A sluice box is a long, narrow box with a series of riffles or ridges on the bottom. It is used to separate heavy minerals, such as gold, from lighter material, such as dirt and gravel. Here is how a sluice box works:
- Water is passed through the sluice box: Water is typically used to wash the material through the sluice box. The water helps to separate the lighter material from the heavier minerals and carries the lighter material away.
- The heavier minerals are trapped by the riffles: As the water flows through the sluice box, the heavier minerals, such as gold, are trapped by the riffles or ridges on the bottom of the box. The lighter material is washed away.
- The material is concentrated in the sluice box: As the heavier minerals are trapped by the riffles, they are concentrated in the sluice box. This makes it easier to separate the minerals from the lighter material.
- The concentrated material is removed from the sluice box: Once the material has been concentrated in the sluice box, it can be removed and further processed to extract the minerals. This may involve panning, mercury amalgamation, or other methods.
Sluice boxes are a common tool used by gold prospectors and can be an effective way to separate gold from other materials. They are often used in conjunction with other prospecting tools, such as gold pans and metal detectors, to help locate and extract gold from the ground.