An amateur prospector scouring the red, rocky terrain of an outback station near Tibooburra in north-western New South Wales has struck a remarkable find, unearthing a gold nugget valued at approximately $150,000.
The fortunate fossicker, who chose to remain anonymous, spent several days searching Mount Stuart station before picking up a signal on his metal detector just as he was wrapping up a day in mid-October.
The Discovery on Mount Stuart Station
The prospector, a veteran of amateur fossicking who is well-accustomed to coming up empty-handed after unearthing everyday debris like lead bullets, old nails, and horseshoes, was using a Gold Monster 2000 metal detector when he hit the target. Although the signal was initially subtle given the heft of the metal beneath the earth, the machine began squealing once he dug down about 100 millimetres.
It might have been on the first or second scrape I just seen this bright yellow dot in the centre of the hole,
the prospector said.
Laboratory testing revealed that the quartz-specked nugget weighs more than 1,200 grams, with roughly 940 grams consisting of pure gold. Based on spot prices, the piece is valued between $150,000 and $160,000. However, because the finder intends to sell the specimen directly to a collector, the final sale price could climb as high as $200,000. The finder has affectionately nicknamed the heavy specimen the Tibooburra Spud
.
Surging Gold Prices Fuel Outback Hobby
Local prospecting supplies vendor Greg Spangler, who has operated in Broken Hill for roughly two decades, noted that finding a nugget exceeding one kilogram is an extraordinary rarity. During his years in business, he has only witnessed one other person pull a specimen of that magnitude from the ground. Most hobbyists typically recover small flakes or modest nuggets weighing just a few ounces.
We have a fictitious club [called] the Ounce Club … but not many people [are] in the ‘Kilo Club’,
Mr Spangler said.
According to Mr Spangler, a broader surge in precious metal values has driven a surge of new participants into the pastime. Gold prices reached new heights earlier this year, peaking in January at nearly $8,000 per troy ounce (equivalent to 31.1 grams). Although market rates have since retreated, they remain high at approximately $5,700 per troy ounce. Beyond potential financial windfalls, Mr Spangler pointed out that the hobby offers substantial lifestyle perks, including peaceful sunrises, fresh air, physical exercise, and a family-friendly outdoor pursuit.
Fossicking Access Across Tibooburra Common and Stations
Gold exploration around Tibooburra traces its origins back to the late 1880s, establishing the remote township as a historic drawcard for visitors and tourists. At present, recreational fossicking on the Tibooburra Common surrounding the settlement remains temporarily prohibited while Native Title permissions are being pursued.
Nevertheless, private pastoral properties in the area, including Mount Stuart and Gumvale stations, permit authorized fossicking for a fee. Industry participants emphasize that the market retains plenty of potential for patient searchers. [It could] keep going forever and ever, because every time it rains, other people find gold where they didn’t before,
Mr Spangler said.
Reflecting on his own perseverance after nearly walking past the lucrative target, the anonymous finder offered a straightforward strategy for aspiring prospectors: Just keep walking, keep swinging [and] keep digging every target.
