The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1893-09-09
BLACK SAND GOLD.
Cheap Method Of Extraction---Recent
Discoveries by an Experimenter.

Cheap Method Of Extraction---Recent
Discoveries by an Experimenter.
Documents have been received
Washington, D. c., which grant
patent rights on a new method of
extracting gold from black sand.
This sand is found side by side with
the ordinary sea shore sand all along
this coast, from San Diego to Alas
ka, as we'll as in many other parts
of the world, invariably, however,
more or less close to the banks of
large rivers, seas and oceans. 1t is
no news to state that this sand con-
tains gold. The fact has been rec
ognized for years. The great diff
Guilty, however, has been to extract
the gold. 1t exists in the most mi
mute particles, varying in quantity
from 50 so to $50 to the ton of sand.
1t is always associated with other
minerals and metals, such as iron,
and is all but invariably covered
with thin film of magnesium. To
obtain the gold, free from the other
metals, and particularly from the
at anything like pay
ing cost, has been a stumbling block
in the way of the gold-seeker. In
the laboratory it has, of course,
been done, and then analysis has
proved it's existence in this black
sand in the amounts stated. In
crude way the gold can be separated
by panning, but it is very slow, un-
remunerative method. Thus men,
women and children spend their
lives on the banks of the Amazon
panning gold, but the profits are
not more than fifty cents to 81 day.
Even on the beach mile or two
south from the Cliff House this
primitive panning is done.
After six years of study and ex-
pertinent and after spending $4,000
in his efforts, a local inventor be-
lieves that he has solved the prob
lem, and his attorney, who is inter
ested with the inventor, is no less
firm believer in his partners and
clients success.
For three months plant has
been in operation, and the inventor
claims that he has been taking out
from SIS to $40 ton steadily at a
cost of about 81 a ton. Two men can
handle ten tons of sand day, and
as it is found in such great abund-
ance there is neither much labor
nor cost in getting it. The inventor
is so confident that he extracts
every atom of gold that he makes a
standing offer of $40 "color" for
anything out of the tailings of his
mill. Incidental to this discovery
the inventor has found a cheap
method of extracting ore from sui
phurets and an easy method OF ex-
tracing aluminium.
Brify told, his method of extract
ing gold from black sand has not
been to destry the iron, magnesium,
etc., but merely to set the gold free
and otherwise leave the sand intact.
The plant consists of a cylinder AZ
inches long and % inches in diam
eter, with a manhole in the side.
The sand is put in at the manhole
and water added. To the mixture
certain chemicals are then added,
combined in a manner which is the
secret of the method. The cylinder
is put in motion and symultane-
ously an electric current of fifty
amperes and six volts is turned into
the cylinder contents, much as an
electrolising bath. After twenty
minutes revolution the manhole is
opened, the sand is dumped into a
hopper and passes on to concen-
traitor and amalgamator. The gold
unites with the quicksilver of the
amalgamator and is then scraped off
and retorted, the sand having been
washed away by the stream of wa
ter which passes over the inclined
and gently-shaking amalgamator.
The theory is that the chemicals
and electric current act on the gold
alone.
The inventor has samples of the
crude sand, the amalgam and the
pure gold. The chemicals used, be
says, are very cheap and quite or
dinary. Their combination, how
ever, is a secret, and the result, be
declares, speaks for itself whether
the theories be right or wrong.
Many miners have become inter
ested in the plant and propositions
have been made to the inventor to
form a close proposition. These
offers, however, he has declined, as
he has no desire to make the re-
suits of his discoveries the exclu-
siye property of any body of men.
San Francisco Chronicle.
An Appeal for Hayseed.