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<hr> <body bgcolor="#808000" text="#000000" link="#0000FF" alink="#0000FF" vlink="#FFFF00 <hr> <body bgcolor="#808000" text="#000000" link="#0000FF" alink="#0000FF" vlink="#FFFF00"><centre>Gold Prospecting in Western Australia</centre><hr>

<body bgcolor="#808000" link="#0000FF" alink="0000FF" vlink="#FF0000" text="#000000"><centre>Help, hints for gold prospecting, metal detecting in West Australia. Information about gold detecting, dry blowing, sluice, camping, Minelab, links to gold areas in WA. <marquee>(Updated 24/05/2007)</marquee>

</centre> <marquee><a href="http://babelfish.altavista.com/"title="Translate this page into your language.">TRANSLATE THIS PAGE INTO YOUR LANGUAGE by copying and pasting web address- http://www.geocities.com/onyx1551/gold_prospecting.html.</a></marquee> <hr>

<a href="lee02.jpg"><img src="specie2.gif"title="Click on photographs & highlighted text for more information."><a/> <hr> <a href="links.html"title="Photographs of some fine nuggets & other prospecting requirements."><big>****PROSPECTING PHOTO ALBUM****</big></a> <hr><a href="links3.html"title="Photographs of a few selected examples of our flora & fauna."><big>****FLORA & FAUNA PHOTO ALBUM****</big></a> <hr> <marquee>(Sing along) Words to Waltzing Matilda at bottom of page.</marquee><hr>Gold Prospecting began in Western Australia over 150 years ago. In the late 1970's, metal detectors were the beginning of a new Gold Rush. The trials and tribulations of the four pictured here will unfold in the following pages. From the left of picture Chris, Neil (VKS737-Whisky 9110), Robbie and myself Peter (VKS737-Whisky 1551.)<hr>

Gold Prospecting has become the most <a href="http://thundercloud.net/acpressions/desiderata.htm"title="Beautiful verse, worth reading.">rewarding,</a> interesting, frustrating hobby/business that we have ever attempted. Costs associated can also add up with the need to keep up with technology.<a href="http://www.geocities.com/onyx1551/Robhistory.pdf"title="ROB history dating back to 1542,Alexander, my Grandfather arriving in WA in 1889.">ROB history dating back to 1542AD.</a>Started my prospecting days back in 1980 travelling from Waikiki, WA, a trip to Nannine (old site) approximately 60kms South of Meekatharra, Western Australia. Was using the then, state of the art, "Garret Deepseeker". Found nothing on my first trip but a return to the area the following year resulted in two nuggets 1 1/4 oz & 1/4 oz. I was hooked, gold fever had grabbed me! Years later went back to this area and using a small <a href="dryblower.html"title="Information about dryblowing.">dryblower</a> managed to scrape together 6 oz's in three weeks. Very hard work digging by hand, however a rewarding exercise. Upgraded to a Garrett Groundhog, after numerous trips was unable to turn up any nuggets (hence the frustration!)Spent 2 weeks at Nullagine, saw a lot of gold being found but with no luck myself. The following years concentrated on dryblowing areas around Kalgoorlie and Kambalda with varying success. Developed many ideas on how to retrieve gold from the dryblower fines using a <a href="sluice.html"title="Information on the use of a small sluice.">sluice</a> instead of the usual panning method.In the early 90's a trip to the Leonora area resulted in the purchase of a 200 hectare (500acre) lease."CHEPERON GOLD" ABN: 80 485 138 102It really began happening then! We purchased 4x Whites V/Sat detectors and had a lot of success with small gold and returns with the dryblower. Took my three partners onboard and we now have three caravans, a shack (thanks to the Esperence shed fitter) and most of the comforts of home on our mining lease.(PL4260) We bought a Minelab SD 2000 between us in '96 and got immediate results with many fine nuggets. Had my long service leave in early '99 so bought the latest <a href="TuningyourMinelabSD2100.doc"title="How to tune your SD2100.">Minelab SD 2100.</a> In the time I was there I picked up 44 nuggets and we totalled 74 nuggets for the trip.<img src="244g.jpg"title="bright gold">The SD2000 has now been modified and Neil has added another modified 2000 to the inventory. Both SD's have had the 7.3volt system added. In 2004 Neil purchased a GP 3000 and his tally of nuggets has rocketed. In 2006 we sold the SD2000 and I bought a GP 3500, who knows what lays ahead. In 2007 I upgraded to the GPX 4000 with good results on first trip. The GPX 4000 has revolutionised the metal detecting world with its ability to handle extremely mineralised ground with mono coils fitted. The addition of the digital readout enables the user to enter precise settings for various ground types. Here is an example of one of the settings used; Using the ML 11" round DD with the following settings I was able to target the 6 nuggets ranging in depths from 75mm to 200mm. An interesting point here I was running the "Gain" in 9 and when I targeted the 3.9g, the signal was very faint. I altered the gain setting to maximum 15 setting and it boomed in. When I finished digging I returned the gain to 9 which was the most suitable for this ground.

