Liberating Precious Metals: A Practical Guide to Gold, Silver & Platinum Group Recovery

The complete hands-on reference for recovering gold, silver, and platinum group metals — from raw ore to refined bullion.Whether you're processing black sand concentrates from a sluice box, recovering precious metals from electronic waste, or refining jewelry scrap, this book gives you the practical chemistry and step-by-step procedures to do it safely and effectively.Liberating Precious Metals covers the full spectrum of recovery and refining techniques:Physical Separation MethodsGravity concentration, flotation, and amalgamation — proven methods for liberating free gold and heavy minerals from bulk material.Chemical Dissolution & RecoveryDetailed procedures for aqua regia, hydrochloric acid–bleach (HCl/Cl₂), nitric acid parting, cyanide leaching, thiosulfate leaching, and chlorination — with complete reagent quantities, reaction times, and safety protocols.Refining to High PurityCupellation, smelting with flux design, electrolytic refining, and the Wohlwill and Moebius processes used by professional refineries — adapted for the small-scale operator.Real-World WorkflowsDedicated chapters walk you through complete recovery processes for the most common feedstocks:• Black sand concentrates• Sulfide ores• Electronic waste (circuit boards, pins, fingers)• Catalytic converters• Jewelry and dental scrapSafety FirstEvery procedure includes hazard warnings, required PPE, ventilation requirements, and waste neutralization steps. A full chapter on workshop setup ensures you build a safe working environment before you begin.Comprehensive AppendicesReagent reference tables, supplier directories, prospecting and ore-finding guidance, a troubleshooting guide, legal considerations, and a full glossary.This is not a theoretical chemistry textbook. Every chapter is written for the practitioner — with specific quantities, temperatures, timing, and expected results. From your first gravity separation to producing 99.9%+ pure gold, this book is your complete guide. Read more