Confused, Unsure but had lots of fun panning

[Moreorless]

Hey everyone finally!! got to go panning for the first time on the Macquarie river and we near break necks walking over the lucky stones and getting very wet (couldn't stop laughing) find a piece of bedrock and dig off some sand as well as dig into the bottom of the bank near the water line (don't know if this was right). What we found was these small circular type flakes don't know if they are real or not but they were everywhere in the pan, (or what was left after I tipped it probably back into the river lol as panning is hard). What is confusing though, is I thought you had to have black sand in your pan and then its do u dig here or there, did I go deep enough etc. Hubby and I had a funny memorable time that we can't wait to go again.

I would welcome any thoughts, advise or expertise.

 

[GaryO]

Its hard to say , if these flakes floated out of the pan easily or seemed to change colour with different angles of light they may have been Mica which is known as fools gold . You would be also able to break them up by rubbing them against the pan with your finger.
As for black sand , some areas the heavier river sand where the gold settles will have a lot of it while others dont .
Next time when u are panning find a few bits of lead to break or cut into tiny pieces and add to your pan with the wash , keep a count of how many added so u can see if your panning technique is right. Keep watching YouTube. Clips as well .

Gaz

 

[Moreorless]

Thanks for the advice Gaz will try the suggestion with the flakes and the lead. So much to learn!!

 

[Next1m8]

Lead is a great indicator of panning style I thought for a long time I was doing it wrong till a few PA members suggested lead of various shapes and sizes I kept a track of all and soon leaned that my panning was good it was just bad location choices to show me no gold, since joining here I'm finding more and more each time

Good luck and happy hunting

 

[Moreorless]

Thank you so much very encouraging I don't mind really how long it takes, I enjoyed just being out in the beautiful countryside instead of doing housework lol.

 

[GaryO]

Thank you so much very encouraging I don't mind really how long it takes, I enjoyed just being out in the beautiful countryside instead of doing housework lol.

Are u from Sydney ? A great place to learn panning is Oallen Ford , its out towards Golburn . You can pretty well spin around in a circle and then point to a spot and it will pan out small specks of gold. Its only fine but very prolific out there and its also a lovely spot to camp.

 

[Ramjet]

First time I went panning I had "GOLD" in every pan. There was so much I eventually realized it couldn't possibly be gold. It was Mica. It is really pretty hard to throw gold out of a pan. It's a great feeling when you see those first few specks. I bought some concentrates from a forum member a week or 2 ago. Got some nice gold from it. Would be a good way to practice as well as the lead. I got some small pieces of lead and smacked them with a hammer. Cut it up to all sizes to practice.

Good luck with it.

Cheers

Ramjet.

 

[Moreorless]

Thanks ramjet I do have a sneaky suspicion I have mica I will have lookout for someone more experienced on the river I can do show and tell with in the future.

Gaz definitely I have read posts on here about that place will give it a go ta.