Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1867-12-09
THE MILL.

OF this peculiar mill for the combined
crushing and amalgamation Of ores con-
the precious metals, we have
heretofore made mention, on n or two
occasions. 1t is essentially o Washoe
not however by reason of
discovered principles involved in
its operation, but its merits consist in
the ingenious, improved and economical
application of several established prin-
ciples, with some few original ideas in
c~orporated, making it as a whole, n new
and valuable invention. Col. ]. A. Col
Inns, of Virginia city, the inventor, has
been for several mouths past busy test
ing and perfecting the arrangement, and
only yesterday returned from San Fran
cisco, where he has been preparing the
patterns for a working model to be sent
to Washington, he having applied for a
patent.
This invention embraces the Chile
mill process of crushing, much improved
however, and both the barrel and pan
process of amalgamation. A series Of
three or more heavy iron-shod wheels
from three to six feet in diameter are
made to revolve within a circular iron
track or endless trough, in which the
ore is placed for crushing, similar to the
old Chile mill. An axle, extending from
each wheel to the center point or driving
shaft, simply guides them in their pro-
per position, the driving power being
applied in the most advantageous nan
ner possible, directly to the periphery
of the wheel. This is done by means OF
a large circular cast iron plate resting
on top of the wheels, and turned by the
central driving shaft. This plate a
be weighted down a much as may be
desired, the crushing capacity being, in
q manner, thus regulated.
We have thus far only described q
half of the crushing principle intended,
in order that it may be the more readily
understood. The mill, complete, will,
instead of the circular iron plate resting
on top of the wheels, have another cir
cular iron track, or crushing bed, SINH
lar to that beneath, placed on top of the
wheels, and driven by the central shaft.
In this upper track another set of wheels
similar to those already described will
be made to operate, thus making it a
two story arrangement, so to speak.
The ironplate for weighing purposes will
be placed on top Of this upper series Of
wheels, and the central driving shaft
causing the bed between the two series
Of wheels to revolve, the whole mill is
t once in full operation, crushing ore
at a fearful rate, and US we'll and as
rapidly when dry as when water is used,
without damage to the machinery, as is
the case with the ordinary crushing
machinery nov in use.
The ~amalgamating is done by means
of a barrel from three to six feet in
length, similar to the Frieburg barrel,
placed within the center of each wheel.
Revolving with them when in full
work, these barrels, when filled with
pulp and charged with the necessary
chemicals, by their additional weight
materially assist IN tho crushing of
the ore to supply them with pulp.
The pan process application consists
in placing in iron-lined barrels, similar
to the above, cast iron rollers the length
of the barrel, but relatively to each
other being of unequal diameter, which
has the effect to reate q reverse and
grinding motion in addition to crushing,
as they rotate, revolve, and slide round
the inner surface of the barrel, guided
by attachment TO the center axle, pre-
pairing the ores for amalgamation.
1t is estimated that from fifty to one
hundred tons of ore can be crushed and
completely disposed Of by one of these
mills in the course of t%wenty-four hours,
and at a cost of perhaps less than FIVE
dollars per ton. In fact it is difficult to
approximate, very nearly, either to the
capacity of the mill or cost of reduction,
without practical working.
The Collins mill, in case it proves
half as successful as it promises, is des-
tined to be of great value and impor-
lance to the mining interests of the
State at large, especially in the working
of the endless millions Of tons of low
grade ore existing, moi only in the Com
stock, but also in all portions of the
State, which, with the present expen-
sive cost of reduction, cannot be made
to pay. Success, say VIC, to the Collins
mill, or anything else in the shape Of
machinery which will assist in the de-
velopmeut Of our underground wealth.
-
WxpLocK.-It is rather singular that
people should enter the holy state Of
| wedlock while an engine for the sever
auce of matrimonial ties is in full blast
/ = A. NN $500 A.