New Member - Need some Help

Hi all, recently joined the forum but have read plenty of helpful posts here already.

Me and a mate have been prospecting for about 5 years (2 day trip/year).

In the past we've been to Wedderburn, Kingower, Dunolly etc.

I'm the researcher/location finder etc so can anyone suggest the best mapping software (Paid or Free), links, tips etc that can help us with our quest. I know of the Earth Resources Publications etc.

If anyone could help it would be much appreciated.

Thanks Empty handed.

Welcome empty handed, It's a tough gig these days to find a bit of colour
Even the most experienced guys here in vic are finding it harder each year?
I can go a week or two with out any finds and that's putting in average of 2 hours most days and most are sub gramers .
Don't get disheartened ,enjoy the process the trip the bush and the solitude including the bugs
Good luck

cheers moredeep

ps I haven't done any good at Dunolly either

G'Day EH

Empty Handed wrote:Me and a mate have been prospecting for about 5 years (2 day trip/year) but we are always coming up empty handed.   

I have been looking for 10+ years and have never found any AU so know exactly how you feel, but have found gems

Empty Handed wrote:We just got back from another 2 day trip around Dunolly and well nothing again.   

I have been to Maryborough GT with no joy and I have now found a guy who says 80% chance I would find a nugget with him in a 1 2 1 situation around GT

Empty Handed wrote:Anyone we talk to on our trips aren't very keen to disclose any information and after 5 years of finding nothing I understand why.

When you find a few nugs. will you be telling anyone were to go ???

Its just human nature, plus in SA it is illegal to sell them if you can find them.

I will send u an IM so we can take it offline

Any part time Geologists out there.
Why can Gold be different colours.
I've found Gold that's very goldie and shiny around Castlemaine, but Gold I'm finding around St Arnaud seems to have a redder look to it.
Is it because of the colour of the ground?

Stubbsy, some of it will be the ground or surrounding rocks, and soaking in hydrochloric acid will get most of it out.

The rest of the colour will be different impurities in the gold, such as copper. More silver and the lighter the colour.

Regards Axtyr.

Thanks Axtyr.
So potentially the darker gold is less pure?
I might do a test in Hydrochloric acid.
Do you use straight acid or water it down?
BTW, I'm only talking about small bits but great practice for a big one.

G'day Stubbsy.

Historically, the Victorian goldfields have very pure natural gold of about 22 carat. I took a nice piece in to get it tested and was told that it was 23 carat.

If you research the St. Arnaud region you should/might find the purity of the local gold. Prospectors who live there might be able to help you as well.

I use old film canisters to put my gold in and then pour straight hydrochloric acid over the top to cover the gold. When I am ready to remove the gold I put the canister under the tap and fill the canister and let the water overflow the top of it. Then I pour the diluted mixture into the garden. When you pour the acid in it will be clear, then turn an orangey urine colour.

I use this method to break down any ironstone around and in the crevices of the gold and it works very well. The acid will not dissolve the ironstone, but break it down so that it will have texture similar to dirt. When you remove what you can and get to hare ironstone again, you drop it in fresh acid again. I will repeat the process about every 24 hours. I also do this if the gold looks "dirty" such as what you describe. Even then it doesn't always make the piece look bright, so probably too many impurities.

Others use a product called Alibrite, which contains an extremely dangerous chemical called HYDROFLUORIC acid, but in low strength. I think hydrofluoric acid is a restricted chemical so you won't be able to purchase it over the counter. Those who have used the pure hydrofluoric acid will warn you that it is just as dangerous as mercury, but a lot more painful. I would still be careful using Alibrite and certainly use gloves. The Alibrite will dissolve quartz as well as ironstone, whereas hydrochloric acid will not dissolve quartz. I have never used Alibrite so I don't know how you apply it to the specimen. I don't know if it is a paste or a liquid. If I have quartz in a specimen I prefer to leave it in there.

As a plumber I know that hydrochloric acid burns a bit but can be easily washed off, whereas hydrofluoric acid doesn't wash off as easily. Possibly a similar reaction as napalm, but that is just my belief. Many use Alibrite and will be able to advise as to how to use it safely.

I hope this helps, regards Axtyr.