Ontario has been producing gold for over a century. However, it is important to note that if you are looking to find gold by panning, it may not be as easy as you think, even though Ontario is extremely rich with gold.

Ontario’s gold reserves are mostly mineral deposits making it quite difficult to find any nuggets or flour gold deposits in the river sediments. Recreational miners will find it difficult to find locations they can get their gold from using panning, since nearly all of the gold production here comes from lode mining operations.

If on the other hand you have knowledge of where such gold deposits have been found in the past, you stand a better chance of striking it rich with gold found during your panning operation.

When it comes to panning the waterways of Ontario, it is always important to have an idea of where the gold deposits are found before you pick spot and get to work. Most areas where placers can be found are in glacial till. Long ago, glaciers spreading southward would grind up gold bearing ores and transport them, grinded up to a fine texture, and deposit them as the glaciers receded. This is where most of the gold in the Midwestern United States comes from.

Before you commence to doing any gold panning, remember to bring the necessary tools. It is important to remember also when it comes to prospecting you always must seek permission when accessing private property. Finally make sure that you treat the area that your mining is treated with respect.

Read: Prospecting for Glacial Gold – Locating Ancient Outwash Areas

 

Renewed Gold Rush

 

With technological advancements making gold mining cheaper and more convenient, coupled with the large increase in gold prices over the last few years as fears over holding currencies mount has provided more than enough motivation to bring back mining operations that had been disbanded after it proved too expensive to continue operations. This is the story for Canada’s largest gold deposit at Detour Lake in Northern Ontario. The location is identified as one of the largest pure gold deposits in North America as well. Detour mine sits on over 15 million ounces of gold with annual production being pegged at 650,000 ounces for each of the 20 years the mine will be in operation.

This has been a much needed breath of new life into the surrounding towns as mine workers flock to the area to find employment in what seems to be the most rewarding find yet.

Also Read: Gold in Saskatchewan

 

Gold Discoveries in Ontario

 

Gold was discovered in Ontario back in 1866. Since then numerous claims were registered and several gold rushes to the province witnessed at different periods in history. The often quoted saying by prospectors, that you can only find gold where gold has been discovered has been proven to be true over and over again in the region. Ever since that first discovery, more and more claims and viable mines were discovered around the same region moving outwards.

The first discovery was made at Eldorado which is located in the southeastern part of Ontario. After the 1866 discovery, there was a small gold rush of sorts but the mine established at the location proved to be too costly to maintain and was therefore closed only after two years of operation. However more was to come.

In 1909, a larger deposit which still produces gold up to date was discovered close to Porcupine Lake. The site is home to Dome Mine. This area received a lot of attention from prospectors and more claims were made around it including a site which was home to Hollinger Mine, which produced over 19 million ounces of gold between 1910 and 1968.

Another discovery was made in 1911 near Kirkland Lake. The discovery led to the beginning of the Kirkland Lake gold rush which attracted some famous prospectors and made a good number of them quite wealthy. Some of the mines that were established in the area include Lakeshore, Tech-Hughes, Sylvanite and Writ-Hargreaves.

Red Lake was another famous gold rich region and is said to have witnessed one of the last gold ruches witnessed in North America. It also resulted in the busiest airport in the world at the time with flights every 15 minutes.

Ontario lies on the Precambrian rock that is rich in a variety of mineral deposits. It is this rock that houses the mineral deposits that are being prospected and mined currently in a bid to make the next big find in a region where gold deposits seem to be unlimited.

 

Next: 77 Gold Prospecting Tips – How to Find Gold Like a Pro