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By C. W. Lockhart

Strength evaluation programs, based on sub- jecting a number of 5-718 inch (0.15 m) diameter core samples from highly fractured or poorly consolidated rock, to triaxial compression tests, have been successfully completed. An innovative approach was required since con- ventional methods with similar materials had not produced reliable results. Drilling methods were modified, and specially designed transparent core barrels were used. Sample preparation was successfully accomplished by using speciallydesignedtools and unorthodox hand- ling methods. Initial tests were carried out on weathered oxides from an open pit copper mine. The technique was later used successfully where the test material was weak, friable coal. The procedures used offer a practical method of testing weak materials where conventional methods would not be successful.

Jan 1, 1980

What is a nugget effect? In the early development of geostatistics, the term ?nugget effect? was coined for the apparent discontinuity at the beginning of many semi-variogram graphs. This name was chosen to reflect the large differences found between neighbouring samples in ?nuggety? mineralizations such as Wits gold reefs. Geostatistical theory assumes that the difference between a sampled value and a potential repeat sample at the same location is actually zero. Included in this ?nugget effect? would be true variation between contiguous samples due to the nature of the mineralization, micro-fracturing, nugget or crystal size and so on. Also included in the nugget effect would be any ?random? sampling variation which might occur due to the method in which the sample was taken, the adequacy of the sample size, the assaying process, etc. Arguments were put forward that ?sampling errors? actually exist at zero distance. Some geostatistical schools actually maintain that ?nugget effect? is all sampling error. This would imply that ?perfect? sampling would eliminate the nugget effect entirely. There is now a dichotomy both in the geostatistical world and in the software packages provided for geostatistical analyses. It may seem academic to argue over whether the semi-variogram model should take a value of zero, a value equal to the nugget effect or a partial value at distance zero. However, the decision can have a profound effect on both the estimated resource and in our confidence on that resource. Whereas most geostatistical texts define the semi-variogram model as taking the value of zero at zero distance, others imply that the full nugget effect should be used at zero distance. For example: ?The nugget effect refers to the nonzero intercept of the variogram and is an overall estimate of error caused by measurement inaccuracy and environmental variability occurring at fine enough scales to be unresolved by the sampling interval3. ?Christensen4 has shown that the ?nugget effect?, or non-zero variance at the origin of the sernivariogram, can be reproduced by a measurement error model. ?The nugget effect is considered random noise and may represent short-scale variability, measurement error, sample rate, etc.5. In many training texts and web courses, the definition of the semi-variogram is ambiguous as the formulae for semi-variogram models is not actually specified at zero distance6,7,8.

Jan 1, 2009

By G. R. Webber, P. J. Whittaker

"A multielement (Au, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, c-, Ag, As, Hg, Co, and S) geochemical rock sampling survey was carried out in 1977 in the Munro Township area of Ontario to assess the application of rock geochemistry for gold exploration in the region. Detailed sampling with analysis for gold and arsenic was done in 1986 in the immediate vicinity of the Croesus Mine.Samples of quartz veins and rock formations were taken in regional traverses and in more detail near old showings, prospect pits, and trenches. Quartz, graywacke, carbonate rock, and rhyolite contain the highest concentrations of gold for samples taken away from the old workings. Ultramafic rocks and gabbro have uniformly low gold. Basalt samples have slightly higher geometric means, but individual samples contain high gold concentrations. Multielement highs are mostly in mineralized quartz samples. Gold distribution is independent of other elements in most other rock types. Samples near old showings possess elevated concentrations of gold indicating that prospecting for individual mineral deposits by bedrock sampling is feasible. Concentrations of gold greater than 100 ppb are mostly within 30 m of old workings. Those samples which contain greater than 1000 ppb Au were obtained from quartz veins, basalt, graywacke, and rhyolite.High concentrations of gold were not notably concentrated near the Contact Fault although some anomalous samples came from near and on both sides of the fault. Arsenic concentrations are elevated near the Contact Fault. Detailed sampling near the Croesus Mine suggests that gold was introduced with faulting, alteration and quartz veining. Gold and arsenic have been added to the wallrock in the vicinity of the main veins."

