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Apparatus for dry placer mining and method of operating same

  • US 4,451,357 A
  • Filed: 05/17/1982
  • Issued: 05/29/1984
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/17/1982
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for dry placer mining to concentrate metallic constituents from a gravel mix comprising same, said apparatus comprising:

  • a. a frame for supporting and guiding an endless separation belt along a closed path including an upwardly inclined segment for receiving a gravel mix containing a low concentration of metallic constituents;

    b. endless separation belt means, including;

    (i) a woven mesh belt member having raised loop elements and transversely extending interstices;

    (ii) a plurality of riffle members disposed in spaced, generally parallel relationship through selected ones of said interstices; and

    ,(iii) a composite fabric member secured to the underside of said mesh belt, comprising a layer of air-pervious polymeric foam disposed intermediate upper and lower layers of cloth fabric; and

    ,c. fluidizing means for passing a fluidizing gas upwardly through said separation belt substantially uniformly along and about said upwardly inclined segment to fluidize said gravel mix and concomitantly establish an electrostatic charge proximate said separation belt;

    wherein the combined fluidization of gravel and electrostatic charge effectuate a substantial separation of said metallic constituents from said mix and retention of the former proximate said riffles thereby concentrating the metallic constituents for recovery.

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