An Improved Machine for Triturating and Amalgamating Gold and Silver Bearing and other Ores.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Lec., 1889-Accepted, 7th June, 1890
An Improved Machine for Triturating and Amalgamating Gold and
Silver Bearing and other Ores.
We JOHN THOMAS PENNY, Mining Agent and WILLIAM HENRY RICHARDSON,
Engineer both of Adelaide in the Province of South Australia do hereby declare that
the nature of our Invention for "AN IMPROVED MACHINE FOR TRITURATING AND
AMALGAMATING GOLD AND SILVER BEARING AND OTHER ORES" and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
Difficulty has been experienced in the treatment of various gold and silver bearing
or other ores owing to the metal which they contain being disseminated through them
in so finely divided a state that a considerable portion of it has been lost. when they
have been treated by ordinary methods, or by appliances at present in use.
The object of our Invention is to provide a machine by means of which ores can be
triturated to extreme fineness before amalgamation or extraction of the metal con-
tained in them by any known process. In combination with our triturating apparatus
we make provision in the same machine for subsequent amalgamation by means of
mercury and amalgamating plates but do not confine ourselves to this or any particular
method of extraction.
Whilst describing our Invention more particularly with reference to gold bearing
ores, we do this for convenience without confining ourselves to this or any special
class. We prefer that the ore when introduced into the machine shall not be in too
finely divided a state, but it should be reduced to an even granulation or fineness.
The special features of our Invention consist of a vat or casing, constructed of
metal plates or other suitable material, and provided with the appliances or apparatus
hereinafter described.
Passing from a shoot into which it is fed from the crusher or battery in regular
quantities, the ore falls upon a triturating plate to which rapid horizontal reciprocal
motion is imparted by a connecting rod led through the side of the vat or casing, and
actuated in any ordinary way. Suitable openings being provided in the triturating
plate the ore passes through them on to the upper face of a stationary plate. Here
the ore receives a first trituration during which it passes in a reduced state through
suitable openings provided in the stationary plate to a lower triturating plate, having
a similar rapid horizontal reciprocal motion to that of the upper triturating plate. In
order to prevent the ore accumulating and caking upon the upper triturating plate, we
provide a series of projecting spikes or harrows depending over its upper surface.
By this means when the triturating plate is in action the mass of ore is kept in
constant motion and readily passes by its own gravity through the openings provided
for the purpose in the stationary plate. We also provide a perforated plate fixed upon
the framework of the spikes or harrows for the purpose of preventing light ores from
floating without trituration into the upper part of the vat or casing. Below the lower
triturating plate we provide a false bottom, upon which it rests, consisting of a series
of plates extending longitudinally the whole length of the vat or casing and laid
loosely on brackets or supports. The plates composing the false bottom are laid at a
short distance apart, so as to allow spikes or harrows fixed to the lower triturating
plate to slide easily between them. These spikes or harrows are constructed of such
length, that they will extend below the face of the plates forming the false bottom,
and are intended to keep in motion the ore, now reduced to a slime, upon the surface
of the mercury or other amalgamator. In our machine, we amalgamate the ore by
means of a bath of mercury placed at the bottom of the vat or casing, and to prevent
the mercury from sickening, we supply electricity to it from an ordinary dynamo. In
order to secure the more perfect amalgamation of any float gold we provide in the

page_text: upper part of the vat or casing a series of amalgamating plates fixed in a frame to
which we impart a slow up and down motion. The amalgamating plates-preferably
three in number are constructed with suitable openings not opposite one another, so
that the water or slimes containing the float gold may circulate between and through
them, when the apparatus is in motion.
In the treatment of certain classes of refractory ores, in order to assist their
amalgamation, before introducing them to the machine we may add such chemicals as
may be necessary to neutralise the deleterious substances in their composition but we
make no claim with respect to this.
In order that our Invention may be the better understood, we will now proceed to
describe the same in detail by reference to the accompanying Drawings in which :-
Fig. I, is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the machine complete.
Fig. II, a cross sectional elevation of the same reduced to half size.
Fig. III, an end elevation of the machine.
Fig. IV, a longitudinal elevation of the same.
Fig. V, a plan of the upper series of spikes or harrows.
Fig. VI, a plan of the upper triturating plate.
