When thinking Tasmanian diamonds, most people have heard of Killiecrankie diamonds, which are really topaz (and very good topaz at that). However, several real, verified diamonds have also been found in Tasmania.
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The Mathinna goldfield
The Mathinna goldfield started, like many others, with the discovery of alluvial gold, this time in Black Horse Gully. The area contains one of Tasmania’s largest gold mines, the New Golden Gate, which had a total (historical) production of over 260,000 ounces (~8 tons) of gold. The whole area is riddled with mines, prospects and old workings, and is fairly easy access with light bush.
Continue readingFossicking vs. Prospecting – What is the difference?
![By Tony Oliver from Denver, CO, USA (Prospector) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://www.appleisleprospector.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/449px-Gold_prospector.jpg)
Prospector — Tony Oliver, Denver, CO, USA [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Many people, sometimes myself included, use the words ‘fossicking’ and ‘prospecting’ to mean the same, such as to go out and collect some rocks, or minerals, or gold, generally as a hobby. The question is: do they really mean the same thing? In short: NO. If you want to know a bit more about it, and what it means for you, read on.
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