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By R. Peroni, J. Kopp

Mine planning and scheduling is based on using a geological model for the deposit. Blocks are used to discretize the deposit into mineable volumes where grade values are assigned. Traditional estimation techniques such as kriging or inverse distance weighting are frequently used for this task where an interpolated value is calculated within a discrete volume. This group of block grades is the input for sequence optimizers, which base their decision on the economical value of a given block. Ultimately, the economical value of a block depends on its grade, making mine sequencing sensitive to all estimated values. If one looks to a block not as a single grade but as a set of equally possible grades, its economical value will change as different grades can be assigned to it. Stochastic simulation is known to provide the tools to assess grade variability, which makes it possible to generate equally probable values in a block. Different grade block models can thus be built and multiple sequencing alternatives are observed by running the optimizer for these distinct inputs. The results demonstrate that the methodology is adequate for risk assessment and proves to be useful for mining project sensitivity analyses. Differences in the project net present value showed that there is little difference between the two simulation methodologies (sequential Gaussian simulation and sequential indicator simulation) applied. The process is demonstrated using a Brazilian kaolin deposit. Keywords: geostatistical simulation, mine planning, sequencing, risk assessment, open pit optimization.

Jan 1, 2003

By Graham Davis

The future of the world's minerals industries is often painted as bleak. Peter Drucker has repeatedly proposed that the demand for minerals has become "uncoupled" from world economic growth.' This implies that, while mineral demand was in the past linked to the growing demand for and consumption of goods and services, further world development will not require substantial mineral inputs. Lester Thurow noted that for these reasons the US minerals industry is diminishing in scale and economic importance.2 There is some documented evidence of such uncoupling, and the demand for minerals may indeed diminish in the future. But such announcements are, to this point, no more than speculation. For instance, is it not just as likely that renewed environmental concerns will cause increased demand for the relatively innocuous environmental properties of metals, replacing plastics? And even if the prophesied demand decreases do occur, a sufficient fall in metal prices due to technological advances could increase the quantity of minerals demanded above current levels, in spite of leftward shifting demand curves. Thus, worldwide mineral production activity may increase or decrease in the future and no one can say whether more or fewer of the earth's citizens will become involved in the extraction and processing of minerals.

Jan 1, 1994

By Moeller T

The Bottle Creek mine, when opened next month, will consist of three open cuts, Emu, VB and Boags, feeding ore to a central mill. The open cuts cover a strike length of 4.5 kilometres which forms part of a linear structure, which can be traced geochemically for 26.0 kilometres. With the exception of a few small gossanous outcrops at Emu, the deposits are completely covered with insitu laterite and alluvial overburden. Since its discovery in 1984, the deposit has been subjected to three major reverse circulation (RC) drilling programmes which have successively closed up the drill spacing on the main mineralized zone to 25m horizontally and less than 25m vertically. All resource calculations have been based primarily on samples of RC drill cuttings from these programmes. Ore reserve calculations have been completed after each drilling phase. They began with a simple polygonal technique, progressed through two sectional half-distance calculations and are now being completed with a 3-D geostatistical technique. Because of the style of mineralization, Norgold personnel paid particular attention to assessing the variability of the mineralization by using repeat samples, repeat analysis and diamond drill vs RC comparisons. In addition, close attention has been paid to obtaining an accurate estimate of the global SG of the ore bodies. Particular care has been taken to obtain complete drill intersections of the orebody and to maximize wet sample recoveries. Extensive re-sampling and re-analysis of samples has confirmed that Bottle Creek is unusual for an oxidized gold deposit in that all the gold appears to be very fine grained, and evenly distributed within the mineralized zone.

Jan 1, 1987

By E. Steiakakis, A. Athousaki

Nowadays, stakeholders have a strong say to the enforcement of best practices by mining and quarrying companies. In most cases there is a direct relationship between sustainable development principles and best practices. Mining companies try to apply best practices in order to sustain their operation without lost time and effort to litigation, and other obstacles. However, when and where there is a lack of state or regional mineral policy, or when the mineral policy is fragmented and touching on conflicting laws, mining operations may be subject to additional administrative hassles, and, thus, operators feel threatened and tend to apply best practices loosely. This paper argues that the only way that mining and minerals operations can be a source of development is to ensure that they are working within the framework of sustainable development. Furthermore, in order to follow the paradigm of sustainable development they would need to be guided by a regional, national or even transnational (i.e. European) minerals policy.

