Gold Prospecting in Australia: High-Tech or Old-School?

There seems to be no other mineral on Earth that has ever had such an influence on people such as gold does. Ever since its discovery, gold has been one of the most powerful things for the human being and it has always been associated with success, power, dignity and wealth. In time, middle-class people gained their access to the gorgeous shiny metal as well, but the truth is that gold will always continue to be associated with the elites of society. 

Even more, gold is a symbol of hope, especially in Australia. The Australian gold rushes were all about hope and about dreaming of a better life, ever since their very beginning. And, in one way or another, these gold rushes contributed majorly to the development of what we now know as Australia. If before gold there were only settlements, soon enough cities started to appear and the economy started to develop into the modern and well-shaped one we know today.

Gold-prospecting in Australia should be the same as a national sport, if you take into consideration the country’s relationship with the precious metals. And the truth is that gold prospecting in Australia did not actually die, but it transformed into something that is less of an actual “profession” and more of a hobby. 

The first extremely popular gold prospector was called Edward Hargraves and by the time he became famous in Australia, he had also gained the experience of the Californian gold rush. When he came back to the Australian land, he brought new techniques with him: cradling and paddling. For that age, these techniques helped a lot of people find large quantities of gold. 

Nowadays though, gold prospecting is not so much based on these “antique” techniques, but more on special made devices that can detect metal. Although both cradling and paddling are still used (especially for the fine “lumps” of gold), most of the experienced gold prospectors will use some sort of gold prospecting device to spot the “hot” areas before they actually paddle and cradle to find the yellow treasure.

Modern gold detectors are more advanced than you can even imagine them to be. They can be extremely efficient in detecting gold on a particular type of surface (such as a coarse surface, for example). Even more, some of them can work on multiple types of surfaces and all you will need to change from one “mode” to another will be pressing a button. As a matter of fact, these detectors are very, very easy to use in general and as long as you invest in a quality device, it is quite likely that you will enjoy it for many years to come.

All in all, modern Australian gold prospecting is neither about technology only, nor just about the old-school techniques, but somewhere in between. Experienced gold prospectors know all the tips and tricks and they know they should not simply “dismiss” older techniques because new ones appeared, simply because they are useful in their own way.

Hunting with Garrett

Whether you are just starting to take an interest in gold detecting or now want to take it to the next level by going underwater, a Garrett Metal Detector is probably the answer. If at the same time, you want to save money and avoid a heavy duty gold detector for the time being, you can cast your sights at the mid-line offerings by the US metal detection specialist. Here are four models that may just suit your budget and performance requirements:

ACE 150

A simple and easy to use Garrett metal detector for beginners, the Ace 150 is the perfect introductory tool to guide users through the basics of gold prospecting. With features like a Coin Depth Indicator, it helps determine target depth as novices gain a feel for detecting motions and sweeps. Its simple user interface includes a large LCD screen and an easily understood legend that lists the figures related to the target, and a one-touch operation system. It starts users off easy with three different search modes, which areall metal, jewelry, and coins.

ACE 250

One step up is sister detector ACE 250, which now allows users to modify discrimination patterns to suit their individual preferences in addition to the coin depth indicator. The ACE 250 expands on the search mode variety with 5 modes – adding relics and custom modes, the latter of which enable users to create their own search modes. A standout feature that increases accuracy is electronic pinpointing, which indicates the target’s precise location, thus saving time digging. It retains the easy navigation interface and simple display settings from the 150.

Euro ACE Metal Detector

Euro Ace take performance up a notch with a double-d search coil that significantly reduces ground interference and enhanced iron resolution for customizing iron discrimination levels and in turn separates treasure from nearby iron junk. With this added accuracy also come improved signalling systems. Different audio tones are emitted for users to distinguish clearly between targets, while higher frequency use helps hunters find small targets like coins more quickly.

Sea Hunter Mark II

Boasting pulse induction technology that improves salt/ gold discrimination, the Sea Hunter is adaptable for scuba diving treasure hunting as its name suggests. A hip-mounted belt and pouch allows users more flexibility while diving and scouring the ground while reducing weight on the detector. Aware that beaches and seas and awash with junk the Discrete Trash Elimination feature is designed to: ignore common seaside trash like pull tabs and foil.

When Garrett’s high-end models simulate the durability, flexibility and performance of military-grade detectors, you can be assured that mid-line models provide the perfect combination of impressive depth detection and value for money at $180 - $1000.

NOW, You can Sign-up with us here http://goannagolddetectors.com.au/ to get Free Event Notifications/Offers/News/Updates and much more on Gold Detecting.

We have few Gold Detecting Events and Field Training planned this March-May
 

Different types of Minelab detectors

Australian firm Minelab broke new boundaries in gold prospecting in 1995 by introducing its very own made in Australia pulse induction (PI) technology. This advancement not only allowed ordinary prospectors and hobby gold hunters to go deeper for gold, it also outperformed the very low frequency (VLF) metal detectors that had been in use for decades. 

With PI, suddenly all the former mines – particularly in the rich fields of Western Australian and the Victorian Golden Triangle - were alive with individual prospectors, many of whom struck gold. PI works by sending electrical pulses punching deeper into the highly mineralised soil that often characterises Australia’s gold mines and successfully detects gold amidst all the other metals and ferrous minerals in the ground, but VLF is still available for entry-level detection capabilities.

