Tasmania has an undeserved reputation as a nugget-poor location. In fact many nuggets over one ounce in size have been found historically in our goldfields.
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Who owns the minerals in Tasmania?
“A prospecting licence does not grant any right to a mineral, as an exploration licence or mining lease does, and the holder of a prospecting licence does not have ownership over a mineral found whilst prospecting”. Director of Mines, 14 August 2015.
Continue readingTasmanian agates
Agates have been found in a large number of localities around Tasmania, though only some places, such as Lune River, Little Swanport, Penstock Lagoon, Carrick and Calder are well known for their agates. Have a look at some images of Tasmanian agates.
Continue readingTasmanian diamonds
When thinking Tasmanian diamonds, most people have heard of Killiecrankie diamonds, which are really topaz (and very good topaz at that). However, several real, verified diamonds have also been found in Tasmania.
Continue readingAlluvial gold part 2
In this second post on alluvial gold, I’ll go into other methods used traditionally (and nowadays) by prospectors: the cradle (or rocker box) and the sluice, as well as a modern invention, the highbanker.
Continue readingFossicking vs. Prospecting – What is the difference?
![By Tony Oliver from Denver, CO, USA (Prospector) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://www.appleisleprospector.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/449px-Gold_prospector.jpg)
Prospector — Tony Oliver, Denver, CO, USA [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Many people, sometimes myself included, use the words ‘fossicking’ and ‘prospecting’ to mean the same, such as to go out and collect some rocks, or minerals, or gold, generally as a hobby. The question is: do they really mean the same thing? In short: NO. If you want to know a bit more about it, and what it means for you, read on.
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