Panning For Fool's Gold

Fool's Gold

The day trip by the Sheffield U3A Geology Group to Matlock Bath was undertaken out of season, in November, and our visit to the Temple Mine and the Peak District Lead Mining Museum was specially arranged and, as such, the group were provided with exclusive access to the facilities.

Learn to pan and wash Fool's Gold and other minerals at Temple Mine

Given that more than 20 of us turned up for this event, which a single tour of the Temple Mine could accommodate, we were split into two groups and after our tour of the mine everyone was given a chance to try their hand at panning for Fool's Gold and other minerals. Although no real gold was at hand, the Temple Mine did hit the headlines back in 1992, when an analysis of the basalt here – undertaken by Sheffield University – revealed that the basalt tested yield 37 grammes per tonne – quite a respectable quality ore.

A lesson in panning for minerals

Like any new skill, there is a steep learning curve and, with much laughter involved, everyone soon got the hang of the technique. I am myself by no means an expert but I did this once for real nearly 30 years ago – when my best friend and I travelled down to Dolgellau in North Wales for a long weekend one summer, where we panned the stream that runs down from the Clogau Mine to the Afon Mawddach.

Panning in practice

All of our friends and family had a great laugh at our expense, saying that we would of course find nothing and, during most of the time we spent there, they were right; however, on one of the days we struck lucky.

Celebrating the discovery of gold

When you see that single grain which shines far brighter than the rest of the worthless detritus before your eyes, the sensation is quite exhilarating and it makes you want to dig for more. With a bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey firstly cracked open to toast our success, we then packed up and headed off to the nearest pub – where, in a Western movie style, we asked for two more large whiskeys to be slid down the bar.

Gold and silver

Much to our disappointment, the barman didn't comply with our polite request but, nonetheless, even though I certainly lost as much gold as I managed to keep when removing it from the pan, it was enough to wipe the smile off the faces of everyone when we returned home and showed off our few tiny specks – which in my case included silver too.

Gold and silver