Abstract: The invention relates to the use of sodium bentonite as a fluid bed that supports the grit and debris resulting from sawing. The invention also relates to the use of vibrating tables for separating the debris resulting from bentonite sawing. The invention describes a special centrifuge for concentrating the bentonite and recovering same. The invention includes an improvement to the supply of the inclined-plate settlers. The invention describes a centrifugal bentonite concentrator with no moving parts. The method can be used to reduce current sawing costs by up to about 70% and to achieve forward movements up to six times greater than usual.

Abstract: A method and equipment for separating particles of gold and other materials with high sedimentation rates in clays, soils, or slurries are provided. The method includes dissolving the clay, soil or slurry in as much water as necessary to have a suspension flow that allows relative movement between the particles to be separated and passing the mixture through the equipment. The equipment for separating the high sedimentation rate particles comprises a three-outlet separator.