Gold fever has once again hit Bendigo after a family found a $35,000 gold nugget on the outskirts of the city.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
But with some trying their own hand at fossicking, Earth Resources Victoria has reminded people of the regulations around the practice.
"I think it's very exciting for the family and good luck to them," Earth Resources Regulation executive director Anthony Hurst said. "It's always a possibility to find gold in Victoria.
"But it's important that modern gold hunters are aware of the rules and how to remain safe."
To legally fossick for gold in Victoria, a person must carry a Miner's Right.
Mr Hurst said the government body issues on average 22 Miner's Rights per day in Victoria. More than 38,000 people have a Miner's Right in the state.
"We haven't seen an increase in the number of people applying for a Miner's Right just yet," he said. "But we do anticipate with the recent publicity that it will only heighten people's interest."
The Miner's Right helped with the "transfer of assets", Mr Hurst said.
"Gold and other minerals are actually owned by the Crown on behalf of all Victorians," he said. "The Miner's Right allows the transfer of the right to the gold from the Crown to the individual.
"It's something that people fought long and hard for during the Gold Rush of the 1850s."
The Miner's Right covers a person for a period of 10 years and costs $24.20 for the decade-long licence.
Mr Hurst said Earth Resources would carry out spot checks in places like Bendigo and Ballarat, so anyone who is found to be recreationally fossicking for gold without a Miner's Right would receive an $800 on-the-spot fine.
There are tight restrictions around recreational fossicking. People are only allowed to use picks, shovels, hammers, sieves, shakers, electronic detectors and other similar tools. Heavy machinery and explosives are banned.
There are also limitations around where people can fossick for gold.
"You can go into many of the national parks in the golden triangle and chance your hand as a fossicker," Mr Hurst said.
"But there are some parts where you can't, so just make sure you check out the map on our website before you start.
"Prospector must also gain permission from property owners if they want to access private land."
Mr Hurst said Earth Resources was not trying to prevent people from fossicking for gold, only encouraging them to think ahead.
"Gold fossicking is fantastic tourism for Victoria," he said. "A lot of grey nomads come along each year and try their hand at finding gold.
"As the technology gets better, the ability to look further under ground improves. We encourage everyone to get a Miner's Right and have a try."
Mr Hurst said anyone interested in fossicking for gold should head to earthresources.vic.gov.au
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.
Tara Cosoleto
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
