Prospector's Code of Ethics

Observe all State, U.S. Forest Service, B.L.M., US Corps of Engineers, and private regulations and all property rules concerning fires, tree cutting, littering, and mining. All members and guests must abide by Federal, State, and Local laws, rules, and regulations where applicable.

Private property owners that allow access to prospect on their property may also have additional rules to follow, and these will be respected. We are the representatives of thousands of other recreational prospectors and want to leave a good impression!

Public drunkenness, profanity, excessive noise, and other obnoxious behavior is prohibited while prospecting. Don't drink and drive and respect all local ordinances. Mountain towns may be small but they are serious about safety!

This includes cigarette butts and pull tabs as well. If you find cans or other debris left by others, leave it cleaner than you found it—please carry the trash out with you. The objective is to keep all prospecting areas neat and clean.

Always refill any holes you dig. Try to leave the area neater than you found it.

When prospecting away from available toilet facilities, use your shovel as your toilet tool away from camping areas, waterways, or trails. Scrape out a hole no deeper than 4-6 inches (the biological layer). Keep any sod intact and replace it after filling the hole.

Never dig gravel from an area closer than 2 shovel lengths from another unless invited to do so. Do your panning or sluicing in an area which does not seriously muddy the water of another prospector.

Never mine within 10 feet of any road or established trail.

Always display appropriate identification items when prospecting. (Bumper stickers, Name tags, Membership cards, etc.)

Never refuel power equipment where oil or gas might enter any waterway. If your motorized equipment might possibly leak any oil while you are prospecting, use a drip pan under the motor to catch any drops.

Dredge size is limited to 4 inches on most claims. Special rules may apply in different areas—so always check ahead of your trip.

Water from high-bankers must be discharged into a settlement pool or other area away from the stream so that this water does not directly re-enter the stream. Silt can affect the fish spawn in streams at certain times of the year.

Always obtain permits in advance of prospecting on Public Lands where they may be required.

The use of mercury or any strong acids in the testing or processing of gold is VERY DANGEROUS and should be restricted to qualified persons working in an appropriately equipped workshop, and naturally, away from all waterways.