Geological sampling and prospecting can utilise some or all of the equipment described below but can also be restricted to a pan for sampling and examining  sediments for heavy minerals. A geological hammer is also useful for examining rock samples under a hand lens or microscope.

 

The basic equipment for gold panning can include a shovel, bucket, garden riddle and gold pan, as well as suitable clothing for working in rivers, such as waders, wetsuit, or drysuit. Other equipment could include a hand held gravel pump (made from a piece of plastic drain pipe and works in reverse to a bicycle pump), underwater viewer, sluice, snuffer bottle (made from a plastic drinks bottle and some tubing), and patio weeder. Consideration must be given to weight as all this equipment must be carried in a backpack.