improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for the Extraction of Gold and Silver from their Ores by Amalgamation.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Mar., 1899
Complete Specification Left. 7th Dec... 1889-Accepted, 25th Jan., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for the Extraction of
Gold and Silver from their Ores by Amalgamation.
I, THOMAS ROWLAND JORDAN, of the firm of T. B. Jordan & Son, Engineers, of
15 George Street, Mansion House, in the City of London, do hereby declare 'the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to machinery or apparatus for receiving auriferous or
argentiferous sand and distributing the same over the surfaces of copper plates
amalgamated with mercury.
The object of my said invention is to ensure a perfectly even distribution of the
particles absolute frictional contact between the particles and the surface of the
plates, and also the repeated association and immersion of the particles in metallic
mercury.
In my improved machine, the manipulation of the gold-bearing sand is effected
in a closed cylindrical casing which can be secured under lock and key. The said
casing is constructed in halves connected by a vertical hinge, so that it can be
opened and closed at will. The said casing has fixed therein one above another
four or any other suitable number of amalgamated copper plates slightly inclining
downward towards the centre. These plates are also constructed in halves, the
half-plates being attached to the halves of the casing in such a manner as to form
complete circular inclined trays with a hole in the centre, when the casing is
closed. Around the upper portion of each of these trays and near the casing,
there is a deep corrugation. When the machine is closed, these corrugations
form circular wells of any desired depth and width designed to contain mercury.
Copper partitions divide the surface of the mercury in these wells and these
partitions are so arranged that the sand and water must pass under the partitions
and through the mercury. In the centre of this casing but independent thereof,
is arranged a vertical spindle to which is attached a series of dished copper
plates also amalgamated. These dished plates are so formed that the surface of
the plate is nearly horizontal close to the spindle, and becomes gradually steeper
towards the edge or periphery of the plate. The said dished plates are less in
diameter than the casing and are so arranged on the spindle that, when the casing
is closed around the spindle, the stationary plates attached to the casing and the
plates attached to the spindle are arranged alternately.
Underneath the casing and also surrounded by it is a conical settling pit or
concentrating well; from the bottom of this well an up-current of water under
pressure is introduced; there is an outlet from the said well at any required level
and a series of arms project radially from the vertical spindle (which extends to the
bottom of this well); the said arms revolving with the spindle, create a constant
agitation of the water and sand in the said well.
The action of my improved machine is as follows, viz.:-the vertical spindle is
revolved at any required speed, through gearing, or direct by a belt, and 'the
auriferous sand with a proper supply of water is fed into the machine from a hopper
or automatic feeder placed directly above the centre of the casing. The material
falls from the said hopper or feeder on to the first dished plate, which is revolving
at a sufficient velocity to cause the particles, by centrifugal force to pass up the
inclined surface of the plate. The centrifugal force is naturally augmented as
the distance from the centre increases, and, as above stated, the angle or inclina-
tion of the surface of these dished plates becomes steeper towards the periphery
thereof; it follows, therefore, that the particles are by this means brought into

page_text: frictional contact with the amalgamated surface of the plate, the friction increasing
in exact ratio with the centrifugal force, which overcomes the resistance due to
the increasing angle or inclination of the surface of the dished plate, this admits
of the velocity being so regulated as to impart centrifugal force only sufficient to
overcome the resistance of the various angles of the plate so that a proper speed
of the particles of sand over the surface of the plate is uniformly maintained.
The sand is thus thrown off the first revolving plate, and is delivered on to the
stationary inclined plate next below it. By reason of the angle or inclination of
this plate, the sand and water pass through the mercury-well above described,
and over the plate to the centre, when they fall through the hole in the stationary
plate on to the second revolving plate. The same action then occurs through the
entire series of plates in the machine, the precious metal being retained in the
form of amalgam on the plate or in the mercury-wells.
Having passed over the copper plates, the sand falls into the concentrating-well,
at the lower end of the machine, the lighter portions passing away in the form
of tailings with the water, and the heavy or metallic portions and any sickened
mercury or amalgam being retained in the concentrating-well, whence it may be
drawn off at suitable intervals from a stand-pipe arranged for the purpose at the
bottom of this well.
In treating certain descriptions of ores, I apply an electric current to this
machine.
When treating dry sand, the angle or inclination of the stationary plates is
greatly increased so as to facilitate the passage of the sand over the surface of the
said plates, and the well at the bottom of the machine is replaced by delivery pipes
or chambers through which an air-blast or current is passed to deliver the tailings;
these pipes or chambers are fitted with conical concentrating-boxes, over which
the air-current passes and into which the heavier particles will drop.
Dated this 18th day of March 1889.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for the Extraction of
Gold and Silver from their Ores by Amalgamation.
