Letter 27068

Chemicals for the Shor Simplicity refining system [UK]  ++++ I am a hobbyist gold refiner using the Shor Simplicity electro refining system, at the moment I have to buy the relevant chemicals from the USA and pay almost the same again in freight charges. Does anyone know what the two main chemicals are, i.e. the "GC Salt" and "Precipitant"? Can anyone help? There is quite a few of us in the UK and it would help if we could source the chemicals over here. Thanks for looking. Jeremy S [last name deleted by editor] Hobbyist - Daventry, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom +++ And there are a lot of us over on this side who prefer the taste of Beefeater's to Home Liquors Gin, and would appreciate if in turn you would tell us the exact recipe to copy Beefeater's :-) Ted Mooney, P.E.  finishing.com Brick, NJ   ++++ If you can find out what they are, I will send you a large bottle of Beefeaters! Jeremy S [last name deleted by editor] Gold Refining - UK ++++ Dear sir congratulations ! I want to know the composition of the catalyst for Shor Simplicity refining System for gold ( U.S.A). Can you help me ? thank you manoochehr a [last name deleted by editor] laboratory - shrekord , iran

Ed. note: now seriously, folks! Reverse engineering might be considered ethical by some people under certain circumstances, but the idea of publicly printing the formulation of proprietary products is outrageous :-)

Hi folks, ran across this thread recently, i bought a Shor refiner for my employer at great cost when converted to south african rands, the whole idea of refining ourselves to save money sounded fabulous, alas, after the chemicals were finished we found that to ship them from Shor to south africa cost almost R4000.00 for R500.00 worth of chemicals, negating the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the system for anyone who doesn't live in the US. I'm sorely disappointed and my employer is more than just a little annoyed at my waste of his money on what is destined to become a door stop.

If anyone ever manages to figure out the chemicals used in the system good for you, because apparently as of 911 it is no longer an option to buy or use American chemical products :(.

Christopher Botha
goldsmith - port elizabeth, eastern cape, south africa

Ed. note: Did you folks consider approaching them about a licensing agreement where they would disclose the formulation to you in return for a royalty payment of so much per gallon? I am certainly not speaking for Shor, but speaking generically that kind of arrangement is done all the time.

Ed.

Novel idea, I will approach them for some sort of agreement like that, hold thumbs. will let you guys know.

Christopher Botha
goldsmith - Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa

I recently came across this simple solution for gold refining and I copy the recipe directly as is:

"SSN Leach.7: 1 (Saturated salt and Nitric acid) this is one of the best leaches for leaching gold and complex hard to leach ores and can be enhanced with addition of a small amount of Iodine. The only downside is that once you have leached your ore or carbon you must neutralize the nitric before you try to extract any of the precious metals out of the pregnant leach. Follow the directions very carefully and you will have an excellent leach for your ore and carbon. This is a mild but very aggressive leach for gold and other precious metals such as the platinum group metals (PGM's). It is not as harmful to the skin as the AR leach nor are the fumes quite as toxic, but we still recommend care and caution when making and handling this leach.DIRECTIONS: NOTE: This recipe is for 2 gallons of leach; you just use the same ratio to make any amount you want. Be sure that you have a well-ventilated area when mixing any chemicals… do not breath the fumes!

1. Bring 2 gallons of distilled water to a boil in a coated metal pan… like the gray/black ones used for canning.
2. Add in about 6 pounds of non-iodized salt and stir in very well. You want to fully saturate the salt into the water.
3. Let the solution cool overnight and let all of the excess salt settle to the bottom of the container. Some salt may still be floating on top or stuck to the sides of the container… just tap on the side of the container and they will settle to the bottom.
4. Dip out 7 quarts of the saturated salt water into another plastic or glass container. You will have a lot of salt gathered in the bottom and approx a qt of water, just save this for the next batch and repeat the process but use apprx 5+ pounds of salt on the second and future batches. We just use plastic buckets with lids on them.
5. Now to your 7 quarts of saturated salt water you add 1 quart of Nitric Acid and mix it together. BE CAREFUL OF THE FUMES that are released. DO NOT BREATHE THEM!
6. If you want the leach to be more aggressive… which you probably will not need because it is very aggressive as it is… you can add up to 1 ounce of iodine. This is the iodine that you buy at a feed store that is used on livestock. It is 7% solution of iodine and costs $20 a gallon."

The solution must be neutralised before precipitation. Simple Urea works well. Add small amounts of Urea until fizzing stops.

Now use Sodium Metabisulphate to drop your gold as a brown mud to the bottom of your container. Wash mud with ammonia to make sure all other impurities are dissolved , rinse with distilled water, dry and melt your gold.!!!

Hope this is helpful.

Johan Reyneke
- Pretoria

I whole heartedly agree with editor regarding the publishing of anyone's proprietary information. However information that is within the public domain is just that.

For those looking to get a better understanding of the technology and an idea of likely components, do a little homework and look up US Patent 5009755 granted to Mr. Shor.

I hope this helps. And don't forget Patents can be an incredible source of cool information.

Don Jones
- Austin, TX USA

I want to answer or follow-up on this subject (in non-commercial fashion).

 

I want to post a new question or inquiry on a different subject.

 

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