Hog Pan: Mining Timeframe

The time it takes to mine out the hog pan area depends on a variety of factors, including the equipment used, the number of people involved, and the efficiency of the process.

Some players of the game Gold Mining Simulator report that it took them about three in-game days to clear the hog pan area, while others suggest that it is not worth the time and effort since there are no hotspots for gold in that area.

In real-life gold mining, the process of gold panning has not changed much in over 500 years. However, a new invention, the FLOWPAN™, promises to revolutionize gold panning by being more portable, faster, and easier to use. According to its inventor, one person can work 1/2 a yard/ton of pay dirt in just four hours using this new pan.

The amount of gold in the Hog Pan area

One player reported that they were able to get between 55 and 65 ounces of gold after cleaning 20 buckets at the Tier 2 level. Another player reported that they were able to accumulate 14-15 ounces of gold in a single day by using a specific strategy at the start of the game.

It is also worth noting that some players have observed that the amount of gold obtained can depend on the direction of digging. They suggest that digging from the top down yields more gold than undermining the dirt, as the game may delete and recreate the dirt when it falls, resulting in less gold in the recreated dirt.

Additionally, there is a feature called the "lucky nugget" that can boost gold findings. However, some players have reported that this feature may stop working after a certain point in the game.

Overall, the Hog Pan area can provide a decent amount of gold, but it may require some experimentation with different strategies and equipment tiers to maximize gold yield.

The best equipment to use

• Hog Pan Sluicebox Core: This is essential for setting up your mining operation. It is a basic item that can be purchased at the Equipment Warehouse.
• Hog Pan Mat: You will need at least two of these mats to start. They are placed in the Hog Pan Sluicebox Core and help collect gold from the mined dirt.
• Hog Pan Pump: This replaces the manual panning process and increases the speed at which you can extract gold. It is an upgrade to the basic Hog Pan setup.
• Hog Pan Sluicebox Extension: This attachment increases the capacity and efficiency of your Hog Pan setup.
• Water Filter: This is attached to the Water Hose and prevents dirt from getting into the Water Pump, making your mining process more efficient.
• Water Hose: You will need thin and fat water hoses to set up your mining equipment. The thin hose is used with the Water Pump, while the fat hose connects to the river or water source.
• Wave Table: This is a more advanced piece of equipment that can process gold much faster than manual panning. It requires a power source, such as a generator.
• Shovel: A basic tool for digging and filling your mats or buckets with dirt from the hog pan area.
• Buckets: Used to collect dirt and water when manual panning or using the Hog Pan setup.
• Magnetic Separator: This helps separate the gold from the concentrates or black sand.
• Generator: Provides electricity to power equipment like the Wave Table.
• Drill: Used to take core samples and identify areas with higher gold concentrations.
• Excavator: A machine that can dig and move large amounts of dirt, increasing the speed and efficiency of your mining operation.

It is important to note that some players suggest starting with the basic Hog Pan setup and gradually upgrading to more advanced equipment as you generate more gold. This approach can help you build your resources and avoid taking on excessive debt.

How to get the most gold from the area

To get the most gold from the Hog Pan area, there are several methods and strategies that can be employed. Here are some detailed instructions to maximise your gold yield:

Firstly, it is important to note that the Hog Pan area is not particularly rich in gold. Players of the game have reported yields of around 2-3 oz of gold per bucket, which is considered a low amount. However, it is still possible to accumulate a decent amount of gold with dedication and the right techniques.

One strategy is to focus on the middle of the Hog Pan area, as some players have reported higher yields there. Digging from the top down, rather than undermining existing piles of earth, is also recommended. This is because when earth falls to the bottom of a pile, it is deleted and recreated by the game, often with less gold in it.

To increase efficiency, it is best to have multiple buckets set up and fill them all before running them through the mag sep and wave table. This reduces the amount of back and forth travel. Additionally, consider investing in better equipment, such as the mobile wash plant, to increase your yield.

