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Gold prospecting is the act of going equipped to find Gold in rocks or in stream beds with a view to exploiting that discovery. Up until the 20th century, gold prospecting was undertaken with the intent of securing an area to be worked exclusively. In the 20th and 21st centuries it is more commonly used to describe recreational gold hunting, especially in streams and usually on the basis of no given authority (although there are exceptions). 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 California 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 is used. 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 Gold lodes 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 pounds troy (20 kg), which was found in Magalia, California . A 195 pound troy (73 kg) mass of gold mixed with quartz was also found. Successful prospecting is based on knowing where gold has been found in the past. Gold prospecting and panning is said to be the USA's fastest growing outdoor recreation. It is also popular in Otago . Some people like to pan for gold at public rights of way where bridges cross gold-bearing streams. All one needs to pan for gold is a shovel, an old dishpan or an inexpensive gold pan, a magnifying glass, a pair of tweezers and a small plastic vial in which to put your gold and a great deal of patience. Gold pans are found at hardware stores, metal detector stores, rock shops and hobby shops in areas where gold panning is popular. Patience is required to learn to find gold with these techniques. Methods ''Equipment'' Many methods can be used to recovery gold. Dredging, drywashing, panning, vacuuming, crevicing, slucing, and metal detecting are among the most common for recreation gold prospectors. ''Locations'' For beginners the best methods are to go to places where gold has been found before. A quick trip to the library or department of mines in your site will get you started on research. Also gold clubs in your area are a great way to meet other prospectors and being your gold prospecting education. Many seasoned or veteran prospectors avoid known areas and concentrate on finding "virgin" ground that no one has yet explored for gold. This takes years of field experience to be successful. Often prospectors look for old workings, an indication that other prospectors had put forth effort in the past to recovery gold in an area. In dry climates old workings and "hand stacking" are evidence that in the past "old time" prospectors put forth effort into working the wash. These types of subtle clues make up the basics of "secrets" that experienced gold prospectors keep as these clues often go unnoticed by beginners. Gold is heavy and is usually found at the bottom of dry washes, running streams and rivers. Often in the desert gold can be found on hillsides and mesas depending on soil conditions. See also |