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Gold panning

2K views 6 replies 7 participants last post by  SurferJoe 
#1 ·
Just wondering if anyone on the planet had done any panning before. I recently thought about trying it (mostly for the adventure) because I found out one of the places I wheel at has been known as a good spot for panning for over 100 years when the streams are running.

Im not looking to make any money or anything like that, its just Ive always wanted to do like the old pioneers and prospecters would, crouching beside the river swishin' for pure gold straight from the earth. 8) I dont expect to be that successful either but im more in it for the sense of adventure! 8)

I was told to try under rocks and look for sand deposits but thats about it. Wouldnt know how to use the pan to look for gold in it. Also do you usually find it in small flakes or shiney little crumbles? From what Ive seen youre supposed to find some concentrate? sand and swish wash it over with water. I wouldnt know how to look for the gold though. :? I figured Id ask here for some info lol.
 
#2 ·
I've done it plenty of times.
Its really no big mystery. The main idea is that gold is many times heavier than the sand and the swirling and tapping of the pan gets the gold to settle to the bottom as you try to swish the sand up and out of the pan with just enough momentum...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AehfoPl ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PciHNVV ... re=related

The best places to start looking are the washes below old mines in the cracks and crevices where the rushing water slows or gets obstructed and drops the gold. Down to the bottom of cracks, under rocks and roots.
You are basicly washing the dirt in the land's low spots.
 
#3 ·
ive been wanting to do that as well. I know that uwharrie where we wheel has been known to produce a little gold. NOthing big but it would still be fun
 
#4 ·
Been doing it for many years... from California to North Carolina.
Most of what I've found, I've given away as souvenirs to family and friends. :roll:

Couple of tips....
Gold is one of the heaviest minerals around... so it follows the path of least resistance in creeks/streams and rivers.

Look at the base/under big rocks and boulders that aren't likely to move.

Look in the cracks and crevices of bedrock... especially in the ones that run perpendicular to the flow of water... it can't sink any deeper than bedrock. :D

Don't just look in the water... also look and dig where the water has flowed at a higher level (just dig a little deeper).

It pretty much won't sink through heavy clay... wash the clay in a bucket to break it down and then pan it.

Look for "black sand" (iron ore) in your pan.... keep a magnet handy to pull it out of the pan before the final few rinses.

Anubis... The wife and I did some panning/sluicing at this years April Uwharrie... Janet told us where to look. :D
If you're interested in giving it a try and are attending the Hallo'wharrie, let me know.

Here are a couple of links to read.... WARNING.... Once you find your 1st piece of gold... welllll, it'll be like the 1st mod you did to your truck. :lol:

http://forum.treasurenet.com/#4 Go down to the "Prospecting" section.

http://www.goldprospectors.org/

http://www.tomashworth.com/

HTH
Van
 
#7 ·
I dry pan and have some success at it that way.

I had a BLM permit for the Dos Cabezos Pass near Anza-Borrego Springs. I had a partner and we brought in a few hundred dollars in a week...not too bad...but not a living.

My deceased wife found a full 1/2 ounce nugget once in a stream bed where everyone was running dune buggies all over the place.

We also found a lot of "Leaveright" too.

That's the "Leave-'er-right-there" mineral.
 
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