How to clean gold concentrates using mercury part 2

Part two - here we show how to finish the process and clean the gold.
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[@calebfair810]

When you get to the part where you take the copper and use it to reclaim the Hg, that process that is taking place is called cementing. What is happening is that your placing a metal at a higher energy state into your acid and it takes that metal in solution and kicks out the lower e state metal. If you are interested to know more look up info on the reactivity series of metals it something every refiner should know by heart. I absolutely love your content thank you so much for taking time to make these videos.

[@mikemarriam]

Once again you prove your channel to be the most educational prospecting channel on KZbin. Thank you.

[@TwoToes]

Thank you.

[@raydowdy6914]

I 2nd that. Thank you for sharing your knowledge us all.

[@mikaelis1116]

It never ceases to amaze me how much practical knowledge I get out of your videos. Thanks for taking the time to teach us what it took you a lifetime to learn. Wish I'd meet you back in the 80s.

[@TwoToes]

Thank you very much!

[@johnallen4929]

Gary, I must say, the videos on using mercury were very good, I remember back in 1981 & 1982 they would have been worth their weight in gold ( pun intended ). I bought a small dredge, all the mining equipment, mercury and anything else that was recommended to me plus a couple of books. I have learned more from your videos than anything or anyone could have ever taught me back then. just a shame that I didn't know you back then. Thanks for sharing your knowledge & the time it took to make the videos, Very much appreciated. John

[@TwoToes]

In the 80's, my store was located in Chico CA. I had a scuba diving and gold mining shop. I gave classes on both! Thank you very much - Gary

[@urbanminer8003]

Great video! If you add a piece of iron to your copper nitrate you can recover your copper back as well. The copper will plate on to the iron.

[@OptishockClips]

isn it best to cover the proces with Papertowls? Or does this disturb the process please?

[@deadeyedick73]

Thank you, thank you! Great video Gary. I don't know if I will ever use mercury for my small prospecting hobby but now I know how to properly do it. I can't thank you enough for taking the time to share your knowledge.

[@TwoToes]

Thank you.

[@alpinecountybackroads930]

Thank You for the great video. The quest for gold on my property has moved me from a placer kind of guy to a quartz hard rocker. I appreciate seeing your process from end to end.

[@basilkey2949]

7 Years later. Still very good video. Full of information. Thank you.

[@andyamysarizonaadventures5450]

Very cool stuff! It took me a couple days to get threw part 1 & 2 I will be trying this process in a few months and will go back threw both parts,I just can't seem remember what happens to the remaining black sands🤔🙂

[@allancrow134]

I love KZbin because of knowledgeable folks like Gary. That was wonderful. Thanks Gary. :)

[@spinny2010]

Both episodes were truly fascinating. You are a great teacher. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@richardjoyner9266]

its great you add bloopers at the end.

[@TwoToes]

Thank you.

[@BrandonHatch-ut3wu]

Absolutely fantastic video, Thank you. You broke it down to simple steps and showed us how to be safe about it. Shared with a friend too. Thank you again!

[@lonesquid]

"... and you'll always have a little gold in your pan!" LOL! Awesome instructional (and entertaining) videos, Gary! Thanks again!

[@osvaldocalle1047]

Thank you very much for your educational video. I am very new to the adventure in gold prospecting and I can't thank you enough for your patience in teaching and helping a new guy out with your videos. May God continue to bless you always and give you the strength to keep it up.

[@ANickerson411]

You give a mature video for generations to see and learn from. Besides the knowledge to teach all of these wonderful talent's I think your determination and patience are outstanding. All the best to your future findings and health Namaste.

[@christianperspective9527]

Love the bloopers at the end of the video. I know a place that was active in the 1860’s where the Chinese worked the gold out of the sand using copper plates with mercury. There are many piles of tailings left behind from this. I wonder how efficient they were then, if maybe there’s gold in them tailings. or maybe almalgum on the bedrock. It was a very rich area back then.

[@ralphjohnson7032]

Thank you Gary for sharing this part of retrieving the very fine golds left , you've helped me understand better about mercury and its use here and lose my fear of mercury. I'm unsure if I'll ty this step or not but have definitely given me a good education on the dangers and procedures should I decide to pursue the gold down to that extreme. I look forward to more of your educational videos .

[@sanfranciscobay]

The out takes are funny. We think you are doing this without any errors.

