GOLD, ETC., IN CALIFORNIA, NEVADA, AND OREGON 123

 Small-scale gold mining.—Increasing interest in small-scale gold mining
lured many people to the foothill counties of the Sierras and other gold
regions in northern and southern California. Many recovered enough precious
metal to pay their living expenses. The experience.d prospector also joined
in exploring for new gold-bearing quartz veins and reopening old prospects
and abandoned, veins. The results of the gold rush of 1932, in which the
working season was terminated in some places in about 90 days, were disappointing.
High water or snow restricted work and hampered. the gold seeker in. certain,
regions, while in' a few places the work was. continuous the
entire year. ,. . ,.
 The records of those who bought gold from the general prospector, miner,,
and layman in compliance with the California "high-grade" law, administered
by the State mineralogist, were reviewed and com.~ piled with the following
results, which are of interest to those seeking a livelihood from small-scale
gold mining..
 Ninety-four bullion dealers in California, including banks, merchants, and
private refiners, all licensed ~by the State mineralogist of California to
purchase gold in 1932, sold to the San Francisco .Mint and ' other refiners
23,870 fine ounces or $493,437 in' new gold... This total compares with $162,000
in gold' purchased by bullion buyers in 1931. The reports of the bullion
buyers indicate that 12,000 individuals produced 30,880 lots of new gold
consisting of gold dust, nuggets, and amalgam with a range in value from
9 cents to as much as ' $100. The average value of each lot sold was $16,
and the average amount received by the prospectors for their labors during
the season or year was $41.12.. ,
 Thelicensed bullion buyers located,in 17 counties served prospectors working
in all known mineral areas of California. The bulk of this gold and that
of established mines was deposited at the San Francisco Mint, which issued
19,265 deposit certificates, chiefly for. gold, compared with 8,153 settlement
certificates in 1931. Most of the gold deposited was from California, with
important lots from Alaska, the Philippine Islands, and Arizona. Other .States
represented were Nevada, Oregon, New Mexico, Montana, Utah, and Washington,
The niinimum amount of gold received at the offices of the Bureau of the
Mint was 2 ounces, equivalent to about $40; any,amount under this was returned
to the sender whose only recourse was to' sell the gold to a bullion dealer.
'  , '  .~
 The.nearest bullion dealer in California paid full value for gold, and the
prospectors have discovered the saving in express and melting charges on
each lot sold and the added advantage of getting immediate
cash or merchandise. '  , '  ~,
 Amador County bullion buyers at Plymouth and Jackson handled 315.35 fine
ounces of gold valued at $6,519 for 580 individuals whose average deposit
was $9.73 or $11.24 for the season. Most of the gold originated from the
Consunmes River in Eldorado and Amador Counties. Gold was also reported from
Sutter, Jackson, Flat, Dry, and Scott Creeks, and a little gold was recovered
from gravel at 49 Flat.
 In Butte County 6 bullion buyers bought 2,760.28 fine ounces of gold valued
at $57,060 from 2,052 individuals, whose lots of gold averaged $12.83 per
deposit, or $27.81 for the season. The gold was recovered chiefly from' placer
gravel of the l~eather ,River in Butte and Plumas Counties and in more than
50 other localities.