Tuesday, 24th October 2006 (1343 views)

Children in California are hoping to strike it rich as they are offered the chance to pan for gold at the Environmental Education Centre in San Francisco Bay.

During the week, school children can take a field trip to the centre to learn about where gold comes from and how it is extracted in the least environmentally damaging way.

They will be given their own pan to hunt for the precious metal in nearby rivers and will learn about the natural processes that bring it there.

Children will also learn about hydraulic mining, which was outlawed in California in the 1800s because of its damaging affect on the environment.

The gold pan was one of the first tools used in locating gold and is still used today in commercial gold mining to check the value of the ore being processed.

Using this ancient technique, Californian yougsters will be hoping to find some gold of their own as well as having fun and learning how to protect the environment.

Steve Segreto of the Angeles National Forest Service told abc7.com: "When you mention gold, it's that allure of 'I'm going to strike it rich.' You never know.

"Most of [the children], they get a little bit, but not enough. It's the sport of it, the recreation of it. It's to get outside and into this area and to have a good time."

 

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