Hi Chells,
plenty out here making a living prospecting with only a couple of detectors, a couple of pans and a dolly pot or rock crusher.
They are doing it with no sort of government assistance at all, no pension, no Centre link of any kind, just gold as their only source of income.
To do it you you need -
experience and the more the better,
good computer and research skills,
the ability to work smart,
not afraid of hard work,
be able to live of the smell of an oily rag at times,
be able to manage your finances wisely,
be in a good area to start with,
bush skills,
drive,
perseverance,
stubbornness,
luck in spades,
optimism,
not afraid to fail,
and be a dreamer.
That's just some of the personal qualities you need and I'm sure there's many more.
Equipment wise is the expensive part, not to mention a kitty to tide you over during the lean times and for emergencies.
The flogged areas are you bread and butter fields, they are the places you go to get quick cash to fund you full on prospecting on new ground where you may walk for days or even weeks before hitting a good patch.
Even so, an ounce a week or more is doable and I know many who average much more.
A lease in WA of about 200 Ha will set you back under $1000 for the first year but is cheaper yearly after that. Throw on a couple of old vans and that's cheap rent.
