It all started with gold. The first gold nuggets were panned
from the Luttojoki in 1865 by crown bailiff Planting. Three
years later the banks of the Ivalo river were teaming with
hopefull gold panners who were all expecting to find a better
life at the bottom of their iron pans (also known as a
vaskooli) in the form of a glittering nugget of gold.
The very first gold rush at Ivalo River was from
1869-1900. The Tankavaara goldvillage was first discovered by
Aleksanteri Peltovuoma (aka Sauva-Aslakki) in 1936. At
Lemmenjoki gold-panning started in 1945.
You do not need much equipment to start gold-panning. In
the beginning, all you need is a pan, a shovel and an
adventurous mind. The easiest way to get started is with help
of the safari organizers who'll take you out to the site,
provide you with all the necessary equipment, show you the
techniques and best of all gold finds are guaranteed.
The Saariselkä weekly activities schedule in summer
includes various trips to gold panning sites.
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