How to Pan for Gold
The first consideration in panning for gold is location. You will
want to pick a spot that is easy to access as you begin to learn the art
of your craft. The best spot to begin is where the water is at least 6
inches deep with a flow speed that is enough to keep the mud in the
water from obstructing the view of your pan. The next consideration is
where you will sit. Since prospecting can be a long days’ work, be sure
you find a comfortable place to sit.
 Step 1: Submerge the pan in the water and allow ¾ of the pan
to fill with gravel. Give the pan a good shake or two back and forth and
from side to side. Your aim is to watch the material in your pan. Change
your action from washing to a gentle circular motion. The material in
the pan should revolve in the circular motion. In doing this, most of
the dirt should dissolve and wash out of the pan. Any lumpy or large
material should be worked out with your fingers. The rocks will also
need to be removed with your fingers, but be sure they are clean first.
Repeat the above to bring the smaller rocks to the surface and to allow
the heavier items to settle into the bottom of the pan.
Step 2: Continue to wash the sand and gravel. Hold the pan
slightly under the water, tilting it enough to allow the flowing water
to run through it. Begin to swirl the flow of water as it enters the pan
and as it goes out, carrying the lighter material with it. Do be careful
in performing this and know that practice makes perfect with this
technique. Take a moment and allow the pan to level. This will force the
lighter material to the surface and ready to wash out. The gold will
continue to settle at the bottom. Repeat the above until what is left is
the heavier material at the bottom of your pan.
 Step 3: As a
beginner. this next step is one to help you learn more about the
technique you are practicing. Take the pan completely out of the water,
leaving one inch of water in the pan. Tilt the pan towards you and
slowly swirl in a circular motion as you check the pan for gold. Pieces
you can easily see, pick up and put in your container for gold. Put the
pan back into the water and repeat the entire step process again for
what is called final concentration. This is the most important step in
prospecting for gold. Be very diligent in this processing so as not to
miss your find. If you are using a plastic pan, then a magnet can
greatly assist you at this point. Use your magnet to separate the gold
from other materials in the pan. To use the magnet, apply it to the
outside bottom of the plastic pan. Move it in a small circular motion.
Tilt the pan slightly while doing so. This will separate materials
quickly.
If you choose to use a metal pan, be sure to remove the oil from the
pan first. The best way to do this is to hold the pan over heat, as in a
campfire, if possible, and allow the oil to burn away. Be very careful
in doing so as the pan will need to glow red. Then dunk in a stream of
water. It will remove the oil and turn the pan a dark blue that will
make the gold easier to see. If any oil is left behind, the gold will
float, making it nearly impossible to separate the gold from material.
Another prospector’s secret to share is to hurry up the final step by
carrying a bottle of washing detergent with you. A couple of drops of
the detergent during the final concentration will break the surface
tension of the water and speed up the process.
A panning sieve is very useful and can be bought right along with the
gold pan. It sets over the gold pan and can make sorting much easier. A
medium gold pan fitted with a sieve is the most popular combination and
can be found in the gold prospecting equipment stores.
 The deeper the gavels in the riverbed, the more likely it is that
riches will be found. Often in going deeper than the surface, you will
find more gold. Thus the dredge was born, and over the years, the design
has improved from a crude device to one that is sophisticated. When
properly operated, it yields excellent results. There are common dredges
in use today. One is the surface dredge and the other is the underwater
dredge. Research and study is required of this tool before you purchase
one to use. It may or may not be something you wish to pursue, depending
on your prospecting goals. A brief understanding is presented here in
hopes of encouraging independent study.
Step 1: First, you will prime the pump, as the pump must be
fully primed removing all air and full of water. You will know the pump
is operating correctly when you see water flowing out of the discharge.
The pump must be protected from sand which could damage the seal or pump
impeller.
Step 2: In most dredging operations, priming the suction hose
is not needed. Still, it’s important to understand the procedure. As the
tip of the suction hose is removed from the water, air will enter the
suction system and turn the system off until the unit is submerged
again. The suction begins again as soon as the air is overtaken by the
water. The dredge can process a much bigger amount of material and go
places that would be impossible to access in other ways. The surface
dredge is the most popular choice for those just beginning. Lightweight,
easy to transport to the site the dredge is a tool to inspire, too!
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