Every year prospectors and rock hounds search Wyoming for gold, gemstones, and other attractive rocks and minerals; the Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS) has now made this hunt easier.

Two new information pamphlets about prospecting are now available for download on the WSGS Web site at http://www.wsgs.uwyo.edu/djvu/default.aspx. Information Pamphlet (IP) 11 entitled Guide to Prospecting and Rock Hunting in Wyoming, and IP-12 entitled Searching for Placer Diamonds are by W. Dan Hausel, senior economic geologist of the metals and precious stones section at the Survey.

According to Hausel, these pamphlets are general guides for the general public to help them find mineral deposits. Essentially these guides give information on where to find mineral deposits, how to find the deposits, and how to identify the minerals.

IP-11 describes the common rocks and minerals in Wyoming and their general locations. It also summarizes the history of prospecting in Wyoming and shows how one would claim and develop their prospecting discoveries. Beginning prospectors would find this pamphlet useful.

IP-12 shows how to identify diamonds using their unique physical properties. It gives a detailed description of diamonds and covers diamond discoveries in the Colorado-Wyoming State Line district. Hausel believes there is a high potential for finding placer diamonds near the area.

Both publications will be available in print by the end of September. Each pamphlet is free of charge and is available at the WSGS Publications Sales Office on the University of Wyoming campus in Laramie. Orders can also be placed by the phone, fax, or e-mail (sales-wsgs@uwyo.edu).

For more information on this topic please contact:
W. Dan Hausel, dhausel@uwyo.edu
Phone: 307 766-2286 x229

Sales: (307)766-2286 x224
Fax: (307)766-2605
Email: sales-wsgs@uwyo.edu

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