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By Waldemar Lindgren

THE important investigations of Dr. G. F. Becker at Steamboat Springs, Nev., in 1885, aided by the analytical work of W. H. Melville, established the fact that sulphides were being deposited at the surface by hot ascending waters.1 Steamboat Springs is situated near the eastern base of the escarpment of the Sierra Nevada, six miles distant from the Comstock lode. In a region of former volcanic activity, hot springs with a temperature of about 80° C. break forth through a fissure in granodiorite, and at the base of a basaltic bluff the waters have deposited a large amount of siliceous and calcareous sinter, some of which is colored red by antimony sulphide. The sinter from one of the springs was analyzed by Mr. Melville,2 and his results, re-calculated to grams per kilogram, showed [ ] The relative quantities of antimonious and arsenious sulphides are not given in the above analysis, but I believe that the former greatly predominated. The water of one of the springs was also analyzed by Melville and the re-calculation of this analysis to salts that were possibly present is given in Table I.

Jan 1, 1913

By AIME AIME

A. A. Holland, Consulting Engineer, Toronto, Ont.-I noticed in this discussion of locations in which radium is found, no mention is made of the recent deposits discovered in Ontario. While radium is not a subject with which I am very familiar, I took an interest in this deposit on account of its novel occurrence. It is found in Haliburton County, near Wilberforce, Ontario, associated with a quartz free pegmatite, in a "break" that I understand can be traced for two miles. This "break" marks the contact between the limestone and syenite and contains numerous cavities or vugs. The gangue, on account of its deep purple, appears to :be amethyst.

Jan 1, 1930

I TOLD you before that four things are necessary in addition to good judgment for one who wishes to practice the art of casting well. The first is to make the moulds and to have the furnace well made, the wood of a good kind, dry and seasoned, and the material disposed to melt. I have given you enlightenment on all these in detail, and on the last point as well, as you can see in the discussion on the alloys of metals where, among other things, I told you a good deal about those of copper. Therefore I wish to say but little about them in this chapter, but in order to follow the order promised you, I tell you that when you can, and if the labor or expense does not displease you, you should always alloy the whole quantity of the metals that you wish to put into one work and should make them into cakes of one kind. For, in addition to being more conveniently arranged in the furnace and mire easily handled, they all melt at one time and with much less work than they would if they were in pieces of different kinds. It is necessary to give corruption to copper, for if you decided to melt fine copper by itself in a reverberatory furnace your soul would burst before you had any honor therefrom. Then, if you wished to cast a fine thing from it, it would not succeed because it is dot fluid, on account of its viscosity; and if it should succeed, it would be all full of holes, like a

Jan 1, 1942

Jan 1, 1943

By Richard Lee

SINCE the economics in the blast furnace resulting from enriching iron ores are so great, much attention, has been paid during the past few years to the various methods of concentrating lean ores, and, as the concentrated ore is usually of extreme fineness, various methods . of agglomeration and sintering, of more or less value, have been put 'into operation. The resulting agglomerated concentrates are generally obtained in the form of briquettes or nodules. The briquettes naturally divide themselves into two classes: (1) those made by the mixture of some binding agent, and then formed into briquettes under great pressure; and (2) those made by sintering the concentrates, the latter either being formed into bricks before exposure to heat or the sintered mass broken into fragments afterward. Of the first class I will not speak, as they are not used on an extensive scale in this country. The second class of briquettes, or those made by sintering, are simply masses of melted or fused silicate and oxide of iron mingled with more or less silicates of aluminum, lime, and magnesia. The fact that the material in a briquette is sintered is proof positive that there are no pores in the material. There are, however, quite a number of holes of greater or less diameter through the substance of the briquette. They are not pores in the common acceptance of that term as applied to ores by furnacemen, as the sides of the holes and channels are fused. In reality the material is simply mill cinder. It is practically untouched by the gases in the upper part of the furnace, and the iron has to be reduced by solid carbon in the boshes and hearth. Briquettes sometimes show a little saving in fuel in the furnace over an ore mixture of large lumps, but that saving is made simply because, owing to the numerous holes and channels through the mass, the briquette is practically composed of numerous small or fine lumps, and, as is well known, the finer the

