IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND IN APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING GOLD AND SILVER FROM THEIR ORES BY AMALGAMATION
Year: 1884

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATIO
I HERBERT MAGUIRE WHITEHEAD of the Conservative Club, St. James, London,
Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE METHOD OF AND IN APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING GOLD AND SILVER FROM
THEIR ORES BY AMALGAMATION” to be as follows:-
'
The object of my invention is to construct or arrange a machine or apparatus in
such a manner that Gold and Silver associated with or contained in quartz and
other stone and earthy matter, can be extracted in a more economical and efficient
manner than has hitherto been done.
The machine or apparatus consists of a shallow pan made of iron, steel or other
metal fitted with an air tight cover. The pan may be constructed in a round,
square or any other form most advantageous.
The lower portion of the pan is divided into several compartments the partitions
of which vary in height from 2 inches to 3 feet. The top or cover is arranged in
a like way.
On the top, side, or end, of the apparatus I fix an exhauster for producing a
vacuum within the apparatus, or I use a blower for forcing the Ore through the
mercury. On the bottom, top, side, or end I fix an entrance pipe for conveying
the Ore to be treated.
For effectually extracting the Gold and Silver from their Ores or other matter,
I fill the pan partially with Quicksilver or other amalgamating agent so that the
bottom partitions are slightly above its surface. I then cause the Ore which may
be either in suspension in water, as from stamps, or in the condition of a dry
powder as from Pulverizers to enter the first compartment above the surface of the
amalgamating metal, from which it is drawn down beneath it, and under the
inverted partition and thence to the surface in the next compartment and so on
until the Ore has passed through a series of amalgamating chambers in such a way
that each particle of ore is entirely surrounded by the amalgamating medium many
times over and the Gold and Silver extracted in the most rapid manner.
To prevent the Quicksilver "flouring". I employ Sodium Amalgam, or other
chemical products or mechanical agents or electricity in combination with the
apparatus.

page_text: Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for “IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE METHOD OF AND IN APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING GOLD AND SILVER FROM
THEIR ORES BY AMALGAMATION," and in what manner the same is to be performed
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following stateinent:
The object of my invention is to construct or arrange a machine or apparatus in
such a manner that gold and silver-associated with or contained in quartz and.
other stone and earthy matter, can be extracted in a more economical and efficient
_manner-than-has-hitherto-been-done.-
The-machine-or-apparatus-consists of-a-tooth-edged plate of iron, steel or other
inetal fitted with an air tight casing shaped to suit the flow of the ore, and so made
that any number can be attached to each other according to the nature of the ore
treated.
'i
On the top, side or end I fix an exhauster for producing a vacuum within the
apparatus, or I use a blower for forcing the ore through the mercury.
At the other end, either top, bottom, or side, I fix an entrance pipe for-conveying
the ore to be treated.
For effectually extracting-the-gold-and-silver-from-their-ores-or-other-matter-T-
partially fill the pan with quicksilver or other amalgamating agent, so that the
toothed edge of the parting plate is slightly below its surface, I then cause the ore
which may be either in suspension in water as from stamps or in the condition of
a dry powder as from Pulverizers to enter the first compartment above the surface
of the amalgamating metal, from which it is drawn down beneath it and under the
inverted partition and thence to the surface in the next compartment, and so on
until the ore has passed through a series of amalgamating chambers in such a
manner that each particle of ore is entirely surrounded by the amalgamating
medium many times over, and the gold and silver. extracted in the most rapid
manner.
To prevent the quicksilver "flouring " I employ sodium amalgam or other chemical
products, or mechanical agents or electricity in combination with the apparatus.
Some of the advantages of this machine are;. " -
1. Simplicity of construction and operation compactness and durability through
having no working parts to get out of order.
:
2. Great economy in the cost of mercury, the amount required to charge this
machine being very small in proportion to the quantity of ore treated.
3.6
3. Adaptability for use in distant countries where conveyance and package is a
serious matter, as these machines are made in sections of small dimensions easily
connected.
4. Each compartment although securely closed is provided with a gunge glass
which enables the operator to ascertain accurately the internal working of the
machine, and to regulate the exhauster accordingly.
""

page_text: 5. The peculiar form of this machine so reduces the space within which the
process is performed that the supply of water is reduced to a minimum in proportion
to the quantity of oro treated.
6. The thorough manner in which the separation of the precious metal is made,
by being so often mado to pass through the mercury.
The annexed sheet of drawings clearly show my invention in which Figure 1
shows longitudinal section and elevation of the machine, A. A is the cast iron
casing faced and attached with bolts which pass through the dividing plato B
which plate has its lower edge toothed like a saw for the equal distribution of the
ore passing through the mercury, J is the exhauster attached to the outlet branch D.
Figure 2 is an end view of outlet end showing door C for removing the amalgam
and outlet branch D for attaching exhauster and lugs or feet E for supporting the
machine upon suitable beams F and guage glass K provided with cocks for drawing
off the mercury and determining the action of the exhauster upon the discharge.
Figure 3 is a plan of the machine showing inlet orifice H which is the full
width of the machine for the purpose of spreading the ore along the surface of the
mercury.
"
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
The improved method as herein before described of treating ores for extracting
gold and silver by amalgamation and the construction and employment of the
apparatus shown in the annexed drawings all as set forth.
The 27th day of May 1885.
H. GARDNER,
166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said H. M. Whitehead,