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By AIME AIME

IN RESPONSE to a request from the president- elect of the Institution of Civil Engineers of Great Britain, Mr. Calvin W. Rice, secretary of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, prepared a brief history of the joint activities of engineering societies in the United States, from which we have taken the following facts. National Societies Our first joint activities were in collection with the celebration of the eightieth birthday of "Uncle John" Fritz in 1902, and it is of interest to note that two of the members of the original celebration committee, Messrk. . Ambrose Swasey and Jesse Merrick Smith, will be members of the official deputation to England in June. Mr. Rice, also,' was .a member, of the original committee.

Jan 1, 1921

By AIME AIME

THE Iron and Steel and Institute of Metals Divisions will meet jointly at the Statler Hotel, Detroit, Oct. 4 and 5, during the Metal Congress, Oct. 2-6. The Wire Association, the American Welding Society and the American Society for Steel Treating, together with the two Divisions of the Institute, constitute the Congress this year, and each body offers an interesting technical program. The National Metal Exposition will, as usual, be held concurrently. Visiting metallurgists will find themselves engaged in a bit of research not listed in the program-a time study of how best to exploit in a few days both the Congress and all that the place of meeting has to offer. For Detroit, the beautiful "City of the Straits," is third in rank industrially in the United States, and its great manufacturing plants offer much of metallurgical interest. This is especially true of the automobile plants which will be open to members of the various societies during the week of the Congress.

Jan 1, 1933

By Earle C. Waite

THE Industrial Minerals Division this year held no individual sessions of its own except the business meeting Tuesday afternoon. One session was held jointly with the Society of Economic Geologists, one with the Milling Methods Committee, and two with the Society of Economic Geologists and the Mining Geology Committee. At all of these meetings the attendance was better than usual and the Tuesday afternoon session, with nearly 400 present, probably set a new record for the Division. Joint sessions seem extremely popular when papers of mutual interest are presented. On Monday afternoon, mica was the predominating subject. The North Carolina mines provided most of the information presented, although the discussion brought out similarities with the New England mines. B. C. Burgess particularly stressed the fact that with the existing curtailment of mica from India it is necessary to get the most mica in the shortest time from the mines in this country. He said that the Colonial Mica Corp. hopes to have 1000 mines operating in the near future. This seems a great number, but when one considers that these mines employ from 3 to 28 men, mostly nearer the low figure, the output of each mine is relatively small. Although the price of mica is from six to ten times the prewar price, the yield of 8 to 150 lb. of mica per ton of raw ore does not provide high returns to the producer.

Jan 1, 1943

By AIME AIME

ALL sessions of the Mining Geology Committee at the Annual Meeting this year were held jointly with other groups, a plan that seemed to work out to the satisfaction of every one. Certain of these sessions are reported in this issue by others; the ones held on Wednesday are covered here. Ten papers, as published in the February M&M, were on the program for the Wednesday morning session, held jointly with the Society of Economic Geologists. Mr. Eckel made a brief presentation of his paper, on which there was no discussion, and Mr. Peoples presented that of which he was a joint author. D. M. Fraser then discussed a gravimeter survey for chromite in Cuba, which blocked out some 50,000 tons of ore, and F. G. Wells told of work on chromiferous sands in Oregon.

Jan 1, 1943

By Edward H. Robie

OF the current Adirondack iron mine development, the Benson Mines operation of the Tones and Laughlin Ore Co. (Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp. wholly owned subsidiary) is the last to go into operation. Following an active construction program in 1943, the mine. concentrator and sintering plant were scheduled to enter production in the fall. This description therefore cannot include any operating data, and details of equipment and flowsheet have not as yet been released.

