Similar activities:
* Prospecting: This is a broader term for searching for valuable minerals, including gold.
* Placer mining: A more technical term for extracting gold from alluvial deposits, which is what gold panning does.
* Hydraulic mining: A larger-scale mining method that uses water pressure to remove gold-bearing gravel, often used in conjunction with panning.
Informal alternatives:
* Gold washing: A simple and straightforward description of the process.
* Sluicing: A similar technique using a sluice box, which separates heavier materials like gold.
* Treasure hunting: This is more metaphorical, but captures the excitement of finding gold.
The best alternative will depend on the specific context and the level of formality required.