I'm new to the sport and having very menial luck. Lots of fun though!
Small colour mosing on Nanaimo River. Any tips close to south Nanaimo?
considering trying Haslam creek. Any vague directions would be great!
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deltabrent |
Nanaimo River area |
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Hey.
I'm new to the sport and having very menial luck. Lots of fun though! Small colour mosing on Nanaimo River. Any tips close to south Nanaimo? considering trying Haslam creek. Any vague directions would be great! |
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Guttersniper |
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Hi DeltaBrent glad to hear your havin lots of fun you can try deadhorse creek a tributary of dash creek past the second gate at the west end of second lake,the
ground above the bridge on deadhorse is staked mineral tenure,I've had some success below the bridge on open ground also jump creek if you can get in but
access is restricted(Greater Nanaimo Watershed Area)
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deltabrent |
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Thanks for the info.
I've never gone that far up. I usually just try the swimming hole accesses. Is there any hassles about gates closing etc? Do you have any links to a map with river names? Google map is pretty unhelpful. |
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deltabrent |
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OK so I finally had some success. Do I need a free placer miners certificate to just work the river without staking a claim? I'm going to go back but a
claim is a little over my head. Also does any one know the actual rules of Nanaimo River? Some access roads to the river have private property signs. Everyone
goes there though. Hundreds of people all summer. Am I going to get in any kind of trouble if I get my license and just work my new spot a bit from time to
time without claiming it?
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MMinBC |
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You do not require a FMC to placer mine any river in BC, except no mining allowed in parks, Indian Reserves, etc. or land that is already claimed for
placer(see regulations on MTO.)
I do not think that the Nanaimo River is claimable....like most of the VI waterways. Access through the logging areas is OK but you will need permission to cross any private lands. If you are going to just recreatioal mining then it may be better to not have a FMC. FMC are only required if you wis to stake a claim which on the Island is nearly impossible. Hope this helps
Marvin
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Skunker |
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Check mineral titles online at this address https://www.mtonline.gov.bc.ca/mtov/home.do
Scroll down to the bottom and click on the placer map viewer. It will show a map of BC and there is a tool bar across the top. Highlight the area you're interested in and zoom down until you see some details. If you click on the tab that says "layers" you can select or deselect the information presented - this helps declutter the map. You may want to deselect the MTO grid and survey parcels if you just want to see if there are any claims in your area. Play around with the map viewer and you can create your own customized maps. I noted that there is a small cluster of claims on the Nanaimo River midway between the highway and the Nanaimo Lakes. You can use MTO to search the claim number and find how to contact the claimholder. You will need the claimholders permission if you want to pan there. I had read somewhere that during the depression a placer mining training camp was set up along the Nanaimo River. So its probably worth exploring. |
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deltabrent |
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Thanks for the info. Looks like I'm up from the claim. So I'm ok.
Realistically how much gold is a good haul for this area? I know it's all relative. I'm curious if I should call what I'm getting a good spot or keep moving? I panned out 3 good flakes and a couple smaller ones in an afternoon. This average? Or should I look for more? |
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MMinBC |
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Sounds about average for the area........not enough to warrant staking a claim.
Over the years I've taken out a few pickers but mostly small stuff, maybe averaged a little more than you got........keep looking!
Marvin
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deltabrent |
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last question I think for now: does anyone actually know if I can use a small sluce on Nanaimo River? Something small enough to carry in and out? Couple feet
maybe? Thanks for all the info everyone!
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Big Poke |
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Best I know it is not legal to use a sluice in any river in B.C. free miner or not. The rules are that your not allowed to wash materials into the river, some
would argue that river bed material is already washed? Recreational panning allows for use of pan and shovel only.
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deltabrent |
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Thanks everyone for the info. Too bad I can't have a sluce box or any other machines going. I think my spot would make them worth while. Last weekend was a
great day! Found 4 flakes in my first pan and 2 big ones at the bottom of the hole. I'm sticking to this area. Also the fact the river is up made me work
in an area I would probably have overlooked otherwise.
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