[@TwoToes]

The old saying - If I had a dollar! The hard part is picking out the best ones - there are so many. Thank you - Gary

[@michaelflores9796]

Sir this is by far the best educational video i have seen to date. Thank you

[@michaelpack7591]

I'll say this, you're a very good teacher. Thank you for taking the time to teach us!

[@Jazman342]

Thank you for this very clear explanation. All I knew about it was it's existence. Been looking at videos prior to trying panning for the first time so obviously this is way down the track for me but knowledge is power.

[@sharonkasper5126]

Gary, saw your method to process and clean gold. In camp, I put my amalgen ball after I squeeze thru cloth, in a frying pan, heat it up and walk away. works a lot easier then nitric and in my opinion a lot safer. When you walk away boiling with nitric those brown fumes are very dangerous. Shake in plastic bottle with cleanser and there you go. Lot faster and safer. Love your series.

[@davidstepnenson857]

you do a very good job teaching the public your craft. I want to thank you for your effort.

[@sam2753]

Fantastic demonstration on both parts 1 & 2! I always enjoy learning from you!

[@TwoToes]

Thank you.

[@PartridgeFamilyProspecting]

What a cool process.. I believe thats what my grandfather was doing out on the land.. neat to see someone who knows it still

[@drsjamesserra]

Awesome video, I will use it for chemistry class. Students can work out safety and reaction equations! Watched both episodes in one go. Great stuff!

[@grumpypancho8219]

Thank you sir I have research presentation on mercury and I would like to thank you for your presentation.

[@dalekundtz4603]

Thanks Gary for going through this entire process of cleaning the gold. I hope you have had a great Christmas. ☃️ 🎄

[@lonesquid]

Hey Gary - you are a gifted teacher, and a generous person for sharing your knowledge with us. By the way - my wife has nicknamed you "Golden Toes" :)

[@trevorreid3825]

When I was a little boy I’ve heard stories from my grandfather doing this and that should holl the prospector sitting around the fire blowing off Mercer. Blessed with those thoughts from them I am sure glad that I watched your amazing explanation on how to separate mercury from gold I was quite impressed and you’re doing a great job on your videos keep up the good work

[@courdyjoey]

Thanks Gary! Always look forward to your videos. I learned the hard way about how potent that nitrogen dioxide gas can be! Well, it was actually my coworker who decided to drop a hunk of copper into concentrated nitric acid just a few feet away from me without me knowing. Moments later I got this extreme burning sensation in my nose and lungs almost as if I took a really strong whiff of chlorine...not good! Take care Gary.

[@renepaz4208]

Great video, pretty awesome seeing how the Mercury captures every piece of gold even the microscopic stuff. Thanks again for the video and I hope the weather is getting better up there to start prospecting again.

[@TwoToes]

Thanks!

[@haroldjohnson1451]

Thanks this helps alot, I'll get back with you after I run all my Concentrates. I'm getting ready to go back to Arizona for the winter and I will work on the Concentrates down there.

[@johnNJ4024]

My father, who is passed away now but was born in 1922, said that it was a common practice for gold assay offices to use a distillation apparatus to reclaim the mercury by boiling it off and then condensing it back to a liquid and it would drip into a collection container to reuse it. This process left the pure gold behind in the "boiling flask" to be collected by the assayer. Do you know much about this process and the equipment used to perform it? Thanks for your help and thank you for making such a detailed and informative video. Wonderful job!

[@TwoToes]

That process is called retorting. If I have a large amount, a half cup or so, I will us the retort. For small amounts I thinks the acid is faster and safer.

[@Benzz71]

That's was really interesting. Just started watching your channel a few days ago, its so practical. For many years whenever I've panned off a bit of gold from gravels or crushings from the 'dolly pot', I've panned it off much as I can, then just put the rest in a plastic bottle with some mercury that came out of a busted thermometer years ago. Its all still in there - I just didn't know how to get it back - save from an old trick of putting the amalgam ball into a potato and backing it in a fire. Now I know I'll have to get myself a chamois, and find that bottle! Hopefully its grown over the years!

[@TwoToes]

Thanks and good luck!

[@ShuMO99]

Two toes. You're awesome! Great video. I have even more respect for your knowledge than I did before!

[@TwoToes]

Thank you very much.

[@stevepatrick5058]

good stuff I use a retort for recovery I think your way would be good for smaller mounts of gold I use a copper sheet coated in mercury use in small sluice box with circulation pump so I don"t contaminate rivers was taught to me by old gold miners I am now 60 years old been mining since 12y old will try your way next time enjoy all your videos kept up the the good work

[@rogerray7820]

Great instructions. I'm not processing anymore and have clean mercury if anyone needs some.

