Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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APPARATUS INCLUDING PLACER-GOLD PROCESSING SYSTEM AND METHOD
THEREFOR
[001] TECHNICAL FIELD
[002] Some aspects generally relate to (and are not limited to) an
apparatus including a
placer-gold processing system (and method therefor). More specifically, some
aspects
provide a placer-gold processing system including: a gold-concentrator
assembly, a
gold-detection assembly, and a magnetite-separator assembly (and methods
therefor).
[003] SUMMARY
[004] Placer mining is the technique by which placer gold that has
accumulated in a
placer deposit is extracted. Placer deposits are composed of relatively loose
material that
makes tunneling difficult, and so most means of extracting the placer gold
involve the
usage of water or dredging. Placer mining is a process for separating placer
gold from
sand, gravel, etc. For instance, a sluice box, used to extract gold from
placer deposits, has
long been a very common practice in prospecting and small-scale mining. A
sluice box
provides a channel with riffles set in the bottom. The riffles are designed to
create dead
zones in the current to allow gold to drop out of suspension. The box is
placed in the
stream to channel water flow. Gold-bearing material is placed at the top of
the box. The
material is carried by the current through the volt where gold and other dense
material
settles out behind the riffles. Less dense material flows out of the box as
tailings.
[005] In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that there exists a
need to mitigate
(at least in part) problems associated with detection of an anomaly associated
with a
network. After much study of the known systems and methods along with
experimentation, an understanding of the problem and its solution has been
identified and
is articulated below.
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[006] The problem with existing placer-gold processing systems is that
these systems
are not configured to assist a prospector to identify or locate a payload of
placer gold in
an efficient manner; much time may be wasted in the search for placer gold,
until a
payload is found by the prospector. What is needed is a system that avoids
continued
prospecting of unproductive sites (thereby saving time). Other types of
problems are
also mitigated, at least in part, by the aspects as identified below
(explicitly or
implicitly).
[007] In order to mitigate, at least in part, the problem(s) identified
with existing placer-
gold processing systems and/or methods associated with placer-gold processing
systems,
there is provided (in accordance with an aspect) an apparatus including a
placer-gold
processing system, including: (A) an upstream section; (B) a gold-concentrator
assembly
being configured to be in fluid communication with the upstream section; (C) a
gold-
detection assembly being configured to be in fluid communication with the gold-
concentrator assembly; and (D) a magnetite-separator assembly being configured
to be in
fluid communication with the gold-concentrator assembly.
[008] In order to mitigate, at least in part, the problem(s) identified
with existing placer-
gold processing systems and/or methods associated with placer-gold processing
systems,
there is provided (in accordance with an aspect) an apparatus including a
placer-gold
processing system, including: (A) an upstream section; and (B) a gold-
concentrator
assembly being configured to: (a) receive, at least in part, flowing water and
placer gold
from the upstream section of the placer-gold processing system; and (b)
divert, at least in
part, the placer gold and the flowing water that was received from the
upstream section
away from a waste output region and toward a diverter output region in such a
way that at
least more of the placer gold travels through the diverter output region than
through the
waste output region.
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[009] In order to mitigate, at least in part, the problem(s) identified
with existing placer-
gold processing systems and/or methods associated with placer-gold processing
systems,
there is provided (in accordance with an aspect) an apparatus including a
placer-gold
processing system, including: (A) an upstream section; and (B) a gold-
detection assembly
being configured to: (a) contact, at least in part, placer gold being conveyed
by flowing
water received, at least in part, from the upstream section of the placer-gold
processing
system; (b) retard, at least in part, the motion of the placer gold relative
to the flowing
water as the flowing water moves through the gold-detection assembly; and (c)
visually
display, at least in part, the placer gold being retarded from motion relative
to the flowing
water as the flowing water moves through the gold-detection assembly.
[0010] In order to mitigate, at least in part, the problem(s) identified
with existing placer-
gold processing systems and/or methods associated with placer-gold processing
systems,
there is provided (in accordance with an aspect) an apparatus including a
placer-gold
processing system, including: (A) an upstream section; and (B) a magnetite-
separator
assembly being configured to: (a) receive, at least in part, the flowing water
and the
magnetite particles received, at least in part, from the upstream section of
the placer-gold
processing system; and (b) divert, at least in part, the magnetite particles
that are received
toward a magnetite output area. Advantages provided in accordance with an
example or
an aspect of the magnetite-separator assembly is that (if desired) there are
no motors
and/or gears, and therefore there are fewer breakdowns; as well, the magnetite-
separator
assembly may be lightweight, which makes the magnetite-separator assembly
portable;
by removing magnetite the magnetite-separator assembly improves (at least in
part) fine
gold recovery.
[0011] In order to mitigate, at least in part, the problem(s) identified
with existing placer-
gold processing systems and/or methods associated with placer-gold processing
systems,
there is provided (in accordance with an aspect) a method of concentrating
placer gold in
an apparatus having a placer-gold processing system, the method comprising:
(A)
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receiving, at least in part, flowing water and the placer gold from an
upstream section of
the placer-gold processing system; and (B) diverting, at least in part, the
placer gold and
the flowing water that was received from the upstream section away from a
waste output
region and toward a diverter output region in such a way that at least more of
the placer
gold travels through the diverter output region than through the waste output
region.
[0012] In order to mitigate, at least in part, the problem(s) identified
with existing placer-
gold processing systems and/or methods associated with placer-gold processing
systems,
there is provided (in accordance with an aspect) a method of detecting placer
gold in an
apparatus having a placer-gold processing system, the method comprising: (A)
contacting, at least in part, the placer gold being conveyed by flowing water
received, at
least in part, from an upstream section of the placer-gold processing system;
(B)
retarding, at least in part, the motion of the placer gold relative to the
flowing water as the
flowing water moves through the gold-detection assembly; and (C) visually
displaying, at
least in part, the placer gold being retarded from motion relative to the
flowing water as
the flowing water moves through the gold-detection assembly.
[0013] In order to mitigate, at least in part, the problem(s) identified
with existing placer-
gold processing systems and/or methods associated with placer-gold processing
systems,
there is provided (in accordance with an aspect) a method of separating
magnetite in an
apparatus having a placer-gold processing system, the method comprising: (A)
receiving,
at least in part, flowing water and the magnetite particles received, at least
in part, from
an upstream section of the placer-gold processing system; and (B) diverting,
at least in
part, the magnetite particles that are received toward a magnetite output
area.
[0014] In order to mitigate, at least in part, the problem(s) identified
above, in
accordance with an aspect, there is provided other aspects as identified in
the claims.
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[0015] Other aspects and features of the non-limiting embodiments may now
become
apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed
description of
the non-limiting embodiments with the accompanying drawings.
[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The non-limiting embodiments may be more fully appreciated by
reference to
the following detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments when taken
in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 (SHEET 1 / 23) depicts a schematic representation of an
example of an
apparatus having a placer-gold processing system;
[0019] FIG. 2 (SHEET 2 / 23) depicts a schematic representation of an
example of the
apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIGS. 3a to 3j (SHEET 3 / 23 to SHEET 9 / 23) depict views of
examples of the
apparatus of FIG. 1 having the placer-gold processing system including a gold-
concentrator assembly;
[0021] FIGS. 4a to 4c (SHEET 10 / 23 to SHEET 11 / 23) depict views of
examples of
the apparatus of FIG. 1 having the placer-gold processing system including a
gold-
detection assembly;
[0022] FIGS. 5a and 5b (SHEET 12 / 23 to SHEET 13 / 23) depict views of
examples of
the apparatus of FIG. 1 having the placer-gold processing system including a
gold-
concentrator assembly and a gold-detection assembly;
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[0023] FIGS. 6a to 6e (SHEET 14 / 23 to SHEET 15 / 23) depict views of
examples of
the apparatus of FIG. 1 having a placer-gold processing system including a
magnetite-
separator assembly; and
[0024] FIGS. 7a to 7m (SHEET 16 / 23 to SHEET 23 / 23) depict schematic
representations of examples of the apparatus of FIG. 1.
