Placer Mining Technology
Video Library
The RMS-ROSS CORPORATION has been instrumental in the dissemination
of information related to new mining technology since 1985, when it began
its sponsorship of the annual RMS-ROSS Fine Gold Recovery Seminars. Held
in Vancouver, British Columbia, the seminars attracted well-known professionals
in the mining industry, including professors at leading universities, representatives
of federal departments, as well as hands-on experts who run their own mining
operations. Although the major focus of the speakers is placer mining technology,
a number of experts discuss recovery equipment, project financing, international
experiments as well as day-to-day operations.
P-6-001
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Murray draws a picture of a placer site and gives an explanation of water
acts and regulations applying to mines, fisheries, and wasteland. He explains
the system's attempts to assist placer miners, and how bureaucrats view
the regulations and the mining industry.
Murray Galbraith received his B.Sc. in Civil Engineering at the
University of Saskatchewan in 1965 and his Masters of Public Administration
at the University of Victoria in 1984. He is presently a private consultant
for the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum of the B.C. Mines Inspection
Branch.
P-6-002
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H. Mason Coggin talks about the attractiveness of placer to those seeking
to recover gold cost-effectively using recent technology. He expands on
alternatives to mainstream mining methods and provides a brief examination
of what factors especially affect the choice of a placer mining operation.
H. Mason Coggin got his B.Sc. at the Mining Engineering University
of Arizona. He is a mining engineer with Phelps Dodge Corp. and is the
author of "Conceptual Design and Engineering Economics and Environmental
Analysis of a Surface-Pit, Slope-Caving Mining System".
P-6-006
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A detailed exploration of the design, use, benefits and requirements for
accurate and efficient operation of the Becker drill. Presentation of data
generated from different drill sizes and in a variety of sites with samples
from various formations.
Lars Anderson graduated from the Gothenberg Institute in mechanical
engineering in 1949. He's worked with the Swedish Geo-Technical Institute,
developing drill and soil sampling equipment and is manager of Becker Drilling
Co. since 1966. Martin Kierans got his B.Sc. in geology from McGill University
in 1948 and his M.Sc. in geology from the University of British Columbia
in 1952. He is a consulting geological engineer with experience in hard
rock, surface and underground exploration in North and South America.
P-6-008
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A detailed coverage of the factors to be considered in quantifying a potential placer site with a step-by-step examination of key factors in placer exploration. The spectrum of data needed to properly evaluate deposits is given along with a brief history of placer operations.
Ron Stokes is one of the most popular speakers on the circuit. He is a professional engineer with 35 years of experience in all types of mining around the world.
P-6-009
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An investigation of the geomorphology of gold, tracing gold from the lode
to deposits in creekbeds. Michael provides valuable insight to the reactions
of gold to the environment.
Michael Milner is a geomorphologist with placer experience from
Honduras to the Yukon. He is the author of studies on geomorphology as
guide to exploration and evaluation of placer deposits and the morphology
and weather reaction of gold particles to determine transport distance
and lode source type.
P-6-011
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A practical look at recent methods and thinking in the recovery of fine
gold by various processes. Each key factor of feed preparation is examined
to increase recovery and examples of ways to improve the efficiency of
the recovery processes are provided.
Ray Crosby is the president of Goldfield Engineering and Machine
Works of Provo, Utah.
P-6-013
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The evaluation of mineral recovery from sediments with particular attention
to the efficiency of recovery and the environmental impact of waste water.
The regulations on the discharge of effluents is also covered, with examples
of different types of operations given.
Neil Peters is a civil engineer with extensive experience in
the design and evaluation of settling ponds in the Yukon placer and B.C.
coal mining industries. He is also consultant to the Yukon Government and
the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs and project engineer for
Sigma Resource Consultants.
P-6-014
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A description of the increase in fine gold recovery, up to 90%, using various
configurations of sluice boxes. His insights into the trials and tribulations
of a placer miner with examples of problems encountered at the site.
Don Sanders got his B.Sc. and education in Geology at the University
of Alaska. He is an Associate Professor in Mining and Prospecting at the
University of Alaska. He received the honor of Geology Teacher of the Year
in 1976 from the National Association, Northwest U.S.A. With graduate studies
in the use of tundra as a filtering system and in fine gold recovery using
the Knelson Concentrator, he is the owner and operator of the Gold and
Nugget Mining Co. since 1974.
P-6-015
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Discussed are the principles of flow theory which are applied to sluices
and the results, compared to expectations in the action of materials being
processed, with a view to increasing fine gold recovery from various types
of deposits. Numerous examples are provided demonstrating machinery, methods
and achieved results.
Bill McCarter received his civil engineer degree at the University
of Western Ontario, with extensive research and experience in mineral processing
and placer mining. The owner of New Wealth Grav-Tech Ltd., he developed
computer controlled equipment for mining processing.
P-6-016
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A detailed explanation of the pulsating sluice, with advice for potential users. Ron covers
all phases of recovery from power supply to cleanup, and gives reasons for the application
of this particular method of recovery. The types of site information needed to ascertain
whether or not a pulsating sluice would be useful in gold recovery.
Ron Johnson is a BES graduate from the University of Waterloo. As a member and
director of the Klondike Placer Miners Association and co-owner and operator of a family
placer mine in Eldorado Creek, he has done research in enhancing productivity in the placer
industry.
P-6-017
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A broad brush look at the problems encountered in placer mining and various
applications of equipment and technical expertise. Emphasis is on high
volume material, processing of low and medium grade gold, with examples
from the speaker's experience in developing placer plants.
Bill Steves has his B.Sc. in mechanical engineering from the
University of Kansas. He has been a design and test engineer for 22 years,
specializing in mechanical equipment design, with extensive experience
in product design and development of large scale manufacturing systems.
Bill developed large scale placer plants utilizing a modular construction
approach.
P-6-019
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An overview of the use of the Mandrell Miner including problems and solutions
encountered utilizing a unique and interesting machine. He explores the
need for an application of the mandrell miner in novel situations to extract
economically from gold bearing deposits.
Mike Stonerhas had extensive placer experience with tin and columbite
in Nigeria. He is the development manager for Aquatine Ltd. in Australia
and the vice-president of mining for Mandrell Mining Machines.
P-6-023
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An overview of gold mining in Australia, highlighting problems encountered
and comparisons to gold production elsewhere in the world. It examines
the factors affecting growth and potential for investment and profit in
a stable home industry.
Peter Smith has experience in all phases of gold production from
mining to jewelry making. He has been a lawyer with the mining industry
since 1972 and is the chairman of Lasser-Tech Ltd., Mineral Systems of
Australia Ltd., and the director of; King Mining Corp. Ltd., Gold Rock
Investments and Australian Metals Exchange.