pay dirt†

Placer Mining

DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

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gold-bearing gravel.

Quotations

1863

The "Gumboots" or Welsh Company, struck the pay-dirt in their new shaft and took out twenty-four ounces in about three hours, in coarse gold.

1881

The pay dirt, or gold bearing gravel, varies from eight inches to four feet in depth.

1966

. . . fire swept Barkerville down to the pay dirt. . . .

deposits of any kind rich enough to merit mining.

1953

Biggest event at Uranium City and environs since Gunner Gold struck pay-dirt has been the organization of the stabilized mining camps by Mine-Mill.

1957

Red dust -- "pay dirt"--covers every window sill.