[0025] The drawings are not necessarily to scale and may be illustrated by
phantom
lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain
instances, details
not necessary for an understanding of the embodiments (and/or details that
render other
details difficult to perceive) may have been omitted.
[0026] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components
throughout the several figures of the Drawings. Elements in the several
figures are
illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to
scale. For
example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be
emphasized
relative to other elements for facilitating an understanding of the various
presently
disclosed embodiments. In addition, common, but well-understood, elements that
are
useful or necessary in commercially feasible embodiments are often not
depicted in
order to facilitate a less obstructed view of the various embodiments of the
present
disclosure.
[0027] LISTING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN THE DRAWINGS
100 apparatus
200 placer-gold processing system
202 upstream section
204 grizzly filter section
206 gravel-bypass branch
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208 gold-nugget trap
210 settling pond
212 next-stage branch
214 next stage
216 material handler
217 aggregate input
218 river
219 aggregate
220 pump
221 river-water input
246 side wall
300 gold-concentrator assembly
301 catcher
302 trough assembly
304 input region
306 diverter output region
308 waste output region
310 self-flushing riffle region
312 riffle body
314 punch plate
314a fine mesh portion
314b course mesh portion
316 water input
318 water input tubing
320 water connector
322 water tubing
324 spray nozzle
326 spray nozzle
328 aggregate input
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330 riffle groove
332 riffle ledge
334 water flow direction
336 lower section
338 upper section
340 gravel output
342 bypass output
344 water flow
400 gold-detection assembly
401 indicator bypass branch
402 open container assembly
403 indicator feed branch
404 input section
405 slurry collection
406 output section
407 slurry collection
408 gold-indicator section
409 placer gold
411 input flow
500 magnetite-separator assembly
501 magnetite catcher
502 input area
503 collection
504 output area
505 collection
506 magnetite-attraction area
507 magnet
508 magnetite output area
510 paddle
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512 disk
514 bearing
516 stationary shaft
518 magnetite
520 nozzle
522 sluice box
524 first direction
526 second direction
528 third direction
530 water spray
532 input flow direction
534 output flow direction
536 elongated trough
600 sluice assembly
601 collection
700 tray
702 water
704 field concentrate
[0028] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENT(S)
[0029] The
following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not
intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the
described
embodiments. As used herein, the word "exemplary" or "illustrative" means
"serving as
an example, instance, or illustration." Any implementation described herein as
"exemplary" or -illustrative" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred
or
advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described
below
are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to
make or
use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope
of the
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disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of the description
herein, the
terms "upper,- "lower," -left,- "rear," "right," "front," -vertical,"
"horizontal," and
derivatives thereof shall relate to the examples as oriented in the drawings.
Furthermore,
there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented
in the
preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed
description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and
processes illustrated
in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are
simply
exemplary embodiments (examples), aspects and/or concepts defined in the
appended
claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating
to the
embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the
claims
expressly state otherwise. It is understood that "at least one" is equivalent
to -a-. The
aspects (examples, alterations, modifications, options, variations,
embodiments and any
equivalent thereof) are described with reference to the drawings. It should be
understood
that the invention is limited to the subject matter provided by the claims,
and that the
invention is not limited to the particular aspects depicted and described.
[0030] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic representation of an example of an
apparatus 100
having a placer-gold processing system 200.
[0031] FIG 1 depicts the following: an apparatus 100, a placer-gold
processing system
200, an upstream section 202, a grizzly filter section 204 (known), a gravel-
bypass
branch 206, a gold-nugget trap 208 (known), a settling pond 210 (also called a
water-
detention zone, etc.), a next-stage branch 212, a next stage 214, a material
handler 216,
an aggregate input 217, a river 218, an aggregate 219 (a material pile), a
pump 220, and a
river-water input 221.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus 100 includes the placer-gold
processing system
200. The placer-gold processing system 200 includes (and is not limited to)
the upstream
section 202, the grizzly filter section 204 (generally known), a gold-nugget
trap 208
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(generally known), and the next stage 214 (to be further described or
disclosed in
connection with the remaining FIGS). The purpose of the placer-gold processing
system
200 is to improve, at least in part, gold recovery from the environment
(sands, river beds,
etc.). Placer gold is defined as a surficial gold mineral deposit formed by
the
concentration of small particles of gold in gravel or small sands.
[0033] The upstream section 202 includes the river-water input 221, and
also includes the
aggregate input 217. The river-water input 221 is configured to be fluidly
connected to
the pump 220. The pump 220 is configured to pump (in use) the river water from
the
river 218 located in the wilderness (an outdoor setting) to the river-water
input 221 in
such a way that the river water is moved from the river 218 to the upstream
section 202
(via the river-water input 221).
[0034] The aggregate input 217 is configured to receive the aggregate 219
found or
positioned in or near the river 218 (either on shore or off shore). The
material handler 216
(such as a backhoe and/or a shovel) is configured to move the aggregate 219
into the
aggregate input 217 in such a way that the aggregate 219 enters the upstream
section 202
(via the aggregate input 217).
[0035] The upstream section 202 is configured to mix (at least in part)
the aggregate 219
with the river water in such a way that a slurry is formed in the upstream
section 202. The
mixing of the river water and the aggregate 219 may be performed by gravity
feeding,
etc. The slurry includes a mixture of the river water, the placer gold (gold
particles and/or
gold nuggets), gravel, sand, magnetite, etc. The slurry formed in the upstream
section 202
includes a course slurry component and a fine slurry component. The upstream
section
202 is configured to fluidly connect with the grizzly filter section 204 in
such a way that
the slurry moves from the upstream section 202 to the grizzly filter section
204 (by way
of gravity feed, etc.).
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[0036] The grizzly filter section 204 includes a slurry input, a course
slurry output and a
fine slurry output. The slurry input of the grizzly filter section 204 is
fluidly connected to
the upstream section 202. The course slurry output of the grizzly filter
section 204 is
fluidly connected to the gold-nugget trap 208. The fine slurry output of the
grizzly filter
section 204 is fluidly connected to the next stage 214. The grizzly filter
section 204
includes a gravel filter and/or a screen component; the grizzly filter section
204 is used to
avoid inadvertent or unwanted plugging of the next stage 214 (in addition,
classification
helps gold recovery). The grizzly filter section 204 is configured to: (A)
receive the slurry
from the upstream section 202; (B) separate the slurry received from the
upstream section
202 into the course slurry component and the fine slurry component; (C)
provide the
course slurry component to the gold-nugget trap 208 (via the gravel-bypass
branch 206);
and (D) provide the fine slurry component to the next stage 214 (via the next-
stage
branch 212). The gravel-bypass branch 206 fluidly connects the course slurry
output of
the grizzly filter section 204 to the gold-nugget trap 208. The next-stage
branch 212
fluidly connects the fine slurry output of the grizzly filter section 204 to
the next stage
214. The course slurry component flows (by way of gravity feed) from the
course slurry
output of the grizzly filter section 204 to the gold-nugget trap 208. The
finer slurry
component flows (by way of gravity feed) from the fine slurry output of the
grizzly filter
section 204 to the next stage 214.
