Gold panning is a great outdoor activity that can be fun for people of all ages and ages. If you can walk slightly off the beaten path, you can search for gold. Despite the metal detectors, airlocks and other large equipment often associated with this activity, the equipment actually needed to successfully search for gold is limited, affordable and light.
The quest for gold
The quest for gold is nothing new. We are all familiar with the Gold Rush and have heard stories of the vast amounts of gold that have been found. While large deposits of gold are not as easy to find now, the total amount of gold available has not decreased significantly. There is still a lot of waiting – for you.
It is estimated that only about 15% of the available gold was found during the Gold Rush. There are currently around 1 billion kilos of gold flowing in streams in France.
Gold is present in the Grenoblois or Isère subsoils, mined in the former Chalanches concession. Isère is also gold with the mines of Gardette, a hamlet in the town of Villard-Eymond where gold is found in its native state. In 1852, in the district of Grenoble, discovery of a vein a few meters from the castle of La Motte-les-Bains.
What you need to know to get started
A good thing about panning for gold is that there really isn’t much you need to know to find gold on a regular basis. The information needed to get started is pretty basic and any good prospecting store will have the answers for you.
Learn about local laws on gold panning and usher staking. As a general rule, it is legal for a person to dig for gold anywhere they want, as long as they only pan. Some exceptions include native reserves and wildlife reserves. Landowners usually do not own any waterways that cross their land, but it is wise to seek permission in the event of dogs or other dangers. As a hobbyist, you can even dig for gold on a staked claim, but the claim owner can get restless and maybe ruin your day – or worse.
Research the geology and history of the area you are visiting by visiting a prospecting store. If there is no gold in this area, then there is no point in trying. However, there may be other valuable items like silver, platinum, or gems that can be salvaged.
Learn how gold flows along a stream. For example, gold often stops moving when it hits low flow water. Due to its density, gold will quickly sink to the bottom of any dirt and rock. This means that gold is usually found behind a rock in a stream when the water eddies.
Get basic training on how to make gold. Gold panning is not difficult, but the right technique can be the difference between finding a lot or just a little.
Learn how to identify the gold in your pan. Once you’ve seen it, you can’t go wrong. Most prospecting stores have gold flakes to place on hand and if you ask nicely enough they can allow you to pan a flake with water and fine gravel.
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