13 Vintage Photos That Show the Harsh Life of Gold Prospectors
Tales of prospecting for gold may conjure up images of treasure hunters victoriously uncovering massive rocks of the valuable metal. In reality, prospecting was hard, back-breaking work, with days that often ended without a chunk of gold to show for it. While people still pan for gold as a hobby, it’s a whole other ballgame when it’s your livelihood, as it was for so many during various gold rushes across the world in the 19th century.
To get a sense of how unglamorous it was, here are over a dozen historical photos of treasure seekers who gave it their all in pursuit of gold.
1. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho (1885)
2. Yukon Gold Miner Taking a Break (1890s)
3. Placer Mining in the U.S. (1925)
4. Kalgoorlie Mine in Western Australia (1900)
5. Republic Gold Mining Company in De Kaap, South Africa (1888)
6. ‘Gold Sluicing at Greenstone on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island’ (1870s)
7. A Couple Prospecting in Coloma, California (1934)
8. Panning for Gold in Alaska (1904)
9. Gold Dust Placer Mining in Rockerville, South Dakota (1889)
10. Miner Panning for Gold With His Dog (1916)
11. Washing Gold (1916)
12. Pioneer Mine (Between 1900 and 1916)
13. Workers in a Gold Mine at Transvall-Johannesburg, South Africa (1900)
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