working in old goldfields

Hi there,

I'm new to this forum but have been reading it for a while...

Where I live there are literally dozens of old workings/mines/reefs within a 10km radius... it's very rugged mountainous country in places with some beautiful creeks... and while research tells me a lot of gold was pulled out of the area both out of quartz and the creeks, I struggle to find references on maps/online etc. It's only through local libraries etc that I've found out certain things - and I've got an old map showing all the claims from the late 1800s. I have never seen any reference to this area on any forum, even though at one point it was shaping up as a very important goldfield, according to historical records.

I went for a wander around one of the mines the other day and brought home a few big bits of quartz that were downhill from some where a reef was profitably mined - cracked it open, and lo and behold there were heaps of tiny specks of gold... I've also found specks in the creek that runs through my place and in quartz that is on the slope at the back of my house.

I haven't bought a detector yet - my wife and I are doing a training day in September with Gold Prospecting Australia up Bendigo way to see if we like it or not... but regardless I think I'll hire a detector and spend a week combing the area... I'm assuming focussing on the areas between the old mines and the creeks is the way to go? Any thoughts welcomed...

Cheers

What general area are you in ( dont give away your location just the state would be ok). Google earth has marks PM me your email, and i will send you some stuff. Cheers

start a pile of those gold bearing quartz rocks. If you trace some to a reef that's not been worked you might be able to start your own mine. I'd be pretty excited about it if I were you. You should look up your area on the DIGS website to see actual mine reports from the old days.

Dicko..