AN IMPROVED MACHINE OR APPARATUS FOR CRUSHING AND PULVERIZING ORES, AND FOR SEPERATING THE GOLD THERE FROM BY AMAL- GAMATION
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joshua Bacheler Halsey, Mining Engineer, of
No. 4, Norfolk Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex, for the
Invention of "AN IMPROVED MACHINE OR APPARATUS FOR CRUSHING AND
PULVERIZING ORES, AND FOR SEPERATING THE GOLD THERE FROM BY AMAL-
GAMATION."
Sealed the 20th March 1855, and dated the 26th September 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joshua Bacheler Halsey
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 26th September 1854.
I, JOSHUA BACHELER HALSEY, of No. 4, Norfolk Street, Strand, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED MACHINE OR APPA-
RATUS FOR CRUSHING AND PULVERIZING ORES, AND FOR SEPERATING THE GOLD
THEREPROM BY AMALGAMATION," to be as follows:-
The improved machine or apparatus consists of a circular iron bed plate,
ten feet, more or less, in diemeter, with a flange ten inches, more or less, in
height upon its circumference. The interior of the basin thus formed is
divided into two or more annuler or circular divisions or troughs, which are
formed by attaching to, or making on, the bed plate division rims, ridges, or
flanges of various proportinate heights. These division rims or flanges are
perforated with various appertures or openings, for the purpose of allowing

page_text: a free passage to the reduced ore with water from the outer trough to the
interior or amalgimating ones; when, after a complete seperation of the gold
from the pulverized material has taken place, the debris or tailings flow with
the water over the inmost flange, and runs off through the opening in the
centre of the bed plate.
In the outer division or trough are placed, when crushing is required, the
ores, and also the edge runners or wheels, with either smooth, angular, or
corrugated surfaces, the edge runners being attached to axeles connected with
a vertical shaft, resting upon a step peice, fixed to the centre of the bed plate,
and supported above by a suitable framework. In the amalgamating or
interior troughs are placed various friction plates or rollers, of various and
certain configurations, which are attached by means of chains or otherwise to
arms radiating from the upright shaft, which, when set in motion by horse or
other power, with appropriate t
with appropriate gearing, imparts simultanious motion to the
edge-runners or crushers and the friction rollers or plates, producing thereby
a perfect pulverization of the ore, and a complete seperation of the gold there-
from, by amalgimation with the mercury.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Joshua Bacheler Halsey in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 23rd March 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSHUA
BACHELER HALSEY, Mining Engineer, of No. 4, Norfolk Street, Strand, in the
County of Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-sixth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the eighteenth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Joshua Bacheler Halsey, Her special licence that I, the said Joshua
Bacheler Halsey, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Joshua Bacheler Halsey, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "AN IMPROVED MACHINE OR APPARATUS FOR CRUSHING AND PULVERISING

page_text: ORES, AND FOR SEPARATING THE GOLD THEREPROM BY AMALGAMATION," upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Joshua Bacheler Halsey,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that 1, the said Joshua Bacheler Halsey, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the fol-
lowing statement :-
The object of this Invention of "An Improved Machine or Apparatus for
Crushing and Pulverizing Ores, and for Separating the Gold therefrom by
Amalgamation," is to crush and pulverize the ore containing gold, and then,
by the aid of a small stream of water, carry the pulverized ore from the outer
trough to the inner ones, where the gold will be retained by being brought
into frictional contact with mercury, leaving the earthy or refuso matter to
run off through an orifice in the central division of the machine.
The machine or apparatus consists principally of a large circular basin with
a flat bottom, divided into compartments by annular ridges or rims. In the
outer compartment or trough are placed edge-runners, connected to an upright
shaft in the centre. These edge-runners revolve round the centre division,
and also upon their own axis, for the purpose of crushing and pulverizing the
ores. Behind the edge-runners are ploughs or scrapers to turn over the ore,
prevent its packing, and bring it directly into the course of the edge-runners.
In the inner troughs or compartments are placed scouring plates or drags,
connected to arms radiating from the vertical shaft, for the purpose of polishing
the gold, and bringing it into frictional contact with the mercury contained
in the troughs, and thereby separating the gold from the pulverized ore by
amalgamation.
In order, however, that my Invention may be clearly understood, so that a
practical workman may be enabled to construct a machine or apparatus upon
the plan or principle of my improvement, I will particularly describe the
several parts of which it is composed, and the mode I deem most advantageous
for its construction, and the manner of putting it in operation.
The bottom or basis of the several compartments or troughs is made of cast
iron, ten feet in diameter over all, and one inch thick, when the machine is
intended only for amalgamating; but when required also for-crushing, that
portion forming the bottom of the outer or crushing trough should be one and