[0037] The gravel-bypass branch 206 is configured to fluidly connect the
grizzly filter
section 204 with the gold-nugget trap 208. The next-stage branch 212 is
configured to
fluidly connect the grizzly filter section 204 with the next stage 214.
[0038] The gold-nugget trap 208 is configured to trap (remove, retain)
gold nuggets from
the course slurry component that was received from the grizzly filter section
204. The
gold-nugget trap 208 is configured to fluidly connect with the settling pond
210 in such a
way that the course slurry component may flow from the gold-nugget trap 208 to
the
settling pond 210 (by way of gravity feed, etc.)
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[0039] Once the course slurry component is received by the settling pond
210, the course
slurry component may settle out and any relatively clear water from the
settling pond 210
may be returned to the river 218 by way of a pump system (or by gravity feed),
etc.
[0040] Examples of the next stage 214 are depicted in the remaining FIGS.
[0041] FIG. 2 depicts a schematic representation of an example of the
apparatus 100 of
HG. 1.
[0042] FIG. 2 depicts the apparatus 100, the placer-gold processing system
200, the
upstream section 202, the grizzly filter section 204, the gold-nugget trap
208, the settling
pond 210, examples of the next stage 214, the gold-concentrator assembly 300,
the gold-
detection assembly 400, the indicator bypass branch 401, the slurry collection
405, the
indicator feed branch 403, the slurry collection 407, the magnetite-separator
assembly
500, the magnetite catcher 501, the collection 503, the collection 505, a
sluice assembly
600, and the collection 601.
[0043] Examples of the next stage 214 include: the gold-concentrator
assembly 300, the
gold-detection assembly 400, the magnetite-separator assembly 500, and/or the
sluice
assembly 600.
[0044] The gold-concentrator assembly 300 is configured to be fluidly
connected to the
grizzly filter section 204 in such a way that the fine slurry component is
received from
the grizzly filter section 204. The gold-concentrator assembly 300 includes a
slurry input,
a gold-concentrate output and a bypass output. The slurry input of the gold-
concentrator
assembly 300 is configured to be fluidly connected to the grizzly filter
section 204. The
gold-concentrate output of the gold-concentrator assembly 300 is configured to
be in
fluid communication with the indicator feed branch 403. The bypass output of
the gold-
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concentrator assembly 300 is configured to be in fluid communication with the
indicator
bypass branch 401. The gold-concentrator assembly 300 is configured to
accumulate
(concentrate), at least in part, the placer gold to be outputted via the gold-
concentrate
output of the gold-concentrator assembly 300. It will be appreciated that some
of the
placer gold may find its way into the bypass output of the gold-concentrator
assembly
300.
[0045] The
gold-detection assembly 400 includes the indicator bypass branch 401, and
the indicator feed branch 403 (both are inputs to the gold-detection assembly
400). The
gold-detection assembly 400 also includes an output branch configured to be in
fluid
communication with the magnetite-separator assembly 500. The gold-detection
assembly
400 is configured to retain and display, at least in part, some of the placer
gold moving
along the indicator feed branch 403. The slurry collection 405 (a mixture of
placer gold,
river water, sand, magnetite, etc.) moves along the indicator bypass branch
401. The
slurry collection 407 (a mixture of placer gold, river water, sand, magnetite,
etc.) moves
along the indicator feed branch 403. The purpose of the gold-detection
assembly 400 is to
permit the user of the apparatus 100 (such as a gold prospector) to visually
ascertain
whether they are inputting (via the upstream section 202) the aggregate that
has a
desirable payload of placer gold. For instance, the prospector may randomly
decide to
input aggregate from a site or may decide to change the site from which to
input the
aggregate, all the while the prospector monitors the gold-detection assembly
400 to
obtain a visual indicator as to whether the aggregate from one site or another
site
provides the desirable amount of placer gold; the visual indicator provides
relatively
faster feedback for the prospector than for the case where the gold-detection
assembly
400 is not used or deployed). Therefore, the gold-detection assembly 400
assists the
prospector to locate the desirable aggregate that provides the desirable
amount of placer
gold simply by visually monitoring the gold-detection assembly 400 for trapped
(retained) amount of placer gold. Once the amount of placer gold that is
trapped and
visually displayed to the prospector is desirable, the prospector can then
focus on the site
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which provides this condition while avoiding continued prospecting of
unproductive sites
(thereby saving time).
[0046] The magnetite-separator assembly 500 includes the magnetite catcher
501 (such
as a bucket or may be discarded as wastage. etc.). The magnetite-separator
assembly 500
includes an input section configured to be in fluid communication with the
gold-
concentrator assembly 300 and with the gold-detection assembly 400. The
magnetite-
separator assembly 500 includes a magnetite output and a bypass output. The
magnetite
output of the magnetite-separator assembly 500 is configured to be in fluid
communication with the magnetite catcher 501 in such a way that the collection
503
(magnetite) is movable (by gravity feed, etc.) from the magnetite-separator
assembly 500
to the magnetite catcher 501. The bypass output of the magnetite-separator
assembly 500
is configure to be in fluid communication with the sluice assembly 600 in such
a way that
the collection 505 (a mixture of placer gold, water, sand, etc.) is movable
from the
magnetite-separator assembly 500 to the sluice assembly 600 (by gravity feed,
etc.).
[0047] The sluice assembly 600 is also known or also called a placer gold
catcher. The
sluice assembly 600 includes an input configured to be in fluid communication
with the
bypass output of the magnetite-separator assembly 500. The sluice assembly 600
includes
an output configured to be in fluid communication with the settling pond 210
in such a
way that the collection 601 (a mixture of water, sand, etc.) is movable from
the sluice
assembly 600 to the settling pond 210.
[0048] It will be appreciated that in view of the foregoing (in accordance
with an
example), the apparatus 100 includes (and is not limited to) the placer-gold
processing
system 200. The placer-gold processing system 200 includes an upstream section
202.
The placer-gold processing system 200 also includes the gold-concentrator
assembly 300
configured to be in fluid communication with the upstream section 202. The
placer-gold
processing system 200 also includes the gold-detection assembly 400 configured
to be in
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fluid communication with the gold-concentrator assembly 300. The placer-gold
processing system 200 also includes the magnetite-separator assembly 500
configured to
be in fluid communication with the gold-concentrator assembly 300.
[0049] FIGS. 3a to 3j depict views of examples of the apparatus 100 of HG.
1 having the
placer-gold processing system 200 including a gold-concentrator assembly 300.
[0050] HG. 3a depicts a top view; FIGS. 3b, 3c, and 3d depict cross-
sectional views
taken along line A-A of FIG. 3a; FIG. 3e depicts a top view; FIG. 3f depicts a
top view;
FIG. 3g depicts a side view; FIG. 3h depicts a cross-sectional view taken
along line C-C
(of FIG. 3C); HG. 3i depicts a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B (of
FIG. 30;
FIG. 3j depicts a side view.
[0051] FIGS. 3a to 3j depict the gold-concentrator assembly 300 having; a
trough
assembly 302, an input region 304, a diverter output region 306, a waste
output region
308, a self-flushing riffle region 310, a riffle body 312, a punch plate 314,
a course mesh
portion 314b, a fine mesh portion 314a, a water input 316, a water input
tubing 318, a
water connector 320, a water tubing 322, a spray nozzle 324, a spray nozzle
326, an
aggregate input 328, a riffle groove 330, a riffle ledge 332, a water flow
direction 334,a
lower section 336, and an upper section 338. The diverter output region 306 is
an output
to the gold-detection assembly 400; the diverter output region 306 may be
called a
concentrated placer gold output. The waste output region 308 is an output to
the settling
pond 210 (FIG. 2), or an output to another stage of the apparatus 100. The
punch plate
314 may also be called a mesh having a pattern that may be random or
symmetrical, a
fine screen, a woven screen, etc.
