 |
|
 |
|
|
|
Extracting precious metals from bench
sweeps requires more than just smelting.
The various steps taken and listed on the
adjacent pages must be accompanied with
years of experience to properly process
for maximum yield. Give us the
opportunity to earn your confidence!
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Once the paper work is finished, your material is treated to the various steps outlined.
Special Fluxes are added prior to smelting to increase your materials yield to their maximum.
Sometimes special cone shaped molds are required during the pouring process, as well as
multiple melts. Lots are always carefully examined for direction of treatment.
|
 |
 |
|
Mixing... after the materials are fully "cooked" or made to flow like "soup", we insert a graphite rod (pre-heated) and mix the molten materials. This will assure us a homogeneous melt, for that perfect extraction of the sample necessary for assay.
|
|
 |
 |
|
Lifting... is the most difficult part of the operation. The crucible is at its weakest condition and special care must be taken.
The weight is multiplied several times due to the distance of the crucible to the operator's arms.
Crucibles are handmade of clay and graphite.
|
|
 |
 |
|
Hand Pouring... is an old specialty craft, still in use at Ross Metals. Special fluxes are in use to aid in the smelting process. The precious metal is poured into a graphite mold. After a few minutes, the material cools and then solidifies. The bar is removed from the mold by simply turning the non-stick graphite mold over and letting gravity do its job.
|
|
 |
 |
|
Electrolytical... These four smelters once in "Full Stream" can smelt precious metals scrap in scant minutes. The large one can handle 20,000 DWT, while the smaller ones are used for the various size lots that are submitted, as well as platinum. The adjacent generator can power a high-rise building. Speed and efficiency are what these smelters are all about. Special Fluxes are always in use to aid in the smelting process.
|
|