page_text: a half or two inches thick. This bottom or basis is divided into three annular
compartments or troughs, formed concentrically, one within the other, by
means of flanges or rims of various heights. The flange around the periphery
of the basis is twelve inches high, and stands inclined outward three inches at
the top. The first inner rim stands vertical, nine inches high and ten inches
within the outer flange, thus forming the outer trough ten inches wide on the
bottom; the second division ring stands also vertical, six inches high and
fifteen inches within the first inner rim. The innermost rim or flange is like-
wise vertical, four inches high and twenty-four inches distant from the second
inner rim, and seven inches from the centre point of the bed plate, thus
forming the third trough or compartment, leaving at the same time a space
fourteen inches in diameter in the centre of the basin, for the reception of a
step piece or socket for the upright shaft to rest in. In this central division
is also an orifice, two inches in diameter through the bottom, for the final
exit of the refuse or tailings. In the bottom of each trough is a screw lap
hole, one inch in diameter, for the purpose of drawing off the amalgam.
The several rims or flanges forming the various divisions or troughs are
cach one inch thick at the bottom, where they join the bed plate, and diminish
gradually to one-half of an inch in thickness at the top. In the first inner rim
from the outside, at four equal distances, are horizontal or lateral apertures or
openings, four inches long, one-half inch wide, and two inches from or above the
bottom, when the outer trough is intended for crushing the ore; if required only
for amalgamating, these openings should be only one inch from the bottom of
the trough. In the second inner division rim are also four similar apertures,
one-half inch from the bottom of the rim. The object of these several
apertures in the rims is to allow the pulverized ore mixed with water to pass
freely from the outer to the inner compartments, while at the same time they
are all below the surface of the water, which is on a level always with
the top of the innermost rim, over which it flows in its final exit from the
machine.
The bed plate or bottom, with the several flanges or rims forming the com-
partments or troughs, may be manufactured together in one piece, or to render
it more portable may be made in sections, with flanges or projections on the
under side of the basin, for the purpose of fastening the sections together by
means of bolts, after arriving at its destination.
The basin thus completed is placed upon a level foundation of wood or masonry,
and posts of convenient height erected, one on either side, for the support
of a cross beam, for the purpose of maintaining in its position a vertical four-
inch wrought-iron shaft, which rests on its point in a step piece fixed to the

page_text: centre of the basin. On to the vertical shaft is keyed a cast-iron collar,
having hollow arms, eight inches long, into which the three-inch wrought-iron
axles of the edge-runners are pinned, allowing space above and below for the
play of the axles as the edge-runners rise or fall in passing over and crushing
the ore.
The edge-runners weigh about one ton cwt. each, are four and a half feet
in diameter, and eight inches wide on the face; they may be made of cast
iron in one piece or in sections, or of stone hooped with an iron rim. Behind
each edge-runner is a scraper of cast iron, resembling in shape about ten
inches of the front of a plough. These are attached to the arms running from
the vertical shaft by means of a stiff rod, which holds them to their place, one
on either side of the trough, where they are drawn round for the purpose of
keeping the crushed ore constantly stirred up and loose from the bottom.
On to the vertical shaft is also keyed a second iron collar, with four short
hollow arms, for the reception of wooden arms, four inches square; to these
are attached by means of chains the several friction or scouring plates. These
plates are made of cast iron, fourteen, inches in length, one inch wider than
one half the width of the trough they respectively run in, and of sufficient
thickness to weigh about seventy-five pounds each. The front part or end of
these plates stand five inches high, or one inch higher than the height of the
innermost rim; the under side of the front end is hollowed out, leaving the
edges and upper lip thin, and projecting about five inches beyond the plane of
the under surface. On the upper side near the front end are hooks or eyes
for the chains that connect them to the arms. Four of these scouring plates
are employed in each of the amalgamating compartments, for the
of
bringing the particles of gold into that frictional contact with mercury so
necessary and indispensible to successful and perfect amalgamation.
purpose
The machine may be worked by horses attached to the ends of the axles
passing through the edge-runners, or it may be propelled by steam or water
power by keying on to the upright shaft a bevil wheel, gearing into another
bevil wheel on a horizontal shaft, mounted on suitable bearings and connected
with the driving power. These bevil wheels should be proportioned so that
the vertical shaft will make from six to eight revolutions per minute.
In operating with this machine, from five to ten pounds of mercury is
introduced into each of the different compartments, a small stream of water
constantly admitted into the outer one, and the ore regularly shovelled into the
outer trough, where by the action of the edge-runners it becomes finely crushed,
and as fast as pulverized is carried by the water through the apertures in the
division rim into the first amalgamating trough, where the fine particles of