Jan 1, 1989

By P. A. Metz

The Fairbanks mining district has produced in excess of 7.5 million troy ounces of placer gold and 250,000 troy ounces of lode gold since gold was discovered in the area in 1902. The Fairbanks mining district is in the northwestern part of the Yukon-Tanana Upland Schist Terrane, an area of approximately 240,000 square km that has produced in excess of 21 million troy ounces of placer gold. All lode gold production from the terrane has been from the Fairbanks mining district, and all of this production has come from high-grade gold-quartz polymetallic sulfide veins. Gold grains in the vein systems range in size from several microns to several millimeters. The veins are localized in a complex metamorphic rock assemblage which includes greenstones and felsic metavolcanic and volcaniclastic rocks, meta-exhalatives and metasediments. Gold occurs in the metamorphic host rocks in association with arsenopyrite and arsenic-antimony sulfides which occur in lenses and disseminations within the host rock. Gold grains occurring in the metamorphic host rocks range. in size from sub-micron to a few microns in diameter.

Jan 1, 1987

By Robert H. Richards

The object of this paper is to enlarge the field of settling velocities treated by me in my former papers, Close Sizing Before Jigging, and Sorting Before Sizing.' There seemed need of work both on coarser and on finer sizes. Messrs. A. Sidney Warren and M. L. Nagel undertook the investigation for the coarser sizes, from 12.85 mm. down to 2.05 mm. diameter. Their work, because of the closer spacing and because of the increased number of observations and consequent stronger averages, called for a revision of the former work. Messrs. G. A. Barnaby and Ralph Hayden undertook this part of the work, from 2.49 mm. down to 0.28 mm., which is near the limit of sifting. Their work covers the ground much more minutely and comprehensively than the former papers. There remained to be covered the portion of the field too fine for investigation with the sieves. This part, covering the range of grains from 0.48 to 0.03 mm., was undertaken by Mr. E. S. Bardwell. For it he used the elutriation method. 11. The First, or Coarsest, Section of the Field. The first desideratum in this investigation was a series of sieves for sizing the sands preparatory to making the tests. It became necessary, therefore, to decide on a sieve-scale for this purpose. A sieve-scale is a series of sieves in which the dimensions of the holes of the successive members form a series increasing by a definite ratio. There are three natural sieve-scales: 1, progressing by doubling the width of the hole for each suc-

Jan 1, 1908

By L. O. Filipov, N. E. Menad, A. Geneyton

"Zeta potential of synthetic monazites presenting various compositions were measured to investigate the effect of the main lanthanides substitutions on electrophoretic mobility and resulting IEP. The measurements are performed in a CO2 depleted and enriched solutions showing both reduced influence of monazite chemistry and strong influence of ions resulting from the solubilization and dissociation of CO2. The influence of oleic acid on the electrophoretic mobility of those monazites was also investigated. The influence of pH on oleate adsorption was studied using a bubble/particle adhesion system. Adhesion strength measurements were performed on pure synthetic monazite-(Ce) and monazite-(La). An extensive thermodynamic model of monazite in water was developed to highlight correlations between lanthanides hydroxides/carbonates species concentrations in the bulk solution and oleate adsorption. Based on electrophoretic measurements, advanced thermodynamic consideration and adhesion measurements, further details of the oleate adsorption model on monazite surface were proposed.INTRODUCTION Electrophoretic and potentiometric data on monazite and, a fortiori, other rare earth semi-soluble salts such as bastnaesite are extremely erratic (Chelgani et al. 2015). The isoelectric points measured with electrophoretic mobility methods range from 4.7 to 6.5 although sporadic data indicates an IEP (isoelectric point) far from that range. Different explanations are proposed in the literature to explain the IEP variability notably the numerous chemical substitutions that frequently occurred within monazite crystal lattice (Chelgani et al. 2015). Based on lanthanides speciation diagram, several authors highlighted the influence of specific lanthanide species on the flotation performance of rare earth semi-soluble salts when carboxylate or hydroxamate collectors are used. Although lanthanides ions have a great affinity for carbonates groups (Kragten et Decnop-Weever 1987), lanthanide (hydrogen) carbonates were not implemented in speciation diagrams. In this work, an advanced thermodynamic model is proposed to highlight correlation between flotation performance and lanthanide species predominance but also concentrations. Qualitative measurement of the monazite surface hydrophobicity are performed through tests of adhesion of coarse monazite particles onto bubbles. Since flotation and microflotation technics are highly influenced by hydrodynamic parameters, this method was investigated to obtain a sharp contrast between appropriate and inappropriate pH conditions. This paper is to investigate 1) the effect of lanthanides substitution on monazite surface properties through zeta potential measurements, 2) the mechanism of adsorption of carboxylates on monazite surfaces and 3) the effect of CO2 on monazite surface properties and carboxylates adsorption."

