Mastering Gold Smelting: Techniques for Extracting Precious Metals from Sulfides

[@alanmoffat4680]

As a Research Industrial Chemist and an Analytical Chemist, now retired, I enjoyed this experimental exercise and the chemistry involved. Such an ancient technique is now explained by modern science.

[@chuxmix65]

Would you do anything differently? What controls or standards would you suggest to our host to help him? I'd bet he'd appreciate your input.

[@billwarren3392]

CT

[@DesertTuna]

​@@chuxmix65 I would say love watching ya try an I don't know much of gold soup recepes I like it to become more pure when I waste time touching it don't play with fire unless ya melting a pure 24k button or bullions it's chemicals and physical action to re separate not so much heat like a pyro peroxide pan it shaker table if ya have one!!! acid work if needed after rf test or visual physical test heated or not ya gotta have a fume hood or do it outside with a mask on ,⚖️

[@rooftopv4664]

Your channel is honestly one of my favorite channels. I really hope you can pump out more videos where we get to see the whole process, from mining to crushing to gold button. :)

[@dewardtaylor4192]

Great video Jason, thanks for your time. I love to learn and you do such a great job at teaching us.

[@LizardPuke3897]

Thank you for your videos Jason! They are so helpful and I feel more prepared each video you put out for my own smelts.

[@BubblewrapHighway]

Good start to my weekend! Getting more fascinated by precious metals every day, can't wait to get started.

[@KD0CAC]

The only thing that could have made it a better video ---- is seeing gold & silver ;) One of your best detailed videos . Thanks again

[@MrGeorge514131]

Many thanks Jason, can’t begin to describe how much I have learnt from your presentations, really love your work

[@alifalafel4831]

The way you explain your process while showing us, without all of the extra non-useful time, is awesome! Keep up the great videos! If you get even more serious with these experiments, it might be good to run each one (with no variation) multiple times to account for random variance.

[@l.mcmanus3983]

Do you keep a shop notebook where you record the things you do every day? Especially experiments like this where you will want to know the results. I worked in a research lab while I was at university, and as much as I hated the effort it took to take good notes, it was incredibly helpful to be able to go back and easily reference previous protocols and results. I am happy to hear your decision to stop using lead, but part of me wanted you to do at least one mix with lead as a collector metal for comparison. I am curious what the difference was with the one bismuth button you got that was not so crystalline. Definitely seems like it mixed with something. I also wonder if there might be some other metal you could mix in a small amount with the bismuth to disrupt the formation of the crystalline structure and make it easier to free from the slag. You are getting much more rigorous with you scientific methodology. It is very enjoyable to see! Keep up the good work and I look forward to part 2!

[@randallsmerna384]

He's literally got a video diary of everything he does...

[@TechGorilla1987]

@@randallsmerna384 The scientific method always involves a notebook. It's far easier to turn a page than to find a precise moment in a video. You make a fine point, but notes always reign supreme.

[@l.mcmanus3983]

@@randallsmerna384 I agree he does a great job of documenting his methods, however as Tech Gorilla pointed out, watching a video to figure out a flux recipe would be time consuming and inefficient. Hence why I think writing this all down in a notebook would be helpful.

[@james_wasson]

It's also going to be dependent on the site as each site will have different mineral composition. Although it'd be interesting to see some notes comparing different methods from the same site.

[@markg3025]

Thank you for the amazing chemistry lesson. I am glad to see you use the appropriate PPE.

[@chuxmix65]

Imagine doing this experiment with ounces rather than grams back in the day! Exciting! A non renewable resource. I'm a fan of small scale mining andI will always support small scale farming.

[@driverjamescopeland]

15:18 "helps the charge not stick to the mold" (WD-40) Two suggestions for alternatives: 1- if you prefer the convenience of an aerosol... the are several dry lubricants available in an aerosol can, that will perform much better in your application. Graphite, molybdenum disulfide, and tungsten disulfide are all readily available through most industrial and scientific supply companies. If you prefer a liquid that will serve many other uses around the shop... P.B. Blaster has a much higher flash point than WD-40, and tends to penetrate better into rusty surfaces. 2- graphite powder is usually the cheapest of the aforementioned dry lubricants, and is available in a near-nano particle size, often referred to as "polishing powder"/"burnishing powder". When you have a couple hours... use a wire brush to knock the scale off, then polish them graphite. The treatment will last for several uses.

[@BCzepa]

really good jason, i cant wait to see the lab results. thanks for testing all these different ratios, appreciate your knowledge

[@oltroutjunkman3471]

Great video, excellent lesson in smelting. Now the waiting game to see the results.

