Any prospectors here?

[my third 256]

a guy i worked with used to go to glenelg beach and use it in the sand when beach was pached
sign on car red have you lost anything on the beach today
have metal detector for hire with operator
$50.00 an hour phone !!!!!!!!!!!

[threedogs]

A few years back now up at Tibooburra after some rain a retired couple picked up $3000 in nuggets from the main drag and Dead Horse Gully.
Paid for the fuel for the rest of their trip, From memory they only used a cheap detector

[Sir Roofy]

WE PAID A FEW DOLLARS FOR OURS MINE LAB
LOTS OF BOTTLE TOPS A FEW COINS LOTS OF FUN

WAS $30 for a miners right for 2yrs

[NP99]

a guy i worked with used to go to glenelg beach and use it in the sand when beach was pached
sign on car red have you lost anything on the beach today
have metal detector for hire with operator
$50.00 an hour phone !!!!!!!!!!!

I was thinking beaches would be good after heat waves or long weekends etc

[Sir Roofy]

I was thinking beaches would be good after heat waves or long weekends etc

beaches are good anytime in summer

[stumpie]

I metal detect on a regular basis . As suggested previously hire one for a couple of days first, if you like go for a minelab 2000 onwards you should be able to pick a 2000 up for around $1000. The latest one the 5000 your looking at $5-6000. The 2200 probably would be a good starter around the $1500 -$2000 mark depending what coils come with it. Ebay good place to start looking. There are a lot to choose from but the 2000 sd was the first PI. I hope this gives you some idea of what to look for. Good hunting.

[Drew]

Yup my wife does the swinging um that sounds wrong I mean uses the detector and I'm the mule carrying drinks, shovel etc

[Avo]

I have a friend who goes out and about searching for the elusive metal,does quite well to..he has a top end mine lab and swears by them...I have been out with them but I go to do the camping..he spends more than 8 hrs a day in search of this metal and it looks to much like work to me,so we collect wood and just be happy campers...he does well,very well to be truthful and if you like that sort if thing,well theres money for your pleasure,but it aint everyones cup of tea..

[NP99]

WE PAID A FEW DOLLARS FOR OURS MINE LAB
LOTS OF BOTTLE TOPS A FEW COINS LOTS OF FUN

WAS $30 for a miners right for 2yrs

Didn't you guys have a rebellion over a hundred years ago to stop that theft?

[prospector78]

Hi AB,

Where do you live?
I've been hunting the gold now for quite a few years now and heading out agian in a couple of weeks. The answer to your detector question depends on what you are looking for and how much you want to spend. If you have the coin probably the best detector on the market is the minelab gpx 5000 but you will be looking at between 5 - 6K. then there is the gpx 4500 or 4000 with the 4500 being the better of the two and you can pick them up for around 4 - 5k. If you are after big deep gold you can get a gp 2000, 2100 or extreme from $900 onwards but with these ones you are best to get them modded. And if you have more money if you get the 4500 or 5000 they will preform even better medded as well.
There is another detector on the market called the Garret ATX which sells for $4000 and is making waves in the minelab wold. All talk has that is is on par with the gpx 5000, but the jury is still out as this machine has just only been released in the last 6 months.

I think all states you need a miners right or fossickers permit, here in WA it's a miners right and costs $25 which lasts a life time. In QLD it's a fossickers permit which can last one month to several months. NT is also a miners right which by memory costs about $30 off the top of my head. As for Vic and NSW I'm not 100% sure as I haven't prospected there yet.

With the basics of detecting, do your research in the area you are looking at, look at previous history such as gold mines, what was found ie, nuggets minerals, what was mined. Also look at the topographics and types of landscape plus minerals in the area. While you are looking make sure that the area is accessible and see if you need permission. Hate for a farmer to catch you and get a bullet up the arse!!

When on the field, look for old detector holes, mine shafts, old timer workings, creeks and channels once you have found a good spot the key is to keep it low and slow!

Enjoy you'll be hooked with your fiirst nugget

Luke