Patent Application
20240416359
While many who mine gold are looking for larger nuggets or flakes, fine gold can make up a larger percentage of available gold in placer deposits. Placer deposits are those that have been released from a larger gold deposit due to environmental effects (such as gold in a river or stream bed from erosion, etc.). Fine gold is generally considered to be the gold particles that are more difficult to pick up with hands or many tools (e.g., about one half of one millimeter or less in diameter).
However, fine gold can be extremely difficult to trap effectively. Sluice boxes and gold pans, for example, can be very inefficient at mining fine gold. Sluice boxes and similar mining methods separate material by size or by weight, but not both, and not efficiently. Much of the fine gold is combined with waste and is not captured.
The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items.
For this discussion, the devices and systems illustrated in the figures are shown as having a multiplicity of components. Various implementations of devices and/or systems, as described herein, may include fewer components and remain within the scope of the disclosure. Alternately, other implementations of devices and/or systems may include additional components, or various combinations of the described components, and remain within the scope of the disclosure. Shapes and/or dimensions shown in the illustrations of the figures are for example, and other shapes and or dimensions may be used and remain within the scope of the disclosure, unless specified otherwise.
Referring to
The modular characteristic of the mini jig 100 allows various configurations of portable mining jigs to be assembled or arranged using a set of common components and a few house-hold tools (one 7/16 inch open end wrench and one 3/16 inch hex wrench, for example).
For instance, the mini jig 100 can comprise a kit that includes the common components, and which can include a power supply (such as a battery), a water pump, and may also include the tools used for assembly. The mini jig 100 is designed to be small and lightweight, to allow a user to easily carry and deploy the mini jig 100 into remote environments that may be inaccessible to vehicles. For instance, in some cases, the mini jig 100 (including associated components of the kit) can be carried in a backpack or similar carrier to be carried by the user to a remote location.
The modular components of a mini jig 100 can be assembled or arranged into various arrangements: as a single-stage jig (see
Including
Mineral jigs such as the mini jig 100 can be efficient at trapping fine gold because unlike other types of gold mining equipment, mineral jigs separate material by size and specific gravity, and with much less water than other mining devices. Many other mining methods separate material either by size or by weight, but not both, and not efficiently. In some cases, mineral jigs can have less capacity (throughput) than sluice boxes, so most mineral jigs are large (to improve throughput), expensive, heavy, and loud.
Mineral jigs are manufactured as primary (large volume and rough screening), secondary (smaller capacity and fine screening), or tertiary (smallest volume and ultra-fine screening) gold recovery machines. Operating a tiered or multi-stage mineral jig system generally requires multiple high voltage motors and slurry pumps, at least one large water pump, and a high capacity generator. Even single mineral jigs commonly weigh several hundred pounds. A multi-stage system can weigh several tons.
The instant disclosure describes a solution in a truly portable, multi-stage mineral jig system. The modular mini jig 100 can be configured to perform as a single-stage, duplex, primary jig set, as a two-stage, duplex, secondary and tertiary jig set, or as a jig set with additional jig cells and/or stages. Due to the modular nature of the mini jig 100 components, any number of jig cells and stages are possible. Adding jig cells and stages increases the throughput and capacity of the system, which increases efficiency.
A modular mini jig 100 kit can include all the parts to reconfigure a mini jig 100 from a single-stage duplex arrangement (see
In an example, the frame of a mini jig 100 can be comprised of aluminum (or other metal, composite, carbon fiber, fiberglass, etc.) straight tubes, tubular joints (including tubular “T” sections), and tubular elbows (or like components) which can be modularly arranged and re-arranged to form frames in various shapes and sizes as desired to fit and hold mini jig 100 cells and associated components in single-stage and multi-stage mini jig 100 arrangements. The mini jig 100 cells and components can be universal, to be used with each of the several mini jig 100 arrangements and configurations. The single motor included with a mini jig 100 kit can be used with single-stage and multi-stage mini jig 100 arrangements to drive one or more rocker arms, using included drive link components.
In another example, the frame of a mini jig 100 can be comprised of schedule 40 (or other dimension) PVC straight tubes, tubular joints (including tubular “T” sections), and tubular elbows (or like components) which can be modularly arranged and re-arranged to form frames in various shapes and sizes as desired to fit and hold mini jig cells and associated components in single-stage and multi-stage mini jig 100 arrangements. The mini jig cells and components can be universal, to be used with each of the several mini jig 100 arrangements and configurations.
When deployed, a mini jig 100 uses one approximately 750-1500 gallons per hour (gph) from a water source (e.g., pump) and one power source (12 volt battery, for example). In one example, a single lithium battery weighing approximately 5 lbs can power a mini jig 100 machine an entire day.
