Metal Detecting Coastal Mountains

[seascene]

My "turf" is the British Columbia coast via sail typically from north Vancouver Island to Rupert spring to fall.... vast wilderness of fjords and island archipelagos which I seem to have mostly to myself. Uncountable creeks both visible and many that disappear just before entering the ocean. Fresh water lakes tiny to big are numerous back in from the shore and up... aside which if ever trod a human footprint. So far, I have found no gold. Discussing this on a Canadian prospector forum I was told that the geology is not "right" for gold finding as BC coastal mountains are new and not eroded which placer likes. Comments appreciated...

Thanks...

 

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[OwenT]

I've never seen anything about placer in the coast mountains. I know there's been some lode mines in pretty rugged places in the Northern parts of the Coast range. I think there's something to the explanation you got, don't know if the rocks just don't hold much gold or what but if they do there's bound to be a ton of it distributed throughout glaciers and their dropped loads which will take time (think on a geologic scale) to concentrate into placers.

 

[Aufisher]

Ahoy mate.....welcome! Fair winds!

 

[ianSF]

The BC coast is one of the most amazing places I've ever visited. Absolutely beautiful.

Beach gold placers are found on Graham island in the Queen Charlotte group. The mouth of Martell Creek, Bull Swamp and Masset Sound between Rooney and Crowell points and a small stream about a kilometer south of Crowell point were all profitably worked in the past. I have no idea re the legality of panning there now.

You might have better luck working the west coast of Vancouver Island. Beach placers were worked in Wreck Bay and some small gold and 1/4oz nuggets were found in the Nanaimo River on the east coast. There's more info here in this .pdf, see p. 16 for Vancouver Island. Good luck!

Notes on Placer Mining in British Columbia (1943 edition)

http://www.empr.gov.bc.ca/Mining/Ge...blications/Documents/NotesPlacerMinBC1943.pdf

 

[seascene]

Thanks ianSF... good info and will follow up. China Creek near Alberni was another producer back in the late 1800's. Getting my rig ready to sail this spring....setting course for the north country Great Bear to Haida Gwaii just because of its wildness. Finding gold and seeking out other treasures from old shipwrecks keeps the fire stoked... good luck to you.

 

[beamrider]

You could switch gears and explore old whaling stations lighthouses. Towns and caneries etc for any old coins or relics they may have lost

 

[Peyton Manning]

all I know is that when working coastal areas, one is required to wear a thong

 

[Lanny in AB]

You'll certainly be sailing some gorgeous coastline, and I wish you good fortune on your quest to find some gold or treasure.

It sounds like a grand adventure, one rich with promise of opportunity as you'll never know until you go . . .

All the best,

Lanny