A gold mine washer plant (also known as a gold wash plant or placer mining plant) is a facility used to extract gold from alluvial deposits (placer deposits) or other loose materials like gravel, sand, and clay. These plants use water and mechanical processes to separate gold from unwanted materials.
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Key Components of a Gold Mine Washer Plant:
1. Feeder/Hopper – Receives raw material (gravel, sand, etc.) and feeds it into the washing system.
2. Scrubber/Trommel – Rotating drum that breaks up clay and washes away lighter materials while retaining heavier particles (including gold).
3. Sluice Box/Shaking Table – Uses gravity separation to capture gold as water flows over riffles or grooves.
4. Jig Machine/Centrifuge – Further concentrates fine gold particles using pulsating water or centrifugal force.
5. Water Pump & Recirculation System – Supplies water for washing and may recycle it to reduce waste.
6. Gold Recovery System – May include mercury amalgamation, cyanidation (for fine gold), or simply manual collection.
Types of Gold Wash Plants:
– Mobile Wash Plants – Portable units mounted on trailers for small-scale or remote operations.
– Stationary Wash Plants – Larger, fixed installations for high-capacity processing.
– Trommel-Based Plants – Use rotating screens for classification.
– Vibratory Wash Plants – Use shaking screens for better separation.
How It Works:
1. Raw material is fed into the trommel/scrubber.
2. Water washes away lighter materials while heavier gold settles.
3. Concentrated material passes through sluices or centrifuges for final recovery.
4. Gold is collected via panning, mercury/gold tables, or chemical processes.
Applications:
– Placer mining (riverbeds, alluvial deposits)
– Small-scale artisanal mining
– Large commercial operations
Would you like details on specific types of wash plants or recovery methods?