1.) Preparation or classification
2.) Stratification
3.) Washing
4.) More stratification
5.) Cleaning
6.) Inspection and removal
(In reality steps 2 and 3 are done repetitiously until only heavy material remains in the pan i.e. gold, black sand, garnets, etc.)
(In reality steps 4 and 5 are done repetitiously until only gold and about a teaspoon or tablespoon of material remains in the pan)