All you need for panning in South Dakota on their GPAA claims are your tools, membership card, and claims guide (per rules set out in the guide). In accordance with state law, you can use hand tools only (pick, pan, shovel, etc.), but nothing mechanized. Sluices are fine as long as they aren't powered like a highbanker (though there is some debate on that, but that's the "official" written rule).

Permits are only needed for mechanized operations that call for the use of motorized equipment. It's obviously nothing that you will have to worry about. The GPAA takes care of the annual fees associated with owning the mining claims that they have, that is one of the things that your GPAA membership dues go to pay towards.

Thanks for response. So basically same rules as MN but able to use a non mechanical sluice is a plus.