Settings.

Volume = 30

Tone = 40

Signal = 10

Tracking = Medium

Ground Balance Type = General

Sensitive = Extra

Iron Reject = Off

Manual Tune = 76

Audio = Normal

Gain = 9

Motion = Slow

Response = Normal

When the machine is auto tuned the frequency selected shows up on the "Manual Tune" part of the menu.

The greatest feature of this machine is, if the above settings are recorded, when I return to this area I will be able to set the machine exactly to the most responsive settings and be under way swinging with confidence.

Hope this assists you and any other GPX4000 owners <img src="nugget001.jpg"title="Gold at 200mm,DD coil with the GPX 4000"><hr>NOW YOU WANT TO GET STARTED?<hr><marquee><img src="Beprepared.gif"title="Beprepared"></marquee><hr><img src="animpick.gif">First and paramount is your personal safety. Our "OUTBACK" can be very unforgiving for the foolhardy and unprepared? First-Aid knowledge is essential! "How to treat snake bite"<a href="http://www.usyd.edu.au/anaes/venom/snakebite.html"title="Snake bite information."> http://www.usyd.edu.au/anaes/venom/snakebite.html</a>, can be the difference between life and death!! A $5.00 wide bandage applied correctly can give the patient the needed time for professional help to arrive. For information, contact and support our Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia Tel: (08) 9417 6390<hr><img src="animpick.gif"> A sound knowledge about “bush meals” is definitely advantageous. <a href="http://www.geocities.com/onyx1551/BushTucker.doc"title="Roast Chicken and Vegetables.">Roast chicken and vegetables.</a><a href="http://www.geocities.com/onyx1551/cooking.doc"title="Crab and Corn Soup.">Crab and corn soup.</a><hr><img src="animpick.gif"> To go prospecting/ detecting and be successful you need to research the area you intend to visit. You should be aware of the driving hazards you will encounter. Wet roads become treacherous and the slightest lapse in concentration you end up like I did in photo below. You should have a sound knowledge of bush mechanics and carry critical spares! eg: fan belts, radiator hoses, fuses etc. <img src="LakeRebecca021.jpg"title="Difficult positions we get into."></a> For <a href="creekproblems.gif"title="Why we need a 4WD.">4WD</a> information, join a club: The Australian National 4WD Radio Network Inc:Visit their website:<a href="http://www.vks737.on.net"title="Essential when travelling in the Outback.">http://www.vks737.on.net</a> Four Wheel Drive Club of WA (Inc) e-mail: <a href="mailto:[email protected]"title="Information on 4WD requirements.">[email protected]</a> <hr><img src="animpick.gif"> Get yourself a Prospecting Licence: (Miners Right) ($20.00)

OBTAIN MAPS OF THE AREA:Department of Industry and Resources. (Western Australia) Web site: <a href="http://www.mpr.wa.gov.au/"title="Maps,Miners Rights and Title searches.">http://www.mpr.wa.gov.au/</a><hr><img src="animpick.gif">

Get your hands on the first addition of "Gold and Ghosts" (Very rare, fetching upwards of $500.00AU) This will give you all the prospecting areas in Western Australia. Second hand copies are occasionally listed on eBay or advertised in the "Australian Gold Gem & Treasure" which is a monthly magazine containing articles on prospecting and a classified section from which you can buy all your prospecting needs. For subscription e-mail:<a href="mailto:[email protected]"title="Lots of prospecting and gem info here.">[email protected]</a> Subscribing to this very informative magazine is money well spent.<hr><img src="animpick.gif"> It is advisable that when you decide which area you intend to prospect, you write to the Station Owner whose land the prospect is in. Introduce yourself and let them know, when you will be in the area, your miners right number, your vehicle make and rego number and how long you intend to stay. Introducing yourself is a courtesy which can have its benefits, as well as retaining a relationship between pastoralists and prospectors. We prospectors do not have a very good reputation because of the minority group who leave gates open, cut fences, shoot holes in anything that moves and doesn't move ie: water tanks and windmills etc. Word of advice: If you intend to take your dog with you, don’t let it run free or it will end up in a lonely grave. Most stations aerial drop poison baits for wild dogs.

