Looking For Some Basic Advice

[Will33]

I was looking at some claims and noticed there pretty cheap and was thinking about getting one but have never looked for gold before, can anyone give me some advice on what to expect to spend on equipment for a small operation, what would be the best way to go when looking for gold wether it be a smaller sluce box or water dredge, any other info would be much appreciated.

[rexhavoc]

Hi Will33, that's a big question with a lot of "that depends".. Which country/province/state are you in? What's the nature of the gold in the area you're potentially looking at? 

 

[Will33]

I'm on the Westside of Canada, British Columbia, was looking at claims here or surrounding provinces, I have noticed most claims are saying placer gold.

[rexhavoc]

OK that's helpful. Dredging is a non-starter in BC. Placer gravel washing I assume? Check with BC Mineral Titles Online to find claimable placer (or mineral) areas, or contact the current claim owner and ask if you may have permission. Start with a pan, some classifiers and a Number 2 Excavator (shovel) and test test test. 

Then if it looks prospective, get yourself a not too big highbanker and a pump appropriately sized for it. You often will have to lug your gear a ways unless you have easy road access of an off road vehicle, so keep that in mind. Be careful about water discharge into waterways. If all is well, yah grab the cell on MTO 🙂

 

 

[Ridge Runner]

Before you buy anything go test it for yourself to be sure it’s got color at all being cheap can be worth nothing.

 Chuck 

[Redz]

Basic equipment is cheap, a pan, a shovel and a sluice. Try that and see if finding gold is what you like. If you find you have an insatiable urge to go find more and every weekend you are down the river, then buy more equipment and look at claims