Abstract

A device for obtaining a plurality of samples from mineral deposits such as placer deposits in order to discover the presence of valuable metals comprises an elongated tubular member in which is rotatably positioned an elongated cylindrical storage member, the tubular member including sets of windows along its length and the cylindrical storage member including compartments capable of alignment with the sets of windows upon rotation of the storage member relative to the tubular member. Spring-like tooth members mounted in the compartments are capable of extending through the windows of the tubular member to help the movement of deposit material therethrough. The sampling device may also include one or more extension sections, each extension section including a tubular element in which is rotatably positioned a cylindrical storage element, each respective element being similarly constructed to the noted tubular and cylindrical storage members, all the cylindrical storage elements in the extension sections being positively rotatably interconnected with each other and with the cylindrical storage member.