A suction apparatus suitable for underwater gold mining was invented in the USA in 1950s. It is a light and relatively cheap device that uses a water pump to suck gravel in the water and at the same time separates the gold from the gravel. In the diver circles of California this invention led to a new gold rush to the old gold areas.

The sites suitable for underwater gold mining in Finland are located at the Ivalojoki and Sotajoki rivers. Even though the riverbanks have been gone trough, most of the riverbeds are still untouched. Especially after the sharp rise in the price of gold in 1970s, it has been profitable to mine for gold underwater.