Large Arizona Gold Nuggets found!

Large Arizona Gold Nuggets – gold metal detecting – Minelab 6000

A patch of five gold nuggets found metal detecting in Arizona.

Large Arizona Gold Nuggets

Arizona large gold nuggets

A patch of five gold nuggets found by one lucky gold prospector in the San Domingo placers, San Domingo Wash, San Domingo Mining District.

These gold nuggets were found using a Minelab 6000 metal detector. Yes, 5 gold nuggets, almost 2oz. total in a narrow wash, just about 150′ long!

Arizona has produced more than 16 million troy ounces of Gold. Gold mining in Arizona reportedly began in 1774 when Spanish priest Manuel Lopez directed Papago Indians to wash gold from gravel on the flanks of the Quijotoa Mountains, Pima County. Gold mining continued there until 1849, when the Mexican miners were lured away by the California Gold Rush. Other gold mining under Spanish and Mexican rule took place in the Oro Blanco district of Santa Cruz County, and the Arivaca district, Pima County.

If you’re coming out from Phoenix you most likely come out on Highway 60 and pass thru the Morristown area and the San Domingo plasters.

The San Domingo Placers Mining DISTRICT HAS THE LARGEST PLACER GOLD PRODUCTION IN MARICOPA CO. GRAVELS AVERAGED 0.032 OZ/CY AU (APPROX. 0.021 OZ/TON) FROM 1870-1962. MOST OF THE AREA’S ACTIVITY TOOK PLACE BETWEEN 1870 AND 1880, BUT THERE WAS CONTINUOUS ACTIVITY FROM 1905-1951.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) controls lots of the land out here and there are extensive active mining claims by many weekend gold prospectors and Arizona gold prospecting clubs. Always check BLM claim information first to be sure the areas you are going to are not an active mining claim or restricted State lands.