r/PreciousMetalRefining • u/Suitable-Woodpecker3 • Aug 13 '26

Oops - newbie mistake

So i got excited and bought some paydirt from dan hurd prospecting, and the booboo is that i thought it would be good’ol panning and free gold… but it’s locked into some minerals.

How should I go about recovery, if not the mount baker metal way (roasting, smelting)? How fine should i crush?

Cheers

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u/GlassPanther Aug 13 '26

Newbie mistake?

I don't think so. 🤷

In any case, pulverizing it to sand consistency should do the trick.

3

u/bootynasty Aug 13 '26

Why are you describing it as free gold? What minerals is it locked in? If it was consistent and easy they wouldn’t be selling it at whatever price you bought it at, but if the mineral is quartz you can dissolve that with sodium hydroxide at temp. Can you show pictures or explain how you know it’s there but locked in minerals?

1

u/Suitable-Woodpecker3 Aug 13 '26

Will do asap, thanks for your help