[@scooner67]

excellent informative video. Always wondered how mercury was used to separate gold from the rubbish...

[@simonwaite5815]

I didn't know anything about this process before I watched your video. I am not sure if I would use the process myself but I certainly appreciate your sharing this information. I have subscribed to your channel and look forward to learning more- thank you.

[@robertwhite268]

Thanks for showing that process if I ever find gold with mercury on it I will know how to get it off the gold Thanks for sharing

[@Trapatatra]

Your neighbors must love you and your gasses. Great channel, just subscribed.

[@jeremygirtz3254]

While the gas was coming out of the pan you could see a fly on the right of the table dying from the gas fumes that's some powerful stuff!!!

[@alfredogarciasalinas]

Gary, I really appreciate all the knowledge you share in this video! I have some questions: - When you mix the Nitric and the Amalgam you use a plastic pan, I wonder if the reaction is exothermic, would it be better to use a Beaker? - If my concentrate sand also contains Silver and Copper then I suppose when you add Nitric you end with the Gold precipitated and the Silver, Mercury and Copper dissolved in the solution, so I wonder what would happen when you add the Copper bar. Which of the metals precipitates first? Mercury or Silver? - If you are going to melt the resulting gold do you recommend doing the cleaning process with the coin cleaner anyway? Finally, what is the purity of the gold at the end ? Regards! Alfredo

[@TwoToes]

I use the black gold pan because the sun heats it up. The warmer it gets the quicker it reacts.

[@DuaneTheOakHirst]

Thanks for the best explanation for this process.

[@thomas194907]

thanks, gary...quite the process...i found this very interesting !!!

[@TwoToes]

Thank you!

[@rawkinj6609]

This is one time where i'd be glad to put on a mask!! That's wild man! Love the Channel, ! Cheers from Montreal!

[@Kls1972sm]

LOL..That ending got me laughing ..Great vid SIR..Very educational

[@jeffgreen977]

Thank you Gary!.... I appreciate the hard work you do on these videos!.... We used to have a business on Santa Cruz Island and so I also love your fishing videos! .... Good memories!!!

[@TwoToes]

Thank you!

[@maxb7131]

Thanks, since your video How to separate gold from black sand i was waiting for this one. you are very good for explaining your process. Another great video. Take care

[@TwoToes]

Thank you.

[@mikeconnery4652]

Excellent video and it seems to emphasize the point, " go big or go home ". I love science so that was very interesting. I' ve also watched someone use aqua gia and it looks like a cleaner process.

[@53philp]

Liked the little bloopers at the end lol

[@karlbe8414]

I would recommend using Nitrile gloves instead of the Latex one's that you are using. Or some chem proof thicker gloves. Nitrile is much less porous and readily available. Also, that Nitric acid vapor is really toxic and a respirator with the correct filter in it would be an easy addition and add years to your life. But, thank you for showing the basic process that I never quite knew. Also, what do you do with that fine gold powder after you weigh it? I could see melting it in a crucible with borax and MAP gas to make a button.

[@dalewier9735]

Karl what is that gas?

[@श्रीराधे-व1ण]

Yes , i agree

[@cheaplaughkennedy2318]

This was really interesting, wow I could see the fumes coming off that , really enjoyed thanks Gary .

[@Daliclock]

Thank you for the informative video, I had always wanted to know how mercury is used in gold recovery. My only advice to you and those watching this is to always wear you safety goggles! Mixing an acid and a base can have a violent reaction sending caustic chemicals flying everywhere, better safe than blah blah blah....

[@dannyhill2528]

Another great video. Finally getting some rain in Victoria so we can finally go panning again. Thanks for the inspiration

[@TwoToes]

We have to much rain, I am waiting for the rain to stop so I can go panning. Thank you and good luck!

[@erikkekkonen8481]

Great vid Gary very informative !!! I see it can be a little lengthy but it is a great process. Thank you for taking the time to share your Knowledge !!!

[@TwoToes]

Thank you.

[@richardpeel782]

Got to love the out takes, glad I checked the notes for the new channel.

[@richardpeel782]

And have you ever checked out www.goldprospectorsspace.com/ I think they would love to have you on a radio show.

[@TwoToes]

Thank you!

[@tcom3019]

My grandpa used to make those belt buckles. How cool!