If the area is covered by El's (Exploration Licences) or is a current Mining Lease you need permission to enter. Of all the mining companies and pastoralists that I have contacted I have always received permission to detect, after explaining we weren't bringing mobile equipment ie: bobcats, front-end loaders etc. If you detect on another's lease without permission they can legally confiscate all your equipment. This is highly unlikely, but it can happen by law, you are generally asked to move on. Also, it is an offence to clear areas of natural bush without permission and there are huge fines imposed if you are caught and found guilty! <hr><img src="animpick.gif">

Purchase a Global Positioning System (GPS) A GPS is an excellent navigation aid, linked to a laptop running OziExplorer and Natmaps and using the moving map option is invaluable. Some photos on how I have set up my laptop in my little truck. <img src="Laptopmount.jpg"title="laptop mount"><img src="Laptopmount2.jpg"title="laptop mount"><img src="Laptopmount3.jpg"title="laptop mount">This does not replace the need for careful orienteering and good judgement, keeping in mind electronics have a habit of failing in the inopportune moments. If you are not familiar with finding your way around the bush, I strongly advise you read as much as you can about the West Australian outback. Buy yourself a compass SILVA is a good brand as it is flat/light and you can hang it around your neck at all times. Practice compass walks eg: Walk for 15 minutes in any direction (noting what heading you are on) then swing 90deg left, walk for 15 minutes swing 90deg left, walk again for 15 minutes, swing 90deg left and in 15 minutes you should be in sight of your starting point. Given time and practice you don't need the compass and you can be guaranteed to be back near starting point. You can also practice walking in a triangle 120deg swings (this is my preferred method). Walk for a selected time each leg and you will almost always come back to the vehicle. If this fails pull the GPS out of your back pack, retrieve the co-ordinates you entered before leaving your vehicle?? Locate the vehicle within a few hundred metres, (probably obscured by a clump of trees or hill.) A GPS is not essential, however we have found it invaluable for storing coordinates of likely prospecting areas and also any windmills or waterholes we come across. Whenever water is located it should be tested to judge whether it is potable. Note this in your GPS. No point making your way to a water source if it is salty. You never know when you may be stranded and need to find water for survival. A quick search will reveal the nearest water location. A very important point: If you get in the habit of going for long hikes from your vehicle in search of new ground, always enter position of your vehicle in GPS so you can have an accurate record of where you need to head back too. You can become disorientated very easily in the bush because everything looks familiar. On overcast days you are unable to navigate using the sun and can become confused, especially, if there is a wind direction change. Reed Prospecting for purchasing information and all your other prospecting needs contact, Bernd and Petra Wasse: Reeds Prospecting Supplies Phone/Fax: 08 92503388- Mobile: 0407779110 or e-mail: <a href="mailto:[email protected]"> [email protected]</a>Visit their website:<a href="http://www.reedsprospecting.com.au"title=" Bernd and Petra have all your prospecting requirements including fast turn around on detector repairs. ">http://www.reedsprospecting.com.au</a> <hr><img src="animpick.gif">

The Prospectors Patch supporting prospectors for 20 years.The Prospectors Patch Phone: 08 93793636 Fax:08 92798848 or email: <a

href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>Visit their website:<a href="http://www.prospectorspatch.com.au"title="Sales, Hire & Service Metal Detectors, Gold Prospecting Equipment.">http://www.prospectorspatch.com.au</a><hr><img src="animpick.gif"> For all your low voltage requirements, solar panels, 12 volt pumps etc. For online purchasing and enquiry information contact:(i)The 12 Volt Shop on (08) 94581212.e-mail:<a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>Visit their website:<a href="http://www.12volt.com.au"title="Industry leader in low voltage systems.">http://www.12volt.com.au</a>

<hr> <img src="animpick.gif"> For safety and social reasons purchase a High Frequency Radio There are a range of radios to suit most personal needs and financial budgets. The Barrett 550 with auto tuning aerial suits most needs, with the added ability to be able to make radio

telephone calls to home and anywhere in the world for that matter. For purchasing information contact: (i) Barrett Communications Pty Ltd on (08) 9434 1700. e-mail:<a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>

Visit their website: <a href="http://www.barrettcommunications.com.au"title="All your radio communication need.">http://www.barrettcommunications.com.au</a>

