Getting into gold mining

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Bigmanco

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Jan 18, 2014
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Iv recently moved to colorado and want to get into gold mining.
Ever since i was young and watched the gpaa shows on tv think it was gpaa iv wanted to try it

My goal this year is to do some mining here in colorado. My major goal is being a diver is to run a dreadge but like recommended by a member here i figured id start with panning and such. Was wondering if anyone has some recommendations for good videos to watch reading material and a good site to order gear from
 

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if you are so inclined,think about the gpaa, when you join,you get access to there claims, a pan and two videos on how to pan, plus you get the support from local members, which all of it is a plus for newbies. 80.00 a year. i keep a membership for the magazines ,lots of good reading,and your fees help support the fight to keep open lands open, the commys and greenies are waging a war on the people. you should check them out in my opinion.
 

Hi Big and welcome. Get in touch with Kevin in Colorado in these forums. He lives in Denver and is very knowledgable about Colorado mining and he even seems to enjoy helping people, but the so does everyone else in here. Look him up, you won't be sorry.

Good Luck!

BH Prospector
 

I will do that BH thanks

Im thinking about it loco. I was on their site alittle bit ago
 

There is a video on u tube, search 40+ years panning experience in British Columbia. Something like that. Great basics and tricks. When you get your pans you'll need to season them by taking sand any river sand or playground sand and dish soap and scrub it. Don't use sandpaper. This roughs it up and removes the mold release agent. Also when panning clean hands from oils and grease. Oil and grease build a film on the top of water and will make small gold float.
 

Im going to look it up now. Im gonna order a couple panns and maybe like a 1/2 and 1/4 classifier too

I was looking at stuff on ebay. Saw a guy selling concentrate ready to pan. Being its 20 bucks would it be worth buying a bag to practice with.
 

Think i found it. Is it an old man at a gold panning and gift shop. It was a good video if not.
Every time i look at gear watch a video or post here i get gold fever more. I was dreamin bout it last night
 

Hello bigmanco, checkput mindat.net to help you find out the minerals in your location...that site is amazing.
 

The old man at the gift shop is the one. Save your money on pay dirt and use a staple and a bb. Spend your money on gas and lunch.
 

I figured when u say bb. U mean a bb for a bb gun or like a buck shot
 

The MAIN thing is to join a local club, and NOT go crazy buying equipment. Get a Garrett Deluxe Panning Kit (snuffer bottle, 1/2" classifier, couple of pans) a good shovel and a couple 5-gallon plasic buckets. Do Not get caught up in spending a lot of money on needless gadgets. LEARN how to pan birdshot out of gravels. Don't waste money on paydirt..

 

Good advice here so far. If you go to my tnet profile, scroll to the bottom and click the link to read all my posts. Lots of info about free places to go get gold in metro Denver. No need to buy concentrates to pan if you live on the front range of the Rockies (or lots of other places in cO).

Check out the websites of Gold prospectors of the Rockies and also High Plains Prospectors (GPAA chapter but free to join)...hold off on sending your money to the GPAA until you visit the shop which hosts High plains...they sell memberships including the panning kit. That said, I'm not a GPAA member since their claims in CO are pretty poor in my view compared to the free public spots around town and in the mtns. I will probably join someday if I travel more...

Anyway, both of their websites list their outings for the year...lots of hands on outings where you can learn alongside old hands.

Finally, welcome to tnet, there are quite a few Coloradans here now so you can find advice and prospecting buddies too. Nice as I used to fell sorta lonely as a Coloradan here...thus my tnet name ;-)
 

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The one thing paydirt will do for you that bbs and staples won't do is show you how gold looks and acts in the gravel and pan. Getting a cheep $20 bag for practice isn't a bad idea. You aren't looking to get rich from it just to learn so it is money well spent, you have the right idea. Keep putting the gold back into the sand and keep practicing until you get it down. Once you see how gold looks you will never doubt it in the field. You don't get that with bbs. Know what it looks like before you get out on the creek.

Good Luck!

BH Prospector
 

KevinInColorado said:
Good advice here so far. If you go to my tnet profile, scroll to the bottom and click the link to read all my posts. Lots of info about free places to go get gold in metro Denver. No need to buy concentrates to pan if you live on the front range of the Rockies (or lots of other places in cO).
Click to expand...

Check out the websites of local clubs to see their outings, lots of chances to get out there panning with real pros. Check out Gold. Prospectors of the Rockies and High Plains Prospectors (local GPAA club and free to join!)
 

Thanks guys. Im very glad i found this site. Kevin im up in granby or grand county just south of rocky mtn nat forest. You know of any good public spots up around here

Also i was reading up on the regs here i read where most places are non motorize but i read something you can use a 4 inch or less dreage with a permit. Do you know how hard the permit is to get around here

Again thank you all for you help and kindness. From what iv seen and all the varying forums iv been on this one seems like the nicest tightest neat group iv found
 

I'm not aware of any public spots up that way but there's gold bearing streams between Granby and Steamboat Springs from what I've read online. You'll be prospecting on Federal lands such as. National Forest so as long as it's not claimed and not private you're good to go. If you find an interesting spot and want.to check, the County Clerck office can guide you on confirming any ownership or existing claims. Of course if claimed or private, you could still contact the owner to ask permission!

As to dredging, you need a permit on the Arkansas River but most other places no permit is required for 4" or smaller. You should ask at the local National forest Service office to confirm local rules but the state of CO puts no requirements on dredgers 4" and under.
 

Just for anyone's FYI.
Actually even a larger than 4" dredge may be used, as long as the suction nozzles opening is not over 4" in diameter and the hose is not more than 2" larger than the nozzle opening and it's under 10hp.

GG~
 

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Good point GG!
 

So most federal streams i can use a 4 inch or even a six inch hose with a 4 inch nozzle sweet. Iv made the trip over to steamboat springs a few times next time ill check out a few spots and hit up the county office.

Do u know bout the colorado river having gold up here
 

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