Jan 1, 2018

By Thomas Schultheis, William Heron, Paul Watson, Colin Warren

This paper describes the geology and geotechnics associated with construction of the Thames Tunnel, part of the UK’s Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL). The 2.5km long twin tunnels run beneath the river Thames at depths of up to 40m and are currently under construction. They pass through varying geology comprising alluvium, terrace gravels and chalk with flints and are currently being bored using Herrenknecht mixshield slurry tunnel boring machines (TBM’s). This paper outlines the lithology and engineering properties of each geological formation and describes the geotechnical processes, potential hazards and difficulties experienced in the works. A summary is given into the extent of the investigative work in terms of route selection, tunnel design, TBM optimisation and further details are provided on the geotechnical aspects associated with the construction of the tunnel approach structures and the tunnels.

Jan 1, 2003

By Frank Firmstone

The piece of spiegeleisen, the analysis of which is given below, was collected by my father, together with various other specimens, while he was manager of the Glendon Iron Works. It bears a label stating that it was taken from a building in the town of Newton, New Jersey, erected in 1765 and torn down in 1863. The building belonged, in 1863, to T. N. McCarter, Esq. The label is in the hand-writing of Mr. McCarter, now deceased, well known as a member of the bar of northern New Jersey. The specimen was, no doubt, given by him to illy father, with whom he had business in 1863 and 1864. It is now in the metallurgical collection of Lehigh University. I know nothing further as to the history of the specimen, but there is no reasonable doubt that it was made from ore from the Andover mine, at the old charcoal-furnace which once stood at the village of Andover, about 5 miles south of Newton, on the Sussex railroad. It was probably broken from one end of a bearer over an open fire-place, is about 6 in. wide by 2.5 in. thick, has been cast in open sand and shows the charcteristic fracture of spiegeleisen rather low in manganese, as shown in Table I. One edge has been white-washed. Table I.—Analyses of Spiegeleisen Made from Andover Ore. 1. 11. Per Cent. Per Cent Graphite,.0.101 0.005 Combined carbon,... 4.529 4.212 Silicon,..0.037 0.294 Manganese,..... 5.760 3.750 Sulphur,.0.003 0.031 Phosphorus,.0.060 0.072 Iron,........ 89.440 91.570 99.920 99.934 I. Spiegeleisen made at Andorer (charcoal) furnace not later than 1765. IT. Spiegeleisen made from Andover ore at Phillipsburg, N. J., anthracire-furnwe, 185-. Both analyses were made by Dr. P. W. Shimer.