[0052] Referring to HG. 3a, the input region 304 is configured to receive
the fine slurry
component from the grizzly filter section 204 (depicted in FIG. 2). At the
input region
304, the water tubing 322 surrounds, at least in part, the input region 304
(as depicted
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along three sides of the input region 304). Sections of the water tubing 322
are connected
together via the water connectors 320. The water input tubing 318 is
configured to
convey (in use) water to the water tubing 322. The spray nozzles 324 are
provided by the
water tubing 322; the spray nozzles 324 are configured to convey water from
the water
tubing 322 to the input region 304 in such a way that the fine slurry
component received
from the grizzly filter section 204 (FIG. 2) may be washed down (diluted) and
movable
along a length of the gold-concentrator assembly 300 toward the self-flushing
riffle
region 310. The riffle body 312, which is held by the gold-concentrator
assembly 300,
defines or provides the self-flushing riffle region 310. The self-flushing
riffle region 310
may provide a set of grooves (at least one groove) that are angled relative to
the
longitudinal axis extending through the riffle body 312. The riffle body 312
may include
a section of elongated lumber (wooden section), or an elongated plastic body.
The riffle
body 312 may extend from the input region 304 to the waste output region 308.
The
outputs for each groove of the self-flushing riffle region 310 are oriented to
one side of
the gold-concentrator assembly 300 (at an accurate angle relative to the
longitudinal axis
extending through the riffle body 312).
[0053] The punch plate 314 is depicted as spaced apart from the riffle
body 312 in order
to provide an unobstructed view of the riffle body 312. The punch plate 314
may provide,
for instance, a flat-body assembly configured to define a set of holes that
extend through
the flat-body assembly. For example, the punch plate 314 defines a plurality
of pass-
through channels that extend through a flat plate body of the punch plate 314.
The sizing
of the pass-through holes may be any suitable size; the punch plate 314 is
configured to
prevent the passage of a relatively courser material (courser slurry) from
passing through
the punch plate 314, while allowing relatively finer material (finer slurry)
to pass through
the punch plate 314.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 3b, the riffle body 312 of the gold-concentrator
assembly 300
defines (in accordance with an example) riffle grooves 330 that are each
spaced apart
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from each other along a length of the riffle body 312. The riffle grooves 330
are
configured to receive the placer gold; since the placer gold is heavier than
water, the
placer gold will fall (via gravity) into the riffle grooves 330 as the placer
gold is made to
travel along the water flow direction 334 (via draw from gravity). Any placer
gold that is
not received by the grooves may exit the gold-concentrator assembly 300 via
the waste
output region 308 (depicted in FIG. 3a). The riffle grooves 330 have a flat
bottom
portion.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 3c, the riffle body 312 provides riffle ledges
332 in which the
riffle ledges 332 are positioned at an upstream position (location) relative
to a
corresponding riffle groove 330. The riffle ledges 332 extend upwardly from
the riffle
body 312, and are angled toward the downstream section of the riffle body 312.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 3d, the riffle grooves 330 are defined by the
riffle body 312 in
such a way that the riffle grooves 330 define or provide a v-shaped bottom
portion. It will
be appreciated that the riffle grooves 330 may take on any suitable form.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 3e, the punch plate 314 is positioned (received)
over top of the
riffle body 312 (thus covering the riffle body 312 and the self-flushing
riffle region 310).
The punch plate 314 is paced apart from the riffle body 312 in such a way as
to form a
region between the punch plate 314 and the riffle body 312.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 3f, in accordance with an example, there is
depicted an example
of the punch plate 314 having a fine mesh portion 314a and a course mesh
portion 314b.
The punch plate 314 of FIG. 3f may be used for the case where finer filtering
of the
slurry entering the gold-concentrator assembly 300 may be required or desired.
In this
way, the finer particles of the placer gold suspended in the slurry may be
recovered more
effectively.
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[0059] Referring to FIG. 3g, the punch plate 314 is spaced apart from the
riffle body 312.
At the waste output region 308, there is provided a gravel output 340 and a
bypass output
342. The bypass output 342 is configured to convey the placer gold that was
not received
by the self-flushing riffle region 310 to another stage of the placer-gold
processing
system 200. The gravel output 340 is configured to convey relatively larger
particles to
other stages of the placer-gold processing system 200. The gravel output 340
is
configured to fluidly connect to the settling pond 210 (depicted in HG. 2), or
to the gold-
nugget trap 208 (depicted in FIG. 2 if so desired). The bypass output 342 is
configured to
fluidly communicate with further processing stages of the placer-gold
processing system
200, such as toward a sluice system (known and not depicted).
[0060] Referring to FIG. 3h, the upper section of the gold-concentrator
assembly 300 is
configured to receive the aggregate. The aggregate falls and rests on the
punch plate 314.
The punch plate 314 is fixedly held in position within the gold-concentrator
assembly
300; the punch plate 314 is spaced apart from the self-flushing riffle region
310 that is
defined (provided) by the riffle body 312; the riffle body 312 is fixedly
positioned in the
lower section 336 of the gold-concentrator assembly 300. In accordance to FIG.
3h, the
lower section 336 may include an elongated open-sided trough or container
having side
walls and a bottom wall extending between the side walls. The upper section
338
includes tapered side walls extending upwardly and away from the sides walls
of the
lower section 336 that surround, at least in part the input region 304. The
upper section
338 is a pass through structure having an open top side and an open bottom
side.
Direction 305 is the direction from which the aggregate enters the input
region 304 via
the upper section 338. A space 307 is formed between the punch plate 314 and
the riffle
body 312. The punch plate 314 is held in position within the lower section
336, and may
be removable from the lower section 336 as may be required for cleaning and/or
maintaining the lower section 336 and/or the riffle body 312. The riffle body
312 may be
removable from the lower section 336. The lower section 336 and the upper
section 338
may be fixedly connected together if desired. The water tubing 322 is
connected to, at
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least in part, the top outer perimeter of the upper section 338. The spray
nozzles 324 are
pointed or oriented to the interior of the upper section 338 and toward the
punch plate
314. Once the aggregate (or slurry) enters the input region 304 (not
depicted), the
aggregate rests on the punch plate 314, and the water from the spray nozzles
324 washes
(in use) the aggregate (or slurry) that rests on the punch plate 314 becomes
diluted so that
the fine slurry may pass through the punch plate 314 while the course slurry
may be
conveyed along the top side of the punch plate 314 toward the waste output
region 308
(FIG. 3g) of the gold-concentrator assembly 300.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 3i, the water flow 344 travels through the punch
plate 314
(taking along the placer gold, etc.) to the riffle groove 330 provided by the
riffle body
312 of the self-flushing riffle region 310. For instance, the riffle groove
330 may be 0.25
inches deep at the one side of the riffle groove 330, and may be 0.5 inches
deep at the
other side of the riffle groove 330 where the diverter output region 306 is
positioned (so
that the placer gold may be funneled along the riffle groove 330 toward the
diverter
output region 306 along the water flow 344).
[0062] Referring to FIG. 3j, for each riffle groove 330 of FIG. 3b, there
is an output
portal defined by the side wall 246 of the gold-concentrator assembly 300.
Each output of
the riffle groove 330 may be collected and directed to the gold-detection
assembly 400 (if
so desired).
[0063] In summary, with reference to FIGS. 3a to 3j, it will be
appreciated in accordance
with an option, the gold-concentrator assembly 300 may be provided separately
from the
gold-detection assembly 400 and/or the magnetite-separator assembly 500. For
this case,
the apparatus 100 includes (and is not limited to) the placer-gold processing
system 200.
