Using Classifiers, Vanners & Jigs: Advanced Gravity Methods

Introduction

Advanced gravity methods help you recover more gold from concentrates and lower-grade material. Classifiers control particle size, vanners create smooth separation planes, and jigs produce rapid stratification for heavier minerals.

These tools are ideal for processing black sands, finishing concentrates, or scaling up beyond a pan.

Key Points

Classifiers improve every downstream step

Gold separates best when particle sizes are uniform. Classifiers sort material into consistent size ranges so your vanner or jig can work efficiently. Without classification, larger rocks interfere with fine gold recovery.

Use multiple screens to create predictable sizing. The more uniform the feed, the cleaner the final concentrate.

Vanners excel at fine gold cleanup

A gold vanner uses a shallow, vibrating deck with water flow to separate heavies from lights. It is highly effective for fine gold and can recover specks that would take hours of panning.

Adjust water flow and vibration to keep a steady line of black sands. If the sands are moving too fast, gold will wash away.

Jigs are powerful for volume processing

Jigs use pulsating water to stratify material in a fixed chamber. This makes them great for handling larger volumes or coarser gold. A jig can process buckets quickly and still yield a concentrated product.

Proper stroke timing and screen size are critical. Too aggressive and the bed fluidizes; too weak and the heavies never settle.

Workflow matters more than any single tool

The best results come from a staged approach: classify, run through a jig for bulk separation, then finish with a vanner or pan. Each step reduces volume and increases gold density.

Track losses by panning tailings from each stage. Small adjustments at the classifier or jig can dramatically improve recovery.

Tips

• Use a magnet to remove magnetic black sands before final cleanup.
• Feed vanners slowly; consistent flow is more important than speed.
• Keep jig bed material clean and replace it when it clogs.
• Run a test pan of tailings to verify your recovery is strong.
• Record settings that work for each gold size so you can repeat them.

Conclusion

Classifiers, vanners, and jigs are force multipliers for serious prospectors. When you combine them in a staged process, you can process more material while recovering more gold. Start with classification, tune each tool carefully, and let gravity do the work.