Lemshuko Tsavorite mining videos

Sunday 18 January 2009

This video corresponds to what we call "step 2" of the mining process. "Step 1" is not shown on video here.
"Step 1" After extracting alluvial sands and gravels, the Caterpillars fill the trucks with loads which are fed into the trommel (in action in the above video). The trommel separates material by size and drops the usable sizes in a truck.
Thanks to Vincent Pardieu for this first video.

The output from the trommel is dropped into a water jig.

Overview of the water jig.

Before jigging, oversized rocks are removed.

We are now on walking on top of the jig. The flow can be adjusted for different types of feed.

View from the tail end of the jig

A view of the jig from a different angle. Water, being scare, is dammed and recycled. The first dam is shown toward the end of this video.

A series of dams and settling ponds are needed to remove mud before the water can be recycled.

Pump maintenance and a view of the second settling pond.

At the end of a run, the flow of water is stopped and the fun begins... Sorting the various compartments of materials trapped by the jig about an hour. Mark and Kevin are talking about the speed of the jig which was probably slightly off as heavier gems were found towards the last compartments.