Side-by-Side Triple-Sluices

The side-by-side triple-sluice recovery system is designed to have a classification screen on the head of the box. This will allow smaller materials to be separated outwards and be worked in side sluice boxes in which the flux of water is controlled to run slower. The least flux allows the side boxes to work in a more efficient way using slow profile riffles and to catch larger amounts of finer gold particles.

Most part of gold, platinum and gems have a size that will go through the screen at the head of the box and are directed to the side boxes a slower flux of water. As a result gold recovery with the triple-sluice recovery system is excellent.

In a triple-sluice the center box has enough flux of water as to move heavier materials through the box, but the flux is not as strong as to wash the larger pieces of gold out of the box. Triple-sluices work well with suction dredges in which large volumes of materials from creek beds are processed, and where classification is necessary to recover a larger percentage of fine gold.

Another kind of recovery systems for dredges is also being used in the field with excellent recovery of gold. These commonly use classification screens that guide smaller materials through the sluice placed lower (one on top of the other). Fine gold falls through the screen and is trapped by the lowest profile riffles or by those expansive metal ones located below a slower stream.