Everything about Gold Prospecting totally explained
Gold prospecting is the act of going equipped to find
gold in rocks or in stream beds with a view to exploiting that discovery. This usually means individual prospectors, as opposed to those trained and educated individuals working for mining companies. Up until the middle of the 20th century, gold prospecting was undertaken with a view to secure an area to be worked exclusively to acquire and sell the metal. In the latter part of the 20th and 21st centuries it's more commonly used to describe recreational gold hunting as pursued by individuals, especially in streams and usually on the basis of no given authority (although there are exceptions). Professionals employed by mining compaines also seek deposits of economic value, usually different types of deposits, and in different areas.
Company Prospecting
Professional prospecting involves assaying known gold provinces, often as a result of historic discoveries. Methods usually involve drilling to determine the extent of a deposit and the yield of gold per ton. Most gold mining today is achieved on a very large scale using openpits and the most advanced extraction methods, such as cyanide treatment to dissolve even the smallest particles. However, there are serious environmental concerns about such operations, so prospectors tend to search areas well away from habitation or environmentally sensitive areas of the world.
Individual Prospecting
Individual gold prospecting has been seen in many parts of the world including
New Zealand (especially in
Otago),
Australia,
South Africa,
Wales (at
Dolaucothi and in
Gwynedd), in
Canada and in the
United States especially in western states but also elsewhere. The
Department of Agriculture in the U.S. is now of the view that recreational gold
panning and gold prospecting in the general national
forest areas is permitted provided that no machinery or explosives are used, no waterways are diverted, and no permanent or semi-permanent structures are built. There are public mining areas in many states, and prospecting may allow one to stake a
Gold placer claim or other type of mining claim in certain areas.
In the
UK, gold prospecting can only take place with the explicit permission of the
Riparian owner and, even with such permission any activities that cause or permit pollution of a watercourse, even with re-suspended silt, could result in a criminal prosecution by the
Environment Agency.
Australia doesn't prevent the private ownership of any minerals found in the land. At one time if individuals were to discover gold (or any other minerals) in their property, it would belong to the Crown, being the
Australian Government and not to private entitlement. Today this isn't so, and Individuals can search and retrieve minerals with the acquisition of a miners permit that can be bought from the relevant Mining Department. The largest nugget ever found was the
Welcome Stranger of 2316 troy oz (72 kg).
Gold
lode and
placer gold in the United States and potential gold prospecting sites extends from near
Montgomery, Alabama to
Washington D.C..
North Carolina,
South Carolina,
Georgia,
Virginia and
Alabama have many gold mines and prospecting sites. These states were the main source of gold for 45 years before the
California gold discovery. The largest true California
gold nugget, known as the "Dogtown nugget," weighed 54
troy pounds (20 kg), and was found in
Magalia, California. A 195 pound troy (73 kg) mass of gold mixed with
quartz was also found. Alaska has many sites for the prospector, both public and private.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Gold Prospecting'.
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