Full Time vs Part Time Prospecting

Hi all, well I have a question that I need some input with as I am on a fact finding mission. How much gold at today’s price would you think a prospector / detectorest would need to find on a daily basis to cover costs.

Now I know there are a lot of variables but let’s keep this to a simple scenario. Uncle Cyril has purchased a ML5000; he is not a pro but has had time with the 4000 and 4500. He desires to have a go full time. He has a 4x4 and a caravan. He has chosen central Qld as a base and will give himself 12 months there. Cyril is a healthy man and has access to private land.

I am putting this question to those who may be like Uncle Cyril and have been there and put a big effort in, or they too have the idea to have a go and have done some figures.

(JP) Jonathan Porter please do not answer this question … I am not being rude but Uncle Cyril is not up to your standard. It’s not about what he could find it is about how much he would need to find.

We are talking grams per day and I have heard all sorts of numbers. So working with the above scenario what would be your opinion prospectors?

K2
[b]

Uncle Cyril should plan for detecting for a 2-3 month stint to start with. If he camps in the bush and is self contained and self powered and knows how to buy supplies, the only big cost will be fuel and food. If he stays in a caravan park and drives for two hours each day to gold spots and back then he needs to treat the trip as a holiday and have some funds in the bank.

So $500 a week will see you through i reckon with the hope of finding more then that. So say 14 grams average a week and you would be surviving. (assuming you have funds in the bank as back up to fix a broken vehicle and unexpected repairs etc).

I have met a few people who aim for 1 ounce a week as an average to make it worthwhile, but they are not camped in clermont or leinster caravan park or near anyone really.

PW beck pays about a $1.20 less then spot gold price per gram. (less $110 per parcel sent in for refinery/assay costs) That was $43.76 per gram yesterday they told me. So Uncle cyril can save up the grams and send off 4 ounces in the post at the local postoffice every now and again and wait the 10 days for the money to be deposited in his account.

Camping out and getting 15 grams a week is absolutely do-able in WA during winter (can't speak for central queensland but if you spent months learning the region it should work out). But way out bush you must have a reliable rig and some experience at bush camping. A buddy and a second vehicle is good insurance and if you pool your gold and go halves you will be better off then detecting by yourself.

Best advice for the "scenario" i can give is to plan for a few months trip at first and build up the length of the trips based on your successes and how much you can cope detecting all the time.

Tributer
PS I am not a fultime prospector... winter trip and and then every other weekend would be enough.

Now the big question is.....................................does uncle Cyril have a missus?? If he does, start talking ounces not grams.
Cheers
Curley

6 grams a day...5 days a week

At least 1/2oz a week,full time.Whether it be detector or sluice.
Makes a great holiday either way.

Geez , only Uncle Cyril could answer that . Does he eat snaggers or crayfish for dinner and does he have any debts to pay off ????cheers

G'day K2.

Some sound advice has been given to you by the gents on this forum.I just hope that uncle Cyril is a knowledgeable and experienced prospector,who knows how to read potential gold bearing ground.If not,tell him to make sure he allows a couple of extra belt buckle holes,for the tighter times ahead.

Cheers kon61.

Thank you for your replies and input. Cyril will have the following set up …
One ML4500 Plus a ML5000 and several coils, one Garmin SX60 GPS, one Honda 2.5 genni, One country phone and a laptop computer set up with Telstra. One extra fridge freezer 80 ltr Downunder, One 18 ft caravan with annex , one 1994 Toyota Landcruiser ute. Uncle Cyril will have a $10,000 back-up account and will receive $650 per fortnight. His task will be to find 3 grams per day with his results checked 1st of every month. Cyril will have a dog for company in camp.
He is healthy, fit and has some bush skills and some mechanical ability and a good amount of common sense. He is 56 yrs old.
I know these details to be true as I will set all this up for him at my cost.
He will be in Clermont QLD for 12 months.

What do you think … can he do it ? has he got enough gear ?

K2

gooday K2

do not forget the weather, they get some good storms there and everything is leading to old fashion wet weather patten.

cheers..reg

just heard today that the fitzroy river is on minor flood watch, there has been extensive rain out in that area the last 24 hours.

G'day K2.

