Newbie major disappointment

[jml]

Hi all,
I am new to the site after having read through many posts over the last several weeks. I am looking for new areas to explore with the pan. I am based in Canberra. I had found some excellent spots (heaps) along Majors Creek which I was working until signage went up restricting access to the stream up from the bridge crossing. I believe the new mining venture up over the hill has claims covering this area. Very disappointing. I am not sure what my rights are but I know there are plenty of other areas yet to discover. Does anyone have any specific information on Cowra creek out from Bredbo, Monaro Highway?
Regards
JML

[Djpearson]

If there's a major operation in the area approach them, chances are they arnt going to be overly concerned about small time panning..

If you start pulling decent amounts, and start upping your processing, ie highbanking or major sluicing, offer them 15% ish.

I watched a youtube series recently where a small band of mates were doing this on the skirting creeks of medium operations in alaska.. over three weeks they dredged more O's than the bigtimers near by

[Ric]

Hi JML and welcome to the forum.

To my knowledge Majors Creek and all of that particular shire are designated fossicking districts and you should therefore be allowed to carry on fossicking

Donnybrook might know a bit more about this.

Cheers Ric

[donnybrook]

Ric,
The old story was that the deposit ran from someone's back door in Braidwood to someone else's in the district. Corona are the company that took out the Exploration Lease at a great cost. They have set up a mining operation in Majors Creek but due to community contention over the use of a flotation reagent called Xanthate they have moved as I understand it the primary recovery process to Parkes NSW. It is possible that this company still have EL's throughout the district to protect their interests and to undertake further exploration??? Mrs Fly from memory originally submitted a post in respect of this venture. I would contact someone at the mine. I am sure they would point you in the right direction as to who to contact. It's polite to ask. I have found that many companies have no objection to us small scale fellows. We do no harm. Of course the community at Majors Creek could object but if it is on a lawfully held lease with permission and you are not causing pollution, nothing can be done to stop you unless someone tries to prove the contrary. Ask Corona. You won't have to look over your shoulder. Braidwood was gazetted as a Fossicking area with a number of other districts some years ago. I acquired the gazette notices and sent them to Backcreek on the Forum. Perhaps Backcreek could post these on our Forum ? My copies are currently in storage.

donny

[jml]

Hi Donny,
I actually contacted the company this afternoon (site office) and explained my intentions. They were very polite but stated that the area was not covered under the designated "fossicking" area apart from some sections further up stream past the local pub in Majors Creek and therefore were maintaining restricted access. They did say that they would review the situation and see if part of the restricted area might be opened up. One reason they gave for restriction was the concern for monitoring equipment along the stream. Obviously to measure contaminents from the mine. I wonder if enough people contact them raising concerns over restricted access that they may review access sooner rather than late. There are some excellent spokes along this creek and I have recovered good colour over the last several months.
JML

[Ric]

Hi Donny

I have copies of the gazette notices. I think this is it ?

From NSW Government Gazete No. 139

[donnybrook]

Ric,
If they are what Backcreek sent they are the documents we sourced from the State Library NSW. I will have a look. They could even cover the Mogo area I understand the Mining companies concern at Majors Creek (downstream). They might give access later. I believe the initial concentration s before going to Parkes are being done on Wilfley tables. They then float the gold at Parkes. The major employment factor also went to Parkes. I can understand the concerns by both the Mine and community. It was good of JML to ask. A responsible forum member who I welcome to our forum. Things could change at Majors Creek in the future. I'm sure the Mining company will give access when the community are assured by monitoring the water the operation is safe.

donny

[Ric]

That's all he sent me Donny. I cropped the image just to show the important stuff.