New Zealand Gold Prospecting & Metal Detecting Forums Archive

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Gudday - Please help

jhmurdoch		Posted : Sunday, 22 July 2012 10:16:41 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Dust Groups: Registered Joined: 16/01/2012(UTC) Posts: 5 Thanks: 4 times		Hi there.. Ever since my dad use to take me to the arrow river with a home made sluice, I have been fascinated with gold. Now that life has moved so quickly, i now have my own family and ever since that gold rush alaska show screened, I have had an obsession with researching gold mining in the south island. I now live in Christchurch and have been trying to find a place to take my kids gold panning/sluicing. The cost involved in purchasing a claim seems very high and for the amount of time I could spend fosiking would not be worth while. I see on the crown minerals site that there is designated fossiking areas but the thought of going to an area that has been turned over heaps does not really appeal. I emailed a couple of people on trademe that were selling claims to see if they would mind if i had a crack on their claim..offered beer and $$ but neither was keen. Does anyone here know of any good buggers out there that have a claim in the west coast area that i could have a crack at with a sluice and a pan? would be happy to split what i find...probably will be bugger all as im knew at this but would happily supply beer etc In my research i see that some people just grab the map of claims off the crown minerals site and go have a go at an area that has not been claimed. I asked the guy at crown minerals if I could dunk my pan in a river and as you will know, I am not allowed to go anywhere except for gold fossiking areas or on someones claim. Anyway thanks for your time in reading my story. Cheers Justin

gavin		Posted : Sunday, 22 July 2012 11:18:26 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Administrators, Registered Joined: 20/02/2010(UTC) Posts: 1,326 Location: Christchurch Thanks: 736 times Was thanked: 535 time(s) in 287 post(s)		Hi Justin, I remembered kiwikeith offered people the chance to have a play on his claim for a small fee. He's a good sort - very friendly and approachable. You'll find him here on the forums - might help you out ;) Cheers, Gavin
		WWW

gjj109		Posted : Sunday, 22 July 2012 11:47:02 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Medals: Groups: Registered Joined: 14/03/2011(UTC) Posts: 464 Location: Thames Thanks: 217 times Was thanked: 194 time(s) in 115 post(s)		Hi Justin, You won't find a heap of gold at the public fossicking areas, but you will find some gold. They are good to go to with the kids. Easy to get to and most you can camp at. A good place to develop your skills as there is usually someone willing to share expertise. Shamrock creek, or Goldsborough, as many know it, is probably your closest. Good Luck, wherever you end up.

kiwikeith		Posted : Monday, 23 July 2012 9:53:12 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Medals: Groups: Registered Joined: 28/06/2011(UTC) Posts: 648 Location: hector Thanks: 359 times Was thanked: 230 time(s) in 154 post(s)		golds brough is always a certainty just ground sluice down to the parpa always get a couple of gram for a weekend got to shift some rock though

jhmurdoch		Posted : Monday, 23 July 2012 2:32:25 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Dust Groups: Registered Joined: 16/01/2012(UTC) Posts: 5 Thanks: 4 times		Thanks for your replies. Much appreciated. will give goldsborough a crack. cheers Kiwikeith, I will PM you.

goldtimer		Posted : Friday, 27 July 2012 6:39:26 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Flake Groups: Registered Joined: 8/05/2010(UTC) Posts: 26 Location: New Zealand Thanks: 5 times Was thanked: 11 time(s) in 9 post(s)		Just because they are fossicking areas doesn't mean there is no good gold left in them. Learnt this first hand.