Jan 1, 2011

By F. J. Cservenyak

The Bureau of Mines Solid Waste Program is directed toward three main areas of research: (1) Extraction of mineral, metal, and energy values from urban refuse; (2) recovery of mineral and metal values from wastes generated in the industrial extraction, processing, and utilization of raw materials and mineral-base products; and (3) upgrading and utilization of automotive scrap. The Bureau also has a contract and grant program which supplements the in-house research and aids in the training of personnel in the proper management of mineral- and metal-based solid wastes.

Jan 1, 1970

By B. H. Sage, R. T. Carter, W. N. Lacey

The phase behavior of a number of binary systems consisting of parafin hydro-carbons has been determined in recent years. In addition, the composition of the coexisting phases of mixtures of crude oil and natural gas has been investigated.~ However, the latter study did not include information concerning the influence of the concentration of a component upon its distribution between two coexisting phases. Owing to the paucity of such information it was considered desirable to investigate in some detail the composition of the coexisting phases in the methane-propane-n-pentane system throughout the greater part of the two-phase region at a tempera-ture of 100°F. Information of this nature also permits the establishment of the critical behavior of this ternary system. Method The compositions of the coexisting phases in this ternary system at 100°F. were deter-mined by withdrawing samples from a pres-sure vessel containing a heterogeneous mixture of the three components that had been brought 10 equilibrium by mechanical agitation at the desired pressure and tem-perature. The samples were withdrawn under such conditions that the equilibrium was not disturbed and the composition of each of the phases was ascertained by means of the conventional low-temperature fractionation procedure. The apparatus employed in this investi-gation was nearly the same as that utilized in an earlier study of the methane-pentane system.~ Several minor modifica-tions in the arrangement of the apparatus were made in the interest of simplifying the procedure and avoiding the possibility of condensation in the tubing connecting the equilibrium apparatus with the analyti-cal equipment. The pressures were meas-ured by means of a pressure balance with a precision of 0.5 lb. per sq. in. It is believed that the equilibrium pressure was ascer-tained with an uncertainty of not more than 2 lb. per sq. in., even though small varia-tions in pressure obtained during the withdrawal of the samples. The tempera-ture of the equilibrium equipment was maintained by use of an automatically controlled oil bath. The bath temperature was determined by means of a copper-constantan thermocouple, the electromo-tive force being determined by means of a potentiometric circuit of such a nature as to reduce the uncertainty of the tempera ture to less than O.I f. The fractionating column employed in the determination of the composition of the gas phase had a diameter of 0.12 in. and was approximately 4 ft. long, while the column employed in the analysis of the liquid phase was 0.18 in. in diameter and about 5 ft. long. Each column was equipped with the conventional constant-volume receivers, which were maintained at a constant temperature by means of an automatically controlled oil bath. In nearly every case the distillation in thr neighborhood of the transition between

Jan 1, 1941

By W. N. Lacey, R. T. Carter, B. H. Sage

The phase behavior of a number of binary systems consisting of parafin hydro-carbons has been determined in recent years. In addition, the composition of the coexisting phases of mixtures of crude oil and natural gas has been investigated.~ However, the latter study did not include information concerning the influence of the concentration of a component upon its distribution between two coexisting phases. Owing to the paucity of such information it was considered desirable to investigate in some detail the composition of the coexisting phases in the methane-propane-n-pentane system throughout the greater part of the two-phase region at a tempera-ture of 100°F. Information of this nature also permits the establishment of the critical behavior of this ternary system. Method The compositions of the coexisting phases in this ternary system at 100°F. were deter-mined by withdrawing samples from a pres-sure vessel containing a heterogeneous mixture of the three components that had been brought 10 equilibrium by mechanical agitation at the desired pressure and tem-perature. The samples were withdrawn under such conditions that the equilibrium was not disturbed and the composition of each of the phases was ascertained by means of the conventional low-temperature fractionation procedure. The apparatus employed in this investi-gation was nearly the same as that utilized in an earlier study of the methane-pentane system.~ Several minor modifica-tions in the arrangement of the apparatus were made in the interest of simplifying the procedure and avoiding the possibility of condensation in the tubing connecting the equilibrium apparatus with the analyti-cal equipment. The pressures were meas-ured by means of a pressure balance with a precision of 0.5 lb. per sq. in. It is believed that the equilibrium pressure was ascer-tained with an uncertainty of not more than 2 lb. per sq. in., even though small varia-tions in pressure obtained during the withdrawal of the samples. The tempera-ture of the equilibrium equipment was maintained by use of an automatically controlled oil bath. The bath temperature was determined by means of a copper-constantan thermocouple, the electromo-tive force being determined by means of a potentiometric circuit of such a nature as to reduce the uncertainty of the tempera ture to less than O.I f. The fractionating column employed in the determination of the composition of the gas phase had a diameter of 0.12 in. and was approximately 4 ft. long, while the column employed in the analysis of the liquid phase was 0.18 in. in diameter and about 5 ft. long. Each column was equipped with the conventional constant-volume receivers, which were maintained at a constant temperature by means of an automatically controlled oil bath. In nearly every case the distillation in thr neighborhood of the transition between

