Meetings
Meetings Second Wednesday of every month – 7:30 PM (Social time 7PM-7:30PM)
Emery Hall
537 Glencairn Lane
Victoria B.C.
Click here or on the map to open in Google Maps!
2022/23 Meeting Schedule: * NB – All Meetings Are Held the Second Wednesday of Every Month.
2023 – JUNE 14 NEXT MEETING
VIPMA Board
President
Joe Bellows
Vice-President
Sean Maruca
Secretary
Dhilan Zermano
Treasurer
Mac MacDonald
Director
Keith Nemeth
Director
Chris Eubank
Outing Hosts 2023
Joe Bellows
Sean Maruca
Dhilan Zermeno
ATTENTION: change of venue 2023
Starting May 10, 2023 – VIPMA meetings will be held at Emery Hall – 537 Glencairn Ln. Victoria, BC V9B2B3
VIPMA – Meetings – 2nd Wednesday of the Month
VIPMA
LEECHTOWN HISTORY
2016 VIPMA spearheaded a project to replace the Cairn – the project centered on the 2016 – 150th Anniversary of the Discovery of Gold At Leechtown.
Various stakeholders contributed to it’s imminent success under the direction of Donna Chaytor – VIPMA Admin.
July 19, 2016 the new Leechtown Monument was unveiled by The Honorable Judith Guichon and President Bruce Chaytor of VIPMA.
Information:
The original bronze Cairn Plaque was stolen many years ago. If the plaque could be found and returned to VIPMA it would be appreciated as it is an integral part of this history.
Please contact info@vipma.ca if anyone has information regarding this plaque. It may be just buried in a basement somewhere, collecting dust, we believe it belongs in the Sooke Museum.
Nugget found by member Ron Walton. Photo “approx. size of the nugget”. This beautiful nugget is our mascot – great find Martin’s Gulch – Vancouver Island.
PLACER MINING/WIKIPEDIA
Placer a term derived from Spanish, placera, meaning “alluvial sand.” It refers to mining precious metal deposits (particularly gold and gemstones) found in these deposits – of sand and gravel in modern or ancient stream beds.. The metal and/or gemstones, moved by stream flow from original sources such as a vein, is typically only a minuscule portion of the total deposit. Containing material may be too loose to safely mine by tunneling. Where water under pressure is available, it is used to mine, move, and separate precious material from the deposit. Placer mining (pronounced “plass-er”) is the mining of alluvial deposits for minerals. This may be done by open-pit (also called open-cast mining) or by various forms of tunneling into ancient riverbeds. Excavation may be accomplished using water pressure (hydraulic mining) surface excavating equipment or tunneling equipment.
On Vancouver Island only soft mining is practiced at our club claims, hand tools such as shovels, pans, spoons, small pick axes are used in prospecting for gold, both as a recreational activity and as an effort to make extra money. Club Members are extremely cautious and cooperative to follow all rules, and not dirty water.
The gold pan is important. Whether dredging, using large equipment such as trommels and other equipment, it all comes down to panning it out.
VIPMA will host panning demonstrations at the Rock and Gem Show held annually. Come and try your hand at panning this March 17, 18, and 19 2023 – Leonardo da Vinci Centre.
Member Sue Kristiansen – at the Rock and Gem Show
Finding gold is elusive – the mother lode a quest by many. A great time with family or friends, exploring rivers, learning geology, discovering forestry, learning about wildlife having a fine time. Simply play with rocks, water and mud. Gold is where you find it – work hard you may find a few nuggets.
Majestic Roosevelt Elk Sub. Member Kenny Jamieson