Fig. VII, a plan of the false bottom.
Figs. II, to VII, are shewn half size as compared with Fig. I.
Similar letters refer to similar parts in all Figures.
A, is a vat or casing preferably composed of plates of iron bolted together. A', base
plate of vat or casing A. If desired the vat or casing A, may be constructed with a
cover, but it must be provided with a central hopper or shoot into which the ore from
the crusher can be fed. B, open framework fixed to supports provided at the sides
and ends of the vat or casing A. B¹, spikes or harrows projecting downwards from
the framework B. B², perforated plate covering framework B, and provided with a
suitable opening for the ore shoot. C, upper triturating plate composed of iron and steel.
The plate C, should be of such suitable width and length as to move freely in the
vat or casing A, without coming in contact with the sides or ends. C', openings in
the plate C, and preferably cone shaped in order to allow of the free passage of the ores.
D, boss to which the upper triturating plate C, is fixed. D¹, connecting rod, to which
a rapid reciprocal motion is imparted by any suitable means. D2, screw nuts by
means of which the connecting rod D', is secured to the boss D. D³, gland of the
connecting rod D₁, fixed to the end of the vat or casing A, and provided with a
suitable stuffing box in order to prevent the escape of the fluid contents of the
machine. E, stationary triturating plate provided with suitable openings E¹, of
similar shape to the openings C¹. The plate E, should be of such size as to fit loosely
in the vat or casing A, without lateral motion. E², slot in the plate E, of such size
as to allow of the boss D, moving freely. F, lower triturating plate of the same size
as C, and provided with suitable openings F, similar in form to the openings C.
The plate F, is provided with a central opening in which the boss D, fits loosely
thereby imparting a similar reciprocal motion to that of the upper triturating plate C.
F2, spikes or harrows fixed to the lower triturating plate F, and of sufficient length
for the purposes hereinafter described. G, false bottom composed of a series of plates
extending the whole length of the vat or casing A, and laid upon rests or supports
fixed thereto. The upper surface of the plates composing the false bottom G, forms
a triturating face upon which the lower triturating plate F, rests and upon which in
close contact it is carried backwards and forwards by means of the boss D. The
plates forming the false bottom G, should be laid at such distances apart as will allow
of the spikes or harrows F2, passing freely between them. H, bath or well of
mercury placed upon the base plate A'. K, lower vent for drawing of the mercury.
K', vent for removing concentrates. L, upper vent for the escape of the tailings.
M, framework of such size as to move freely up and down in the vat or casing A.
M³, amalgamating plates, fixed in the framework M. M2, suitable openings in the
amalgamating plates M', through which the liquid contents of the vat or casing A,
circulate. M³, central opening in the amalgamating plates M', through which the
feeding shoot passes to the upper triturating plate C. N, jointed suspension rods

page_text: fixed to the framework M.. O, rods or bars by means of which the up and down
motion is imparted to the suspension rods N. P, eccentric, revolving in suitable
bearings fixed to the vat or casing A. Q, connecting rod by means of which motion
is imparted from the eccentric P, to the rods or bars O.
The action of our machine is as follows:-The crushed ore either alone or mixed
with suitable chemicals, is fed in-regulated quantities to the receiving hopper or
shoot, from which it passes through the opening M³, and that of the plate B², through
the apertures in the framework B, to the upper face of the triturating plate C.
Reciprocal motion being imparted to the upper triturating plate C, by means of the
connecting rod D', and the boss D, the ore is kept in constant motion by the spikes
or harrows B', so that by its own gravity it passes freely through the openings C¹³, to
the upper surface of the stationary plate E. The plate B2, meanwhile proventing the
light ore from floating upwards to the escape vent. By the rapid reciprocal action of
the upper triturating plate C, the ore is quickly reduced to greater fineness and in
this condition passes through the openings E, to the upper surface of the lower
triturating plate F, to be further reduced by trituration between the upper face of
the plate F, and the lower face of the stationary plate E, until it passes through the
openings F, to the upper face of the false bottom G, where it receives a final
trituration between the latter and the lower face of the triturating plate F. The
ore is now reduced to a fine slime and is ready for amalgamation or extraction of the
gold by other method. In our machine it now passes through the longitudinal
openings in the false bottom G, to the bath or well of mercury H, where it is kept
constantly stirred by the spikes or harrows F2, until amalgamated. Meanwhile, by
means of the dynamo, or other suitable appliance which may be situated at the place
marked I in the drawings electricity is supplied to the well or bath of mercury H,
with the effect of keeping the latter constantly excited and free from sickening.