Jan 1, 1907

By J. A. Meech

"The technology known as Expert Systems is being used within the minerals industry in a wide variety of problem areas. Applications include diagnosis, prediction, training, monitoring and control. Expert Systems provide a way to program computers to imitate human thinking. The construction of such systems is a straight-forward task that can be quickly learned by novices but can require a lifetime to master.To assist in the understanding and utility of this technology, a special manual bas been prepared which operates on a microcomputer under the MS-Windows environment. The manual covers all aspects of Artificial Intelligence of relevance to Expert Systems. A hypertext system allows users to probe as d•~ply as needed to achieve understanding or to simply skim the surface of the knowledge to obtain a quick overview of subjects. The manual was developed under the sponsorship of the Mineral Sciences Laboratory of CANMET and is available from the Mining and Mineral Process Engineering Department at the University of British Columbia. Annual updates are planned to keep abreast of new developments in this rapidly changing technology. RESUMELa technologie: des Systèmes Experts est utilisée par l'industrie minière pour résoudre une grande variété de problèmes. Les domaines d'application comprennent le diagnostic, la prédiction, la formation, la surveillance et le contrôle des procèdes. Les Systèmes Experts permettent d'écrire des programmes d'ordinateur qui imitent le processus de la pensée humaine. La construction de tels systèmes e:st une tâche qui peut être apprise rapidement mais qui peut prendre des années à maitriser.Pour aider à mieux comprendre et utiliser cette technologie, un manuel spécial opérant sur microordinateur dans l'environnement Windows a été développe. Le manuel couvre tous les aspects de l'intelligence artificielle qui concement les Systèmes Experts. Un système ""hypertexte"" permet à l'utilisateur d'étudier un sujet en profondeur ou de simplement couvrir une grande variété de sujet en surface. Le manuel a été développe avec l'aide financière du Laboratoire des Sciences Minérales de CANMET et est disponible au Département de Génie Minier et Minéralurgique de l'Université de la Colombie Britannique. Des mises à jour annuelles sont prévues de manière à couvrir les changements et nouveautés de cette technologie en évolution."

Jan 1, 1993

By J. Helton, J. L. Bellanca, M. McNinch, L. R. Swanson

DISCLAIMER The findings and conclusions in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mention of company names or products does not constitute endorsement by NIOSH. ABSTRACT Accident data indicates that mobile haulage poses a significant pinning, crushing, and striking risk. Proximity detection systems (PDSs) have the potential to protect mineworkers from these risks. However, unintended consequences of mobile PDSs can undermine the safety benefit they provide. Soliciting iterative user input can improve the design process. Users help provide a critical understanding of how mobile PDSs may hinder normal operation and endanger mineworkers. Researchers explored users’ perspectives by conducting interviews with mineworkers from seven mines that have installed mobile PDSs on some of their haulage equipment. Mineworkers reported that mobile PDSs affect loading, tramming, section setup, maintenance, and general work on the section. Mineworkers discussed the operational effects and increased burden, exposure, and risk. Mineworkers also suggested that improved task compatibility, training, logistics, and PDS performance might help address some of these identified issues. This paper also gives additional insights into mobile PDS design and implementation. INTRODUCTION Pinning, crushing, and striking accidents are a large problem in underground coal mines, especially for mobile haulage. Between 1984 and 2014 there were 179 non-fatal and 42 fatal pinning, crushing, and striking accidents involving mobile haulage vehicles, including coal hauling machines and scoops [1]. Proximity detection systems (PDSs)—automated systems that decelerate and stop a vehicle in order to prevent a collision—have the potential to protect mineworkers in these situations. In fact, PDSs are now required on all place change continuous mining machines as of March 16, 2018, as a result of the final rule published in January 2015 (30 CFR 75.1732) [2]. To address mobile haulage, later in 2015 the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) also proposed a new rule that would require PDSs on mobile haulage vehicles [3]. Though there has been no additional actions related to the proposed rule and it is not currently required, mobile PDS can still help to save lives. MSHA estimates that the adoption of mobile PDSs could prevent approximately 70 injuries and 15 fatalities over the next 10 years [4]. As of June 2015, the underground coal industry had already equipped 155 of the 2,116 mobile haulage vehicles in use [1]. In order to capitalize on the projected safety gains afforded by PDSs, it is important that the systems are designed and implemented effectively. Along with others, researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have been exploring PDSs for more than two decades [5-7]. Throughout this time, NIOSH has also held several stakeholder meetings (2010, 2014, 2016, and 2017) in order to disseminate information and provide an opportunity to discuss on ongoing issues and concerns. Despite some progress, human factors remain a key concern. Previous research examined mineworkers’ attitudes towards PDSs on continuous mining machines [8] as well as how continuous miner operators’ perceptions of risk have changed as a result of PDSs [7]. However, stakeholders have still expressed a need to better understand how mobile PDSs affect the mining process, the mineworker, and whether and how they may present previously unidentified risks.

