Glacial Paystreaks

While most prospectors look to the mountains, some of New Zealand's richest "paystreaks" are hiding in plain sight on the beaches of Hokitika, Greymouth, and Okarito. This is Glacial Gold — ground by ice, carried by rivers, and concentrated by the Tasman Sea.

The Glacial Engine

During the last ice age, massive glaciers ground the Southern Alps into fine sediment. This "rock flour" contained millions of ounces of gold. As the glaciers receded, this material was washed into the sea. The Tasman Sea, acting as a giant sluice box, uses its powerful swells to separate the heavy gold from the lighter quartz sands.

The result? Black Sand Leads. These are concentrated bands of magnetite and ilmenite that sit deep within the beach strata. Where you find the black sand, you find the gold.

Reading the Tide: The Post-Storm Strategy

You don't just "go panning" on a West Coast beach. You hunt the tide. The best time is immediately following a major storm or a king tide. The high-energy waves strip away the "overburden" of white sand, leaving the heavy black concentrates exposed on the surface.

The Beach Box: Sluicing in the Surf

Traditional river sluices often struggle with beach gold because it is so fine. To capture West Coast gold, you need a Beach Box — a Specialized sluice with high-density ribbed matting or "V-matting."

Because the gold is "sea-worn" and flat (often called "flake" or "paint" gold), it has a high surface area. If your water flow is too turbulent, the gold will simply float out the end of your box.

Safety: The West Coast Warning

The West Coast is as beautiful as it is dangerous. "Rogue waves" are a reality here. Never turn your back on the sea while working a lead.

Summary

West Coast beach mining is a game of patience and observation. It is one of the few places in New Zealand where the "gold is renewed" by the sea. Master the tides, find the black sand, and you'll find the riches of the glaciers.