Gold prospecting using a metal detector

[Terri Yaki]

let us know how you do. The idea of diamond chunks flowing down the river is like something out of a movie  Who knows, maybe gold flows down too!

From what I've seen on Gold Rush, it does. But being heavy, it would take some heavy flows to move big chunks, flakes would get moved around more easily.

[Lesgold]

That was an interesting article Biggbees. Thanks for posting the link. Looks like most of the remaining diamonds will always underwater now. Good luck with your adventure.

[Lesgold]

Joe and I went for a longer walk today looking for that large nugget. It was one of those days where targets were scarce and no matter what we did, nothing abut a few pieces of lead shot turned up. Eventually Joe managed to score a small piece under a plant that was growing on the edge of the creek. A couple of hours later I had a screaming signal on a cliff face about 10 feet up from the dry creek bed. I thought it was definitely rubbish but it turned out to be a nice, chunky little nugget. Towards the end of the day, I decided to dig some gravel away to expose a rock bar that was pushing its way into the creek bed. I thought it was the perfect gold trap and was pleasantly surprised to get a broad but subtle signal indicating a metallic object that was reasonably deep. I dug out some more gravel and this is what appeared as I dragged some material out of the hole.

[Lesgold]

It was a nice little chunk that helped to make the day. When we got back to the ute, I noticed that Joes long pants were covered in blood on both legs. Some leaches took a liking to him and had a merry time munching away and getting quite fat. He is on blood thinners and tends to bleed well when the little suckers latch on.

[Lesgold]

Joe and I went for a play up a well known gold bearing creek. We had never detected there before and were surprised at the amount of rubbish in the stream. There were pieces of old, large diameter pipe strewn along the length of the creek. It would have been used in the old days to run water down stream to hydraulically sluice the banks in order to capture the gold. Unfortunately, access to the creek was simple which meant the area had copped a lot of attention over the years. I managed to squeeze a couple of small bits out of the banks as well as quite a few lead shot and pieces of rusted steel.

[Lesgold]

Haven?t had a chance to get out prospecting over the past few months so I decided to photograph 2024?s finds and lock it away. There were a couple of nice little chunks in the pile.

[Ben Framed]

The pile itself was a good chunk! Thanks Les for keeping this topic moving. I Have really enjoyed reading of your prospecting while viewing your pictures. So interesting and appreciated! PS are you planning another cross country trip? That series was awesome!

Phillip

[Terri Yaki]

I'm jealous of that pile, Les. If I was you, I'd be inclined to hang out at the cruise ship dock, selling them to tourists.

[Lesgold]

The pile would have been better if it was much higher lol. The main thing is the memories that the hunts generated. Not sure about about a trip this year Phillip. Family stuff may be the focus for the immediate future. Will be back to the usual haunts when the weather cools down a bit. That?s funny Terri Y. Selling gold nuggets is quite easy. It?s surprising how popular an investment they are.

[Lesgold]

It was nice to have a reprieve from the hot weather. We had a cool day yesterdays so a couple of mates joined me for a session out in the bush. It?s been almost 4 months since the gold fever was tended to so having a day out was critical to fixing the problem. Not much of a return as far as weight goes but any gold is a bonus.

[Ben Framed]

And no doubt y'all had a nice time searching and enjoying the outdoors.

[buzzbee]

Inquiring minds want to know,
what would those pieces of gold be worth?

[Terri Yaki]

Inquiring minds want to know,
what would those pieces of gold be worth?

Not much, they're only on a dime there. I'd still like to have them though.

[The15thMember]

Not much, they're only on a dime there. I'd still like to have them though.

Do keep in mind that an Australian dime is roughly the size of the US quarter.

[Terri Yaki]

Do keep in mind that an Australian dime is roughly the size of the US quarter.

Well that's nice, they're a little bigger than I thought they were. I am always amazed when I look at them and from their shape and characteristics, it's obvious that they were molten when they were formed. Then add in that much of it is found 100' down, it makes a mystery of the whole process.

[buzzbee]

I think finding raw gold would be fun.

[Lesgold]

Hi Folks,

I?ve been away for a few weeks attending to some pressing issues so it was good to get home and go out for a play in the bush. We had to do a bit of digging but eventually my mate and I came home with 3 pieces. One was a nice piece that has a bit of size to it. The question has been asked as to the value of the pieces that I?ve posted. As an example, the three pieces in todays photo would have a value of approximately $420 dollars (Australian). It was a nice day out and to come home with one nice piece is a real bonus. Got hit with a couple of leeches and they had a nice meal at my expense. I?ll post a photo later.

[Ben Framed]

Thanks Les for posting your successful prospecting results. It's really good to see your post! I've missed you these past few weeks.

And yes when time allows, fill us in about the leaches. It seems a man can't make an honest living these days without leaches trying to suck our blood!

[Kathyp]

Glad to see you back. We were getting a bit worried. 

Nice finds!

[Michael Bush]

For Sale: Golden Retriever. Have had her 9 months, has yet to retrieve gold.
Should have just bought metal detector.