Improvements in the Extraction of Metals from Ore or other Material containing them, and Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Jan., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 6th Nov., 1890-Accepted, 6th Dec., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Extraction of Metals from Ore or other
Material containing them, and Apparatus therefor.
I, JOHN EDLINGTON CHASTER, of 7 Regent Place, Shawlands, in the County of
Renfrew North Britain, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:—
This invention relates to a process for extraction of metals from ore. It is more
particularly applicable to the extraction of gold from its ore, but may with advantage
be applied to other metals which amalgamate with mercury. The extraction is
accomplished by amalgamation with mercury, and the mercury is kept active by means
of a current of electricity. The apparatus by which this extraction of gold or other
metals from the ore is accomplished, consists of a trough containing mercury. In
this trough there is a framework carrying an anode, between which and the mercury
a current of electricity passes--the mercury thus forming the cathode-while the ore
in a finely divided state is floated along the surface of the mercury. Between the
anode and the mercury there is a porous diaphragm, which may be made of cloth, or
raw bide, or other suitable substance. This diaphragm is attached to the framework
carrying the anode. The framework also carries a shoot through which the ore and
water is supplied. The ore is driven along the surface of the mercury, and under-
neath the diaphragm, by a sufficient head of water in the shoot. The bottom of the
framework is shaped so that the diaphragm slopes up from the place where the ore
first comes in contact with the mercury to the place where water and the tailings are
discharged. The area of the anode is nearly as large as the surface of the mercury
so that the current of electricity is free to pass between the anode and the whole
surface of the mercury. The framework carrying the anode, diaphragm, and shoot is
supported so as to be capable of being rapidly moved from side to side. This move-
ment of the diaphragm on the surface of the mercury keeps the latter in constant
motion, and thus allows the ore to mix freely with clean mercury, which facilitates
the amalgamation of the gold or other metal. The gold or other metal, after
amalgamation with the mercury is extracted in the usual way.
The invention may also be applied to the extraction of metal from sweepings of
jewellers' shops.
Dated this 7th day of January 1890.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Extraction of Metals from Ore or other
Material containing them, and Apparatus therefor..
1, JOHN EDLINGTON CHASTER, of 7 Regent Place, Shawlands, in the County of
Renfrew, North Britain, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to a process for extraction of metals from ore in the manner
hereinafter indicated. It is more particularly applicable to the extraction of gold
from its ore, but may also with advantage be applied to other metals which amalga-
mate with mercury.
The extraction is accomplished by amalgamation with mercury, and the mercury is
kept active by means of a current of electricity.

page_text: The apparatus by which the extraction of gold or other metals from the ore is
accomplished consists of a trough containing mercury. In this trough there is a
framework carrying an anode, between which and the mercury a current of
electricity passes (the mercury thus forming a cathode) while the ore in a finely
divided state is floated along the surface of the mercury. Between the anode and the
mercury there is a porous diaphragm which may be made of cloth or raw hide or
other suitable substance. This diaphragm is attached to the framework carrying the
anode. The framework also carries a shoot or pipe through which the ore and water
is supplied. The ore in a pulverised or equivalent condition is driven along the
surface of the mercury and underneath the diaphragm by a sufficient head of water in
the shoot or pipe. The bottom of the framework is shaped so that the diaphragm
slopes up from the place where the ore first comes in contact with the mercury to
the place where water and the tailings are discharged. The area of the anode is
nearly as large as the surface of the mercury so that the current of electricity is free
to pass between the anode and the whole surface of the mercury. The framework
carrying the anode, diaphragm, and shoot is supported so as to be capable of being
rapidly moved from side to side. This movement of the diaphragm on the surface
of the mercury keeps the latter in constant motion, and thus allows the ore to mix
freely with clean mercury which facilitates the amalgamation of the gold or other
metal. The gold or other metal after amalgamation with the mercury is extracted in
the usual way.
The invention may also be applied to the extraction of metal from sweepings of
jewellers' shops.
