The most significant historical gold deposits and productive mines in North Carolina are located within the central Piedmont geological belt. Historically, North Carolina was the primary site of the nation's first major gold rush during the early 19th century. Counties featuring the highest concentration of gold prospects and historic production include Mecklenburg—which contained more recorded gold mines and prospects than any other county—alongside Cabarrus, Rowan, Davidson, Guilford, Stanly, Montgomery, Randolph, Moore, and Union counties. Small amounts of placer gold can still occasionally be panned in regional streams with proper landowner permission.