Jan 10, 1913

By AIME AIME

ALMOST as many attended the annual dinner this year as last, when the presence of Mr. Hoover was such an attraction that almost two-thirds more than had ever attended before were present. Only by putting the late comers at tables in the balcony could everybody be accommodated. Past President De-Golyer was the toastmaster and in opening the post-prandial exercises referred to the regrettable fact that this was the last of the long series of dinners which have been held at the Waldorf, as the hotel will be torn down to give way to an office building before another year. To the delight of the gathering "Oscar" appeared and, in a delightfully brief but characteristic speech, referred to the long association that had existed and hinted that a new Waldorf-Astoria may arise, where the Institute could continue to gather annually in an enlarged replica of the room they had met in so long. Before taking up the presentation of the medals, Mr. DeGolyer referred to the Institute's "Legion of Honor," the 34 men who have been members continuously for over fifty years. For various reasons only five of them, W. S. Ayres, F. G. Corning, Henry D. Hibbard, A. F. Schneider and Arthur Thacher, could be present. They were all seated at the speaker's table, and W. S. Ayres, 56 years a member, as the dean of the group, was called on to respond for them all. He said: "The introduction I have just received would indicate that this particular group of men to which I belong is considered by the chairman to be a group of real antiques. Possibly you are questioning the accuracy of his judgment. I hope you are, although there may be some first-sight evidences tending to substantiate the view held by the chairman.

Jan 1, 1929

SAFETY in open-pit mining receives a minimum of notoriety, but its significance in profitable and efficient operation is as great as in other methods of mining. Open-pit operators from Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico, exchanging ideas on safety at a symposium during the recent annual meeting of the Arizona Section, AIME, discovered unanimity of opinion that the successful safety program depended on managerial and supervisory support with the vigorous cooperation of the employes. Safety Organization The operation of a safety program is dependent on the ability of management to project enthusiasm through the company organization. This requires a suitable method of communication to the supervisory and employee levels so as to approach them in a manner that will inspire cooperation. Safety committees comprised of various combinations of managerial, supervisory, and employe personnel are frequently used for this purpose. The open-cut mine of the Chino Division of the Kennecott Copper Corp., Santa Rita, N. Mex., operates its program through management, a full-time safety engineer, and two safety committees, the Departmental and Shops Safety Committee and the Central Safety Committee. The Departmental and Shops Committee consists of one employe from each department and shop and the safety engineer. The selected members serve for a period of one month. This committee meets once a month, the only representative of management being the safety engineer because it is believed that employes will speak more freely when their supervisors are not present. The duties of the committee are to report hazardous conditions and make recommendations, but the committee has no authority to approve or disapprove. The Central Safety Committee is comprised of supervisory personnel from all departments and shops, and one member of each of the five bargaining organizations. Members of this committee are permanent and hold meetings soon after the departmental group to take action on recommendations of the latter. The committee system insures participation of all levels of personnel in the accident-prevention program, thereby stimulating safety consciousness. The New Cornelia branch of the Phelps-Dodge Corp., uses three groups to conduct the safety program; the General Safety Committee, Division Safety Committee, and the operating-unit safety meetings. The unit safety meetings provide for active participation of employes in discussion of various phases of the program. Within these groups vigorous opinions regarding safety are often expressed and the workmen are critical if they recognize a digression from the adopted safe-practice procedures. These monthly discussions give the program vitality. The Division Safety Committee is composed of the division superintendent and the division department heads, and follows an established pattern in discussion of all phases of the safety program. The General Safety Committee, made up of the manager, division, and department heads, makes decisions on policies and procedures; it renders decisions on recommendations and suggestions. Management at the New Cornelia branch feels this system of safety committees and meetings has been active in advancing the program. Safety Codes In the open-pit mines of the Southwest, a safety code for operation or service of equipment, methods

Jan 1, 1952

By Arthur T. Ward

WHEN the Board of Directors of the Institute in June 1931 approved the formation of the Committee on Eastern Magnetite and its then membership of eleven, little did any of those concerned envision that twelve years later the annual Committee luncheon would attract 34, and the technical session, jointly with the Iron and Steel Division, more than 70. Yet that was exactly what happened during the February meeting just passed. And what is more important, some members of the Committee are now predicting that by 1944 over 10 per cent of the iron ore produced in the United States will come from these Eastern Magnetite properties. Chairman Crockett, in opening the meeting, advised that due to the serious illness of Meredith E. Johnson, State Geologist of New Jersey, Mr. Johnson would be unable to brief his scheduled paper, which would therefore be reserved for a later date.

