Grab Your Gold Panning Equipment! A New Gold Rush Just Started in California
“Eureka! After California’s Heavy Rains, Gold Seekers Are Giddy,” an article that Thomas Fuller published in The New York Times on April 22, 2023, reports that the recent heavy rains in California have caused a lot of gold to wash into streams in the state. He profiles one prospector who pulled $100 worth of gold out of a stream after only 20 minutes of hunting. That’s a pretty impressive haul.
So, should you get some panning equipment and head to California to try your luck? Chances are that you should if you have the time and some equipment. But before you do, we would like to share some basic information.
Where Is This New Gold Rush Taking Place?
The New York Times article reports that a number of modern-day prospectors are finding gold in streams in the area of Placerville, California, located in the Sierra Nevada foothills about 45 miles east of Sacramento.
If you know the history of the Great Gold Rush of 1849, you will know that Placerville was a hot spot then for panning for gold. History is repeating itself as prospectors return to the area today.
Remember, Placerville Is Not the Only Place to Pan for Gold in California
There are other places where people are finding success panning for gold in California:
Columbia State Historic Park - This park is a restored gold rush town and offers gold panning lessons and supplies for sale.
Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park - This park is home to the largest hydraulic gold mine in California and offers gold panning lessons and tours.
Plumas National Forest - This forest has several areas where gold panning is allowed, including the Feather River and the North Fork of the Yuba River.
South Yuba River State Park - Located in the Sierra Nevada foothills, this park has several areas designated for gold panning, including the popular Bridgeport area.
How Do You Pan for Gold in Streams?
Panning can be done with just a few basic tools.
You will need a gold pan, a shovel, and a classifier (a screen or mesh that fits over the top of the pan to help separate larger rocks and debris).
Fill the pan about halfway with raw material from the bottom of the stream. This can include gravel, sand, and silt.
Next, submerge the pan in the water and use your hands to swirl the water around in it. This will help to wash away the lighter material and leave the heavier stuff – including possibly gold – in the bottom of the pan.
Use the classifier to remove larger rocks and debris from the pan. Next, repeat the swirling and washing process until only the heavier material remains. Inspect that material visually, looking for shiny flakes and nuggets of gold.
Carefully remove the black sand and gold from the bottom of the pan with a snuffer bottle or tweezers.
Remember to always check the local regulations before panning for gold and to be respectful of the environment.
Consider Adding Some More Advanced Panning Equipment to Increase Your Odds of Success
While traditional gold panning, as we describe above, is a simple and inexpensive way to search for gold, there is advanced equipment that can be used to increase the chances that you will find gold. This equipment includes:
Sluice boxes - A sluice box is a long, narrow trough with riffles on the bottom that trap the heavier gold particles as water flows through. Sluice boxes are designed to be used in running water and can process much more material than traditional gold panning.
Dredges - A dredge is a machine that can be used to extract gold from underwater deposits. Dredges can be either stationary or mobile and are equipped with a suction hose and a sluice box. They can be very effective in processing large amounts of material from stream beds.
High bankers - A high banker is a combination of a sluice box and a water pump that can be used to process large amounts of material quickly.
Metal detectors - Metal detectors can be used to search for gold in areas where it is not visible, such as in soil or rock. They are especially useful for locating smaller or more dispersed gold deposits in material you collect from the bottom of streams.
It's important to note that some of the use of some equipment and techniques may require permits or special permissions from local authorities and that they can have a significant impact on the environment if not used properly. Always check with the local regulations and follow best practices to minimize any negative impacts.
And When You Find Gold . . .
Call 800-426-2344 to speak with the precious metal refiners at Specialty Metals Smelters and Refiners. We are here to answer your questions about turning your prospecting discoveries into cash at current high trading prices.