How much material to pan with?

[Astrobouncer]

Ok guys so I am new to prospecting and there is no place close by here where I can go watch some pros work or learn from them (Blue Ridge, SC). I have watched the videos on panning from youtube and read most of the threads on here, though. One thing I havent been able to find is how much material I should use to pan with.

I think I am using too much material now because the mud is very thick and weighs down the pan. I usually do about 4-5 small shovel fulls (hand shovel) at one time, which I first classify the rocks and pebbles out of with a strainer.

Is this too much material? There is alot of black sand in the dirt here because of high magnetite concentrations so even that much weighs a good bit.

[jog]

If your testing an area for gold you can put in enough so it is well over the top of the pan.If your into the gold then you might put in less so it will not spill over the sides.When you have wet muddy material don't over fill and remember to submerge the pan to liquefy your material.I like to hold the pan under water an run the material through my fingers until it is all broken up and liquefied,then start the panning process. GOOD LUCK!



ALSO!
The more you put into your pan the faster your arms will tire out.

[lastleg]

It may not be comfortable to try a full pan especially with the
mud. Just put as much in that you can work effectively. I pan
with my right hand and bump it with my left. With muddy stuff
I don't start panning until I clear it by swirlling it in a bucket
and breaking it up with my fingers. It doesn't take much dirt to
give you an idea of how fast you can work it.

lastleg

[kuger]

The bottom line is work what you can and not sacrifice technique.As you get better you can do more,also depends on what size pan you are using.