Abstract: A pan for separating gold or other precious heavy metals from wet sand or gravel is provided with a round bottom joined to obliquely rising sides at the circumference. Near the center of the bottom of the pan is an aperture leading to a trough which is formed integrally with the bottom and slopes downwardly therefrom. Within the trough is a ladder-like structure having a plurality of steps which collect the heavy metal particles from the dross.