Improvements in Plant and Process for Smelting Auriferous Antimony and other Ores.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Jan., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 5th Oct., 1896-Accepted, 2nd Jan., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Plant and Process for Smelting Auriferous
Antimony and other Ores.
We, Captain CECIL CLEMENT LONGRIDGE of Leigh, Essex, Consulting and
Mining Engineer, aud GEORGE THOMAS HOLLOWAY of 57, Chancery Lane,
London, Analytical and Consulting Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to an improved system of smelting antimony ores, whereby
also gold, if present, can be extracted.
For this purpose we employ a continuous system of furnaces or chambers,
preferably gas-fired, whereby a constant temperature and a reducing atmosphere
can be better maintained.
The furnaces or chambers consist of liquating, reducing, refining, and starring,
but refining and starring if desired may be conducted in the same furnaces.
When it is desired to extract gold from the ore, a mixing or gold extracting
furnace is interposed between the liquating and the reducing furnace and in this
the gold is extracted from the liquated sulphide by the method hereafter described.
The furnaces are connected by flues for the passage of the furnace gases, so that the
same can at will be led through each successive furnace before entering the
condensing flue or stack, thus effecting economy of heat. But the furnaces are
likewise provided with bye-pass valves and flues so that the combustion gases can
be led round any furnace or furnaces, when repairs are required, or the nature of
the operation conducted renders it advisable.
For the better regulation of the temperature and the independent working of
the furnaces, the same are fitted with auxiliary gas supply. The furnaces are
supplied with the necessary tapping holes, and covered conduits for leading the
metal from one furnace to the other; as also stirring and sight-holes, ore shoots,
doors, etc.
To favour the flow of metal the furnaces are built on an incline or series of
steps, the liqusting furnaces being at the top and the starring furnace at the
bottom of the series.
The gases of combustion may be made to flow upwards or downwards through the
series, according to the position of the stack.
The gold extracting furnace is so constructed as to ensure complete and con-
tinuous mixing of the sulphide with the metallic antimony. We therefore employ
for this purpose either a rotary or an agitating furnace, or a fixed furnace with a
mechanical mixer, a convenient form of the latter being a vertical revolving
spindle driven by cog, worm, friction, or belt-gearing and carrying a fireclay
stirrer, with or without a metal foundation, the same being protected from the
action of the sulphide. The stirrer may be shaped like the blade of a screw
propeller.
We do not bind ourselves to use the gold extracting furnace with the rest of
the above series, but can use the extracting furnace without the sequence if it is
desired to extract the gold and reduce the sulphide elsewhere, or we can use the
series without the extracting furnace if the gold is not to be extracted.
The furnaces are preferably built to work with producer gas as supplied by the
several systems now in use..

page_text: Our method of extracting gold from antimony ores and other auriferous
products when gold is present in a form soluble in antimony or sulphide of
antimony is as follows:-
I. The liquated sulphide freed from gangue if present to any notable extent is
agitated in any suitable furnace or receptacle with metallic antimony which by
reason of its greater affinity extracts the gold present in the sulphide.
II. The liquated sulphide is treated with sufficient metallic iron or other agent
capable of reducing antimony from the sulphide, so as to reduce sufficient
antimony to extract and retain the gold.
III. By a combination of Methods I. and II.
The proportion of antimony used for the gold extraction need only form a small
proportion of the sulphide treated but we preferably employ a quantity equal to
50% or more of the sulphide treated. The metallic antimony and the sulphide
are intimately and continuously mixed by mechanical stirring until the extraction
is judged to be complete. The metallic antimony employed is used with successive
charges of sulphide until it is found sufficiently enriched with gold when it is
withdrawn from the furnace and subjected to oxidation, electrolytical or chemical
processes for the recovery of its gold. It does not appear advisable to enrich the
antimony to more than 100 ounces of gold to the ton.
In describing the methods which we preferably employ for treating antimony
ores we will refer to the ore known as antimonite and consisting of the sulphide of
antimony, as that is the most common ore of antimony..
In the case of Method I. the ore is liquated and the sulphide is run into the
mixing or gold extracting furnace or chamber where it is intimately and con-
tinuously mixed as before described with the metallic antimony so that the
antimony shall come in contact with the maximum amount of the sulphide. When
the extraction is judged complete, the sulphide is removed from the furnace or
chamber and a fresh charge may be treated.
In treating very rich ores with little or no gangue, the liquation might be
conducted in the extracting furnace or chamber if desired.
When treating antimonite by Method II. the liquated sulphide is acted upon by
sufficient metallic iron or other suitable reducing agent to reduce sufficient antimony
to combine with the bulk of the gold and a system of mixing or agitating is
adopted as in the case of Method I.
