When Jen Walsh decided to try her hand at metal detecting, she had very little knowledge about gold. Her limited understanding came mostly from her enjoyment of the TV show Aussie Gold Hunters on Foxtel. Intrigued by the adventures of the prospectors on the show, the 49-year-old decided to rent a metal detector during a weekend camping trip to Maryborough, a quaint town in the gold-rich region of Victoria near Ballarat.
Jen Walsh made an exciting discover last month when she unearthed 52 grams of gold while out on a bush track. Describing the exhilaration she felt at finding even the smallest speck of gold, Walsh said it was a rush like no other she had experienced before. She described being taken over by what is commonly referred to as “gold fever”.
The initial taste of success completely transformed Walsh’s life in a significant manner. Leaving her job as a learning support teacher in Melbourne, she took a leap of faith and became a full-time gold prospector in Maryborough. The decision was driven by her poor mental health in Melbourne and the desire for a fresh start, even though moving to a new place where she knew no one was daunting. As a newcomer to the world of prospecting, Walsh faced numerous challenges and had a lot to learn. She was initially overwhelmed, especially by the unfamiliar jargon used by other prospectors. Phrases like “ground noise” and “reefs” left her confused and lost, feeling as if she had entered a whole new world with a language of its own.
Jen Walsh established the organization Chicks With Picks to provide assistance to other female prospectors. (Facebook: Chicks with Picks)
Feeling somewhat intimidated in the predominantly male industry, Walsh recalls a time when she struggled to seek advice on where to search for gold.
Initially, the men in the field would mislead her by pointing her towards less promising locations, keeping their own spots secret. This made her feel like an outsider in a male-dominated environment.
Despite these challenges, Walsh eventually found acceptance within the local prospecting community and discovered a sense of tranquility in the Australian bush.
Being surrounded by nature in the bush has provided her with a sense of empowerment and peace.
Though she hasn’t found any large nuggets yet, Walsh has come across numerous smaller pieces of gold that have added up to be quite profitable, especially with gold prices currently at a high.
Her gold findings now serve as her primary source of income, with recent sales bringing in $5000 from a 52-gram haul.
However, the true treasure for Walsh has been the relationships and friendships she has formed within the gold-hunting community.
Motivated by her own challenges, Walsh founded Chicks With Picks three years ago to offer support to other women interested in prospecting. The group now has nearly 6000 followers on its Facebook page and hosts regular gold prospecting events.
Men and women often come together to join Jen Walsh’s Chicks with Picks group for prospecting events. According to Walsh, the gatherings are not just about finding gold, but also about forming strong friendships. The group consists of people from various backgrounds, creating a special bond that Walsh describes as a “golden family” that continues to grow.
Tyler Mahoney, a 26-year-old fourth-generation miner, spends her time searching for gold in the remote Western Australian outback in Kalgoorlie. Mahoney recalls going on prospecting trips with her parents from a very young age, where they would play a game of deciding where to search for gold by marking Xs in the ground. She fondly remembers the day her mother found gold in a spot she had suggested, making her feel like the coolest kid in the world.
Tyler Mahoney, hailing from a long line of gold prospectors in Western Australia, has made some impressive discoveries in her career. While the largest nugget she has found weighed five ounces, it was actually an ironstone load she uncovered a few years back that turned out to be her most profitable find.
Explaining the significance of an ironstone load, Mahoney described it as a primary source of gold where the precious metal forms within ironstone, with nuggets breaking away from it over time. She excitedly shared that the ironstone load she discovered in the desert contained around $100,000 worth of gold, making it a particularly thrilling moment for her.
Despite her success, Mahoney, who also appears on the reality TV show Gold Rush, acknowledged that making a living as a full-time prospector is no easy task in today’s world. She attributed her ability to pursue this career to her family’s history in prospecting, stating that without their support and experience, she would struggle to survive solely on gold prospecting income.
Tyler Mahoney acknowledges that there have been positive developments for women in the mining industry, but also notes the ongoing challenges that come with working in a predominantly male environment. She shared on Instagram that she feels various factors have made the search for gold more challenging than ever.
Mining companies are the ones calling the shots with all the best land for mining. It’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack to get good ground nowadays. Plus, the days of striking gold on the surface are long gone, especially since metal detectors made a second gold rush happen. Now, you need all the heavy machinery you can get to have any shot at finding gold.
Back in the day, my folks would tell you that being a full-time gold prospector was the bomb. It was laid back, and gold practically fell into your lap. But now, it’s a whole different story – finding gold takes some serious elbow grease.
Tyler Mahoney discovered a large nugget weighing five ounces, showcasing her success in the mining industry. Despite the increasing number of women entering this male-dominated field, Mahoney faced challenges while pursuing her career. She discussed the prevalent casual sexism in mining that she had been aware of since her youth in her book, “Gold Digger: Chasing the Motherlode in a Man’s World.”
Mahoney noticed a stark difference in the way her mother and father were treated. Despite her mother being a better prospector, people always assumed her father had more knowledge and would go to him for help. This disparity in respect between her parents made Mahoney realize the lack of recognition her mother received. She also observed a similar pattern in her own life, where her younger brother was automatically given more respect even though she had more experience. However, Mahoney is hopeful that things are gradually improving for women in the mining industry. She believes in the importance of fighting for equal treatment and encouraging women to pursue opportunities in mining. The industry is full of potential, and she encourages all interested women to join.
