Geological Factors for Gold Prospecting

Gold prospecting who spend a significant amount of their time hunting for treasure in various places often wonder when they will ever come across what they’re looking for. But since gold appears in a wide array of mineral deposits, it may be hard to determine their exact location.

Adding to that is the fact that when you do come across a gold nugget in a specific deposit, that doesn’t mean going to a different place with similar rock formations can indicate there’s hidden treasure nearby. If you want to find out some natural geologic signs to look out for on your next prospecting, keep reading below.

Rocks with Different Colours

Many places that serve as a good site for relic hunting usually involve acidic mineral solutions affecting the rocks in the area. As a result, the rocks turn a shade lighter, which can be a sign that there is some gold present.

Rocks Containing Iron Stains

Rock formations with noticeable veins don’t always develop quartz to signify the appearance of gold. But those that do can include calcite or sulphides that usually turn into iron-stained spots the moment the pyrite mineral it contains transforms into iron oxides.

If you find yourself gold prospecting in a place that holds vast amounts of iron oxides, namely hematite, magnetite, and ironstone, then these are helpful signs that there is treasure in the area.

Rocks That Have Quartz Veins

Rocks that develop tiny amounts of quartz veins is another indication that there is an apparent mineral activity in the location. It means that you have a good chance of going home with some loot, so long as you utilise proper gold mining prospecting equipment to back you up.

Rocks in Fault Zones

It would help if you looked past the surface and kept an eye on rocks and quartz deposits that form along fault zones, or when two different kinds of stones come into contact. It can be a good possibility that gold deposits can be found there, and you have a chance of finding treasure and selling your gold to potential buyers.

Rocks in Other Surfaces

When it comes to metal detecting, you have a bigger opportunity of finding gold upstream, in riverbeds and beaches. However, if you want to try your luck on land where there are moderate to flat slopes, the desert is a destination where you can expect to witness various relics.

Rocks in Familiar Geological Places

The moment you find yourself acquiring fine gold in an area with a specific rock formation or a geologic environment, you can scout nearby regions within the mountain range for the same rock type. While it isn’t a sure sign that you will achieve the same results, it’s worth testing your luck and grabbing your metal detector to inspect the surroundings.

Safety Tips for Prospectors

Prospecting is a popular activity for locals and tourists, from amateurs looking to find a lucky haul to dedicated veterans who are well-versed in finding and seeking profitable sites. The fun with prospecting is that it can take a day to over a few weeks, which makes it an excellent way to disconnect from the busy city and seek adventure in the wild.

Preparing for the unexpected

Although heading into the bush can be adventurous, you should also consider that the unexpected can happen to you and your fellow prospectors. You may end up getting lost in the wild or lacking resources while you’re in the middle of nowhere. As such, your proper preparation is the key to making sure that you have a safe and successful trip.

Before you head on to the wild, here are three safety tips you should keep in mind:

Plan your trip beforehand

Depending on what your prospecting trip is for, you should always plan a trip based on your experience level. It means that you shouldn’t go excavating off the grid if you don’t have the right information or resources with you.

If you go to potential digging sites without the right data, you might end up wasting your trek and endangering yourself. Consider coordinating with police reports and check the local weather updates to prepare your gear for the right climate and road conditions you’ll face.

Besides doing your research on a specific site, you should always remember to let people know where you’re going and how long your trip would be. Leave behind copies of the maps together with markings on the roads you’ll use or GPS coordinates, if possible. Be specific about the details of your trip from the people you’ll be with to your vehicles’ license plates. Doing so gives you a safety net in case you run into an emergency while in the wild.

Stay connected while in the wild

Sometimes telecommunication coverage is not reliable if you are prospecting or fossicking far from cities. Because of this, you need to bring other communication devices that are best in such a situation. You can rent Satellite-based devices that have wide coverage if you don’t plan to own one for infrequent trips.

A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) is an effective way to send messages to emergency services while you’re in the wild. It goes through satellites to transmit coordinates that rescuers can use in pinpointing your location. These are compact and relatively inexpensive, which makes them perfect for prospecting.

Pack the right clothing and gear

Besides your communication devices, you should be prepared to handle different types of obstacles in the wild, such as harsh weather and difficult terrain. You’ll most likely be prospecting in the morning, which means that you should stay hydrated to beat off the sun’s heat. It’s recommended for you to bring at least four to six litres of water per day per person; depending on the weather conditions, you may want to bring more.

Don’t forget to have an emergency kit that contains first aid, matches, mirrors, and thermal blankets. These items will help you in surviving different environmental conditions. You should also make sure that you have enough packed clothing for your trip. Wear light for humid seasons and prepare to bring raincoats and boots for rainy seasons.

Prospecting is an excellent way to have some time off from your responsibilities and get time for yourself or to hang out with friends who share the same interests as you. Even though it can be a fun and exciting activity, you should always pack the right gear to keep yourself safe from the different environmental obstacles of the wild.

The key to a safe and successful prospecting trip is by having the right tools to help you while you’re on the hunt in the wild. If you need devices, such as geologic maps, GPS equipment, or gold metal detectors.

Conclusion

Remember that each location you visit in hopes of finding gold will differ, so a geological indicator for one place won’t assure you it will be the same for the next area you check out. The best thing you can do when you’re prospecting for treasure is to get to know the expanse you plan to go to and discover the mineral deposits before embarking on your journey with a gold metal detector in hand.

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