This is an unprecedented discovery in the history of this mineral. There, gold flows in the water. In northern Spain, a surprising discovery has once again put a small village in the spotlight: a river full of gold, which marked a turning point in its history. This discovery is not a reminder of the past, but demonstrates that the wealth of gold is still alive in this region and continues to arouse the interest of researchers and curious people. Nalvez, a village located in the centre of Asturias, is dedicated to gold mining in the river, which is an ancient historical tradition. It is a manual technique of extracting gold from river sediments, using a trough to separate heavy materials from lighter ones.
Unprecedented: gold at the bottom of the river
The gold found in the Nalwegas River comes from river sediments. These were formed millions of years ago in the western part of Asturias. The rocks found underground in this area contain small amounts of gold and, as a result of geological processes such as erosion, water and natural wear and tear, have been carried away by the river’s current. The presence of gold in Nalwegas is also related to the tectonic and volcanic activity characteristic of the geological past of the Cantabrian region. In this sense, the context favoured the circulation of hydrothermal fluids saturated with minerals. As they cooled and infiltrated through cracks, the fluids formed minerals such as gold.
National Gold Panning Championship: what it consists of
The town of Nalwegas is the star of the National Gold Panning Championship. This technique dates back to Roman times and is now a tourist activity whose main objective is to extract the ore. Participants compete in the speed and accuracy of their extraction technique. This sport is carried out in both individual and team categories. Between 10 and 20 kilos of sand are used in each round. Between 5 and 20 gold nuggets are placed in the sand, which must be found by the participants.
The Roman Empire and the emergence of the river of gold
As mentioned above, gold, one of the main characteristics of the northern region of Spain, emerged during the Roman Empire. During this period, this area was one of the most important and prominent in the field of gold mining. This practice was introduced by Roman engineers. Today, this legacy has been transformed into tourist, educational and cultural activities. Gold mining is no longer a way of life, but it continues to be a way of transmitting knowledge, promoting rural tourism and celebrating the connection between nature and history.