Over November 11-15, a subsidiary of the ASX-listed company (Tuena Resources) surveyed from the south of Trunkey Creek to the south of Tuena.

Earlier this year, soil testing indicated traces of gold along several geological structures over an area of 5.4 kilometres within a corridor of up to 1.5km wide. Then, three weeks ago, a post on the company's Linked In page said soil sampling had been "completed to good effect at our Tuena Gold Project in NSW, with extensive gold anomalism identified."

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Silver Mines managing director Anthony McClure told MiningNews.net on October 29 that drilling would begin early next year. The project has been compared to the McPhillamy's gold project, which could produce up to 2.3 million ounces of gold.

Silver Mines' annual general report showed the licence to mine at Tuena, granted in March, 2017, was wholly owned by Silver Mines and covered about 175 square kilometres. A further 634 km2 is under application.

Mr McClure was not available for comment.

In 1851, gold was first discovered in the Abercrombie River, north of Tuena and people rushed to the town in search of their fortune. Since the gold rush, many of the mine shafts have been filled in. These days, locals and tourists pan for gold at the river using gold pans and shovels. The more serious fossickers can be found using a river sluice and will explore upstream and downstream.

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Jenelle Parsons, shopkeeper at Parsons General Store, said hopeful prospectors continued to visit Tuena.

"A lot of people come here to gold pan and detect around the hills, more in the last seven to eight years," Ms Parsons said.

"It's a hobby for people, they get addicted to it."

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Gold forums on the internet such as prospectingaustralia.com.au has evidence of recently found gold flakes and nuggets.

Long-time local, Joy Collins, said there had been substantial gold found, but not lately. However, most people didn't let on about their success, she said.

"My grandfather found gold specimens in the late 1940-50s. He worried, until he died, where he found the gold. We often wonder if it was the motherlode," Ms Collins said.

"You hear a lot of stories, whether it was fairy tales or just people talking."

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