Concern for future recreational gold mining

Last Post 10 Jun 2025 10:49 AM by Steve Siegfried

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Michael Ellis

Greenhorn
Posts:11

21 May 2025 01:17 PM
Understood we can each strike out on our own and prospect. For over 20 years I have been member of GPAA . Back then the participation by chapter members kept everyone up to date on properties . If you look at the current topics brought forward most are DATED 2020 or before , that's not good . I have seen a struggle among various state chapters to increase membership numbers but for whatever reason participation had dwindled. Quite frankly it is up to the organization to implement new strategies that will drive interest in new member gains . Here in the east we have limited public access to proven gold bearing ground and it seems the gpaa claims that existed have dwindled down to a few mostly LDMA or pay to dig sites ? I have run into a few undesirable folks that just use the various properties to camp in till run out no gold prospecting just abuse of properties not even sure they were members of anything . I do have concerns about claims being sold ? I understand losing a lease but to sell a claim kinda goes against trying to find additional properties . Anyway I am and will always continue to be a supporter of GPAA/LDMA just hoping we can all contribute some new ideas about growing our ranks .

Ernie Espinoza

Greenhorn
Posts:17

24 May 2025 06:28 PM
I totally agree with your opinion on the lack of information being provided among the members & club, it would be very helpful for us new members to get a Kickstart with any information on where they're are any active claims. Yes I do have the members book of sites, look on the forums of interested areas and all you see is 3 or 4 years ago visits no one else since then? No updates? From anyone so it questions the site availability. Please Help.🙏

BRIAN WILLIAMS

New Member
Posts:94

10 Jun 2025 12:13 AM
GPAA needs more quality claims! It’s an association in decline with a great magazine in my opinion, sadly. I think George Massie would be disappointed. I’m heading to Mammoth Lakes, California in a couple of months and there’s no available claims there anymore, as well as many other places where we should have claims. I don’t think pay to dig and public access locations should be counted as GPAA. The count was 221 last November and is now down, again, to 219. I personally try to provide information and encourage fellow prospectors through my reviews and encourage others to do the same, but admit that the disliking haters and dropped claims make me feel like it’s not worth the effort. Ernie, my best recommendation are the claims in Plumas County, California or Arkansas or San Miguel rivers in Colorado, from my experience. Good luck to you friend 🤝.

Steve Siegfried

Greenhorn
Posts:2

10 Jun 2025 10:49 AM
What's the turnover rate of GPAA claims? Have they owned the same ones for the past 20-30 years? I've read quite a few "prospecting" comments on many of the claims and it seems like they've been worked to death. On the membership side of things, it's a different time than it was 30 years ago. Many younger adults are involved in their phone instead of being out in nature. I'm in Michigan and from reading comments of claims in neighboring states, seems to be slim picking and not much gold if any being found.

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