A lot of work is involved in prospecting for gold.It is possible to harvest gold from rock if it has gold in it.The best way to get gold out of rocks is to crush them.If you can get some gold, you could use mercury to extract it.mercury and cyanide can be used to extract gold from rock, but it is hazardous to your health and the environment.
Step 1: Gloves, ear plugs, and protective eye wear are necessary.
It's a good idea to wear protective gear when crushing rocks.Wear thick work gloves and use ear plugs to protect your hearing.If you get a piece of rock in your face, cover your eyes with safety glasses.Striking a rock can damage your hearing.It will be loud if you are using a machine.
Step 2: The metal container has rocks in it.
The best way to crush rock is with a blunt instrument.You don't mind damaging an old metal container.In a single layer, put 1 or more rocks inside the container.Don't try to crush a lot of rocks at once.It will be hard to crush the rocks if you layer them.
Step 3: The rock can be broken into smaller pieces using a sledgehammer.
Lift the sledgehammer into the air and swing it at the rock as hard as you can.The rocks will be crushed into small pebbles if you strike them with a hammer.If you have a power hammer, use it to break up your rock.A heavy object can be dropped onto the rocks.This may be less efficient.Gold prospectors used sledgehammers to break up rock.
Step 4: A metal rod is used to grind the rock.
Rock pebbles can be left in the metal container for the grinding process.A metal rod with a metal container can be used to make a makeshift mortar and pestle.Press the end of the metal rod into the rock pebbles, then drag it along the bottom and sides of a metal container.The rocks should be larger than the holes in the bottom of the mining pan.The gold miners used a mortar and pestle.You can turn the rocks into powder with persistence.
Step 5: The rock powder should be in a pan.
A mining pan has holes in it.Even though gold is heavy, it will sink to the bottom of the mining pan even if it's submerged in water.You can get gold by putting a layer of rock powder on the mining pan.There is a mining pan online.
Step 6: The mining pan needs to be submerged in water.
The mining pan is too small to use a container that's larger.You can put the container on a level surface by filling it with water.Push the mining pan into the water by grasping the sides.It's okay that some of the powder will float away.
Step 7: The gold can be seen at the bottom of the pan.
Shake the pan under the water to shift the rock powder.The particles that are not gold will mix into the water.The gold will settle at the bottom of the pan because it is heavier than other minerals.
Step 8: The mining pan should be checked periodically to make sure the gold is being mined.
Look at the pieces of the mining pan that are still in the water.Pick out gold pieces and put them in a container.Pick out all of the gold pieces by shaking the mining pan in the water.
Step 9: Wear protective clothing, gloves, ear plugs, and eye wear.
Before you try to get gold, make sure you wear protective gear.Wear long pants, long sleeves, closed-toed shoes, and thick work gloves.Rock bits and mercury can get into your eyes if you don't wear protective eye wear.Wear ear plugs to protect your hearing while you crush the rock.If you wear an industrial jumpsuit, you will get more protection.
Step 10: Use a sledgehammer to crush your rock.
Put the rock in a container and hit it with a sledgehammer.Continue to hit the rock with the sledgehammer until you break it up.When you use mercury sulfide to extract gold, you don't need to grind your pebbles into a powder.
Step 11: mercury sulfide can be used to extract gold.
You may be able to harvest it if it's naturally occurring.Purchase it online if you can't harvest it.The cinnabar will become toxic during the extraction process.If you live in Spain, Egypt, the United States, New Zealand, Philippines, Slovenia, Italy, Serbia, and China, you can harvest your own cinnabar.You can use an online search to find a mining site.It's found in rock formations around hot springs.If it's legal for you to harvest your own cinnabar, you should use a pickax.It is not a good idea to try and get mercury from an old thermometer.This is very dangerous.
Step 12: The powdered rock has mercury sulfide in it.
To stir the minerals together, combine the HgS with the powdered rock and use a metal rod.When they are mixed well, keep stirring.The gold should melt from the rest of the rock.The mercury and gold will form a liquid amalgam.
Step 13: The gold-mercury amalgam should be put on the piece of leather.
Carefully pour the gold-mercury over the center of the leather amalgam.The rock pieces should be left in the metal container.You should not spill the mixture outside of the leather.A mixture of rock pieces and sulfur will be left in the metal container.
Step 14: To secure the mixture inside, twist the top of the leather.
Pick up the sides of the leather to create a pouch.To secure the amalgam, twist the top of the leather.The leather can be used to decorate a cake.You can squeeze the unreacted mercury out of the fabric.
Step 15: The unreacted mercury can be squeezed from the mixture.
The twisted part of the leather should be held securely.You can force out the mercury by squeezing down on the bulge in the leather.There are silver beads of mercury in the leather.There are silver mercury beads.Touch them.
Step 16: The mercury beads can be collected with an eyedropper.
Don't handle mercury since it's dangerous.If you draw the beads into an eyedropper, transfer them to a container for disposal.The mercury can be taken to a hazardous waste disposal site or a recycling center.You can use an eyedropper to pick up mercury.Don't touch it!
Step 17: The amalgam of gold and mercury should be put into a saucepan.
Put the mixture in an old saucepan that you don't use anymore.Make sure you don't spill it.You should not use the pan for food after you extract gold.
Step 18: To catch harmful gases, cover the mixture with slices of potato.
Take a large potato and slice it.The slices should be placed over the gold-mercury amalgam.Make sure the amalgam is covered.Any potato can work, but a large variety is best.
Step 19: The mercury can be obtained by heating the mixture over a fire.
To heat the pan, hold it over the fire.Apply the heat evenly by moving the pan around.The mercury will be released as gas.The potato will leave the gold behind.