There are many misconceptions and uncertainties when it comes to gold prospecting. Gold expert and Executive Director of Development for GPAA, Kevin Hoagland, sat down with us briefly to give us a deep dive into the world of gold prospecting. The following tips are based on his knowledge and experience, and of course his success with finding gold.

Gold Prospecting Equipment: VLF Metal Detector vs. PI Metal Detector

VLF (Very Low Frequency) Metal Detector

A VLF metal detector is a single or multi-frequency machine

that consists of a continuous sine wave. The sine wave(s) goes down and into the ground to find a metallic target, and once it does, the machine charges the target releases an eddy current and sends a signal back.

A common misconception for these machines is that you cannot get depth out of a VLF metal detector. That is not true, as long as a VLF machine is properly set up and you are using the right detector in the right conditions with the right coil, you can absolutely get depth with this machine. Yes, a VLF detector can have an advantage on shallow very very small targets, on and off of bedrock. As long as you can keep it stabilized, ground balanced, and the sensitivity is set properly, this can help you find some of the smallest gold pieces, many in the grain over gram range.

PI (Pulse Induction) Metal Detector

I guess that my best and easiest description of PI metal detectors is a machine that talks and then listens. Unlike the VLF detector, a PI machine is not a continuous sine wave it is a pulse, on-off, on-off. These machines will do better than VLF in most highly mineralized soils because it’s measuring

the speed of the signal decay of the target and the ground around the target. However, there are places like low mineralization deposit areas where your PI machine will simply just not work to its fullest potential and in these places, you are better off with a VLF machine, and vice versa. For example, if you have excessive cold or hot rocks and or weird salts, there have been times when a VLF detector has been outperformed by a PI machine.

How Does Frequency Work in a VLF Metal Detector?

The higher the frequency, the closer to the surface the machine works to find smaller targets. The lower the frequency, the deeper in the ground the machine will go to find larger and more conductive targets. It’s not the case that one machine or frequency works better than another, it depends on the conditions and the ground that you’re detecting, coil size, and your tuning. Frankly, for me when I head out detecting, I have a VLF and PI with me and I do recommend that you carry both types of machines, if you can, to be prepared for all of the varied conditions and the ground to change and to get the best results.

What is a Hot Rock?

One of the most common questions received in the metal detecting industry is, what is a Hot Rock? Hot rocks are magnetic or have metallic properties that are higher than the surrounding ground. No matter what, it is seen as a target to your machine which can be disrupting if you don’t know how to properly mitigate them. Keep in mind, hot rocks will never be 100% avoided, but there are ways to reduce the number of hot rocks you come in contact with.

Different Types of Mineralization

There are two types of mineralization considered the most associated with nugget hunting. First, there is high mineralization within the ground, where the ground itself is hot and can contain hot rocks or cold stones. The second type of mineralization is moderate or benign, where there is less mineralization in the ground. Many people confuse hot mineralization for hot rocks, but these are two different things. Moderate or benign mineralization can also contain hot rocks, and it’s actually this combination that can cause the mitigation of this to be very challenging.

Another misconception is assuming orange soil is always hot. It’s very possible that if you see orange soil, it’s most likely hot. However, it could just be a red iron pigment. It’s important not to immediately jump to that conclusion.

What are the Different Types of Coils?

Three Different Types of Coils

2. Mono Coils: A mono coil is designed for a PI machine and is a single winding which puts a concentric pattern into the ground. You will always be able to get more depth with a mono coil, but it is also more susceptible to ground mineralization noise and it will be affected by the ground mineralization itself. Using a mono coil, you have to be very aware of what your overlap is. The second part of the Mono coil question is when to take the Mono off and go to a Double D coil. That answer is simple, when you can no longer detect with a Mono is when you go to a Double D.
3. Double D Coils: Double D coils work for both PI and VLF machines. Double D coils have two back to back D-shaped windings inside the coil. At all times the coils are transmitting, and another receiving across the plane of the coil. The Double D coil design is like a knife blade that goes into the ground down the center of the coil. These coils are great at handling mineralization where it essentially takes the ground mineralization and distributes it all the way across the blade lessening its effects.
4. Concentric Coils: The third type of coil is the concentric coil. Many people think concentric coils are the same as mono coils however, that is not the case. Mono coils are built for a pulse induction machine using one winding whereas concentric coils work with VLF machines by using two separate windings one sends one to receive. Although they are similar in design, they work in two completely different ways for two completely different detectors.

Round vs. Elliptical Coils

Metal detector coils are measured off of a round coil configuration. That being said, there is really no difference in size, only in shape. For example, a 14×10 coil will have the same attributes as a 12-inch coil. Why are there two different kinds then? The key difference here is that elliptical coils work extremely well in difficult areas such as in between scrub bushes and rocks. If you are still trying to wrap your head around that, here is a simple way to make sure you choose a coil size that is different from what you already have:

Length + width = X ÷ by 2 = the size of the coil. Take a 14×10 coil for example, 14+10=24 ÷ 2 = 12. You have a 12-inch coil.

