On the back of some recent amateur discoveries across western Victoria, giving a miner's right for Christmas is a great way to introduce family to Victoria's historic regions and the excitement of exploring for gold – and it could result in a valuable discovery.
A miners right will allow loved ones to go recreational prospecting and try their luck searching for gold and other minerals.
Victoria's "Golden Triangle" runs between Bendigo, Ballarat and Wedderburn and has seen several amateur gold discoveries in recent years. Earlier this year a prospector using a metal detector discovered a gold nugget weighing more than half a kilo near Ballarat with its value estimated at around $80,000.
Last year, a lucky prospector discovered a gold nugget using a metal detector in the same area. The find was valued at around $240,000. A gold nugget worth about $200,000 was also discovered in 2019.
In Victoria, hobby gold hunters must possess a miner's right, allowing them to keep any gold they find. There are about 95,000 active miner's rights in Victoria and the rush to get involved shows no sign of slowing with almost 10,000 purchased during 2024. A miner's right can be purchased for $27.80 from Services Victoria.
It's important that anyone planning to try their hand at recreational prospecting understands the rules before they head out and keeps safety at the forefront of their mind.
Recreational prospecting is permitted in state forests and in designated areas of some national, state, historic and heritage parks. The use of mechanical equipment or explosives is not allowed, vegetation and Aboriginal objects must not be removed or damaged.
While minerals exploration and mining have been temporarily paused in some small sections of the state, including some areas within the Golden Triangle, this does not impact recreational prospecting. Holders of a miners right can continue searching for gold and other minerals as long as they follow existing rules.
The Resources Victoria has produced a Guide to Recreational Prospecting in Victoria and a helpful video, both can be accessed by visiting resources.vic.gov.au/fossicking.
Attribute quotes to Chris Webb, Resources Victoria Executive Director Regulatory Operations
"Recreational prospecting is an important outdoor activity across the state and we've seen some really exciting finds in recent years."
"Temporary pauses on minerals activity in small sections of the state don't impact recreational prospecting. Victorians can continue to search for gold and other minerals across most of the state's 3.1 million hectares of state forest, as well as specific areas within some national, state, historic and heritage parks."
"Just make sure you buy a miner's right for $27 so you can keep any hidden treasure you might be lucky enough to find."