Another strategy is to make use of the "lucky find" or "nugget" feature, which can boost your gold accumulation. Using the Hog Pan and then upgrading to the water pump with an extension, you can accumulate enough money for a mobile wash plant. With some lucky nugget finds, you may even be able to afford a bigger digger.

If you are playing on Hard Mode, it is worth noting that some players have reported yields of 5-6 oz of gold in certain areas of the Hog Pan site. So, perseverance and thorough exploration of the area can pay off.

Additionally, here are some general tips for maximising gold yield in other areas:

• Use a good pickaxe, such as a netherite or diamond pickaxe, to increase mining speed.
• Employ the strip mining method by mining in a straight line, then going back to the start and mining again, leaving a space of two blocks each time.
• Take advantage of the Haste status effect, which can be acquired through beacons, to increase mining speed.
• Enchant your pickaxe with Efficiency to further increase mining speed.
• Explore Badlands Biomes, as gold ore generates much more frequently in these areas compared to other biomes.

How long it takes to clear the area

The time it takes to clear the Hog Pan area in Gold Mining Simulator depends on several factors, including the player's strategy, equipment, and luck. Here is an estimate based on different approaches:

Manual Panning:

This is the most time-consuming method. It involves using a pan and tub to separate gold from the dirt manually. Players report taking around three in-game days to clear the area, but this process can be tedious and inefficient.

Hog Pan with Pump and Extension:

Adding a pump and extension to the Hog Pan speeds up the process. Players can fill the mats with dirt, then use a bucket of water to rinse them off and collect the gold. With this setup, it may take around two to three in-game days to clear the area.

Tier 2 with Mobile Wash Plant:

Skipping Tier 1 and going straight to Tier 2 with a mobile wash plant can be more efficient. Players can process more dirt and increase their gold yield. However, this approach may take longer if players don't find good spots with higher gold concentrations.

Tier 2 with Small Excavator:

Some players choose to start with a small excavator in Tier 2. This allows them to fill the mobile wash plant quickly, but it can be challenging to keep up with the wash plant's capacity. With practice and efficient management, clearing the Hog Pan area with this setup may take around two in-game days.

Tier 3 with Large Excavator:

Upgrading to Tier 3 equipment, including a large excavator, can significantly speed up the process. Players can process more dirt and fill multiple wash plants simultaneously. With this setup, it may be possible to clear the Hog Pan area in less than two in-game days.

It's important to note that these estimates are based on player experiences and may vary depending on skill, strategy, and luck. Additionally, the game mechanics and gold distribution may change with updates, affecting the time required to clear the Hog Pan area.

Whether it's worth clearing the area

The amount of gold in the hog pan area can vary. Some people have reported getting low amounts of gold, such as 2-3 ounces per bucket, even when digging from “rich” areas. On the other hand, others have found higher amounts, such as 5-6 ounces per 100% mat cleanout. It's important to note that gold distribution may be random, so finding a good spot to dig is crucial.

The efficiency of the extraction process can be improved by using certain techniques and tools. For example, some people suggest using multiple standing buckets, filling them up, and then running them through the hog pan all at once. Others recommend using a combination of tools, such as a shovel, highbanker, and buckets, to optimize the process. Additionally, the type of pan used can make a difference. The GoldHog FlowPan, for instance, is marketed as the "world's fastest gold pan," capable of processing a 5-gallon bucket of raw material in minutes.

When considering the cost and effort involved, it's important to keep in mind that the hog pan is not a final processor but rather a washer/concentrator. This means that the material it produces will still need to be processed further. So, if you're thinking of clearing the hog pan area, make sure you have the necessary equipment and resources for the next steps in the gold extraction process.

In conclusion, whether it's worth clearing the hog pan area depends on a combination of factors, including the gold yield, the efficiency of your extraction process, and the resources you have available. It may be beneficial to try out different techniques and tools to optimize your gold recovery and make the most of your efforts.

Frequently asked questions