Gold Mining in Canada: Trommel vs Highbanker for Rivers and Streams

Are you ready to find gold in Canada's rivers and streams? Canada has lots of places where you can look for gold. From the Yukon Territory down to British Columbia and across to the Maritimes, our country has gold waiting to be found.

There are two great tools that can help you find gold in Canadian waters. They are called a gold cube trommel and a highbanker. Let me tell you about both tools so you can pick the best one for Canadian gold prospecting.

What is a Gold Cube Trommel?

A gold cube trommel is like a big spinning drum that works great in Canada's bigger rivers. It looks like a round tube that turns around and around. You put dirt and gravel from the riverbank into one end. Cold Canadian river water runs through it too.

Here's how it works in Canadian rivers. The drum spins slowly and you put dirt in one end. River water washes the dirt as it moves through. Small rocks and gravel fall through holes in the drum. Gold is heavier than dirt, so it stays inside the drum. Clean gold comes out the other end.

There are good things about trommels for Canadian prospecting. They can handle lots of dirt and gravel very fast, which is great for our rocky rivers. They work well even with big rocks mixed in from spring floods. You don't need to dig by hand as much in cold weather. They can run for a long time without stopping, even in chilly Canadian streams.

But there are some problems too. Trommels use lots of water to work, which can be hard when rivers are low in late summer. They make noise when they spin around, which might scare away wildlife. They cost more money than other tools. They are also heavy and hard to move to remote Canadian locations.

What is a Highbanker?

A highbanker is like a long metal table with water running on it that works well in Canada's smaller streams and creeks. It sits up high, like on legs. You put dirt and gravel from Canadian stream beds on top and water washes it down.

Here's how it works in Canadian streams. You put dirt at the high end of the table. Stream water flows down the table and washes the dirt. Heavy gold sinks to the bottom while light dirt washes away. Gold gets caught in special mats on the table. Then you collect the gold at the end.

There are good things about highbankers for Canadian gold hunting. They don't cost as much money as trommels, which is good for weekend prospectors. They are lighter and easier to carry to remote Canadian locations. They work well in our smaller mountain streams and prairie creeks. They are easy to set up wherever you go in the wilderness. They also don't make as much noise, so they won't bother other people or animals.

But highbankers have some problems too in Canadian conditions. You have to shovel more dirt by hand, which is hard work in cold weather. They work slower than trommels do. Big rocks from Canadian rivers can get stuck and cause problems. You also need to clean them more often to keep them working well in muddy conditions.

Which One Should You Pick for Canadian Gold Prospecting?

You should pick a trommel if you plan to work Canada's bigger rivers like the Fraser River in BC or the North Saskatchewan River. Trommels are good if you have lots of dirt to go through and don't mind spending more money. You need a truck or ATV to carry heavy things to remote Canadian locations. Trommels work fast, which is good when you only have short summer seasons. You also need lots of water nearby to make them work.

You should pick a highbanker if you are just starting to look for gold in Canada or don't have lots of money to spend. Highbankers are good if you want something light to carry into the Canadian wilderness. They work great in smaller streams in places like the Yukon, Alberta, or Ontario. You can hike to remote spots with a highbanker. You won't mind that they work a bit slower than trommels.

Special Tips for Gold Prospecting in Canada

Gold prospecting in Canada has some special things to think about. Our weather gets very cold in winter, so most people only prospect from late spring to early fall. Summer is the best time when rivers are not frozen and you can work comfortably.

You need to know Canadian laws about gold prospecting. Each province has different rules. Some places you need special permits. Some areas are protected and you cannot prospect there at all. Always check with your provincial government before you start.

Canadian rivers can be dangerous. Spring floods make water move very fast. Always tell someone where you are going. Bring warm clothes even in summer because mountain streams are always cold. Watch out for bears and other wild animals that live near our rivers.

Many of Canada's best gold areas are far from towns. Bring extra food, water, and warm clothes. Your cell phone might not work in remote areas. A GPS device can help you find your way back to your truck.

Tips for Both Tools in Canadian Conditions

No matter which tool you pick, here are some good tips for Canadian gold prospecting. Always check provincial laws first and make sure you can look for gold where you want to go. Get any permits you need before you leave home. Bring lots of warm clothes because Canadian rivers are cold even in summer.

Start small by trying a little bit of dirt first to see how your tool works in Canadian gravel. Be safe by wearing gloves and being careful around moving parts. The water is very cold and can make your hands numb quickly. Clean up after yourself by putting rocks and dirt back where you found them. This keeps our beautiful Canadian wilderness clean for everyone.

Tell people where you are going and when you will be back. Bring a first aid kit and know how to use it. Most important of all, have fun because looking for gold in Canada's amazing rivers and streams should be exciting!

The Bottom Line for Canadian Gold Prospectors

Both tools can help you find gold in Canada's rivers and streams. A trommel works faster but costs more money and is harder to get to remote places. A highbanker costs less and is easier to carry but works slower.

Think about which Canadian rivers you want to prospect. Think about how much money you want to spend and how far you want to hike. Think about whether you have a truck or ATV to carry heavy tools.

Canada has amazing places to look for gold. From the famous Klondike in the Yukon to small streams in Nova Scotia, there is gold waiting to be found. The best tool is the one that fits what you need and what you can afford. Happy gold hunting in Canada!