Separating gold from black sand without water

[Jim in Idaho]

Most of you guys know I was prospecting for diamonds in Wyoming about 12 or 13 years ago. And that it quickly came about there was little water available there. So, along battle ensued to find a way to recover gems, dry. In that process I started into dry recovery of minerals. Back in January I applied for a patent on a unit that accomplishes that goal...including gems. but, me being me, I'm never satisfied, so while waiting to hear from the patent office, I kept trying to improve the design. One such was trying to recover gold from black sand. I had a breakthrough yesterday, and the linked video was of the machine recovering gold from black sand. The gold is 30-100 mesh. The black sand is a blend of sizes. The machine is designed more for prospecting than mining. The idea is for you desert guys to be able to see any gold you may be finding, without resorting to packing water. With a fine, small brush, and a bit of effort, it would be easy to end up with clean gold.
Jim
gold from black sand

 

[KevinInColorado]

Very cool!

 

[Gold:Au]

Good luck with the patent, novel techniques for gold recovery must be getting pretty hard to find, I have re-invented so many techniques

 

[Jim in Idaho]

Yup...hard to find for sure. But, one thing I have going for me is that I'm really good at "thinking outside the box"...LOL. I'm willing to put in the effort to try anything, and I can promise you, I have built and tried a ton of devices the last 13 years. Just used a CNC router to make a newly designed sluice box for the dry sluice today. Will be trying that tomorrow.

 

[russau]

Good luck Jim ! I hope the best for you in your efforts to think out of the box !

 

[Jim in Idaho]

Many thanks, Russ. Lots of work, but fun!
Jim

 

[russau]

Yes I know ! I've had my fun over the 20 + years I've done it myself and the building and modifying equipment and the shareing of ideas to other;s. BUT now it's time for me to pass it all to younger people and a new time for me to see the enjoyment in other;s eye's at what I traveled all over out GREAT LAND doing and shareing with others ! It's very hard for me to give it all up and NOT still have the desire to get out there ! BUT at 79 and beat up , there;s no other choice left ! I just wish I still could give a younger person a lift up along the way !

 

[et1955]

Yes I know ! I've had my fun over the 20 + years I've done it myself and the building and modifying equipment and the shareing of ideas to other;s. BUT now it's time for me to pass it all to younger people and a new time for me to see the enjoyment in other;s eye's at what I traveled all over out GREAT LAND doing and shareing with others ! It's very hard for me to give it all up and NOT still have the desire to get out there ! BUT at 79 and beat up , there;s no other choice left ! I just wish I still could give a younger person a lift up along the way !

I feel your pain, just got diagnosed with intermittent caudation, blood vessels in the left leg restricted. I'm 70 and this started almost a month ago, my dreams of mining till I die may not happen. Next Tuesday will be the final test and determination for treatment. Wish me luck

 

[Jim in Idaho]

I wish you all the luck in the world! Hope things turn out well. Best for all of us if we go out with our boots on, suddenly. It isn't being dead that's bad...it's getting dead.
Jim

 

[russau]

I feel your pain, just got diagnosed with intermittent caudation, blood vessels in the left leg restricted. I'm 70 and this started almost a month ago, my dreams of mining till I die may not happen. Next Tuesday will be the final test and determination for treatment. Wish me luck

Good luck to you and I'll say a prayer for you on a quick recovery !