Bushfires, Heat & Gold | Prospecting an Abandoned 1880s Mine

Catastrophic warnings were issued across the goldfields — extreme heat, bushfires, and dangerous conditions — but this abandoned 1880s hard rock gold mine still held unanswered questions.

In this video, I return to a historic goldfield to run a dry washer through old hard rock mine material while navigating brutal heat, fire danger, and the harsh reality of modern-day prospecting in Australia.

This is not a how-to — it’s a real-world documentation of what prospecting actually looks like when conditions turn hostile.

You’ll see:

Dry washing gold in extreme heat
An abandoned 1880s hard rock gold mine
Historic mine workings and tailings
How heat and fire conditions affect prospecting
Why timing and safety matter on the goldfields

⚠️ This video does NOT encourage risky behaviour. Conditions were constantly monitored and safety was prioritised.

If you’re interested in gold prospecting, goldfield history, or the realities of mining Australia’s old workings, this is gold prospecting as it truly is — raw and unforgiving.

👉 Gold, gemstones & paydirt:
www.theoldmouldy.com.au

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