GM 1000 - How to find detectable areas in the Golden Triangle

[Pedro3141]

Hello everyone,

I’m somewhat new to detecting(I have a GM 1000) but have been panning/high banking for about two years in Melbourne, Creswick and Eldorado.

I’ve been out around 6 times for around 6-8 hours at a time to a couple of different areas in the Golden Triangle. Detected one area in Creswick which was mostly ‘pipe clay’ or a similar white material where the monster could run on max settings. The rest of the time I was mainly detecting the material in and around mine shafts in Creswick and Castlemaine.
I haven’t found a single speck of gold yet but I’ll keep trying!

I have found a plethora of lead shot and 22 casings, and some typical junk(foil, tin, hot rocks, rust nuggets, etc.). Which I am definitely expecting and would rather get a lead shot than no target at all after a couple of hours swinging.
I am confident with the machine, I can find my test nugget(0.05g) reliably in the material next to mine shafts(don’t know the technical name).
Now the question:
What’s the best way to search for areas where pipe clay(or other less ‘hot’ ground) covers the surface ? Do old prospecting maps label it in a certain way? Is it possible to search for it on Geovic? LDC Gold on YouTube shows some great areas for the monster that aren’t strictly mullock heaps or mineshaft material.

I’m planning on going out this weekend for a swing in the triangle, if anyone is feeling generous enough to message me an old spot(an area not an exact pin)that they recommend for the monster I would be very grateful. Not expecting anything because I can see how much time and effort can go into finding a spot.

Thanks.

 

[grubstake]

What’s the best way to search for areas where pipe clay(or other less ‘hot’ ground) covers the surface ? Do old prospecting maps label it in a certain way?

The original old Golden Triangle maps are full of detailed info and well worth very close study in my experience. Back in the early 80's, a friend found a tiny area labelled "Nuggets" on an ancient Maryborough map, went there and walked straight on to a patch in some river wash! Look out for anywhere labelled "White Hill/s" - there's your quiet ground.

 

[Pedro3141]

The original old Golden Triangle maps are full of detailed info and well worth very close study in my experience. Back in the early 80's, a friend found a tiny area labelled "Nuggets" on an ancient Maryborough map, went there and walked straight on to a patch in some river wash! Look out for anywhere labelled "White Hill/s" - there's your quiet ground.

Thank you for your quick response Grubstake.
Just checked a map and saw White Flat and White Hill. However both areas are not within the allowed prospecting area haha that’s unfortunate. I’ll check some other areas and some other maps.
Are there any other distinct types of ground that isn't highly mineralised/ hot ?

 

[Moneybox]

It amazes me how we're still digging up dozens of lead shot, bullets and shells and yet the gold has gone. Do people just throw their junk back? If I find gold anywhere I know I'm going back someday and I'd hate to be digging the same lumps of lead that I dug the previous year. We take anything we pick up, if it's big it usually stays behind but all the little bits go in the bumbag to be disposed of elsewhere.

 

[Hawkear]

Hello everyone,

I’m somewhat new to detecting(I have a GM 1000) but have been panning/high banking for about two years in Melbourne, Creswick and Eldorado.

I’ve been out around 6 times for around 6-8 hours at a time to a couple of different areas in the Golden Triangle. Detected one area in Creswick which was mostly ‘pipe clay’ or a similar white material where the monster could run on max settings. The rest of the time I was mainly detecting the material in and around mine shafts in Creswick and Castlemaine.
I haven’t found a single speck of gold yet but I’ll keep trying!

I have found a plethora of lead shot and 22 casings, and some typical junk(foil, tin, hot rocks, rust nuggets, etc.). Which I am definitely expecting and would rather get a lead shot than no target at all after a couple of hours swinging.
I am confident with the machine, I can find my test nugget(0.05g) reliably in the material next to mine shafts(don’t know the technical name).
Now the question:
What’s the best way to search for areas where pipe clay(or other less ‘hot’ ground) covers the surface ? Do old prospecting maps label it in a certain way? Is it possible to search for it on Geovic? LDC Gold on YouTube shows some great areas for the monster that aren’t strictly mullock heaps or mineshaft material.