page_text: gold are caught by the inverted scoop-shaped friction plates, carried to the
bottom, and thoroughly incorporated with the mercury. From this trough
the mixture passes in a submerged state through the openings in the division
rim into the next or inner amalgamating compartment. Here the pulverized
ore is again brought into frictional contact with mercury, amalgamating any
minute particles of gold that may have escaped from the other trough. The
refuse matter or tailings then flow over the innermost rim and through the
orifice in the centre of the basin, and by a trough underneath are carried out
of the way.
When stamps or other machinery is used for pulverizing the ores, the edge-
runners are dispensed with, and the pulverized orc admitted with water directly
into the outer trough, which is then used for amalgamating, in connection with
the other compartments.
The important advantages which this machine possesses over others for the
reduction of gold ores are, first, the pulverized ore, thinly diluted with water,
extends over a large surface (near seventy square feet) in the several compart-
ments, where it is retained in a semi-quiescent state, sufficient time for the
light particles of gold to sink to the bottom, where they will remain, even
should no mercury be employed. Second, the water is admitted at the circuni-
ference, and discharged with the refuse matter at the centre of the machine,
in consequence of which the lighter particles of gold are not liable to be carried
off with the tailings, as is the case when the discharge is at the periphery,
where the agitation of the mixture is always much more violent than at the
centre. Third, the very small quantity of mercury required in the several
troughs is not subjected to be broken into minute particles and carried off' with
the tailings. Fourth, the only communication from the outer to the inner
troughs is below the water level; consequently the light floculint particles of
gold cannot possibly float away on the surface of the water, as to pass from
the outer to the inner or amalgamating compartments they must necessarily
become submerged, and when once submerged (there being no motion of an
upward tendancy to bring them again to the surface) they readily sink to the
bottom of the troughs, where they are subjected to the continuous rubbing
and scouring action of the friction plates, which removes all extraneous coating
from the gold, producing. a. clean and bright surface, when it readily combines
with the mercury, leaving only the indivisible particles of silicous and earthy
matter to pass off slowly at the central exit point of the machine.
Having thus described my Invention, the mode of constructing and operating
it, I would remark, in conclusion, that I do not intend to confine myself rigidly
to the precise details herein set forth, as the. material, dimensions, mode of

page_text: constructing and operating it, may be varied without departing from the nature
and object of my Invention; nor do I intend to claim the mechanical parts
separately; neither do I claim a circular or annular trough or series of troughs
so constructed that the water with the refuse matter is discharged from them
at the periphery; nor do I claim the use of edge-runners for the purpose of
crushing ores; but that which I consider to be new in the above described
machine or apparatus and process, and therefore wish to claim as the Invention
secured to me by Letters Patent as aforesaid, is,-
First, the general arrangement and combination of parts above described, or
any mere modification thereof, for the purpose of crushing and pulverizing
ores and separating the gold therefrom by amalgamation.
Second, I also claim the use of a series of two or more circular or annular
troughs or compartments, formed concentrically, one within the other, and so
constructed that water admitted at the circumference or into the outer trough
will flow or run, carrying the pulverized ore from the outer trough to the
inner troughs or compartments through submerged apertures in the division
rims or otherwise, and finally discharging the tailings or refuse matter over the
innermost rin, and through an orifice in the bottom of the central division
of the basin.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joshua Bacheler Halsey, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Twenty-third day of March, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
Witness.
GEO. DOWNING.
JOSHUA BACHELER HALSEY. (L.S.)