Historical information
A Berdan pan was a grinding pan. The circular pan was set at an angle, and as the pan revolved, a heavy iron ball rotated in the lowest point, grinding sand or mineral to a fine powder. It was frequently used to grind impurities out of amalgam (gold in mercury), and to grind batch-lots of heavy mineral. It is also known as a ball mill.
Physical description
Two strong wooden A frames supporting large iron pivotable bowl with a large iron ball inside the bowl. There are cogs underneath bowl which are connected to rotating belts extending from main battery shaft. The chute attached below the bowl is directed into a circular metal container. The frame is painted green.
