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How to Locate Gold in Virginia

Many people do not associate gold with Virginia. While you are not likely to strike it rich prospecting for gold in this state, people are still finding small amounts of gold in select locations. When you are prospecting for gold in Virginia, focus on the region known as the "gold-pyrite belt," a long thin stretch of land from northern Virginia to central Virginia. Virginia does not allow gold panning in its state parks, and many of the abandoned gold mines lie on private property.

Things You'll Need

Pan
Shovel
Sluice box (optional)
Metal detector (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Join a gold prospecting club. For example, the Central Virginia Gold Prospectors Club in Dillwyn is a nonprofit organization that owns seven land claims. Joining a club is essential because of the limited public areas for gold panning.
- 2
  Target your search for gold in Pittsylvania County in southern Virginia (near the Kentucky border).
- 3
  Look for gold nuggets at Tongue Quarter Creek in Buckingham County. A nine-pound gold nugget and several one-ounce nuggets were found at this location, according to the Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Use a metal detector to help you find unearthed nuggets.

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