As ordinary antimonite will dissolve a proportion of the metallic antimony in
the extracting furnace, and thus reduce the bath, the loss may be made good by a
combination of Methods 1. and II. or by introducing fresh antimony as required.
In treating auriferous substances other than ores of antimony we first treat the
same with fused liquated sulphide in which metallic gold is readily soluble and
having thus concentrated the gold in the antimony sulphide we treat the latter as
already described to extract the gold from it.
Dated this 4th dor of Top 100
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.
Improvements in Plant and Process for Smelting Auriferous
Antimony and other Ores.
We, Captain CECIL CLEMENT LONGRIDGE, of Leigh, in the County of Essex,
Consulting and Mining Engineer, and GEORGE THOMAS HOLLOWAY, of
57, Chancery Lane, London, in the County of Middlesex, Analytical and Consulting
Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the

page_text: same is to be perforined, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
Our invention relates to an improved process of smelting antimony ores, whereby
also gold, if present, can be extracted, and for this purpose we employ a continuous
system of furnaces or chambers, preferably gas-fired, whereby a constant temperature
and a reducing atmosphere can be better maintained.
In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan of the general arrangement of
furnaces or chambers so employed, while Figures 2 and 3 are respectively sections
on the lines a, a, and b, b, (Figure 1).
The general arrangement as illustrated onsists of a liquating furnace A, a reducing
furnace C, a refining furnace D, and a starring furnace E; but refining and s.arring if
desired may be conducted in the same furnaces. When it is desired to extract gold
from the ore, a mixing or gold extracting furnace B is interposed between the liquating
furnace A and the reducing furnace C, and in this the gold is extracted from the
liquated sulphide by the method hereafter described. The furnaces are in
communication with flues for the passage of the furnace gases, so that the same can
at will be led through each furnace independently before entering the condensing
flue or stack, or conducted successively throughout the series, and so effect economy
of heat; and the furnaces may likewise be provided with hye-pass valves and
flues so that the combustion gases can be led roun any furnace or furnaces,
when repairs are required, or the nature of the operation conducted renders it.
advisable.
For the better regulation of the temperature and for independent working, the
furnaces are fitted with direct auxiliary gas supply. The furnaces are supplied
with the necessary tapping holes, and c.vered conduits or landers J for leading
the metal from one furnace to the other; as also stirring and sight-holes, or shoots,
doors, etc.
In the actual arrangement illustrated in the drawings it will be seen that the
reducing, refining and starring furnaces CD and E are independently fired from
the gas supply main F, and that provision is made for direct firing of the mixing
chamber or furnace B in a branch F' from the main supply pipe F, but the mixing
chamber or furnace B may be kept at normal temperature by means of the waste
gases from the other furnaces C, D, E, conducted through flues H and nozzle H¹.
In the alternative, however, such waste products may be conducted through a
bye-pass H to the liquating furnace A, a suitable valve I being provided for
regulation as required. The liquating furnace or chamber A may also be fired or
kept at normal temperature by the waste gases passing through the bye-pass H² or.
in the alternative may be fired direct with gas from the main supply pipe F. A
suitable valve is provided for regulation while the gas is admitted into the furnace
at L and passes through the flue K to the chimney stack. A conduit or lander J is
provided for the purpose of conveying the liquated sulphide or other ore to the
mixing chamber as illustrated.
A lauder N is provided for conveying the gold laden antimony from the mixing
chamber B when such has become sufficiently enriched with gold.
To favour the flow of metal the furnaces are built on an incline or series of steps
as illustrated in Figure 3, the liquating furnace A being at the top and the starring
furnace E at the bottom of the series.
The gases of combustion may be made to flow upwards as illustrated or
downwards through the series, according to the position of the stack.
The gold extracting furnace B is so constructed as to ensure complete and
continuous mixing of the sulphide with the metallic antimony. We therefore
employ for this purpose either a rotary or an agitating furnace, or a fixed furnace
with a mechanical mixer, a convenient form of the latter being a vertical revolving
spindle driven by cog, worm, friction, or belt gearing, and carrying a fireclay
stirrer, with or without a metal foundation, the saine being protected from the action
of the sulphide. The stirrer may be shaped like the blade of a screw propeller.
A rotary furnace B is illustrated in the drawings which is driven by means of

page_text: gearing b, b, capable of being operated by manual power, and the furnace rotates
upon rollers a, b, and is provided with an interior lining of refractory material and
a series of ribs ³.
We do not limit ourselves to the use of the geld extracting furnace in connection
with the series of furnaces for the reduction of antimony, but may use the extracting
furnace alone if it is desired to extract the gold and reduce the sulphide elsewhere
or we can use such series without the extracting furnace if the gold is not to
be extracted.