In various embodiments, a mini jig 100 can have one or more of the following characteristics:
In various embodiments, a mini jig 100 can have one or more of the following construction characteristics and can be made of one or more of the following example materials (or similar other materials):
Referring to
A modular mini jig 100 cell can include the following components: A jig tray 104 with a discharge chute 105, a jig hutch 106, one or more jig screens 108, a quantity of jig bed media 110, a diaphragm 112, and an underflow or discharge tube 114. A jig cell may have additional components or equivalent components. Any quantity of jig cells can be used with a mini jig 100, and can be arranged in a side-by-side arrangement per stage (see
During operation, supply water fills each jig hutch 106 via a manifold 116 and overflows the jig tray 104, exiting the front of the jig tray 104 at the discharge chute 105. Waste (or tailings) that is less dense than the minerals of interest can exit the discharge chute 105 with the overflow of water. A portion of the water also exits at each underflow nipple 114 at a low portion of each diaphragm 112 directly below each hutch 106.
Each jig tray 104 contains a screen 108 of mesh (e.g., stainless steel or the like). For instance, the screen 108 can comprise a 30, 60, or 100 grid mesh, depending on the screen size desired. The size of the screen 108 determines the size of the particles (e.g., minerals) that will pass through it. On the screen 108 can be disposed 3 or 4 layers (for example) of jig media, such as steel balls (e.g., ¼ inch jig shot or the like) that acts as a bedding material 110. Feed material, or soil that contains the minerals, is placed on the bedding 110.
The rocker arm 118 is coupled at one end to the motor 102, via one or more drive links 120. Each end (one or both, depending on the number of jig cells) of the rocker arm 118 is connected to a jig diaphragm 112 and the rocker arm 118 is pivotally coupled to the frame 101. The ends of the rocker arm 118 are driven up and down as the rocker arm 118 moves in a pivoting action at approximately 300 strokes per minute (or other suitable rate) as driven by the motor 102. The throw of the rocker arm 118 ends can be about 1.5 inches, for example, “jigging” the lower portion of the diaphragms 112 by that distance, which pushes water up and into the jig cells and the jig tray 104, and thereby moves the hutch 106 water and bedding 110 up and down at the same frequency (e.g., about 300 strokes per minute).
The feed material (containing minerals mixed with waste) passes over the bedding 110, and the light particles are washed and bounced out the front chute 105 of the jig tray 104 with the overflow water. Heavy or dense particles (e.g., minerals) fall into the bedding 110, slipping between the jig shot with each up stroke of the rocker arm 118 as the bedding 110 lifts and separates, and are trapped as each down stroke sucks the bedding 110 back down and together. The heavy particles begin to slip through the screen 108 or enhance the effectiveness of the bedding 110 (if they stay trapped on the jig bed screens 108).
As more feed material is introduced to the jig tray 104, the densest and heaviest particles begin to displace those with less specific gravity, thus the reason for steel jig shot or like jig bedding media 110. The heavy particles that pass through the screen 108 (i.e., concentrates) are discharged from the hutch 106 via the under flow nipple 114. These heavy particles can be collected in a concentrates container.
The operation of an example single stage mini jig 100 as shown in the embodiments of
At block 802, water is pumped into the intake manifold 116, which is coupled to each jig cell at the respective hutch 106. At block 804, the water fills and overflows each jig cell at each hutch 106, flowing across the top of the jig tray 104, from the first jig cell (jig cell 1, at the rear) to the second jig cell (jig cell 2, at the front). At block 806 the overflowing water flows off the discharge chute 105 (see
As shown at
At block 808, feed material (e.g., soil, etc.) bearing gold or any mineral of interest is fed into the jig tray 104 over jig cell #1. The flow of water across the jig tray 104 separates lighter material in the feed material from heavier material. Lighter material floats across the jig tray 104 over to jig cell #2, while heavier material sinks into the jig bed media 110 of jig cell #1, creating a more efficient jig bed at jig cell #1. Within jig cell #2, the lightest material flows out of the discharge chute 105 with the overflow, while heavier material sinks into the jig bed media 110 of jig cell #2, creating a more efficient jig bed at jig cell #2. Note that any number of jig cells can share a single jig tray 104, or have individual and connected jig trays 104.
