Material collection devices, placer recovery systems, and related methods are disclosed. A material collection device includes a filter tube including a wall defining apertures, an inlet through which fluid and material enter the filter tube, protrusions extending inwardly from the wall of the filter tube, the protrusions in front of the apertures from a perspective of the inlet, and an outlet through which the fluid and material exit the filter tube. The material collection device also includes a collector positioned below the filter tube, the collector configured to collect particles of the material that exit the filter tube through the apertures.

Material collection devices, placer recovery systems, and related methods are disclosed. A material collection device includes a filter tube including a wall defining apertures, an inlet through which fluid and material enter the filter tube, protrusions extending inwardly from the wall of the filter tube, the protrusions in front of the apertures from a perspective of the inlet, and an outlet through which the fluid and material exit the filter tube. The material collection device also includes a collector positioned below the filter tube, the collector configured to collect particles of the material that exit the filter tube through the apertures.

Apparatus for cleaning contaminated aggregate includes at least one channel arranged in use to receive a liquid containing contaminated aggregate; and first and second banks or groups of at least one jet. The first bank or group of jets is arranged to direct pressurized fluid at the contaminated aggregate in order to agitate the contaminated aggregate against a surface and promote the separation of cleaned aggregate from contaminated aggregate. The second bank or group of jets is arranged to direct and/or urge the cleaned aggregate to a drainage outlet.

Apparatus for cleaning contaminated aggregate includes at least one channel arranged in use to receive a liquid containing contaminated aggregate; and first and second banks or groups of at least one jet. The first bank or group of jets is arranged to direct pressurized fluid at the contaminated aggregate in order to agitate the contaminated aggregate against a surface and promote the separation of cleaned aggregate from contaminated aggregate. The second bank or group of jets is arranged to direct and/or urge the cleaned aggregate to a drainage outlet.

A panning tool is described and comprises a sifting scoop comprising an elongated half sphere of proportional dimensions. The left side wall, right side wall, and back wall of the sifting scoop define a reservoir for collecting sediment and holding precious metals and gems separated from the sediment during and after panning. The floor extends forwardly from the back side and can comprise riffles, furrows, or be flat. The panning tool comprises a connection body. The connection body is affixed to an interior face of the sifting scoop. Methods of using the panning tool and manufacturing the sifting scoop are also described.

A panning tool is described and comprises a sifting scoop comprising an elongated half sphere of proportional dimensions. The left side wall, right side wall, and back wall of the sifting scoop define a reservoir for collecting sediment and holding precious metals and gems separated from the sediment during and after panning. The floor extends forwardly from the back side and can comprise riffles, furrows, or be flat. The panning tool comprises a connection body. The connection body is affixed to an interior face of the sifting scoop. Methods of using the panning tool and manufacturing the sifting scoop are also described.

Systems and methods for separating heavier from lighter materials in mixed auto shredder residue (ASR) from end-of-life vehicles. Vehicles are shredded and the resulting mixed ASR is fed into a system that efficiently segregates heavier (typically metal) from lighter (typically plastic) pieces. The system has an inlet feed chute angled downward to a lower end over a separator tank filled with water. One or more nozzles configured to introduce water at a velocity into the separator tank create a flow of water across the tank to push smaller and lighter particles over an exit weir. Heavier particles sink toward a heavy matter removal conveyor having a lower end positioned within the separator tank so that the heavier particles are transported upward out of the separator tank. The heavy matter removal conveyor may be one or more Archimedes screws, a flat, ribbed or cleated conveyor, or a drag chain.

Systems and methods for separating heavier from lighter materials in mixed auto shredder residue (ASR) from end-of-life vehicles. Vehicles are shredded and the resulting mixed ASR is fed into a system that efficiently segregates heavier (typically metal) from lighter (typically plastic) pieces. The system has an inlet feed chute angled downward to a lower end over a separator tank filled with water. One or more nozzles configured to introduce water at a velocity into the separator tank create a flow of water across the tank to push smaller and lighter particles over an exit weir. Heavier particles sink toward a heavy matter removal conveyor having a lower end positioned within the separator tank so that the heavier particles are transported upward out of the separator tank. The heavy matter removal conveyor may be one or more Archimedes screws, a flat, ribbed or cleated conveyor, or a drag chain.

An apparatus for processing aggregate material comprising an inclined trough having a pair of shafts rotatably mounted therein, the shafts having staggered blades arranged pass between one another during rotation of the shafts and angled to carry material towards an upper end of the trough, excess water and any floating trash passing over a weir adjacent a lower end of the trough onto the deck of a first vibratory screen, and a second vibatory screen being mounted adjacent the upper end of the trough for receiving particulate material from the upper end of the trough, the second vibratory screen having at least one deck for grading the material, wherein water collected in a sump of the first vibratory screen is arranged to pass into a sump of the second vibratory screen.

An apparatus for processing aggregate material comprising an inclined trough having a pair of shafts rotatably mounted therein, the shafts having staggered blades arranged pass between one another during rotation of the shafts and angled to carry material towards an upper end of the trough, excess water and any floating trash passing over a weir adjacent a lower end of the trough onto the deck of a first vibratory screen, and a second vibatory screen being mounted adjacent the upper end of the trough for receiving particulate material from the upper end of the trough, the second vibratory screen having at least one deck for grading the material, wherein water collected in a sump of the first vibratory screen is arranged to pass into a sump of the second vibratory screen.