Tonopah Daily Bonanza

WEST END TO HAVE ORE WASHER WITHIN MONTH

DEVICE WILL BE THE SAME AS IS NOW USED AT THE BELMONT MINE.

Several days ago General Manager S. H. Brady of the West End ordered a Crane ore washer and picking belt that will be installed within the coming month.

The device is the same that is now in use at the Belmont mine, which was installed by Mr. Brady while a superintendent of that property.

With a capacity of handling 150 tons of ore in eight hours, the washer will be a valuable acquisition to the West End, and will ultimately be the means of increasing the weekly shipments.

The washer will be installed at the shaft of the mine. An ore bin, with a capacity of 200 tons will be built, as will a rock crusher at the base of the bin. When the ore reaches the crusher it will travel through the washer, on to the picker and thence to the ore house by an endless belt.

It has been proven at the Belmont that the washer more than paid for itself within a week or so after being placed in operation.

The ore first travels through a revolving screen, after which it is conveyed through the washer. All the dirt that usually covers the rock disappears and when the ore goes on the picking belt it is as clean as if it had been scrubbed by hand.

The ore sorters are able to discern at a glance the waste, which is placed on the opposite side of the belt. The belt dumps the ore in the bin while the waste is deposited in a car and later trammed to the dump.

Shipments that heretofore have averaged about $30 or $40 to the ton will greatly increase in value after the installation of the washer which can be operated at very little expense.

With the erection of an ore bin at the West End, the requirements will not call for the ore washer being operated every day, as one or probably two days labors will be sufficient in cleaning the ore for shipment.