Jan 1, 1941

By Harry E. Krumlauf

The year 1957 was one of declining metal price and production. Many lead-zinc-copper mines were forced to close, and the remaining mines limited production to stay more in line with demand. High cost of labor, supplies, and equipment and high taxes aggravated the situation. Some operators postponed or abandoned expansion programs because of uncertain economic conditions. Output was curtailed by elimination of over- time employment and reduction of the working force. The number of employes laid off was small- reduction in the labor force was accomplished by not replacing those who left a company's employ.

Jan 2, 1958

By J. M. W. Mackenzie

The rheological properties of aqueous solutions of several commercial flocculants were investigated using a rotating coaxial cylinder viscometer. Similarities between the pH-apparent viscosity relationship and the flocculating properties of the reagents are discussed here. Synthetic neutral polymers and polyelectrolytes are used extensively as flocculants in mining and chemical engineering operations. The action of these reagents has been interpreted as adsorption of the polymer flocculant to the mineral surface, followed by the formation of physical polymer bridges between the particles.4,5 A consequence of the bridging model is that the efficiency of a polymer flocculant depends on the degree with which the polymer is adsorbed to the mineral surface, and the extent to which the polymer molecule forms a bridge between colliding particles. The length of the polymer molecule and its orientation at the mineral surface are important in the bridging mechanism since the further the polymer segments can protrude from the mineral surface the greater the probability may be of these segments contacting another mineral particle. Linke and Booth7 have shown that, for a silica suspension, both the settling rate at a given polymer addition and the maximum settling rate obtainable increase with increasing molecular weight. The analysis of silberbergl0 has

Jan 1, 1964

By Frank F. Aplan

INTRODUCTION Coal is a solid, combustible mineral substance resulting from the degradation and alteration of vegetable matter largely in the absence of air. In this natural process of coalification, some non-combustible mineral matter is always associated with the combustible material. Coal preparation or cleaning is the process of removing this inert mineral matter from the coal. Preparation is highly successful in removing the large fragments of inert material, but is not very effective in removing the fine inorganic mineral matter intimately associated with the coal. Of the 600 million tons of coal produced in the United States every year, approximately one-half is produced by coal cleaning methods (1). The bulk of this tonnage is cleaned by coarse or intermediate gravity preparation methods (5 inches to 28 mesh, Tyler). Fine cleaning, say, -28 mesh, is done by shaking tables, washing cyclones, and flotation, or, until recently, the fines were either incorporated into the clean coal or simply discarded--not infrequently, the latter. In 1972, only 13 million tons of raw coal were cleaned by flotation in the United States, and from this 8.4 million tons of clean coal were produced (1). The percentage of clean coal produced by flotation in Europe (England, West Germany, Poland, U.S.S.R., etc.) is substantially higher. However, coal flotation has grown rapidly in the United States from only a few plants in 1950 to 31 in 1960 (2) and 66 in 1970 (1). Virtually all new preparation plants incorporate flotation into their basic flowsheet. The essential difference between ore and coal flotation is that for ores the entire tonnage is ground to flotation size, whereas for coal

Jan 1, 1976

By Mroczek C. R, Evans D. A

Renison is a world-class ore deposit that has been mined for over 100 years. It currently has reserves of 5.06 Mt @ 1.88 per cent Sn and a projected mine life of 8.5 years. Recent advances in the geological understanding of the deposit have been associated with detailed structural and geophysical investigations accompanied with the discovery and exploitation of the Rendeep orebodies. Mineralisation is linked to the forceful emplacement of the Devonian Pine Hill Granite that resulted in a complex brittle (-ductile) deformation of the Eo-Cambrian host stratigraphy. Dilation jog development on the Federal-Bassett Fault in the Federal and Rendeep areas provided access for cassiterite-rich magmatic hydrothermal fluids responsible for carbonate replacement Mineralisation.