(ii) Terlin Outbacker on (08) 9455 4288. e-mail: <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> Visit their website: <a href="http://www.outbacker.com.au"title="Range of radios and accessories and VKS737 info.">http://www.outbacker.com.au</a><hr> <img src="animpick.gif">

Minelab have now released their latest GPX 4000 model a follow on from the GP 3500. This detector has added digital features built in which enables the prospector to uncover nuggets in previously searched ground and discover new "patches." For information on your local dealer: contact: Minelab Electronics Pty. Ltd. on (08) 8238 0890 or freecall 1800 637 786. For further information and to get a copy of the new Minelab Adventure Book.Visit their website:<a href="http://www.minelab.com"title="Minelab information.">http://www.minelab.com</a><hr><img src="animpick.gif"> Coiltek Pty Ltd produce accessories compatable with the Minelab series of detectors. The latest developments are sending a buzz around the prospectors group. Their new UFO 24" X 12" Monoloop Coil and their 7.3 volt regulated power system is breathing new life into the SD series. (**Note** The regulated power system is not compatable with the GP models.) For more information contact: John Gladdis: on (08) 8283 0222. e-mail:<a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> Visit their website:<a href="http://www.coiltek.com.au"title="Coils ain't coils.">http://www.coiltek.com.au</a><hr><img src="animpick.gif">Garrett have a large range of detectors to meet most needs, whether you are treasure hunter,beach comber or prospector.e-mail:<a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>Visit their website:<a href="http://www.goldminingcentre.com.au"title="Range of detectors.">http://www.goldminingcentre.com.au</a><hr><img src="animpick.gif">Barry & Rohan Johnson (Detector sales & service) have everything to meet the prospectors needs. e-mail:<a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>Visit their web site:<a href="http://www.nuggetfinder.com"title="Prospectors needs and super light coils.">http://www.nuggetfinder.com</a><hr><img src="animpick.gif">

You the prospector can support the industry by joining Amalgamated Prospectors and Leaseholders Association of Western Australia Inc.e-mail:<a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>Visit their website: <a href="http://www.apla-prospectors.org.au"title="Serving you the prospector.">http://www.apla-prospectors.org.au</a><hr><img src="animpick.gif"> Visit Jack & Margarets website for all your prospecting need and advice. e-mail:<a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>Visit their website<a href="http://www.jacksgold.com"title="Dedicated to you the Prospector.">http://www.jacksgold.com</a> <hr><img src="animpick.gif">Visit Saul & Carols International Gold Market and discuss sale of our disappearing natural nuggets.e-mail:<a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>Visit their web site<a href="http://www.goldmartinc.com/"title="International Sales and Service.">http://www.goldmartinc.com/</a>

<hr><img src="animpick.gif"Visit the prospecting forums and associated links:<hr><a href="http://z4.invisionfree.com/Gold_Detecting/index.php?showforum=10 Invision Gold Detecting"title="New Aussie Gold Detecting Site. Live chat room, many forums, gold areas in Western Australia, hours of reading collected here.">NEW! Gold Detecting site 2007.Live chat room, many forums, gold areas in WA, hours of reading collected here.</a><img src="ausflagsml.gif"></a><hr><a href="http://stores.ebay.com.au/Carols-Book-Haven"title="If you want a book, ask Carol!">Carol's book haven on the web</a><img src="ausflagsml.gif"></a> <a href="http://www.thunting.com"title="Your One-Stop Treasure Resource.">Your One-Stop Treasure Resource</a><a href="http://www.aurumaustralis.com"title="Johnaton Porter">The Outback Prospector.</a><a href="http://www.WriteToProspectors.com"title="Write to Prospectors">Public prospecting and treasure hunting forum.</a><a href="http://www.arizonagoldprospectors.com/"title="The premier recreational prospecting site in Arizona.">Arizona Gold Prospectors</a><a href="http://www.bendigogold.com.au"title="Gold Prospecting Tours.">Trackline Detectors</a><a href="http://www.auquest.com"title="GD 1000 Gold detector.">auQuest GD1000</a> <a href="http://www.minersden.com.au"title="Australia's largest range of Prospecting and Mining Equipment.">Miner's Den</a> <a href="http://www.iland.net/~jbritton/"title="How to tie knots.">Knots online</a><a href="http://www.losttreasure.com"title="Lost Treasure Online.">Lost Treasure Online</a>

