New Zealand Gold Prospecting & Metal Detecting Forums Archive

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Wangapeka River

digger37		Posted : Monday, 16 May 2011 11:14:03 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 26/04/2010(UTC) Posts: 34 Location: Nelson Thanks: 7 times Was thanked: 16 time(s) in 8 post(s)		Hi all, About a month back, I decided to take a trip to the Wangapeka river after checking out the mining permits etc and finding there was actually some spots left to go I headed off from Nelson to make my fortune....Although the weather was a bit dodgy when I got there I soldierd on getting a bit of colour here there and finally finding a place with some red wash on bottom (black iron sand gone rusty...) getting about 10 colours a dish it was time to get the sluice box out and get my fortune after 3 hours I'd had enough, the sand flies had there fill....I washed up getting some nice round little bits etc not the best day I've had but if you are looking for a day out chasing the yella stuff give the wangapeka a try you never know your luck.... Digger Edited by user Monday, 16 May 2011 11:29:32 AM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified digger37 attached the following image(s):

1864hatter		Posted : Monday, 16 May 2011 11:42:29 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 4/08/2010(UTC) Posts: 1,007 Location: Auckland.... Thanks: 49 times Was thanked: 566 time(s) in 269 post(s)		Hey there digger, hard to toll from the photo how big that gold is any idea how much it weiged? Not bad tho any day you find gold is beter than a day when you dont!!!
		And now....On sandy beaches and muddy soil, rings and coins await my coil!

digger37		Posted : Monday, 16 May 2011 12:20:05 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 26/04/2010(UTC) Posts: 34 Location: Nelson Thanks: 7 times Was thanked: 16 time(s) in 8 post(s)		Hi there 1864hatter Not worth weighing it...! biggest bit which had quartz in it about 5mm long Didn't make me fortune!!! bugger, however there is gold there so maybe people on this site might try there luck there.....

kiwijw		Posted : Monday, 16 May 2011 1:30:26 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 28/03/2010(UTC) Posts: 1,152 Thanks: 92 times Was thanked: 658 time(s) in 324 post(s)		. Edited by user Saturday, 9 July 2011 3:21:11 AM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified

overdog		Posted : Monday, 16 May 2011 1:48:37 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Medals: Groups: Registered Joined: 2/03/2010(UTC) Posts: 418 Location: nelson Thanks: 69 times Was thanked: 82 time(s) in 68 post(s)		Nicely done there Digger.Nice part of the world up there but I know what you mean about the wretched sandflies!How far up were you? Not after GPS coordinates just a rough idea as I normally head up past Courthouse flat...

gavin		Posted : Monday, 16 May 2011 2:05:31 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)		I like the sluice box - looks like you can split it in half for storage in a backpack? Looks like it would be efficient at trapping the gold too!
		WWW

digger37		Posted : Tuesday, 17 May 2011 3:43:33 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 26/04/2010(UTC) Posts: 34 Location: Nelson Thanks: 7 times Was thanked: 16 time(s) in 8 post(s)		Hi overdog Parked my car along from mathisons road and walked down the river... Check out google earth first you may pick up some ideas there

starflash		Posted : Wednesday, 18 May 2011 4:14:41 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 16/08/2010(UTC) Posts: 192 Location: auckland, tairua Thanks: 18 times Was thanked: 38 time(s) in 30 post(s)		interesting sluice box is that home made, i like the riffle system. jw is right any gold is good

digger37		Posted : Tuesday, 24 May 2011 7:50:21 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 26/04/2010(UTC) Posts: 34 Location: Nelson Thanks: 7 times Was thanked: 16 time(s) in 8 post(s)		Hi there SF I did bang up the sluicebox myself good for low water volumes as gravels slide very easily across riffles, Size 300mmx1200 when split can also be used 300x600.