Smelted the concentrates this is what i got... let me know your thoughts?

[budzag]

Hey guys, I have finally smelted the cons i am not sure what i have got here but i used copper as the collector metal. I couldn't get the copper to melt fully so looks like the slag has matted around the edge i can see lots of silvery
gold flecks mixed in with the slag. any light on what i have got here? in the process of getting a furnace to try again. Thanks

 

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[Mad Machinist]

Didn't get it hot enough. Try adding more borax to thin it out.

 

[Al D]

Why would you smelt gold with copper? It is a nightmare to separate out the gold after, it is better to treat your concentrates with nitric acid first to remove the copper, then treat with mercury or cyanide.

 

[budzag]

Hi Alan, ive got lots of copper so i thought it would be good to use as the collector metal and when i have enough i will recover the gold by way of Copper Electrolysis. I dont really want to start getting into mercury or cyanide. thanks

 

[budzag]

Hi mate yea i was holding the touch trying to melt everything i figured i need to get a furnace to reach the temp i need to get everything molten thanks

 

[Mad Machinist]

Hi mate yea i was holding the touch trying to melt everything i figured i need to get a furnace to reach the temp i need to get everything molten thanks

Are you using an oxy acetylene torch?

 

[budzag]

No i was using a map gas torch like what the plumbers use to braze copper pipes.

 

[Jason in Enid]

did you do ANY research on this before hand?

 

[Mad Machinist]

No i was using a map gas torch like what the plumbers use to braze copper pipes.

Won't work real well. Just not enough heat output. MAPP gas in air burns around 3760 degrees F. If combined with pure oxygen, it will jump up to around 5300 degrees F.

For a small melt it might work but it will not work on anything bigger. Just not enough BTU ouput with nothing to contain the heat.

 

[Al D]

Hi Alan, ive got lots of copper so i thought it would be good to use as the collector metal and when i have enough i will recover the gold by way of Copper Electrolysis. I dont really want to start getting into mercury or cyanide. thanks

In a melt such as what you are attempting, you will get alternating zones of gold and copper along with a gold copper alloy.
the electro potentials are different for gold than for copper, and the best electrolyte is also different.
attempting to separate the gold from the copper in a gold copper alloy is quite difficult with this method
here is a good book on the subject, well worth the cost.

 

[AnnaMountain]

Budzag - for the amount you are playing with there, and for future testing purposes, get one of the cheaper tiny kiln ceramic furnaces that you put map gas torches in through the sides - I use one for testing ores and it’s done me right for a few years now.

Grab a set of crucibles small enough to fit inside at the same time. You’ll need to also invest in some long forceps for grabbing the crucibles out of there, and some nice long welding gloves are key. Also grab a *conical* mold you’ll be able to pour into, so the heavy metals more easily gather at the bottom.

With that setup you’ll be able to get these small amounts up to the temp levels you need to actually get the job done. Typically only takes 30 minutes or so and it’s ready to pour. Depending on the type of ore - you might want to think about roasting it in a pan on top of the little furnace beforehand, outside. And make sure your cons are as powderized as you can possibly get them.

Save what you’ve got, as it will be re-meltable. And put on some gloves next time you touch the slag - that can be some nasty stuff

 

[budzag]

Hi AnnaMountain, I have got a mini kiln on the way. I also already melted the cons in a cone mold but it was not hot enough like everyone here is saying it never fully turned molten so the separation was incomplete. The funny thing is for last 2 or so months ive pieced together a homemade furnace but lets just say it did not work as planned ha. question how long do those mapp gas tanks last? The problem i was having was the torch and tank would start to freeze up after say 10min then would cut out.
Yes i should be wearing gloves and should know better haha

 

[budzag]

Thanks will take a look