The placer-gold processing system 200 includes the upstream section 202. The
placer-
gold processing system 200 also includes the gold-concentrator assembly 300.
The gold-
concentrator assembly 300 is configured to: (A) receive, at least in part,
flowing water
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and placer gold from the upstream section 202 of the placer-gold processing
system 200;
and (B) divert, at least in part, the placer gold and the flowing water that
was received
away from a waste output region 308 and toward a diverter output region 306 in
such a
way that at least more of the placer gold travels through the diverter output
region 306
than through the waste output region 308.
[0064] In view of the above example, there is provided a method of
concentrating placer
gold in an apparatus 100 having a placer-gold processing system 200, the
method
includes: (A) receiving, at least in part, flowing water and the placer gold
from an
upstream section 202 of the placer-gold processing system 200; and (B)
diverting, at least
in part, the placer gold and the flowing water that was received from the
upstream section
202 away from a waste output region 308 and toward a diverter output region
306 in such
a way that at least more of the placer gold travels through the diverter
output region 306
than through the waste output region 308.
[0065] In summary (in accordance with an option), with reference to FIGS.
3a to 3j, the
gold-concentrator assembly 300 is configured to: (A) receive, at least in
part, flowing
water and placer gold from the upstream section 202 of the placer-gold
processing system
200; and (B) divert, at least in part, the placer gold and the flowing water
that was
received away from a waste output region 308 and toward a diverter output
region 306 in
such a way that at least more of the placer gold travels through the diverter
output region
306 than through the waste output region 308.
[0066] In summary (in accordance with an option), with reference to FIGS.
3a to 3j, the
gold-concentrator assembly 300 includes the trough assembly 302. The trough
assembly
302 has (or includes) an input region 304 configured to fluidly receive
flowing water
carrying placer gold. The trough assembly 302 also has a diverter output
region 306
configured to be in fluid communication with and positioned downstream from
the input
region 304; the diverter output region 306 is configured to output, at least
in part, the
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flowing water provided by the input region 304. The trough assembly 302 also
has the
waste output region 308 configured to be in fluid communication with and
positioned
downstream from the input region 304; the waste output region 308 is
configured to
output, at least in part, the flowing water provided by the input region 304.
The trough
assembly 302 also has the self-flushing riffle region 310 configured to be
positioned
downstream from the input region 304 and upstream from the waste output region
308.
The self-flushing riffle region 310 is configured to receive, at least in
part, the flowing
water and the placer gold arriving from the input region 304. The self-
flushing riffle
region 310 is also configured to divert, at least in part, the placer gold and
the flowing
water received from the input region 304 away from the waste output region 308
and
toward the diverter output region 306 in such a way that at least more of the
placer gold
travels through the diverter output region 306 than through the waste output
region 308.
[0067] FIGS. 4a to 4c depict views of examples of the apparatus 100 of
FIG. 1 having the
placer-gold processing system 200 including a gold-detection assembly 400.
[0068] FIG. 4a depicts a top view; FIG. 4b depicts a side view through a
line A-A
provided by FIG. 4a. FIG. 4c depicts a cross-sectional view through a line B-B
provided
by FIG. 4b.
[0069] FIGS. 4a to 4c depict the gold-detection assembly 400 having an
open container
assembly 402 (also called an open top trough or a tubular assembly, etc.), an
input section
404, an output section 406, and a gold-indicator section 408.
[0070] The input flow 411 enters the input section of the gold-detection
assembly 400.
The gold-indicator section 408 may include, for example, sandpaper, course
material,
textured material, porous material, soft rubber, and/or a sticky material. The
gold-
indicator section 408 is configured to temporarily hold the placer gold. The
gold-
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indicator section 408 is configured to retard motion of the placer gold. As
depicted, some
amount of the placer gold 409 is held by the gold-indicator section 408.
[0071] In accordance with an example, the gold-detection assembly 400 is
configured to
contact, at least in part, placer gold conveyed by flowing water received, at
least in part,
from the upstream section 202 of the placer-gold processing system 200. The
gold-
detection assembly 400 is configured to retard, at least in part, the motion
of the placer
gold relative to the flowing water as the flowing water moves through the gold-
detection
assembly 400. The gold-detection assembly 400 is configured to visually
display, at least
in part, the placer gold that is retarded from motion relative to the flowing
water as the
flowing water moves through the gold-detection assembly 400.
[0072] In accordance with an example, the gold-detection assembly 400
includes the
open container assembly 402 having side walls and a bottom wall (the side
walls
surround, at least in part the bottom wall). The top side is open to permit
inflow of water
and placer gold (from an upstream section of the assembly 200). An opening is
defined at
one side of the side walls to permit the outflow of water and placer gold
(that was not
retained by the assembly 408) through the gold-detection assembly 400 (toward
a
downstream section of the assembly 200). One side of the open container
assembly 402
has (or includes) the input section 404 configured to fluidly receive flowing
water
carrying placer gold. The open container assembly 402 also has an output
section 406 in
fluid communication with and positioned downstream from the input section 404;
the
output section 406 is configured to output the flowing water received from the
input
section 404. The open container assembly 402 also has the gold-indicator
section 408
fixedly positioned downstream from the input section 404 and upstream from the
output
section 406. The gold-indicator section 408 is configured to contact, at least
in part, the
placer gold conveyed by the flowing water arriving from the input section 404.
The gold-
indicator section 408 is also configured to retard, at least in part, the
motion of the placer
gold relative to the flowing water as the flowing water moves toward the
output section
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406. The gold-indicator section 408 is configured to visually display, at
least in part, the
placer gold retarded from motion relative to the flowing water as the flowing
water
moves toward the output section 406.
[0073] In accordance with an option, the gold-detection assembly 400 may
be provided
separately from the gold-concentrator assembly 300 and the magnetite-separator
assembly 500. For this case, the apparatus 100 includes (and is not limited
to) the placer-
gold processing system 200. The placer-gold processing system 200 includes the
upstream section 202. The placer-gold processing system 200 also includes the
gold-
detection assembly 400 configured to contact, at least in part, placer gold
conveyed by
flowing water received, at least in part, from the upstream section 202 of the
placer-gold
processing system 200. The gold-detection assembly 400 is also configured to
retard, at
least in part, the motion of the placer gold relative to the flowing water as
the flowing
water moves through the gold-detection assembly 400. The gold-detection
assembly 400
is also configured to visually display, at least in part, the placer gold
retarded from
motion relative to the flowing water as the flowing water moves through the
gold-
detection assembly 400.
[0074] In view of the above example, there is provided a method of
detecting placer gold
in an apparatus 100 having a placer-gold processing system 200. The method
includes
(A) contacting, at least in part, the placer gold that is conveyed by flowing
water
received, at least in part, from an upstream section 202 of the placer-gold
processing
system 200; (B) retarding, at least in part, the motion of the placer gold
relative to the
flowing water as the flowing water moves through the gold-detection assembly
400; and
(C) visually displaying, at least in part, the placer gold that is retarded
from motion
relative to the flowing water as the flowing water moves through the gold-
detection
assembly 400.
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[0075] FIGS. 5a and 5b depict views of examples of the apparatus 100 of
FIG. 1 having
the placer-gold processing system 200 including a gold-concentrator assembly
300 and a
gold-detection assembly 400.
[0076] FIG. 5a depicts a side view; FIG. 5b depicts a top view.
[0077] The gold-concentrator assembly 300 is positioned over top of the
gold-detection
assembly 400; in this way, gravity may draw water through the gold-
concentrator
assembly 300 to the gold-detection assembly 400, and then through the gold-
detection
assembly 400 and out from the gold-detection assembly 400.