Jan 1, 2019

By David White

When finished (projected completion in 2016) the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Project will comprise three cable-stayed span bridges and a 4.15 mile immersed tube tunnel - linking Hong Kong to Macau and the mainland Chinese city of Zhuhai. The design included two artificial Islands to serve as the transition structures for the tunnel to bridges, entailing a massive seaborne land reclamation project, and the use of thousands of sheet piles, and man-hours. The challenges of driving individual steel sheet in 100? of water are well known, let alone in the open waters of the South China Sea. In 2010 a joint effort between American Piledriving Equipment (APE) and Allnamics Pile Testing Experts convinced the Chinese contractor First Harbor Marine Group China that a massive multi-vibro hammer can be used to drive 130? long, 72? diameter steel pipe piles weighing 662 US tons each into the sea bed of the South China Sea for the Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macau bridge artificial islands. Combining APE?s hammer design, production and operation know-how with the pile driving simulation and installation know-how of Allnamics made it possible to show the feasibility of driving these gigantic piles into bottom of the sea to the required depth.

By G. L. F. Powell

TURNBULL and Cech1 reported undercooling small droplets (approximately 50 mp in diam) of a large number of metals by approximately 0.18 TE (TEoK = the equilibrium freezing point). This was considered to be the undercooling for homogeneous nucleation in

Jan 1, 1968

By Alexander V. Epiforov, Stanislav V. Balikov

This paper describes of processing tests of 8 flotation concentrates containing precious and base metals by pressure oxidation (POX) method. Concentrates 1 and 2 were gold-copper concentrates. Zinc and silver were by-products in these concentrates. These concentrates were processed by POX with following cyanidation of POX solid residues, copper solvent extraction and zinc carbonate precipitation. The recoveries of gold, copper, silver and zinc from these concentrate were 98, 99, 30 and 99%, respectively. Concentrates 3 and 4 were lead-zinc concentrates. Silver was by-product in concentrate 3. Gold, silver and copper were by-products in concentrate 4. Concentrate 3 was processed by POX with following reduction smelting of POX cakes for primary lead recovery and zinc carbonate precipitation from POX solution. The recoveries of lead and silver into ingot were 96 and 98%, respectively. The recovery of zinc was 99%. Concentrate 4 was processed by POX with following zinc carbonate precipitation and reduction smelting of POX cakes. Copper was precipitated from the POX solution using sodium sulphide prior zinc precipitation. The recovery of zinc into carbonate concentrate was 99%. The recoveries of lead, gold and silver into lead bullion were 95, 99 and 98% respectively. The recovery of copper into sulphide concentrate was 99%. Concentrate 5 was gold-pyrite concentrate, and concentrates 6-8 were double refractory gold-arsenopyrite concentrates. Silver was by-product in these concentrates. These concentrates processed by POX and CIL. The recovery of gold from concentrate 5 was 98%, and from concentrates 6-8 was 85-90. Low gold recovery from concentrates 6-8 was associated with preg-robbing factor. The recovery of silver from gold-sulphide concentrates did not exceed 10-20%. The low silver recovery was associated with argentojarosite formation that is resistant to cyanidation. The flowsheets for complex processing of precious and base metals sulphide flotation concentrates based on this test work results were proposed.