Jan 1, 1997

By L. M. Pidgeon

Introduction The production of magnesium by direct reduction of the oxide has far passed the experimental stage and was responsible for 30 per cent of the recent wartime production of 246,000 tons per annum. This paper describes the small-scale experiments which culminated in a number of the wartime plants. The paper traces the author's early experiments on various direct reduction reactions leading to his choice of the ferrosilicon reduction of dolomite and the realization that this reaction would proceed at a satisfactory rate at temperatures obtainable in metal apparatus. MgO has a standard heat of formation of 146,100 cal. and is therefore one of the most difficult oxides to reduce. However, if advantage is taken of the relative volatility of magnesium metal, thermally unfavourable reactions may be utilized. In reaction MgO + X = XO+ Mg . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) the removal of Mg as a gas at high temperatures displaces the equilibrium to the right in the face of the unfavourable thermo-chemistry which is inevitable with any X other than calcium metal. If X is carbon, not only is the reaction highly endothermic, but CO is gaseous. A temperature of l,864°C. is required to produce a pressure of one atmosphere of Mg. Between l,900°C. and perhaps 400°C., the back reaction takes place readily and special shock cooling devices are required to recover magnesium from the gaseous mixture. This reaction does not lend itself to small-scale experiments and was not examined by the author. If, in reaction, carbon is replaced by a relatively pan-volatile metal, the oxide of which is also non-volatile and possesses a fairly high heat of formation, a reduction reaction is offered which is free from the difficulties associated with carbon. The typical case of silicon will serve as an example: 2MgO + Si = SiO2 + 2Mg (g) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2) At temperatures above l,000°C., a positive pressure of magnesium will exist over the system. Removal of the magnesium vapour will displace the reaction to the right in the face .of an unfavourable thermal balance. Since magnesium is the only volatile component at this temperature, it may be evolved and condensed, using attractively simple distillation technique.

Jan 1, 1946

By A. D. Hughes

A relatively small area in Malaya, about 200 miles long by 40 miles wide, is the most important source of tin in the world. Some tin is recovered in other parts of the peninsula. Of the tin mined, 98 pct is recovered from alluvial deposits. From 1935 to 1941 the average annual world production of tin was 190,000 tons. The average annual production from Malaya during the same period was 62,000 tons or about one third of the total. Other producing countries, in order of importance, were the Netherlands East Indies 34,000 tons, Bolivia 30,000, Belgian Congo, Nigeria, Siam, Burma, China, and a few others with smaller amounts. The serious shortage of tin during the war period was due to the fact that the Japanese were occupying Malaya, Netherlands East Indies, Siam, Burma, and China which, together, formerly were producing 65 pct of the world supply. Because of the importance of tin in the world economy, and because of the fact that little is generally known in this country regarding the methods of recovering the tin in Malaya, it is believed that a short description of the industry, as carried on there, may be of interest to many of the readers. In addition you may be interested in the effect of the Japanese occupation, subsequent recovery of the properties and conditions existing at that time. The Malay Peninsula lies at the southeast tip of Asia. Singapore, a British colony, is situated on a small island at the southern end of the peninsula. It is a city of nearly a million population, an important world port, the site of a large British naval base and of one of the tin smelters. The Federation of Malaya consists of nine states, plus Penang, Malacca, and other small areas formerly part of the Straits Settlements, and it now covers the entire peninsula. The civil administration is controlled by the British. A constitution was adopted recently after reaching agreement with the Malay Sultans of the various states, who retain control of religious matters. The Capital is at Kuala Lumpur, a city of about 200,000 population, 250 miles north of Singapore and about half way to Penang. The country covers an area of 51,000 square miles, an area about equal to that of Florida and about one third that of California. It has a population of about seven million consisting of Malays, Chinese, East Indians, and a relatively small number of Europeans. The principal products are tin and rubber. There are over three million acres of planted rubber. The country is not self-supporting agriculturally as about one third of the necessary food supplies is imported. Rice is the principal food of the Asiatic population and some of the recent unrest is caused by a shortage of rice and the consequent high price. Good highways have been built through the settled part of the country. A railway, Government owned, extends from Singapore northward through the entire peninsula. The climate is tropical but health conditions are good for a tropical country. I was in Malaya from 1939 until January 1942, during the time of the simultaneous air attacks on Pearl Harbor, Manila, Hongkong, and Singa-

