Certain Improvements in the Amalgams, and Method of Applying the same, Used in Amalgamation of Gold and Silver.
Year: 1889

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Certain Improvements in the Amalgams, and Method of Applying
the same, Used in Amalgamation of Gold and Silver.
We, MILLARD JOHNSON of Punt Road, Saint Kilda, near Melbourne, in the Colony
of Victoria, Analytical Chemist, WILLIAM EDDINGTON FIELD of the same place,
Analytical Chemist, and JOSEPH SAMUEL BEEMAN of Harbledown, Carlisle Street,
Saint Kilda aforesaid, Engineer and Electrician, 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 :-
Our invention relates to, or has reference to, certain improvements in the amalgams,
and method of applying the same, used in amalgamation of gold and silver when in,
or after being reduced by any suitable process to, a free metallic state from suitable
auriferous and argentiferous ores, pyrites, sulphides, and other materials, either in their
unroasted or roasted state.
The objects of our invention are ;—
Firstly. The prevention of the mercury used in our amalgams from sickening, or
flouring, or floating, and:
Secondly. If our amalgam (or mercury as hitherto used) is sickened or floured,
of causing the particles to reunite or quicken or revive.
The invention consists of a new or improved amalgam, consisting of mercury with
the addition thereto of a small quantity (varying according to the constitution or
nature of the ore or material to be treated) of another suitable metal, (sodium and
potassium excepted) by preference zinc or cadmium or magnesium or a suitable alloy
of any one or more metals, which is mixed or placed in any suitable amalgamating
machine, such as a Chilian Mill or Arastra pan, with the crushed ore or material, and
they are then subsequently immersed in, or washed with, a solution consisting of
water with the addition thereto, and according to the amalgam used, or the machine
used, or the nature of the ore or material under treatment, of sulphuric acid, hydro-
chloric acid, or any other suitable acid, or caustic potash, or any other suitable alkali,
chloride of ammonia, or any other suitable salt, and thus producing or liberating
hydrogen gas on or from the surface or neighbourhood of our amalgam.
The effect or purpose of the addition of any of the said acids, or alkalis, or salts,
to the aforesaid amalgam as above described, containing the proper proportion of zinc
or any suitable metal or alloy, is to liberate or produce hydrogen gas on the surfaces
or neighbourhood of the particles or globules of our amalgam to a greater or less
extent, depending on the strength and quantity used of such acid or alkali or salt,
and thereby effects our objects of, firstly, preventing of the mercury used in our
amalgams from sickening or flouring or floating, and secondly, if our amalgam, or
mercury as hitherto used, is sickened or floured, of causing the particles to re-unite
or quicken or revive.
The proper proportion of zinc or other suitable metal or alloy to a given quantity
of mercury, so as to form the amalgam, varies according to the nature or character of
the ore or material under treatment, and can only be definitely settled for any particular
ore or material by direct experiment. We have however found that one part of zinc
or other suitable metal or alloy to ninety nine parts of mercury forms a suitable and
convenient amalgain for the average class of ores and materials met with.
We wish it to be understood that the metals used to compose our amalgams need
not be in any case chemically pure, but that they will be suitable as ordinarily sold
in commerce.
We wish it to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to any particular mode,
method or manner of manufacture of our amalgams, either mechanically, chemically,
or by galvanic agency. or by heat.
Another way in which we can apply or carry our invention into effect is by using

page_text: or adding particles of zinc or other suitable metal or alloy, as previously described,
to the mercury whilst the same is being used in any suitable form or kind of
amalgamating machine or plates or pans, or after the mercury or pold or silver
amalgam has been taken out of or from such machines, plates or pans, and of adding
thereto any suitable acid or alkali or salt, or solution thereof, as before mentioned,
capable of, or with the purpose or effect of, liberating or producing hydrogen gas
from the surface or neighbourhood of our amalgam and for the objects hereinbefore
set forth.
Another way in which we can apply or carry our invention into effect is by mixing
mercury, the ore or material, and the before mentioned suitable solution of acid or
alkali or salt, together and allowing them to flow over, on or under one or more
suitable plates. rifles or their equivalent, or a combination of them, the said plates,
rifles or their equivalent being covered or furnished with our before mentioned
amalgam of mercury and zinc, or any suitable metal or alloy as previously described,
for the purpose or effect of the production or liberation of hydrogen gas, and for
the objects herein before set forth.
Another way in which we can apply or carry our invention into effect is by using
a plate or disc or bowl or other suitable vessel or machine, made of, or lined wholly
or partially with, zinc or other suitable metal or alloy, whereon or wherein the
mercury together with the ore to be treated are triturated or ground with a suitable
grinding apparatus, whereby particles of the zinc or other suitable metal or alloy are
separated by such trituration or grinding and combine with, or are mixed with,
the mercury placed therein or thereon, thereby forming the amalgam herein before
described.
It is obvious that there are other ways in which our invention can be applied
or carried into effect without departing from its nature or principle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
1. The use of an amalgam composed of mercury and another suitable metal, (sodium
and potassium excepted) by preference zinc or cadmium or magnesium or a suitable
alloy of any one or more metals, when introduced into or brought in contact with,
immersed in, or subjected to the action of, suitably acidulated water, or suitable
alkaline water, or water containing a suitable salt in solution, which will produce or
liberate hydrogen gas in or from the surface or neighbourhood of our amalgam for
the objects set forth and substantially as described.
2. The use of, or addition of, particles of another suitable metal, (sodium and
potassium excepted) by preference zinc or cadmium or magnesium, or a suitable alloy
of one or more metals, to mercury whilst the same is being used in any form or kind
of amalgamating machine or plates or pans, or after the mercury or gold or silver
amalgam has been taken out of or from such machines or pans and any such acid or
alkali or salt, or solution thereof, as is herein before described, or any other suitable
acid or alkali or salt capable of, or having the purpose or effect of, liberating or
producing hydrogen gas from or on the surface or neighbourhood of the amalgam on
its being immersed in, or subjected to the action of, water, when used for the objects
set forth and substantially as described.
3. The use (in the amalgamation of ores or materials by mercury) of any of the
before mentioned or any other suitable acids or alkalies or salts in or as a solution
used in combination with mercury and ore or material flowing over on or under, or
brought into contact or combination with, any suitable plate, riffle or their equivalent
(or any suitable combination of them) the said plate, riffle or their equivalent being
covered or furnished with our before mentioned amalgam, composed of mercury and
another suitable metal, (sodium and potassium excepted) by preference zinc or
cadmium or magnesium or suitable alloy of any one or more metals for the purpose
or effect of producing or liberating hydrogen gas and when used for the objects
hereinbefore set forth and substantially as described.

page_text: 4. The mode or manner of regulating the production or liberation of hydrogen gas
on or in or from the surface or neighbourhood of our amalgam, by the use of, or by
means of adding, more or less of the before mentioned suitable acids or suitable alkalis
or suitable salts, when used for the objects hereinbefore set forth and substantially as
described.
1
000
MILLARD JOHNSON.
WILLIAM EDDINGTON FIELD.
JOSEPH SAMUEL BEEMAN.
By Harris & Mills,
23, Southampton Buildings, Agents.
Dated this on day of vanuary 200
MILLARD JOHNSON.
WILLIAM EDDINGTON FIELD.
JOSEPH SAMUEL BEEMAN.
By Harris & Mills,
23, Southampton Buildings, Agents.