Prospecting is the act of searching for valuable metals in either bearing veins, or placer gravels, which have been eroded from the original vein in which they were formed. If sufficient amounts are found via prospecting, then mining can begin to extract them.
Please submit only sites dealing with prospecting, which is a serious endeavor to search for mineral deposits within ore veins. This would include mineral prospecting websites relating to recreational prospecting, prospecting clubs and organizations, and sales of equipment specifically designed for this hobby.

For sales of metal detecting equipment- please see Shopping/Recreation/Outdoors/Metal_Detecting/.
Prospecting guides & clubs for Europe
Please submit only sites dealing with prospecting. These would include websites relating to recreational prospecting, prospecting clubs and organizations, and sales of equipment specifically designed for this hobby. Do not submit website listings for metal detecting, general treasure hunting, or those that are mainly concerned with the specific area of panning for gold.

For general metal detecting sites- please see Recreation/Outdoors/Metal_Detecting.

For metal detecting clubs and organizations- please see Society/Organizations/Hobby Interests/Metal_Detecting.

For sales of metal detecting equipment- please see Shopping/Recreation_and_Hobbies/Outdoors/Metal_Detecting.

For websites whose content is very specific to recreational panning for gold- please see Science/Earth Sciences/Geology/Rocks_and_Minerals/Metallic_Deposits/Gold/Recreational_Gold_Panning.

local to North America.
Local to North America.
Prospecting clubs & guides in Australia & New Zealand
Please submit only sites dealing with prospecting. These would include websites relating to recreational prospecting, prospecting clubs and organizations, and sales of equipment specifically designed for this hobby. Do not submit website listings for metal detecting, general treasure hunting, or those that are mainly concerned with the specific area of panning for gold.

For general metal detecting sites- please see Recreation/Outdoors/Metal_Detecting.

For metal detecting clubs and organizations- please see Society/Organizations/Hobby Interests/Metal_Detecting.

For sales of metal detecting equipment- please see Shopping/Recreation_and_Hobbies/Outdoors/Metal_Detecting.

For websites whose content is very specific to recreational panning for gold- please see Science/Earth Sciences/Geology/Rocks_and_Minerals/Metallic_Deposits/Gold/Recreational_Gold_Panning.

Includes companies that offer machinery and other items that facilitate the extraction of precious minerals from the ground for the recreational prospector. Some examples of these products are dry washers and dredgers.
Please include those sites that offer products that will assist the casual prospector in extracting precious minerals from the ground, such as dredgers and dry washers.

This category does NOT apply to industrial level equipment. Those should be submitted to Business/Mining_and_Drilling/Mining_Equipment/