Jan 1, 2018

By Kioshy Santos de Assis

O desenvolvimento de aços baixa liga e alta resistência (ARBL) tornou-se um desafio constante para a indústria. Enfoques como o aumento de resistência mecânica para espessuras menores tem um forte apelo técnico-científico. Modificações na composição química bem como o refino de grão são ações que apresentam um benéfico sinergismo neste sentido. Um elemento que atua nos dois sentidos supracitados é o nióbio (Nb), pois sua presença na composição química durante o processamento termomecânico promove o refino de grão e possibilita a obtenção de chapas de menores espessuras e com excelentes propriedades mecânicas. Entretanto, a adição do Nb como elemento de liga ficou restrita a percentuais em peso abaixo de 0.05%, devido à redução na soldabilidade encontrada em aços desenvolvidos com técnicas ineficientes de redução do carbono. Contudo, com técnicas mais efetivas de redução utilizadas na aciaria, torna uma alternativa o desenvolvimento de aços com maiores percentuais em peso de Nb, visando a produção de aços com maior resistência mecânica, menores espessuras e com boa soldabilidade. O objetivo do trabalho é apresentar resultados acerca da influência do Nb soldabilidade de um aço API 5L X70.

Aug 16, 2017

By R. G. Fleck, W. R. Webb

The concentrate produced from the Adirondack magnetites is, of course, too fine for direct use in a blast furnace and must be agglomerated before it can be considered a blast furnace ore. The four operations in the area use sintering -three, including the Jones & Laughlin operation, employing the Dwight Lloyd continuous type machine and one operation using the Greenawalt batch type process. Each operation uses fine anthracite coal, either No. 4 or No. 5 buckwheat size, for the mix fuel.

Jan 6, 1950

By K. Morsi, P. Mehra

"Spark plasma sintering has gained a considerable amount of attention over the past decade, due to its rapid sintering rates, and low temperature requirements, but has so far been usually limited to the production of simple geometries. The present paper examines the current-activated production of extended geometries through the process of spark plasma ""extrusion"". Of interest in the present study is exploratory research into the effect of electrical current activation on the reactive consolidation of powder systems to form intermetallic materials.IntroductionSpark Plasma Sintering (SPS) has been the subject of intense research over the past decade [ 1,2, 3,4,5,6]. The process boasts unique advantages which include ultra fast heating rates, shorter sintering times and lower sintering temperatures than needed in conventional sintering. The process is however limited to the generation of predominantly simple geometries. Recently one of the authors investigated the spark plasma extrusion of aluminum, where an aluminum powder compact is directly (Joule) heated through an applied DC electric current. Here extended geometries can be generated under the influence of electric current. A number of heating sources were identified including the heat source from current, i.e. Joule heating, frictional heating and heat from the deformation energy. However in the case of reactive powder systems, an extra ""one-time"" transient heating source can be supplied. By considering combustion synthesis of powders, this heating source is derived from the reaction between elemental powders to exothermically form a product at some ignition temperature [7]. This exothermic energy heats the compact to the maximum ""combustion temperature'', which could be hundreds of degrees higher than the ignition temperature. Hence a high temperature processing window (of short duration due to heat losses to the surroundings) becomes available in which the material is most suitable for stress-induced deformation and consolidation. For reactive spark plasma extrusion, two scenarios can be envisioned. The first is where the reactive powder compact is ignited through the application of current, and extruded within the high temperature processing window (also under the influence of current). The second scenario is to allow the heat of deformation/friction to heat the material during extrusion, to simultaneously force a reaction and consolidation. Here it is expected that the processing window will be very small if feasible."