[0078] Referring to FIG. 5b, the output from the self-flushing riffle
region 310 of the
gold-concentrator assembly 300 is directed toward the gold-indicator section
408 of the
gold-detection assembly 400. The gold-concentrator assembly 300 is configured
to
concentrate (catch, retain) placer gold that is moved along by flowing water.
River gravel
is shoveled (placed) into the input region 304 (a top positioned tray) and the
spray
nozzles 324 wash the river gravel over the punch plate 314. Fine material
washes through
the punch plate 314, while coarse rock (material) washes over the punch plate
314 (and
then the course material may be discarded). The fine material goes into the
tray located
below the punch plate 314, and the majority of the heavy material and placer
gold drop
into the angled self-cleaning riffles included in the self-flushing riffle
region 310. The
grooved riffles of the self-flushing riffle region 310 may be positioned at a
45 degree
angle (plus or minus) relative to the longitudinal axis that extends through
the riffle body
312 of the gold-concentrator assembly 300. The grooves of the self-flushing
riffle region
310 (such as those depicted in FIG. 3b) may be tapered from 1/4 inch to 1/2
inch deep (as
depicted in FIG. 3i). The riffle grooves 330 run under the side wall of the
tray of the
gold-concentrator assembly 300, and into the gold-detection assembly 400 (as
depicted in
FIGS. 5a and 5b) where placer gold may become retained, at least in part, by
the gold-
detection assembly 400. The gold-detection assembly 400 includes a trough with
a piece
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of wet sand paper or wet and dry sand paper positioned on the bottom of the
trough.
Since placer gold is the heaviest of the concentrates, the placer gold lags
behind as the
material washes down to the next step (stage, via gravity fed). The gold-
detection
assembly 400 provides an opportunity to view whether there is any placer gold
in each
shovel of gravel feed into the gold-concentrator assembly 300.
[0079] FIGS. 6a to 6e depict views of examples of the apparatus 100 of
FIG. 1 having a
placer-gold processing system 200 including a magnetite-separator assembly
500.
[0080] FIG. 6a depicts a top view; FIG. 6b depicts a top view; FIG. 6c
depicts a
perspective view; FIG. 6d depicts a perspective view; FIG. 6e depicts a
perspective view.
[0081] FIGS. 6a to 6e depict the magnetite-separator assembly 500, an
input area 502, an
output area 504, a magnetite-attraction area 506 (also called a magnet), a
magnetite
output area 508, a paddle 510, a disk 512 (also called a drum), a bearing 514,
a stationary
shaft 516, magnetite 518 (particles of magnetite), a nozzle 520, a sluice box
522 (known),
a first direction 524 (input flow), a second direction 526 (output flow of
water and placer
gold), a third direction 528 (outflow flow of magnetite), and a water spray
530 (provided
by the nozzle 520).
[0082] Referring to FIG. 6a, the magnetite-separator assembly 500 includes
a disk 512,
and paddles 510 that extend radially from the disk 512. The disk 512 is
configured to
rotate. The input of water and slurry onto magnetite-separator assembly 500
helps to
drive (operate) the magnetite-separator assembly 500 (that is, to rotate the
magnetite-
separator assembly 500).
[0083] Referring to FIG. 6b, the magnetite-attraction area 506 includes
magnets 507
mounted in the interior (or to the exterior) of the disk 512. The magnetite is
directed
(from the gold-detection assembly 400) toward an outer surface of the disk 512
along the
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first direction 524 to an input area 502 of the magnetite-separator assembly
500. The
placer gold and fine sand may deflect from the outer surface of the disk 512
to the sluice
assembly 600 (as depicted in FIG. 6c) along the second direction 526 to the
output area
504 of the magnetite-separator assembly 500. The nozzle 520 is oriented toward
one side
of the disk 512 at the magnetite output area 508 of the magnetite-separator
assembly 500.
The nozzle 520 is configured to direct a stream of water, via a water spray
530, with
enough strength that the magnetite 518 that is held by the magnet 507 is
knocked off the
disk 512 and travels along the third direction 528. In addition, as the disk
512 rotates, the
water spray 530 strikes the paddles 510 thus urging the disk 512 to rotate.
[0084] Referring to FIG. 6c, the nozzle 520 is configured to spray water
toward the disk
512 in such a way that the magnetite 518 becomes knocked off the outer surface
of the
disk 512 (since the magnet inside the disk 512 can no longer magnetically
attract the
magnetite 518 to the disk 512). The magnetite 518 may fall into the magnetite
catcher
501. The placer gold and fine sand may fall into the sluice assembly 600 (by
gravity
feed).
[0085] The magnetite-separator assembly 500 includes magnets positioned in
a metal
drum mounted on the stationary shaft 516 and the bearing 514. The magnets are
stuck
around the inside (or the outside) section of the metal drum. The outside of
the drum is
covered with grooved rubber matting. The magnetite-separator assembly 500 is
configured to magnetically attract (pull) magnetite out of the fine sand and
flowing water.
The magnetite is the next heaviest thing to the placer gold, and also has
magnetic
properties. Fine material from both the gold-concentrator assembly 300 and/or
from the
gold-detection assembly 400 washes onto the magnetite-separator assembly 500.
As the
magnet turns, the magnetite sticks to the drum while the placer gold and the
sand fall into
the sluice assembly 600. The magnetite is washed lightly by a spray nozzle
(known and
not depicted) at the input area 502 which cleans any remaining placer gold and
non-
magnetic materials into the sluice assembly 600 (if so desired). The disk 512
turns and
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carries the magnetite 518 over the edge of the sluice assembly 600, and the
magnetite 518
is blasted off (removed) from the magnetite-separator assembly 500 with a high
pressured
spray and discarded (or may be retained if desired). The spray nozzles and the
feeds are
angled slightly in order to propel the magnetite-separator assembly 500. Now
that there is
only non-magnetic light sand and placer gold running through the sluice
assembly 600,
the sluice assembly 600 separates the light sand out more efficiently (and
this results in
improved gold recovery in the sluice assembly 600). The disk 512 is rotatably
mounted to
a bearing 514; the bearing 514 is supported by the stationary shaft 516. The
stationary
shaft 516 of the magnetite-separator assembly 500 is aligned vertically. The
magnetite-
separator assembly 500 is configured to rotate in response to water flow
striking the outer
surface of the magnetite-separator assembly 500.
[0086]
Referring to FIG. 6d, an elongated trough 536 is oriented such that flowing
water
enters via the input flow direction 532. The magnetite-separator assembly 500
is mounted
to the trough in such a way that the rotation axis of the magnetite-separator
assembly 500
extends across the width of the elongated trough 536 (an elongated open sided
container).
The nozzle 520 is oriented to shoot (spray) water across the outer surface of
the disk 512.
The flowing water that flows through the trough strikes the paddle 510 of the
magnetite-
separator assembly 500. Since the paddle 510 extends across the width of the
elongated
trough 536, the flowing water causes the magnetite-separator assembly 500 to
rotate; as
the magnetite-separator assembly 500 rotates in the flowing water, the
magnetite-
separator assembly 500 removes the magnetite from the flowing water, and the
nozzle
520 removes the magnetite from the magnetite-separator assembly 500. The
rotational
axis of the magnetite-separator assembly 500 is aligned horizontally. Below
the
magnetite-separator assembly 500, there is positioned a sluice box 522. From
the grizzly
filter section 204 of FIG. 1, the water flows along an input flow direction
532, and the
output flow direction 534 is oriented to flow to the settling pond 210.
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[0087] Referring to FIG. 6e, there is depicted an example of the elongated
trough 536
positioned in the placer-gold processing system 200.
