Fossicking

In Australia, New Zealand and Cornwall, fossicking is prospecting, especially when carried out as a recreational activity.

Though the term has been argued to come from Cornish, it likely originates from the Latin fossa, meaning “ditch”, “trench”.

[1] Generally, this activity is regulated by the relevant State Government Department with certain rules to be followed.

These typically include requiring the landowner's permission for access, use of hand (non-powered) tools only and restrictions on the amount of material that can be removed in a day.

Several small businesses in Australia have set up for the purpose of introducing new people to the activity or providing facilities for fossickers near the areas being searched.