Discrimination in Gold Prospecting Machines

There is no truly accurate nonferrous discrimination on gold detectors and discrimination for gold is dangerous. Iron discrimination is really the only type of discrimination on a gold machine and at best, this discrimination works “kinda.” Trusting these signals is dangerous and can lead to missed gold, so do your best to operate your machine to the best of its ability without assuming anything. Even with the best iron discrimination, you should dig these targets until you know for sure they are ferrous junk, understanding that if there is any wavering in the signal of another target that sounds “almost the same,” it has to be dug.

East vs. West: Where Can You Dig for Gold in the United States?

Many people assume that the West is a better place to go gold prospecting due to its history of gold mining, but this isn’t completely true. No matter where you go, make sure searching for recreational gold is legal. This is especially true in places like national forests.

The key differences between the two locations are the gold mineralization area, with the West containing a lot more open ground and hotter ground. That being said, there is a gold belt that runs from the northeastern United States and through Alabama. Not to mention there is a lot more glacial gold in the eastern US. Although geography is going to be different, gold is gold, and the best place to look for gold is where it has been found before – even if that doesn’t mean states with a history of gold fever.

The biggest issue with both the West and East is going to be finding accessibility and being able to find that line and stay on that line. However, western states like Arizona and even Alaska were developed to be able to go gold prospecting, gold mining, and staking claims during the gold rush, which is why these states are known to have easier access.

What Do You Need to Prospect for Gold?

The Best Gold Prospecting Metal Detectors

Though you may not need literal gold mining equipment, it never hurts to have your own prospecting equipment, especially if you don’t have a gold pan. There really is no “best” metal detector and there’s not a detector that fits all. Each metal detector has different pros and cons and it’s all about using your machine to the best of its ability to find your desired gold deposits. Because of this, every gold prospector has their own preferred machine. As mentioned previously, it helps to have a VLF machine and a PI machine because you just don’t know what the conditions or ground will be like. It also helps to have a variety of machines, if possible.

Although there are no “best” metal detectors, here are a few that you can choose from:

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Beginner’s List of Prospecting Tools

1. The very best headphones you can afford. And wear them all the time. Many of the gold nuggets you will find are only slight whispers in the detector’s threshold. Many nice nuggets have been left in the ground because the prospector was not wearing metal detector headphones.
2. Two plastic scoops at all times. The more technologically advanced the detectors are becoming, the more sensitive they are becoming. Gold machines tend to pick up mineralization on your hands and to avoid this you can use two plastic scoops to go back and forth between the dirt or sediment and your targets. Also, always use a plastic scoop and not your hands especially when detecting in a desert to avoid being bitten by scorpions or other living things.
3. A digging tool. Do not show up with a geologist pick. You need a digging tool and you need something that has a wide blade. For example, Apex Picks are a great option. When you start digging targets, you have to be able to get your coil out of the hole, so having a sharp pointed tool to dig and a wide blade to clear is the best tool to get this job done.
4. Non-magnetic boots. Also known as Anti-Terrorism Military boots. As mentioned above, the more advanced these machines are becoming, the more they will pick up. Make things easier on yourself and get a pair of boots with no metal to avoid your machine picking up any false signals.
5. A non-magnetic belt. Like the boots, if you need to wear a belt, choose one without any metal. Overall, limit the amount of metal on your body.
6. Put your car keys in your back pocket.
7. Keep your cell phone off and in your back pocket.
8. A good hat.
9. Awater bottle or hydration pack is a must.

For more tips on the best metal detector for gold, be sure to check out our complete buyer’s guide.

What Should You Look For When Gold Prospecting With and Without a Metal Detector?

With gold panning, 99.9% of the time, wherever there is gold there is black sand. However, this cannot be reversed, if you find black sand that doesn’t mean there is definitely gold in the same area (although it is possible). The most important thing you can do before gold prospecting is to understand your surroundings and the area you will be hunting.

1. Think like gold! “If I were 19 times heavier than the same volume of water, where would I go?”

2. Understand the streams and the water dynamics or the deserts around you.

3. Take a look at the overall geology. Look closely at what is easy to see and deeper, to see what others miss.

4. Take notice of any big trees or massive boulders that will change water flow.
5. Don’t forget about the inside bend, but also keep in mind there are so many things that can change the way gold drops out of the flow.

6. Do your research beforehand.

Final Word

Words from Kevin Hoagland, the expert prospector himself, “be willing to do your research.” The best place to look for gold is where gold has already been found – even gold rush states like Arizona, Alaska, and Oregon can be literal gold mines!

Gold is one of the most elusive metals out there and is not simple to find. If it were, it wouldn’t be so valuable. The best thing you can do if you’re interested in gold prospecting is to make a commitment to yourself that you are going to go prospect and that you will do your research on where you are going. Put a plan together and execute the plan.

Finally, you are going to need to learn how to slow down more than you ever have before. Your gold prospecting success depends on your commitment and patience to the process.