[0088] Referring to FIGS. 6a to 6e, in accordance with an example, the
magnetite-
separator assembly 500 is configured to receive, at least in part, flowing
water and
magnetite particles arriving from an input area 502. The magnetite-separator
assembly
500 is also configured to divert, at least in part, the magnetite particles
received, at least
in part, from the upstream section 202 of the placer-gold processing system
200.
[0089] Referring to FIGS. 6a to 6e, in accordance with another example,
the magnetite-
separator assembly 500 includes an input area 502 configured to fluidly
receive flowing
water carrying magnetite particles. The magnetite-separator assembly 500 also
includes
an output area 504 in fluid communication with and positioned downstream from
the
input area 502; the output area 504 is configured to output the flowing water
that was
received from the input area 502. The magnetite-separator assembly 500 also
includes a
magnetite-attraction area 506 having a magnetite output area 508. The
magnetite-
attraction area 506 is positioned downstream from the input area 502 and
upstream from
the output area 504. The magnetite-attraction area 506 is configured to
receive, at least in
part, the flowing water and the magnetite particles arriving from the input
area 502. The
magnetite-attraction area 506 is also configured to divert, at least in part,
the magnetite
particles that were received away from the output area 504 and toward the
magnetite
output area 508 in such a way that more of the magnetite particles travel
toward the
magnetite output area 508 than through the output area 504. The magnetite-
attraction area
506 may be further configured to magnetically attract, at least in part, the
magnetite
particles away from the flowing water. The magnetite-attraction area 506 may
be further
configured to rotatably move, at least in part, the magnetite particles that
were attracted
away from the flowing water to the magnetite output area 508. The magnetite-
attraction
area 506 may be further configured to: (A) release, at least in part, magnetic
attraction of
the magnetite particles in response to a stream of water from a nozzle
striking the
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magnetite particles in such a way that the magnetite particles that were
released enter the
magnetite output area 508, and/or (B) be rotated by water and slurry flow.
[0090] It will be appreciated that, in accordance with an option, the
magnetite-separator
assembly 500 may be provided separately from the gold-concentrator assembly
300 and
the gold-detection assembly 400; in this case, the apparatus 100 includes (and
is not
limited to) the placer-gold processing system 200. The placer-gold processing
system 200
includes the upstream section 202. The placer-gold processing system 200 also
includes
the magnetite-separator assembly 500 configured to receive, at least in part,
the flowing
water and the magnetite particles received, at least in part, from the
upstream section 202
of the placer-gold processing system 200. The magnetite-separator assembly 500
is also
configured to divert, at least in part, the magnetite particles that are
received toward a
magnetite output area 508.
[0091] In view of the example provided above, there is also provided a
method of
separating magnetite in an apparatus 100 having a placer-gold processing
system 200.
The method includes: (A) receiving, at least in part, flowing water and the
magnetite
particles received, at least in part, from an upstream section 202 of the
placer-gold
processing system 200; and (B) diverting, at least in part, the magnetite
particles that are
received toward a magnetite output area 508.
[0092] FIGS. 7a to 7m depict schematic representations of examples of the
apparatus 100
of FIG. 1.
[0093] In accordance with the example depicted in FIG. 7a, the output of
the grizzly filter
section 204 is in fluid communication with the input of the gold-nugget trap
208. The
output of the gold-nugget trap 208 is in fluid communication with the input of
the gold-
concentrator assembly 300. The bypass output of the gold-concentrator assembly
300 is
in fluid communication with the settling pond 210. The concentrator output of
the gold-
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concentrator assembly 3(X) is in fluid communication with the input of the
gold-detection
assembly 400. The output of the gold-detection assembly 400 is in fluid
communication
with the input of the magnetite-separator assembly 500. The magnetite output
of the
magnetite-separator assembly 500 is in fluid communication with the magnetite
catcher
501. The bypass output of the magnetite-separator assembly 500 is in fluid
communication with the input of the sluice assembly 600. The bypass output of
the sluice
assembly 600 is in fluid communication with the settling pond 210. It is
understood that
the sluice assembly 600 retains the placer gold.
[0094] In accordance with the example depicted in FIG. 7b, the output of
the grizzly
filter section 204 is in fluid communication with the input of the gold-nugget
trap 208.
The output of the gold-nugget trap 208 is in fluid communication with the
input of the
gold-concentrator assembly 300. The bypass output of the gold-concentrator
assembly
300 is in fluid communication with the magnetite-separator assembly 500. The
waste
output of the gold-concentrator assembly 300 is in fluid communication with
the settling
pond 210. The concentrator output of the gold-concentrator assembly 300 is in
fluid
communication with the input of the gold-detection assembly 400. The output of
the
gold-detection assembly 400 is in fluid communication with the input of the
magnetite-
separator assembly 500. The magnetite output of the magnetite-separator
assembly 500 is
in fluid communication with the magnetite catcher 501. The bypass output of
the
magnetite-separator assembly 500 is in fluid communication with the input of
the sluice
assembly 600. The bypass output of the sluice assembly 600 is in fluid
communication
with the settling pond 210. It is understood that the sluice assembly 600
retains the placer
gold.
[0095] In accordance with the example depicted in FIG. 7c, the output of
the grizzly filter
section 204 is in fluid communication with the input of the gold-nugget trap
208. The
output of the gold-nugget trap 208 is in fluid communication with the input of
the gold-
concentrator assembly 300. The waste output of the gold-concentrator assembly
300 is in
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CA 02855395 2014-07-02
fluid communication with the settling pond 210. The concentrator output of the
gold-
concentrator assembly 300 is in fluid communication with the input of the
magnetite-
separator assembly 500. The magnetite output of the magnetite-separator
assembly 500 is
in fluid communication with the magnetite catcher 501. The bypass output of
the
magnetite-separator assembly 500 is in fluid communication with the input of
the gold-
detection assembly 400. The output of the gold-detection assembly 400 is in
fluid
communication with the input of the sluice assembly 600. The bypass output of
the sluice
assembly 600 is in fluid communication with the settling pond 210. It is
understood that
the sluice assembly 600 retains the placer gold.
[0096] In accordance with the example depicted in FIG. 7d, the output of
the grizzly
filter section 204 is in fluid communication with the input of the gold-nugget
trap 208.
The output of the gold-nugget trap 208 is in fluid communication with the
input of the
gold-concentrator assembly 300. The output of the gold-concentrator assembly
300 is in
fluid communication with the gold-detection assembly 400. The waste output of
the gold-
concentrator assembly 300 is in fluid communication with the settling pond
210. The
concentrator output of the gold-concentrator assembly 300 is in fluid
communication
with the input of the gold-detection assembly 400. The output of the gold-
detection
assembly 400 is in fluid communication with the input of the sluice assembly
600. The
bypass output of the sluice assembly 600 is in fluid communication with the
settling pond
210. It is understood that the sluice assembly 600 retains the placer gold.
[0097] In accordance with the example depicted in FIG. 7e, the output of
the grizzly filter
section 204 is in fluid communication with the input of the gold-nugget trap
208. The
output of the gold-nugget trap 208 is in fluid communication with the input of
the
magnetite-separator assembly 500. Another output of the gold-nugget trap 208
may be
connected to the settling pond 210 (if so desired for overflow purposes). The
magnetite
output of the magnetite-separator assembly 500 is in fluid communication with
the
magnetite catcher 501. The bypass output of the magnetite-separator assembly
500 is in
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CA 02855395 2014-07-02
fluid communication with the input of the sluice assembly 600. The bypass
output of the
sluice assembly 600 is in fluid communication with the settling pond 210. It
is
understood that the sluice assembly 600 retains the placer gold.
