Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 5.8
Recovery Process Flowchart:
Amalgamation Gold Rush Areas
Ore
Crushing
(by sledge hammer)
Loading
Spillage
Rodmill
Panning
Spillage
Borax
Amalgam
Middling
Spillage
Cleaning with Soap
Spillage
Squeezing
Cleaned Amalgam
Evaporation of Mercury
The crucible after being used for several times is later
collected and pulverized for processing of its gold content.
A
Borax
Blow Torching
B
The spattering which is a result of heating the material to
high temperatures, is collected for further processing.
Gold bead
Slag
Weighing
Selling
areas, even close to areas of active large-scale mining. During the i nal year of the Mt Muro
operation, small-scale miners were extracting ore from the upper benches of the Kerikil pit,
under cover of darkness, while the company was still mining in the base of the pit. When
mining ceased in 2003, the small-scale miners stayed and are still active at this time (2008).
In Indonesia and some other countries, mining companies have had difi culties enforc-
ing their legal rights against inl uxes of small-scale miners. Sometimes the small-scale min-
ers are local people with a history of mining in the area. Despite the strict legal situation,
the historical connection provides a strong moral argument for tolerating, if not encour-
aging, their activities. More often, however, the inl ux comprises outsiders who may or
may not be welcomed by the local communities. Companies are usually reluctant to seek
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