Panning for gold or silver is a type of traditional, placer mining where gold or silver ore is extracted from a placer deposit using a pan. This method is among the simplest and is quite popular with geology enthusiasts because it is fairly inexpensive and easy to do. Placer mining originated in ancient Rome and was quickly usurped by other methods such as the rocker box for commercial gold and silver mining; however, panning remains a fun activity the whole family can enjoy. Even though Nevada is known as “the Silver State,” it produces nearly two-thirds of the country’s gold. In fact, some of the largest gold nuggets in North America have been found in Nevada.
Northern Nevada is chock-full of old active and inactive gold and silver mines. Whether adventurers wish to take a tour, learn about the industry, or try their luck panning for valuable ore, there is certainly plenty to do.
Panning for gold or silver is quite easy and inexpensive. After finding promising soil, preferably black sand adjacent to a riverbed, one just swirls the dirt and water around in the pan. The lighter material rises and flows out of the pan while the heavier gold nuggets adhere to the pan's ridges.
Rye Patch State Recreation Area is located on a 22-mile long reservoir with nearly 72 miles of shoreline and 11,000 acres of water surface. Open year-round, in addition to gold panning, visitors can camp, fish, picnic, hike, water ski, and swim.
Mining operations in this area hit their peak in the 1870s when millions of dollars of gold was discovered in the area. Today, there is much evidence of historic mining operations, and visitors can try their luck panning for gold in the area.
Visitors can take a half-hour guided tour of the Best and Belcher Mine loaded with hundreds of antique mining equipment pieces and artifacts on display. After the tour, visitors can try their hand panning for their own treasure with the seasonal Comstock Lode Adventure Pass.
Chollar Mine produced more than $17 million in gold during the gold rush years. After a half-hour guided tour visitors can try their hand at panning with the Comstock Lode Adventure Pass (seasonal.)
In Washoe County, Little Valley District, Peavine and Galena Districts are a few mining districts. Visitors can try their luck panning for gold in the area; however, reported findings have been minimal.
Both gold and silver placers can be found throughout Lyon County, especially near the Singatse River. While both gold and silver have been found here, production has been small over the past century.
Have you panned for gold or silver in one of these Nevada locations? Did you have any luck? Please share your thoughts and experiences below.
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