SAVING OF GOLD

Hokitika Guardian, 15 October 1932, Page 3

SAVING OF GOLD

NEW DEVICE FOR INDUSTRY. IMPROVED SCREEN AND TABLES. The question of gold saving appliances on dredges and other methods, of dealing with gold has for some considerable time been made a prominent subject, it is a very great importance to the industry, as the saving of a little more gold would in many cases make all the difference between success and failure. Many people are under the impression that the class of gold which is being lost by the present system cannot be saved by any improvement that may be introduced. The saving of gold being lost is a very serious matter, therefore it is the duty of every one capable of making practical suggestions for the improvement of the gold saving appliances to do so. In suggesting a remedy lor the loss of gold by present appliances it is only necessary to consider the class of gold being lost and the reason why it is lost. It has often been quoted the class of gold being lost is of a very thin flaky nature and difficult t 0 save in a strong flow? of water, wf.ich under the present circumstances has to be used to carry away the coarse gravel, that passes through the large perforations of the screen so that the light scaly gold is carried over the tables along with it. tbf improvement suggested for which a patent right is applied, provides a revolving screen with perforations graded from I inch' to 1 inch in diameter, also 3 feet Section having slots from 6 inches long to £ inch wide.

J Once the material is delivered into* , the revolving screen it is under treatment for the saving of the geld. The j revolving screen from 12ft to 24ft over I all having perforations graded from one inch to \ inch and having a spray | of water playing into the screen from lower end of same giving the material being treated a thorough washing beJ fore passing into the receiving chamber immediately below the screen; this exI tends the full length of the screen, the chamber is also divided by movable sections having perforations same as provided in the screen, the lower end of the chamber has an opening or gauge to permit the final cleaning I up of the said chamber. The screen and chamber lias a .fall of not less than 18 inches to the 12ft. The special feature of the chamber is that it gives the material a proper grading and allows the’ same to be equally distributed over the tables running at right angles from the chamber the tables being divided off with sec- | tion.s provide with ripples, matting ; or plushes. Another advantage in the j improved system is that at any period the value of the material already treated can be ascertained by cleaning the chamber, it having a special table provided on which copper plates, matting or plushes can be used. The tables 24ft wide by 18th in length, independent water is provided for the use of tables only and having a. regular supply and evenly delivered over the tables, matting, plushes, false bottoms, ripples can be used for the tables and all material is carried away after treatment to the tailing site. Water for tab’e.s must be supplied direct to the geld saving tables, the water must be clean as dirty water would tend td allow the loss of gold. The plant can be adapted for prospecting propositions by mounting same on a platform and running on rails to any part of the property admissable and using a small engine, petrol or electrical power. The inventor claims that the material being so graded allows the said material to be thoroughly washed also giving all gold time to settle before treatment o er the table, thus making it doubly certain to catch all the gold. A s it is . a well known fact that less complications regarding gold saving is concerned the better chance there is of i saving same, therefore it is claimed J that the main, objects have been attainI ed viz effectiveness, un.imited capacity, i lmiited fall required and limited space j occupied, shortest time possible for j, washing up and the prevention of leakages; also the appliance is simple and inexpensive, meitlier plates, mercury nor magnets required and can be adopted on to anr class of gold mining als.j black sand beaches. The striking feature of the receiving chamber is that the value of the material being , treated can readily be ascertained by ] thi s method. •