My theory is that JJ dropped the $180 million number to Discovery because the show was filmed back when Amarant was still going to pay $180 million for ADL.
That's a very plausible theory. But where are the "300 gold mines" he was said to own?
I agree that the $180 million figure was most likely a reference to the $180 million Amarant deal which was either lost in translation somewhere between JJ, the Hoffmans, and the Gold Rush producers...certainly without any care to get the facts correct. The Hoffmans couldn't even get his name right (nor did JJ even try to correct it), so I wouldn't put any credence to anything spoken off the cuff on the show.
As far as the 300 mines are concerned, that was also something either misinterpreted or lost in translation, but there could very well be 300 mines under JJ Quijano's ownership. Below is a partial list of some of the known properties registered under JJ's name with Chile's Servicio Nacional de Minera (www.sernageomin.cl). http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=75522962
Some of the properties no doubt have mines on them, some of them are probably just prospecting claims. Regardless, the claim of JJ owning 300 mines is not implausible given his vast mining property ownership. Whether any of the 300 mines are of any financial significance (aside from ADL and LDM) is a different topic.
Regardless, I found the show to be over-theatrical and slipshod, but what else would you expect from North American "reality" shows and the Hoffman crew.
News 
Market Data 
Discover 
