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fxap05250

fxap05250

Joined
Aug 23, 2014
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G'day All,

I joined Prospecting Australia a couple of weeks back and thought I'd put in my first post. I'm new, green, naive and willing to learn. In saying that I've learnt from life that just when one thinks one knows everything about any field or topic - at the next corner one shall be duly challenged - always. Another way put - just when you think you know everything - you realize you know nothing... The main point is - although I'm a bit long in the teeth, over half century, I'm always willing to learn. That old expression "you can't teach a dog new tricks" can indeed stay with the old dogs. Everyday is a new day.

A sibling planted the seed of alluvial "gold prospecting" in my mind a while back. Start by buy a metal detector and go for it. However, I realize it's not quite that straight forward. I'd like to start with basics; at least with panning. I worked out (as a so called "Mexican") I've now lived right amongst gold fields for the last half dozen years (and won't qualify to be considered a local for another dozen or more.) The way I figured it - if you wet the line and barely catch any fish to write home about, why not give fossicking a go; what else is there to lose, right? I won't give up my day job but I'm willing to give it a crack.

The other day I went panning for the first time west of Dimbulah with Grant C. He's a very good panner and certainly knows his stuff. It was a day I learnt a lot about prospecting...

I'm much obliged and happy to join the Cairns Coffee Catch Up and learn more.... :cool:

Cheers
Chris
 
Welcome aboard Chris,

There's always something new to learn around here so you've come to the right place for your gold fix.

Lets us know if you have any questions.

Cheers,
Nugget
 
Cheers; thanks guys.

There are a lot of potential places to prospect in the Far North. However I get the feeling it's all diminishing; (Palmer River is off limits unless you know someone with a lease or landowner and Mt Mulligan Stn. is closed indefinitely.) Would that be a fair statement? or am I just too green?

Cheers
Chris :|
 
Hi Grant,

I spoke to a Peter Thompson a few days ago - can't recall how I got the number but I've since misplaced it. I believe he was the caretaker of part of what use to be the Mt Mulligan station (mentioned he was at the old hospital) who said it's all changed since it was sold. Perhaps I'm mistaken.

The number of Mt Mulligan Station (Thornborough) I rang today was 4094 8380. The caretaker there said it was closed temporarily last week for at least the next two months - or more or less indefinitely. I got the feeling there are some changes coming through.

The Mount Mulligan url you quoted hasn't been updated in years. The phone number is incorrect and the email address gets bounce backs. According to Peter thompson the info on there is very dated, it's past its heydays and there are no more gold fossicking tours as quoted on the website. I don't believe I've rung the number you suggested but will give it a try. I heard from an unconfirmed source Tyrconnell finally sold and for now is "business as usual"; may give that a go one of these days...

Grant, is there a coffee catch up at George's this Saturday? Gotta pick up a coupla more pans for family members. Perhaps talk then....

Cheers
Chris
 
Wow Chris, North Queensland? That's Warren and Colleen from NQExplorers country. If you want any info on sights they go to check out his vids on UTube. Lots of Garrett stuff, and he actually does live digs, pulls coins and gold out of the ground. I wish I lived in your neck of the woods. Go man!
BTW, I'm from SA.
 
Cheers Freddie, yes the bloke who told us Thornborough was closed was a bit stand off'ish over the phone, probably detected I was a Mexican lol. (Although Peter Thompson was very helpful & informative - had a good yak with him.) There are several independent areas' on Mt Mulligan but I detect changes are definitely around the corner there...

Hey Tassie, you're right. Warren & Colleen are awesome...Love his Landy and he sure makes full use of his Garrett equipment; he's got me thinkin' very seriously about that ATX. The cost is almost prohibitive (although I think a GB PI is better than an flv), a good chunk of the tax cheque will fund it should I go ahead; still in two minds. Thanks Tassie - I should be more appreciative of this part of Ozz and will definitely try to make full use of it, regardless...

In saying that, S.A is beautiful, loved the vineyards (hic); did my RAAF recruit training there in the very early 80s'; such a shame about the car industry & Elizabeth. It's criminal that this Govt is allowing the car industry to go under...

Cheers
Chris
 
Yep, cars, and a heap of other stuff too, but we enjoy a great quality of life here and the costs here make production here almost prohibitive. We all want to pay the least for our things [that's why some buy detectors from overseas - just saying as an example] so it follows on to everything in our lives........cars, metal manufacturing textiles etc etc. I use to work in the metal industry as a fitter and turner but my trade became redundant in Australia about 20yrs ago because employers couldn't afford to pay our wages. No wonder the Eastern countries get the bulk of the work, they will work for much less.

