Fossicking
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Fossicking is a term found in Cornwall and Australia referring to prospecting. This can be for gold, precious stones, fossils, etc. by sifting through a prospective area. In Australian English, the term has an extended use meaning to "rummage". The term has been argued to come from Cornish.
In Australia, "fossicking" is and was protected by a number of laws which vary from state to state. In some states such as Queensland, fossickers must obtain a icence but in others, (eg. New South Wales) no licence is required. Generally, this activity is regulated by the relevant State Government Department with certain rules to be followed. These typically include requiring the landowners permission for access, use of hand (non-powered) tools only and restrictions on the amount of material that can be removed in a day.
In Cornwall, such prospecting was monitored by the Stannary.
