Golden Triangle Region, Geology and Prospecting

Hi everyone. I am new to your forum, as I stumbled upon it, when doing some research on the 'Golden Triangle' region. I am also new to gold prospecting/detecting. I have been out quite a few times in the hope of striking a nice target/nugget, but with no success as of yet. Shall perservere though.

The geological areas of of North Central Victoria seem to be of quite significant of gold bearing lodes/spurs/reefs. Such as Bendigo, and surounding areas such as Castlemaine, Maldon, Kingower, Mt Moliagul and so on. The hills and gullies. In these areas, have been quite rich shallow alluvial deposits, steeming from the old river washing the sides of these hills. As this could be seen quite clearly in the Bendigo township. As gold was first discovered in the Bendigo creek. Where nuggets could be scooped out with a can. Bendigo Creek leads north-eastwards out of the city towards the Campaspe Deep Lead, following the old river.
The main abundance of gold that still lies in Bendigo's ground is quite deep, around 500 ft and deeper. Which can't be found with a metal detector anyway.

With the brilliance of technology, even the every day internet user can use great geological tools, even such as 'Google Earth' and now the Department of Sustainability and Environment has introduced it's 'Interactive Maps'

This takes us to, What did the old diggers leave us?

I have lived in the Bendigo region for quite some time now, 15+ years. And have finally started to find out a little about the history of Bendigo.

What I have found out about the digging period around this area. Has been quite little. For alot of the diggings back then were hard to manage. For people were moving to Bendigo at the rate of up to 5000 - 6000 people a week. A quarter of them being Chinese. For even alot of the mines shafts sunk around Bendigo. Have managed to lose their names through the speed of what gold mining occupied Bendigo and surrounding regions.

What I can determine of the alluvial gold found around Bendigo area. Was before Bendigo got pillaged of most of its gold nuggets and before they built the township known as Sandhurst (Bendigo) on it. There where some nice gold bearing gullies leading down from the hills that occupy the outer west, south-east, south, south-west and north (Eaglehawk) sides of the township. Most of these gullies now, have houses or agriculture farming on them now. But some areas around the township still remain worthy of prospect/swing. There is quite a few locations around reserved crown park land. And also the friendly farmers paddock, please ask permission. Some of them believe in shooting ferrels on their property still.

Hope you all got a little bit of something to put into this Topic/thread, as it could be a popular topic for gold prospectors around this area. I know it is to me.

Here is some reading/insight into the Bendigo region.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_gold_rush
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bendigo
http://www.central-deborah.com/educatio ... mining.doc
http://www.ezinearticles.com/?Bendigo-Gold&id=981394
http://www.breakofday.co.nz/extracts.htm#digging
http://www.breakofday.co.nz/extracts.htm#llg
http://www.heritage.vic.gov.au/admin/fi ... egion5.pdf
http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources/22_2142.pdf
http://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/Files/Vol ... awk_HS.pdf (GREAT READ, just a big *.pdf - 9.10 MB)

Here is some mapping links:
http://nremap-sc.nre.vic.gov.au/MapShare.v2/imf.jsp?site=em
http://www.geoscience.gov.au/bin/mapserv36?map=/public/http/www/geoportal/250/index.map&mode=browse&layer=map250&queryon=true
http://earth.google.com/

'GTR32'

Driving through Campbells Creek (Castlemaine) the other day stumbled upon an area of bushland near an old mine/cutting called 'brilliant', which was on the side of a hill, near a really steep gully. There were a couple of prospected holes, that hadn't been refilled. But the ground around this area, is quite uneven so sure there is plenty around still. At the base of this gully/creek, there is quite a few old diggers holes. Looks like good prospecting ground anyways. Might see ya's out there!
Is this anyones area I have stumbled onto Got any information for me Ha ha.

Here is some insight to this area.
Quoted from http://www.axd.com.au/irm/content/projects_castlemaine_goldfield.html]http://www.axd.com.au/irm/content/projects_castlemaine_goldfield.html']http://www.axd.com.au/irm/content/projects_castlemaine_goldfield.html

'A gold-bearing quartz vein was first discovered at Specimen Gully at the northern end of the Castlemaine goldfield in July 1851. Upon the announcement of this discovery, the first gold rush commenced at Golden Point on Forest Creek where alluvial gold was easily found in shallow shafts. Within the first three years the whole alluvial drainage system was explored by up to 30,000 miners at any one time. Some 4 million ounces are estimated to have been produced from the field up to 1864. The surface alluvial was richer and more extensive than at Ballarat or Bendigo. These alluvial gravels could be mined quickly by individual miners, with the proceeds remitted out of the district, with less incentive for the formation of mining companies.'

'GTR32'

Thanks for taking the time and effort to share your info with everyone,you seem to have done research like i have but theres more to it than research mainly learning how to use your detector, learning what every noise is which i have not mastered as yet,thats why im going to the gold camp hopefully gleen some knowledge off the more experienced prospectors every little bit helps.
sean

If all works out, i'll see you there. I haven't found out much about Castlemaine history as of yet. Been studying alot of Bendigo's history though. If anyone has any questions about these areas.

GTR32 wrote:surounding areas such as Castlemaine, Maldon, Kingower, Mt Moliagul and so on.

Regarding geology or history. I would be happy to help in research, or pass on about what I have learnt of these areas.

Thanks
'GTR32'

Was reading GTRs findings on Bendigo area. I went up to the fosterville diggings last Monday. Not much success, except for a few coins, Penny and 2 sixpences in an old church yard, the church long gone. On the way home to Melb i swung by lake Eppalock area. with my trusty Dick Smith detector I plucked a small nugget 4" down in a creek bed, not far from the old Brolga Hotel. so I spent the rest of day in hope but no more readings except a 1980 10c. so theres still some around. we must keep trying.
Dicky

Dicky wrote: Was reading GTRs findings on Bendigo area. I went up to the fosterville diggings last Monday. Not much success, except for a few coins, Penny and 2 sixpences in an old church yard, the church long gone. On the way home to Melb i swung by lake Eppalock area. with my trusty Dick Smith detector I plucked a small nugget 4" down in a creek bed, not far from the old Brolga Hotel. so I spent the rest of day in hope but no more readings except a 1980 10c. so theres still some around. we must keep trying.
Dicky

I have spoken to a couple of prospectors from time to time, that have sweeped out near Fosterville. But had no success as of yet. Apart from one of the blokes got a nice nugget from the bushland closer to Bendigo/Epsom/Ascot area. Sure if you keep looking though. There will be a shallow patch out that side of town somewhere. Keeping in mind that Fosterville mine did score some nice nuggets through their open-cut, I think the most of the 100 ft of top soil that was excavated was only just feasible for mining purposes. This mine has since gone underground.

Always wondered about the Eppalock side of town. Glad to hear the 'Dick Smith Detector' does work. The Heathcote area doesn't shine out all that much, in the history I have read so far. What I can see though, is that most the mining/digging took place a little south of Heatcote. There was also a couple on the east side hills of Eppalock. Happy hunting.