World Placer Journal - 2007 - Volume 7, pages 67-162. | ||
| There are lots of projects on mercury reduction in artisanal mining, now its time for mercury ELIMINATION - here is how! | ABSTRACT | |
| The study identifies methods capable of recovering gold lost by placer gold mines and artisanal miners, but without having to resorting to dangerous mercury or controversial cyanide. The study clarifies the definition of ‘fine gold’ and presents a new simple-to-use nomenclature for gold size that can be applied world-wide. The rise and fall of gold recovery systems across the world is tracked and a ‘World List’ of 75 different methods of recovering gold is compiled, described and discussed. While some methods are well-known, others are neglected, and know-how has failed to spread between artisanal miners, recreational miners and mining companies, and between placer and hard-rock gold specialists. The article notes the lack of a clear technical focus for most projects on artisanal mining and mercury abatement, and a general failure to assess many promising methods of recovering gold without mercury. The overall conclusion is that mercury and cyanide can be out-competed quickly if cheap affordable alternatives are tested and promoted. For this to happen, a shift in donor-funding is required, away from socioeconomic-led projects to appropriate technology-led projects. | ||
 | CATCHING FINE GOLD IN A HOME-MADE SLUICE... A Popandson Sluice is cheap, easy to make, easy to carry, and catches fine gold. | |
| SOME RUSSIAN CENTRIFUGES CAN CATCH FINE GOLD... The Russian Itomak is a high speed gold centrifuge now gaining acceptance worldwide. | |
 | CATCHING FINE GOLD IN AN ELUTRIATION TOWER... Osterberg's 'Quick Gold Saver' is an Elutriation tower able to catch fine gold. | |
 | CATCHING FINE GOLD IN AN ELUTRIATED SLUDGE TANK... The Keene Hydromatic Jig is remarkably good at catching fine gold. | |
