Select Here to View the MDHTALK's July News Brief in Adobe .PDF

Metal Detecting Hobby Talk
        July 2023        Metal Detecting Hobby Talk News Brief                                             Volume 12 Number 160
Metal Detecting Hobby Talk Support The Hobby
I would like to point out to the News Brief readers that there are a number of organizations taking on the challenge against various types of legislation dealing with metal detecting and gold prospecting. MDHTALK's recommendation is to visit their website and give strong consideration to joining the fight. In some cases your support may be to send emails and / or write a letter to specific legislators or to provide funds to help with the fight. Here are the organizations and a link to their website.
Go to the Join The Fight MDHTALK Webpage to read more about each of these organizations

MDHTALK

News Pages
U.S. & W.W. News
U.K. News
U.S. Archaeology
U.S. Legislation
W.W. Meteoritic
Other Media

MDHTALK
Article Links
Return Stories

MDHTALK
Find a Club
Read Newsletters
FaceBook Clubs















MDHTALK

Event Calendar
July

What is a News Brief?
The news brief provides a brief look into any news event. The intent of the news brief is to provide you, the reader, with news clips on what was taking place in the hobby last month. To read the whole story select the Article Link or go to MDHTALK.org. There are more news stories placed on the MDHTALK website for June the news stories listed in the MDHTALK News Brief are just a portion of all the hobby related news reported the past month.  The news Brief is now available in Adobe PDF format, there is a link at the top of this webpage. The news brief is no longer emailed; it is only available on the MDHTALK website and can be downloaded.

The Website's featured article for this month is: American Antiquities Act of 1906
16 USC 431-433 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That any person who shall appropriate, excavate, injure, or destroy any historic or prehistoric ruin or monument, or any object of antiquity, situated on lands owned or controlled by the Government of the United States, without the permission of the Secretary of the Department of the Government having jurisdiction over the lands on which said antiquities are situated, shall, upon conviction, be fined in a sum of not more than five hundred dollars or be imprisoned for a period of not more than ninety days, or shall suffer both fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court.

Sec. 2. That the President of the United States is hereby authorized, in his discretion, to declare by public proclamation historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest that are situated upon the lands owned or controlled by the Government of the United States to be national monuments, and may reserve as a part thereof parcels of land, the limits of which in all cases shall be confined to the smallest area compatible with proper care and management of the objects to be protected: Provided, That when such objects are situated upon a tract covered by a bona-fied unperfected claim or held in private ownership, the tract, or so much thereof as may be necessary for the proper care and management of the object, may be relinquished to the Government, and the Secretary of the Interior is hereby authorized to accept the relinquishment of such tracts in behalf of the Government of the United States.

Sec. 3. That permits for the examination of ruins, the excavation of archaeological sites, and the gathering of objects of antiquity upon the lands under their respective jurisdictions may be granted by the Secretaries of the Interior, Agriculture, and War to institutions which the may deem properly qualified to conduct such examination, excavation, or gathering, subject to such rules and regulation as they may prescribe: Provided, That the examinations, excavations, and gatherings are undertaken for the benefit of reputable museums, universities, colleges, or other recognized scientific or educational institutions, with a view to increasing the knowledge of such objects, and that the gatherings shall be made for permanent preservation in public museums.

Sec. 4. That the Secretaries of the Departments aforesaid shall make and publish from time to time uniform rules and regulations for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act. Approved, June 8, 1906 
Download a Copy of This Act
Hobby Related News

