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Welcome to BC Placer

This website is about placer mining in BC - finding and mining gold that has been deposited by moving water. It is not about "hard rock" mining in solid rock.

Placer mining can be as simple as using a shovel and a gold pan in a creek.

On a placer claim, hand-mining a deposit of any size usually involves a sluice box or highbanker, and a water pump.

A machine-digging operation generally uses a backhoe or larger excavator and a more sophisticated "wash plant" for separating the gold from the pay dirt. See the Mining Equipment page for more information.

Of course, there are laws and regulations that govern all of this.

Learning - Getting Started

If you are just beginning to learn about placer mining and/or hand panning in BC, these are some good starting points - some may not apply to you. ...

You have to know the Basic Rules, which includes where you can pan for gold.
If you want to get into placer mining in BC, including hand panning, you pretty much have to learn how to use the BC government's mapping system to see where you can work - MTO - Mineral Titles Online
To use a sluice box or any mining equipment in BC other than a hand shovel and gold pan, you have to work on a Placer Claim. To get a claim, you need a FMC - Free Miner Certificate
Do not build a cabin and do not use an existing cabin on your claim in any way, or you will have to remove it at your expense or lose your claim.
For some general information about opportunities and where to go, see... Placer Mining Opportunities

Information But No Guarantee

This website has been made available to help people. The owner does not claim to be an expert and all information is provided "as is" with no guarantee that it is correct or fit for any particular purpose.

Use the information from this website At Your Own Risk.

A Great Time For Placer Mining in BC

The Price of Gold

'nuf said.

Water Pumps and Deposits Above Creek Level

Low cost gasoline powered water pumps make it possible to mine deposits well above creek level - something that was very difficult to do in the gold rushes or in the 1930s. These deposits can be the best potential opportunities for the individual hand-miner.

Abandoned Channels

Modern water pumps make it a simple matter to mine an abandoned channel that is above and away from the current channel, which can be the best potential opportunity for machine-digging operations.

Hydraulic Excavators

Excavators of any size can be bought or leased. They can also be rented - with or without an operator. And of course BC has no shortage of guys with a backhoe.

The BC Government Wants You To Mine Gold

The laws, fees and inspectors in BC are generally very friendly towards individuals and small operations.

The Ministry knows that you and your buddy, working a placer claim, aren't likely to add a lot of wealth to the province... but you never know - you might discover a large, rich deposit that does, and makes you and your buddy rich, as well.

Notices

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