Jan 1, 1943

Prior to any detailed discussion, I'd like to say that Dr. Aplan has made direct hits on two important considerations: 1) The most demanding need in Fine Coal research is to develop improved methods of sulfur reduction. 2) The areas of particle (impurity) liberation and froth flotation hold real near-term promise as techniques for improved sulfur removal. Digressing for a moment, I thin kwe can all remember the time when the biggest problem facing coal research was simply defined - "No money!" In the mid 70's we suddenly found ourselves dealing with a product worth five to seven times the value it carried in the mid60's. All of a sudden, we're talking about a high-profile, high- value commodity. The coal industry still hasn't made the complete psychological adjustment - especially in the operating areas (prep plants included). We have a valuable material at hand which is, in' many cases still being processed as though it were a two or three dollar per ton item. Simply put, I think that while the industry has made some major strides during this transition, a stronger commitment of attitude (and finances) needs to be made toward deeper definition of beneficiation work. Back to specifics - Dr. Aplan has really highlighted three areas where strong research efforts are needed. 1) Liberation processes - not limited to mechanical comminution - must be more fully studied.The industry certainly needs a better handle on value returned (improved ability to beneficiate) for dollars spent on improved liberation. 2) Flotation processes probably hold the most promise for near- term improvement in fine coal beneficiation technology. Dr. Aplan’s.

Jan 1, 1979

By G. L. Wilhelm

Prior to the construction of a 450 tpd concentrator at the Mayflower mine, owned by the New Park Mining Co. and operated by the Hecla Mining Co., the common mining methods were cut and fill, with waste or gob filling and square set timbering with waste fill. Stoping operations were beset with the usual problems related to waste filling methods- storage and handling of fill material from development, costly waste excavations necessary to obtain a portion of the needed waste rock, slow mining cycles due to filling and inefficient ground support. After Hecla Mining Co.'s successful utilization of sandfill in its mines in the Coeur d'Alene district, utilization of hydraulic fill in stoping operations at the Mayflower was a logical development of the modernization plan then in progress. The mine, located in the southeasterly part of the Park City mining district, Utah, is a medium size producer of lead and zinc ores, with gold, silver and copper as secondary minerals. The mine has been producing commercial ore since 1939 from a dual vein system which outcrops at an elevation of 7200 ft in the Wasatch Range. Access to the present mining areas is gained by a 7200-ft haulage tunnel and by an interior, three-compartment main shaft. The present mining horizons are about 2400 ft deep. The average horizontal cut and fill stopes, ranging from 3-15 ft wide and up to 120 ft long, can be classed as small.

Jan 5, 1968

By Carlton D. Hulin

ARE we a "have" or a "have-not" nation in our domestic supply of metals and minerals? Impinging on the ears of a people weary of war and faced with the problems of reconversion to peace, the import of this question has built up with the momentum of an avalanche. Stemming from statistics cited by Pehrson and accelerated by the pessimistic and possibly biased statements of Ickes, hardly an issue of any technical periodical dealing with mining has appeared during the past year but within whose pages was to be found some comment, some discussion of the question: Are we a "have" or a "have-not" nation? We have proved commercial reserves of high-grade iron ore in the Lake Superior region sufficient for 22 years, based upon the prewar rate of consumption; commercial copper reserves to last only 34 years, one fourth being inferred ore; zinc sufficient for nineteen years, over half being inferred; lead for twelve years, two thirds of which is inferred; mercury for only three years. So read the figures. Although admitting that these figures may be extended by new discoveries, by the use of marginal and submarginal ore, and by further technological advances, are we nevertheless to assume complete pessimism in the acceptance of the meaning of these statistics; are we to expect a rapidly increasing dependence upon foreign sources of mineral supply; are we to believe that we are at or near the peak of the "metal age" as has been held by Theodore J. Hoover? Or is some more optimistic viewpoint possible?

Jan 1, 1947

By Peter J. Tarkoy

A commonly encountered difficulty in subsurface mapping and surveying of joints is the presence of steel conduits and rails, power lines and magnetic rock. Their presence often complicates and occasionally precludes the use of magnetic instruments such as a geologist's compass. An instrument was designed and built to overcome this problem by relating joint orientation geometrically to a known tunnel axis, track, or laser beam. Because of the unknown effect of magnetic bodies of rock, steel and high potential power lines, it becomes difficult or even impossible to make necessary compensations to compass readings. Therefore, relating a joint orientation directly to magnetic or true north seems impractical in underground joint surveying. But since the orientation of mine openings and tunnel alignments is generally surveyed and accurately known, it would appear to be a more practical axis of reference.

