The mercury amalgamation process has been around since ancient times to extract gold from ore. In its early form, it was used to treat powdered sulfur gold ores. During the 19th century, mercury amalgamation gained wider popularity as a gold recovery method. Since then, it has been used for various other metals, including tin and silver.
Mercury amalgamation is the simple process of mixing the ore with mercury to separate the gold from the unwanted elements. This process is done by passing the ore and mercury together through a retort or specialized machine. In some cases, the mercury can be left in the amalgam.
The amalgamation process works as follows: First, the ore is ground into a fine powder by using a series of stamps or rotating cylinders. Next, the powder is mixed with liquid mercury or amalgam, which helps to separate the gold particles from the unwanted elements. Once the mixture has been sufficiently mixed, the mercury particles become bonded to the gold particles, forming an amalgam. The amalgam is then recovered through the use of a retort or a specialized machine.
The mercury amalgamation process has several advantages. It is relatively cheap and easy to perform compared to other gold recovery methods, and it can be done in almost any location. Furthermore, it does not require the use of toxic chemicals or hazardous materials. There are several disadvantages to this process, however. It is relatively slow compared to other gold extraction methods and the recovery rate can be quite low, with only about 10-20% of the gold recovered. Additionally, mercury amalgamation creates hazardous waste products, and the process emits toxic fumes into the environment.
Due to the hazards posed by mercury and the environment, several countries have passed regulations limiting the use of mercury amalgamation or banning it outright. Even in places where mercury amalgamation is still allowed, it is heavily regulated. Furthermore, due to its low recovery rate, many gold miners have opted to use other processes, such as cyanidation and flotation, to extract gold from ore.
Despite its shortcomings, the mercury amalgamation process can still be a viable option to get gold out of ore. It is often the preferred method of gold recovery in small-scale or artisanal operations. Additionally, the process can be used to extract other metals, such as tin and silver, in some cases. All in all, mercury amalgamation is an ancient process that is still used today, despite its shortcomings.
