I bet very few people got this as how it relates to the challenge. I really like the context to the challenge. A very unique and bold approach. Beautiful photograph.
Love the gold colors on the rocks, good idea. But the branch is really disturbing. I would have chosen a different position if possible, but even the image as it is now can be improved by cropping the branch away.
Where is the prospecting? Having someone panning in the river would do well to tell the story without the title here. It is a lovely scene, but depends completely on the title to relate to money.
Technical: Fits the challenge only because of the title. Some actual prospecting in the shot would have strengthened that relationship. Exposure composition focus and lighting all excellent, beautiful photograph.
Personal: Maybe it's just me, but I don't equate prospectors with milky blue water and fantasy type landscapes- to me this doesn't fit the challenge.