| name | gold-washing |
| locale | caveman-ultra |
| source_locale | en |
| source_commit | 82c77053 |
| translator | Julius Brussee homage — caveman |
| translation_date | 2026-04-24 |
| description | Alluvial gold recovery using panning, sluicing, and classification. Covers site reading (geological indicators, stream dynamics, pay streak location), panning technique, sluice box operation, and responsible extraction practices. Use when prospecting in an area with known or suspected alluvial gold deposits, sampling a stream to test for gold presence, maximizing recovery during recreational panning, or assessing a site's gold potential before investing more effort.
|
| license | MIT |
| allowed-tools | Read |
| metadata | {"author":"Philipp Thoss","version":"1.0","domain":"prospecting","complexity":"intermediate","language":"natural","tags":"prospecting, gold, panning, sluicing, alluvial, placer, geology"} |
Gold Washing
Alluvial gold recovery via panning + sluicing + classification.
Use When
- Prospecting known/suspected alluvial deposits
- Sampling stream → test for gold presence
- Recreational panning → maximize recovery
- Assess site potential pre-invest
In
- Required: gold pan (14-16 in, riffles)
- Required: stream/river/alluvial access
- Optional: classifier/screen (1/4 in mesh)
- Optional: sluice box (higher volume)
- Optional: snuffer bottle or tweezers (fine gold)
- Optional: vial w/ water (storage)
- Optional: shovel + bucket
Do
Step 1: Read site
Gold heavy (SG 19.3) → concentrates predictably. Read water + geology before dig.
Where Gold Concentrates:
INSIDE BENDS:
Water slows on inside curves of a stream. Heavy materials
(including gold) drop out of suspension here. Sample the
gravel bar on the inside of bends.
BEHIND OBSTRUCTIONS:
Large rocks, fallen trees, and bedrock ledges create
low-pressure zones behind them. Gold settles in these
"shadow" areas.
BEDROCK CRACKS:
Gold works its way into cracks and crevices in bedrock.
Cleaning out bedrock cracks (crevicing) can be very productive.
PAYSTREAKS:
The heaviest concentration follows a line (paystreak) along
the inside of the bend, continuing from one inside bend to the
next. Experienced prospectors trace this line.
WHERE TO SAMPLE:
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Feature | Sample Location |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Inside bend | 1-2 feet above waterline in gravel bar |
| Behind boulder | Downstream side, in the calm pocket |
| Bedrock exposure | In cracks and depressions |
| Stream confluence | Where tributary meets main stream |
| Old flood channels | Elevated terraces above current stream |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
Geological Indicators:
- Black sand (magnetite/hematite): gold's travel companion.
Where black sand concentrates, check for gold.
- Quartz veins in surrounding rock: gold often forms in
quartz veins; erosion releases it into streams
- Iron staining (rust-colored rock): indicates oxidation zone,
which can host gold deposits
→ 2-3 promising sample locations ID'd by dynamics + geology.
If err: no indicators → sample systematically, 1 pan per feature (inside bend, behind obstacle, random gravel bar). Even 1 color confirms stream carries gold.
Step 2: Classify + collect
