Gold mining involves various techniques and machines depending on the type of deposit (placer or hard rock) and the scale of operations (artisanal, small-scale, or large-scale). Here are the main types of gold mining machines:
1. Placer Gold Mining Machines
Used for extracting gold from alluvial deposits (riverbeds, sand, gravel).
– Gold Pan – Simple manual tool for small-scale prospecting.
– Sluice Box – A long, narrow channel with riffles to trap gold as sediment flows through.
– Trommel Screen – Rotating drum with perforations to separate gold-bearing material from waste.
– Highbanker – Combines a sluice box with a water pump for processing gravels near water sources.
– Dredge (Suction or Bucket)
– *Suction Dredge* – Uses a vacuum-like system to suck up sediment from riverbeds.
– *Bucket Dredge* – Large-scale floating excavator that digs and processes material.
– Dry Washer – Used in arid regions where water is scarce; uses air to separate gold from dirt.
2. Hard Rock (Lode) Gold Mining Machines
Used for extracting gold embedded in solid rock (veins).
– Jaw Crusher – Breaks down large rocks into smaller pieces for processing.
– Cone Crusher / Impact Crusher – Further crushes ore into finer particles.
– Ball Mill / Stamp Mill – Grinds ore into powder for chemical processing.
– Cyanidation Tanks / Leaching Pads – Used in gold extraction via chemical leaching (e.g., heap leaching).
– Shaker Tables / Centrifugal Concentrators (e.g., Knelson Concentrator, Falcon Concentrator) – Separates fine gold particles using gravity and centrifugal force.
3. Large-Scale Industrial Mining Equipment
Used in open-pit or underground mining operations:
– Excavators & Bulldozers – Remove overburden and haul ore in open-pit mines.
– Drill Rigs (Blasthole Drills) – Drill holes for explosives in hard rock mining.
– Load-Haul-Dump (LHD) Machines – Used in underground mining to transport ore.
– Ore Processing Plants (CIL/CIP