gold prospecting in south west WA

Submitted: Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 14:58
ThreadID: 58895 Views:22847 Replies:7 FollowUps:3
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Hello all,
I'm thinking about buying a detector and going prospecting around the south west of WA. My question is, am I wasting my time here? There was a mini gold rush at Donnybrook in 1900, and Boddington is reopening as many of you would know. Is this area suitable for prospecting? Has anyone on this forum tried their hand at prospecting down here? I would appreciate any comments. Thanks in advance.
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Reply By: Skippype - Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 16:34

Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 16:34
Ross
You want to hope the price of scrap metal goes up. I live at Daylesford in Victoria and last week purchased myself a Mine Lab GPS 4500. I works just fine especially at finding old bullets and shot gun pellets. No gold so far but its only early days. All the best in WA.
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Reply By: Goldfind (Dunsborough) - Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 17:26

Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 17:26
Ross, I live in the southwest and am an avid detectorist, have just returned from north of Cue and did OK, but although I have done some research on Donnybrook. The problem are that the grounds are all on private property, so you need to strike a deal with the freehold owners prior to entering the grounds. I believe the gold was not plentiful and was called "Fern Gold".
The goldfields of the midwest and east are all on Pastoral leases and can be accessed as long as you have a miners right and let the pastoralist know when and where (and of course you must not go on any mining leases without written permission)
I'd stick to the main goldfields if I were you, its much more fun. Good luck
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Reply By: Ross WA - Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 18:37

Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 18:37
Good luck to you too Skippype.
Thanks for the info Goldfind. Are you sure it's all private property? I didn't think it was, but you may know more than me.
I wonder if there's any gold at the back of Dardanup on Pile Road. I know a guy out there with 40 acres. You think it's worth a look?
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Follow Up By: The Explorer - Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 18:54

Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 18:54
Hello - if you find gold out the back of Dardanup you will be the first ever. Also Boddington gold is all very fine disseminated stuff - so detecting there is also a waste of time, there are no nuggest to be had. Wouldnt bother with Donnybrook either. Best value for time spent will be obtained in the traditional goldfileds areas.

Greg
I sent one final shout after him to stick to the track, to which he replied “All right,” That was the last ever seen of Gibson - E Giles 23 April 1874

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Reply By: DIO - Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 18:44

Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 18:44
To talk with like minded check this Link
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Reply By: Ross WA - Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 19:36

Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 19:36
Thank you for the comments Greg. It's not looking too good for my area.
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Reply By: Ross WA - Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 20:02

Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 20:02
Hey again,
Just wondering, if the gold around here is fine, could I pan for it? I will be happy if I can locate 1 flake. :)
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Follow Up By: Member - Peter H (WA) - Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 20:48

Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 20:48
Hi Ross

There is a book out called "There is Gold in Margaret River. Or something like that. It was written a couple of years ago by a bloke who claimed he found gold there.

Its also mentioned in another book that I have. A pommy came out here as part of the Group Settlement Scheme and went to Margaret River area. He found gold on the land that he was given and started to mine it. Bottom line is he was told to farm the land and cease mining. He continued mining and was kicked off his land.

So there is gold there somewhere. Donnybrook gold is fern gold. Named because it looks like a fern frond. Very very fine.

Peter
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Reply By: Ross WA - Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 21:13

Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 at 21:13
Thanks for posting Peter. Is gaining permission from a farmer the only way to look around the Donnybrook area? To me, a flake is a flake! I would be stoked if I were able to find some.
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Follow Up By: Member - Peter H (WA) - Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 01:20

Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 at 01:20
Hi Ross

In WA you must have a miners right. $25

You should also ask permission from the property owner.

Peter
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