Austria

Gold panning has been carried out in the Heiligenblut area for over 2 000 years. Austria’s gold industry reached a peak during the 15th and 16 th century, and mining continued to the 17th century. The climate was the main reason for the eventual decline: the return of glaciers caused the high-altitude mines to become icebound, and so mining became impossible. Today gold prospecting is a popular tourist attraction in the Heiligenblut district and in Rauris. The local people search for gold as a hobby.