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Monday, 20th September 2004 (7048 views)

Gold diggers and treasure hunters will be flocking to Pilgrim's Rest in Mpumalanga, South Africa, this Wednesday for its eighth national gold-panning championships.<BR/><BR/>Although competitors get given a bucket filled with river sand and real gold nuggets, the gold has to be returned to the event organisers after the contest.<BR/><BR/>The idea is the winner is the one to sift the sand and find their nuggets first in the quickest time.<BR/><BR/>Mpumalanga sports and culture spokesperson Zanele Gama told news 24: "The competition even attracts competitors from Mozambique, Zambia, Britain, Switzerland and New Zealand."<BR/><BR/>The competition, which is held each year, has become increasingly popular and whereas when it first began it had 78 competitors, there are now around 540 expected this year.<BR/><BR/>Other events include a Gold Symposium and jewellery fairs all running until Sunday.<BR/><BR/>Pilgrim's Rest became well-known after the largest recorded gold rush in South Africa in the early 1870s.<img src="http://directnews.dehavilland.co.uk/dn.gif?feedid=196&itemid=3439332"/>

 

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