[@robertjohn8469]

Very well done professor! Informative with focus on safety. Thanks

[@patrickjones1061]

I have never seen this mercury process before. Thank you for the video. Does this have benefits as opposed to retorting? Excellent video 😉

[@paulparnell3839]

You videos are always entertaining your knowledge is amazing. I wish I lived next door to you life would never be boring

[@TwoToes]

You wouldn't want to live next to me - my lawn never gets mowed. Thank you very much - Gary

[@frankbowman22]

I skipped the acid treatment on recovering my gold out of the Mercury by using a retort I find it's much safer to do that but this is a very good video thank you for making this video for us

[@ivanesquivel7380]

I just got skooled by uncle sam i liked how the mercury was attracted to the cooper

[@Rfloyd5wanafish]

Another great video. Worth the time on the wait. Would you ever consider taking people on a pay by pay basis out on a weekend gold trip. Because I would sign up in a minute. Its a thought.

[@TwoToes]

Its something I have thought about, but I doubt if I would charge for it. But I am going to have to retire first, don't have enough time to get half the things done that I want to do. Thanks - Gary

[@VRMN8R]

WOW!!! Very informative and quite the process. Thank you for taking the time to make this.

[@maikailoa808]

Your a great teacher gary. Thank you. Ron

[@lestersnoderly1579]

Great information and thank you for sharing this procedure.

[@mountainmanjim]

Happy Trails . your my favorite prospector

[@ANickerson411]

Wow ty you are thorough and a great teacher with a life time of experience I think. Subscribed :)

[@ryanhenak]

Two days of work, but amazing results!

[@markopittman2833]

recovery of mercury safely seems to be quite a easy chore this way. i commend you for your attention to this. i myself get sometimes what we call 49 ers gold out of the creek with mercury already on it, a leftover from the goldrush. in the past i would gather it up and insert into a potatoe and throw it in the fire. burns the merc. out. no so good for the environment though.

[@tincanproductions5480]

Great video, I've always wondered how the process worked! Thanks!

[@TwoToes]

Thank you!

[@MrAllan9]

I will watch any video you put up, there so easy to follow. Thanx a bunch.

[@TwoToes]

You are to kind - thank you!

[@jasoncampbell5724]

Man, thank you for spreading your valuable knowledge!

[@donaldregnier6182]

The record rainfall in California (Jan-Mar 2017) is breaking loose some GOOD GOLD. Now isn't that right? Go get some, your pan is waiting. Wished I was there, cause I'm certain the rush will be on. Great stuff, your knowledge and wisdom precedes you. But me, just hiding out in Kansas!

[@TwoToes]

It should be a good year, if the rain ever stops. I had plans to do a little prospecting Saturday - well, it rained! In another 3 to 4 weeks, all this weather should die down, rivers should drop a little. Then the fun can start! Thanks - Gary

[@kringle02]

Have you ever heated the mercury in to a vapor and cooled it to catch it and would that leave you with clean gold per say .now when I say heat the mercury I mean by a closed system so vapors don’t go in to the air .in my mind it would work but I have no idea what I’m realy talking about just a theory .great video I learned a lot .

[@TwoToes]

Yes I have, its called retorting. Works very well but takes a lot more time and is very dangers if not done correctly.

[@johnriley215]

Gary: Copper "in solution" is toxic to fish and other living things. Ideally you should put some iron/steel into the solution and let it react for days until the solution is a clearish/brownish color. The copper will drop to the bottom as fine copper metal (powder) and will no longer be in solution and will no longer be toxic. If "down the drain" is a sewage treatment plant, small quantities with copper in solution would be acceptable but if it goes to groundwater or a septic system the copper in solution can kill some of the microbes that process your waste or whatever else it comes into contact with. Copper is used in very small quantity to kill mold in fish tanks but in larger quantities will kill them. The quantities you are dealing with here are very small but if someone was using very large quantities it would matter a lot. Thanks for the great video and for covering safety so well.

[@jparks411]

Thanks for the lesson. Very informative

[@sumrica]

Very informative. Thank you for showing us the entire process.

[@TwoToes]

Glad to help. Thanks - Gary

[@chrisclintsman1012]

Thank you very much was a great video put everything in layman's terms very easy to understand now where did you get the acid

[@CplSkiUSMC]

That was informative Gary, I always though you were just supposed to heat up the amalgam to evaporate off the mercury. Ya learn something new every day.