Jan 1, 1943

As a representative of the Institute in the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association, which comprises some twenty-three different National Societies, it is proper that I make some report of the progress of the Association to the Institute. The societies represented in the organization are as follows: Association- Representatives, 1916 American Association for the Advancement of Science L. 0. Howard American Chemical Society Charles Baskerville American Electro-Chemical Society F. G. Cottrell American Federation of Labor : A. E. Helder American Forestry Association P. S. Ridsdale American Institute of Electrical Engineers John H. Finney American Institute of Mining Engineers Hennen Jennings American Mining Congress David T. Day American Red Cross Society Maj. Robert U. Patterson American Society for Testing Materials A. W. Gibbs American Society of Mechanical Engineers..... John A. Brashear

Jan 4, 1917

Joseph Esrey Johnson, Jr., had already achieved rare distinction as an able metallurgist, clear thinker, brilliant author, and wise consulting engineer to bankers and operators; he had achieved the essentials of a great career when death cut short his activities on Apr. 4, 1919, in the forty-ninth year of his age. He belonged to a family of iron blast-furnace men and mine managers. His father, Major J. E. Johnson, after serving with distinction in the Army of the North, identified himself with the iron mines and blast furnace at Longdale, Va., with which he was connected during almost his entire business life. It is significant that, during those troublous times of reconstruction in the South, he enjoyed always the affection and respect of his neighbors and associates alike. From him his son obtained not only a thorough training in blast-furnace practice and iron mining, but great personal courage and force of character. His mother, who survives both her husband and sons, possesses rare intellectuality, humor and a tenderness and human sympathy which those who were privileged to know well J. E. Johnson, Jr., recognized beneath his exterior of aggressiveness and will power. In a recently published analysis of the qualities which characterize the world's great men, three traits stand out preeminently; viz., independence, courage, and intellectuality. Each of these characteristics J. E. Johnson, Jr., possessed in extraordinary degree. His early education was obtained under a private tutor at Longdale, and this circumstance probably enhanced , a natural tendency to independence of character and individuality which, however, under the control of his

Jan 5, 1919

By AIME

D R. GILLSON, who was born in Evanston, Ill., in 1895, is another one of those geologists who received his early inspiration and foundation in his science from that great teacher at Northwestern University, the late Professor U. S. Grant, and then went on to give his time and interest to Institute affairs-like those other Northwestern men, Arthur Blair, Gilbert Cady, Charlie Behre, Evan Just, Ian Campbell, Clayton Ball, and many others. After serving in the Navy in the first World War as, of all things for a geologist, a commissary officer on a transport, he went on to MIT and took his doctor's degree under Waldemar Lindgren in 1923. He even assisted in mineralogy at Harvard and thus had training under another great teacher, Charles Palache. He taught mineralogy and petrography at MIT from 1923 to 1928. After several summers of field work as an assistant in the U. S. Geological Survey, Dr. Gillson joined the staff of the du Pont company.

Jan 1, 1947

By R. E. Lund

Josephtown Smelter employs the St. Joe-developed electrothermic process for producing zinc metal and zinc oxide. The process uses resistance-type electric furnaces. Flow of current through the sintered ore and coke charge develops the energy required for smelting at the reaction sites. To produce zinc metal, the furnace off-Gases bubble through a large "U"-tube filled with molten zinc which condenses the zinc to liquid; the metal is then mechanically cast into slabs. To produce zinc oxide, the furnace vapors burn in air and the resultant powders are collected. The smelter comprises three distinct circuits. One circuit produces American Process zinc oxide and high grade metal; another circuit produces tailor-made alloys of controlled lead and cadmium content; the third circuit produces prime western zinc metal and feedstock which is refined into special High grade metal and French Process zinc oxide. The roasting circuit utilizes multiple-hearth furnaces for deleading the zinc concentrates; fluid bed and suspension roasters are employed for desulfurization. Sintering produces a hard, porous furnace feed. The flexible smelting process is adaptable to consuming various kinds of secondary material. Extensive residue treatment accomplishes high overall zinc recovery. Smelter by-products include sulfuric acid, cadmium, and mercury.

Jan 1, 1970

By W. N. Lacey, D. F. Botkin, B. H. Sage

JOULE-THOMSON coefficients for two natural gases were determined at pressures up to 600 lb. per sq. in. throughout the temperature interval between 70° and 310°F. From these primary data and available information relating to the isobaric heat capacities of the components at infinite volume, the heat capacities of these gases were computed throughout the above-mentioned range of pressures and temperatures. The enthalpies of the gases were computed as a function of state and the results compared with values obtained by several methods of prediction currently available. The results are presented in graphical and tabular form.

