New-York tribune., 1902-03-16
NEW WAY TO TREAT ORE.
y CHEMICAL PROCESS. USING BRONIINE,
TO BE TRIED IN COLORADO.

new method of treating gold ores is about 10
be tried i'm the vicinity of Colorado city. When
particles of free sold embedded IN quartz II is
sufficient to grind the latter powder and carry
the powder IN stream cf water over plates COW
cred with mercury. The latter seizes the precious
metal while the refuse flows Onward and escapes
If there is ,hemiCaI union with other substances.
however. "a different line of procedure becomes
necessary. An attempt is made TO ALLEVIATE ths
gold fiom its fist association by affecting new
chemical combinations and then bringing about
a complete divorce.
In the 'chlorinatlon' process for instance. pull
veriZad ore is shaken up with chloride Of lime.
sulphuric acid and water. and solution OF chloride
of gold secured. This, being filtered of, is treated
with pure sulphur and sulphur compounds. and Is
thus changed into a sulphdc which is deposited
in powder. pressed into a cake and finally
heated in furnace with n.tre and borax- The
cyanide process makes OF cyanide OF potas-
stun in = somewhat similar way. \ solution OF
cyanide of gold Is produced. and the metal is
precipltated by compelling the fluid 10 flow over
zine shavinss. One great virtue of these methods
is that of the chemicals employed be
used and again and hence the cost of
the treatment is low. Both the chloTinaton and
cyanide processes make II possible To work at
profit low grace ores. which were once unremuner-
ative.
The method about 70 be tried near Colorado
City resembles both of these, but makes OF
another chemical e!cnenl, 5romine- IL has long
been known that this substance has a powerful
affinity for gold and hence would coax that metal
away from almost any other alliance. Indeed. II is
probably the best solvent that chemistry can sup
ply. Stil since there Was apparently no way n
the bromlnc for subsequent use. after once
treating with It, of II not
omical agent Now. It is asserted, a method of
saving the bromine has beer fund Henry Cassel,
who has had much experience with the cyanide
process. IS credited wi,h the discovery This pro-
cess has already been tried In Australia under the
auspices of London capitalists and gratifying re-
suits reported. Mr. Cassels American rights
are controlled by the Telluride Reduction Com
pany. which is putting W the plant AT Colorado
City. The hitter venture. therefore. Is not alto
gether ar experiment u believed that OreJ
yielding only IS ton 5e worked by the new
system a a profit.
According The Colorado Springs Telegraph
the bromiue process resembles the chlorinaton
and cyanide processes in the preliminary stages.
The ore must Re ground and roasted before being
treated chemically. NO details Of the method
supplied however.
The works at Colorado ,ity Will proba bly, oe
ready for opera tionS within the next few weeks
II Is hoped that the sampler will be In service
about the middle March and the first lot ot lNO
tons worked some time q GIT,-C.the following month
Already the plant is being enlarged beyond tS
original dimensions, and IS expected soon to have
a CAPACITY OF 6O tons daily The technical and
financial results OF the enterprise will be watched
with eagerness by metallurgssts and owners ot
gold mines all over the United States