Volunteer work in the International Gold Prospector Museum: My volunteer work

Since my childhood Finland is the country of my dreams and, fortunately, my chance to visit the land of one thousand lakes arrived when I was not expecting at all. Everything began in September of 2012 when I was participating in the 11^th European Geoparks Conference, Arouca (Portugal Mainland), and I met Kauko Launonen and Inkeri Syrjänen. It was thanks to a small conversation with both that they propose to me to do volunteer work in Gold Museum. Suddenly my eyes sparkled full of joy and I got a huge smile on my face when I heard this magic opportunity. After that, there were email exchanges to plan everything and I arrived to this magical place on 31^st of May of 2013.

Stand of the Aspiring Golden Geopark in the 11^th European Geoparks Conference, Arouca (Portugal Mainland).

Volunteer work developed

Teaching visitors how to use the pan and find gold and guiding tours inside of the museum

Helping in reception

Helping to build the exhibition: Stories from the Golden River

Lemmenjoki field trip (18^th and 19^th of June)

Map of Lemmenjoki hiking trail

Boat trip + hiking about 20 km to historical gold places

Work team: 2 people of International Gold Prospector Museum; 2 people of Metsähallitus (Natural Heritage Services) and 1 person of World Goldpanning Association.

Main goal of the field trip:

- Planning a new gold-themed hiking trail

Day 18^th of June:

Boat trip in Lemmenjoki River and arrival in Ravadas Waterfalls.

During the hiking trail, places visited:

- Korhonen

Korhonen’s area, with a pit made by man.

Korhonen’s excavator machines.

An abandoned prospector’s house.

First photo: broken rocks made by shovels, hammers and excavator machines to find gold. Second photo: place near to Korhonen´s area, a memorial to the gold-digger Veikko Nevalainen, who lost his life in a fire accident in his cabin.

This is a famous place of gold mining that belongs, during generations, to the Korhonen’s gold prospector family.

The history of the place started in 1950, when Kullervo Korhonen had the idea of find gold using an excavator machine. Unfortunately, he was not successful because the bucket of the machine couldn’t break the rock and, to getting worse, he couldn’t pay the loan of the excavator. After these unsuccessful episodes, he left Lapland until 1976. On the contrary, Yrjö Korhonen used many methods with a shovel to find gold and he was successful.

Nowadays, Jouko Korhonen continues the legacy of the family by digging gold. He has a claim in the gorge of Jäkälä-äytsi where he stays with his family during the summer time.

- Jåkäläpää

A place for landing small airplanes and the cultural centre of Jåkäläpää. This is also a famous place for goldpanners parties.

Inside of the cultural centre of Jåkäläpää. In walls there are photos of gold panner`s daily life and celebrations.

Me inside of the library of the cultural centre of Jåkäläpää.

- Miessi

First photo: The house of the Governor of Miessinmaa. Nowadays is a living museum where old tools are exhibited in the walls. Second photo: detail of the wall of Governor Miessinmaa´s house.

Due to the decrease of the price of gold in 50s until the mid of 70s, many gold-diggers left Lemmenjoki area. Only in the late 70s and early 80s, when the gold price rose again, the gold rush back and brought with it new “life” to Lemmenjoki area.

In this new gold rush period , prospectors like Risto Mäläskä started to introduce modern machines, like excavators and machine-powered rotating cylinders, to find gold. Nowadays the claims of Lemmenjoki River that possesses mechanical excavation are situated in Miessijoki, Jäkälä-äytsi, Ruitoávzi and Puskuoja.

Curiosities:

Did you know? The biggest nugget of Lemmenjoki weights 251grams and it is the third biggest in Finland. It is called Pikku mammutti (Little Mamoth).

Day 19^th of June:

- Kultasatama