At block 810, heavy material at each jig cell that is smaller than the classifying screen 108 of the jig cell passes through the screen 108 and continues downward through the discharge tube 114 (underflow) of the respective jig cell. In some cases, the classifying screens 108 of the jig cells can be sized differently to screen different sizes of material. The heavy material, which contains a higher percentage of the mineral of interest is known as concentrates. The concentrates can be collected in a containment. Heavy material that is too big to pass through the screens 108 are trapped in the respective jig beds 110. As more feed material is introduced, the jig trays 104 will continue to fill, trapping the heaviest material in the jig bed media 110 and rejecting the rest of the material out the discharge chute 105 at the #2 jig cell (overflow).
At block 812, optionally, the overflow water and rejected light material can pass into a rejects containment, with the water continuing to an overflow water sump. The water in the sump can be recycled (along with fresh water if desired) by pumping it back up into the manifold 116 to be distributed to the jig cells. Water can also be allowed to drain out of the containment for the concentrates, and can be recycled as well.
The trays 104 can be cleaned out after each use to recover any oversized pieces of mined mineral (e.g., gold). Fine gold is collected and recovered in the concentrates containment.
Referring to
Referring to
The operation of the second stage mini jig 900 is basically the same as the operation of the single stage mini jig 100 described above. For example, the second stage mini jig 900 includes a manifold 116b where water is pumped into the one or more hutches 106b and fills the hutch(es) 106b. Water overflowing the hutch(es) 106b fills the jig tray 104b and overflows out of the chute 105b. Feeder material for the second stage mini jig 900 comes from the discharge tube 114 (underflow) of the one or more jig cells of the stage above and is deposited in the jig tray 104b of the second stage mini jig 900.
In some embodiments, as shown at
The second stage mini jig 900 is positioned below and attached to the lower portion of the single stage mini jig 100 as shown at
An example completed multistage mini jig 1300 is shown at
During operation, supply water fills the jig hutch(es) 106 of the first stage jig cells via a manifold 116 and overflows, exiting the front of the jig tray 104 at the jig chute 105 of the first stage 100. Waste (or tailings) that is less dense than the minerals of interest can exit the first stage chute 105 with the overflow of water. A portion of the water also exits at one or more under flow openings 114 at a low portion of the diaphragm 112 directly below the hutch 106 of the first stage 100.
Each jig tray 104 contains a screen 108 of mesh (e.g., stainless steel or the like). For instance, the screen 108 can comprise a 30, 60, or 100 grid mesh, depending on the screen size desired. The size of the screen 108 determines the size of the particles (e.g., minerals) that will pass through it. On the screen 108 can be disposed 3 or 4 layers (for example) of jig media, such as steel balls (e.g., ¼ inch jig shot or the like) that acts as a bedding material 110. Feed material, or soil that contains the minerals, is placed on the bedding 110.
The rocker arm 118 is coupled at one end to the motor 102, via one or more drive links 120. Each end (one or both, depending on the number of jig cells) of the rocker arm 118 is connected to a jig diaphragm 112 and the rocker arm 118 is pivotally coupled to the frame 101. The ends of the rocker arm 118 are driven up and down as the rocker arm 118 moves in a pivoting action at approximately 300 strokes per minute (or other suitable rate) as driven by the motor 102. The throw of the rocker arm 118 ends can be about 1.5 inches, for example, “jigging” the lower portion of the diaphragms 112 by that distance, which pushes water up and into the jig cells and the jig tray 104, and thereby moves the hutch 106 water and bedding 110 up and down at the same frequency (e.g., about 300 strokes per minute).
The feed material (containing minerals mixed with waste) passes over the bedding 110, and the light particles are washed and bounced out the front chute 105 of the jig tray 104 with the overflow water. Heavy or dense particles (e.g., minerals) fall into the bedding 110, slipping between the jig shot with each up stroke of the rocker arm 118 as the bedding 110 lifts and separates, and are trapped as each down stroke sucks the bedding 110 back down and together. The heavy particles begin to slip through the screen 108 or enhance the effectiveness of the bedding 110 (if they stay trapped on the jig bed screens 108).
As more feed material is introduced to the jig tray 104, the densest and heaviest particles begin to displace those with less specific gravity, thus the reason for steel jig shot or like jig bedding media 110. The heavy particles that pass through the screen 108 (i.e., concentrates) are discharged from the hutch 106 via the under flow nipple 114. These heavy particles flow with the underflow water into the jig tray 104b of the second stage, via the receiver 901 (if present).
The heavier particles that pass through the screen 108 of the first stage jig cell(s) are discharged from the hutch(es) 106 of first stage jig cells via the under flow nipples 114 and into the jig tray 104b of the second stage jig cell(s). Underflow from the first stage jig cell(s) passes over the bedding 110b in the tray 104b of the second stage jig cell(s), and all of the lighter particles are washed and bounced out the front chute 105b of the second stage jig tray 104b with the overflow.