As the operation is continued and the slimes accumulate upon the bath or well of
mercury H, the tailings will boil up along the sides and ends of the vat or casing A,
filling the upper part to the level of the outlet tap L, through which they will escape
in a continuous stream. Whilst in the upper portion of the machine the slimes will
come in contact with the amalgamating plates M', and, as the framework M, rises
and falls, will by being forced through the openings M², be compelled to circulate
between the plates M, thus ensuring the amalgamation of any particles of float
gold. As the concentrates accumulate upon the surface of the well or bath of
mercury H, they can be removed through the vent K¹, and through the vent K, the
amalgam can be drawn off when desired for recovery of the gold by retorting in the
usual way.
We wish it to be distinctly understood that, though providing in combination
with the triturating apparatus shewn, a method of amalgamation we do not necessarily
confine ourselves to such combination. It may in practice, with certain classes of
ore, be found preferable to conduct the triturating process in one machine, and in
another the extraction of the gold by amalgamation or other process. When such
a course is intended it is only necessary to retain in the triturating machine, those
parts specially intended for that purpose, the slimes being removed through the
vent K, for further treatment. We may also increase or decrease the number of
triturating plates but propose in any case to construct them in pairs, one plate being
movable and the other stationary. We wish it to be distinctly understood that we
do not confine ourselves to the method of amalgamation shewn in the bath or well
of mercury H, or in the method of applying electricity to the same, nor to the
special method shewn of imparting reciprocal motion to the upper amalgamating
plates but
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 :-
First. The construction of a combined triturating and amalgamating machine for
gold or silver bearing or other ores in which the trituration is effected between the

page_text: faces of plates one of which has a rapid reciprocal motion whilst the other is
stationary, and the after amalgamation by a bath or well of mercury or by suitable
amalgamating plates, substantially as herein described.
Second. In the construction of a triturating machine whether alone or in combina-
tion in the same casing, with an amalgamating appliance, the movable plate C,
provided with suitable openings C', and having rapid horizontal reciprocal motion
imparted by the boss D, and the connecting rod D¹, or by other suitable means
substantially as herein described and shewn in Figs. I, II, and VI.
Third. In the construction of triturating machines having a movable plate such as
C. to which rapid reciprocal motion is imparted, the open framework B, provided
with a series of spikes or harrows B1, substantially as herein described and shewn in
Figs. I, II, and V, and for the purpose indicated.
Fourth. In the construction of triturating machines in which the trituration is
effected by a plate or plates having a rapid horizontal reciprocal action the combina-
tion with the movable plate C, of a stationary plate E, also provided with suitable
openings substantially as herein described and shewn in Figs. I, and II.
Fifth. In the construction of triturating machines, the lower loose plate F, (or a
series of them alternating with stationary plates such as C,) provided with suitable
openings F¹, and having imparted to it a rapid reciprocal motion from the boss D,
or other suitable means substantially as herein described, and shewn in Figs. I,
and II.
Sixth. In the construction of triturating machines, the construction of the lower
plate F, with a series of spikes or harrows F2, projecting downwards substantially
as herein described, and shewn in Figs. I, and II, and for the purpose indicated.
Seventh. In the construction of triturating machines in which the trituration is
effected by a plate or plates having a rapid horizontal reciprocal motion, the false
bottom G, the upper face of which forms a triturating surface in conjunction with
the triturating plate F, and is provided with suitable longitudinal openings in which
the spikes or harrows 2 slide freely, substantially as herein described and shewn in
Figs. I, II, and VII.
Eighth. In the construction of combined triturating and amalgamating machines
the amalgamating plates M', provided with suitable openings, and with a frame-
work M, to which a slow up and down motion is imparted by the bars O, the
connecting rod Q, and the eccentric P, substantially as herein described, and shewn
in Figs. I, and II, and for the purpose indicated.
Dated this Twenty-fifth day of October 189
J. T. PENNY.
W. H. RICHARDSON.
W. P. Thompson & Boult,
Agents for the Applicants.