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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[KevinInColorado]

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

No preference that I've noted to date. All 4 I took apart had roughly the same sized motor and all worked just fine for "our" purposes. I have two on my workbench currently in use (in theory, I'm currently traveling so much for work that this project is waiting...but the travel ends soon due to my early retirement feb 1st)

 

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[GoldpannerDave]

Well, you guys have motivated me to take apart the dead printer a friend gave me in June. I let it sit for the summer and more recently have been using my "new" Gold Cube and Gold Hog Washer mat on cons and virgin material that has been sitting in 5-gals. Now the garage is too cold to work in and while I have lab reports to grade, I am thinking that they can wait until after Thanksgiving!

Than maybe with a fan and printer motor doing the work, I can get to 75% of the critical speed. That is about 90 to 100 rpms for my rock polishing tumbler.

 

[Oregon Viking]

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!

Now this sand is right off the beach, has not been concentrated yet.

 

[KevinInColorado]

Well, you guys have motivated me to take apart the dead printer a friend gave me in June. I let it sit for the summer and more recently have been using my "new" Gold Cube and Gold Hog Washer mat on cons and virgin material that has been sitting in 5-gals. Now the garage is too cold to work in and while I have lab reports to grade, I am thinking that they can wait until after Thanksgiving!

Than maybe with a fan and printer motor doing the work, I can get to 75% of the critical speed. That is about 90 to 100 rpms for my rock polishing tumbler.

Where's your pics of the Cube in operation and of course the gold porn results?

 

[GoldpannerDave]

Where's your pics of the Cube in operation and of course the gold porn results?

Well, sadly, I did not take any pics before I put it (and all the rest of my good equipment) up to get the car in the garage before the snows came. I did get it up in time and have room in the front of the car to set the Gold Cube up again, but right now it is too cold in the garage. The gold porn pics will be coming but I haven't completely worked up the super cons yet but as soon as I can get back to it, I will finish and post pics.

How about this for now?

 

[Jeff95531]

kinda looks like when I fall asleep with my head in a pan.

 

[DizzyDigger]

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

 

[russau]

a sample of these cons would make my day!

 

[Oregon Viking]

Magic Mike!!

 

[Oregon Viking]

View attachment 1238961

Thanks Dizz!!
What did you have to do to the pic to get the "glints" to show up?

 

[johnedoe]

Just enlarged and enhanced. You have a good camera and it is easy to bring out the details.

 

[Oregon Viking]

Just enlarged and enhanced. You have a good camera and it is easy to bring out the details.
View attachment 1239204

I just have an older point and shoot but A DSLR is on the list!
This is Pyrite Pete. The base "glints" and "gleams" a lot, trust me. Without the proper filter, not so much...

 

[Oregon Viking]

I have heard that there is a beach, close by that has excess black sand.
Hmmmm....
I wonder how many buckets of sand a large viking can take home?
I hope it pours!! keeps the tourists away....
HEH!!!

 

[russau]

not to much per trip!!!! that BS is really heavy!!

 

[DizzyDigger]

Thanks Dizz!!
What did you have to do to the pic to get the "glints" to show up?

Just enlarged and enhanced. You have a good camera and it is easy to bring out the details.
View attachment 1239204

Didn't enlarge at all, just cropped. Added contrast and a little fill light,
then peaked the yellow and orange plus an added bit of luminescence.

 

[mytimetoshine]

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.

not sure if iron sands qualify for "media mail" but yea. Saves a few bucks.

 

[johnedoe]

not sure if iron sands qualify for "media mail" but yea. Saves a few bucks.

If nothing else put it in one of those "If it fits it ships" boxes.... one price for whatever you can get in the box.

 

[goldenIrishman]

not sure if iron sands qualify for "media mail" but yea. Saves a few bucks.

Sure it qualifies! Just list it as "Artistic Media" if they ask! If they want more info tell them it's for the art of gold recovery.

 

[johnedoe]

Now OV is a nice guy but y'all don't really think those little bright spots in that black sand is gold do you?.......

 

[goldenIrishman]

...and here I thought it was a tin of Caviar!