Tom Lehrer died yesterday (Sat) in Massachusetts. Born in April 1928, he was 97. Famous for his satirical songs in the 50s and 60s, The Elements, The Wild West, and The Old Dope Peddler were among his best known. He stopped performing after releasing 3 albums, the last reaching #18, in 1967 and spent the rest of his life teaching at places such as MIT and UC. He also worked for the forerunner of DOE, the Atomic Energy Commission. I used to listen to a lot of his stuff.

Not a stupid person.

To tell the truth, I didn't know he was still alive.

RIP, Mr Lehrer

16-to-1 Mine sample

The 16-to-1 mine was discovered in 1896, now on the south side of Alleghany, California (Nevada County - about 30 miles NE of Nevada City). If it weren't California, I'd be living up in those hills.

A hard rock mine, the 16-to-1 has produced over 1 million oz of high grade gold ore. Much of the ore is worth more as specimens than as gold. It is still in production but on a minor scale, producing specimens rather than bullion. One of its most productive days occurred in 1993 when 2600 oz were removed from a single pocket. The average density exceeds 1oz/ton.

When I was in that business, I had a chance to work in this mine. The quartz veins were shot with gold; I've never before or since seen such rich ore, including a stint with Newmont Gold; including museum samples. I was once privileged enough to be invited into the vault ...

The average density at 16-to-1 is 1oz/ton; the good rock may be 10oz/pound. Newmont - at the time I was there - considered 0.1oz/ton to be a very rich property.

I don't have the gold bug ... but sometimes I come close to the edge.