General U.S. and World Wide Hobby News
  • Let a Metal Detecting Specialist with The Ring Finders Help You Find What You Thought was Lost. Article Link
  • Vernon beachgoer removes rusted nails from lake bottom at Hurlburt Park. Article Link
  • Youngstown trustees allow resident to metal detect in Veterans Park. Article Link
  • Aussie woman's $7,000 find in outback: 'Not a bad day's work'. Article Link
  • Diver's incredible beach find after learning of family member's death. Article Link
  • Metal detecting: Loving the thrill of the hunt. Article Link
  • Digging for gold is more popular than ever – here's where to strike it rich. Article Link
  • Hidden railway track and wagon wheels found at ‘Hitler bunker’ reignite hopes of Amber Room discovery. Article Link
  • This Local Alexandria Historian is Obsessed With Relic Hunting. Article Link
  • California's record snowpack leading to a 'Gold Rush 2.0'. Article Link
  • Perth prospector Brian Brady found alive after four-day search in the Midwest. Article Link
  • Six Buried Treasure Spots in Acadiana and What They’re Worth. Article Link
  • 'We drop silver and you find it': Nanaimo silversmiths create treasure hunt on Vancouver Island. Article Link
  • I get to meet “The Ring King”. Article Link
  • Bride-to-be heartbroken over loss of heirloom wedding ring at Windsor park. Article Link
  • Owners of historic Kansas home uncover trove of secrets. Article Link
  • Study: urban treasure hunting gaining popularity in Alabama. Article Link
  • Fascinated by local history: Sanguedolce metal-detects to uncover the past. Article Link
  • Suspected Civil War-Era Relic Found By Metal Detectorist—'American History' Article Link
  • Metal-detecting history teacher inspires students 'dig' history. Article Link
  • Why Metal Detecting is More Than Just a Hobby: A Life-Changing Experience. Article Link
U.K. News
  • Council mocked for warning treasure hunters off Hanley Park grass. Article Link
  • Irish treasurer hunter fined for using metal detector to unearth medieval artefacts . Article Link
  • Props from Detectorists donated to East Anglia's Children's Hospices. Article Link
  • Disabled detectorist Finley 'buzzing' after special find in Yorkshire field. Article Link
  • Maidenhead metal detecting club celebrates 50th anniversary. Article Link
  • The day Paul Saxton found medieval ring in Taunton. Article Link
  • More finds at Goose Lake. Article Link
  • Explorer Finley flies 4,000 miles from USA to find treasure in Yorkshire. Article Link
  • Treasure hunter unearths 'cracking rare find' in Bovingdon. Article Link
  • Why Norfolk is 'treasure capital' and where more could be found. Article Link
North America Archaeology News
  • Provo excavation finds artifacts tied to 1,000-year-old Fremont village. Article Link
  • 'Slow detective process': Archaeologists uncover Native American artifacts in East Peoria. Article Link
  • Siouxlanders get their hands dirty trying out archaeology. Article Link
Other News Sources
  • American Digger Relic Roundup. For diggers and collectors of history. An hour long program every Monday Night at 9:00 PM eastern standard time. Join your hosts Butch Holcombe, Jeff Lubbert and Heath Jones as they explore the past. Learn more about Metal Detecting, Treasure hunting in all it's forms, and the preservation of history. June Pod Cast Link
  • Coin World - Numismatic and Coin Collecting July News
  • Garrett Searcher September Searcher
  • Gold Prospectors Assn of America (GPAA) - News on legal issues for the gold prospecting community June News
  • Mel Fisher Salvage Update
  • Prospecting and Mining Journal (IMCJ) June News
  • The Archaeology and Metal Detecting Magazine The Archaeology and Metal detecting magazine are one of the lead online sites in their genre. Offering multiple platforms for Archaeological, Historical and metal detecting news, articles, research areas and much more. June News
  • 1715 Fleet Society July Newsletter
Jewelry Returns
  •  ‘It’s a miracle’: Hope ring lost on beach returned to owner thanks to skills of metal detector. Article Link
  • Family finds lost wedding ring, returns it to FOX 4's Shannon Murray. Article Link
  • Long lost ring returned to owner – nearly 50 years later. Article Link
W.W.W. Meteorite News
  • Valuable Rocks. Article Link
  • Meteorite that splashed down in backyard pool may be… something else. Article Link
  • Hampton Beach lost and found: How a Michigan man's ICP ring lost at sea returned to him. Article Link
  • Good Samaritans, armed with metal detectors, help recover woman’s lost wedding ring. Article Link
  • Woman 'napping on sofa' when meteorite flying at 125mph smashed through roof and hit her. Article Link
  • What are meteorites? I visit and study the craters they've left across our planet. Article Link



Event News
Metal Detecting & Gold Prospecting Events.
Now is the time to start planning and getting your club's 2023/24 hunt information on the web. The sooner it is out and available to the metal detecting community the greater the chance for people to see it and give your event some consideration.

Check out your event before going it may have been postponed or canceled.
  • July 07, 2023 (Three Days)
    CONIFER, Colorado
    2023 Rush to the Rockies Open Treasure Hunt
    Eureka! Treasure Hunters Club
  • July 08, 2023 (Eight Days)
    New Stanton, Pennsylvania
    Treasure Week 2023
    Each day has a different Sponsor
  • July 15, 2023 (One Day)
    Inyokern, California
    PLP Fund Rainsing Raffle
    PLP - Public Lands for the People

Add Your Event Information Here

Select here to View the Complete Event
Digging for gold is more popular than ever – here's where to strike it rich
Gold is everywhere." - by Livia Gamble
Web Link
In fact, there's talk of a second gold rush. Which isn't surprising considering the current price of gold is sitting around AUD $2,900.

Speaking to The Project, Digger Dave, a gold expert and TV host who runs the Miners Den in Bendigo, says he's busier than ever with people wanting to try their luck gold prospecting.

"Gold is everywhere," says Dave. "I don't think people realise how easy it is to walk out in the gold field, wave your detector around with the newest equipment, and go home with gold.

"The popularity of these machines is incredible. I haven't seen it this busy for a long time. The latest gear is walking out the door."

Types of metal detectors

Before donning your khakis and purchasing a metal detector, it's good to understand the different types of metal detectors.

Dave also hosts The MineLab show, where he shares industry news, top tips and equipment about gold prospecting.
Coin and relic detectors vs gold metal detectors

He says there are two types of metal detectors: coin and relic detectors, also known as VLF and Gold detectors and Multi Period Sensing (MPS) or Zero Voltage Transmission (ZVT).