1, THOMAS ROWLAND JORDAN, of the firm of T. B. Jordan and Son, of 15 George
Street, Mansion House, in the City of London, 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:-
My invention relates to machinery or apparatus for extracting gold or silver from
auriferous or argentiferous sand by distributing such sand and causing it to pass
with considerable friction over the surfaces of copper plates amalgamated with
mercury.
The object of my said invention is to ensure a perfectly even distribution of the
particles over the amalgamated surfaces, absolute frictional contact between the
particles and the said surfaces, and also, in some instances, the repeated associa-
tion of the particles with, and their immersion in, fluid mercury.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure is a plan, partly in horizontal section, and
Figure 2 a vertical central section of one form of my improved apparatus.
Figure 3 is a vertical central section, and
Figure 4 an end elevation, partly in tranverse section, showing another form
or modification of the said apparatus.
Figure 5 is a horizontal section on the line, a Figure 3, some of the parts being
removed.

page_text: Figure 6 is a plan of a portion of the apparatus shown in Figures 3 to 5, some
of the parts being removed.
Figure 7 is a verucal section illustrating a detail of construction hereinafter
described.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
is a closed cylindrical casing in which the manipulation of the gold-bearing or
silver-bearing sand is effected. This casing is constructed in halves so connected
that it can be opened and closed at will and can be secured when closed by means
of a lock and key. The said casing has fixed therein, one above another, anaiga-
mated copper plates or trays B slightly inclining downward towards the centre and
provided with a central aperture B. In the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2,
there are four of these plates and in that shown in Figures 3 to 6 there are live of
the said plates; there may, however, be any other suitable number thereof. These
plates are also constructed in halves, the half-plates being attached to the halves
of the casing in such a manner as to form, when the casing is closed, complete
circular inclined trays each having a central hole.
In the centre of the casing A and extending through the said holes B', is
arranged a vertical spindle D to which is attached a series of dished copper plates
E also amalgamated, and designed to be rotated with the said spindle. The
dished plates E are so formed that the surface of the plate is nearly horizontal
close to the spindle D and is curved upward or becomes gradually steeper towards
the edge or periphery of the plate, that is to say, the plate becomes more and more
inclined to the horizontal plane as the distance from the centre increases. It is
not absolutely necessary that the incline of the said plates should commence at
the spindle; if desired the said plates may be made with a horizontal portion of
greater or less diameter surrounding the said spindle and surrounded by the
inclined portion which becomes steeper towards the periphery. The peculiar
formation of the plates E constitutes an important feature of my said invention as
will hereinafter appear. The said dished plates are of less diameter than the
casing A and are so fixed upon the spindle D, that when the casing is closed
around the said spindle, the stationary plates B attached to the casing A and the
rotating dished plates E attached the spindle D are arranged alternately. A
feeding hopper or funnel A3 is provided in the cover A3 of the said casing for the
introduction of the auriferous or argentiferous sand.
At the lower end of the casing A is a conical settling or concentrating well F
having one or more outlets Fat different levels. At or near the bottom of this
well is a pipe a for the introduction under pressure of an up-current of water and
sickened "mer-
a pipe b for drawing off the heavy or metallic portions and any
cury or amalgam that may be contained in the said well.
The spindle D is provided with a series of arms G which revolve with the said
spindle and cause a constant agitation of the water and sand in the said well.
In the apparatus shown in Figures and 2, the two halves of the casing A are
connected at one side by a vertical hinge A', and they are fastened together at
the other side by suitable clips or cramps secured upon pieces A' of angle-iron, or
in any other convenient manner.
Around the upper portion of each of the plates or trays B and near the casing A,
there is a corrugation or channel B2 of any desired depth and width. When the
machine is closed, these corrugations or channels form annular wells designed to
contain fluid mercury. Copper partitions C divide the surface of the mercury in
these wells, and these partitions are so arranged that the sand and water, in their
passage over the plates B. must pass under the partitions and through the mercury.
The spindle D is supported near its upper end in a bearing D¹ formed on a
bracket D firmly attached to the cover A2 of the casing A; the said spindle is also
supported in a bearing D at the lower end of the said casing and it extends to,
or nearly to the bottom of the well F. The arms or vanes G project radially from
the spindle D and serve, by their rotation, to agitate the substances in the said
well F thereby facilitating the separation of the metallic and non-metallic portions.

page_text: The operation of the machine shown in Figures 1 and 2 is as follows, viz.:
Rotary motion is imparted to the vertical spindle D either through suitable.gearing,
or directly by a belt, and the auriferous or argentiferous sand, with a proper
supply of water, is fed into the machine through the hopper A, or by means of an
automatic feeder placed directly above the centre of the casing. The material
falls from the said hopper or feeder on to the uppermost dished plate E, which
is rotated with the spindle D at a sufficient velocity to cause the particles, by
centrifugal force, to pass up the inclined or curved surface of the said plate. The
sand is thrown off the uppermost revolving plate E and is delivered upon the
stationary inclined plate B next below it. By reason of the inclination of this
plate, the sand and water pass by gravity through the mercury-well with which
the said plate is provided as above described, and over the surface of the said
plate to the central hole therein, and fall through the said hole upon the second
revolving plate E. The same action is repeated through the entire series of plates
in the machine, the precious metal being retained in the form of amalgam on the
plates or in the mercury-wells.
