Where is the best place to look for scrap metal? Where to find scrap metal

Dig and don't break the law? Go to England, they dig there, and museums buy the finds. Commentator = AM = sent advice on what to do with the police on the cop. Actual for Russia and Belarus. But general principle will be useful to everyone. We read, especially for beginners.

Where can you legally dig with a metal detector?

1. You can search and dig in places where the presence of old settlements and other traces of human activity older than a century has not been recorded.

If, however, any archaeological objects are found during such a search, they must be handed over to the state, since, as stated in the law, the state is the owner of everything that is found in the ground or under water.

2. Let's say searching with a metal detector on public beaches. Due to the fact that there is no cultural layer there, and the finds, accordingly, cannot be of historical value and are not archaeological objects.

3. You can search in the fields where plowing by tractors takes place every year - there is also no cultural layer there (a field used for agricultural purposes cannot be of archaeological value). And, since you do not violate the cultural layer, you do not fall under the article.

Explanation to the law "On metal detectors". Especially for those who consider our hobby something illegal.

How to avoid a conflict with the police and not fall under the article

When law enforcement approaches you, it is important to have self-control, know your rights (without bending your fingers), be friendly and try to maintain a friendly atmosphere of communication. Because we are all people, and the result of their visit will largely depend on how you arrange your comrades in uniform (verified).

Of course, you can prove to the guardians of the law for a long time that different crops are sown on this field every year and plowed from beginning to end ... However, the easiest way is to say that you are looking for scrap metal or meteorites, and the metal detector itself is not prohibited.

If the police are persistent in their beliefs and strongly recommend that you go with them, then you need to know a few useful rules: what to say, what the police can do and what not.

So, if you were detained, there must be a reason for this - either you are digging at the site of cultural and archaeological heritage, or you have found some kind of cultural value. Both concepts can be interpreted by the servants of the law in different ways.

For your inspection, the police are obliged to draw up a protocol of inspection and find 2 witnesses.

This is where the most interesting thing begins - the police themselves cannot be witnesses, archaeologists, who can arrive with the police, also cannot become witnesses, because they are persons of interest. So, if you were caught in the wilderness, where there is no one, then they don’t have the right to inspect you, which means they won’t be able to present anything either.

In theory. In reality, things can turn out quite differently. So know your rights and exercise them! You can even shoot everything that happens on the camera, it will be generally excellent. Then, even for arbitrariness, you can sue them when they violate your rights.
Although, of course, it is better not to enter into such a mess with the authorities alone, therefore it is better to go to detect 2-3 people (at least).

So, you can dig, but you need to remember that the police are extremely vague about their duties and do not really know how to formulate the law. And therefore, they can start to inspect you, confiscate your metal detector and create other chaos.

So, so that this does not happen, if you are already tied up and “throw presenting”, then know your rights and correctly state them.

Remember - if you go anywhere with a metal detector. Just go, they don’t have the right to inspect you, and in general, stop you. If this happens, say that they violate your rights, that you are not excavating, but simply moving somewhere.

So far, metal detectors are allowed, only they can not be used everywhere. If they continue to press, demand an inspection protocol and two witnesses.

Witnesses must have different surnames and not be relatives, and also be over 18 years old.

Knowing your rights, being able to control yourself and justify your actions, you will remain in a winning position by at least 50%! The rest depends on personal qualities and the intentions of law enforcement officers, and of course from your location.

As you know, in August last year, the so-called law "On metal detectors" came into force. This gave rise to many questions from those citizens for whom the so-called "instrument search" is a favorite hobby. Let's figure out what this law is, and where you can dig with a metal detector according to the law.

The full name of the adopted law is “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts Russian Federation regarding the suppression of illegal activities in the field of archeology” dated July 23, 2013, No. 245-FZ. According to him:
  1. The state is the owner of ANY finds from the field of archaeological heritage, as well as archaeological objects that are discovered by citizens on the surface, in the earth layer and under water.
  2. For the removal of archaeological finds from their place of occurrence, if this entailed the destruction of the cultural layer, it is envisaged to bring to criminal liability. Important: according to the legislation, a cultural layer includes a layer under water or in the ground, if it contains traces of human activity, which is more than a hundred years old.
  3. Further, the law concerns the acquisition, sale of cultural heritage items.
At first glance, this law definitively deprives citizens of the right to dig anywhere with a metal detector. But it's not. In fact, in its essence, the law has remained unchanged in the sense that searches with a metal detector and unauthorized excavations have remained prohibited since the Soviet era. But at the same time, there are a number of situations in which these actions are quite legal.

First, you can search and dig in places where the presence of old settlements and other traces of human activity older than a century has not been recorded. If, however, any archaeological objects are found during such a search, they must be handed over to the state, since, as stated in the law, the state is the owner of everything that is found in the ground or under water.

Secondly, let's allow a search with a metal detector on public beaches, due to the fact that there is no cultural layer there, and the finds, accordingly, cannot be of historical value and are not archaeological objects.

Thirdly, it is possible to conduct a search in the fields where plowing by tractors takes place every year - there is also no cultural layer there.