Jan 1, 2011

By G. L. Schroeder

Investigations were conducted at two underground locations, foreman's room and 5702 area, of the Kermac Nuclear Fuels Corp. uranium mining installation, Ambrosia Lake, New Mexico. The rock environment is stratified sandstone. Pressures were varied from minus 0.4 an Hg to plus 3.8 cm Hg with respect to barometric pressure, and were maintained for periods ranging from several hours to 21 days. One cm Hg overpressure (-1.5% of normal barometric pressure) produced a 20-fold decrease in Rn flux into the foreman's room as compared to the Rn flux observed during dilution ventilation. The 5702 area experienced a 5-fold decrease in Rn flux for a similar overpressure. During 21 days of continuous 1 cm Hg overpressure in the 5702 area this reduced Rn flux was maintained. The smaller reduction in flux for the 5702 area results in part from the proximity of the foreman's room to a non-pressured area and the presence of an impermeable shale lens overlying the ceiling of the 5702 area. A 0.4 cm Hg underpressure of the 5702 area increased the Rn flux into the area by 3-fold over the non-pressured value. A barometric pressure influence on Rn flux into the mine and on air Rn concentrations in non-pressurd areas of the mine was measured. A falling barometric pressure causes an increase in the flux of interstitial gas into the mine; a rising barometric pressure decreases this flux. These effects are not seen in overpressured mine areas. Radon concentrations in rock interstices show, during overpressure, decreases of all locations monitored except in the immediate vicinity of the shale lens above the 5702 area ceiling. These reductions are the result of air flowing from the mine into the rock interstices under the influence of the pressure gradient induced by the overpressure. The relative humidity of the 5702 area was reduced after 2 days of 1 cm Hg overpressure from a pre-overpressure value of 96% to 81%. The control of harmful or noisesome gases which emanate into underground mining areas from surrounding rocks is often a costly necessity. In uranium (U) mines this problem is presented by the high interstitial concentrations of radon-222 (Rn), a radioactive noble gas of 3.82-day half-period, formed in the decay scheme of U238, and the relative ease with which this noble gas diffuses from its parent rock into the interstices of the rock and then to a working area. Long-term exposure to moderate concentrations of Rn (3000 µµc per 1) and its short-lived alpha-ray emitting daughter products, RaA (Po218) and RaC (po214), has been found to result in an increased incidence of bronchial carcinomaa2 The acceptable limit of Rn daughter products in a mine atmosphere is presently set at a concentration of short-lived radon daughters which would be in equilibrium with 100 ppc of Rn per 1 of air. Ventilation of mines is conventionally accomplished by continuously diluting the mine air with fresh air brought in by fan or natural convection from above ground surface. The diluted air is allowed to vent freely to the atmosphere. This process does nothing to retard the rate at which gases (including Rn) diffuse into the mine from surrounding rock. It merely reduces the concentrations of these gases within the mine. It is suggested that in a sufficiently permeable rock environment a slight pressurization of the mine air may induce air flow from the mine into the interstices of rock surrounding the mine. The convective flow of comparatively fresh air will reduce the concentration and the concentration gradient of undesirable gases in the rock interstices adjacent to the mine. Radon will diffuse counter-current to this convective flow at a rate proportional to its concentration gradient. In time, a steady state of convection and counter diffusion will be established. The Rn flux into the mine will never be reduced to zero, and will only asymptotically approach zero as the overpressure (and hence the convective velocity of purging air) approaches infinity. During 1963 and 1964, an investigation into the effect which such applied pressures have upon the Rn characteristics of a mine atmosphere was conducted at the Kermac Nuclear Fuels Corp. uranium mines, Ambrosia Lake (near Grants), New Mexico.

Jan 1, 1967

PRESIDENT PHILIP N. MOORE, ST. Louis, Mo. PAST PRESIDENTS WILLIAM L. SAUNDERS NEW YORK, N. Y. L. D. RICKETTS NEW YORK, N. Y. FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT SIDNEY J. JENNINGS NEW YORK, N. Y. TREASURER GEORGE C. STONE NEW YORK, N. Y.

