Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1866-02-17
Reduetien of silver Orc.

The opinion is very confidently sx-
pressed by the most experienced OF quartz
workers that the crushing by stamps, err
roneously called the Cornish method, can
not be superseded. That its simplicity,
effectiveness and economy over everything
that has ever been tried has been 90 often
proven that but few will now pay any at
tention to so-called improvements. Now,
however, that Americans have entered into
the business Of mining and the reduction
Of ores, we may look for many attempts
at improvement, and q fair probability Of
success. For hundreds of.years the pro-
cesses of reducing silver ores have been at
q standstill. In Prussia is the Freiberg
process ; in England smelling with lead,
and in Mexico and South America the
patio. These "processes" are the scien-
tic portion Of the reduction, and we do
not look for the discovery of any new
principles in the science, but for scientific
and mechanical aids in carrying the known
principles into effect. The patio process
as used in Mexico, where it was discover
ed, requires from thirty to ninety days for
the operation Of q single body Of ore, and
is accompanied by immense labor, loss Of
silver and mercury. The Same principle
of reduction is applied in reducing the
ores of the Comstock lode, but by the use
Of iron pans, vigorous trituration and arti-
fetal heat the operation is effected in q
few hours. This is vast improvement,
but is chiefly mechanical. 1t is in this
direction, however, that our inventors
have generally turned their attention and
with marked success. In the smelling
process we have as yet done nothing.
This process is undoubtedly brought to
perfection in England, but that perfection
is founded on their abundance Of cheap
fuel, and may require different arrange.
ments where different conditions obtain.
In Nevada is a fine field for the trial and
working of this process from the abun.
dance of argentiferous galena ores, and
the necessary Aux accompanying them
In adopting this process for the mos,
profitable manner Of working in our sec
ton of costly fuel, a fine opportunity is
offered to the metallurgist and inventor.
The third, principal, and most complete
process is the Freiberg. II we cannot i'm
prove upon the scientific principles Of the
process, we may on the mechanical ap-
planes by which it is usually wrought.
The late discovery by Mr.. Crooke, Of the
effect of sodium upon quicksilver and its
assistance in amalgamation, shows that
even yet the field Of science 10 open for
further discovery and improvement. The
mechanical department Of silver reduction
is more open to, observation. and it is in
that direction we may expect the most
attempts at improvement. People are apt
to be wed to the methods in which they
were taught, and thus we account for the
tenacity with which they adhere to GER
tain things and the slight adoption taey
pay to improvements. Americans, how
ever, have not yet been taught metallurgy,
and are therefore unprecedented; conse-
quently they are not only willing but anx-
ious to investigate and adopt new pro-
cesses and new machinery. As the iron
pan has been found so great an improve
ment, is it not encouraging to study far
Their: 1t may be possible that the crusher
style of mill will supersede stamps, not
withstanding the yenerability Of the latter.
But even should it not, there 10 undoubt-
eddy an inviting field open for the perfec-
ton Of stamps and the mode Of operating
them. Stamps are used in all countries.
In Saxony their usual weight is but three
hundred pounds, and they make three
strokes with each revolution Of the driving
| shaft. In this State it is usual to have
stamps weighing from six to eight hundred
pounds, which fall twice, and often only
once in the revolution Of the driving shaft.
Again, if stamps cannot be superseded,
would not q crusher be a very economical
and efficient aid in preparing rock for
them? These are pertinent subjects for
the study Of our scientists, mechanics and
architects. The great business Of nearly
one-half the United States 10 to be that Of
mining. and he who makes valuable i'm
provements in any department does pub
lie good and secures himself q fortune
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