I look for gold, but along the way...
Utah is mineral and gem rich. During active prospecting times, gold did not run out ~ people just stopped looking. 19th century writings of prospecting and mining in Utah are a "goldmine " of information, indicating the extent of the wealth.
Utah is home to a world's largest open-cut copper mine, the Bingham Mine, seen in the distance from my home in Sandy UT, as well as from space. The Bingham Mine is a disappeared mountain from ninety years of digging, now a mile deep, producing gold as well as copper.
Early 20th century Sandy boasted near thirty hotels to cater for the silver mining in the Cottonwood Canyons of the Wasatch Front. At one time three smelters were in operation.
There are expectation hints of mineral wealth thoughout the State with local names like Eureka and El Dorado.
A bucketful of earth from somewhere in the state, my goldpan and some running water keep me occupied for hours. I search for hints... and along the way get to make observations with a USB microscope. Hints of color and crystal, mineral salts and mysterious specks... Adsorbing and interesting.
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