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Home made Mercury retort - always do heaps of research before using the ol'merc eh :)
LepreSean  
Posted : Friday, 19 July 2013 11:33:57 PM(UTC)
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A few years ago I made a Mercury retort out of old galvanised pipe fittings, it lost its efficiency last time I used it so decided to weld up the seams, thought I would put up a pic, retorted but unsmelted gold also shown, from the black sands at Beaumont

Edited by user Monday, 22 July 2013 3:28:16 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

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auri sacra fames (accursed hunger for gold)
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oroplata  
Posted : Saturday, 20 July 2013 12:05:49 AM(UTC)
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If you could reduce the size of the photos before uploading, they'd show up on the page instead which would be MUCH BETTER. :)

I seldom look at photos that have to be downloaded to view.
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LepreSean  
Posted : Saturday, 20 July 2013 12:48:56 AM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: oroplata Go to Quoted Post

If you could reduce the size of the photos before uploading, they'd show up on the page instead which would be MUCH BETTER. :)

I seldom look at photos that have to be downloaded to view.



Yea sorry 'bout that aye, would normally re-size them but had issues with the computer, instead of downloading, when you click on the file, mark the circle that will open it with the viewer you are using, instead of download, should just pop up.
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chrischch  
Posted : Saturday, 20 July 2013 1:45:57 AM(UTC)
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Hmmm so that's how they get gold out of sand....can I ask what side of the island that is?
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LepreSean  
Posted : Saturday, 20 July 2013 8:46:55 PM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: chrischch Go to Quoted Post
Hmmm so that's how they get gold out of sand....can I ask what side of the island that is?


you may, it is on the right side if the island ;)
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peteatpapaaroha  
Posted : Sunday, 21 July 2013 10:06:57 PM(UTC)
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Regards the galv fittings for a retort, use black steel in preference, unless you burn off all the zinc first.
The zinc will react with the gold and mercury and you will end up with purple gold that is worthless and it cant be recovered.
A mate of mine ended up with just that.
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LepreSean  
Posted : Monday, 22 July 2013 3:35:28 PM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: peteatpapaaroha Go to Quoted Post
Regards the galv fittings for a retort, use black steel in preference, unless you burn off all the zinc first.
The zinc will react with the gold and mercury and you will end up with purple gold that is worthless and it cant be recovered.
A mate of mine ended up with just that.


Cheers, I made sure I did not approach using Hg lightly, and spent a winter researching every bit of info I could find. I burnt the galv off first in a very hot fire, but caustic soda will also do the trick. Never uses stainless steel or aluminium. and best not to lean over the retort when it is going, I stay at a good arms length and dribble water onto the cooling tube. One time it started gurgling and making hissing sounds, I thought a bit of water had got up the pipe and was going to explode! I made a dive for it but was just over reacting a little, though it pays to be cautious :)
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