Alluvial gold is a type of gold that is found in loose soil or sediment, typically in riverbeds or floodplains. It is formed when gold particles are eroded from their original source, such as gold veins in rocks, and carried by water. Over time, these particles settle in areas where the water slows down, making them easier to collect. Miners often extract alluvial gold using simple methods like panning or sluicing, which involve washing the sediment to separate the gold from other materials. This type of gold mining is often less expensive and requires less equipment than traditional mining methods, making it accessible to small-scale miners.