The Find
On August 20, 2024 I discovered an eluvial placer deposit in the Central Colorado volcanic field using a metal detector. Over 180 native metal nuggets were found. It was clear from the start that these nuggets were different from gold, silver and platinum physically and chemically. They were less dense than gold, silver and platinum and most of them reacted violently with hydrochloric acid. Some were heavily corroded and plagued with inorganic salts, carbonaceous material and mineral deposits. X-ray fluoroscopy found these nuggets to be genuine native aluminum, brass, iron and zinc, including 3 nuggets of previously unknown copper alloys.
August 14, 2026 Update: The aluminum, brass, copper alloy and zinc deposit is approximately 20 feet in known diameter. A smaller deposit approximately 4 feet in diameter and located about 100 feet away from the first deposit contained 4 specimens. These 4 specimens were analyzed by XRF and were found to be native lead. The largest pieces of volcanic glass were found with the lead deposit.