Jan 1, 1917

By W. A. Ver Wiebe

Spurred on by the very high demands for new crude supplies resulting from World War 11, the oil men of Kansas strained every effort in 1943 to find as many new pools as possible. In all, 1761 test wells were drilled, ,of which 895 were successful in finding new oil supplies and 32 in finding new gas supplies. The total number of wildcat wells drilled in Kansas was 577, including the so-called "extension wildcats," which are located less than 2 miles from production. As a result of the very determined effort to find new oil reserves, 49 of the wildcat test wells found new oil pools in western Kansas and 7 found new oil pools in eastern Kansas. There were 289 rank wildcat tests, and among these 28 were successful ventures. They are responsible for 26 of the new oil pools recorded for the year and 2 of the new gas pools recorded. The ratio of dry holes to producing wells among such rank wildcats is thus approximately 10 to I (289 dry and 28 good). This compares with a ratio of II: I in 1942 and 6:1 in 1941; the same in 1940 and 5:Iin 1939. With nearly all wells flowing to their maximum economic capacity, the total production for Kansas during 1943 reached a new high; that is, 107,700,000 bbl., compared with 97,000,000 during the previous year. Similarly, the amount of gas sold during 1943 made a new high point on the production curve. The total amount was 122 billion cubic feet, compared with about 98 1/2 billion cubic feet for the year previous. As usual, the large Hugoton field of south- western Kansas accounted for approximately half of the total gas production. Highlights of the Year Despite the fact that 56 new pools were found in Kansas during 1943, it must be admitted that the future reserves of the state have not been increased greatly. Most of the new pools seem to be of minor value, although it is admittedly impossible to gauge the future production of any pool in Kansas with any exactitude. Judging by the later performance of some of the pools found in 1942 and in 1941, less than five of the new pools are likely to make any great contribution to the state's future oil reserves. Taking up the counties of Kansas in alphabetical order, the following statements summarize the highlights of the year. In Graham County, the Morel pool was extended to the southeast and this pool now promises to become one of the important pools of western Kansas. Several of the older wells have already contributed more than I000,000 bbl. of oil, and such a figure is considered very satisfactory in Kansas. In McPherson County, important new reserves were found by persistent drilling in township 17 S., R. I. W., the most northeastern township of the county. Many new wells in older pools and discovery wells in new pools make this region look promising. The Lindsborg pool, which had a sensational revival during 1942, was also extended in a number of directions and has now become a rather large producing area with a fairly high future potential capacity.

Jan 1, 1944

By W. A. Ver Wiebe

Spurred on by the very high demands for new crude supplies resulting from World War 11, the oil men of Kansas strained every effort in 1943 to find as many new pools as possible. In all, 1761 test wells were drilled, ,of which 895 were successful in finding new oil supplies and 32 in finding new gas supplies. The total number of wildcat wells drilled in Kansas was 577, including the so-called "extension wildcats," which are located less than 2 miles from production. As a result of the very determined effort to find new oil reserves, 49 of the wildcat test wells found new oil pools in western Kansas and 7 found new oil pools in eastern Kansas. There were 289 rank wildcat tests, and among these 28 were successful ventures. They are responsible for 26 of the new oil pools recorded for the year and 2 of the new gas pools recorded. The ratio of dry holes to producing wells among such rank wildcats is thus approximately 10 to I (289 dry and 28 good). This compares with a ratio of II: I in 1942 and 6:1 in 1941; the same in 1940 and 5:Iin 1939. With nearly all wells flowing to their maximum economic capacity, the total production for Kansas during 1943 reached a new high; that is, 107,700,000 bbl., compared with 97,000,000 during the previous year. Similarly, the amount of gas sold during 1943 made a new high point on the production curve. The total amount was 122 billion cubic feet, compared with about 98 1/2 billion cubic feet for the year previous. As usual, the large Hugoton field of south- western Kansas accounted for approximately half of the total gas production. Highlights of the Year Despite the fact that 56 new pools were found in Kansas during 1943, it must be admitted that the future reserves of the state have not been increased greatly. Most of the new pools seem to be of minor value, although it is admittedly impossible to gauge the future production of any pool in Kansas with any exactitude. Judging by the later performance of some of the pools found in 1942 and in 1941, less than five of the new pools are likely to make any great contribution to the state's future oil reserves. Taking up the counties of Kansas in alphabetical order, the following statements summarize the highlights of the year. In Graham County, the Morel pool was extended to the southeast and this pool now promises to become one of the important pools of western Kansas. Several of the older wells have already contributed more than I000,000 bbl. of oil, and such a figure is considered very satisfactory in Kansas. In McPherson County, important new reserves were found by persistent drilling in township 17 S., R. I. W., the most northeastern township of the county. Many new wells in older pools and discovery wells in new pools make this region look promising. The Lindsborg pool, which had a sensational revival during 1942, was also extended in a number of directions and has now become a rather large producing area with a fairly high future potential capacity.

Jan 1, 1944