Small-scale gold processing in the Philippines typically involves manual or semi-mechanized methods due to affordability and accessibility constraints. Here are some common equipment and techniques used:
1. Crushing & Grinding Equipment
– Manual Methods:
– Mortar and pestle (for very small quantities)
– Hammer mills (locally fabricated or imported)
– Motorized Options:
– Jaw crushers (small-scale models)
– Ball mills (locally made versions using steel drums)
2. Gravity Separation Equipment
– Gold Panning – Traditional method using shallow pans.
– Sluice Boxes – Simple wooden or metal channels lined with riffles to trap gold.
– Shaking Tables – Small, portable models for better recovery efficiency.
– Centrifugal Concentrators (e.g., Knelson, Falcon, or locally made “Blue Bowl” alternatives). .jpg)
3. Amalgamation (Mercury Use – Discouraged but Still Common)
– Small mercury retorts (to recover mercury safely).
– Amalgamation plates/metal drums for mixing ore with mercury.
4. Cyanidation (For More Advanced Small-Scale Miners)
– Carbon-in-Pulp (CIP) or Carbon-in-Leach (CIL) setups in barrels/drums.
– Activated carbon columns for gold adsorption.
5. Smelting & Refining
– Graphite crucibles & small furnaces (~1-5 kg capacity).
– Borax flux for cleaner smelting. 
6. Water Pumps & De-watering Equipment
– Small diesel or electric pumps for alluvial mining operations.
Challenges in the Philippines
- Mercury use remains widespread despite health/environmental risks.
- Lack of access to financing limits mechanization.
- Illegal mining persists due to weak enforcement.
- Local suppliers in mining areas like Benguet, Camarines Norte, and Compostela Valley.
- Chinese manufacturers (Alibaba, Made-in-China).
- Philippine government programs like DENR-MGB’s SSM support initiatives.
Where to Source Equipment
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