New Zealand Gold Prospecting & Metal Detecting Forums Archive

Hello, there seems to be plenty of people on these forums digging in the DOC areas, and while I've dug in a few of them, I reckon they are too crowded. So,I Thought I'd ask the obvious.
There MUST be a few places operated by the big guys, where they don't mind fossickers, so where are they?

I reckon it's an obvious question, probably because one of my favourite spots is on the Aorere River in Golden Bay, and on someones claim, too. Danny Walkers' claim runs from the rockville Bridge up to the James' road bridge, five kilometers up I think, and its good all the way along. At the James road bridge (the upstream end) he posted a map showing his claim area, and claim number, and stated on it,

"fossickers are welcome on this claim so long as no motorised equipment is used"

I have taken advantage of this most generous offer several times and if the offer still stands, the gold is superb, heavy flakes where I've tried, and in good numbers. With every type of fossicking method usable somewhere along the claim.
Will dig out the photos and post when I find them. Mr Walker mined in the Lyell professionally in the eighties I believe, and is still mining today, in Siberia during our winter. He is my hero. Top bloke to open his claim up like that.
Danny was in the Golden Bay phone book last time I was out that way.
There are also two DOC areas to try further up. More on that later.
Joe

sounds like the place i have been looking for, i must try it up there this holidays.
thanks for the info joe

Cheers Gavin, Hatter,
Until recently 'Pear tree flat' further up the Wakamarina, was not listed on the MED permits web map as being under claim, and that was my favoured place, I've met xterra steve,(I think..) and a few other regular Waka fossickers up there, but until I can ask the new claim holders for the OK to scour a few flakes, the old "Big Beach" river claim is OOB, Out Of Bounds; by my rules, anyway.
If I had ten grand, I'd buy in to the claim futher up past Butchers' flat that is on Trademe at the moment!!

Warm fingers and toes,
Joe.[

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Edited by user Thursday, 16 September 2010 2:29:04 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Hi gavin.
Yea thats rite the 49er,s were doing that and look were that end,d up!! at the end of the day if things go according to plan youl be able to go wonder the rivers and streams anyway....fingers xd.

Hi Justjoe, are you living in the Golden Bay area. I'm on my way over there, having spent the past week on the Wakamarina. Was good to see the info you posted about fossicking spots up the Aerore Valley... I hear there is a camping area up there as well. On the Wakamarina I was finding around a gram a day [deep creek area... just past Pinedale].. thanks to an old sluice box lent to me by Xterra Steve... and a local who showed me how to pan prtoperly. The fly in the ointment for me thoygh was classifying shoeled material [did it the hard way] and my main mission is to find something more efficient to classify with... ie save the back a bit. Maybe see you in the Aorere valley, Roman.

Funny you mention your fav spot is 2 metres under gravel. The spot I was finding a bit in had the overburden scoured away by the floods. The local guy I met [Donald] said the rock used to be a good 2 metres or so ABOVE the present level where we were at...exposing material that may have been there a good twenty years. Just goes to show the river can throw up all sorts of tricks. Off to the Aorere now.

Edited by user Monday, 28 February 2011 7:40:57 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Roman, mate, old Don is a true treasure I reckon!! He's pure gold through and through, No carpet in his box, nothing, just some wooden slats set in the bottom of his box, I couldn't watch his flakes float down and disappear in the slats one day when we were sharing a hole up at pear tree flat, I like to watch my flakes accumulate, he's been at it so long it doesn't bother him!! Really nice guy. One of the last of the "hatters". He doesn't put you wrong, and isn't scared to share tips or opinions!! If he's digging, there's gold there.

And Gavin, if I get a chance to go out to Aorere this summer, I'll PM you, no worries. I've yet to get together with anyone from NZGFF, but I reckon when It happens, it'll be more fun just talking s##t afterwards at the pub!!

Heavy pans, warm toes. Joe.

Edited by user Monday, 28 February 2011 12:18:48 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Hello John, No, I haven't met a Lofty in Canvastown, I've not met many locals up there,though Don is a highlight. Bainham is high on my list of 'to gets', but I've yet to (properly) read it, the same old story, other things like rego and warrant get in the way!! If he was into our hobby, and living there, it does seem likely he is still around, though. I wouldn't move, would you?!!! Next time I see Don, I'll ask, if Don don't know, no-one does!! The Aorere was an enormous surprise to my mate Mike, a part-time wrong island prospector for many decades, I took him to where I panned for the FIRST time ('wild'), turned over a rock HE chose,about the size of a girl guide biscuit box, and he got colours first pan. Gobsmacked him, he'd never had it happen before. Second/third pan, OK, but the first?? Must've been his Dads' pan we both used....
Heavy pans,warm toes. Joe.