Jan 1, 1942

Members of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgica Engineers can now secure copies of the Journal of the Institute of Metals of Great Britain at a special price of $5 for the two volumes issued during the year, postage extra amounting to approximately 25 cents. This Journal is one of the best books dealing with the subject of non-ferrous metals and alloys and this arrangement with the Institute of Metals permits our members to take advantage of this specially low price. Back numbers of the Journal can be purchased on the same basis. The Journal can be ordered directly through the office of the Institute of Metals, Great Britain 36 Victoria St., Westminster, S. W. I., London, England. The letter should be accompanied by an international money order and a copy sent to Secretary of the A. I. M. E. in order that the membership record may be checked.

Jan 9, 1919

By R. J. Colony

THE failure, or disintegration, of concrete in structures, even when the cement, sand, and coarse aggregate used have passed satisfactorily all tests and inspections, is not uncommon. Such failures occur even when proper methods of mixing and placing have been used and where, weather conditions were correct. In these cases, the origin of the trouble must be sought in the cement, therefore some additional mode of determining the quality of cement must be employed. The problem is to find a simple, usable; easily applied method that will supplement the standard tests. The solution of this problem in-volves a knowledge of the chemical composition of Portland cements, also of their constitution (or componental composition), as the behavior of a cement, when gaged, is dependent on the physical and chemical characters of the compounds of which it is composed, the proportions existing between them, and the fineness of grinding. It is likewise essential to know the character, behavior, and composition of the hydration, products of Portland cement. The most promising method of attack makes use of chemical, mechanical, and petrographic methods. Chemical, by determining quantitatively not only the usual constituents, but the carbon dioxide and water. Mechanical, by determining the fineness with the air analyzer,1 which separates into fractions of various grain dimensions all of that portion, which in the ordinary sieve test passes the 200-mesh sieve and constitutes at least 75 per cent. of the total cement. These fractions may be further studied chemically and petrographically and micrometric measurements made of the grains. Petrographic, by the method of immersion, and by making thin sections from test pats of both neat cements and standard` mortars.

Jan 1, 1921

By AIME AIME

FEW men are better known in fuel engineering circles in the Middle West than the present Chairman of the Coal Division of the A.I.M.E. - Julian Elnathan Tobey. Now vice-president in charge of engineering of Appalachian Coals Inc., of Cincinnati, he has served that pioneer regional marketing agency since Aug. 1, 1934, when he became manager of its engineering department. His duties have included field promotion work in the interest of use of the agency's coals from eastern Kentucky and Tennessee, south western Virginia, and southern West Virginia in new plants of all types. He has been especially interested in certain industries which have shown an alarming tendency to change to natural gas or hydroelectric power; also in the development and practical application of small stokers and other mechanical equipment.

Jan 1, 1941

By AIME

J. B. Haffner, or "Barney" as he is known to his wide circle of friends, was born at Landskrona, Sweden, on Christmas Day, 1886. He attended grade and preparatory schools there and then went to the Royal Technical Institute at Stockholm from which he graduated as a mining engineer in 1910. During these school years he gained practical experience in his summer vacations by working in various mines in Sweden and other European countries. Upon graduation he set forth for the land of opportunity, the United States. Upon arrival in this country he found people everywhere talking about the fabulous gold fields in Alaska and thereupon set sail for Nome, to take part in placer gold mining operations. Returning to the States, Barney worked in Illinois coal mines for a time and then carried on some construction work in Oklahoma. In 1913 he accepted employment with the Ray Consolidated Copper Co. in Arizona and soon found himself in positions of responsibility in the operating and

Jan 1, 1948

By Arnold H. Kackman

At the Kaiser Cement and Gypsum plant near San Jose, Calif., one rod-ball mill has taken over the entire raw grinding function for the largest single cement operation in the West. Installed as part of a major overhaul performed on the plant by Kaiser Engineers, the new mill does the work of seven previous mills in feeding the plant's six kilns and keeping pace with its annual capacity of 8.5 million bbl of cement. Installation of the mill, which is the largest in the world, was started in December of 1966 and completed in April of 1967. The over-all modernization program surrounding the new mill has included the modification of existing crushing facilities; the building of new raw materials handling and blending facilities, new raw milling facilities, and new slurry handling facilities; and the installation of a digital-analog control system.

