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A gold wash plant is a key piece of gear in gold mining. It pulls gold from loose dirt or gravel, known as alluvial or placer deposits. These machines use water and gravity to sort out gold bits from other stuff. Think of it like panning for gold, but on a bigger scale. The main types are trommel-based systems and shaker table-based systems. Each has its own strengths, depending on the dirt you’re working with and what you need to get done.
A trommel-based gold wash plant uses a spinning drum with holes, called a trommel, to sort materials by size. You dump raw dirt or gravel into the trommel. Water sprays and the drum’s rotation break up clumps. Lighter junk, like small rocks or clay, gets washed away. Heavier bits, including gold, fall through the holes and get collected for the next step.
These systems are popular because they’re simple and can handle tons of material fast. For example, a good trommel-based gold wash plant might process 100 tons of dirt per hour in a big operation. They work great for coarse alluvial deposits, where gold is already loose in the soil or gravel. In places like a riverbed in Alaska, a trommel is a solid choice for grabbing free gold particles.
For small-scale miners, a portable gold wash plant is a game-changer. It’s easy to move and doesn’t need a huge setup. Say you’re exploring a new site in a remote spot—you can haul a mobile trommel gold wash plant on a trailer, set it up in a day, and start washing dirt. Honestly, it’s super handy for folks who don’t want to build a massive plant just to test a claim.
Trommels are tough and reliable. They don’t fuss much, even with messy, sticky soils. Plus, they pair well with other gold recovery equipment, like sluice boxes, to catch those tiny gold flakes. In my opinion, if you’re dealing with rough, chunky gravel, a trommel-based system feels like the way to go.
Shaker tables are another popular type of gold washing plant that rely on gravity separation principles but operate quite differently from trommels. The shaking table is a gold ore beneficiation equipment that performs separation in a horizontal medium flow. It mainly uses a transmission mechanism to drive the table surface to make longitudinal reciprocating motion, perform rush flow and table surface differential motion, and the ore particles undergo vertical reciprocating motion. This movement causes stratification based on specific gravity, allowing heavier gold particles to be separated from lighter waste.
Shaking table is suitable for separating gold minerals with finer particle size, and can be divided into three types: coarse sand, fine sand and ore mud table according to the different particle size of the ore. The feeding particle size range of shaking table is generally between 0.019-3mm. These machines offer high recovery rates for fine-grained gold and produce clearly visible ore belts that simplify operation.
When comparing trommel-based systems with shaker tables in terms of performance, several factors come into play:
Particle Size Handling: Trommels are better suited for larger particle sizes typical in coarse alluvial deposits. In contrast, shaking gold beneficiation is suitable for processing and separating minerals with finer particle size, making them ideal for tailings or finely ground ores.
Recovery Efficiency: Shaker tables generally provide higher precision in separating fine particles due to their stratification mechanism. This beneficiation method is stable and reliable, the ore belt distribution is clearly visible, the rich ore is higher than other beneficiation methods.
Processing Capacity: Trommels tend to have higher throughput capabilities due to their continuous feed design and ability to handle large volumes quickly.
Operational Complexity: Trommels are simpler mechanically but may require additional downstream equipment like jigs or sluices. Shaker tables demand more precise feed control but often result in cleaner concentrates.
Whether it’s a trommel, shaker table, or jig, each type of gold recovery equipment is designed to maximize separation efficiency.The decision between a trommel-based or shaker-table-based gold washing plant depends on your specific mining conditions:
For operations focused on high-volume alluvial mining with coarser material, trommels offer faster processing with less complexity.
If your goal is maximizing recovery from fine-grained or previously processed tailings material, shaker tables provide superior precision.
In many cases, combining both systems—using a trommel for initial screening followed by a shaker table for final concentration—yields optimal results.