[@markelliott3710]

Well laid out synopsis Jason

[@luisarias8077]

Thank you for sharing your experiments, I'm sure all of us appreciate that. To help others. Not all people is like that. You're a good person.

[@outlier4ever]

Well presented, comprehensive, and actionable for your viewers. Outstanding from beginning to end, Thank you!

[@patrickc.allenlive4373]

Good smelting show. I liked the flux discussion.

[@highbridgepottery8251]

Really enjoying the flux experiments as they are pretty much pottery glazes just with a lot more Na2O and no Al2O3.

[@-r-495]

You’re right, they are similar. When Jason was standing in front of the rack with the crucibles (last few seconds) my wife looked over and said „nice plant pots“. I guess I can go get some „plant pots“ and then „glaze them“ 😉

[@bikerdillagaf1265]

You have been awesome teaching those of us struggling to feed our familes

[@pauljconroysr4080]

Jason > as always a great video and very informative and show how simple but complex chemistry can be at times .:) and nice on how you shown the break down of how you did everything and the results from that . i learnt a lot from this video and you in general , again both I and the rest of the KZbin universe out here thank you for all you time,energy, and effort you put into all of this . trust me you are more then appreciated for this .

[@Stand.Your.Ground.]

Thanks Jason! Always so happy to hear your voice! ❤

[@TrickyDickyP]

Nice one Jason, good video mate.. For separating the bismuth button from the slag, try heating it with a propane torch into water, this should release all of it from the slag. All the best

[@p8erp]

I really enjoy your videos...thanks for sharing

[@markbrown6236]

Lot of technical info presented in an understandable way. I'm no science major, but was able to follow you just fine. Love the use of cardboard to record data, it's what you do in a shop environment. In for part 2.

[@Rennrogue]

Thank you so much for going through the details so clearly! I was unlucky enough to have horrible chemistry teachers in both High School and University, so I extra appreciate clear explanations that, kudos to you, make it easy to understand!! I look forward to each notification that you have a new video out!

[@rockman531]

Hey Jason, Teacher...teacher...pick me! Fantastic amount of great information! I'll watch this video again and take notes! Really appreciate all your time & effort to educate us! THANK YOU!! Jim

[@inqwit1]

Love it. Exactly the kind of things we would be doing if we were set up for and into smelting. Thank you.

[@anthonygrey321]

The slag in the cone mold when it's cooling off...so cool,

[@tonybarnes5309]

Jason, what you're doing is really cool and interesting. Keep it up great information

[@flyinpolack6633]

great video Jason. It's really interesting how much things change with small adjustments

[@jeffashton3352]

Great video Jason. Thank you! A request and a suggestion: First the Request - build a chute from the jaw crusher into the 5 gallon bucket. Next the Suggestion - develop a line of small scale/ sample flail mills. I may have the request and suggestion backwards.

[@StirlingLighthouse]

Listen Jason, I’m not gonna lye. Maybe it’s none of my bismuth, but I think it’s way easier getting my smelts from the creek with a net. I find I sulphur a lot less. 😂

[@grandmamichelle6753]

Good one. 😊

[@JosephBoxmeyer]

Funny! My father used to love to pun at the dinner table.

[@jeffholmes1362]

Great experiment, look forward to the results. Thanks for sharing

[@granthaney2570]

kinda had to do this your all over some good some not so hope it give you and us a direction to the better mix or design thaNKS FOR TAKEING US ALONG

[@josephpecoul6532]

Can't wait to see what the results are thanks for the very interesting video Jayson

[@Drachenfang]

I'm really enjoying both this video and your channel. I love the pyrochemistry and seeing the results of your smelts.

[@silvaorgold]

Jason you. Are my favorite teacher love the class and can not wait for part 2

[@bretrath6073]

Great share Jason. I look forward to more classes from you! Thanks

[@nunyabisnass1141]

I remember when balancing chemical equasions, it became so much easier to just treat each elwment as a number, and treat it as basic algebra. How they taught us how to do it was to multiply this by 6.022, then divide by its quanitiy, then cross multiply....so many unnecessary and complicated steps. If you already knew your reagents, and knew what the most likely reactions were, then all you had to do was figure out how much of A gets you to the desired amount of B. Now i suck at math, but so many kids got hung up on following the provided instructions that they didnt figure out what they wete actually trying to do, and thats solve for X. Thats partially why i like how you explain thingsm its the least complicated and very efficient that makes me feel like i could do it.

[@bartonthom4166]

This is a wonderful lesson in smelting!

[@stevensnyder5332]

Jason, I am glad to see that you are not using the channel lock pliers anymore to pore.

