Explore our high-efficiency processing machines engineered to optimize gold recovery and heavy ore classification.
As gold grades continue to decline globally, mine operators face the dual challenge of improving recovery percentages while satisfying increasingly stringent environmental regulations. Gravity separation via premium sorting tables (shaking tables) provides a reliable, chemical-free method to achieve high-grade concentrates.
The gold concentrator sorting table, commonly known as a 6-S Shaking Table, utilizes the combined actions of differential motion, slope gravity, and lateral water flow to stratify minerals based on their specific gravity. Raw feed consisting of ground rock pulp is introduced through the feed box at the corner of the tilted deck.
As water flows transversely across the deck, the asymmetrical reciprocating action of the drive mechanism pushes the particles along the longitudinal axis. Heavy minerals (specifically native gold with a specific gravity of 19.3) settle quickly into the valleys of the riffles, where fluid shear forces are lowest. Conversely, lighter gangue minerals (such as quartz, with a specific gravity of 2.65) remain suspended and are washed over the riffle tips into the tailings launder. This creates distinct fans of materials (concentrates, middlings, and tailings) that can be individually diverted for optimal circuit yields.
Mineral exploration operators globally are shifting away from toxic chemical processes like cyanidation or mercury-based amalgamation, driven by the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Consequently, high-capacity gravity concentration circuits have witnessed a major renaissance. Procurement managers look for the following key features in premium sorting tables:
Gravity concentration on shaking tables is highly sensitive to input particle size. For maximum recovery, ore must be crushed and ground systematically:
Initially, a primary Jaw Crusher reduces large rock masses to manageable sizes, which are then processed by a secondary Impact Crusher or Double Roller Crusher to generate a uniform feed. Afterwards, a Wet Pan Mill or Ball Mill grinds the ore down to the liberation size of the gold (typically between 0.074mm and 0.5mm depending on the ore characteristics). The milled slurry is then fed to the sorting tables. Over-grinding leads to fine gold slimes that are easily lost in tailings, while under-grinding leaves gold locked inside the host quartz matrix. Henan Ascend provides customized, integrated machinery lines to ensure optimal size reduction prior to separation.
Select a product line below to view technical summaries and operation specs for our primary equipment lines.
Impact crusher is a kind of secondary crushing equipment which uses impact power to crush materials. Impact crusher is characterized by easy maintenance, high reduction ratios and high efficiency to produce precisely cubic shape products. It is designed with three crushing chambers, seamlessly connected rotor, wear-resistant blow bar and installation of insert type. Moreover, it has tooth type liner, gradient designed bearing seat, frame with several openings and screws or hydraulic start-up devices. Impact crushers can be used in all different stages of size reduction from primary crushing to the last step of the crushing process.
Engineered for high mobility and flexible site deployments, our range of mobile crushing plants integrates feeding, crushing, and screening onto a single heavy-duty chassis. Ideal for remote mine sites where building permanent concrete infrastructure is cost-prohibitive. Highly demanded in Africa and Southeast Asia.
To liberate valuable mineral particles from waste rocks, our ball mills and wet pan mills provide consistent, continuous fine grinding capabilities. Precise adjustment of speed and water-to-solid ratio allows operators to control particle sizes precisely, minimizing loss through slimes.
From placer recovery plants to hard-rock gold circuits, Ascend offers engineering designs that optimize mineral recovery rates. The circuits integrate screening trommels, centrifugal concentrators, and high-recovery shaking tables to generate maximum yield from every ton of ore.
Our complete systems are designed to maximize recovery of diverse minerals including copper, silver, lead, zinc, and iron ore. Built to industrial-grade standards, the range includes spiral classifiers, magnetic separators, flotation cells, and vibrating screens.
Traditional artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) heavily relied on mercury amalgamation, leading to severe neurotoxic contamination of local food chains and watersheds. Shaking tables offer a highly effective physical alternative.
By adjusting the deck inclination, stroke length, and wash water distribution, operators can concentrate free-milling gold directly without chemicals. In regions like Papua New Guinea, Zambia, and Sudan, where environmental ministries enforce strict zero-emission standards, these gravity concentration plants are the primary method of choice for legal compliance and social responsibility.
Selecting the correct shaking table deck is essential for success, as shown in the table configurations below:
Ascend has developed steadily since its establishment. Its business covers more than 130 countries and regions around the world, especially in Africa and Southeast Asia. Our machinery quality and after-sales service have won widespread praise from international customers.
View photos from active gold mines, crushing operations, and gravity beneficiation circuits built by Henan Ascend across continents.
Stay updated with our recent machine deliveries, on-site commissioning reports, and international expansion steps.
Nov 2025
Aug 2025
Get professional advice directly from our senior metallurgical engineers to optimize your gravity separation circuit.
The optimal feed size depends on the deck configuration. For coarse sand decks, the feed size ranges from 0.5mm to 2mm. For fine sand decks, it ranges from 0.074mm to 0.5mm. For slime decks, it is under 0.074mm. Maintaining a consistent pulp size distribution is crucial; excessive fines can cause gold particles to slide directly into the tailings pond, reducing overall recovery.
Stroke length and frequency control the forward movement of the material along the deck. Generally, processing coarser materials requires a longer stroke (typically 15-26mm) and lower frequency (240-280 strokes per minute) to shift the larger grains. Conversely, processing fine mineral sands or slimes requires a shorter stroke (11-15mm) and a higher frequency (280-360 strokes per minute) to ensure effective stratification.
The total water consumption of a standard 6-S sorting table is usually between 0.3 and 1.5 cubic meters per hour, depending on the feed density (recommended solid percentage: 20% to 30%). The flow rate of wash water should be carefully adjusted so that the light minerals are washed away while leaving the heavy gold concentrates undisturbed in the riffles.
Yes, all Ascend shaking table decks are manufactured using premium, corrosion-proof fiberglass-reinforced plastics (FRP) with built-in carborundum layers. This wear-resistant surface ensures long-term operation even in highly acidic, basic, or saline processing environments.
We provide comprehensive localized support across key African regions, including Sudan, Zambia, and Tanzania. Our service package includes custom site planning, mechanical foundation construction support, on-site commissioning, operator training, and reliable supply lines for spare parts like deck liners, bearings, and belts.
Complete your production line with high-performance fine-grinding and chemical-free thermal recovery machinery.
Henan Ascend Machinery & Equipment Co.,Ltd. was established in 2005 and is located in the high-tech zone of Zhengzhou City, Henan Province.
Ascend is mainly engaged in the research and development, manufacturing, sales and after-sales service of complete sets of crushing, grinding, screening, feeding and conveying heavy mining machinery. If you need to crush limestone, granite, gravel or other stone, or grinding them into powder, or extract gold, please feel free to contact us. Just tell us your needs and our engineers can provide you with professional advice. With our own factory, the quality of our machines is guaranteed and our prices are highly competitive. We are confident we will be your top choice for heavy mining equipment.
Read More →
Ascend