Additionally, the jig machine will mix mineral particles with different specific gravities, and layer them according to their specific gravity in a vertically moving variable-speed medium flow, offering another option when paired with either system for enhanced recovery from mid-sized particles.
| Comparison Item | Shaker Table | Rotary / Trommel Screen |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | A fine gravity separation device that uses the table’s reciprocating motion and water flow to stratify materials by density, separating heavy minerals (e.g., gold) from lighter gangue. | Consists of a rotating cylindrical screen with spray water, using screening and rotation to classify and deslime materials continuously based on particle size. |
| Applicable Particle Size | Best for fine particles: approx. 0.019–3 mm (classified into coarse sand, fine sand, and slime tables). | Handles coarse to medium particles: widely used for gravel and alluvial ores, particle range depends on screen aperture. |
| Processing Capacity | Moderate capacity per unit, more focused on concentrate recovery (performance depends on uniform feed). | High throughput and continuous operation, ideal for large-scale processing (generally higher capacity than a table of similar size). |
| Recovery Accuracy | High recovery accuracy, especially for fine gold; produces clear mineral bands and is easy to operate. | Stable for coarse particles, but less effective for ultra-fine recovery compared to shaker tables; often paired with other fine recovery units. |
| Main Applications | Tailings recovery, concentrate upgrading, fine gold recovery, laboratory and finishing circuits. | Primary screening, desliming, coarse classification, large-scale alluvial ore processing, and mobile/portable wash plants. |
| Advantages | High recovery for fine particles, good concentrate grade. Visible mineral bands, easy to adjust. Compact structure, relatively easy maintenance. | Continuous operation, high throughput, suited for large volumes. Simple design, strong anti-blocking ability, handles coarse materials well. Easily combined with other equipment (jig, spiral, sand washer). |
| Limitations | Requires controlled feed size and uniformity. Limited throughput per unit, less suited for very large-scale primary processing. | Not as precise for fine particles; often needs downstream concentration equipment. Can take up more space, equipment size may be large. |
| Maintenance & Wear | Requires regular checks of table surface and motion system; wear-resistant surfaces are needed for long service life. | Drum, screen mesh, bearings, and seals need periodic inspection; wear-resistant liners or rubber screens are preferred for abrasive ores. |
| Energy & Cost | Moderate to low energy consumption per ton; equipment and operating costs are moderate, suitable for recovery-sensitive operations. | Lower energy consumption per ton due to continuous throughput; higher initial investment but lower operating cost per ton for large-scale operations. |
| Portability | Mostly fixed installations, with some small portable models available, but primarily used in stationary setups. | Widely available in portable/mobile versions (mobile trommel gold wash plant), enabling rapid site deployment and relocation. |
Xinhai Mining successfully delivered a 200TPH alluvial gold wash plant in Somaliland, providing a full range of services from process design to equipment supply and on-site commissioning.
Ore Type: Alluvial Gold
Capacity: 200 TPH
Main Equipment: Circular Vibrating Screen, Spiral Chute, Sluice, Shaking Table
Process Flow: Screening → Washing & Crushing → Gravity Separation → Amalgamation → Mercury Distillation → Gold Extraction
Adopted a gravity separation + amalgamation process, ensuring fast construction, low cost, and stable operation.
High gold recovery rate: 60%–80% achieved during pre-concentration.
Environmental protection ensured with closed mercury recovery systems and strict waste treatment.
Tailor-made solution adapted to local geology, terrain, and climate.
This portable gold wash plant solution allows efficient large-scale gold recovery in challenging environments. By combining mobile trommel gold wash plant screening with advanced gravity separation, the system maximizes output while reducing environmental risks.
Delivered a complete set of gold recovery equipment with drawings, installation guidance, and commissioning.
Achieved stable production and strong economic returns for the client.
Another 200TPH line was later built in Somaliland, showcasing Xinhai’s global expertise and reliable service system.
Whether you need an alluvial gold wash plant for large-scale mining or a portable gold wash plant for flexible operations, Xinhai Mining provides proven solutions to boost recovery and efficiency.
To explore more efficient solutions tailored specifically to your mining needs—including advanced modular designs—please consult Xinhai’s expert team about their latest offerings in premium-grade gold washing plant technology.
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