SIMULATED GOLD AND GEMSTONE MINING OPERATION

A sluicing operation for entertainment comprises a two portion unit, having storage facilities and sluicing area with at least one trough at approximately a 2.degree. angle. The storage facilities have a water/ore separation unit, precious material holding bin with measuring device, conveyor and ore weighing device. The conveyor transports the precious material and ore to a holding unit where it is dispensed. Pipes circulate the water or ore/water combination. The bottom of the trough can be mesh, the ore filtering through onto a second conveyor where it is carried to an ore receiving area. A flared side sluicing pan with a perforated base separates the highly polished ore and precious material. A controlled artificial river forms a permanent sluicing operation using passive filtration dams with controlled inlet ports. The water is filtered through filtration matting before entering the inlet ports. The riverbed is filled with gemstone and gold enriched sand and gravel. Alternatively the riverbed can be used to maintain aquatic species. The filtration dams can be used to filter pollutants from existing rivers.