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Posted by: Boogie May 24 2010, 09:02 AM

I have a few embarrassing questions about gold panning :

When initially stratifying (I hope I got that term right) the material, instructional guides and videos show this being done with the pan submerged in the water up to the rim. I assume that it's done this way so that the stream will carry off the majority of the light sediment (or is there another reason)? Would it be just as acceptable to initially stratify with the pan above the water and then pour (I know, "pour" is a nasty word) off the muddy water? Getting the gold down to the bottom of the pan is the important thing right? Does it really make a difference if the pan is above or in the water? The reason I ask is because it doesn't take long before my back kills me if I bend over to initially stratify with the pan in the water.

Another question is "Why is it bad to pour?" When I pour, I'm not trying to remove material, I'm trying to get rid of muddy water so I can see the material. Is this a bad thing?

Boogie

Posted by: ScottKS May 24 2010, 09:54 AM

Hey Boogie
If i still lived in Longmont i would show you how to pan and answer all of you ?'s but seeings i'm not there then i will try and explain here. The reason you submerge the pan is to keep the material semi-liquid so the gold can make it's way to the bottom and also that can get rid of some of the top rocks and lighter material....if you raise the pan and dump off the water the material will lock up not allowing the gold to work it's way to the bottom (remember water raises to the top and dumps over and out the pan so the material will begain to lock up). As far as that being hard on your back.....i think we have all been there...my back was kinda sore this last weekend sampleing. Maybe you should get a small fold up table with a black panning tub (like the pic below...got the aluminum folding table at Wal-Mart and the tub at a GPAA gold show but most prospecting stores have them or i heard that like Lowes have one kinda like it.....there is some prospecting stores in Golden and Greeley).

Hope this helps ya...i'm sure that everyone else has more to add....all panners have there own way of doing it.

Some of my family still live in Longmont and i go visit every once in awhile.....My Step dad has a Computer Store on main street in Longmont....called Computer Specialists of Longmont, LLC. His name is Mike....he might have something to add about panning too....tell him that his step son Scott sent ya ....take care and let me know if you need anything.....maybe someday we could go prospecting together.

Posted by: YellowFever May 24 2010, 12:35 PM

here is a video that gives a good basic idea of how to pan for gold!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUI826mTgg0&feature=related

I like this one too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrhsjVH_LO8&NR=1

Posted by: Coalbunny May 25 2010, 05:47 AM

YF, from my experience I have to say the second video is the best.

Even out of those, I suggest NOT trying to break it down to the gold itself, while panning. But that's me and my experience.
YMMV

Posted by: ColoradoProspector May 25 2010, 07:30 AM

We liked the second video better as well, especially the fact that he's demonstrating to not shake or agitate while doing the rinse off of lighter material. Even then though, for finer gold his wash/rinse motion may be too drastic and you might want to use a more gentle wave in and out to rinse off the top lighter material.

The other thing I might add would be the water tension issue. For finer gold you'll definately want to address this and take advantage of any lowering of that tension you can. We've got some tips for that as well on the http://www.coloradoprospector.com/EquipmentPlans/PlansAndTips.html in the panning instructions but we have no video with it.........yet.

Happy panning with big yellow smiles for everyones pan!

CP

Posted by: Boogie May 25 2010, 07:48 AM

Thanks for the tips and videos! I can use all the help I can get.

Hey Scott, are you going to the CP members outing (see the protected forum)? Maybe I'll see you there.

Boogie

Posted by: ScottKS May 25 2010, 10:02 AM

Sorry Boogie

I'm not a CP member and even if i was i couldn't afford to go.

Last CP outting i went too was Spring Fling!, Memorial day weekend '08 (back then i had a job and was makeing much better $$$ then i am now...lol)...this outting was for everyone...not just CP members.....i had a good time that outting and i bet you will too ....wish i could go tho i need a vacation and to get away for awhile...maybe someday.

http://www.coloradoprospector.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2043

Posted by: Boogie May 25 2010, 11:11 AM

That's a bummer, Scott. Maybe next time.

Boogie

Posted by: Forestwalker May 30 2010, 09:19 AM

Water helps exaggerate the difference in specific gravity. It makes quartz and low SG minerals/rocks relatively more buoyant than high SG things like gold which will be less effected by water since they are many many times more heavy than water.

Lets say the SG of quartz is 2.6 and gold is 19. With the addition of water we can subtract 1 SG from each, so quarts ends up being 1.6, a ~40% drop in effective weight while gold drops to 18 a ~5% drop in effective weight. So the difference with a dense fluid is light things are more easily washed off or moved upwards when you agitate.

I hope I did the math right lol.