Jan 10, 1973

By William B. Plank

PRESENT enrollment of 182,361 students in the engineering schools of the United States and Canada represents an increase of 6.6 pct over the enrollment in these schools in 1951-52. Thus is brought to a halt the steady decrease in engineering enrollment that began with the close of the 1947-48 academic year, five years ago. The mineral engineering student picture is similarly encouraging. In the United States schools, 9453 students are preparing themselves for positions in the Mineral Industry. This is an increase of 8.3 pct over last year as compared with an increase of 6.6 pct in the total United States engineering enrollment. The rate of recovery for the mineral engineering group is thus more rapid than for the engineers as a whole.

Jan 4, 1953

By Clyde E. Williams

MODERN steelmaking has gradually evolved from an inefficient small-scale operation, utilizing tiny units, to a highly efficient one utilizing large units almost completely mechanized. The leading position of the United States in the steel industry is due to the possession of easily assembled high-grade raw materials and large-scale highly developed plants. Modern integrated steel operation is largely one of material handling. Mining and transportation of iron ore, coal, and fluxes, coking the coal in by-product ovens, smelting the ore with coke and limestone in blast furnaces, converting the resulting pig iron into steel in the Bessemer, or in the open hearth when supplemented with scrap, and fabricating the resulting steel ingots in the shapes of commerce all are done on a huge scale, mostly by machinery, most of the labor being employed either in operating the machine or keeping it in repair. At the same time the quality and uniformity of the product have been greatly increased by the development of scientific knowledge and operating skills. Thus, the steel industry in this country is highly developed both mechanically and technically.

Jan 1, 1942

By Franklin G. Pardee

IN 1920 the Minnesota Tax Commission estimated a reserve of 1,341,674,538 long tons of iron ore in Minnesota, the Michigan State Tax Commission report showed 199,092,855 long tons in reserve in that state, and the Wisconsin Geological Survey set the Wisconsin reserves at 21,500,000 long tons. The total reserve that year for the Lake Superior District amounted to 1,562,267,393 long tons. Ten years later the reserves of iron ore in these same districts were Minnesota 1,235,227,510, Michigan 168,349,823, and Wisconsin 23,000,000, or a total of 1,426,577,333 long tons. The decrease in ore reserves in this ten-year period was 135,690,060 long tons, but the shipments were 520,746,975 long tons. In other words, the ten-year depletion in reserves was only 8.68 per cent. If similar conditions carry into the future this calculation would indicate a life for the ore reserves of the Lake Superior region of over 100 years.

Jan 1, 1933

By O&apos, P. E. T. Connor

Production of petroleum in Trinidad during 1938 reached the record figure of 17,737,061 bbl., an increase of approximately two and a quarter million barrels over 1937. The principal development during the year was along the Guapo fault, which extends from Point Ligoure to Coora across the southwest portion of the island. This fault has been proved to be a major factor governing oil accumulation in the area. At the southeast end of the fault the Coora field has been actively developed during the year and already ranks as one of the major productive fields of the island. Approximately seven miles to the northwest, another richly productive area has been developed on the north side of the fault at Los Bajos, while several widely spaced wells along the fault in the intervening area suggest that the whole seven miles betwen Los Bajos and Coora will prove productive. The Penal field was placed on regular production during the early part of the year on completion of a pipe line to the Point Fortin refinery. This is a shallow pumping field with a daily output of 2000 to 1500 bbl. of heavy oil. Down-flank extension of the oil-producing structures of Forest Reserve, Kern and Point Fortin have considerably extended the proven acreages on these structures and exploitation of the deeper Cruse sands on these structures has also materially increased the known reserves. Wildcat drilling has been active in several areas. Four wells have been completed in the Mayaro district; four at Moruga; six at Cedros; six in the Morne Diable area; one at Erin and one at Point Ligoure. Few data are available from these areas, but it is understood that some cncouraging results have been obtained. In the northern basin, north of the Central Range, two locations were spudded in at the end of the year after extensive seismograph surveys. Both these locations are scheduled for depths in excess of 10,000 ft. This northern basin is entirely untested by the drill and the present drilling program is being keenly followed by all operators in Trinidad.

