opinions vary on whether....

[casper]

Opinions vary on whether the use of a yabby pump for sucking gravel out of crevices is legal in Victoria. It is a hand tool but some would say it still falls under the definition using "mechanical means" to move gold bearing material which is illegal. Does anyone have the definitive answer?

Casper

 

[Guest]

I use one purely because of the lack of definition in the laws that define a hand tool. If push came to shove legally I reckon we would be safe, would they rather us smashing open bedrock with a jimmy bar? I will use one until I read a law saying its forbidden eg Dredges. So much hearsay in Victoria its crazy. I am yet to hear a documented case of a prospector getting shafted other than when they are doing large scale dodgy stuff.

 

[casper]

My thoughts are similar to yours.... although it's a suction device it is hand held, single action, and human powered :/

CASPER

 

[Guest]

Then we shall suck on brother.

 

[Guest]

Could have worded that better ^^^^^ Pump on?

 

[mad1981]

I thing you would be safe it isn't controlled by a mechanical device it is a tool to assist just like a shovel

 

[casper]

Exactly!!! that's what i woulda thought too!

Okay, it could be argued that the yabby pump employs "mechanical advantage" but so does the prospector equipped with a shovel or a pick - he employs a "lever" to gain "mechanical advantage" does he not!!

casper

 

[XIV]

if a yabby pump was banned, (which its not!!!!!) so would a water pump to run a high banker, and you would have to tip a bucket of water over it as the old timers did. (AS IF THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN)
there is no mention of yabby pumps in the DPI site only mechanical

 

[Ag Man]

The legalities around a pump sucker of any sort are tricky/hard to interpret because - hand operated or not, they use "water" to lift gravels or pay dirt.

Using water to lift something is classed as hydraulic. Hydraulicly excavating (removing paydirt(what a sucker pump does) from creeks & crevices) is not allowed & works on the same principals as a dredge operates.

Might be getting into the nitty gritty of it all, but if you really look into it I would say it is not allowed.

But...

I on the other hand, have one(small sucker pump) & use it & won't be hiding it if I get questioned.
If you use is descretely & it's only a small sucker, I don't think any ranger will raise an eye brow.

I use an oil transfer pump - (small version of a yabby pump) about 30cm long, it's ready to go from the shop - sucker hose & all.
About $18 from SuperCheap Autos.

Friends of mine have been aproached in the past whist prospecting & the ranger only seemed interested if they were getting any colour. He wasn't interested in their highbanker or the pump they had to run it.