Gold in the Pyrenees - Open Pit Gold Mine and Wash Plant in Operation

Today we're going to take a look at a working alluvial gold mine in the Pyrenees.
This family-owned mine is worked by three generations, and what began as a small washplant twenty years ago has grown into the gold mining operation we see here today.
These guys are working an ancient buried riverbed from a big open cut, on the junction of two leads. They're extracting the gold-bearing layer which the old time miners first worked about 150 years ago, when they sank their shafts and tunneled throughout this whole area.
Very interesting relics are being recovered from the site, including miners' picks and timbers which supported the drives underground.
A large haul of mining picks was taken out from one tunnel, where they had all been abandoned, which the modern miners suspect was the result of a cave-in underground.
This site gives us a fascinating glimpse into Victoria's remarkable gold mining heritage, which is now carried into the present day by our prospectors and miners.
This operation is a fantastic example in the small mining industry, an industry which we hope will continue well into the future.
Small mining operations like this one provide local businesses and councils with materials for building, road construction, and more. They provide employment opportunities for locals, and work for local businesses such as engineering for components of the processing plant, and maintenance of trucks and other heavy machinery.
I was very kindly allowed access to this site to film the wash plant, which both recovers gold and screens the tailings, producing stones, gravels and sands for local businesses.
I got lots of great shots of the wash plant operating, so I hope you enjoy the footage.
I'd like to say a huge thank you to the owners and operators of this mine, who generously allowed me to visit and film their operations.
And thank you to The Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria. Check them out at pmav.org.au/
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Explore the Victorian Goldfields - www.goldfields...

[@tonyarmstrong7933]

Michelle, you deserve a standing ovation for the tireless effort you put into creating captivating shows about Gold! Your KZbin videos are an absolute thrill ride, filled with valuable knowledge that leaves us hungry for more. Thank you for the exceptional content you bring to the table. Keep up the astonishing work, and continue to amaze us with your passion and expertise! Tony A

[@adzoutnabout888]

A lot of people do not realise the toll “ washing rocks “ takes on machinery. Its a constant battle to keep the plant maintained no doubt. Great upload ✅👌

[@dmystify1381]

Lovin your content,really kind of the owners to let us all have a peak.Fascinating.💯

[@goldfieldsguide]

Yes, I am very grateful that they allowed me to film 📸⚒

[@jenkosgoldadventures]

Thanks to the mine owners… very interesting

[@theGoldWolf]

Great camera work, as usual, many thanks

[@goldfieldsguide]

Thanks 🙂

[@shanedoyle3444]

I would like to thankyou for showing this mining operation as I have driven past it many times , the huge tailings piles blocked my view and now I can see what is happening thanks to you ! BIG CHEERS.

[@andypandyAU.6669]

Great to see a family operation is still going even through the very restrictive legislation. I onlu wish you had described the workings of the mine in some detail. Still fantastic filming and content as usual ❤it 😊

[@goldfieldsguide]

Thank you, glad you liked the video 🙂

[@bushranger51]

I often wondered just how much gold was missed in the early rushes. This is a good indication that a lot was missed back then, and now there's also a tidy profit to be made from the waste that this type of mining produces.

[@ArthurDentZaphodBeeb]

A very well thought-out operation kept in good nick

[@norsehall309]

G'day, if the miners for the 1800s could see the process of extracting Gold they would be fascinated, one thing about there process, they didn't crush the quartz rocks as it has been proven that not all the gold is released by river rolling action, thanks for the video, cheers mate, Neil 🤠.

[@martywright1979]

The old timers 150 years ago would have a smile from ear to ear at the operation that’s there now

[@RN4Veterans]

That's after they picked their jaws' up off the ground in amazement!

[@patrickaussieMilartry]

I live in Western Australia in a small Lithium Mining town called Bridgetown. All over the great south Gold can be found just about everywhere. I was born in Victoria wich developed my passion for gold with Victoria’s rich gold history. I prospect on my own.Its some of the best times in life. In the bush no civilisation. Time to reflect also study the land scape. It’s magical. Often I’ll go for up to a week at a time without seeing a soul. It’s beautiful and peaceful and the occasional luck of that excitement of finding a few ounces here and there.❤️🇦🇺

[@goldfieldsguide]

Awesome, getting out bush is good for the soul 🌿⚒👌 for sure

[@petertgold]

Great video, very interesting and well done.

[@goldfieldsguide]

Thanks 🙂

[@tazyt3388]

Great example of doing it well mate

[@janewray-mccann2133]

Here's hoping there is another ten family generations of mining to come. Well done to them and you Michele.

[@goldfieldsguide]

Thanks, yes I hope so!

[@rocdoc6969]

It's unfortunate that the government and agencies of Victoria do NOT support these family run mines. Constant taxes and bureaucratic green tape constantly force these generational miners to finally give up.. Great footage. 🤩

[@goldfieldsguide]

Thanks 🙂📸⚒ And yes you’re absolutely right

[@craigparry5648]

Just the bond on small scaled mines is the new killer now, we handed back a shaft lease as they wouldn't let in be renewed and a alluvial lease that we had the go ahead ten years ago from the greens but not the department, finally got the approval from department but now the greens change there minds as the trees are 10 years bigger now. First the timber industry, now the mining. What's nexted.

[@michaeloneill5961]

Happy New Year Michelle awesome footage brilliant camera work and drone work perfect timing and editing brilliant well done😊❤❤❤

[@goldfieldsguide]

Thanks Michael, happy new year to you as well 🙂

[@michaeloneill5961]

​I have one of those exact mining picks from Prince of Wales from when it caved in I'd love to give it to you when you come up here ​@@goldfieldsguide

[@michaeloneill5961]

Can't wait to show you the puddlers at Prince of Wales they are in excellent condition

[@mickybees8239]

Great video id like to see more videos on the Pyrenees erea😊

[@goldfieldsguide]

Yea I’ll have to do more in the Pyrenees, it’s a beautiful area with lots of interesting history 🙂⚒🌿 thanks!

[@stevewelchcinematographer4552]

More great work

[@paulpurcell5658]

So good once again, there's a lot to be said for social media, your camera work is second to none. Just ❤your content Paul.

[@goldfieldsguide]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@120downunder]

Just awesome, as usual, love your work Cookie 👍

[@goldfieldsguide]

Thanks Cookie 🙂⚒

[@davidfisher4546]

Another great video! Thanks for sharing.

[@goldfieldsguide]

Thank you 🙂⚒

[@brendangrray8017]

Fantastic as always, your voice & commentary is golden, thank you 👍👍

[@bono1961]

One of your best 👌 Well done 👍

[@goldfieldsguide]

Thanks! 🙂⚒

[@Sinbad_Bay]

Superb insight. 👍

[@davideldridge8886]

You should meet Stan Bone.. he was one of the last hard rock minners in Christmas hills close to Melbourne... get in before it's to late tell his story please

[@petereaton6740]

Thanks Michelle, I watch a lot of KZbin gold mining channels most northern Americas, USA and Canada and they seem to call mines like this open cut placer mines, is this the same? They also have Hardrock quartz vain, and underground placer mines chasing the valley's in the old conglomerate. Not being from a mining background I rely on KZbin for information I'm interested in, however as everyone knows you can't trust the information on the internet lol

[@SteveMack]

👍

[@billygeorgiou3515]

Ok this machine picks up fine gold but what happens to all the ounce nuggets 😂