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prospecting Perth

6 Beginner-Friendly Tips for Prospecting Gold – What to Know

Are you planning on prospecting gold for fun?

If you are, then consider yourself lucky, as thanks to modern tech, there’s now a wide range of equipment that supports this fun activity. Furthermore, there are a lot of areas designated specifically to prospecting gold. Should you want to prospect gold on private property, you may also acquire the necessary permits.

Of course, all may sound a little overwhelming for the first-time gold prospector. Thankfully, we’ve put together some of our best tips on how to best start this niche hobby:

1. Assess this history of the land

In Western Australia we have well-mapped goldfields, which means there is a wealth of information from the department of mines and other resources that can point you in the right direction. Firstly research as much information as you can about the area — ask around, look online, and join social media groups as well as forums that can provide you with valuable details about the land. When you have enough land information, you can evaluate whether it’s the right place to prospect for gold or not.

2. Check online

There is a lot of information that you can get online about places to mine. You can use the dmp.wa.gov.au website to access Tengraph maps which will allow you to see areas that are open for prospecting. There is also mobile applications such as Happy prospector and Trilobite solutions that also have this information in a mobile platform. Google Earth is also great for finding visible old mines and other areas that you can potentially explore. Use the satellite image layer to look for any pieces of evidence of past mining activity. You can also use mapping software that will let you navigate remote gold mining areas.

3. Start in dense areas

For gold prospectors, areas near ancient streams and rivers have a high potential for gold. These areas produce an erosion that makes it easier to uncover gold. Usually, the gold collects in the tributaries and diversions of the main channel, which means it’s a good idea to start in these areas first.

4. Get down and dirty

When you’re prospecting gold, it’s unavoidable to get dirty. When you’re in dense areas near rivers or streams, you need to get down deep into the sediment to find gold if you are panning. Therefore, expect to get dirty while you’re at it. If you really want to find that gold, you need to be willing to get covered in mud and soil. Don’t worry though! If you find what you’re looking for, then it’ll be worth it in the end.

5. Focus on the inside of bends in rivers

Don’t forget to bring a shovel with you when you’re prospecting gold. Check out the shoreline for gold and the inside of bends where heavy sediments will fall and be trapped. Dig up some dirt from close to the shoreline to check. Use water from the nearby water source to screen the pan to determine if there’s gold in the soil.

6. Be patient

There is little chance that you’ll find gold on your first try, and that’s completely okay. In beginner gold prospecting, consider yourself a young, inexperienced padawan. AKA you’ll need to practice the skill of patience to achieve your goals.

Conclusion

Are you ready to prospect gold? Prospecting gold is a fun hobby, but it does require a lot of patience. Since you’re new to this, it would be helpful to follow the tips listed above. You might not find gold the first time, but the journey will definitely be exciting. All in all, make sure you enjoy the process, as gold prospecting can offer a ton of opportunities for growth and learning.

If you’re in need of equipment for prospecting gold in Perth, get in touch with us today to see how we can help!