If the aim of your game is to find gold, then you'll want a metal detector with technology designed to penetrate mineralised soil, like this one and this one.

Coin and relic detectors will pick up gold if it's close to the surface, except you'll also get a lot of false signals.

And while you can use a gold detection machine for coin and relic hunting, it will also pick up every ring pull, bobby pin and nail. Coin and relic machines are great at knocking out junk.
gold Getty Metal detector coils

Before buying a metal detector, it's essential to understand the types of coils and their sizes. Doing so can help you make an informed decision when choosing a metal detector for gold prospecting and optimise your chances of success in finding gold.
Coil types

When it comes to metal detectors for gold prospecting, a few different types of coils are commonly used. The coil, also known as the search coil or the search head, is an essential part of the metal detector that emits and receives electromagnetic signals to detect metal objects, including gold.

Concentric Coils: Concentric coils are one of the most common types found on metal detectors. Concentric coils provide good target separation, allowing you to discriminate between different metals, and they generally perform well in areas with moderate mineralisation.

Double-D (DD) Coils: Double-D coils, also known as wide scan or elliptical coils, have two overlapping D-shaped windings. They offer better depth penetration and stability in challenging ground conditions, making them suitable for searching in mineral-rich environments.

Mono Coils: Mono coils, short for mono loop coils, consisting of a single winding in a loop configuration. They are known for their sensitivity and ability to detect small gold nuggets at greater depths. Mono coils are particularly popular among prospectors in highly mineralised soils or areas with a lot of iron trash. They can also handle uneven terrain and are generally more resistant to electrical interference.
Coil size

Another thing to consider when buying a gold metal detector is the size of your coil. Larger coils generally provide greater depth penetration but may sacrifice sensitivity for smaller targets. On the other hand, smaller coils offer better sensitivity to tiny gold particles but may have reduced depth capabilities.

When selecting a coil for gold prospecting, consider the specific conditions of the area you plan to search, such as the mineralisation levels and the size of gold you expect to find. It's also worth noting that some metal detectors allow for interchangeable coils, allowing you to customise your detector's performance based on your needs and preferences.

Understanding the different types of coils and their characteristics can help you make an informed decision when choosing a metal detector for gold prospecting and optimise your chances of success in finding gold.

How to prospect for gold in Australia

Once you've got your equipment, it's time to get started.

Here are some steps to help you get started with gold prospecting:

Select the right metal detector: look for a metal detector specifically designed for gold prospecting. Choose a model with good sensitivity to small gold nuggets and adjustable settings to minimise interference from mineralised soils.

Identify promising prospecting areas: find areas where gold has been found before or where favourable geological conditions exist. Pay attention to areas near known gold-bearing rivers, creeks, and old mining sites. Research historical mining records and speak with local prospectors for advice.

Get permission and permits: make sure you have a license to prospect in the area you intend to search. Some sites may require permits or have specific regulations, so make sure to comply with any legal requirements.

Learn to operate your metal detector: familiarise yourself with the functions and settings of your metal detector. Read the instruction manual thoroughly and practice using it in different environments to understand how it responds to different types of metal.

Ground balance your detector: ground balancing is crucial to reduce interference from mineralised soil. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to properly ground balance your metal detector before you start searching.

Start searching for gold: look in areas where gold is most likely to accumulate, such as riverbanks, exposed bedrock, or areas where erosion has occurred. Slowly sweep the metal detector coil from side to side while maintaining a consistent height above the ground.

Dig and recover targets: when you detect a potential gold target, use a small hand shovel or a digging tool to carefully inspect what you've picked up. Place the material in a gold pan or a sieve and use water to separate the heavier material, including gold, from the lighter debris.

Repeat: prospecting for gold is a skill that improves with practice and experience. Repeat the process, explore different areas, and refine your techniques to increase your chances of finding gold.

New South Wales
To fossick for gold in New South Wales, you need a miner's permit. Here are some top spots to find gold in NSW.

Bathurst Region
Tambaroora Commons
Ophir Reserve
Hill End
Oberon District

For more information about prospecting for gold, the NSW government has put together this handy guide.
Victoria

You need a miner's right for recreational prospecting in Victoria. Here are some top spots to find gold in VIC.

The Golden Triangle – covers the triangular area between Ballarat, Bendigo, and St Arnaud
Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park
Chiltern-Mount Pilot National Park
Greater Bendigo National Park & Bendigo Regional Park
Heathcote-Graytown National Park

For more information, visit the Parks Victoria website.

Bathurst Region
Tambaroora Commons
Ophir Reserve
Hill End
Oberon District

For more information about prospecting for gold, the NSW government has put together this handy guide.
Victoria

You need a miner's right for recreational prospecting in Victoria. Here are some top spots to find gold in VIC.

The Golden Triangle – covers the triangular area between Ballarat, Bendigo, and St Arnaud
Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park
Chiltern-Mount Pilot National Park
Greater Bendigo National Park & Bendigo Regional Park
Heathcote-Graytown National Park



Metal Detecting Hobby Talk
    MDHTALK HOME PAGE  http://www.mdhtalk.org