A 68-year-old man, Brian Wright, has been ordered to pay over £4,700 in fines and costs after being caught illegally searching for gold in a protected river area in north Wales. Wright was found guilty of environmental offenses at Llandudno Magistrate's Court for panning in the Afon Wen river near Dolgellau, Gwynedd, in October and December 2024. The offense took place in Coed y Brenin Forest, an area managed by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), a government body responsible for protecting and managing natural resources in Wales. Wright was identified as a repeat offender, having previously been sentenced for similar offenses in May 2022. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) explained that illegal gold panning is prohibited on its managed land due to the potential harm it can cause to river ecosystems. The process of panning—using water to separate gold from gravel—can disturb riverbeds and disrupt habitats that are vital to wildlife. Richard Berry, a representative from NRW, emphasized that such activities can lead to significant damage to river environments and wildlife. He added that this case serves as a reminder that illegal gold panning is not allowed on NRW-managed land and that offenders can face legal consequences. Euros Jones, an NRW manager for north-west Wales, told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast that gold panning in the area is "damaging" and could result in a "concerning environmental cost." He noted that Dolgellau has a long history of gold mining, and while small amounts of gold can be found in the river’s gravel, the activity is not without risks. Jones acknowledged that the "romance" surrounding gold mining draws people to the river, despite the environmental impact. The case highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing public interest in historical activities with the need to protect sensitive natural environments. NRW continues to monitor and enforce regulations to ensure that activities like illegal gold panning do not harm the ecosystems that support local wildlife and the natural beauty of the region.