In order that my invention may be properly understood and readily carried into
effect I have hereunto appended three explanatory sheets of drawings, in the
several figures of which corresponding parts are marked with the same letters of
reference.
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section.
Figure 2 is a plan.
Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section through the line xx.
A A is an iron trough containing the mercury.
B B is the framework carrying the anode C, which may be of lead, platinoid,
carbon, or other suitable substance for forming the anode.
This
The bottom of the framework is perforated as shown in Figures 1 and 3, and on the
underside of this perforated bottom there is fixed a porous diaphragm.
diaphragm may be inade of strong canvas, raw bide, or any other suitable substance.
In the apparatus described and illustrated in the drawings the anode is placed on the
top of the perforated bottom but I may attach it to the underside of the perforated
bottom and in contact with the porous diaphragm. The framework also carries shoots
or pipes D through which the ore and water is supplied. The pulverised ore is driven
along the surface of the mercury by a sufficient head of water in the shoot. The
framework is placed in the trough, so that the diaphragm slopes up from the place
where the ore first comes in contact with the mercury to the place where the water
and tailings are discharged. The framework carrying the anode, diaphragm, and
shoot is supported by springs E, so as to be capable of being moved from side to side.
This may be done by a revolving shaft, carrying a grooved cam F, in the groove of
which a pin G attached to the outside of the shoot works while the far end of the
framework is pivoted at H, Figures 1 and 2. a, is a perforated iron plate or wire
gauze through which the water and tailings escape but which prevents globules of
mercury being carried along with the tailings.
A current of electricity from a battery or small dynamo is kept flowing from the
anode through the water and ore as it passes along the surface of the mercury to the
mercury, which thus forms the cathode.
The process of extracting the metal from the ore is as follows:-
and a
The ore in a finely divided state is mixed with water and fed into the shoots or
pipes D, while the framework is kept in motion by the revolving shaft F,
current of electricity is kept flowing between the anode and cathode. Water and ore

page_text: is fed into the shoots or pipes until there is a sufficient head of water in the shoots
or pipes to overcome the head of mercury in the trough, and drive the water and ore
along the surface of the mercury. The rate at which the ore is driven along the
mercury can be regulated to suit different ores by adjusting the slope of the bottom of
the framework carrying the anode. The ore first comes in contact with a certain
pressure above atmospheric pressure and as it passes along the surface of the mercury
the pressure gradually diminishes, and the tailings emerge from under the diaphragm
at the atmospheric pressure, having parted with most of the gold or other metal which
amalgamates with the mercury. The treating of the ore under pressure and the
motion of the framework ensure a free mixture of each particle of the ore with the
mercury, and the electrification of the mercury keeps it in an active condition.
Thus almost all the gold or other metal can be extracted even from refractory ores.
In some cases 1 find that the extraction of metals from refractory ores is assisted
and is more perfectly accomplished by the application of heat. I therefore provide a
chamber I underneath the mercury trough through which steam or hot water can be
made to circulate in order to keep the mercury
hot.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. The extraction of gold or other metals from ore by means of apparatus such as
that hereinbefore referred to the mercury amalgamation being effected by the aid of
a current of electricity kept flowing between an anode and the mercury and through
the ore as it passes along the surface of the mercury, substantially as herein before
described.
2. In the extraction of gold or other metals from ore by means of amalgamation
with mercury an arrangement by which pressure greater than atmospheric pressure at
the place where the ore first comes in contact with the mercury is obtained
substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3. In apparatus such as is herein described and employed for the extraction of gold
or other metals from ore by amalgamation with mercury the use of a moveable
framework carrying the anode.
4. In apparatus for the extraction of gold or other metals from ore by amalgamation
with mercury the use in combination of a moveable framework carrying the anode and
of currents of electricity passing from the anode through the finely divided ore to the
mercury which is kept hot in the manner and for the purpose substantially as
described.
Dated this 5th day of November 1890.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents.