Recover Fine Gold Faster with the Gold Miner Spiral Wheel
The Gold Miner Spiral Gold Panning Machine is a portable, self-contained cleanup system designed to separate fine gold from black sand and classified concentrates. It is an excellent finishing tool for concentrates collected from sluice boxes, highbankers, dredges, drywashers, trommels, and other prospecting equipment.
Instead of hand-panning bucket after bucket of concentrated material, the Gold Miner uses a slow-turning spiral wheel, adjustable water flow, and built-in agitation points to continuously separate heavy gold from lighter material. The system stores inside its carrying case and operates from a 12-volt DC battery or compatible power supply, making it useful in the shop, garage, at camp, or in the field.
Made in the USA since 1994 and backed by a five-year limited manufacturer warranty.
Why Prospectors Choose the Gold Miner
- Designed for fast cleanup of classified gold-bearing concentrates
- Computer-designed spiral wheel with seven spiral leads
- Built-in agitation points help loosen and stratify material
- Approximately 12 RPM wheel speed for controlled recovery
- Micro-adjustable wheel angle for fine tuning
- Adjustable spray bar and water flow
- Recirculates approximately three gallons of water
- Portable, self-contained carrying case
- Runs from a 12-volt DC battery or compatible power supply
- Lightweight system weighing approximately 10 pounds
- Five-year limited manufacturer warranty
Advanced Spiral Recovery Design
The Gold Miner uses a computer-designed spiral pan with seven spiral leads. Agitation points molded into the beginning of the riffles help keep concentrate moving and expose trapped gold during processing. The wheel turns at approximately 12 revolutions per minute, providing a controlled pace for fine-gold recovery.
The adjustable spray bar supplies water across the wheel while the micro-adjuster allows the operator to fine-tune the operating angle. When properly adjusted, lighter black sand and waste material move toward the tailings container while recovered gold travels into the catch cup.
Ideal for Cleaning Concentrates From
- Sluice boxes
- Highbankers
- Gold recovery mats
- Dredges
- Drywashers
- Trommels
- Sampling and test runs
- Black-sand concentrates
Recommended Material Preparation
For best performance, classify your concentrates to at least #8 mesh, approximately 1/8 inch. Finer classification may improve recovery when working with especially heavy black sand or very fine gold.
Begin by adding approximately 3 to 4 ounces of concentrate near the 7-to-8-o'clock position every 15 to 30 seconds. Watch the material as it travels across the wheel and adjust the wheel angle, water flow, and feed rate as necessary.
A few drops of a wetting agent such as Jet-Dry may be added to the recirculating water to reduce surface tension and help prevent very fine gold from floating away.
Basic Setup
- Install the spiral pan and rotate it until the wheel engages the drive notch.
- Slide the drive unit and wheel assembly forward until it reaches the frame stops.
- Attach the micro-adjuster to the gearbox bracket.
- Install the nylon filter on the pump intake.
- Attach the pump and spray-bar assembly to the rear of the drive unit.
- Position the smaller spray tube toward the inside wall of the spiral pan.
- Fill the carrying case with approximately three gallons of water.
- Hang the catch cup on the hook behind the drive unit.
- Connect the pump and machine to a 12-volt DC battery or power supply, matching red to red and black to black.
- Start with the wheel at approximately a 55-degree angle and fine-tune it with the micro-adjuster.
Operating Tips
- The wheel should rotate counterclockwise. If it turns clockwise, check the battery-lead polarity.
- Use enough water flow to move material without excessive splashing.
- Keep the pump intake covered with the supplied nylon filter.
- Do not overload the wheel. A slow, consistent feed usually produces better separation.
- If gold appears in the catch cup with too much black sand, increase the wheel angle slightly and reduce the feed rate.
- Clean the system with mild detergent or plain water, then wipe it dry.
- Do not store the machine in direct sunlight or high-heat locations such as a vehicle trunk.
What's Included
- Approximately 13-inch spiral wheel
- Drive unit with sliding frame
- Pump, filter, and spray-bar assembly
- Gold catch cup
- Tailings container
- Micro-adjuster
- Carrying case with cover
- Owner's instructions
Battery is not included.
Specifications
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Power: 12-volt DC
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Wheel: Approximately 13 inches
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Spiral design: Seven spiral leads with built-in agitation points
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Wheel speed: Approximately 12 RPM
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Water requirement: Approximately three gallons in recirculating operation
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Approximate dimensions: 20 inches long x 15 inches wide x 12 inches high
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Approximate weight: 10 pounds
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Country of manufacture: USA
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Manufacturer warranty: Five-year limited warranty
Five-Year Limited Manufacturer Warranty
Treasure & Gold Products, Inc. provides a five-year limited warranty against defects in materials or workmanship from the original purchase date. At the manufacturer's option, covered parts may be repaired or replaced without charge for parts or labor. The purchaser is responsible for shipping charges to and from the manufacturer.
The warranty does not cover damage caused by accident, misuse, neglect, alterations, unauthorized service, modifications, or prolonged exposure to corrosive compounds. Proof of purchase is required for warranty service. The manufacturer requests that the warranty registration card be completed and returned within 15 days of purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the Gold Miner process raw, unclassified dirt?
The machine is intended primarily for classified concentrates. Removing oversized material before processing improves feed control, separation, and recovery.
Can it recover very fine gold?
Yes. Fine-gold recovery is one of the Gold Miner's primary uses. Proper classification, controlled feed, correct wheel angle, suitable water flow, and a wetting agent are important when working with very fine gold.
Does it require running water?
No. The carrying case serves as a recirculating water reservoir and normally operates with approximately three gallons of water.
What powers the machine?
The Gold Miner operates from a 12-volt DC battery or compatible 12-volt power supply. The battery is not included.
Which direction should the wheel rotate?
The wheel should rotate counterclockwise. If it rotates clockwise, disconnect the machine and verify that the battery leads are connected with the correct polarity.
How often should concentrates be added?
A useful starting point is approximately 3 to 4 ounces every 15 to 30 seconds. Adjust the feed rate according to the amount of black sand, gold size, and how cleanly the material separates.
