KALGOORLIE, WA — As the annual Diggers & Dealers Mining Forum brings global industry leaders to Kalgoorlie, local prospector and gold dealer Tyler Mahoney took time out from the conference to respond to public criticism aimed at her business — and her family’s four-generation legacy in gold.
In a passionate video recorded on-site at the event, Mahoney fired back at a social media user who claimed that buying gold nuggets was a poor investment, accusing her of misleading customers and selling overvalued gold.
“Jacka Bcka completely insulted my family’s integrity, my integrity, and my company’s integrity with completely false and ignorant statements,” said Mahoney.
Backing Her Claims With Receipts
Mahoney didn’t just speak from experience — she brought real sales data to support her argument. She highlighted two past nugget sales that demonstrate how nugget buyers have actually gained value, even in the short term.
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A 5.7g nugget, sold in 2021 for $627 (at around $110 per gram), is now worth $684 at spot price alone — and even more with a premium.
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A 55.1g nugget, sold in April 2023 for $7,150, could now fetch $8,900 — an $1,800 gain in just one year.
“These are real customers who shop with me regularly,” Mahoney explained. “I always tell them: gold nuggets are a long-term investment. But even in two and a half years, some have already seen returns.”
She added that in emergencies, even if a seller can only get spot price, many of her customers would still be up.
Explaining the Nugget Premium
Mahoney emphasized the importance of understanding the “nugget premium” — a markup typically between 20% and 30% above the spot price of gold, which reflects the rarity and natural beauty of alluvial gold nuggets.
“Gold nuggets make up just 1–2% of the world’s gold production,” she said. “Most gold comes from hard rock mines, is processed and refined into bullion. But natural nuggets like the ones we find? They’re incredibly scarce — and getting scarcer.”
She believes that in the next 30 to 50 years, large natural nuggets will become virtually impossible to find, which will push the nugget premium even higher — possibly up to 100% or more.
Trust, Transparency, and Experience
Mahoney — who was raised in a family of prospectors and has built her own gold business — highlighted the importance of buying from trusted sellers.
“All the prospectors I buy from, I’ve known since I was four or five. I know their gold isn’t stolen, it’s legally sourced, and the paperwork is all there. That’s what you’re paying for too — trust.”
She also warned newcomers against buying gold from unverified sources online, like Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree.
“I’ve seen fakes. I’ve seen scams. And I’ve had people try to pass off counterfeit bullion with fake Perth Mint stamps. It happens across the board. Always know who you’re buying from.”
Not a Quick Flip — A Long Game
Mahoney was clear that gold nuggets should never be bought with a short-term profit mindset.
“Gold is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It’s something to hold for 10, 15, 20 years. Something to pass down. If you need to sell within a year or two — buy bullion instead.”
While she acknowledged that bullion has its place in any diversified portfolio, she believes gold nuggets offer unmatched long-term value due to their rarity, authenticity, and rising collector interest.
Final Word from the Bush
“You’re not just buying metal,” Mahoney concluded. “You’re buying history, scarcity, and a piece of the Australian goldfields. If you don’t understand how that works — that’s okay. But don’t accuse professionals of lying when you’re just not familiar with the industry.”
