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Post by RKC on Nov 11, 2008 12:47:03 GMT 12
From: Dredgeotago1 (Original Message) Sent: 27/10/2007 10:20 p.m.
Hello, Just wondering if anyone has had any luck in the Nevis Valley? I went for a trip there today with the gold detector and pans but only found two .22 bullets one nail and a bolt! I was detecting the old sluicings on the west side of valley. I even did a few pans on the creeks flowing into the Nevis river but hardly found a spec. Must have been 100 years too late!
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Post by RKC on Nov 11, 2008 12:48:15 GMT 12
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Post by RKC on Nov 11, 2008 12:49:48 GMT 12
From: Dredgeotago1 Sent: 28/10/2007 8:29 p.m.
Hi Rob,
I'm using a Whites GMT gold detector.
Cheers for the info on the Nevis. I wouldn't mind heading back at some stage and giving it a decent go. The key I think for the detector is to get way off the beaten track where there is less junk like bullets etc in the ground. I could tell just buy looking at the valley that some serious work had been done there. It could be worth putting a dredge in the river also.
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Post by RKC on Nov 11, 2008 12:52:08 GMT 12
From: RKCNZ Sent: 30/10/2007 5:42 p.m.
G'day Dredgeotago1
The Whites GMT is probably the best VLF detector presently available and I have one myself. VLFs unfortunately don't have anywhere near the depth of detection of Pulse Induction detectors. And this is a significant disadvantage in New Zealand. And in Otago VLFs are prone to detecting all the numerous Hot Rocks ... which are nearly as big a problem as all the bullets that litter the Otago goldfields. Strangely, I can use my GMT in the West Coast goldfields without detecting Hot Rocks every minute as I would if detecting in Otago. The Pulse Induction detectors I use don't usually detect any Hot Rocks at all ... anywhere in the South Island.
If there is a "key" to detecting in Otago, it is, as you stated earlier, to go into remote areas.
I looked up the Mining Permits (on the Crown Minerals web site) presently on the Nevis and there is a dredging claim (Mining Permit) on the lower Nevis (in the gorge section upstream from the junction with the Kawarau). The remainder of the Nevis seems not to have any dredging claims. There is a big Exploration Permit (as there are covering all of the auriferous areas of Otago) and another claim that looks like its a prospective digger 'n' screen claim that covers only a part of the river. If the river in the gorge is available to be claimed then it would probably be worth someone applying for (if there is actually a small-scale miner left out there who can afford the fees that have to be paid to Crown Minerals these days). Back in the 90s I took an Australian miner up the Nevis and tried to talk him into putting a Mining Permit over the river in the gorge, but his thoughts (after looking at it) were that it looked too boulder choked to be a good dredging proposition. I didn't think so myself!
If you decide to go back in there I suggest you keep away from the old tailings and go for undug ground with virgin gold. The sides of the gorge look good to me ... and if I get down that way this summer I might give it a go myself. The best way is to try to figure out where the ground above bedrock is shallow ... as in the undug areas, all the gold is in pockets on the soft schist bedrock.
Regards,
Rob (RKC)
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Post by RKC on Nov 11, 2008 12:53:20 GMT 12
From: Dredgeotago1 Sent: 30/10/2007 9:21 p.m.
Hi Rob
Sounds like i need to upgrade to the Minelabs GPX4000
shame I don't have a spare $4000 or more.
When i went to the Nevis i had the wife with me so I couldn't venture for miles on foot.
I think I'll give it a month or so and head back in by myself and kit one of the creeks on the west side of the valley and follow it right up to the source.
Thanks for pointing out that about the shist as my geology knowledge is very limited
Cheers
Dan
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Post by RKC on Nov 11, 2008 12:56:21 GMT 12
From: RKCNZ Sent: 1/11/2007 4:58 p.m. G'day Dan ( Dredgeotago1 ) I meant to mention earlier that to get the most from your GMT it needs tweaking. And the best 'credible' information on the Web relating to tweaking the GMT is available in posts by Steve Herschbach on The Alaska Gold Forum bb.bbboy.net/alaskagoldforum-viewforum?forum=2I bought my GMT in Australia and the importer (Finders) supplied me with written instructions on the best settings for Australian soil. But when I tried the recommended settings in New Zealand, I found that the best settings to use in New Zealand soil were actually the manufactures recommended settings for use in the USA. The USA settings for gain, etc, are marked by arrows on the detector. More information about detecting in New Zealand can be found at: www.finders.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2430&start=0 Regards, Rob (RKC) |
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Post by RKC on Nov 11, 2008 12:57:22 GMT 12
From: Dredgeotago1 Sent: 1/11/2007 11:09 p.m.
Hi Rob,
Cheers for that. I'll try those tricks next time I take it out. That link to the other forum is really interesting. I would love to go out for an outing with Matt (bluethermal) and find a nugget with my detector! I was also planning of putting the dredge in the Arrow this Christmas but sounds like it might be a bad move with the amount of traffic and current claims on the river.
Cheers
Dan
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