Jan 7, 1967

By A. H. Tousley, L. H. Gee

Until comparatively recently, the gypsum industry has been slow to change, often clinging to old processing methods developed a generation ago. Now, however, a highly competitive market has forced gypsum companies to concentrate on devising methods to reduce material and operating costs and improve product quality. In one such effort, Kaiser Engineers recently designed and constructed two modern gypsum plants for Kaiser Gypsum Co., Inc., incorporating centralized control, automatic sequence starting, mill amperage control of the roller milling systems, automatic calcining in kettles, and rapid mechanical stucco cooling. Fig. 1 shows the control panel for the calcining departments at wallboard plants located in Jacksonville, Fla., and Delanco, N. J. In each instance the calcining department (commonly known as the "mill") sets the basis for the quality control for the entire gypsum plant.

Jan 12, 1966

By Henry J. Kaiser

A few months ago I had the honor of addressing the Society of Mining Engineers annual banquet in Sun Francisco. I have since been asked to amplify some of the remarks I made at that time concerning the management policies of the Kaiser organization and various aspects of our corporate thinking. This is a difficult task for an insider like myself. I look at the different companies, and the men who run them, and it is hard to think of these men in terms of policy or procedure. Actually I prefer the term management philosophy to either policy or procedure. My father, Henry J. Kaiser, is not only the founder but the guiding spirit of our organization. His philosophy, and in turn that of the organization, centers around two concepts, service and accomplishment.

Jan 1, 1960

By A. L. Moore

KAISER Bauxite Co., a subsidiary of Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp., has been mining and shipping Jamaican bauxite for over a year. On Feb. 10, 1953 the first boat load of bauxite left Port Kaiser, Jamaica, for the company's alumina plant at Baton Rouge, La. To provide its own source of the aluminum ore, a Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. exploration party started initial reconnaissance in 1947. This work, and subsequent exploration, led to the acquisition of reserves sufficient to warrant a full-scale mining operation for several decades.

Jan 3, 1954

By George S. Lockwood

Plans are moving ahead toward the July 1965 start-up date for Kaiser Steel Corp.’s new pelletizing plant at its Eagle Mountain, Calif., iron mine. Capacity will be 2 million long tons of pellets containing 65% Fe. A major portion of the output is scheduled for charging into Japanese blast furnaces as the result of a contract to supply Mitsubishi interests with 10.8 million tons of pellets over a six-year period. Kaiser's concentrating plant at Eagle Mountain plus sintering facilities at Fontana are adequate to meet the requirements of its blast furnaces, which, as a consequence, are not expected to take any substantial quantity of pellets during this period. However, some 200,000 tons of pellets per year is scheduled to be used for the production of special steels and in the open hearths as a substitute for the high-cost ores now being used.

Jan 8, 1964

Visitors frequently put the question to Kalgoorlie gold miners; "Why don't you concentrate your mining operations?" A mine may be drawing ore from over a hundred different working places which are spread out over several thousand feet of strike and on many different levels. The answer to this question is that "finished" can rarely be written for a section of the mine. The intricate web of mineralization in faults, shears and fractures is an endless puzzle, each solution opens up new avenues to be explored. After the last ore is taken from a stope, a program of drilling may continue for several weeks on different possibilities. Perhaps no ore is discovered and drilling is abandoned, but it is not unusual for another search to begin later in that same area on a new theory with successful results. Wherever a slightly richer mineralization is found, it is needed to "sweeten" the mill heads. Over seventy years ago gold was discovered in the dry wastes of Western Australia. Rich deposits of alluvial gold were found at first and as these were worked out they led to the discovery of the lode ores, which were leaner and harder to extract.

Jan 10, 1964