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11-07-2007, 1:06 PM jamtinsl8 Joined on 10-10-2007 Posts 53 Looking for a partner with a small loader I am looking for a partner with a small front end loader.  Something like a Yanmar 1500, a glorified lawn mower or even a 4-wheeler with loader attachment.  I use to work in a gold mine in Chicken, Alaska and ran a very large highbanker, big as a house.  Loaded it with a front end loader with tires taller than me.  One of those big ones.  Anyhow,  I have an idea to build a small machine to be loaded with a small front end loader.  Can run a bucket full every 3 minutes or so.  No shoveling involved.  Can average about $7.50 per bucket.  100 bucket loads a day would probably end up being about a ounce a day.  Some of those buckets would have a nugget or two and boost the amount for a days work.  I have everything except the loader and a small attachment which I can build in two days time for about $50.00.  Anyone who has some type small loader that is interested please contact me.  864-269-2890  Jimmy    Report

11-07-2007, 2:51 PM Dixiedredger Joined on 11-18-2006 Charlotte, NC Posts 897 Re: Looking for a partner with a small loader If you do this, you will also need a SC mining permit. you will need to contact Craig Kennedy (Assistant Dir of Mines for SCDHEC) for details on what the permit would cost and what it would cover. He has told me in the past that "as long as we stayed in the river, with small floating dredges, we were considered to be recreational.... but if we ever came out of the river on to dry ground, he would need to talk to us about permits". Moving the amout of dirt you are talking about, is going to make you a commercial operation... You will be playing by a whole new set of rules. You will have to have state and federal permits. There is no way you could even fake being recreational, using that kind of equipment. I've been doin' so much, with with so little, for so long.... I can do almost anything, with nothing!!!! WWW.dixieprospector.com    Report

11-07-2007, 4:58 PM jamtinsl8 Joined on 10-10-2007 Posts 53 Re: Looking for a partner with a small loader Not gonna do it in south carolina, but same rules should apply.  Other than the loader and a small attachment it all goes through a large highbanker.  Believe its based on how much material is moved per year?  Is that right?  If not done 365 days a year and a log book is kept of average number of loads per day and number of days ran, it may be that it could be established that it is not a commercial operation. Only planning on doing it a week or so a month.  100 loads a day for ten days would be less than 1,000 yards and if done 50 weeks a year would only be 50,000 yards.  Not planning on working that hard.    Report

11-08-2007, 9:03 AM Dixiedredger Joined on 11-18-2006 Charlotte, NC Posts 897 Re: Looking for a partner with a small loader The EPA limit for DREDGING is 50,000 yards, before you need a permit. State agencies do not have to follow EPA guidelines, as these guidelines are just MINIMUMS.... a state agency has the right to restrict you further. Digging on dry ground, regardless of methods or amounts, is considered "Hardrock Mining" and requires permiting through the EPA and the State Agency (for which ever state you are going to be in). Below is a link to the EPA's regulations Pay special attention to section 1.8.1.2 Clean Water Act on page 1-48. This is where the 50,000 yard limit is referenced. You will have to read the rest of the document to find the regs on "Hardrock Mining" http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/other/mining/techdocs/placer.pdf I've been doin' so much, with with so little, for so long.... I can do almost anything, with nothing!!!! WWW.dixieprospector.com    Report

11-08-2007, 12:56 PM jamtinsl8 Joined on 10-10-2007 Posts 53 Re: Looking for a partner with a small loader If digging on hard ground is considered hardrock mining, regardless of whether one moves 50,000 yards or not, why don't they jump on highbankers everywhere. What I am planning on doing is no different than outings where people highbank and someone brings the dirt with a backhoe. Please explain your opinion as to the difference.     Report

11-08-2007, 1:43 PM Dixiedredger Joined on 11-18-2006 Charlotte, NC Posts 897 Re: Looking for a partner with a small loader These are not my opinions. You should get in contact with the evironmental control agency for which ever state you are interested in.... I am just telling you what I have been told by the Dir. of mines with SCDHEC. It will be different in every state. I've been doin' so much, with with so little, for so long.... I can do almost anything, with nothing!!!! WWW.dixieprospector.com    Report

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