Those who criticize the adopted law should pay attention to the fact that it new edition On the contrary, it has become much clearer. For example, the definition of a cultural layer “more than a hundred years old”, and not “traces of human existence in previous eras”, as it sounded in a similar law of Soviet times, makes it possible to dig where this very cultural layer is absent.

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Searching for scrap metal is a good way to make money. How to find "iron"? How to get it, because often the metal does not lie on the surface, but is hidden in the thickness of the earth? How to choose a metal detector and set it up for optimal search? All these questions and more will be answered in this article.

Choosing a metal detector

This is where the path of any collector of secondary metal should begin. What is the best metal detector for finding scrap metal? In fact, almost any - brand and price does not play a special role. Even the simplest and cheapest device can find metal underground. Moreover, choosing an expensive professional metal detector, you significantly increase its payback period. Is it worth it?

An inexpensive model for 5000-6000 rubles will pay off in the near future: for this you just need to hand over about a ton of metal. But if you bought an expensive metal detector for 40-50 thousand, then consider for yourself how much effort and time you need to spend in order to “recapture” this money.

Someone will argue that professional metal detectors are better and more expensive for a reason. Of course, they have a larger search radius, they search deeper, and they perfectly distinguish between ferrous and non-ferrous metals. The question here is whether these characteristics are important to you. After all, if the secondary metal is collected for delivery, then its type does not matter. The depth of occurrence also does not play a special role. Ferrous metal is found in large sizes, and, as a rule, even the weakest metal detector “feels” it.

Where to look for scrap metal?

When you have decided on the technique, it's time to think about where it is worth searching for scrap metal. Promising areas are fields, and it does not matter whether they are currently cultivated or not. After all, there can be a lot of broken spare parts from equipment that used to be left right on the field. Pay special attention to the edges. Working with a metal detector in this way, you can collect up to 200 kg from one field in just a couple of hours of work.

It is worth looking into agricultural buildings: barns, farms, haylofts and others. Do not bypass industrial buildings, such as repair shops, abandoned hangars and workshops, forges and car services. A lot of non-ferrous metal can be found in industrial waste dumps, but there is also serious competition. If you're lucky, you can find spent cartridges at an abandoned training ground.

But where you should not go is to places of potential recreation for people. There are often a lot of cans and beer cans, as well as other garbage. So the metal detector signals will be simply useless.

How to work as a metal detector

Searching for scrap metal with a metal detector is a very simple process. You come to the site, take the equipment out of the case and start combing it methodically, trying not to miss the slightest shred. Remember that metal can lie deep under the surface of the earth, especially black, since things from it are quite massive. So you have to dig a lot. Do not forget to grab a shovel, and be sure to fill the pits behind you with earth.

Metal detector settings

Even the best scrap metal detector will be useless if you do not know how to handle it or set the settings incorrectly for work. The optimal frequency will be 3 kHz. Inexpensive metal detectors have a coil operating frequency of 6.5 kHz, which is also suitable for searching. And high-frequency metal detectors with parameters of 10 kHz and higher for collecting metal are undesirable: due to the accuracy in finding small objects, their depth suffers.

Before work, do not forget to set the "All Metals" mode, otherwise your device will not respond to all types of second metal.

Search for scrap metal with a magnet

A search magnet is a good addition to a metal detector. It will come in handy when working in areas with reservoirs, as well as where it is impossible to work with a shovel. The magnet is an alloy of iron with boron and neodymium, enclosed in a durable steel case. Magnets differ in power, alloy composition, degree of magnetization and other characteristics. There are magnets one- and two-sided, which directly affects the convenience of work and the distance from which you can search. In addition, the weight of the magnet also differs.

Neodymium magnet is almost eternal and does not demagnetize. For 10 years continuous work it can lose as little as 1% of its original power. However, you need to be careful not to heat the magnet - otherwise it will lose most of the search properties.

Until the end of the 90s of the last century, only a few were engaged in treasure hunting in Russia. Therefore, in those years, no one thought about licensing metal detectors or passing a law to ban them. But with the advent of cheap metal detectors in Russia, the number of people engaged in instrumental search began to grow exponentially. treasure hunting from intellectual passion for the elite has grown into a mass hobby.

It is no secret that among those involved in treasure hunting there are people who (often out of ignorance or innate stupidity) search with metal detectors at archaeological sites, in sown fields, on the territory of other people's summer cottages, thereby violating existing laws in Russia. As they say, in a big family there is a black sheep. But it was with these lawbreakers that modern treasure hunters began to be associated. Archaeologists have become aggressive towards all treasure hunters without exception. They argued that the mass interest in searching with a metal detector poses a great danger to the country's archaeological heritage.

