two years tell my 60th and at that point I hope I'm doing as well I have a advantage on most the young I am a plumber I know how to work a demo hamer pick and shovel. Just ran across your videos and started a marathon been learning a lot !!! Thing I will need to know in the near future hoping to move closer to the blue hills mountains OR. I know you have me by a nomber of year's but hope to meet you some day .
Your an excellent teacher . Thank you for your videos.
Thank you.
You work harder than most twenty somethings I know. Born with that misery whip in your hand? I'd like to see more on advancing with the Hilti.
I will be happy to do so once we find a suitable ore body to advance a tunnel in. We're working on it. :-)
good teaching skills first day learning minning skills im learning fast thanks you make it fun
Thank you.
Hello Keith, Thanks for sharing. Really enjoy the videos!
such a good video, inspiring as well as educational.
Thank you
Some great lessons in this video.
Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge.
The reason it caught my attention was due to a hillside property I am purchasing, it starts at 22% and goes up to 35%.
Not much in the way of soil 6" to a little more than a foot at 4000 ' elevation.
Talk about getting winded. LOL!! We old goats do need our breaks.
I'm not fond of those demo hammers, so I'll be starting off with a hammer drill and expansive mortar, want a flat spot for a small house and large barn/shop.
Oh, and you published it on my birthday.
I hope the vein comes in for you.
.
For something of that size, small equipment rental might make a lot of sense. They also have new devices like the Sierra Blaster that work much faster and easier than expanding grout and that are quite safe to use and are not classified as 'explosive devices' or 'explosives' in most jurisdictions. They are not even very noisy. They only need about a 5/16" hole and that is pretty easy to drill. Expanding grout requires about a ten to one ratio of burden to hole diameter if I remember correctly, so a ten inch slab requires one inch holes ten inches apart ten inches back from the face. That is a LOT of drilling.
Good luck,
Keith
@@hardrockuniversity7283
Thank you for your response,
the information it looks promising.
@@sammocat You're welcome. I hope it works out well. Enjoy the view!
I thought the video was great. For someone that has never tried digging in rocky soil, and even those that have, you gave a lot of great tips. A person could spend a lot of time and hard labor learning them the hard way. I enjoyed the geezer breather part. Reminded me of a rancher friend that would stop every so often, for no apparent reason, to glass the countryside. His wife clued me in one day. He did it when he was winded and he really wasn't looking at or for something. Just catching his breath.
Geologists pick up a rock and examine it carefully with their hand lens.
:-)
You did a good job with it in the video. I could hardly tell you were puffing. It did help that you turned your back to the camera when you did it. Ha!
I'm getting better at this. Where I really see it is in the editing time. It rarely takes me more than one hour nowadays. Some of that is in more efficient editing, some in making video that's simpler to edit.
We are so glad to have found you, Friend... you are very helpful! Subscribed! ~The fam
I'm glad to help. Don't be afraid to ask questions if something is not clear.
Keith
Thanks for sharing. Really enjoy the videos! i have learned alot !!!
You're welcome.
Boy, do I feel like a numbnut. I have really been breaking my backside digging. I like your way a lot better!
Very glad to be of help.
From one ol geaza to another .. your doin just fine...whatta hoot ..🤣😂... oh and happy birthday.. oh and snck on dates inbetween looping and sprouting geologic Fraser's.. it works 😁 anywhos that was great thanks
Dates eh, must try that sometime.
Thanks for all the lessons
You are most welcome.
Keith
Enjoyed your video. On your hip: now that's a gun! Certainly capable of stopping bear.
Thank you.
Black bear- no problem. Grizzly? Marginal. When we go to Alaska it will be odd to be in a place where a .44 is a 'girls gun'. :-)
It is ten degrees cooler in the shade that translates to a whole lot more work being done. I set up a tent like screen it lets in light but far less heat and everything just works better.
Yep. If you are on the surface and it is hot- that sure works better. The video shows the 'frigid' winter here in S AZ where it was probably 60 degrees F. :-)
I also do some construction and we have a couple of EZ Ups we use for shade from time to time. They can be a lifesaver in the summer.
Keith
Thanks for showing us how to WORK
I am sure you know how to WORK. I hope that you can now work a bit more efficiently. Good fortune,
Keith
Keith, expanding the subject of the video, am I right you do not pay too much attention to observing or assaying the outcrop itself, the objective is to make a cut of the structure? So what sort of work you recommend to do with the outcrop and what with the structure cut?
