An Australian prospector struck gold in North Queensland when he uncovered a stunning 38-ounce nugget worth over AU$50,000 with his trusty Minelab GPX 5000 detector. This remarkable discovery came right after he found a three-ounce nugget valued at AU$4,000, making it a truly life-changing moment for the lucky prospector.
“I was thrilled when I stumbled upon the first nugget, it was the largest one I had ever found,” said the individual from Queensland who prefers to remain anonymous. “I would have been content with just that, but after regaining my composure, I returned to the same spot, restarted my detector, and within a few swings, I discovered the even bigger nugget.”
“I was definitely overwhelmed with emotion at that moment,” he added. Weighing over a kilogram (1,176g), the nugget was buried 15cms (six inches) below the ground and was detected using the sophisticated gold-finding technology of the Minelab GPX 5000 detector.
“It’s truly unbelievable. I had been searching in that specific area for some time that day, and was almost ready to call it quits. But I decided to give it another fifteen minutes, and with only five minutes remaining, I picked up a promising signal – not too loud, but I was sure it was gold – so I started digging.”
“At first, I wasn’t aware of the full size of the nugget because the scales I had with me only measured up to 500grams. It wasn’t until later at home that I discovered I had surpassed the kilo mark.”
“It was hidden beneath some vegetation, presenting a bit of a challenge to reach. But now I can’t help but wonder if those roots are safeguarding other large nuggets, waiting to be discovered another time.”
The excited explorer has christened his latest discovery the Arcus Nugget as a tribute to the natural world’s influence on its unearthing. Drawing from the Latin word for rainbow, Arcus, the prospector was inspired by a rare sighting of a double rainbow on his journey back to camp the day before. Despite the old saying that gold lies at the end of rainbows, he chose the spot beneath the highest point of the rainbow to search the following day, and to his surprise, struck gold in abundance.
Reflecting on his find, he remarked, “I told myself we would find gold there tomorrow, but I never anticipated finding so much.” Currently in talks for a private sale of the nugget, this man’s passion for the outdoors first led him to the world of prospecting a decade ago. It was on only his second outing that he discovered his first piece of gold, sparking a lifelong love for the activity.
While the Arcus Nugget stands out as his most significant find to date, this dedicated prospector has enjoyed several successful trips with his trusty GPX 5000. Previous ventures into the bush have yielded hauls of four and two ounces, each one a thrilling experience. Recalling the trip where he found two ounces, he exclaimed, “That was a ‘wow’ moment for me at the time.” The thrill of discovery continues to drive this adventurous soul, keeping him eager for the next big find in the great outdoors.
Peter Cragg, a dealer for Minelab in Townsville, was astonished when he laid eyes on the nugget. “It’s an incredible tale that proves there are still massive nuggets waiting to be discovered with the right tools and a keen eye for the terrain. He uncovered over a kilo of gold in an area that has been searched with metal detectors before. It really makes you wonder what other treasures are still out there!” Cragg remarked.
The Minelab GPX 5000 is a popular choice among dedicated gold prospectors, boasting cutting-edge technologies like Multi Period Sensing (MPS), Dual Voltage Technology (DVT), and Smart Electronic Timing Alignment (SETA). With eight unique timings tailored for optimal performance in various conditions, the powerful GPX 5000 can handle tough ground conditions while still offering exceptional depth and sensitivity to gold.