[@Ethan-xm4fv]

Just what I needed. I was wondering about boil overs. You answered my question. Thanks

[@crohkorthreetoes3821]

Pretty cool man, working out your sulfide smelting dope chart. Thanks for sharing the info.

[@RyanMartin-wg7gm]

Right on Jason thanks for the class see ya next time ⏲️

[@mrwutchamacalit]

this was great i want more like this please show us more about all the process i love watching about gold but would also love to see more about smelting other ores and collecting them as well loved the gem mining you did with Dan

[@panteleydotsu455]

Джейсон благодарность тебе за твоё желание делиться своими знаниями и не легким но благодарным трудом

[@jasonhowarth6789]

It also works well to pick up one end of the cardboard/tarp and roll the material over itself forwards and back and side to side.

[@scottwall8419]

Good tip, I use that to mix old and new bark landscaping, hadn't thought to apply this to it. Great idea!

[@OwlTech333]

Very informative! Thanks Jason!

[@wrxs1781]

Good video, more chemistry involved than one would think.

[@josephcormier5974]

Thank you Jason this was very informative and interesting keep up the great work six stars brother

[@scottwolf1238]

Hello Jason! I love your videos and greatly appreciate how you try to help others. I was wondering what assay lab you use and do they want the sample ground down, or can you send them chunks? Is there a difference in cost if they accept either?

[@-r-495]

Very interesting, thank you! Just a side note: Now and again a little bubbling is desirable as it can help mixing a reaction mixture.

[@chuxmix65]

Jason, keep doing science and keep taking notes!

[@BangTheRocksTogether]

Jason, it would be easier for us to find Part 2 if you would title this video Part 1. KZbin is poorly organized and not that easy to search. Thanks. I really enjoy your channel.

[@VendettaProspecting]

Fun stuff Jason!

[@TheGoldmansChannel]

Looking forward to part 2! Thanks Jason.

[@rexhaney9806]

I like watching that program up on my Discovery plus about gold mining ⛏️ I'll never get enough of I do a little painting down there in the gravel and creeks and rivers been to the water there cuz it's cold settles in the bin of a creek or river I really like it because I really touches my heart when I see guys up on Discovery doing what they truly love

[@justindorado8152]

jason keep makeing the great videos they are very informational

[@outlier4ever]

You nailed it with this video. 👍

[@mbmmllc]

Thanks! 👍

[@TIPPYtoeup]

You’re awesome Jason. Thanks for these. I hope they payoff for you as well as they payoff for us 👍

[@davidlove456]

Great video, thanks for doing experiments and sharing.

[@hattricksprospecting1769]

Well after a long time trying to figure out what Jason was saying about things being Basic. I finally figured it out today. Basic is part of a short list of non numerical verbal PH descriptions. Basic is PH 11. Alkaline is 14, Neutral 7, slightly acidic 3 to 4, and acidic 1. But there is something about PH numbers can't explain, and that is "very acidic in excess". That was super confusing figuring out. Well that one big first step graduating Camp PH.

[@quantumbitz3473]

You old alchemist you! Excellent webcast.

[@trevorwhat]

Thanks, Jason.

[@mbmmllc]

Hey Trevor! Thanks for the super thanks! It really helps me out with the videos. Thanks for watching and subbing!

[@mattrichards1492]

I wish I could be like Jason.

[@danielcoulthardjr6608]

Thanks for the lesson, professor!

[@robertwall713]

Thanks again for the lesson of flux development and the different properties of the components, yeah I should of took chemistry in high school but this learning on the fly is fun.....if I don't kill myself in the process! Thanks again,

[@123bbbooobbb]

Can’t wait thx jason I had no idea now maybe a bit more 😝 thx for the lesson 👍

[@henrymuzgay1023]

thank you love what you do helps me out a lot great videos

[@richardbillin5190]

I am so glad their wasn’t a “Test” and the end of Lesson 101

[@azinfidel6461]

I like the lab type format considering how many samples you did.

[@GrooberNedJardine]

Very comprehensive and informative , always great watching Jason . 👍 I did a smelt of sulfides using pretty much your recipe , and added 30 grams litharge and ended up no lead button at all , just slag . any ideas on that ?

[@brushitoff503]

G'Day Ned! How good are these vidoe's Jason does!

