Prospecting For Gold

How to Pan for Gold

1. Cover the base of your pan with approximately ¾ inch material
2. Set the pan in still or calm water and move the material around with your fingers to separate and loosen your material.
3. Tilt the pan and drag rough material to the top, allowing your fines to fall back.
4. Remove this rough material.
5. Shake your pan from side to side to help the heavies settle on the bottom of the pan.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 half a dozen times.
7. Set pan in the water and tilt so the fine material gathers right under the pans edge.
8. Remove your pan from the water and tilt back, letting a wave to form.
9. Tip your pan forward again, letting the wave move forward to carry the top material out of your pan.
10. Move the pan from side to side again.
11. Place your pan in the water and lean, so the light material stays right under the edge of pan.
12. Take your pan out of water and tip back, then forward, this results in a wave that carries the top material out of your pan.
13. Repeat these steps until about a tablespoon of fine material (black sand) is left in your pan.
14. Now a gentler wash action is needed as the amount of remaining material decreases.
15. Swirl the remaining finest on the base of the pan so it spreads out and your gold specks (if there are any) will be visible.

Gold Pans -

Gold pans can be either plastic or metal. I prefer a plastic pan with riffles along one side to help trap my gold, as it requires less maintenance. The plastic pan appears to be just as efficient as the metal.