Perhaps we have a little issue with definitions, what precisely do you mean by 'outcrop'? In this case the vein is no more or less durable than the host rock and therefore does not 'outcrop' as such. In this case I was not sampling the mineralized material as much as mining it for feed stock for testing my experimental table.
BTW, Dmitri, I have been busy so I haven't answered you email as there is a lot of detail. But, in reference to exploration at your mines, have you ever considered hiring a geophysical contractor to do appropriate surveys to better define the mineralized zones to better target the drilling and estimate the resource? If not, I would suggest you talk to someone in-country about it as the techniques can be very useful at your stage of exploration.
Keith
Thanks, Keith. I understand outcrops as superficial showings of the mineralised (or not) structure. The issue is the geologist we contract, does channel sampling of the outcrops along the structure and bases his conclusion as for potential grades on it. In the same time, we have 20.000 M3 of the "disfrutes" dumps from the manual separation of the vein material. The grade of the dumps is much more interesting and stable compared to superficial channel samples. So, I have doubts he is right doing this way.
P.S.We have drilling and tunnelling program designed but I want to collect more side opinions before making a step into it. Any help is welcome.
@@dmytromarchuk9532 Especially with base metal sulfides, the metallic minerals including silver and to some extent gold will tend to percolate downward due to the action of rain water. When they get to the water table (not necessarily the current one) they will then re-precipitate in a process called secondary enrichment. Major copper ore bodies are often topped with an 'iron cap' of iron oxide staining as it is one of the least mobile oxidation products. Surface sampling IS NOT necessarily indicative of the underground situation. On top one would expect iron oxides and some gold while at depth on would expect base metal sulfides and silver, sometimes at very high grades near stable water tables from the past.
I wish I was free to check out your operation as it sounds most interesting and I would REALLY like to learn about floatation from a skilled operator. But, oh well, I am busy and having fun- so all is not lost :-)
Keith
Why not just point that big ole 44 at the dirt and tell it to hop into the wheelbarrow?
Cause dirt has no survival instinct?
Keith
Nice info .thanx
You are welcome, I hope it helps.
I'm so glad I watched this! My back doesn't hurt nearly as bad as it did! This is all I've been doing all winter only 300' underground!
Come on down and join the team!
Where are you at? Might have some time later in the summer to do something interesting.
Would you consider using a hilti 3000 over the 1000 or do you think it's less appropriate or just generally not worth the extra cost?
The 1000 is light enough I can use it horizontally with a prop. The 3000 would probably be too big. If all you were doing was digging bottom the 3000 would give you more capacity especially with harder rock. In general, the smallest breaker that will do the job well is the best as it is less effort. If the rock is soft enough even Harbor Freight will do OK>
Gotta say mr keiths ..that was a might impresive specialy all that hollywood smoke n mirrors stuff ..cgi (coffee ground improvisations )..😁
Thank you I try. Are you still looking for a set of plans?
@@hardrockuniversity7283 sure ams .. give us a coupla weeks ..iv gotta buy a bunch of fire wood first ..your my next port of call ..😁
@@patrickjobling8676 Roger that. Email me when you are ready. Not sure how to address the envelope for sure. :-)
Happy birthday!!
Thank You.
So...what were you digging for or just moving the dirt as a hobby?
There is a small vein with gold in the face I was working. I was just moving waste to expose more vein. I took the opportunity to show how it's done. In addition, I am using the waste to improve a short trail to the upper level just above. I always prefer to do more than one thing at once if at all possible.
keith
happy b-day- mine was the 2-3
Happy birthday coming up.
Keith
u 2 thanks.
Hope everything is well with you. Things OK here.
Keith
Actually, I thought you did a pretty good job of dubbing that mike. Although it came off kinda comical at times. Like the old " un-necessary censorship" comedy routine. Where words are dubbed over (like curse words). Even when there was no curse words used. LOL. Really enjoying your videos and subbed. Nice to see a serious take on hard rock mining.
Thank you. It seemed a really under served market. Then I found I actually enjoy making the videos. I like the people I meet and the projects I get to look at. It's a different way of prospecting.
Having fun.
keith
1:16 how do you spell that?
gravity is the enemy while collecting but a friend when sorting- LOL
+Jeff Brasfield It can also be a friend when moving material from one process to another. That is why the often build mills on hills. The slurry just keeps flowing downhill....
