Dredging in the Philippines

[goldnmick]

Hi. I just joined this forum today. I need help. I live in the States, but I dredge in the Philippines. My kids are still young so I have to find a balance between home and work. I can only make a trip every 4 months or so. My dredging operation has been very profitable over the past year. During my last trip I found over 20 ounces in 11 days. I hire local Filipinos to work for me. (I caught some shrapnel in Afghanistan and I have very limited use of my left arm...so I need help with heavy lifting and certain things) Despite warnings from several people I have been dredging in Mindanao which has a lot of problems with militant Islam. One of my workers was shot recently ( by a muslim) and everyone is too scared to continue to work.

I was wondering if anyone on this forum could give some advice on a suitable location in another part of the Philippines...Luzon or Visayas. I would prefer to continue to work in Mindanao ( that's what guns are for) but I need my people to help, and I can't pay them enough to continue working in our area. So, i need to relocate my operation. I'm not asking to set up a dredge next to yours. I just need a general area and the name of a river that would be worth my time. I need to make at least an ounce a day. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[goldiverpng]

Hi ,

same years ago I was in Manila ,we drove 30km. out on the way to the town water dam .Before the   dam we cross a big river and I stop and test just next to the bridge ,there was fine gold in all the pans . This is a easy location and if you are in Manila try to located.

If you are interested in PNG  were I am base you can try this country ! Just have a look at the National Gold Ltd in Photos Link.


Wish you all the best !

Lubo 
mob 675-71735554

[goldnmick]

Thanks for the response. There is a ton of fine gold in the rivers around Manilla, but more gold in Mindanao. Just yesterday my foreman found another spot that should produce enough for us. It's on the same river we've been working but in a safer area.                           
I have considered PNG, but I have invested considerable time and money in the Philippines. I have built a house there and recently bought a new truck. Also, dredging isn't regulated in the Philippines...no permits or license fees. If the situation changes here, I'll give you a shout.

[goldiverpng]

Hi Mick ,

is good that you are continuing with your project ,the gold  fewer the ones that stop for nothing to win it !

Just for interest ,what size and model dredge are you using ?

Regards,

Lubo
PS: a photo will be good ! 

[goldnmick]

I currently have a 4 inch. I use Keene pumps...the rest I built myself. I also have a highbanker/dredge combo that my guys use while I'm on the nozzle end of my dredge. I want to upgrade to a 5 or 6 inch, but the river I'm on is small and it is EXTREMELY remote. I drive to a small village in the rain forest and then everything has to be packed in by hand about 6km. I know I could make more money with a larger dredge, but it would also be much more difficult to carry.

[goldiverpng]

Hi Mick ,

you have produce 20oz. using 4"Keene dredge or  2oz. per a day ! That means if you were using a Pro SD-6" production 

will have been 100 oz. I am happy to supply a 6" dredge for your location ! Any interest !

   Golden Regards,

Lubo 

PNG

[goldnmick]

Golddiver PNG, I recently returned from another dredging trip. The spot we had before I was actually averaging 3 ounces a day for the last 3 days. Do to security concerns I am now several hours down river. Now the gold is smaller and a little harder to come by. However, I am averaging 7 grams per hour and that's not bad for a dredge of my size. I have 3 guys that I trust with my highbanker, and in the last 2 weeks since I left,  they have produced another ounce with the highbanker. . 

I appreciate your offer, but I am currently building a 5 inch dredge. This will be used in the river that the feeder creeks empty into. Once this is finished and running, I will start working on a 6 inch or 8 inch to use from the main river out to the ocean. I have a few challenges with the larger dredges that I need to overcome. Any input from you or anyone on this forum would be appreciated.

This area of the Philippines has MASSIVE amounts of black sand. Nothing like I have ever seen in the U.S., Mexico, or South America. I'm guessing it's like some of the sand people on this forum deal with in New Zealand. For the 5 inch, I'm planning on using a flare, double screen system like Dave Mac uses, and gold hog mats which have worked so well for me here, compared to moss/riffles.

Once I upgrade to a 6 or 8 inch, my current plan is to use a sump system similar to Keene's supermax dredge. There are massive amounts of fine gold here, as well as large quantities of black sand. In my opinion, a sump system would be the best way to recover it. I have recovered several ounces of -100 mesh gold here, and once I step up to a larger dredge, I'm not willing to let this fine gold pass through my box. The main rivers that would support a large dredge like this have more fine gold than chunky gold.

If anyone has advice on building a large dredge or sump system, any advice would be appreciated. Also, my jet logs have worn through with as little as 50 hours on them. Are there any manufacturers that make stuff that last longer than Keene's? If I can't get better equipment, I will have everything custom machined out of stainless...but surely I'm not the only dredger who needs longer lasting equipment?!

[goldiverpng]

Hi Mick,

in regards of Keene Jets and the wearing of the jet ,that is happening as the venture is at the wrong angle ,the jet of water is spinning

the black sand like a grinder . A proper angle is to send the water in the middle of the jet pipe reducing the wearing and increasing

the suction !


May the gold be with you !


Lubo 

[goldnmick]

Lubo, I have recently purchased some Proline pumps and a jet/flare combo from Proline as well. I'm hoping they last longer than the Keene products.  I think I mentioned that I left my highbanker/dredge with my guys. They have recovered 6 ounces since November with this little scouting unit. This is a tiny unit that I only use for sampling, but they are doing well with it. So well, that I have many locals that want the same type of unit. The problem is that I have the Keene jet log and they don't last a long time. Do you have a product that lasts longer? Specifically, do you have a long lasting jet log? Also, do you sell your header boxes? Do you have a web site? I am going back in a few weeks, and I have many native people who want to be able to get as much gold as I am and as my guys are. The natives just have Chinese gold pans and they work all day for a gram or 2. I want to work out something so I can help them get more gold. But they can never pay upfront. So, I'm trying to build something inexpensive for them and let them pay me with the gold they get. These people work so hard and have very little to show for it. This is their land and their village. I am the first white man who has ever been to this remote village ( what their village elder told me) and I want to help them any way I can. They have been so kind to me. They take turns feeding me and my men ( I pay them of course) and they have welcomed me with open arms.

Also, I notice you use header boxes as opposed to a jet flare. In this village where I am there is big gold. The jet flare moves the material through the sluice box better. But in the main river, there is much more fine gold than big gold. From my experience, the old style header box seems to catch more fine gold than the jet flare. ( I know a lot of people disagree with me about this...this is my opinion)

The natives only pan in the creeks...they say there is no gold in the main river. I asked if they have ever tried the river. They say "no". I asked " Why not". They reply " because there is no gold in the river". But I have dredged in the river above this village and far below this village. Above there is a lot of big gold but it is too dangerous. Below, there is a lot of very fine gold but no big gold.

We found over 20 grams of gold just 20 meters from where this small stream goes in the river. And there are many streams that empty from the mountains near this place. There is about 4km of river in the territory of this tribe. And, from my understanding, they have never tried to pan in the river. Because they think there is no gold in the river. But, I am 100% sure that there is. I believe there are millions of dollars of gold here in the main river.

I am just curious if you sell individual components. Also, what is the cost of your dredge? Shipping is a major issue here, since there are no addresses or mail service. But, I have a government office several hours away that will receive packages for me. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

[goldiverpng]

Hi Mick,


I do hope that you hade a nice NY and a ready for a golden 2018!

Please send me email contact so we can communicate _directly!

Regards,

Lubo 
mob: [phone] 
email : [e-mail]