Processing Black Sands

[SchoolOfHardRocks]

I've heard that prospector's "would be surprised, & never discard black sands again if they knew how much gold is in it"...Well, with my 2nd season coming to a close I think I have stock piled enough to think about processing it.

I have about 2 gallons of black sands and am wondering, what's the most efficient way to process it? I've heard about the crushing method & the heat & freeze method...but what is the best way? Are there other ways??

My plan is to document this process from beginning to end on this thread once I have determined which processing method will work best for me..who knows someone else may benefit from seeing my trial and error with black sands. Plus it will keep me busy while I'm patiently waiting for spring

 

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[Jeff95531]

I LOVE it when a plan comes together!

 

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[goldenIrishman]

I LOVE it when a plan comes together!

LOL You're still "Grasshopper". We're not changing your nickname to "Hannibal". Any luck talking Karen into letting you use her tumbler?

 

[Jeff95531]

Way ahead of ya. I know better to even ask! So I need to see my gf @ the second hand store for a printer and go small scale to start.

 

[KevinInColorado]

Way ahead of ya. I know better to even ask! So I need to see my gf @ the second hand store for a printer and go small scale to start.

You can get em for free. Just post on Craig's list that you want an old broken printer and will pick it up. Surprising how many people have them sitting around and haven't put them in the trash. I got 4 in 24 hours within a mile or so of my house when I posted!

 

[Oregon Viking]

You can get em for free. Just post on Craig's list that you want an old broken printer and will pick it up. Surprising how many people have them sitting around and haven't put them in the trash. I got 4 in 24 hours within a mile or so of my house when I posted!

Any printer work? I have 1 or 2 laying around.

 

[Jeff95531]

Any printer work? I have 1 or 2 laying around.

Let me check with my printer expert...Kevin, got your ears on?

looks like I got a case of the lags...please hold while I catch the up!

 

[Jeff95531]

ok so yeah Oregon Viking...I'll be in Brookings in about 10 days for DQ and dog food or you can pm me with your demands in the mean time. .

 

[Oregon Viking]

Let me check with my printer expert...Kevin, got your ears on?

looks like I got a case of the lags...please hold while I catch the up!

Then...How to make a rod mill out of a printer/parts/thingie...

 

[Oregon Viking]

ok so yeah Oregon Viking...I'll be in Brookings in about 10 days for DQ and dog food or you can pm me with your demands in the mean time. .

I don't mean to be a smart ass (can't help it) but...Is our dog food better then the CC dog food?
And I'm getting you would like a printer?
The one I'am currently using just bit the dust!

 

[KevinInColorado]

Let me check with my printer expert...Kevin, got your ears on?

looks like I got a case of the lags...please hold while I catch the up!

LoL...yup, pretty much any printer! Just start removing plastic parts until you are down to the paper handling carriage attached a base. You can use the existing electric motor, gearing and even power supply. I cooked the motor on my first one so I harvested a fan from a dead microwave to use as a cooling fan.

 

[Jeff95531]

SOLD! Yeah the "baby" gets nothing but the best! When I open the container, it reminds me of a dead seal but she sure likes it.

 

[Oregon Viking]

LoL...yup, pretty much any printer! Just start removing plastic parts until you are down to the paper handling carriage attached a base. You can use the existing electric motor, gearing and even power supply. I cooked the motor on my first one so I harvested a fan from a dead microwave to use as a cooling fan.

So.....Is there a "preferred" printer? One that just stands out? Higher amperage motor, larger capacity etc.... I used to grab them for a couple of bucks at garage sales, they usually had problems.(duh, couple bucks) Until my wife said....Well I can't repeat that here, but I quit buying them.
I'm forbidden to go near the free pile at garage sales

 

[goldenIrishman]

I'd imagine that if for some reason you wanted a version of it for the field you could raid the local auto bone yard and snag a windshield wiper motor. You'd even have multiple speeds if you grabbed the right parts. For home use power it with a battery charger.

EDIT: you might want to forgo the controls with the delay setting.

 

[Jeff95531]

GI...Probably not higher than 10 amp

OR Viking...That is double secret probation! Might as well not even look!

 

[Jeff95531]

We now return to our regularly scheduled thread...sorry for the thread jack but it is in the interest of ecology and recycling so...

 

[Oregon Viking]

I dropped a printer on my foot....lookin' for the motor amps....
This printer was over 200 bucks in 2007!!
I will disassemble this **&%^%$#@ and see whats actually inside.....dried ink, paper jam....
HEH!!

To stay on topic......You can't see the "glints" in this stuff (gold, platinum) I need a filter for my camera.
I would like to send some of this to people that can "test" it with their choice of gear.

 

[goldenIrishman]

Put me down for about 2 cups worth there Oregon. If you do mail samples out for testing, send it "Media Mail" as that will cost you a lot less. Let me know and I'll send you my mailing address in a PM. It would be interesting to check out some samples from that part of the country under the scope both before and after.

 

[johnedoe]

GI.
Here are some photomicrographs of some of our beach gold .. and a few other areas as well.
cleangold photomicrographs

This is also the system I use on our beaches here.

 

[russau]

I dropped a printer on my foot....lookin' for the motor amps....
This printer was over 200 bucks in 2007!!
I will disassemble this **&%^%$#@ and see whats actually inside.....dried ink, paper jam....
HEH!!

To stay on topic......You can't see the "glints" in this stuff (gold, platinum) I need a filter for my camera.
I would like to send some of this to people that can "test" it with their choice of gear.

View attachment 1238454

I would also like some of that material. Id GLADLY pay shipping(or??) to my address !! PM me and ill send you my mailing address if you have any left for a begger like me!

 

[KevinInColorado]

Make Russ a priority for sure since he has a hard time getting his own cons these days and has a boatload of experience and knowledge!

...after that, I'd love some to mess with. I'll give a step by step of what I do and how it turns out with pics along the way. PM coming with address