Jones Creek INTEL
Jones Creek was the source of the largest gold nugget ever found in New Zealand — the 99-ounce "Honourable Roddy" discovered in 1909. Today it remains one of the most productive recreational fossicking spots on the West Coast.
Mission Profile
Discovery Metrics
Operational Gear
Stratigraphy & History
Ross was one of the richest alluvial goldfields on the West Coast. The Honourable Roddy nugget was gifted to King George V for his coronation, though it was later melted for a tea service. A replica is displayed at the Ross Goldfields Heritage Centre.
Geological Context
Rich quartz-derived alluvial gold in creek gravels. Both coarse nuggets and fine flour gold occur. The old tailings along the creek still produce gold that 1860s technology missed.
Field Note
CONFIDENTIAL PRO-INTEL
Verified Sector Secret
"Explore the "cemetery gully" off the main track. Old-timers avoided it out of superstition — but the gold doesn't care."
Economic Potential
Historical yield data suggests unrecovered fines at depth. Optimal for small-scale suction or high-banking if permitted.
Trade Gold
Leverage spot price movements globally while you're in the field.