Correct way to sample?

[Coin Head]

So I was wondering is there any certain way to sample for gold do I dig all the way to bedrock do Sluice it first what do I do and also is a two inch dredge good for quantity dredging or would I need to go bigger.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Agony and Death on a Gold Rush Steamer: The Disastrous Sinking of the Side-Wheeler Yankee Blade - Grab it through Amazon!

[The1rod]

It depends on your intended way to recover the gold. If you intend to dredge then there needs to be gold in the creek or river you plan on dredging, digging to bedrock would tell you there is gold at bedrock but that might be way different than what is in the creek. If you plan to run a larger operation and can consistently get to bedrock, then digging to bedrock in multiple areas to get an overall average would be good. Basically you need to sample the dirt you plan to run. If you just plan to dredge I would take a pan and a shovel to the river/creek and start there.

 

[loco oro]

A 2 in is great if you are new to it, testing, you want to get as deep as ya can ,this isn't so difficult in streams mostly, bedrock is Where gold stops,that's where it will collect,that is what you want to see.

 

[SunshineMiner]

edit -Sorry, you said sampling, not testing. My post was on testing

 

[Eu_citzen]

Sampling methods and how throughout you sample depend on the given situation. Adjust, adapt as needed.
If bedrock is 30 meters deep - don't try to dig down there when sampling.

However my primary sampling tool is my gold pan. Sluice is set up after I find a suitable spot.