Archaeologists have complained that current legislature does not allow to properly protect archeological monuments from treasure hunters. It is worth noting that, with rare exceptions, law enforcement agencies tried to punish treasure hunters under Article 7.15 of the Code of administrative offenses Russia. According to this article, treasure hunters for illegal archaeological exploration were threatened with a small fine and confiscation of the metal detector. But it was very difficult to prove the conduct of archaeological exploration by treasure hunters, so the supervisory authorities were very reluctant to draw up protocols under this article. There were only isolated cases of prosecution for searches with a metal detector under Article 7.15 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. Basically, this is a punishment for searching with a metal detector on the territory of archeological monuments or cases when treasure hunters themselves agreed with the accusation of illegal archaeological exploration.

IN last years more and more often, articles and notes about the so-called “black diggers” began to appear in the media, which most often meant not only people destroying cultural heritage, but also ordinary law-abiding treasure hunters. Archaeologists, relying on the experience of a number of other countries, began to insist on the adoption of new laws that would prohibit treasure hunting and searches with metal detectors.

Treasure hunters on the forums actively discussed the possibility of adopting a new law banning metal detectors or licensing them. But all the talk boiled down to the fact that our legislation is inert, that it will take years to pass such a law. But most of the treasure hunters understood that in any mass hobby, sooner or later, a law must appear that will establish the "rules of the game." Therefore, the appearance of a draft law on the suppression of illegal activities in the field of archeology did not come as a surprise, but no one expected such a quick adoption of this harsh law.
Federal Law of the Russian Federation N 245-FZ “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation in Part of Suppressing Illegal Activities in the Field of Archaeology” was adopted in July 2013 and received the name “Law on metal detectors (or law on treasure hunting)” among treasure hunters.

You can familiarize yourself with the text of the new law on treasure hunting on the Rossiyskaya Gazeta website.

The so-called "Law on Treasure Hunt" introduces a number of amendments to previously existing legislation, including the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Offenses. Now, taking into account the amendments adopted under the new law on the use of metal detectors, treasure hunters may face:

  • For the destruction or damage of monuments of history and culture of Russia - a fine of up to 5 million rubles, imprisonment for up to 5 years.
  • For the search and seizure of archaeological objects carried out without special permission, which caused damage or destruction of the cultural layer - a fine of up to 1 million rubles, imprisonment for up to 6 years.
  • For conducting archaeological reconnaissance or excavations without permission - a fine of up to 300 thousand rubles with confiscation of finds and equipment used for searches.

Thus, the so-called law on metal detectors (treasure hunting), adopted in July 2013, does not prohibit any use of metal detectors and treasure hunting, as many people think. Also, the sale of metal detectors, their transportation is not prohibited. Only the use of metal detectors for the purpose of searching for archaeological objects, as well as conducting archaeological exploration and excavations, falls under the ban.

However, treasure hunters are outraged by some of the vague language in the law on treasure hunting, which allows almost any treasure hunter to violate the law.

For example, the new law introduces the concept of a cultural layer, which is understood as a layer in the ground or under water, containing traces of human existence, the time of occurrence of which exceeds a hundred years, including archaeological objects. Considering that most of the territory of Russia has traces of human existence, and the presence of archaeological objects cannot be determined without archaeological reconnaissance and excavations, then in fact any treasure hunter who is engaged, for example, in the search for scrap metal, can damage the “cultural layer”, which he can simply dont know. In addition, it is no secret that during any search with a metal detector in the form of a “companion”, “archaeological objects” can be accidentally found. At the same time, in a number of interviews with archaeologists and articles in the media, it is mentioned that no one is going to prove intent, that any search with a metal detector is equated at least with archaeological exploration, and if archaeological objects are found with you, then you will be punished for damaging the cultural layer.

The next term that haunts is “archaeological objects”. This term in the law refers to movable things, the main or one of the main sources of information about which, regardless of the circumstances of their discovery, are archaeological excavations or finds, including objects discovered as a result of such excavations or finds. It is these items that are forbidden to search and seize without permission. The definition is so vague that some archaeologists dare to argue that almost any object found on earth can, if desired, be called an "archaeological object."

Thus, the use of such vague formulations makes it possible, if desired, to accuse almost any treasure hunter of committing a crime. True, most likely there will be no intent. It is possible that in court it will be possible to prove that there was no intent to search for archaeological objects and archaeological reconnaissance. But is every treasure hunter ready to go through the whole procedure from detention to trial? Personally, I don't!

Archaeologists agree that the bill has not been finalized. Many experts also agree that innocent people can suffer under this law, so they advise giving up this hobby so as not to become a victim of the new law. Most of the treasure hunters chose the position of "sit and see." Someone decided to temporarily refrain from searching with a metal detector, while others are engaged in treasure hunting away in the forest, where there is no risk of being noticed. Although there are those who still continue to search with a metal detector, not paying attention to the "law on the prohibition of treasure hunting."

It is worth noting that at present, many articles have appeared on the network with recommendations from "anonymous lawyers" who write that searches outside archeological monuments are not prohibited, and so on. But, reading all these numerous tips, always remember that if you get into a field with a metal detector, then these “helpers” will no longer be next to you. Therefore, only search with a metal detector if you are sure that you can prove your case.

P.S. By the way, another “interesting” law is on the way, the so-called Levichev law on licensing metal detectors. Let's see what's next for us.