<a href="http://groups.msn.com/AlluvialGoldProspectors"title="Alliance between two Aussie gold prospecting sites.">United we will stand</a><a href="http://www.mpr.wa.gov.au/"title="Tendex 3270 replaced by Mineral Titles on Line.">Department of Industry and Resources</a><a href="http://www.perthmint.com.au/agn/"title="Western Australia-Perth Mint.">Perth Mint</a>

<a href="http://www.cpsnt.com"title="We are located in Alice Springs.">Central Prospecting Supplies</a><a href="http://www.pwbeck.com.au"title="Trust is worth it's weight in gold.">Peter W Beck Pty Ltd buys native gold</a>

<a href="http://groups.msn.com/GoldDetecting"title="Post your prospecting queries here.">MSN Gold Detecting Message Board</a><img src="eurekaflag_ani.gif"><a href="http://www.gpsoz.com.au/"title="GPS requirements.">GpsOz-for Australians</a>

<a href="http://www.goldmartinc.com/"title="International gold nugget market.">GOLD MART inc</a><a href="http://www.users.bigpond.com/gefnay/"title="Prospecting in the crocodile country.">Northern Territory gold prospecting with Geoff</a><a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/wa/"title="Get your weather reports here.">Australia Wide Weather</a> <a href="http://www.janetsgoldnuggets.com/index.htm"title="Sell your gold here.">The Salt Lake Lady</a><a href="http://www.tomashworth.com/index.shtml"title="Loads of info here. USA site.">Tom Ashworth's Prospectors Cache</a><a href="http://www.goldblitz.com/"title="We put a smile on every Goldpanners face.">Bjorn Sanders' Sluice boxes</a><a href="http://www.joebodyisright.com

"title="A range of info.">Gold-Politics-Meteorites

</a><a href="http://www.miningetrade.com.au"title="If you are in the business of gold.">Mining-e-Trade</a><a href="http://www.uq.net.au/~zzdvande/index.html"title="Another Aussie battler.">The Aussie gold Prospector</a><a href="http://www.gold-net.com.au"title="On line gold prospecting magazine.">Australia's Online Gold Magazine</a> <a href="http://www.goldwaschen.ch/egold.htm"title="Gold in the snow & alps country.">The Swiss Internet Platform for recreational gold prospecting!</a><a href="http://www.akmining.com"title="It doesn't get any colder than this?"> Alaska Mining & Diving Supply</a> <a href="http://www.nwtsdetectors.com"title="Serving the Polar Bears."> Northwest Treasure Supply (Washington)</a><a href="http://www.oakislandtreasure.co.uk/index.htm"title="Very interesting information found here.">Oak Island Treasure. (Nova Scotia)</a><a href="http://www.NuggetShooter.com"title="Info to satisfy your prospecting needs.">Bill's nugget shooting page & forum.</a>

<hr> Thankyou for looking around, I'd be interested in your constructive criticism on how to improve this GOLD PROSPECTING information site!

<hr>WALTZING MATILDA (Australia's preferred National Anthem) <a href="matilda.mid"><img src="Hillbilly.gif"title="Sing along to Waltzing Matilda"></a> <TD>Once a jolly swagman sat beside the billabong,

Under the shade of a coolibah tree,

And he sang as he sat and waited till his billy boiled

You'll come a waltzing matilda with me

Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda

You'll come a waltzing matilda with me

And he sang as he sat and waited till his billy boiled

You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.

Down came a jumbuck to drink beside the billabong

Up jumped the swagman and seized him with glee

And he sang as he tucked jumbuck in his tuckerbag

You'll come a waltzing matilda with me

Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda

You'll come a waltzing matilda with me

And he sang as he sat and waited till his billy boiled

You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.

Down came the stockman, riding on his thoroughbred,

Down came the troopers, one, two, three.

"where's the jolly jumbuck you've got in your tuckerbag?

You'll come a waltzing matilda with me

Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda

You'll come a waltzing matilda with me

And he sang as he sat and waited till his billy boiled

You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.

Up jumped the swagman and plunged into the billabong,

"You'll never catch me alive," cried he

And his ghost may be heard as you ride beside the billabong,

You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda

You'll come a waltzing matilda with me

And he sang as he sat and waited till his billy boiled

You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.

</td><hr>Please e-mail me with any queries or place a message in the guest book.<left> <a HREF="mailto:[email protected]"><img src="MYMAIL.gif"></a></left> <hr>Enter your e-mail and join the MSN forum, post your information ask questions or just see what is happening in the Gold Prospecting world today. (This is a "User Friendly, No Nonsense" family site!)

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