In North Queensland, a dedicated prospector struck gold by finding a stunning 38-ounce nugget, valued at over AU$50,000, using a Minelab GPX 5000 metal detector. This incredible discovery came right after he unearthed a smaller three-ounce nugget worth around AU$4,000.
“When I discovered the first nugget, I was absolutely thrilled because it was the largest one I had ever found,” mentioned the Queenslander who prefers to remain anonymous.
“At first, I was content with that discovery, but after I collected myself, I returned to the same spot, turned on my detector again, and within just a few swings, I came across the massive nugget.”
“I was definitely overcome with emotion at that moment,” he remarked.
Weighing in at over a kilogram (1,176gms), this impressive nugget was buried 15cms (six inches) below the ground and unearthed using the high-tech Minelab GPX 5000 detector.
“It’s truly unbelievable. I had been searching in that specific area for quite some time that day and was close to calling it quits. However, I decided to give it another fifteen minutes, and with just five minutes remaining, I received a promising signal – not too loud, but I was confident it was gold – so I started digging.”
“Initially, I didn’t realize the size of the nugget because the scales I had could only measure up to 500 grams. It wasn’t until later when I got home that I discovered I had surpassed the kilo mark.”
“It was hidden beneath some vegetation, making it a bit challenging to retrieve. Now, I can’t help but wonder if those roots are safeguarding other large nuggets, waiting to be discovered another time.”
The happy prospector has christened his discovery the Arcus Nugget as a tribute to the beauty of nature, as “Arcus” in Latin means rainbow. On his way back to camp the previous day, he witnessed a double rainbow for the first time ever. Against the superstition that gold can be found at the end of rainbows, he pinpointed the area beneath the highest point of the rainbow and decided to search there the next day.
“I told myself that’s where we’ll find gold tomorrow, but I never imagined we’d find so much.” He is currently in talks to sell the nugget privately. With a deep love for the wilderness, he caught the prospecting bug around a decade ago. It was only on his second outing that he unearthed his first piece of gold.
Although discovering the Arcus Nugget was undoubtedly his most successful day in the field, this dedicated prospector has had numerous other achievements with his GPX 5000. Previous trips to the bush have yielded him quantities of four and two ounces.
“The thrill of discovery is always so exhilarating. When I found two ounces on that particular trip, it was a huge ‘wow’ moment for me at the time.”
Peter Cragg, the official Minelab dealer in Townsville, was stunned when he laid eyes on the impressive nugget. “It’s an incredible story that just shows there are still large nuggets waiting to be discovered if you have the right tools and a keen eye for the land. He uncovered over a kilo of gold from an area that has been searched by detectors before. It really makes you wonder what other treasures might be out there,” he remarked. The Minelab GPX 5000 is a popular choice among serious gold prospectors, equipped with innovative technologies like Multi Period Sensing (MPS), Dual Voltage Technology (DVT), and Smart Electronic Timing Alignment (SETA). With eight customizable timings designed for optimal performance in various conditions, the high-performing GPX 5000 can navigate challenging terrain while maintaining exceptional depth and sensitivity to gold.
