Responsible prospecting begins before the first hole is dug. Access, safety, environmental care and respect for heritage determine whether a trip is lawful and whether prospecting remains welcome.
Know where you are
Check land tenure, permits, excluded areas and equipment rules with the relevant authority. Public-looking land is not automatically open, and permission may be required.
Plan for Australian conditions
Heat, fire danger, storms, remote roads and unreliable reception can change a routine outing into an emergency. Carry water, navigation, first aid and a communication plan suited to the location.
Protect the ground
Use the least disruptive permitted method, refill holes, avoid waterways and vegetation damage, and take rubbish home. Do not disturb historic structures, artefacts or culturally significant places.
Share the country
Be considerate of landholders, other visitors and local communities. Good behaviour in the field helps protect access for the next person as well as the landscape itself.