Jan 1, 1939

By P. E. T. Connor, O&apos

Production of petroleum in Trinidad during 1938 reached the record figure of 17,737,061 bbl., an increase of approximately two and a quarter million barrels over 1937. The principal development during the year was along the Guapo fault, which extends from Point Ligoure to Coora across the southwest portion of the island. This fault has been proved to be a major factor governing oil accumulation in the area. At the southeast end of the fault the Coora field has been actively developed during the year and already ranks as one of the major productive fields of the island. Approximately seven miles to the northwest, another richly productive area has been developed on the north side of the fault at Los Bajos, while several widely spaced wells along the fault in the intervening area suggest that the whole seven miles betwen Los Bajos and Coora will prove productive. The Penal field was placed on regular production during the early part of the year on completion of a pipe line to the Point Fortin refinery. This is a shallow pumping field with a daily output of 2000 to 1500 bbl. of heavy oil. Down-flank extension of the oil-producing structures of Forest Reserve, Kern and Point Fortin have considerably extended the proven acreages on these structures and exploitation of the deeper Cruse sands on these structures has also materially increased the known reserves. Wildcat drilling has been active in several areas. Four wells have been completed in the Mayaro district; four at Moruga; six at Cedros; six in the Morne Diable area; one at Erin and one at Point Ligoure. Few data are available from these areas, but it is understood that some cncouraging results have been obtained. In the northern basin, north of the Central Range, two locations were spudded in at the end of the year after extensive seismograph surveys. Both these locations are scheduled for depths in excess of 10,000 ft. This northern basin is entirely untested by the drill and the present drilling program is being keenly followed by all operators in Trinidad.

Jan 1, 1939

Recognizing the fact that the problems of the committee named by the Board to prepare the "official ticket" for officers and Directors of the Institute are various and difficult; and desiring to assist this committee by setting forth some of the principles that should guide the committee and some of the qualifications that should be required of candidates, the following instructions are formulated and the Secretary is directed to publish them in MINING AND METALLURGY concurrently with the publication of the names of each newly appointed Nominating Committee and to send a copy to each member of the Committee.

Jan 1, 1938

By V. R. Garfias, A. C. Fernandez

Despite artificial curtailment in all the fields of Mexico during 1937, owing to strikes and other disturbances, the production of crude petroleum aggregated approximately 46,738,000 bbl., showing a substantial increase of about 5,571,000 bbl. over the preceding year. Most of this increase occurred in the Poza Rica area, where, although only two wells were completed during the year, production increased from 14,162,000 bbl. in 1936 to 18,634,000 in 1937. While production in the South fields (Golden Lane) remained practically stationary, the output in the heavy-oil district of the Northern fields showed an increase of 1,930,000 bbl., because production had been considerably curtailed during 1936. Production in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec decreased about 596,000 bbl., owing to labor disturbances. Crude run to stills in local refineries increased from 34,000,000 bbl. in 1936 to 36,650,000 in 1937. Exports of crude and refined products were approximately 22,700,000 bbl., or 500,000 bbl. less than in 1936. Domestic consumption, excluding ships bunkers, reached a total of 20,000,000 bbl., which shows a small increase of 200,000 bbl. over the. previous year. Domestic demand for gasoline is estimated at 3,400,000 bbl. for the year, which represents an increase of 500,000 bbl. over 1936. In all, 60 wells were completed in Mexico during 1937, as compared to 70 in 1936 and 74 in 1935. In proven areas 52 completions resulted in 25 producers and 27 failures. In the Northeastern area near the United States border, five gas wells were drilled, all of which were producers; one of them, in Camargo, came in with a daily production of 20,000,000 cu. ft. of gas. One well, resulting in a failure, was drilled in Las Uvas, Coahuila, and three wells were completed in Quebrache, to the southeast of the heavy-oil district, resulting in two small producers and one failure. TWO more wells drilled in San SebastiBn, east of the Golden Lane, were failures. Fields Northern Fields (Heavy-oil District).—A total of 11 producers and 22 failures was completed in the proven areas of the Northern fields, as compared to 16 producers and 25 failures in 1936. In the Altamira

Jan 1, 1938

The Army Reorganization Act, which became effective July 1, 1916, contains a provision authorizing the organization of an Officers' Reserve, in which will be included a Corps of Reserve Engineers. There will also be an Enlisted Reserve of skilled workmen in technical lines. The special provisions of the bill relating to the Engineer Officers' Reserve were formulated with the help of the Joint Committee of the several national engineering societies, which has been at work on the matter for over a year with the War Department and Committees of Congress. Recognizing that engineering science is the basis of success in modern

Jan 8, 1916