Georgia Clay

[Sorehands]

Any folks out there have advice about working through the heavy clay layer in most GA streams?

I am relatively new to prospecting and am typically finding heavy white/grey clay before bedrock (about 4-6 ft down). I am shoveling and sluicing.

In all but one stream the gold/material yield is ok until I hit that layer- then it drops off quickly.

Is it worth slugging/digging through an unknown amount of clay to get below it ( in hopes of higher yields)?

I acknowledge that each stream has its productive layers which can vary, but am looking to avoid a lot of pointless work if most folks, familiar with this, don't think it is worth the effort.

I welcome any suggestion. Thx!

 

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[rkenerson375]

Most of the gold should sit on top of that clay layer because it will act as a false bottom or false bedrock, mostly too dense for the gold to slip through and get below it. In my experience the clay is the last layer to work and haven't found much below that.

 

[Bnugget]

I have the same clay layers that I run across here in Northern CA and have the same results, golds ok till I get to clay layer then nothing. I wasn't finding much on top if it either for some reason but the gravel layers above it were loaded. Back when we can dredge, I tried punching through just for kicks and found nothing at the bottom. Probably robbed my sluices of gold in the process.

 

[KevinInColorado]

My favorite creeks in south Denver have a gold bearing gravel layer, then in some areas, a barren clay layer and then another layer of gold bearing gravel/cobble. Didn't realize that until an old timer goaded me into punching a hole thru the clay and bam there was the gravel and gold! Soooo, yes you should try punching a hole down into that clay layer just to see what's under it. Good luck!

 

[goldhog]

We have "busted through" probably 400 clay layers here in GA this year alone, they'll also vary in color as well.
From pure white to pumpkin orange.
The clay here produces little gold. When you hit it, dig a small hole and see how deep the layer is.
If it's a few inches, then dig through.
If it's 2 feet thick, it may not be worth the time.
It's not really the thought of "what's below it"................
It's the thought that you have spent 2 days digging clay and not working good gravels or bedrock.
So, if you have a BUNCH of time, dig away. If not, look skip it and move a bit.
That THICK layer may taper off only a few feet away, so check every few feet.
Also, we will often find MANY small layers working down to bedrock.
Bedrock is your ultimate goal.
Doc

 

[Sorehands]

Thank you folks - I did move to the gravel just above the clay and it is very productive. I also read through the other clay posts. The practical thing seems to spot check with small holes and focus on the goodies above.

Thank you again - this site has really saved me hours and hours of wasted time.

 

[KevinInColorado]

Thank you folks - I did move to the gravel just above the clay and it is very productive. I also read through the other clay posts. The practical thing seems to spot check with small holes and focus on the goodies above. Thank you again - this site has really saved me hours and hours of wasted time.

that's what we're here for...we waste time online so as not to waste any in the field!