How to Join the SPMA
To join, click on the gold pan on the right and print out a membership form. You can mail it or bring it with you to the next meeting. It will take about a week for your membership packet to arrive by mail. If you need Adobe Reader click here.
Make a Google Map with directions.
Who We Are
The Southwestern Prospectors and Miners Association was first organized in San Diego in 1934 and is affiliated with the San Diego Mineral and Gem Association.
We are a non-profit organization whose initial purpose was to promote prospecting and mining during the depression years and to protect the mining laws of the west.
Today, the bulk of our members are weekend prospectors and miners who take advantage of the latest equipment available and the knowledge passed on by old-timers.
The primary goal of the SPMA is to teach the rapidly disappearing arts of prospecting and mining to those who want to learn.
Unless the historical techniques involved in searching for gold, gemstones, and other valuable minerals are passed on to the next generation, they could be lost forever.
To enjoy the SPMA you should have a love of nature and an interest in prospecting.
How We Can Help You
- Meetings with guest speakers
- Field trips to gold bearing areas
- Access to our mining claims
- Newsletters & online forums
- Help filing a claim of your own
- Instruction in:
- Basic gold panning
- Dry washing for gold
- Dredging for gold
- Sluicing & high banking
- Prospecting techniques
- Electronic Metal Detecting
- Equipment evaluation
- Rock & mineral identification
Monthly Meetings
Third Tuesday of each month , 6:30 PM
Cathy Hopper Friendship Center
4425 Bannock Ave, San Diego, CA
Get directions here
