How to Snipe & Crevice Mine
Extract gold from bedrock cracks and crevices in Oregon creeks using precision tools and technique.
Introduction
Crevicing pulls gold from the bedrock’s natural traps. Precision tools and patience let you recover fines and the occasional picker from cracks others miss.
Equipment and Materials
- Crevicing tools, brushes, and snuffer bottle
- Small pan or finishing pan
- Safety gear: gloves, eye protection
Step-by-Step Instructions
1) Locate productive bedrock
Target exposed or shallow bedrock in slowed water zones and along inside bends.
2) Clear overburden and expose cracks
Remove loose gravels, then brush and pick material from cracks carefully.
3) Recover and pan concentrates
Collect heavies and pan methodically; use finishing pan for fines.
4) Rinse and recheck
Flush cracks and re-run to ensure you didn’t leave behind gold.
Pro Tips
- Follow cracks aligned with flow; perpendicular ones often silt up.
- Use bright headlamp/inspection mirror to see into deep fissures.
- Keep a magnetic pickup to separate black sands quickly.
Common Mistakes
- Rushing the cleanup; crevicing rewards patience.
- Skipping PPE in tight spaces around rock.
- Leaving tailings on bedrock—always re-pan to check losses.
Troubleshooting
If cracks yield little, move laterally along the same bedrock contact or seek downstream pockets.
FAQ
Do I need scuba/snorkel? Not for most shallow creeks; optional for sniping deeper holes.
Best tools? Slim picks, dental tools, and turkey baster or crevicing suction tools.
Conclusion
Thorough, careful work turns tiny cracks into steady gold—even on worked creeks.
Related guides: Read River Morphology · Process Concentrates