If there is still a place in the world considered as the global El Dorado for prospectors, that would be Australia. The country holds the record for the volume and size of gold nuggets ever retrieved, and it is still one of the places on Earth where prospectors can try their luck.
Gold nuggets in Australia are so big due to the area’s geological formation. The Gold found in Australia is also much finer than the one retrieved in other locations such as Alaska. These characteristics have driven major Gold Rushes and modern prospectors to Victoria and Western Australia.
Let’s find out more about the large gold nuggets found in Australia.
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The Occurrence of Large Gold Nuggets in Australia
Exceptionally large gold nuggets are a characteristic of the goldfields that surround Victoria, Australia. After the first Gold Rushes in the region, which began in 1851, it produced over 80 million ounces of Gold (2,500 tonnes). Of these, almost half derives from alluvial deposits in the area.
Of course, such large quantities of Gold were retrieved through large-scale mining operations, but some of these tended to use alluvial gold mining operations. These are large-scale tactics that mimic the ones used by prospectors.
Most of the large gold nuggets in the area were retrieved through digging and picking, like in the case of the Welcome Stranger and Welcome Nugget. However, panning, sluicing, and dredging for Gold were – and in some locations still are – effective ways to retrieve smaller nuggets from alluvial deposits[1].
Historically, only the area surrounding Victoria and Western Australia boasted gold-bearing grounds. Today, these areas can still be searched for Gold if you hold a Miner’s Right permit and limit your operations to free land that is not owned or claimed by other miners.
Characteristics of Gold Nuggets Found in Australia
The large gold nuggets found in Australia have become famous across the world. Indeed, six of the ten largest gold nuggets ever retrieve derive from this country. While some of these nuggets have been melted down and sold today, the country still boasts the reputation of one of the richest places for gold mining.
Aside from the size of the gold nuggets found in Australia, the Gold retrieved in the area is well-known for another characteristic, its purity. The purity of Gold, or fineness, refers to the quantity of Gold actually contained by a specimen. Indeed, in some cases, particles of the host rock might still be attached to the specimen.
This characteristic can affect the value of Gold retrieved from mines. In terms of gold nuggets deriving from placer deposits, other characteristics could influence its market prices, such as appearance and quartz crystals.
However, it is undeniable that all Gold retrieved in Australia is generally purer or finer than the one you could find anywhere else. The amount of Gold in commercial gold items, bars, and nuggets is expressed in karats, and these can vary between 14k and 24k. Gold labeled as 14k will contain a percentage of Gold ranging from 58.33% to 62.50%.
The Gold found in Australia is often near 23k or 24k. For comparison, the gold nuggets in Alaska contain a quantity of Gold that varies between 70% and 95% (up to 22k).
Where Have Large Nuggets Been Found in Australia?
The largest gold nuggets found in Australia were retrieved in Victoria, Ballarat, and in Western Australia, in the region of Goldfields-Esperance. Most gold nuggets were recovered by digging near alluvial deposits, while the largest one, Welcome Stranger, was found only 3cm (1.20in) below the surface of the soil.
Best Locations for Gold Prospecting in Australia
Prospecting in the Victorian Goldfields is a sought-after experience for prospectors worldwide. Aside from the historical aspect that makes this region as famous as California, it is also essential to notice that a significant amount of Gold is still in the area.
If you wish to use a pan or sluice box for your prospecting activities, some of the best accessible locations in Victoria are:
- Andersons Creek
- Reedy Creek
- Mount Misery Creek
- Slaty Creek
- Sailors Creek
- Sutherland Creek
Alternatively, some mines such as Tunnel Hill Mine will offer tours and training courses that can be beneficial before trying one of the prospecting locations in Victoria. It is vital to notice that, while there are still places available for gold seekers to practice prospecting, you might need a permit.
Before setting off on a trip, make sure to check whether a specific location, river, or creek is enlisted as claimed or not. It is recommendable to double-check with the local authorities and obtain the necessary permits for such operations anyway.
Largest Gold Nuggets Found in Australia
As mentioned, six of the largest gold nuggets ever retrieved originated in Australia. Since both the Welcome Stranger and the Welcome Nugget were melted, the largest nugget in existence today is the Canaã nugget, from Brasil.
Below you can find the largest gold nuggets ever retrieved in Australia.
Welcome Stranger
To date, this is the largest gold nugget ever found. Retrieved by prospectors Richard Oates and John Deason in 1869, this nugget was discovered in Moliagul, Victoria. While it has been melted down for a cash prize, the nugget weighed 2,520 troy ounces (78 kg). Today, a reproduction exists in the Old Treasury Building in Victoria.
Learn more about this nugget in the video below.
Welcome Nugget
The Welcome Nugget, found by the Red Hill Mining Company, was retrieved in Ballarat in 1858. While melted in London the year after its discovery, the second-largest gold nugget in the world weighed 2,218 troy ounces (69.0 kg).
Lady Hotham
Named after the wife of the Governor, the Lady Hotham nugget was also recovered in Ballarat, Victoria, in 1854. With a weight of 1,576 troy ounces (44.7kg), this nugget is still in the top-10 largest nuggets ever found. After it was melted and sold, the nugget was valued at £13,000 (£1.8m) in today’s money.
The Golden Eagle
The Golden Eagle‘s name derives to its resemblance to this bird. Jim Larcombe and his father recovered it in 1931. To date, this is the largest gold nugget ever found in Western Australia and weighs 1,136 troy ounces (32kg). After being sold to the government, this nugget was melted down.
The Heron
This nugget was discovered in the Mount Alexander goldfield in 1855, during the second day of digging. The location was thought not to boast any gold-bearing ground until this nugget’s discovery. The event drove the first Gold Rush to what is believed to be the world’s richest alluvial goldfield.
Hand of Faith
The Hand of Faith, named after its particular shape, is the largest nugget retrieved through electronic prospecting. Retrieved in Victoria in 1980, the nugget today lives in the Golden Nugget Casino Hotel in Las Vegas. It weighs over 874 troy ounces (27 kg).
It is also vital to notice that the most significant gold specimen ever found was also retrieved in Australia – specifically in New South Wales. This specimen contains large quantities of quartz and other materials from the host rock and is known as the Holtermann Nugget, after its discoverer Bernhardt Holtermann. It weighed 290 kg or 630 troy pounds.
Conclusion
The history of gold nuggets in Australia makes this country one of the most sought-after for prospectors. Aside from the unique historical relevance that makes it unique, regions of Victoria and Western Australia still boast large quantities of Gold to be retrieved.
Prospectors are still trying their luck today in these territories by panning, sluicing, electronic prospecting, or even mining. If you wish to prospect in Australia, it is essential to review the regulations that apply to every specific location before commencing operations.
