Gold panning uses water and gravity to separate dense material from lighter sand and gravel. The motion looks simple, but consistency and patience matter.
Choose legal access
Before collecting any material, confirm the site is open to fossicking or prospecting and that your methods are permitted. Obtain approvals and follow local restrictions.
Classify the material
Removing oversized rocks makes the pan easier to work. Break up clay carefully because dense particles can hide inside compacted lumps.
Stratify and wash
Submerge the pan, shake it to settle heavier material, then gently wash lighter material from the top. Repeat without rushing. Gold, if present, tends to remain with the dense concentrates.
Learn from each pan
Black sands and other heavy minerals show that concentration is occurring, but they do not guarantee gold. Sample methodically and record where material came from.