THE TREATMENT OF REFRACTORY ORES.

Colonist, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8649, 29 August 1896, Page 2

THE TREATMENT OF REFRACTORY ORES.

In response to an invitation by Mr Jacobsen some twenty gentlemen assembled at the Royal Hotel last evening to receive further information as to the alleged discovery of stone containing some three thousand onnccs per lOu of gold and silver. Mr Martin Light

band was voted to the chair, and Mr Jacob- 1 sen gave a description of his alleged discoveries that Occupied a very considerable J time. Mr Jacobsen produced metal of a( white appearance that be claimed to be chlo ft gold, his remarks indicating that he had discovered a new form of chloride of gold. In the course tif his long lecture he indicated that the specific gravity of the metal he produced was greater than that of any of the baser metals, and equal to gold, and this claim, notwithstanding that he expressed a belief that metals grew, and claimed that he obtained remarkable results from the barks of trees, was carefully regar* ded by those present. It had been pointed out that well known tests would suffice to show whether the metals alleged existed, but Mr Jacobsen seemed to allege that he had to deal with chloride of gold in a deliquiescent i form, and therefore the possibility of evaporation, in an ordinary fire treatment was taken into account* The possibility of a new discovery was duly recegnised but Mr Jacobsen exhibited what he called chioa of gold, which he appeared to regard as a form of chloride, and some of those present evidently knew how chloride ot gold might be treated. Mr Jacobsen based his main argument in favor of the discovery of gold on the specific gravity of the metal he produced, and though his measurement lacked accuracy, it did seem that the specific gravity of his metal was remarkably close to that of gold, although the metal-gave mark on paper similar to lead. Mr Jacobsen declared that he had found what was praotioal.y a mountaia of ..tone and that it would yield gold at the rate of three thousand ounceß to the ton. He claimed that be bad found a new combination in the form of an oxide whioh he exhibited and whicb was of a choolate color. Mr Jacobsen made ' tests when be showed that native gold boile 1 in aqua regia, a mixture of nittio and hjdrocblorio aoids left a residuum and he proceeded to show that his so-oalled chioa gold left a similar residuum. Mr Worley who was among those present made a further test, however, under whioh the sc-called obloa gold dissolved in nitric acid and when this solution was mixed with a solution of bicarbooate of potash eudenoe was afforded that the metal in co ution was really lead by the color of the solution which was obrome yellow, a sufficient test. Seme otber tests were made and though Mr Jacobsen was evidently etill im 1 p. r e3.-d with bis original view those present were quite convinced of tbe true position. Mr Jacobsen has evidently devoted muoh time aod thought to tbe mater he ha? taken in hand, but though hia intentions have been put forth wi'h thorough honeßty of purpose, and with a commendable desire to exploit the roi-eral wealth of tbe District, we are reluctantly forced to the conclusion that tbis gentleman is entirely mistaken. Ample proof was afforded last night that what Mr Jacobsen lcoksd upen as gold was merely lead thongh it Eeems to occur in the Btone be trea'ed un'er conditions that are not common. •