The sluicing process in mining...

[Externet]

Hi.

It has not changed much for centuries.  Can there be a more ingenious, efficient way with modern technology ? 

The mechanical separation of heavier metals by vibration immersed in water, by a weight differential that also exists in dry process smells that could be improved.

The weight differential when dry and the weight differential when submerged is there in both cases.  What would be the process for evaluating efficiency ?  Running the discarded material on a different process to confirm obtains additional separation ?

Seems like laminar flow is important, but the fluid flow being used to carry the undesired solids destroys the laminar flow.  How is the separation technique of metals with not much specific gravity differential related to its bearing ore soils ?

----> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placer_mining#/media/File:De_re_metallica_p_282.jpg

Would electrostatic attraction be applicable in dry ?

 

[tinkerer]

On 10/9/2018 at 5:37 PM, Externet said:

Hi.

It has not changed much for centuries.  Can there be a more ingenious, efficient way with modern technology ? 

The mechanical separation of heavier metals by vibration immersed in water, by a weight differential that also exists in dry process smells that could be improved.

The weight differential when dry and the weight differential when submerged is there in both cases.  What would be the process for evaluating efficiency ?  Running the discarded material on a different process to confirm obtains additional separation ?

Seems like laminar flow is important, but the fluid flow being used to carry the undesired solids destroys the laminar flow.  How is the separation technique of metals with not much specific gravity differential related to its bearing ore soils ?

----> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placer_mining#/media/File:De_re_metallica_p_282.jpg

Would electrostatic attraction be applicable in dry ?

 

I lack the knowledge or expertise to answer your specific questions, but will note that a Canadian Mining firm has leased the property of a very old  mining claim only 8 miles east of our home in West-Central Arizona. They began operations over a year ago, and have extracted very significant amounts of gold and silver, Au to the extent of > 100 ounces per month. To achieve that yield, they process hundreds of thousands of pounds of ore! Small wonder the Old Miners gave up around the turn of the last century!