Fossicking
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Fossicking is a term found in Cornwall and Australia referring to prospecting. This can be for gold, precious stones, fossils, etc. by sifting through a prospective area. In Australian English, the term has an extended use meaning to "rummage". The term has been argued to come from Cornish.
In Australia, "fossicking" is and was protected by a number of laws which vary from state to state. In some states such as Queensland, fossickers must obtain a licence but in others, (eg. New South Wales) no licence is required. Generally, this activity is regulated by the relevant State Government Department with certain rules to be followed. These typically include requiring the landowners permission for access, use of hand (non-powered) tools only and restrictions on the amount of material that can be removed in a day. Fossicking can be done in remote locations with no facilities, or can be a part of a guided tour; several small businesses in Australia have set up for the purpose of introducing new people to the activity or providing facilities for fossickers near the areas being searched. Frequently fossickers will try day trips; where this is impractical due to the remote location they may combine the search with an overnight camping trip. Many of the areas where mineral specimins are to be found are areas of outstanding natural beauty, and other recreational activities such as photography and hiking are common additions to a fossicking trip.
In Cornwall, such prospecting was monitored by the Stannary.
[edit] External links
- Fossicking Rights and Responsibilities in Australia
- Northern Territory DPIFM gov't Fossicking page
- Fossicking.com.au
- Gemtree: gateway to the gem fields of Central Australia
- Fossicking legislation from Queensland
- NSW Department of Primary Industries Fossicking Minfacts
- Free German-language download version of fossicking areas in Australia
