Mercury questions Options

[johnnybravo300]

I panned out some more mercury yesterday digging under a massive rock eroding out of the bank.
Has anyone used it before for fine gold recovery?
From what it sounds like I could mix it with my fine gold and then cook it off with a propane torch, and it forms a button?
If so, couldn't I dump some in my cons and shake it around to retrieve gold that way?
Does the mercury cause the gold to bond together to form a single chunk?

[CP]

I panned out some more mercury yesterday digging under a massive rock eroding out of the bank. Has anyone used it before for fine gold recovery? From what it sounds like I could mix it with my fine gold and then cook it off with a propane torch, and it forms a button? If so, couldn't I dump some in my cons and shake it around to retrieve gold that way? Does the mercury cause the gold to bond together to form a single chunk?

Good posts/replies and yep I'd agree, not worth the risk trying it without proper knowledge and gear for all the processes involved, not just the mercury but chemicals used also could be a real problem storing/handling. Best to just keep your gold that has mercury stuck on it separate from the gold that doesn't. Maybe when you have the time, gear etc. later you'll have a bit more to do saved in the vial and it will be worth your time. Or if you happen to find or know someone that does have the proper gear and set up, get them to help you out for a cut of the gold or a fee?

Gold won't clump together in mercury, it's more of a surface tension relationship.....gold and mercury have very similar surface tensions which causes mercury to basically "stick" to the gold but does not permeate it past the surface. Small gold fines will seem stuck in a clump sometimes in the vial but it's still the mercury's surface tension holding it in a clump. If you were to put a clean gold nugget into some mercury with fine gold in it, the nugget will still come out of the mercury easily without other gold stuck on, but will be coated completely with the mercury.

Good questions to ask since it's something many folks find with their gold around some spots in the state.