The furnaces are preferably built to work with producer gas from a producer
or plant G as supplied by the several systems now in use.
Our method of extracting gold from antimony ores and other auriferous products
when gold is present in a form soluble in antimony or sulphide of antimony is
as follows.
1. The liquated sulphide or other ore of antimony freed fron gangue if present
to any notable extent is agitated in any suitable furnace or receptacle with
metallic antimony which by reason of its greater affinity extracts the gold present
in the ore.
2. The liquated sulphide or other ore of antimony is treated with sufficient
metallic iron or other agent capable of reducing antimony therefrom, so as to
reduce sufficient antimony to extract aud retain the gold.
3. By a combination of Methods i and 2.
The proportion of antimony used for the gold extraction need only form a small
proportion of the sulphide treated but we preferably employ a quantity equal
to 50% or more of the sulphide treated. The metallic antimony and the sulphide
or other ore are intimately and continuously mixed by mechanical stirring until the
extraction is judged to be complete. The metallic antimony employed is used with
successive charges of ore until it is found sufficiently enriched with gold when it is
withdrawn from the furnace and subjected to oxidation, electrolytic or chemical
processes for the recovery of its gold. It does not appear advisable to enrich the
antimony to more than 100 ounces of gold to the ton.
In describing the methods which we preferably employ for treating antimony
ores we will refer to the ore known as antimonite and consisting of the sulphide of
antimony, as that is the most common ore of antimony.
In the case of Method 1, the ore is liquated and the sulphide is run into the
mixing or gold extracting furnace or chamber B where it is intimately and
continuously mixed as before deseribed with the metallic autimony so that the
antimony shall come in contact with the maximum amount of the sulphide. When
the extraction is judged complete, the sulphide is removed from the furnace or
chamber and a fresh charge may be treated.
In treating very rich ores with little or no gangue, the liquation might be
conducted in the extracting furnace or chamber if desired.
When treating antimonite by Method 2, the liquated sulphide is acted upon by
sufficient metallic iron or other suitable reducing agent to reduce sufficient
antimony to combine with the bulk of the gold and a system of mixing or agitating
is adopted as in the case of Method 1.
As ordinary antimonite will dissolve a proportion of the metallic antimony in
the extracting furnace, and thus reduce the bath, the loss may be made good
by a combination of Methods 1 and 2, or by introducing tresh antimony as required.
In treating auriferous substances other than ores of antimony we first treat the
same with fused liquated sulphide in which metallic gold is readily soluble and
having thus concentrated the gold in the antimony sulphide we treat the latter as
already described to extract the gold from it.
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. A process for the extraction of gold from auriferous antimony ores consisting

page_text: in the admixture by mechanical means of fused metallic antimony with the raw ore
or the liquated sulphide, the extraction being effected by virtue of the greater
affinity of the metallic antimony for the gold, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
2. A process for the extraction of gold from auriferous antiany sulphide ores,
consisting in the addition of so much metallic iron or other agent as will reluce
sufficient antimony from the ore, and the intimate admixture thereof by mechanical
means, for the ultimate purpose of extracting the gold from the ore by virtue of
the greater affinity of the antimony so produced for the gold, substantially as
hereinhefore described.
3. A process for the extraction of gold from antimony sulphide ores consisting
in the addition in the process described in Claim No. 1, of sufficient metallic iron
to the liquated ore to make good the loss of metallic antimony due to the
solvent action of the sulphide ore, and in the intimate admixture by mechanical
means so as to effect the extraction of the gold substantially as hereinbefore
described.
4. A. combined process for the extraction of gold and the production of antimony
from auriferous antimony ores, consisting in the addition to the liquated ore of
metallic antimony and in the intimate admixture thereof by mechanical means, so
as to effect in virtue of greater affinity the combination of the antimony with the
contained gold, for its eventual recovery by oxidation of the antimony or by
electrolytical or chemical separation; and the subsequent reduction of the ore for
the production of metallic antimony by singling, doubling and starring substantially
as hereinbefore described.
5. In the process for the treatment of antimony ores as claimed in the preceding
claims, the provision and use of liquating, extracting, reducing, refining and
starring furnaces or chambers in communication one with the other by flues for the
passage of the furnace gases for firing independently or in series, and by landers
for the flow of the molten metal from one to the other without exposure to the
atmosphere thereby minimising volatilization or oxidation substantially as herein-
before described.
6. The process and plant. for the reduction of antimony ores substantially as and
for the purposes hereinbefore described.
7. The process for extracting gold from auriferous substances other than
antimony ores, whereby the gold is first extracted by treatment with fused anti-
mony sulphide and is then extracted from the latter by means of metallic
antimony substantially as herein before described.
Dated this 5th day of October 1896.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.