New Zealand Gold Fossicking Forums

While I sympathize with you gogold this is not a new problem to the world or uneque to you. Since man was first able to make stake to a claim pesky claim jumpers have been around. I do happen to think that there should be a lot more public fosicking areas around NZ, this might help the problem. ( thats another subject )
Claim jumpers come with the territory I am afraid and black eyes have been tried before, they don't work. As the price of gold and unemployment go north you can only expect to see a lot more jumpers on your claim.
I can only suggest that since you have done things legal so far, that you contact your local Bobby's and give them a phone call and see if they can help you.
Good luck.

Yes it is a problem - I have people on my place without permission all the time so used to dealing with them - most have fairly unique lame brain excuses - in my case I get car numbers - report to the police and they get a visit. I also have access to security camera footage of all vehicles which access the road intomy place so thats an added bonus.

In your case; -

Point number one - Is your claim adequately marked so that there is no misunderstanding as to whether they can use the excuse that they didnt know it was a claim? This is the most common excuse - after they have pulled in our case the claim pegs out!

Point two - get up there as soon as and catch them red handed - get car numbers and take photographs so that the evidence is irrefutable - do NOT let them know that you have such evidence as any statement they might make to the police can be readily verified and any lies they tell quickly picked up on thus renering their testimonies doubtful, unreliable and without credence.

Point three - Do not hesitate to lay a complaint with the police.

You may like to approach them yourself or with moral support in the form of friends and discuss the situation with them - you may be able to come to an arrangement - they surrender the gold to you and the matter will go no further, you allow them to finish what they are doing on a tribute basis, you give them one warning and order them to pack up and leave.

Depending on the outcome of catching them red handed police involvement or not - the police can issue trespass notices - or you can go one step further and seek compensation through small claims court.

There is the possibility that they are genuine guys and do no know that the area is claimed - they may also have no idea of where abouts to go and enquire to see if it is or isnt claimed - so many variables.

The motion camera idea is a good one - such a system monitors every vehicle which accesses my place and it is gratifying to know that any miscreants can be dealt with accordingly...including the scummy bastard who is I have every reason to believe is a member of this site - left his paydirt name on the window having written it there when the window was steamed up! - who unlawfully camped in my property and by law broke into the hut and house and by merely being there without my permission I hold responsible for removing three bottles with small amounts of gold, left on the windowsill in the kitchen by my nephew many years ago and left there as a tribute to him - the last gold he found before his tragic death one week later.

Yes sir - the motion camera is a great idea - the neighbour monitors every vehicle that accesses our road and has within the last week informed me that all film from the camera I can examine if and should I need to.

I like that idea - let us know if it pays off.

On all our claims and we had three we never once denied people the right to go there looking for gold and the two groups who asked if they could use dredgers we came to an agreement with...though I daresay they were the winners judging by the pitiful amount of gold we received!

It is possible that you might be able to come to some sort of an arrangement with these people - it does depend on the cut of their sails though. If they are camped there and you can catch them then I suggest one night getting friends, quietly removing their gear and delivering it to the nearest police station and alying a complaint with the police see what happens...ask police aobut the legalities of this first - in this country where the victim so often becomes the criminal it will pay to know your rights - tape record the cops advice or better still write to the police and ask advice should you elect to do this.

a motion detection camera is the way to go, at least for future troubles as they arise.

violence is often not the solution unfortunately these days as it may be you getting done.

maybe a bit of sneaky surveillence is in order to figure if these guys are coming back all the time and to see if they are aware its a claimed area.

a chat with them would help. make out you are out for a walk/hunt etc. might be hard to hold back the anger thou depending on what they have to say.

while the law holds back mining in all sorts of ways these days there are some renegades that will run amock and not give a shit with the fact you have gone through the expensive time and money consuming process to be legit.

catching them red handed with your gold would be ideal. easier than working it yourself. maybe wait for them to get it and have a nice red and blue fuzz picnic waiting at the roadend.

must get the blood pressure up.

good luck with sorting them out.

Just a comment for people with motion detection camera's. Be care full if you go to the police with reg numbers as they will ask " did you see the person trying to mine on your claim" Because having parked a car there does not mean that they were in the act of doing anything illegal. If you see them in the act and get the numbers great but the police only need one lead which they consider to be false and they wont be back. And one more thing in our PC country remember that cameras in areas that may be frequented by the public may require signs warning of there presence.
Many times in my experience in business the camera warning signs work as a better deterrent.
Remember make sure you have plenty of signs on your claim telling people it is a claim, as while you and i know how to check the permit maps the bulk of people dont even know it exists.

Heres some points that maybe useful

1.) Put signs up with your mining permit number and a picture of the claim area at least every 100 metres of your claim.
2.) If there is someone living near your claim get to know them ask if they can keep an eye out for you however don't tell them about the next point.
3.) If you have Motion detection camera's in use (which I have on my claim) be sure to have a sign saying something similar to this: (warning: security cameras are in use) get a photo taken of the sign, your camera and you in the same shot then remove the sign and put it somewhere else.
4.) If you have gear stored on your claim be sure to lock it up (again take photos for insurance purposes) also you can attach (tracking devices) to your equipment these are always good for a laugh if someone does steal something.
5.) If you catch someone on your claim do not let them know you are the owner sneakly get there name, a photo if possible and also car details maybe useful.
6.) If you catch someone out let crown minerals, DOC, your local council, and the police know, someone in golden bay got near $200000.00 fine!.

There are some other basic tricks that I use however there is no use telling the claim jumpers everything....

Speaking from experience it is very interesting who is sneaking around on your claim you may end up very surprised.......

Hi Gogold

It is so simple to contact the claim holder to ask permission or the land owner, it is not acceptable to enter someones land without permission, if you have their details report them, i know its harsh but to tell you the truth this forum has a lot to answer for, since it started there has been alot of probelms with illegal access, not necessarly by members of this forum but watchers.

I am aware of the costs of claims and know the costs you guys have, you have no alternative but to dob them in, maybe some of the wachers may learn a lesson.

Starflash