#3 How Do I Pan for Gold?

Step-by-Step: How to Pan for Gold

1. Find a Good Spot

   Look for areas where gold is likely to settle:

   • Inside bends of streams

   • Behind large rocks

   • Cracks in bedrock

   • Gravel bars

2. Fill Your Pan

   Use your scoop or hands to fill your pan about 1/2 to 3/4 full with material from the creek.

   If you have a classifier, screen out the larger

   rocks first.

3. Submerge and Break Up Material

          Place you pan underwater and gently shake it side to side.

      This helps:

• Break up dirt and clay

• Allow heavy material (including gold) to sink to the bottom

4. Start washing

   Tile the pan down slightly and away from you and let the water gently wash material out of the pan.

   This helps:

   • Let lighter sand and gravel wash out

   • Keep heavier material on the bottom

   • Keep

Repeat the motion: shake - tilt - wash out

5. Work Down to Heavy Material

   As you continue, you'll be left with heavier, darker material called black sand.

   This is a good sign as gold is often found with black sand

6. Check for Gold

   Carefully swirl the remaining material

   Look for:

   1. Bright yellow flakes or specs

   2. Small gold nuggets

   3. Gold staying at the bottom while the lighter material moves around it.

7. Collect you Gold

   Use a snuffer bottle to suck up the gold.

   Transfer the small gold to a vial for safe keeping.

   Tips for Success:

   • Go slow. Rushing can wash gold out of your pan

   • Test multiple spots- gold is not evenly distributed

   • Focus on low pressure areas where water slows down

   • Practice your techique. It improves significantly with time.