In the mineral-rich soils of the Republic of Congo, small-scale miners face unique challenges when processing tantalum and gold from alluvial deposits. The sticky clay-laden ore demands specialized equipment, while remote locations require portable, off-grid solutions. This detailed guide walks through our recommended 40-ton-per-hour processing plant – a compact, diesel-powered system designed specifically for these challenging conditions. Whether you’re dealing with power limitations, water scarcity, or space constraints, this mobile solution provides practical solutions to common alluvial mining challenges.
40TPH Alluvial Tantalum & Gold Ore Processing Plant
Project Overview
- Location: Republic of Congo
- Raw ore condition: alluvial tantalum & gold ore, want to separate the tantalum and gold, the material is with sticky clay
- Process capacity: 40tph
- Customer’s main requirements: a small portable machine that can separate coltan and gold
40TPH Alluvial Tantalum & Gold Ore Process
The solution is designed based on the client’s mining conditions and requirements.
Flow Chart
40TPH Alluvial Tantalum & Gold Ore Processing Flow: A Step-by-Step Breakdown
- The excavator or loaderfeed the hopper of the trommel scrubber. The trommel scrubber mesh is 2mm and 25mm.
- The 0-2mm material under the screen will be sent to one set of centrifugal concentrators, so the small particles 0-2mm tantalum and gold can be selected by the centrifugal concentrator.
- The tailing of the centrifugal concentrator will flow to the gold sluice box to avoid the gold and tantalum lost in the tailing.
- +25mm is the waste of stone. It will be sent to stock pile by conveyor belt.
- 2-25mm material will flow to the jig separator by height difference. The jig separator screen mesh is 2mm. The jigging machine uses an over-screen discharge method. Lighter minerals will be washed away by the water, while heavier minerals like tantalum and gold will remain on the screen.
- The tailing of the jig separator will flow to one set of sand washers to dewater, and after dewatering, the solid particles will be sent to a stockpile. The water flows into a sedimentation tank, and after sedimentation, it can be reused in the ore washing machine.
- The 2-25mm concentrate of the jig separator will be sent to one set of hammer crusher to crush till 0-5mm.
- The hammer mill output will flow to the ball mill to grind till around 0-1mm, then use the shaking table to select again.
- The concentrates from the shaking table, centrifuge, and sluice box are dried in a drying shed and then separated into magnetic and non-magnetic minerals using a three-stage magnetic separator. Since gold is non-magnetic and tantalum is weakly magnetic, the tantalum and gold are separated.
40TPH Alluvial Tantalum & Gold Ore Process Equipment List: Complete Mobile Processing Solution
Here is the machine list :
| No. | Product Name | Quantity (Set) |
| 1 | Mobile gold washing Trommel scrubber | 1 |
| 2 | Mobile jig separator | 1 |
| 3 | Spiral Dewatering Machine | 1 |
| 4 | Mobile Gold centrifugal concentrator | 1 |
| 5 | Mobile Small shaking table | 1 |
| 6 | Sluice box | 1 |
| 7 | Hammer crusher | 1 |
| 8 | Ball Mill | 1 |
| 9 | Steel balls | 2 |
| 10 | 3-Disc magnetic separator | 1 |
| 11 | #1 Big Water Pump | 1 |
| 12 | #2 Backwash Water Pump | 1 |
| 13 | Water Pump for centrifugal concentrator | 1 |
| 14 | conveyor belt | 3 |
| 15 | diesel generator | 1 |
| 16 | Electric cabinet | 1 |
| 17 | Wire cables | 1 |
| 18 | Spare parts | 1 |
This 40TPH mobile processing plant demonstrates how we can adapt to challenging environments, such as Congo’s alluvial deposits. By combining trommel washing, gravity separation, and water recycling in a compact, diesel-powered package, miners gain access to professional-grade recovery rates without requiring massive infrastructure investments. The system’s modular nature also allows for future expansion as production needs grow. Most importantly, it addresses the core challenges we’ve identified: mobility for remote sites, water efficiency for arid regions, and simple operation for small-scale mining teams. With proper maintenance and our recommended spare parts inventory, this plant can reliably transform sticky clay ore into profitable tantalum and gold concentrates for years to come.
FAQ During Communication
1. Portability Requirements
Question: Due to the landscape, will it be possible to get a smaller portable machine that can separate Coltan and Gold?
Answer: Sure, we have one mobile trommel screen/scrubber combined with one jig separator diamond plant, which is very popular. This equipment is simple and easy to use. The trommel screen/ore washer is responsible for washing and screening the ore, and then the screened ore enters the jig concentrator for gravity separation, directly yielding diamond concentrate.
2. Power Solutions
Question: There is no power in my mine site. Can it be directly powered by diesel fuel?
Answer: Yes, no problem. However, considering that this mobile jigging plant includes a rotary screen, a jigging machine, and two water pumps, I suggest equipping it with a diesel generator set to power the entire processing line, which would be more convenient for management.
3. Water Conservation
Question: My mining area doesn’t have abundant water resources. Do you have any good suggestions?
Answer: Sure, we can set up a sand washer machine to dewater the tailings of the jig separator. And the recycled water can be sent back to the trommel scrubber to reuse. In that way, there is no need for so much fresh water.
4. Maintenance Strategy
Question: Do you have any good suggestions regarding after-sales service and repairs?
Answer: Our company provides a 12-month warranty (excluding wear and tear parts). We also offer online after-sales service. Additionally, I recommend purchasing a 6-month supply of spare parts for future needs.
Conclusion: Sustainable Artisanal Mining Made Possible
This 40TPH system represents a paradigm shift for Congolese small-scale miners, transforming challenging clay-rich deposits into consistent revenue streams. By integrating:
✔ Modular, mobile processing units
✔ Efficient water recycling
✔ Simple gravity-based separation
✔ Complete off-grid capability
The solution delivers professional recovery rates without requiring permanent infrastructure. Its scalable design allows for future capacity expansion, while robust construction ensures longevity in demanding conditions. With proper maintenance and our recommended operational practices, this plant establishes a sustainable framework for profitable tantalum and gold recovery in Congo’s unique mining environment.