Here's a few more accessories and spares that should be considered,apart from your normal spare car parts and tools for mechanical repairs.
a) Small 12v Tyre compressor.
b) A good puncture repair kit.
c) A good spare car battery,or portable,high amp cranking,jump starter(PROJECTA) or similar,
especially if driving automatic vehicles.
d) Satellite phone or Mini sat/alert(Personal EPIRB) if intending to stay in remote places for
prolonged periods of time.
e) A good set of navigational maps of the areas you intend searching.
f) Last but not least, a good months worth of non perishable food reserves most importantly
water. Especially if your stuck somewhere remote for a long period of time due to weather.
I'm sure I've left a couple of other spare parts and accessories that just don't come to
mind at the moment,but i hope some of this info helps. One things for certain,if you've
done your homework wright,you'll be looking at one amazing trip.
PS.Don't for get a good set of snake gaitors.
Cheers kon61.

Hi K2,

Great plan. Now when you lodge the sale of ingots each month on the 1st, you will need to write back to us all to let us all know how it is going.

This will be a great report and if succesful you will lay the plan for all to retire and leave the desk for the bush, beer and nuggets.

Keep us informed. When will the journey begin?

May all the success be yours to enjoy. Acan

Thanks for the replies, a lot of good info there. This is more of a challenge than a holiday. I am just not sure if at the end of each month Uncle Cyril should be replaced if he has not made the 3 grams per day.
If I set it up as a challenge or competition would I get enough applicants to be Uncle Cyril? This is going to be a fun exercise either way I think.
K2

K2, I have also looked at the averages. You have had replies that state - 3 grams per day, 6 grams per day, 1/2 oz per week even 15 grams per week. Overall the average is 3.35 grams per day adding up to 23.5 grams per week, giving you a neat $1032.50 income per week. Out west they say this is do-able and I would think that if you are out each day you would get pretty good at gold finding.

There is a article in this months Gold and gems, where a couiple sold their restaurant, bought a 4wd, caravan with all the goodies, laptop and 2 new ML4500. Their plane is to do just what you have envisaged - full time prospecting around Australia. Good Luck to you all, I for one am envious and waiting for my turn.

So all the best and keep us informed it would be a great expedition. Acan

K2 wrote:
(JP) Jonathan Porter please do not answer this question … I am not being rude but Uncle Cyril is not up to your standard. It’s not about what he could find it is about how much he would need to find.
K2
[b]

Nugget ....err K2 no offense taken, give me a call when you get up our way as we need to have a chat (over coffee would be good), assuming you don't get bogged (had over 80 mm up here with more to come by the look of it so you might need the diff locks in your old cruiser ute especially out the back of the 7 mile), I think Uncle Cyril could do with some friendly instruction on how to use his GPX-5000 going by the negativity of the locals lately, I'd hate to see him start off on his quest for self sufficiency without the most important tool of all, confidence in his equipment.

JP

PS how is the EX going? Am thinking of going the 1/2" CMOS route myself.

Hello Jonathan, I am on my way back up, will give you a call when I have the chance. I have your number.
EX is very good but I am a long way behind filming, too much going on in life. If you go EX go the 3.

K2

I think Uncle Cyril could do with some friendly instruction on how to use his GPX-5000 going by the negativity of the locals lately

Hey JP,

Haven't had a chance to get out to Clermont for a while. Out of curiosity what is the negativity of the locals? I read it as being the Clermont locals.

Cheers

I think uncle Cyril needs a compass and a CB radio. Oh, and a name change.

A bike will pay back its cost in gold allowing you to travel off track and cover lots of spots while hunting a patch.
Uncle Cyril may be too overloaded for a quad bike, but a Postie CT110 can often be squeezed in.
Tributer

G'day K2

In the new compition for a prospector, is his name still gona be "Uncle Cyril"

uncle cyrils biggest challenge is going to be - inside his head.

has he experienced a capacity to go for several weeks without finding colour?

we all know of detectorites that have given the game away, because they couldnt go the distance.

i wish him the best of luck, i personally wouldnt try it. its the pressure of the NEED to perform, that will screw with his mind, and keeping a monthly assesment broadcast here on the net, will only add to that pressure. every time i go detecting, i have to phyck myself away from pressure and into a positive frame of mind, enjoy my holiday. i save my pennies before i go and pay for the trip, then at the end of the trip, i skite about what i have in my pocket(s).

my EGO is going to get bruised one year, i hope cyril survives the experience ... kev

I know a couple who have been detecting for 15 years....from May to Sept in the West....They are both VERY profficient at finding yellow......they do the usual rounds and normally average 10 ozs. for the 5 months (they are both in their 70s)....This year however they could only manage just over 3 ozs.
I think that when anyone is going on a prospecting venture it is better to err on the side of caution........(particularly if they don't have the "age pension" as a back-up).