Heavy or dense particles fall into the bedding 110b of the second stage jig cell, slipping between the jig media 110b with each up stroke of the rocker arm 118b as the bedding 110b lifts and separates, and are trapped as each down stroke of the rocker arm 118b draws the bedding 110b back down and together. The heavy particles begin to slip through the screen 108b or enhance the effectiveness of the bedding 110b (if they stay trapped on the jig bed) of the second stage 900.
As more feed material is introduced into the tray 104b of the second stage, the densest and heaviest particles begin to displace those with less specific gravity, thus the reason for steel jig shot or like jig bedding media 110b. The heavies that pass through the screen 108b of the second stage jig cell (i.e., concentrates) are discharged from the hutch 106b via the under flow nipple 114b of the second stage jig cell. They can be collected in a concentrates container, or can be passed to a subsequent jig stage. Each subsequent jig stage includes at least one jig cell, which operates as described relative to the second stage jig cell.
Example operation of the example multi-stage mini jig 1300 shown in the embodiments of
At block 1602, water is pumped into the intake manifold 116, which is coupled to each jig cell at the respective hutch(es) 106 and 106b. At block 1604, the water fills and overflows each jig cell at each hutch 106 and 106b, flowing across the top of the jig trays 104 and 104b. At block 1606 the overflowing water flows off the discharge chutes 105 and 105b (see
As shown at
At block 1608, feed material (e.g., soil, etc.) bearing gold or any mineral of interest is fed into the jig tray 104 over the first stage jig cell(s). Light material floats out the discharge chute 105 with the overflow, while heavy material sinks into the jig bed 110, creating a more efficient jig bed 110 at the first stage jig cell. At the second stage jig cell, light material flows out of the discharge chute 105b with the overflow, while heavy material sinks into the jig bed 110b, creating a more efficient jig bed 110b at the second stage jig cell.
At block 1610, heavy material at each jig cell stage (known as concentrates) that is smaller than the classifying screens 108 and 108b passes through the screens 108 and 108b and continues downward through the discharge tube 114 and 114b (underflow) of the respective jig cell stage. The concentrates from the first stage jig cell(s) (e.g., primary) feed the second stage jig cell(s) (e.g., secondary). In some cases, the classifying screens 108 and 108b of the jig cell stages are sized differently. For instance, the classifying screen 108b in the secondary jig tray(s) 104b can be finer than the classifying screen 108 in the primary jig tray 104, resulting in superfine concentrates exiting from the second stage jig cell(s).
Heavy material that is too big to pass through the screens 108 and 108b is trapped in the respective jig beds 110 and 110b. As more feed material is introduced, the jig trays 104 and 104b will continue to fill, trapping the heaviest material in the jig bed media 110 and 110b and rejecting the rest of the material out the respective discharge chutes 105 and 105b (overflow).
At block 1612, optionally, the overflow water and rejected light material can pass into a rejects containment, with the water continuing to an overflow water sump. The water in the sump can be recycled (along with fresh water if desired) by pumping it back up into the manifold 116 to be distributed to the jig cells. Water can also be allowed to drain out of the containment for the concentrates, and can be recycled as well.
The trays 104 and 104b can be cleaned out after each use to recover any oversized pieces of mined mineral (e.g., gold). Fine gold is collected and recovered in the concentrates containment.
In an example, an associated mini trommel (washer/classifier) can also be assembled from components included in a mini jig kit or supplied separately. An example operation 1900 of a mini trommel is disclosed relative to the flow chart at
In an example, at block 1902 material is introduced to the trommel via a feed hopper located at the rear of the machine. At block 1904, the feed hopper remains stationary while the trommel barrel rotates slowly around a center axis. In some cases, the mini trommel can be more efficient when the rear of the machine is elevated a few degrees (e.g., about 2 degrees or so). A combination of the trommel's rotation, gravity, and a constant flow of water (at block 1906) from an internal spray bar and feed hopper spray nozzle keep the material moving slowly toward the discharge end (front) of the trommel barrel. At block 1908, as the material is washed, smaller material passes through classifying screen windows and larger material continues forward. The larger material is discharged while the smaller, classified material is discharged below the machine.
At 1910, most of the water is discharged through the classification screens, but some water is discharged with the rejected material out the discharge end (front) of the trommel barrel. At 1912, the classified output of the trommel can be input as feed material to any configuration of mini jig 100 or multistage mini jig 1300.
Aspects of the present disclosure have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed or disclosed need be carried out in the specific order described.
Although the implementations of the disclosure have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the implementations are not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as representative forms of implementing the claims.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)(1) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/509,011, filed Jun. 19, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63509011 | Jun 2023 | US |
