Searching for gold is not a relic of the old West; it remains a real pursuit today. An amateur, using a basic metal detector priced around 700 euros, unexpectedly stumbles upon a metal-rich rock that hints at extraordinary value. Inside this rock sits a gold nugget weighing at least 4.6 kilograms, an astonishing find for a hobbyist with limited gear.
The discovery occurred in Victoria, Australia, within the famed Golden Triangle, a region many experts say still harbors substantial gold reserves, reportedly totaling more than two million kilograms. The story begins several months earlier when a local detectorist, scanning the landscape, uncovered a rock that appeared ordinary at first glance. The piece was later brought to a gold specialist known as Darren Kamp at the Lucky Strike Gold shop for assessment.
Kamp notes that such visitors are not rare, yet he has never encountered a rock of this magnitude before. The specimen weighed about 5 kilograms, with roughly 4.6 kilograms containing gold. Kamp, who did not identify the explorer, remarked to CNN, “When I picked it up, my jaw dropped.”
“I’ve never seen a rock this size, with this amount of gold.” The professional added, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime discovery.
The expedition lead split the rock in half, delivering one portion to Kamp’s store for examination. The rock was dirty, and at first the extent of its gold content was not obvious. It wasn’t until the rock was carefully broken down that the extraordinary value became clear. When asked if the owner could fetch around 10,000 Australian dollars for the piece, Kamp suggested that 100,000 euros was a more realistic figure. Ultimately, a joint valuation of the two halves estimated the total at about 240,000 Australian dollars, roughly 150,000 euros.
Considering that the detector used by the hobbyist cost only around 740 euros—a Minelab Equinox 800—the discovery justified the investment. The find occurred at the end of December, though the events were not publicized for some time.
Australia is widely regarded as possessing some of the world’s most substantial gold reserves. The country experienced a gold rush in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with significant discoveries concentrated in Victoria and surrounding regions.
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The case underscores how accessible modern treasure hunting can be, even for casual enthusiasts equipped with affordable gear. It also highlights the ongoing allure of the Australian outback where history, geology, and luck converge to yield extraordinary finds.
Contact information for the environmental department has been withheld from this summary.