Jan 1, 1950

By L. A. Morley, W. T. Parry

Laboratory prepared clay-quartz sand samples and fault gouge from an open pit slope undergoing plane-type failure were tested in the laboratory to determine potential mining applications of electroosmotic stabilization and to provide a better understanding of electrochemical hardening. Experiments with very low current densities and free access of electrolytes to both anode and cathode showed an increase in cohesion. Cohesion in a fault gouge increased by 9.3 to 113%, depending on location with respect to the electrodes. For this, power consumption was equivalent to 0.727 watt-hr per cu ft (25.69 watt-hr per cu m). Regions of electrochemical hardening were determined by pH and the anolyte used. Electroosmotic stabilization appears as a reasonable solution to some types of mining problems.

Jan 1, 1975

By J. A. Venter, M. K. G. Vermaak

There are practical indications that flotation recovery of palladium bismuth tellurides is poor. This work tested whether this can be caused by a lack of interaction of the collector with the telluride. Impedance measurements, voltammetry and Raman spectroscopy were performed to determine the interaction of dithiocarbonate collectors (KEX) with Pd-Bi-Te. Impedance measurements showed lower capacitance values in solutions containing KEX indicating the formation of a continuous surface layer. Anodic and cathodic polarization diagrams show the mixed potential tobe higher than the reversible potential of the xanthate-dixanthogen equilibrium reaction; hence the formation of dixanthogen on the surface is possible. Electrochemically controlled in situ Raman spectroscopy did indicate the presence of bulk diethyl dixanthogen on the surface. Raman spectroscopy has confirmed the co-presence of xanthate with dixanthogen, indicating that xanthate retains its molecular integrity when it adsorbs on the surface of the Pd-Bi-Te. As a result, the mineral surface is expected to be hydrophobic and a lack of collector interaction with the mineral is not the reason for low PGM recoveries experienced. Keywords: Raman spectroscopy; Pd-Bi-Te; ethyl xanthate; platinum flotation; Great Dyke; Pd-bearing bismutho-tellurides and moncheite.

Jan 1, 2004

By Robert F. Kehrman

As with many new technologies, the rapid growth in solution mining for uranium has created uncertainties regarding the environmental impact of mining operations. In solution mining, the largest area of concern is the impact of the process on the quality of ground water supplies. As a result, a rapid and reliable technique of detecting lixiviant excursions is desirable. Such a method would replace the periodic sampling technique and should provide a more or less continuous monitoring method. To this end, resistivity techniques were evaluated as an alternate means of tracking lixiviant movement. A program was devised which had five specific tasks. These were: (1) evaluation of the techniques, (2) development of the most promising technique or techniques, (3) field testing of the techniques, (4) testing of the BuMines probe, and (5) reporting. The result of the analytical and field work is that various resistivity/ resistance techniques do provide a means of detecting lixiviant movement in Northern Wyoming. Surface and downhole galvanic surveys and controlled source audio magnetotellurics (AMT) were evaluated. All three techniques showed some degree of success.

