By Sandra Garcia
Photos courtesy of Falcon Concentrators
The gold mining sector counts for about 30% of the world’s gold production, and currently employs more than 20 million people worldwide.
Many artisanal miners earn only a few dollars a day, and use primitive processing methods that have the tendency to lose fine gold particles. This income is barely enough to meet people’s essential needs, let alone enough to work towards increasing an economic position and quality of life.
Mercury is an important part of gold extraction for many artisanal gold miners worldwide. Unfortunately, the use of chemicals like mercury and cyanide in artisanal mining often leads to their release into the surrounding environment and collection in the very plants and animals which people rely on for food. A recent UN study suggested that the amount of mercury emitted to the environment by mining activities is likely between 800-1,000 tonnes every year.
Enhanced gravity concentration equipment has been used commercially in the fine metal processing industry for over 20 years. About five years ago, Langley-based Falcon Concentrators Inc. began to explore ways to service the artisanal mining sector. Falcon created the iCON, which provides state of the art, safe, and easy to operate mineral processing technology, at a small fraction of the price.
One of the main goals of the iCON is to reduce the use of harmful, toxic chemicals in the industry.
“I’ve been to the sites and I’ve seen how these people work and it’s a very tough life. Any piece of equipment that can assist them will be a huge benefit to their life,” says Peter Latta, Engineer at Falcon Concentrators. “Not only does it benefit people financially, but also environmentally, as well as improves their own health when compared to typical mercury processes.”
University of British Columbia Professor and artisanal mining expert Marcello Veiga was a key part in developing the iCON. Dr. Veiga is known for his work as Chief Technical Advisor for the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Global Mercury Project. “My hope is that we have distribution in every country, and I can see more and more people using these machines,” he says.
At under $6,000 CDN, the iCON is reasonably priced for artisanal miners and less expensive than other gravity concentrators on the market. Over 200 iCONs have been sold in over 25 countries around the world, and demand is increasing.
For more information and to see video demonstrations, visit: www.iconcentrator.com or www.concentrators.net
Enhanced gravity concentration equipment has been used commercially in the fine metal processing industry for over 20 years. About five years ago, Langley-based Falcon Concentrators Inc. began to explore ways to service the artisanal mining sector. Falcon created the iCON, which provides state of the art, safe, and easy to operate mineral processing technology, at a small fraction of the price.
One of the main goals of the iCON is to reduce the use of harmful, toxic chemicals in the industry.
“I’ve been to the sites and I’ve seen how these people work and it’s a very tough life. Any piece of equipment that can assist them will be a huge benefit to their life,” says Peter Latta, Engineer at Falcon Concentrators. “Not only does it benefit people financially, but also environmentally, as well as improves their own health when compared to typical mercury processes.”
University of British Columbia Professor and artisanal mining expert Marcello Veiga was a key part in developing the iCON. Dr. Veiga is known for his work as Chief Technical Advisor for the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Global Mercury Project. “My hope is that we have distribution in every country, and I can see more and more people using these machines,” he says.
At under $6,000 CDN, the iCON is reasonably priced for artisanal miners and less expensive than other gravity concentrators on the market. Over 200 iCONs have been sold in over 25 countries around the world, and demand is increasing.
For more information and to see video demonstrations, visit: www.iconcentrator.com or www.concentrators.net
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