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Post by ghostbat on Jul 23, 2012 11:39:50 GMT 10
Just how profitable is panning and sluicing? I am considering on selling my E-Trac to buy a Gold Wheel and other golding gear I am aware that a lot of work is to be had, that I am used to. Just curious on how well other peeps do GB
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hereskip
Sluicer
I'm an agent of satan but my duties are largely ceremonial
Posts: 239
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Post by hereskip on Jul 23, 2012 13:08:23 GMT 10
Ghostbat I don't know for others but myself I like to pan and highbank I have a mxt metal detector as well and scan my tailings when I have finished just to check I haven't missed a golf ball sized bit as for profitable I don't think so gold at about $50 a gram and if I get 4 grams over 4 days I count myself at par but I cost me more by the time you add diesel food sometimes camp fees I end up behind. Its the good bunch of blokes I dig with and the fun around the campfire that makes me all the richer. Cheers Skip
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joedigs
God of the Goldfields
It's like the gold rush again.
Posts: 906
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Post by joedigs on Jul 23, 2012 13:12:58 GMT 10
I second that Skip
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Post by ghostbat on Jul 23, 2012 13:25:37 GMT 10
I wholley agree that the time spent around the campfire with beers and friends is more rewarding. I was just curious, thats all ;D ;D ;D
Ihave just ordered a Garrett Deluxe Gold Panning Kit. And when my E-Trac sells I am getting a Gold Wheel from Miners Den SA.
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Post by shivan on Jul 23, 2012 13:31:23 GMT 10
I have been at this just over 12 months now and have just over 9grams to show. I would love to be able to make this hobby profitable, one day maybe but for now i just really enjoy getting out and and meeting others who also enjoy this hobby like skip ;D
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hereskip
Sluicer
I'm an agent of satan but my duties are largely ceremonial
Posts: 239
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Post by hereskip on Jul 23, 2012 13:40:50 GMT 10
ghostbat I see you are going to get a gold wheel they are good for processing con's but not good for moving and going through the tons of material you need to process on the creek thats what highbankers do best process larger volumes of pay dirt just thought I'd better say so before you shell out any dollars. Cheers Skip
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Post by fencejumper on Jul 23, 2012 15:24:56 GMT 10
bugger....so you guys are saying i gotta keep detecting aswell, to cover the bourbon cost's each trip.. ;D ;D
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goldrocs
Super Sluicer
May the river give up its gold
Posts: 254
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Post by goldrocs on Jul 23, 2012 15:56:11 GMT 10
Fencejumper you would need more than a grm a day to keep that habit up happy drinking and happy detecting old mate ;D And for you skip well said mate That dosent mean you can sneak into my hole ;D ;D Cheers Goldrocs...
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joedigs
God of the Goldfields
It's like the gold rush again.
Posts: 906
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Post by joedigs on Jul 23, 2012 16:07:02 GMT 10
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Post by someday on Jul 23, 2012 17:52:28 GMT 10
Fencejumper, I'm pretty tooten sure you'd know a few spots that would easily cover the cost of a bottle of bourbon or 3 Cheers Chris.
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Post by fencejumper on Jul 23, 2012 18:12:51 GMT 10
Fencejumper, I'm pretty tooten sure you'd know a few spots that would easily cover the cost of a bottle of bourbon or 3 Cheers Chris. ssshhhh...keep talking like that chris and there will be hundreds following me "over the fence".. ;D ;D ;D
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Post by ghostbat on Jul 23, 2012 19:57:51 GMT 10
awww come on now guys, I know you have your 'Lassiters Reef' around somewhere ;D ;D ;D
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Post by unlucky on Jul 24, 2012 10:42:09 GMT 10
Through perseverance, say 12-24 months prospecting as a hobby, you can definitely make it profitable. I often acheive profitable 4 hour runs on the sluice. 8 hour runs are very taxing on the body, however I can usually recover a bare minimum of 1.5g gold and anywhere up to 3g per day.
Best 4 hour run so far netted me 2.75g gold.
5x days week = 5g excess gold MINIMUM once ALL expenses are deducted.
That includes fuel and the ceremonial end of day 6 pack!
Of course, I, like pretty much all of us, can't get out 5 days a week...
NOTE *most of my goldfields less than 45minutes away, so fuel costs are insignificant really ($15 day)
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hereskip
Sluicer
I'm an agent of satan but my duties are largely ceremonial
Posts: 239
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Post by hereskip on Jul 24, 2012 19:16:45 GMT 10
half ya luck unlucky closest field is 4 hrs away and the usual is 7 hrs swap ya fuel bills . Cheers Skip
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Post by keepdiggin on Jul 24, 2012 20:05:55 GMT 10
Profitable is a word we all by the sounds of have different meaning too im only 5 mins away from one of the most loaded streams ive come across, just today i managed .5 in 2hrs, the down side to self employment i guess, but gardens need looking after. back to the topic. lol i agree that a sluice helps but what about hitting clay, classifying comes in, or a trommel or some way of breaking it down, then the sluice run, the clean up is like a suspense novel gone wrong who am i kidding tho, no matter the way You do it it is still addictive. i have sold over 1k worth of gold this year and im hoping to start a gem collection if i can find a buyer, garnets, sapphires etc. so to answer your question of making a profit........ while you still get the opportunity to get out there you are infront, not by means of $$ but just being able too............. as far as $$ is concerned, take notes of where you are digging and research, research and more research KD 8)
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