amalgamateur

CONT: In the early days of lode gold mining, stamp mills were used for crushing the ore. Where there was free gold in the ore, a silver-plated copper plate was placed so that the discharge through the screen from the mortar, with the addition of water, flowed down over this plate which was coated with quicksilver, allowing the free gold to become amalgamated and retained to the plate. The man who operated such a mill was called an amalgamator.
CONT: Amalgamator ... Turns valves or opens gates to regulate flow of ore and water over mercury-coated plates. Adjusts angle of plates to facilitate collection of amalgam. Scrapes accumulated amalgam from plates and coats plates with mercury.