Patent ID: 7845498

Claim:
A device for removing metals from sand, comprising: a. Hollow tube with opposing open end and closed end, an interior and an exterior, said open end positioned at a desired height above said closed end, said interior having spiral grooves, b. Hopper for funneling sand mixed with metal into said hollow tube through an aperture formed in said hollow tube in proximity to said closed end, and wherein said hopper further comprises a receptacle, wherein said receptacle engages said exterior of said tube, c. Rotating means for rotating said hollow tube, and d. Water means for delivering water into said hollow tube, e. wherein said spiral grooves are arranged in helical fashion so that said grooves turn at an oblique angle as the tube is rotated, said grooves separating relatively heavy elements of said sand mixed with metal from less heavy elements of said sand mixed with metal as relatively heavy elements settle into said grooves.