New Zealand Gold Prospecting & Metal Detecting Forums Archive

hopefully the access is sorted and there are no stupid trout wanting to sporn

simon, I talked to the fella last summer, seemed to be doing alright with the 2.5inch. never revealed any totals tho but was said it was well worth the effort, he made multiple trips to carry dredge and gear in would've been an hour or 2 each way but he cant use hookah and has trouble with snorkel so I understand his genuine reason for selling.
like all claims in high country access is a biggie big walk or short chopper flight. on those creeks normal summer flows would only allow for a 2.5- 3 inch dredge very few areas would support even small dredge like 4 inch mini. good price and would be good sniping/ detecting area.

and as for costs simon until you set up your own claim and get put through the ringer by the likes of doc and enviro south then you cant really comment, probably cost 10k to set up and a lot of hours and stress. wait and see what price your mates put on the rich burn claim in a couple of years when they sell up. bet it wont be the 7 or 8k they paid.

Edited by user Thursday, 16 January 2014 6:47:25 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

G-old, not every chopper costs 1400 per hour. the only reason to use a big chopper to move a dredge is if there was a long haul in say 20-30min, the nuggety/ swinburn claim you could fly dredge and all support gear in for under 600 easy with a Robbie R22 which is based in alex, ive used the same fella flew my 5inch proline in plus 3 loads of gear and fuel and also had to pay for 40min return (20 each way) flight time from alex cost 650. incase you haven't been into the area the creeks are shallow as and its all mostly sucking out bedrock cracks but poaching arsehole detectorists have gave the area a hammering over the last few years.
its not always about the amount you can move, the couple of fellas down here that I know get more gold then anyone else ive around here are only using 4 inch minis try telling them theyre wasting their time.

gogold: as i said above, if you don't want the time and hassles of setting up your own claim it mightn't be so bad.

in terms of value for money well that depends on how much gold is actually there to be found, and wether the person who is working the dredge can find the gold.

i didn't realise it's all shallow stuff as i haven't been up that way myself. so if this is the case then a 2.5 inch working selected crevices can do alright for sure.

if detectorists have been up there poaching and sniping then it depends on what damage they've done. as i pointed out in a prior post its a bloody menace the ease of access to permit info for those who are out to screw others over. i know full well there are some out there doing just this, esp the new claim submissions - seeing whats going under claim, figuring it's a likely target, and hitting it hard before it's worked legally. personally i think the old way of a bit of buckshot in the arse would sort those people out if caught but in today's world the victim would prob claim for damages.

i'm working a claim with a mate this summer. even though it's just a lease we sure know about all the crap involved in running a dredge, the payouts left right and centre by us and the claim owner, just to be able to start to operate.

fuck me i'd pay that just purely for the fact of being able to get out in that beautiful country. Jafa thats the smartest thing i've seen you ever say on here chap...im impressed! Almost! ;)

All my hobbies from jetboating to motorbikes even fishing have cost me thousands over the years...but it's all been fun. All you buggers who keep shooting down the prices because "you'l never make ya money back"...man I hope you's all havn't forgot how to simply have fun. But if it's all about returns and making your fortunes I believe you've lost the way. Go work harder!

Seriously thinking about selling the bikes to help fund this one....I dream of being able to do that shit!

17 people and a 2.5 dredge , sure, great deal for all involved