Oh, so I can't just drop off some kind of prospecting-box and come back next week to see if I made gold... legally.

Laws are going to depend heavily, but most often anything “powered” is likely restricted. Sometimes there are distinctions between hand powered vs motorized contraptions, sometimes there aren’t.

Dropping off a box in a river could be considered littering, or something along those lines. Basically ask yourself “could a complete piece of shit do what I want to do in such a selfish and destructive way that forces someone to make a law against it?” And you’ll start to realize it may mot be so simple, anymore.

For gold what you want to do is find spots where gold has likely accumulated due to falling out of the stream, fill buckets and then work through them.

It’s more something to do for fun than for money. An excuse to get outdoors, learn local geology and engage in the very addictive activity of “searching for something”. Prefer agates and plants myself.

> Basically ask yourself “could a complete piece of shit do what I want to do in such a selfish and destructive way that forces someone to make a law against it?”

I think I spent too many years in fintech, because I had to read this twice to make sure I understood it :)

iirc the law varies by state but generally is allowed unless you use heavy machinery (as a general guideline)

Not in practice in most the places it happens. Much of forested Guyana and Brazil is wide open to ANYONE, no law enforcement and no immigration enforcement.