Jan 1, 1979

By J. W. Cuthbertson, R. A. Cresswell

THE constitution of Cu-rich alloys with 1.5 to 13.5 pct Sn and 0.25 to 3.0 pct Be and the precipitation-hardening characteristics of alloys with 1.5 to 13.5 pct Sn and 0.25 to 1.0 pct Be have been examined. The hardness and tensile strength of the alloys examined increase markedly after solution treatment at 700°C followed by heat treatment at temperatures between 200" and 450°C. By a combination of cold work and heat treatment, hardness values similar to those exhibited by commercial Be-Cu alloys containing 2.25 pct Be can be obtained with ternary alloys containing 9 pct Sn and 0.75 pct Be and containing 10 pct Sn and 0.5 pct Be. Marked hardening effects occur with alloys containing even less beryllium. By heat treatment alone, a hardness value of 310 diamond pyramid hardness can be obtained from an alloy containing 10 pct Sn and 0.75 pct Be. Preliminary tensile tests have shown that an ultimate tensile strength of 110,000 psi with an elongation of 23 pct is obtainable by precipitation hardening an alloy with 8 pct Sn and 0.75 pct Be. The precipitation-hardening process has been followed microscopically for certain alloys and the inference is that, while the initial hardening effect is probably explained by the precipitation of the ß phase of the Cu-Be system, further hardening, proceeding at a much slower rate, also occurs, apparently as a result of precipitation of phases of the Cu-Sn system, particularly precipitation of the 6 phase at temperatures below 350". The presence of the e phase of the Cu-Sn system in certain alloys at temperatures below 350°C has been confirmed. Tin-bronzes are widely used in engineering applications where a combination of high strength and good resistance to corrosion is wanted. The maximum strength is induced in these alloys by cold working, and it would be an advantage for many purposes if high strength could be achieved alternatively by an age-hardening process. While Cu-Sn alloys have a good fatigue resistance they can be surpassed in this respect by Cu-Be, but the use of the latter alloy is limited by its high cost. If, by adding beryllium to tin-bronze, the properties of the respective binary alloys could to some extent be combined, a most attractive alloy should result. As pointed out by Raynor,¹ beryllium is on the borderline of the zone of favorable size factors for copper, and the solid solubility of beryllium in copper is consequently much more restricted than if the size factor were strongly favorable. The size factor is sufficiently favorable, however, to permit an increase in solid solubility with rise in temperature, and there is thus a composition range in which CU- Be alloys are susceptible to hardening by precipitation heat treatment. Although the a phase of the Cu-Sn system is similarly susceptible to precipitation treatment, the time necessary to establish equilibrium in commercial alloys of this type is usually so great that age hardening becomes impracticable. The addition of beryllium to Cu-Sn alloys would appear to offer a means of conferring on the latter useful age-hardening properties. Masing and Dahl² and others have, in fact, shown that the addition of beryllium to Cu-Sn a solid solutions renders these alloys susceptible to precipitation hardening and after such hardening confers on them an encouraging improvement in physical properties. If this improvement could be achieved by the addition of substantially smaller amounts of beryllium than are customarily found in binary Cu-Be alloys, the ternary alloys should possess economic advantages which might make them more attractive than the binary alloy for some applications. Binary Systems Copper-Tin: The constitution of these alloys is now reasonably well known and is summarized in the equilibrium diagram published by Raynor.³ The following observations, due to Raynor,¹ on the structure of those phases of the Cu-Sn system that are likely to be found in the ternary alloy system will facilitate the subsequent discussion on the examination of that system. The ß phase is an electron compound at the electron-atom ratio 3:2 and has a body-centered cubic crystal structure. This phase is stable only down to 586°C, at which temperature it decomposes eutectoidally into the a and y phases. The y phase has a structure that is also based on the cubic system. This phase is stable down to 520°C, at which temperature it decomposes eutectoidally into the a and d phases. The d phase is an electron compound (Cu³¹Sn8) which has a crystal structure analogous to that of 7 brass. This phase is stable from 590" to 350°C; on prolonged annealing at the latter temperature it breaks down into a mixture of the a and E phases. The e phase is an electron compound (Cu³Sn) having the electron-atom ratio 7:4. Its structure may be regarded as a superlattice based on the close-packed hexagonal system. This phase is stable from 676°C to room temperature. The primary solid solubility of tin in copper increases to a maximum of 15.8 pct as the temperature falls from that of the peritectic reaction to 586°C. The solid solubility remains constant from 586" to 520°C. At lower temperatures the solubility decreases progressively. Below 350°C the fall in solubility is pronounced and is associated with the precipitation of the e phase. This precipitation is very sluggish and does not normally occur under service conditions. Copper-Beryllium: The Cu-Be system has been investigated by Borchers' and others. Raynor5 summarized the present state of information on it.

