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amalgamating metal. The worked material, being discharged through the outlets (g), flows thence to a pan 
containing rakes revolving at a slow speed; from this they are discharged to the tailing heaps. Either 
mercury “ when ore is crushed wet,” or molten lead with dry pyrites, can be used as the amalgamating 
metal in this apparatus. 
On upwards of 100 tons of ore put through, in competition with ordinary appliances at Sandhurst, 
the results were, according to the nature of the ores, from 11*33 to 18*2 per cent, more gold than from 
batteries with tables, ripples, blankets, &c. All the workings were publicly conducted, and the machine 
has been unanimously pronounced the best amalgamator ever seen in the colonies, and the only amalgamator 
capable of treating tailings efficiently and economically. The cost of working does not exceed that of 
present appliances, and with a plant specially erected for its nse the cost will be materially lessened. The 
machine can be connected with batteries, doing away with all tables, ripples, blankets, &c. With ores 
containing pyrites, a very large percentage of the gold therein is saved. In late workings, the pyrites in 
tailings showed there was not sufficient gold left to pay for treatment. 
Barry's Patent Gold-saving Amalgamator. —The advantages claimed for this 
apparatus, a sketch of which is here given, are that it will save 5 dwt. more gold 
than the ordinary tables, that “ sickening” is entirely avoided, and that the loss of 
mercury is smaller than with any other process. The following is a reference to the 
sketch: — 
A is an ordinary copper table ; B the quicksilver trough or well; C a tube or bar with an amalga- 
mablo surface set with a small portion of its surface above the quicksilver, and revolving slowly against the 
flow of the auriferous pulp. The quicksilver surface of the roller attracts the fine gold, aud carries it back 
into the well, where it will deposit itself at once, or so soon as the accumulation has become sufficiently 
heavy. By this process a fresh surface of mercury is constantly presented to the flowing gold, and thus 
“sickening” is avoided. 
Manes’ Electric Pulverizer and Amalgamator .—“ Mr. James Manes, of 
Colorado, U.S.,” says the Mining Journal , “lias designed an electric pulverizer and 
amalgamating machine for saving the rusty and fine gold, and also quicksilver, hitherto 
lost in hydraulic washing for gold. The electric-amalgamator, it is claimed, will save 
from 50 to 75 per cent, of all the gold and quicksilver that passes through the machine, 
as the rusty gold will he perfectly scoured and electro-plated with quicksilver, and 
thoroughly amalgamated by the rapid action of the electrical steel brushes and steel 
mullers that revolve inside of the series of steel cylinders in the machine, placed one 
above the other, and made cone shape, and connected with spouts ; the large end of 
one cylinder is placed under the bottom of the small end of the next one, and so on, 
forming inclined planes for the sand or crushed ore to run down by its own gravity, 
which is assisted by streams of water and quicksilver, constantly fed into the machine 
from a hopper on the upper part of the machine; and the powerful current of electricity 
is constantly passing through the sands or ore as it passes from one cylinder to 
another; and, as it is thoroughly mixed at the same time with the quicksilver by the 
steel brushes, no gold escapes without having been thoroughly amalgamated. The 
material passes through a moveable iron spout into settling tanks, where the cleaning- 
up is done. The machine only stops when repairs are needed, tail-water is used for 
driving, and only one man is required for each machine. This apparatus can he used 
iu stamp mills for amalgamating purposes, and will surpass the old process of treating 
uold and silver ores.” 
o 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
Skids or Guides .—Some mining managers appear to consider it unnecessary 
to carry the skids or guides of mining shafts all the way up to the poppet-heads. 
I referred the matter for the opinion of the Travelling Inspector of Machinery 
(Mr. Meekison), who reports as follows :— 
I am of opinion that it is necessary to carry the skids to the top of the poppet-heads, as safety cages 
are provided with grippers which are made to catch on the skids. In the ovent of the cage being over¬ 
wound to the top of the poppet-heads, should no skids bo there to catch it or guide it on to the safety doors 
below, the cage, as soon as it left the skids, would be liable to swing clear of the safety doors, and fall 
either to the lower brace or the ground, and the men or trucks bo thrown out. 
In the Ballarat division there was only one mine (the Victoria Co., Ballarat East) in which the 
skids did not go to the top of the poppet-heads. Both Mr. Inspector Stewart and myself reported on the 
necessity of this being done ; and the company stopped work below until it was done. In the Sandhurst 
division I know of no mine where the skids are not carried to the top ; and the fact of the practice being so 
general, proves, I think, its necessity. Unless the skids are carried to the top, I consider the safety hook 
and disengaging gear direct sources of danger. 