Therefore, choosing a Minelab detector of the many available depends on the type of hunting you plan to do and where you are going to go prospecting. There are five main types of detectors offered by Minelab and they are: adventure detectors, treasure detectors, underwaterdetectors, gold detectors and Pro-Find. First off, VLF adventure detectors are for those who are prospecting mainly for fun, and are thus great for entry-level coin or relic hunting by the beach. Besides being lightweight and easy to use guide screen, adventure models start retailing at around $400.

Treasure detectors like the Safari pack take gold hunting to the next level with high trash density settings to sift through loads of junk and specific detecting modes for coins, jewellery, relics and all metal. Next up are the underwater detectors like the Excalibur II that utilises broad band spectrum technology to allow effective detection up to 200 feet underwater. This amphibious Minelab detector is also coated in fluorescent bodywork for high visibility in the dark depths.

Meanwhile, serious gold hunters can look to a range of dedicated gold detectors like the mid-level VLF detector Eureka Gold for finds in shallow depths, as well as the PI-powered GPX 4800 and GPX 5000 models that can unearth precious gold nuggets and bullions using a variety of soil sensitivity settings. Add this more focused automatic ground balance settings, and these detectors make the most thorough searchers irrespective of terrain.  

Even after you have chosen a detector, your set will not be complete without Minelab’s Pro-Find 25 handheld pin pointer does exactly that: it pinpoints the location of buried treasure using both noise and vibrations. In addition, it is equipped with a flashlight for increased visibility in deep holes or in low light.  Used in conjunction with larger more powerful detectors, the Pro-Find is helpful for zero-ing in on very small targets as it uses the highly discriminatory VLF technology.

How Does a Gold Detector Work?

You have heard numerous stories about people finding gold and the amount of money the gold was worth. You may have had your own discovery of gold in the past. All of this is wonderful, but there are still a lot of people who do not know how a gold detector actually works. Many people would like to know what it is the detector is actually doing to recognize gold that may be buried deep into the ground. How is the gold recognizable? 

The key instrument to how a detector works is the transmission of an electromagnetic field that goes into the ground, from a search coil. When a piece of metal is within an electromagnetic field, it is energized and it retransmits its own electromagnetic field. Once the search coil that is within the detector receives the retransmission, there is an alert sent to the user. Minelab's brand of metal detectors are able to distinguish between the many different types of targets. This allows Minelab to give you the option of ignoring certain targets.  This is an incredible addition, which increases your chances of finding your own gold nugget.

Once you manage to gather a particular sound, it is important to go back over the area and try to locate the exact location of the sound. You should immediately go back over the area and try to pinpoint the area. By doing this, you are able to eliminate wasted digging as you look for your lump of success. When it comes to discovering gold, the most important element is the size of the surface. The metal detectors are more focused on the surface and not the mass.

A metal detector consists of four different parts. These are the shaft, the control box, the search coil, and the stabilizer. Below is a little description of each of the important elements of a metal detector.

1.   The Control Box – A control box is what contains the controls, circuitry, microprocessor, speaker, and batteries.

2.   The Search Coil – This is the part that actually senses the various metals. It is sometimes known as the loop, the search head, and the antenna.

3.   Shaft – The shaft is the important instrument that connects the coil to the control box. Most devices come with an adjustable shaft, which allows you to adjust the length to be more comfortable for your height.

4.   Stabilizer – The stabilizer is an optional part of a metal detector. The metal detectors that have a stabilizer are able keep the unit stable while you sweep the device in search of precious metals.

These elements display how all of the major parts of a metal detector come together to discover gold!

Tips for Gold Prospecting in Australia

Gold prospecting has is becoming a popular way for people to make quick cash while getting out in the fresh air and exercising. When you first start out, gold prospecting can be a frustrating experience. It can take a while to get used to using a gold metal detector, and a few unsuccessful trips can become discouraging. However, there are plenty of things you can do to help increase your success. Here are some tips to help ensure that you always have an enjoyable and successful prospecting adventure.

Choose a Quality Gold Metal Detector One of the most frustrating aspects of gold prospecting in Australia can be faulty equipment. Don't compromise quality for price. If you are looking for an affordable, easy to use gold metal detector, see what type of Minelab or Garrett Metal Detector is right for you. Both companies offer a wide range of quality detectors, from simple to the most advanced.

Stay Fit Prospecting for gold can require serious physical effort. Not only do you need to carry your metal detector over large areas of ground, you will eventually need to dig up any gold you have detected. This repeated process of hiking and digging will begin to wear on your body. Make sure that you stay fit, so that you can continue searching for gold as long as you like.
 
Choose a Good Location If you are inexperienced at prospecting, stick to areas that you know you will find gold. Try fields within Victoria's Golden Triangle, an area famous for the gold nuggets found there. Try to stick to areas known for large nuggets, which are easy to find, until you get good at detecting and finding smaller gold nuggets.

Do Your Research

Read up on where other people are going gold prospecting in Australia. Read about their experiences, and if possible ask them for advice or tips about certain areas.

Be Prepared Gold prospecting is a physically strenuous activity. Make sure that you bring enough food and water to last for twice as long as your planned excursion. Wear appropriate clothes and be sure to check the weather forecast before you head out. If you are going into a wild area, make sure someone knows where you are, or better yet, bring a buddy along.

Be Patient Even the most experienced prospector has periods where they find nothing. Don't be discouraged and don't give up. There will be periods of time where you find nothing between the times that you find large nuggets of gold. Gold prospecting in Australia can be unpredictable, and even with the best training, experience and equipment, you still need a pretty good dose of luck. 

At Goanna Gold Detectors we only stock the best detectors. We specialize in Minelab and Garrett products, so contact us today - +61 2 4938 7670