How to Dry Wash for Gold

Gold comes in a range of shapes.

Dry washing gold is an ancient technique to separate out gold flecks and nuggets from the ground where it is found without the use of water. At its simplest, a shovel full of dirt is placed on a wool blanket held on the four corners, shaken and moved up and down. The wind removes lighter material; static electricity generated in the wool blanket attracts the gold.



Modern methods use dry-wash machines. These gold-prospecting devices combine the use of gentle air flow to remove lighter bits and pieces, vibration to separate various sizes of dirt particles and a type of material that produces electrostatic "cling" for the gold to stick to.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Dry-wash machine
• Small tub
• Water
• Air filter mask
• Container for gold
• Pickaxe

Instructions

1. Locate alluvial deposit sites. These are areas, such as at the base of mountains, where sediment carried by water is deposited. These sites also can be a great distance from a mountain when a river carries the sediment. The deposited accumulation of soil here can be spread out flat. Also look where gold already has been found.

2. Obtain the right to look for gold from the property owner or purchase gold-bearing property. Once the permission is obtained, then do a test of the soil in the area chosen to search to see if there is gold.

3. Set up the dry-wash machine. Locate the machine, so the wind is blowing away from where you are to prevent soil particles being directed at your work area.

4. Break up any large clumps of dirt. Use the pickaxe to break up hard areas of the ground. Spread any wet dirt found underneath the top layer of soil on the ground and allow it to dry thoroughly.

5. Place a shovel full of dirt into the dry-wash machine. Repeat this step for an hour.

6. Check the dry-wash machine for gold. Remove the gold and separated material from the machine.

7. Fill the tub with water and do a final cleaning of the day's finds. This step clears away any final debris.

References

• Google.com: Finding Gold in the Desert -- The Art of Dry Washing
• Google.com: Prospecting for Gold and Silver in North America

Resources

• Geology: Mineral Rights -- Basic Information about Mineral, Surface, Oil and Gas Rights