Keith
You are right
can you mine the underground with no explosive? what tools?
Yes you can. You just use the same techniques sideways when advancing and down when taking out bottom.
Keith
instead of a shovel why not put a Tarp down and then just dump it in the barrow before it is too heavy to lift- or just turn it on its side and scrape the samples in?
+Jeff Brasfield Assuming I get 8-10 lbs per shovel full and I can only lift about 40 lbs comfortably, the extra time of starting and stopping the Hilti doesn't seem to make it worth it. It would also be hard on the tarp. Many small miners who are blasting rock will lay down a sheet of steel in front of the face before blasting to make it much easier to scrape up. That is called 'slick sheeting'.
For sampling a tarp works very well. This is production methodology.
Excellent question though. I like it when people keep looking for a better way. Not surprisingly, that is how we find better ways!
Happy birthday to you also
Keith
Tarps get ripped up and cost money dirt is free for the labor that you had to do anyway.
What about solid stubborn rock that doesnt even move with a 16 pound sledge
If the Hilti is insufficient, a Sierra Blaster will work. This is all for micro scale though. For more production, there are established methods. However, they all require costly and time consuming permitting.
@@hardrockuniversity7283 thanks for responding. I mine hard rock for crystal. The rock melted my diabolo drill bit using a dewalt hammer drill
I'm not sure what the brand is, but the bits I get from Sierra Blaster have held up the best. Two tricks to keep them alive, change them out every ten seconds to allow cooling, and learn how to re-sharpen in the field. It isn't too hard with bits with only two carbides.
None of my business, but did you bring water to keep hydrated out there? ~( 'w')/
I have lived in S Arizona most of my life. I ALWAYS bring more water than I need. :-)
I bring enough water to keep me hydrated until the next day when Search and Rescue finds me if I get hurt or the vehicle immobilized. There is ALWAYS someone who knows when I'll be back and where I am.
@@hardrockuniversity7283 Good to know! People look at me weird because of the huge mug I go around with.
Just to operate m track loader on a job site I always keep a 10 gallon thermos iced up so that not only myself, but any other people working there will have enough water.
@@DeliciousDeBlair I used to work open pit in Yuma AZ. Numerous days in the summer were over 110 degrees. I would usually drink about 2 gallons per shift.
@@hardrockuniversity7283 I worked all around southern California, temps were about the same most of the time.
Delicious DeBlair you so kind
No such thing as gravity, it's density and weight that causes objects to remain upon the face of the earth. For an example I knew of a object that was no more than 5 inches square and need a fork lift to pick it up, no bull.
Never know when you'll need to defend yourself and your rocks from them no darn good rock rustlers. Digging and carrying.
Ok Mic, do ya feel lucky? Well........do ya junk?
Eva! Some guy is talking about my junk! :-)
Dudes using q jack hammee
Happy birthday with delay
Thank you
26:30 is Hilarious! I do this all the time!
Getting old is not for sissies.
Keith's, you're not even breaking any rock! It's just rock in the muck. You're just moving muck and rock?
It is decomposing bedrock in place, not soil.
a jack hammer isnt a simple hand tool.
I don't believe the title says SIMPLE. I believe I mention the price (about $1,500.00) also. What it is, is LEGAL in many cases where alternatives are not. I have run equipment up to Cat 992C loaders (which can literally lift a fully loaded Semi Truck) and have no problem with them. The government OTOH often does. In some cases hand tools are adequate to the job or for testing and start up.
Sometimes a tack hammer is more appropriate than a sledge, or even a claw hammer. Nothing is best for everything and these methods work quite well for some. The video is for people in that situation who have little to no experience on how to handle it.
Keith
A Hilti hack hammer is not considered a hand tool.
It is by the BLM. It is a powered hand tool like a drill or circular saw. They are controlled by hand as opposed to 'driven' or controlled by some mechanism. You might not care, but the regulators do, and that's what counts. It is also a lot cheaper than a bobcat.
As Chong used to say "Why the hostility man?'
Keith
he never moved the rock.
I'm confused. What rock was not moved by whom?
Keith
he dug a bit of soil out from around a rock before he broke some of it up with a Jack hammer. the most boring and video I've ever watched.
Boring if you don't have to do it for real.
BTW, that is ALL bedrock in various stages of decomposition. The soil is less than 6" deep there. I'm guessing you have never HAD to do this for real or you would recognize that fact.
It is not meant for those not serious about small scale mining.
Keith