I’m planning on going out this weekend for a swing in the triangle, if anyone is feeling generous enough to message me an old spot(an area not an exact pin)that they recommend for the monster I would be very grateful. Not expecting anything because I can see how much time and effort can go into finding a spot.

Thanks.

Unfortunately Pedro, you have described a problem that most operators of VLF machines have experienced unless very fortunate.
I no longer have a VLF machine but started out with one and the experience in using it was a nightmare compared to the modern ground cancelling Pulse Induction machines we use today. No doubt more modern VLF machines like the GM have improved performance in some areas and I have heard of many who have had success but usually in highly favourable situations. For every success story there also seems to be as many stories highlighting difficulties as you have done.
The difficulty is and always will be in finding ground unmineralized enough to show off the potential of the GM.
After 6 unsuccessful trips, I think it is time to take stock and review where you are heading. Do you really want to do another 6 unsuccessful trips and if you do are you going to keep persevering with the hobby and pack it all in because that is what is at risk.
You have already put in some hard yards in your pursuit, why not now put in some hard cash and buy a PI detector which will allow you the freedom to not have to worry overmuch about ground mineralisation and almost guarantee you that success you seek and IMHO deserve.
A quick check through Marketplace just now reveals many secondhand SD 2300s available around $2500 -$3000 with many having heaps of extras. The 2300 is an almost bombproof PI detector and most would only be being sold to upgrade to the much more expensive 6000. In terms of performance on small gold the 2300 is still comparable in performance to that much more expensive machine.
So my recommendation would be to pull out all the stops and find the cash to buy a good used SD 2300. After 6 unsuccessful trips you deserve some success now.

 

[grubstake]

100% agree with Hawkear above. I'd add that the catch for seeking out unmineralised areas is that those have always been the easiest places to find gold with a detector. As a consequence, there is less chance of you succeeding there now than in the more challenging (and more widespread) mineralised ground. Modern PI detectors can work well in hot, challenging ground that would reduce VLF operators to tears.

 

[Pedro3141]

It amazes me how we're still digging up dozens of lead shot, bullets and shells and yet the gold has gone. Do people just throw their junk back? If I find gold anywhere I know I'm going back someday and I'd hate to be digging the same lumps of lead that I dug the previous year. We take anything we pick up, if it's big it usually stays behind but all the little bits go in the bumbag to be disposed of elsewhere.

I think about that all the time Moneybox. Yes, there is a lot of lead shot in each shotgun shell but the amount found just seems absurd sometimes haha

Unfortunately Pedro, you have described a problem that most operators of VLF machines have experienced unless very fortunate.
I no longer have a VLF machine but started out with one and the experience in using it was a nightmare compared to the modern ground cancelling Pulse Induction machines we use today. No doubt more modern VLF machines like the GM have improved performance in some areas and I have heard of many who have had success but usually in highly favourable situations. For every success story there also seems to be as many stories highlighting difficulties as you have done.
The difficulty is and always will be in finding ground unmineralized enough to show off the potential of the GM.
After 6 unsuccessful trips, I think it is time to take stock and review where you are heading. Do you really want to do another 6 unsuccessful trips and if you do are you going to keep persevering with the hobby and pack it all in because that is what is at risk.
You have already put in some hard yards in your pursuit, why not now put in some hard cash and buy a PI detector which will allow you the freedom to not have to worry overmuch about ground mineralisation and almost guarantee you that success you seek and IMHO deserve.
A quick check through Marketplace just now reveals many secondhand SD 2300s available around $2500 -$3000 with many having heaps of extras. The 2300 is an almost bombproof PI detector and most would only be being sold to upgrade to the much more expensive 6000. In terms of performance on small gold the 2300 is still comparable in performance to that much more expensive machine.
So my recommendation would be to pull out all the stops and find the cash to buy a good used SD 2300. After 6 unsuccessful trips you deserve some success now.

