Gold Prospecting. Seven Items You Will Need For a Successful Hunt

Gold prospecting can be very lucrative if you are prepared to do it right. But it takes time to carry out a thorough search.

The books tell us that there is a great deal more gold in the ground than ever has been discovered. You just need to go out there and track it down.

One of the most popular prospecting methods is to use a metal detector.

The Garret Model 2500. Click Photo for details.

This detector will find the smallest gold nuggets down to a depth of a foot under the surface.

Gold has been around for thousands of years. When you look around at people today wearing the gold watch, gold rings, and the gold coins stored away in collections you begin to realize just how much a part of our lives it has become.

Back in the 1890 era gold was discovered in the Yukon territory in Canada. Millions of dollars worth of the yellow metal came out before the rush dies down, however, placer gold is still being mined there probably more than ever.

Placer gold is what is found by the prospector with the pan. Placer gold is gold that is found in the gravel of rivers and streams and is loose in the ground. The gold bearing gravel and sand is placed in the pan, filled with water, and swished around until the sand and rocks are washed out leaving only the gold lying in the pan.

Auriferous deposits are where the gold is found in veins in the rock and must be mined out. For now we will assume that you may be interested in prospecting for placer gold. There are certain items you will need to do and have.

• Gold Prospecting License. Anyone can get one for about $5.00 or so depending where you live. The Department of Mines generally is where you apply. Fill out the simple form and they will give you a license, booklet on where to prospect and where not to do so, and claim tags.
• Mining and Rockhounding Maps. If you go to the claims office you will be able to view any of the maps that they have on hand for their state or province. Almost every square inch of your district has been mapped. The maps show every mining claim that exists. Not every map is a topographical one so you may want to buy maps for the area you intend to prospect.
• GPS unit. This is a very handy tool to take along, especially if you are in a heavily wooded area. Other than that you need a good compass.
• Hand Tools & Accessories. Hammer, brush, shovel, surveyors tape, a few nails, axe.
• Gold Pans. There are many different types so suffice to say that you need one to work with.
• Notebook with pens or pencils. You want to keep good notes while you move about the area.
• Gold Prospecting Books are a must.
• Pry bar. Again there are many different types available. You will use this to move stones and pry pieces out of the way.

Now there may be other items you want to take along with you but these are the basics. Read your prospectors book of rules and become familiar with the ins and outs of prospecting before you go out to give it a try.

Good luck to you.

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