[0098] In accordance with the example depicted in FIG. 7f, the output of
the grizzly filter
section 204 is in fluid communication with the input of the magnetite-
separator assembly
500. The magnetite output of the magnetite-separator assembly 500 is in fluid
communication with the magnetite catcher 501. The bypass output of the
magnetite-
separator assembly 500 is in fluid communication with the input of the gold-
detection
assembly 400. The output of the gold-detection assembly 400 is in fluid
communication
with the input of the sluice assembly 600. The bypass output of the sluice
assembly 600
is in fluid communication with the settling pond 210. It is understood that
the sluice
assembly 600 retains the placer gold.
[0099] In accordance with the example depicted in HG. 7g, the output of
the grizzly
filter section 204 is in fluid communication with the input of the gold-nugget
trap 208.
The output of the gold-nugget trap 208 is in fluid communication with the
input of the
gold-concentrator assembly 300. The bypass output of the gold-concentrator
assembly
300 is in fluid communication with the settling pond 210. The payload output
of the gold-
concentrator assembly 300 is in fluid communication with a catcher 301; the
catcher 301
may capture material to be further processed at a later time, by a sluice
assembly.
[00100] In accordance with the example depicted in FIG. 7h, the output of
the grizzly
filter section 204 is in fluid communication with the input of the gold-
detection assembly
400. The output of the gold-detection assembly 400 is in fluid communication
with the
input of the sluice assembly 600. The bypass output of the sluice assembly 600
is in fluid
communication with the settling pond 210. It is understood that the sluice
assembly 600
retains the placer gold.
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CA 02855395 2014-07-02
[00101] In accordance with the example depicted in FIG. 7i, the output of
the grizzly filter
section 204 is in fluid communication with the input of the magnetite-
separator assembly
500. The magnetite output of the magnetite-separator assembly 500 is in fluid
communication with the magnetite catcher 501. The bypass output of the
magnetite-
separator assembly 500 is in fluid communication with the input of the sluice
assembly
600. The bypass output of the sluice assembly 600 is in fluid communication
with the
settling pond 210. It is understood that the sluice assembly 600 retains the
placer gold.
[00102] In accordance with the example depicted in FIG. 7j, the output of
the grizzly filter
section 204 is in fluid communication with the input of the gold-detection
assembly 400.
The output of the gold-detection assembly 400 is in fluid communication with
the input
of the magnetite-separator assembly 500. The magnetite output of the magnetite-
separator assembly 500 is in fluid communication with the magnetite catcher
501. The
bypass output of the magnetite-separator assembly 500 is in fluid
communication with
the input of the sluice assembly 600. The bypass output of the sluice assembly
600 is in
fluid communication with the settling pond 210. It is understood that the
sluice assembly
600 retains the placer gold.
[00103] In accordance with the example depicted in FIG. 7k, a tray 700 is
configured to
receive water 702 and a field concentrate 704. The field concentrate 704 was
obtained
from outdoors during a prospecting session, and now the field concentrate 704
is brought
back to an indoor setting (for further processing, in a batch processing
session). The
output of the tray 700 is in fluid communication with the input of the
magnetite-separator
assembly 500. The magnetite output of the magnetite-separator assembly 500 is
in fluid
communication with the magnetite catcher 501. In accordance with a first
option, the
bypass output of the magnetite-separator assembly 500 is in fluid
communication with
the input of the sluice assembly 600. The bypass output of the sluice assembly
600 is in
fluid communication with the settling pond 210. It is understood that the
sluice assembly
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CA 02855395 2014-07-02
600 retains the placer gold. In accordance with a second option, the bypass
output of the
magnetite-separator assembly 500 is in fluid communication with the settling
pond 210.
[00104] In
accordance with the example depicted in FIG. 71, the output of the grizzly
filter
section 204 is in fluid communication with the input of the gold-concentrator
assembly
300. The first bypass output of the gold-concentrator assembly 300 is in fluid
communication with the input of the gold-nugget trap 208 (or with the input of
a sluice
assembly). The second bypass output of the gold-concentrator assembly 300 is
in fluid
communication with the magnetite-separator assembly 500. The concentrator
output of
the gold-concentrator assembly 300 is in fluid communication with the input of
the gold-
detection assembly 400. The output of the gold-nugget trap 208 is in fluid
communication
with the settling pond 210. The output of the gold-detection assembly 400 is
in fluid
communication with the input of the magnetite-separator assembly 500. The
magnetite
output of the magnetite-separator assembly 500 is in fluid communication with
the
magnetite catcher 501. The bypass output of the magnetite-separator assembly
500 is in
fluid communication with the input of the sluice assembly 600. The bypass
output of the
sluice assembly 600 is in fluid communication with the settling pond 210. It
is
understood that the sluice assembly 600 retains the placer gold.
[00105] In accordance with the example depicted in FIG. 7m (which corresponds
to the
example of FIG. 30, the output of the grizzly filter section 204 is in fluid
communication
with the input of the gold-nugget trap 208. The output of the gold-nugget trap
208 is in
fluid communication with the input of the gold-concentrator assembly 300. The
gold-
concentrator assembly 300 includes the fine mesh portion 314a and the course
mesh
portion 314b and the self-flushing riffle region 310. The input of the gold-
concentrator
assembly 300 is in fluid communication with the fine mesh portion 314a. The
first output
of the fine mesh portion 314a is in fluid communication with the input of the
self-
flushing riffle region 310. The output of the self-flushing riffle region 310
is in fluid
communication with the input of the gold-detection assembly 400. The bypass
output of
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CA 02855395 2014-07-02
the fine mesh portion 314a is in fluid communication with the input of the
course mesh
portion 314b. The output of the course mesh portion 314b is in fluid
communication with
the input of the sluice assembly 600. The concentrator output of the gold-
concentrator
assembly 300 (from the self-flushing riffle region 310) is in fluid
communication with the
gold-detection assembly 400. The output of the gold-detection assembly 400 is
in fluid
communication with the input of the magnetite-separator assembly 500. The
magnetite
output of the magnetite-separator assembly 500 is in fluid communication with
the
magnetite catcher 501. The bypass output of the magnetite-separator assembly
500 is in
fluid communication with the input of the sluice assembly 600. The bypass
output of the
sluice assembly 600 is in fluid communication with the settling pond 210. It
is
understood that the sluice assembly 600 retains the placer gold.
[00106] This
written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the
best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use
the
invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and
may
include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other
examples are
intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements
that do not
differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent
structural
elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the
claims.
[00107] It may be appreciated that the assemblies and modules described above
may be
connected with each other as may be required to perform desired functions and
tasks
that are within the scope of persons of skill in the art to make such
combinations and
permutations without having to describe each and every one of them in explicit
terms.
There is no particular assembly, or components, that are superior to any of
the
equivalents available to the art. There is no particular mode of practicing
the disclosed
subject matter that is superior to others, so long as the functions may be
performed. It is
believed that all the crucial aspects of the disclosed subject matter have
been provided
in this document. It is understood that the scope of the present invention is
limited to the
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CA 02855395 2014-07-02
scope provided by the independent claim(s), and it is also understood that the
scope of
the present invention is not limited to: (i) the dependent claims, (ii) the
detailed
description of the non-limiting embodiments, (iii) the summary, (iv) the
abstract, and/or
(v) the description provided outside of this document (that is, outside of the
instant
application as filed, as prosecuted, and/or as granted). It is understood, for
the purposes
of this document, that the phrase -includes- is equivalent to the word
"comprising.- It is
noted that the foregoing has outlined the non-limiting embodiments (examples).
The
description is made for particular non-limiting embodiments (examples). It is
understood that the non-limiting embodiments are merely illustrative as
examples.
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