[TigersEye]

I guess I’m getting tired. I don’t see a study mentioned in the article. At any rate, mining operations can be big and use a lot of land other than what sits right on top of the ore.

[Smokin' Joe]

"A US Geological Survey Bulletin (1740-B)..." Available here shows the area of investigation to be east of Jackass Mountain, to the south. In volcanic terrain (caldera, with ring dikes and associated mineralization) location is everything. You are on the feature, in a mineralized zone or outside of that with no goodies. If I am reading this right, the Hammond Ranch is quite a way to the north.

That doesn't mean there are no minerals on the Hammond Ranch, it just means the study does not support the conclusion that there are with the data given.