Gold prospecting can be a fun hobby that gets you out in nature and the fresh air. With a bit of perseverance, practice, and luck, it could also earn you a few dollars. The following tips can help you break into this relaxing yet exciting hobby.
1. Location Scouting and Permissions
One of the simplest ways to determine where to look for gold is to check online forums or talk to local prospecting clubs or equipment suppliers. As a general guideline, running water, particularly shallow creeks or areas where streams merge, tend to be the best places to search for gold. If the site you choose is on public land, be aware that you may need a permit or there may be daily limits on the amount of material you can remove. For privately owned spots, simply make sure to get permission first before coming onto the land.
2. Personal Safety
Once you know where to go it's time to focus on safety. Sunscreen and protective clothing is a must. You may want to wear knee pads, such as those designed for gardening, to avoid cutting up your legs as you kneel on river banks. Work or gardening gloves can protect your fingers. Bring eye protection if you anticipate breaking open any rocks. Further, make sure someone knows where you are going and when you expect to return. Finally, be aware of your surroundings. The same streams that are great for panning also attract wildlife. Avoid a section of stream bank if it shows scat or footprints that indicate it is a favorite watering hole for a local bear or cougar.
3. Prospecting Equipment
The final key to a successful and relaxing day out is to make sure you have the right equipment. At the very least, you need a gold pan, preferably one with riffles in the bottom and a classifier screen on top to help sort out soil. Gold is heavier than most other minerals you will find in a stream, so panning to separate out the heavy minerals from the light is a simple way to find gold. You can also use a portable sluice box. These boxes are designed so you can pour material into the top of the chute and the heavier minerals are sifted out as the lighter once drift away. Other useful tools include a geologists pick and a prospecting trowel.
Contact a gold prospecting equipment supplier for more help.
Share14 May 2020
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