Some lessons: a) undercapitalization is a killer. Can't make money without money. b) don't mine in the jungle. ever. don't do it. c) don't go for the big, risky score that takes forever. stick to known deposits that are cheap to reach and then get really efficient at mining.
Ya I used to watch Alaska Gold Rush. Ever saw the episode where one of the crew leads visits the Russian guy with the large surface mining operation? The guy pulled like 100 ounces a week, or more. Anyway, the Russian guy was adamant, "No drilling, no digging". And that's what all these guys do - they always drill on hunches without taking core samples. So it becomes repetitive after awhile.
It's amazing that they do about five minutes of prospecting with a bowl and some water and then decide to invest $500,000 in a big hole that turns out to worthless. There's got to be a better way. So the Russian is right, invest the money in prospecting, only then start to dig. Prospecting seems like the interesting part. Looking at maps, figuring out where the old river beds are, and then figuring out the best places to mine.
Not a Russian, he's a Dutchman named Tony Beets. He advised to always drill before digging. Get your facts straight you piker. Jim Rennick Bridger out
I just watched some of the old shows leading up to tonight's season premiere of GOLD RUSH. So ... d) Never follow an arrogant asshole like Todd Hoffman anywhere. That clown is completely offputting; hard to believe he's still part of the show. Both the Hoffmans are losers but son Todd is the biggest loser by far (but not when it comes to fat, especially between his ears).
I liked this comment on the DC website: "I CANT WAIT FOR NEXT SEASON WHEN TODD GOES TO ANTARTICA AND DIGS FOR PEARLS. DUMBEST MAN ON EARTH"
LOL And Emily Riedel of BSG is competing for dumbest woman. Just wasted her entire season Under the Ice on an experimental dredge that went busto. Right out of Todd Hoffman's playbook from season 3 where he wasted incredible amounts of time and money on an experimental trommel (aka Todd's Folly) that netted less than a pound of gold before going busto. These idiots couldn't organize a backyard barbeque.