[@GrooberNedJardine]

@@brushitoff503 G'day Leo , yeah i've been watching Jason for years , he knows his stuff alright , and shares his knowledge , which is great , over the last year or so his channel has boomed , and that's well deserved , he seems a very humble guy . Cheers mate Ned . ✌🖐

[@dubcindub15]

Great video Jason, I always prefer the smelting ones with the %age recovery at the end, but going through the explanation of your flux ingredients is great to watch and learn. Otherwise you forgot the other name most people know NaOH/Sodium hydroxide as....Caustic Soda! The same Caustic Soda you use to unblock the toilet when you've gone overboard at Taco Bell and used too much toilet paper the next day🥵😳🤬💩

[@alanpecherer5705]

Truly enjoy your experiments and your way of taking us along for the ride. I wonder if you'd be ahead of the game treating your raw concentrates with carbon disulfide to directly dissolve away your sulfur. This would be more or less a room-temperature reaction. Carbon disulfide CS2 is a nasty, toxic, foul smelling and very flammable liquid and it's possibly expensive to buy as a reagent. Once reacted, you could ignite the mixture and burn off the CS2 (generating SO2, also toxic) but the idea is to get rid of your sulfur (which seems to be your main pollutant) leaving behind carbon. I am not a chemist and in no way am I suggesting that this idea will work, but I know that sulfur dissolves in almost nothing other than CS2. I am also thinking that treating your concentrates with hydrogen peroxide (beauty shop grade, not 3% supermarket grade) and a bubbler consisting of an aquarium pump might shake loose some of your sulfur. Overnight or 2-day reaction.

[@parkerottoackley6325]

👍👍 Great video. Thank you Sir

[@ninefingermining8694]

Awesome video lots of great information 👍🏻

[@johnviinalass3865]

...good show, be well good team...

[@PogueMahone1]

Ferric (iron 3+) sulphide is Fe2S3, not FeS2.

[@jeffanderson2956]

Hello from Vancouver island! Love the videos! I am going to build a cone mold, what thickness steel do you use and approx what size is the mold ? Looking like about 6” triangles? Thanks!!

[@timothyodonnell8591]

Looking forward to part 2.

[@Rob337_aka_CancelProof]

I love those convection patterns on the top of the Molten metal

[@daman2u4eva]

keep it up Jas very Good stuff

[@ehrenkrause9861]

Thanks again, making it easy for a amateurs

[@alexkaring]

Awesome lesson Jason! Could you give us some resources as to where to buy some of the essentials such as the crucibles, borax, etc. Thank you.

[@nrh7ten892]

hard work pays off👋

[@alexejovicmueller2978]

If chemistry classes in school would have been THAT interesting and useful, I'd never have ended up with a negative grade 😅

[@lucdaigle2394]

I like your traditional fire assay methodology, it is much the same as assaying was conducted >100 years ago (not trying to disparage what you're doing). This just shows you can determine precious metal content using straight forward methodology and easily available equipment and materials. These days in the minerals industry we are spoiled by modern analytical methods, we can in the laboratory analyse hundreds of samples per day and get incredibly accurate results reported in the parts per billion. Neutron activation (inaa), mass spectrometry icp/ms, X-ray diffraction and lately hand held portable x-ray analysis. Some labs us e silver as the collector metal, not toxic but expensive, most labs use lead. Most labs offer fire assay for gold, you can shop around for a range of methodologies to analyse for gold, and then when you start assaying samples with coarse gold the whole thing goes out the window.

[@nollynnkomo1819]

Injoying this so much

[@dionh70]

Jason, we're all proud that you finally got the lead out. lol

[@chuckerickson6721]

Jason great picture quality, better lighting or new camera?

[@jamesbell8529]

TKX Jason

[@DryLakeMiningCo49]

You need the carbon in sodium carbonate to help reduce any silver chlorides into metallic silver and burn off pyrite as sulfur dioxide leaving metallics, roasting adding carbon should help

[@mangocaesar1433]

I have to say this "Im ur biggest fan."

[@3tonedThinker]

JASON- If I was you I would consider attempting to shake or vibrate your molten material/ flux when You pour it into your Triangle mold, ( shake/vibrate triangle mold) this would more effectively allow the molten metal to travel down to the bottom for accumulation.

[@KubotaManDan]

Jason precious metal analysis is not for a common man to know about, when I googled & went to these websites offering such service I was totally lost. Jason maybe you can help us understand how & what methods are used for the assay, there is everything from xrays, spectroscopy and other stuff I didn't even know what it is. And what a sample cost to assay. Might make a good video. Thanks

[@3tonedThinker]

Btw I love all your video Jason,

[@65bigbird]

Do the nails just need to in contact with the shot for the exchange or does fully submerged have any effect? Like keeping the diminishing losses down

[@dawsonite80]

great pyromet testworks there

[@jamesbell8529]

Luv it, good Job !