Jan 1, 1952

By C. A. Pierce

UNDERGROUND operations of the United States Potash Co. at its mine near Carlsbad, N.M., have been continuous since the property was opened about five years ago. Approximately one million tons of potash has been mined and two shafts have been sunk, each to a depth of about 1000 ft. Outstanding in the company's operations is the fact that not a single blasting accident has occurred during the aforesaid period. The purpose of this paper is to describe the blasting practice that has made possible the achievement of this accident-prevention record. The mining method employed in extracting the thick horizontal bed of potash may be described as a double-entry room-and-pillar system. Mine development is kept well in advance of extraction operations, and a three years' supply of ore, at least, is always available. Limits of the orebody have not been determined, and in the present system of mining headings are advanced by a "shortwall" method. This was the first potash ore bed developed in the United States. The nature of the deposit, therefore, was unknown, and it was deemed expedient to outline a conservative mining policy. Later, when more is known about the deposit and certain control ascertained, a "longwall" panel retreating method may be found advisable. The necessity for a domestic supply of potash became a national issue previous to and during the World War. The United States Govern-ment came to realize that this country should not be dependent upon foreign sources of potash, and began extensive explorations in many parts of the country, seeking an orebody that would meet the exacting require-ments of the domestic market. The Department of Interior, through the Geological Survey and Bureau of Mines, made every effort to determine the location of potash deposits and encouraged their exploitation by private capital. Through the combined efforts of the Department of Interior and private industry, the deposit now being worked by the United States Potash Co. was discovered and brought into production.

Jan 1, 1936

By E. Maltby Shipp

YouR committee's secretary submits the following report, or summary, to the members of the committee, in an endeavor to lay before them a general review of the information so far received and also his own knowledge of the work as carried on at a number of plants, this being done in part to secure further information and suggestions from members and lead to a more effective means of furthering the work of the committee. It is suggested that more detailed data be compiled regarding engineering features involved, and that papers be contributed which will deal with the safeguarding of underground electrical installations. There are few operating companies which have not started a more or less systematic campaign to safeguard their employees from accidental injuries and unhealthful surroundings, but a great deal is to be gained by experience. All may welcome the advice and cooperation of those who have been actively engaged in the work and have demonstrated the results obtainable by organized effort, and it is, therefore, exceedingly gratifying to note the ready assistance and hearty cooperation rendered by the companies that may be truly termed pioneers in the movement. No solution of the safety problem is to be found in a skrict standardization of methods, rules or devices, as the various mining, milling and metallurgical practices present too many conditions differing broadly in general principles, but some standard system embodying principles already proven to be efficient should be created, which may be modified or elaborated to meet specific requirements of each individual company, or to fit working conditions as they exist in the various mining camps throughout the country. An industrial plant is primarily a business undertaking, therefore the economic side of a safety or welfare campaign is of importance. Many small operators have been deterred from undertaking the work by their belief that it involved an expense beyond their means, and one that could not be counterbalanced by greater efficiency or saving along other lines. This idea is generally due to a lack of knowledge of the actual costs of such work, and of the results secured by judicious selection of a method commensurate with the size and nature of the opera-

Jan 1, 1918

By R. W. Waterfill

MANY existing ore deposits of valuable metals have been worked out in their upper surface levels and the continued productivity of these mines is dependent on their extension to greater depths in the earth. The maximum depths at present reached are about 6000 to 8000 ft. below the surface, with no evidence of an impoverished ore vein. These mines are widely distributed; some of the best known are in South Africa, Brazil, India and in the western sections of the United States. Among the factors which increase the difficulty of working these mines at increasing depths are hoisting, rock pressure and temperature. The manner and effectiveness with which these problems are met will, no doubt, determine in a large measure the ultimate depths to which any mine can be profitably worked. The most critical of these three factors at present is the increase in temperature with depth. The high temperature and humidity in many of these mines at present is severely detrimental to the health of the workers and greatly hampers their efficiency. Some have almost reached a condition in which the human system cannot survive. The problems involved in the cooling and ventilation of mines have all been ably analyzed and presented in previous articles. For this reason, only a resume of conditions affecting the cooling and conditioning of deep and hot mines will be given in this paper before attention is directed to possible methods of improving atmospheric conditions in the working levels.

Jan 1, 1929