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Chapter President

Tim LeGrand
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Gold prospecting - Panning for Gold in Tennessee
An introduction to gold prospecting:



 You have gold fever – Now what can you do?

As you begin getting into prospecting, because the fever catches hold of you, you will start looking at a lot of things that could be used for gold prospecting. Picks, chisels, garden tools, buckets.... you never noticed as many 5 gallon buckets sitting around until you start going prospecting. Now they are everywhere you turn! Look, there is one by the road.... etc.

When you first start prospecting for gold, you get a gold pan or two, a snuffer bottle, and perhaps a classifier. Classifying will make your prospecting more productive. If you screen out the larger rocks, then they will not kick any of the gold around and make you lose it. You should recover more gold this way. Unfortunately, that only makes the fever worse. The more gold you get, the more the fever burns to get back out prospecting again.

Most people will start with a ½ or ¼ inch classifying screen, or both. A 3 or 5 gallon bucket is a must as well. You need something to classify into. Buckets are cheap or even free. Many Wal-Mart bakeries and donut shops are great places to get free or dirt cheap 3 and 5 gallon buckets. Frosting comes in 3 gallon buckets so they always have them to get rid of; or you can get them new at a hardware store for under 5 bucks.

You will need a shovel. A normal spade shovel is the best. I like the one I got at Sears for 13 bucks with the fiberglass handle. It is easier to use for a long period without hurting your hands as much as a wooden one does. Some people think the smaller shovels are good because it is easier to carry the shorter handle around... but you will pay in the end with a sore(er) back.

Many people prefer to build their own mining equipment, rather than buying pre-made items like sluices or high bankers. If that is you – Have fun! Many people do it, and it can be rewarding to find gold with something you took the time to build with your own hands, like in the olden days of yesteryear. However, most will find it just as rewarding going to the mining supplies store and buying one right then. That way, you can get right out and use it, and begin your quest for gold that much sooner.

In Tennessee, I am working on changing that as soon as possible. Yes, I am looking to open a new mining store in the Coker Creek, Tn., Tennessee Gold company 12309 New Hwy 68. Right across from the Welcome Center in Coker Creek. A new prospector will need to buy a lot of small things. However, this can usually be done for under $150.00, and you will be well on your way to having a great year of prospecting.

Here is a list of the basic items you may want for your first year or two of prospecting for gold.

  • 3 Gold Pans – you will want a safety pan and a small clean up pan as well as your main pan.
  • Full sized spade shovel.
  • 2 or more 3 or 5 gallon buckets.
  • 1 or 2 classifying screens (½ inch and/or ¼ inch wire mesh).
  • 2 snuffer bottles
  • a few 1 ounce plastic vials to put your gold in. Maybe a glass vial or 2, for showing it off.
  • A pair of anti magnetic tweezers.
  • A magnifying glass of some type.
  • Hip or Chest waders are a very good idea. Neoprene, for year round use.
  • Tall rubber boots if you don't get the waders.
  • A sluice box if you want to get more gold than just panning. $25 to $120, depending on model.
  • Maps of the area, so you can find Your Own Place.
  • Gloves – like the white ones at Wal-Mart with the blue rubber palms. Diving gloves in the winter time keep your hands warm when wet.
  • A panning tub. Cement mixing tubs work great. They come in large and small.
  • Misc. garden tools for digging in cracks.
  • Knee pads – I slipped on a mossy rock my first year, and wished I had them – broke knee cap.
  • Water proof bug repellent – skeeters bite!
  • Camping supplies – if you go camping, you're already covered!
  • Hammer – if you like to break rocks. (They make rock hammers also)
  • Safety glasses – wear them if you're breaking rocks – keep your sight.
  • Small or medium pry bar, used to open cracks in bedrock.

This list will help you as you try to see what you may need to get. Remember, you will be able to pick things up as you need them, and some things you may already have, so you don't have to get everything on the list all at once. Just get things as you see you need them. Your skills will grow, and so will your list of things you will want to have.

Also, joining a local club will be a huge help in learning to prospect for gold. You can meet people that have experience, and are willing to take you out and show you how. I always say it is better to go with a group than alone, but some people enjoy going out on their own, once they get the basics down.

Still, with a club in your area, you get to go to outings and group events. You get to meet monthly and see what the latest scoop is on who is finding more gold, or where a new place is to prospect for gold. There are a lot of places in eastern Tn that, without someone that has been there, you just may never find on your own. Find a friend and buddy up – it is safer that way.

Another great thing about a local club, is that as the club grows, they will have leased private land for the club members to use. This makes it great, because you can camp right there, and not have to pack up every night, when you get done with the day's prospecting. Our chapter is looking for new properties now also. We hope that in the next year, we can acquire 2 or 3 properties for the club to use year round. This will keep each property from getting over worked, and keep it fun for years.

That is about the basics. Move on to my other stories and enjoy the site.TNGold.com
Thank you for reading. I hope this helps someone out that is just getting started into gold prospecting. 


Tim LeGrand

[ This article courtesy of TNGold.com ]