Arizona silver belt., 1883-03-10
Gold Amalgalnation. A

f Gold Amalgamation.
 A combined amalgamating and con- centrating machine has been designed by Mir. Fredrick Kensington, of Pres. ton, Lancashire, for Hungarian mine, which appears we'll worthy the attention of those interested in the management of public companies. A short description of the apparatus will prove interesting to all those engaged in gold mining. Itis regretable fact that practical information is very difficult to obtain regarding the pro- cesses in use in arresting the particles of gold when disengaged from the matrix. Until the publication of Mr.. Locks celebrated book it was almost impossible to buy book from which any information could be had, indeed, publications containing even an ele- mentary amount of gold saving pro- cesses are scarce. Though gold min ing-that is mining from quartz as distingushed from hydraulicising-has within the past few years come more prominently to the front, the method of treating the stone does not appear to have made much scientific progress mercury plates, mercury trughs, long or short blanket tables, &c., and where much pyrites is present second and even third and fourth process before these can be treated appear to be the groove" in which the generality of gold mining demagogues' ideas have 'halted" when erecting their machin- cry for amalgamation, the machine to which we now refer is designed to ob- viate the necessity for long tables, and mechanical means are employed to assist the separation by gravitation. The crushed materials pass through a set of three pans, fitted with two sets of annular mercury troughs each. The flow of water and crushed ore into the second and third pans is checked by an arrangement of the communica- ting pipes, which causes an overflow of the lighter portion of all three. Through the centre of these pans is a vertical spindle, upon which is fitted circular cups inverted, and which re- volying causes the crushed matter and gold to be distributed over the mercu- ry troughs, while at the same time they prevent the machine choking. By the motion imparted to the water the heavier portions of the tailings are concentrated, while the lighter flow away. In each pan is fitted an inner skin or jacket, by which means any light stuff that may have been carried below the first trough can assend 4nd find its way to the overflow, the mo- ton of the lower cups preventing it again settling.
 The material now issuing from the lower pan having been freed from the free gold by the annular troughs, and the shines (and perhaps, some float gold), having passed off in the over flows, is now discharged on circular table or puddle, in which there is a contrivance to catch any mercury which may have been washed out. The table is fitted with spreader and scraper, which answers a two-fold pur- pose to keep the table clear so as not to impede the mcrcury-saving arrage. ment, and also to collect and discharge the valuable part (pyrites) into the settling box, while the lighter part of the same passes to separate receiver. The overflow is treated by passing through one of Mir. Kensington' anal gamators, particulars of which appear in the Mining Journal of the 18th ult,
 Perhaps not the least valuable part of the whole design is the machine by which the pyrites is thoroughly freed from the worthless matter, and which consists of a globular pan with suita- ble hopper, in which there is revolv- ing stirrer, which causes a vortex. The aperture through which the con centrated material passes is closed by lever and opened at certain intervals of time, allowing the heavier portion to pass out, while the lighter is washed away in the overflow. The machine may not be perfect in. every respect, but it may be regarded as a step in the right direction, and it is hoped that it will excite emulation among those who are interested in gold min in9.-London M. Journal.
 A BLUNT BISHOP. Daniel Wilson, bishop of Calcutta, was most eccen- tric old man. As usual, at family prayare which he iu va ri hlv conduct-