September 15, 2026 - 282 views
A repeat offender has been ordered to pay more than £4,700 after being convicted of illegal gold panning at Coed y Brenin Forest.
Brian Wright was caught gold panning by Natural Resources Wales officers at Pont Wen on the Afon Wen near Dolgellau on two occasions in October and December 2024.
The activity is not permitted on land managed by Natural Resources Wales because of the potential damage it can cause to river ecosystems.
Gold panning can involve digging into riverbeds and removing gravel and minerals, potentially disturbing habitats used by wildlife.
It can also breach fisheries legislation where the activity risks disturbing spawning fish or damaging river habitats.
Wright was convicted at Llandudno Magistrates' Court on Monday and ordered to pay £400 in fines, a further £1,500 fine and £2,800 in costs.
Natural Resources Wales says the case was not Wright's first offence involving illegal gold panning. He was also sentenced for similar offences in May 2022.
Richard Berry, NRW's Land Management Team Leader for North West Wales, said Coed y Brenin was a protected and valued natural environment and warned that illegal gold panning could cause significant damage to river habitats and wildlife.
He said NRW would take action when offences were identified and that the case should serve as a reminder that gold panning is not permitted on NRW-managed land.
The organisation says anyone considering gold panning should check whether they have permission to carry out the activity, as restrictions can apply because of environmental and fisheries protections.