Thank you for your input Hawkear, it’s greatly appreciated.

I don’t plan on giving up this hobby any time soon, it’s great just being out in the bush and I can imagine once I find a piece of gold the thrill will wash away the hours spent.

If the SDC is the next cheapest and decent step in my metal detecting journey then I will save up my money and hopefully buy a second hand unit next year. In the meantime I hope searching the old maps more closely will result in me finding some of this allusive gold.

How was your first trip out using a PI machine ? Did you go to a spot where your VLF machine struggled and found gold? Or did you go to different spot/area?

100% agree with Hawkear above. I'd add that the catch for seeking out unmineralised areas is that those have always been the easiest places to find gold with a detector. As a consequence, there is less chance of you succeeding there now than in the more challenging (and more widespread) mineralised ground. Modern PI detectors can work well in hot, challenging ground that would reduce VLF operators to tears.

Very well put Grubstake. Hopefully they’ve left me a tiny piece somewhere so I can show it off to the Mrs haha.

Are the quartz reefs mentioned in the old maps worth investigating further?

 

[grubstake]

Are the quartz reefs mentioned in the old maps worth investigating further?

There's no easy way to know - they weren't all bonanzas for the old-timers, as many proved to be quite low grade, so there may not have been much detectable gold around them even back when detectors first appeared. But never say never.

In my experience Avoca and Talbot are less mineralised than many other Golden Triangle areas. Also, in general the more quartz on the surface, the less mineralised the ground, if that's any help to you.

 

[Hawkear]

How was your first trip out using a PI machine ? Did you go to a spot where your VLF machine struggled and found gold? Or did you go to different spot/area?


Are the quartz reefs mentioned in the old maps worth investigating further?

Back in the late nineties, by the time I was convinced that the advertising claims made about the new Minelab PI SD super detectors were not just hype, I had lost much of the first operator advantage on many of my old spots. Nevertheless, when I eventually had enough to buy a secondhand SD2000 and later a SD2100, that was the beginning of when I could confidently go to any spot and say to myself, if the gold is there, I can find it without worrying about the competence of the machine.
The last thing you want when detecting is to be constantly worrying about that and fighting against things like ground noise. You want confidence in your machine so you can concentrate on important things like your detecting technique and listening skills and with patience you will find gold in even thrashed ground.
Don't ever be put off by people telling you ground has been thrashed. Ground is only thrashed because that is where the gold is. (EDIT) Additionally, just visiting those places, observing and asking yourself why was the gold here so abundant (once upon a time admittedly), will educate you in what to look for when seeking out new spots.
Old worked quartz reefs usually have piles of quartz nearby. The old timers used to sink their shafts directly following the quartz looking for the richer sections to crush. They often dumped quartz that they considered worthless, but which may contain small bits of gold that they overlooked.
Quartz itself is relatively unmineralised and would be a good situation for a VLF machine. Additionally, from what I have heard the monsters seem to be good at detecting very small or lacy gold in quartz specimens.
So yes give the quartz dumps a go.

 

[guipago]

Good advice from Grubstake & Hawkear, hearing the different tones targets put out is the voodoo to practice with a target garden using any metal you have, the headphones help on this, on youtube Keep Hammering Prospecting has a lot of great stuff on the GM 1000.
Shotgun pellets & hot rocks are the bane of VLF detectors, most areas have had 160 odd years of shotgun shooting, the thing to remember is if you pinging lead you will ping gold, always go over where you dug the pellet from & dig everything as much as that's a pain, the GM is a good detector, I use mine specifically to nose around quarts reefs & river beds, it just takes a bit of time to zero in on the different target noises, but it's worth it & will work for other detectors as well, go for it!