[@TwoToes]

You can do it that way, but the fumes are pure mercury and you can't smell them! Another thing I don't like about burning off the mercury, once it cools it condensates back to liquid mercury and contaminates the area your working. Thanks - Gary

[@Metal_Master_YT]

@@TwoToes do it outside then

[@troymcconnell6147]

all your videos are solid imho... thank you ... it has been a while since i did the nitric acid , mercury reaction but if i remember correctly i use to add something to the nitric acid , mercury solution and the mercury precipitated out ... pretty sure it was not copper ... and thank you again

[@DocDave77]

Just found your channel last week and binged watched all of your vids... Great stuff! I'm retiring in Texas next year and moving to Auburn, I'd like to pay to go out with you a few times and mine your brain. We have hunting and fishing guides, you should be a gold prospecting guide.

[@eugenesmuda2650]

Nicely done the step by step process and PPE was great and well communicated. I would add wearing a certified mask would also be advised. I live in NW Connecticut and love metal detecting and NOW looking for Glacier gold in brooks and streams. I am looking forward to trying out your methods to see if they will work here. Great Job!

[@TwoToes]

Any thing that will give you more room for error is a great idea. Good luck and thank you.

[@torchandhammer]

There is no mask that will protect from nitric acid fumes.

[@mariodibenedetto4160]

High was the gold encrusted or attached to the black sand or was it Free milling fine gold, before you did your Process.

[@anxietyislandllc]

I'm panning and only finding black sand. Like about a quart jar of it. Would it be worth doing this process despite not seeing gold? Thanks! Great videos!

[@WhoWouldWantThisName]

Fascinating stuff, though I really doubt I will ever do this myself. I think I will leave the chemicals, acids, mercury, etc. to you and the pros. Very interesting to see this process though, thanks.

[@spiveytucker2068]

The outtakes are great! So are your videos. I've learned a lot from you. How about metal detecting on ground?

[@GrooberNedJardine]

now that's another way of doing it I didn't know about ,very good thanks .

[@TwoToes]

Thanks!

[@MrTrekFanDan]

Awesome videos, very detailed and informative Gary....They say mercury fumes can cause an enlargement of the mustache, so be carefu...uhoh, were too late! ....Just kiddin' brother ;-), thanks for taking the time to make these videos.

[@TwoToes]

lol Thank you!

[@garywhite1551]

That was a very interesting video, parts 1 & 2. Where do you get your Mercury and Nitric Acid from? Could you use a small rock tumbler for a small amount of black sand? Thank you for sharing and God Bless you.

[@TwoToes]

You can get Nitric and Mercury from a chemical supply house or some mining supplies stores have it. I used a rock tumbler for year until I wore it out.

[@jmsauctionbarn2492]

Where is the best places to sell your gold I have learned a lot from your videos thank you

[@TwoToes]

I have found, I get the best price by selling to a jewelry manufacture.

[@jmsauctionbarn2492]

@@TwoToes thanks for the info not sure if I can find any gold I live in Texas and i understand there isn't any gold here any suggestions

[@maciej6293]

Looks quite laborious. How many hours of work go into that process to retrieve 1.5 gram of gold? How efficiently can you scale it up?

[@williamna5800]

I love these videos, always something to learn here.

[@TwoToes]

Thank you.

[@joelmoss2401]

As always, thank you for sharing your wealth of information. Also, I really like the “blooper” reel at the end. You’re getting better and better at your production ! Cheers! Oh, by the way, I went out prospecting a creek last week following all your guidelines. Sure enough, the gold was right where you said it would be. Being up in the Sierras, ankle deep in cool water, playing with dirt was great in and of itself but that moment of discovery, there’s nothing like it! Again, thank you!!!

[@georgesmith8648]

Thanks for the great video on mercury use and safety. I like many others have heard how dangerous it's use was I am glad to see a way to use it properly. I am especially happy about the method to recover the mercury and neutralize the other chemicals in use. My only other method I had heard of, ( and decided not to try) was to fire off the mercury. I was not tempted to try the mad hatter approach. It seems that most of the process involves being smarter than the rock your sitting on when your are using it. Thanks again George

[@TwoToes]

Burning off the mercury is the most dangerous way to go. You cant smell the fumes and it pollutes the area when the mercury cools off and condenses back to a liquid. Thanks - Gary

[@markopittman2833]

quite a process, i commend you on your safety.

[@peninsulapyrenees442]

Love the video and your tips! One quick question though....what could I be doing wrong if the recovered mercury doesn’t wipe off my copper? I’m using 4AWG bare copper wire to recover the mercury from diluted nitric acid. It’s definitely on the copper, but won’t even scrape off much less wipe off.

[@TwoToes]

You my need more surface area. You might try hammering some out to a flat surface.