TEXT BY GEOFF VIVIAN

Scientists have been seriously examining an old prospectors’ trick.

COURTESY AARON STEWART, CSIRO.

Termites and ants can be used to detect base metals and gold to a depth of 1.4 metres.

What was part of Goldfields folklore since the 1920s is now scientific fact.

Science Network [read this story]

An edited version of the story apeared in The Kalgoorlie Miner on 22/3/14