The most famous rivers with gold deposits
Alluvial gold deposits refer to layers of sand or gravel, where precious minerals can be found. Water helps to detect the presence of gold in ores. Rivers and creeks wash the sand off, and the stream carries valuable particles on to the surface.
Let’s talk about the most famous gold-bearing rivers in the world.
Gold in Lapland (Finland)
Lapland is one of the centers of European gold mining activities. Here you can find gold in two rivers at once: Lemmenjoki and Ivalojoki. Local authorities have even come up with an attraction — tourist gold prospecting in the village of Tankavaara. Every year, the Gold Panning Championship is held here —- a competition in gold prospecting in the river.
Gold panning in the Goulburn river (Australia)
In Australia, gold mining forms the economy of the country. The authorities are so interested in extracting the precious metal that even foreign citizens can obtain permission to open a gold mine. The largest amount of the noble mineral is extracted from mines, yet in the southeastern part of Victoria mine-building is prohibited. In the numerous rivers and creeks of this region, divers with a mask and snorkel search for the gold. Experienced swimmers go under water and with the use of a screwdriver or a knife extract gold nuggets from the rock. Gold is most frequently found in the river Goulburn.
Madre de Dios — the golden river of Peru
The people of Peru call their country pais minero — “country of prospectors”. For the population of the regions adjacent to the Andes, gold mining is the main occupation.
Local residents collect from 10 to 15 tons of gold per year in the Madre de Dios River. Active searches are also conducted in the tributaries of the river — Inambari and Colorado.
Gold of the American River (USA)
In 1848, the California Gold Rush broke out after James W. Marshall accidentally found nuggets in the American River near John Sutter’s sawmill. Over twenty years, prospectors panned $50 billion worth of gold in the gold fields. The largest nugget found in the area weighed 88.5 kg.
Gold can still be found in the American River. Those who wish to make a fortune flock to Jamestown. Sets of tools for gold mining are sold in every store. Advice from an experienced prospector is a popular service among those who dream of getting rich.
