Use a permission stack
For your exact location, establish mineral rights, land access, permitted method and current restrictions. Add water, heritage and environmental rules where relevant. A landowner saying yes does not necessarily settle the mineral permission, and a mineral licence is not universal access across neighbouring property.
New Zealand
Start with the NZPAM designation list for permit-free hand fossicking. Its public areas are in the South Island. Outside the designated footprint, including on land you own, the mineral permission still needs resolution. DOC supplies conservation and activity guidance.
Victoria
Use Resources Victoria for the current Miner’s Right requirements and Parks Victoria for permitted park maps and alerts. A historic goldfield name is not an approved prospecting boundary. Fees and rules change; check the current application rather than using an old screenshot.
United States
Use the responsible agency’s site-specific recreation rules for a managed panning area. For other ground, land status, mineral estate, claims and withdrawals require separate research. MLRS is a records system; it does not certify a visitor’s proposed activity. State water rules can add another layer.
Everywhere else
Find the official mining authority and land manager before planning recovery. This guide makes no blanket access claim for the UK, Canada, Europe or Africa. Paystreak’s global directory contains historical and research locations as well as visitor opportunities.
Try this before the next step.
Make a four-row permission table for one named place. Write the official authority beside each row and leave unresolved answers marked unresolved.
Sources & checks
These sources support the factual background. Exercises and buying checklists are Paystreak editorial suggestions, not reported recoveries, product tests or personal financial advice. Check live rules and notices before acting.