The ATX is expensive but I'd buy it over and over again just for the Iron Check. It saves a pile of digging, believe me. I had a 5000 a couple of years ago and spent the whole time digging little bits of crap, wire, foil, screws, nails etc etc. No gold, just rubbish and only had it for one day. At least the ATX can check against some of that stuff. Our time for detecting is valuable so who needs to dig unnecessarily.
 
Tassie, I agree we all want value for money. But at some point most of us will dig deeper to pay for quality. Why would I consider the ATX instead of an X-Terra Dual Pack, AT Pro or AT Gold. I've owned Holdens and Fords before - and Jap cars and they all individually have their pros and cons - more lately the rice burners beat the Holdens and Fords purely on fuel economy. RM William boots are just as good as Blundestones or Redbacks and certainly cost more - BUT I'll dig deeper for the RM Williams - not because of pride or prestige, but because - well, have you ever put a pair on? They fit like a glove and are far more comfortable AND likely to last longer as well. You're right about every one trying to save a quid but if you want quality - you gots to pay for it.

Almost all the old traditional trades are almost being made redundant - you're right Tassie. Sad but true. Part of moving with the times I guess. I am a Ground Engineer Electrical by trade. No such thing anymore today but I'm still in an electro-mechanical field...You're right, it's all about the dollar today - nothing more. Take a look at Qantas. All their LAMES' are being laid off quicker than they're putting bums on seats. (Mind you a change at the top is long overdue and I never agreed with the Jetstar concept.) I'm a firm believer in the Govt propping up the car industry and national carrier though. Every other country does it! And with great success I might add (SIA,Emirates etc). Regardless, yes I truly believe in "you get what you pay for" mostly... Tassie, we've really digressed...

Interesting what you say about the ATX. I'm surprised at your experience with the GPX5000. A lot of the professionals rate the GPX a cut above the ATX in terms of capability and versatility but are careful how they express it. Warren can't sing the Garrett's praises enough - but I guess that's what he's paid to do...I would agree with your last statement though - wasted time on detecting trash is worse than watching paint dry...That's also why I'm somewhat ambivalent about getting a metal detector....

Panning this weekend, weather permitting. Feeling positive but with somewhat realistic expectations. That way, :) any find is a BONUS!
Chow....
Cheers
Chris :cool:
 
Hey Freddie, I spoke with Tony last week of Tyrconnell. He mentioned something about Mt Mulligan under receivership. I'm not sure which particular part of Mt Mulligan he refers to (Thorborough?)...That may be why there is a temporary halt on fossicking up that way...?
 
Thornborough is an old town ship (as well as Kingsborough) on Mount Mulligan station but isn't owned by Mount Mulligan station. Mount Mulligan station was bought by Gordon Pringle a couple of years ago and I was lead to believe that he stopped people detecting out there as the old owners (who subdivided the old Mulligan township and weir and live in the old hospital) used to let people detect out there. I heard a rumour that Pringle was broke which is why he is selling the property. Mount Mulligan station is only one property on the Hodgekinson gold fields, there is a couple of properties including "Kondapringa" station and "Glen Russell" station. I personally detect on "Glen Russell" as I've known the owners for years and have permisson, I haven't found any gold out there yet as I'm new to detecting. I won't mention any names but I know someone who has detected an area of the Hodgekinson gold field and found a fair bit of gold, one patch being about 40 ounces. There is still plenty of gold out there but the trick is getting permission, that's the part that gets frustrating. There is a bloke that lives at the old township of Thornborough that runs a camp site and allows you to pan in the creek and I know a bloke from work that found a little colour in his pan when he stayed there over a long weekend.
 
Thanks Freddie, yes makes sense what you say. The sites for prospecting are becoming more scarce this way; I'm new to this and get the feeling it's becoming one of those ventures whereby it's a case of "it's not what you know - but who you know" to get on to reasonable sites such as the Hodgkinson area...Palmer River is definitely the case of this from what I know...This adds to my apprehension in investing in a decent detector or other equipment to prospect (as a enthusiast/hobbyist prospector.)

Otherwise it's out as far as Georgetown, Forsayth and Einasleigh...Love your Lcruiser - saw it on another post and places such as Georgetown would be no problemo for you...

Cheers
Chris
 

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