Earth, gravel, or sand that holds a high enough concentration of heavy minerals, usually gold or cassiterite, to make water separation profitable. It is an older placer mining term used interchangeably with washdirt or pay dirt. Miners evaluate it by panning small samples to estimate the ounces per cubic yard before committing to full-scale sluicing.
Heard on the job
We tested the bank gravels and found good washing stuff right down to the bedrock.
Also heard as
- washdirt
- pay dirt