Sapphire Mining @ Bang Kacha

Pailin · Post by **Pailin** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 4:29 am

Now available online - an article, a video and over 40 images from the sapphire mines at Bang Kacha in Thailand.

Sapphire Mining @ Bang Kacha

Enjoy !!!

P.

Tim · Post by **Tim** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 7:42 am

Kewl, thanks Peter! One question: you say the smaller gem bearing gravels are pumped up all the way to that washplant from the trommel. What kind of pump are they using for that? Must be a monster!

Alberto · Post by **Alberto** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 8:25 am

YEP Peter, VERY NICE WORK!!!!!!
CONGRATS!!!!!!!

ciao
alberto

Pailin · Post by **Pailin** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 9:30 am

Thanks guys!

The pump used is indeed a monster...

On the third page of pics there's a couple more shots of this guy holding the thing in place.

The gravel is washed out of the drum into a small pit then this pump sucks it all up and pumps it up to the jig. The pump is held over the pit by a hoist. There is also another shot of a pump - sixth pic down on page one.

Lots of noise and lots of mud !!

P.

Pedro · Post by **Pedro** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 12:22 pm

nice

playgroundking · Post by **playgroundking** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:48 pm

sweet article. Lots of great pics helps us all see what it's like. Thank you for sharing!
Vincent and Richard Hughes were there in March and you can see some more nice photos on their sites too. Richard's article is an update to his visit to the region over a decade ago. It's nice to see the mining situations over time.

Aloha,
Mike

Pailin · Post by **Pailin** » Fri Nov 27, 2009 5:42 am

Thank you for your kind comments Mike.

Did you check out the video too...?

P.