New Zealand Gold Prospecting & Metal Detecting Forums Archive

hi all,

i'm a relatively new member.

i'm based in queenstown and have been actively prospecting in the region for several years.

like many i guess its in my blood. one of my relatives paid his farm off by mining gold in his spare time on an old claim within his farm down athol way. my grandad was also always tinkering with some gold project. i remember he built quite a nice rocker with the base of an old pram. as a youngster we often headed out on trips to places like blur spur to pan.

i spent a few summers down in the local riverbed where i learnt a heap using a sluicebox. i met a heap of people down there (and some members) and learnt a lot off them too - it was quite a public and busy spot.

i generally use a sluicebox as i find it enjoyable in the summer heat down in the water courses.

i also have a goldbug2. i haven't used this as much as i would like. i think i have it sussed with how it works and its settings. another member has helped my with this as he has a goldbug2 also. i just need to get out of the habit and get out of the riverbed and up the mountainside. problem is its so hot usually and theres also the access problem. and the terrain is not exactly flat so its hard going. so far i have found everything but gold with this detector!

i work for myself as a photographer and are on call so i never manage to get too far from town over the busy months. now its heading into autumn the water levels will hopefully drop (and the temp in the backcountry) and i want to get out for some more exploring. if anyone is in the area give me a yell. keen to head out.

i've attached a pic of some of the gold i have found so far.