Having passed over the copper plates, the sand falls into the concentrating
well F at the lower end of the machine, the lighter portions passing away in the
form of tailings with the water through one or other of the outlets F, and the
heavy or metallic portions and any " sickened mercury or amalgam being
retained in the concentrating well, whence they may be drawn off at suitable
intervals from the stand-pipe b.
"
The centrifugal force acting upon the sand and water on the plates E is naturally
augmented as the distance from the centre increases, the resistance due to the
increasing steepness or angle of inclination of the surface of the said plates will,
therefore, be overcome by such centrifugal force. Moreover by reason of the
increasing steepness or inclination of the surface of these plates from the centre to
the periphery thereof, the particles are brought into frictional contact with, or
caused to rub forcibly against the amalgamated surface of the plates, the friction
increasing in about the same ratio as the centrifugal force. This arrangement
admits of the velocity being so regulated as to impart to the sand centrifugal force
just sufficient to overcome the resistance due to the varying inclination or steep-
ness of the plates, so that the particles of sand are moved over the surface of the
said plates uniformly at the velocity most favorable for the extraction of the
precious metal, and the said plates are kept clean and free from oxidation.
In the apparatus shown in Figures 3 to 6. the two halves of the casing are
supported by means of rollers or wheels H upon girders or rails J and are fastened
together on each side by means of clips or cramps K. so that they can be readily
disconnected and moved away from each other on the said girders or rails. The
cover A, hopper A3 and bracket D2 are suitably supported by means of girders L.
The shaft D extends through a stuffing-box F¹ at the lower end of the well F and
is supported in a stop or bearing D below the said well. The arms G project
radially from the said shaft for a short distance and are then bent downward. The
dished plates E are suitably attached to a metal tube E¹ fixed upon the spindle D
in any convenient manner.
The mercury-wells hereinbefore described are not absolutely essential to the
effectual working of the machine, and I sometimes construct the said 'machine
without them, as shown for example in Figure 3. It may be advantageous, how-
ever to place a small quantity of fluid mercury upon each of the dished plates E.
For this purpose I can if desired form a mercury well around the spindle on each
of the dished plates.
I prefer to connect or join the two halves of each of the stationary plates Bas
shown in Figure 7 that is to say. the adjacent edges of the said halves are bent
as at B³. B so that the part B will overlap the part B and the liquid will flow
over the joint without escaping through the same, the direction of movement of
the revolving plates E relatively to the joint being as indicated by the arrow in
this Figure.
j

page_text: When treating dry sand, the inclination of the stationary plates B is increased
so as to facilitate the passage of the sand over the surface of the said plates, and
the well F at the bottom of the machine is replaced by delivery pipes or chambers
through which an air blast or current is passed to deliver the tailings; these pipes
or chambers are fitted with conical concentrating-boxes, over which the air-
current passes and into which the heavier particles will fall.
In treating certain descriptions of ores, I apply an electric current to this
machine, the connections being so made that the current will flow through each
revolving plate E and through any body of mercury that may be used thereon and
will assist or facilitate the amalgamation.
It is obvious that I can somewhat modify the construction of my apparatus
without departing from the nature of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it understood that
I do not claim generally or irrespectively of my improvements herein described.
the combination of rotary amalgamated plates and stationary inclined amalgamated
plates arranged alternately one above another but I claim :
First. In a machine for the extraction of precious metals from their ores, a
rotary amalgamated plate (with or without a mercury well) dished or shaped in
such a manner that its surface becomes steeper or more inclined to the horizontal
plane as the distance from the centre increases. for the purpose above specified.
Second. In a centrifugal amalgamating machine for the extraction of precious
metals from their ores, one or more inclined amalgamated plates each provided
with an annular mercury-well with or without a partition for dividing the surface
of the mercury in the said well, for the purposes above specified.
Third. A machine for the extraction of precious metals from their ores, wherein
one or more rotary amalgamated plates the surface of which becomes steeper or
more inclined to the horizontal plane as the distance from the centre increases arc
'combined with a corresponding number of stationary inclined amalgamated plates
(with or without the mercury-wells) substantially as, and for the purposes, set
forth.
Fourth. The above described method or manner of joining the halves of the
stationary inclined amalgamated plates when the casing is closed, for the purpose
above specified, and as shown in Figure 7 of the drawings.
Fifth. The improved machine constructed substantially as described with
reference to Figures 3 to 6 of the accompanying drawings and operating as, and
for the purpose, above specified.
1000
HASELTINE. LAKE & Co..
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.