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By Mark L. Requa

(San Francisco fleeting, October, 1911.) DURING the past two years California has developed a new and important oil-field : I refer to Midway. This field produced the famous Lake View gusher, which is credited with a total production in excess of 8,000,000 barrels. Fortunately for the oil industry of the State, this well is now a thing of the past, and nothing save a great crater-like opening marks its location. The pipe is entirely worn away and gone ; and it is a matter of serious doubt if there can be anything done that will cause the well to produce again. Fortunately, also, there have been no, other wells in that field or elsewhere throughout the State that in any way compared with the Lake View. Midway is noted for large wells, of from 500 to 2,000 barrels production; but the decline is rapid, and a few months serve to bring the output down to a few hundred barrels. In the oil-territory heretofore blocked out as proved and probable, there have been, during the year, many changes. Some areas which were expected to be fairly productive have apparently failed; others, more strictly "wild-cat," have come in; while in some of the older fields there are properties which are beginning to show evident signs of exhaustion. The total area of proved territory will therefore probably suffer but small increase, when balances are struck off. The increase of new area has come from extensions of the Midway field, the development of a field in Lost Hills and Belridge, and extensions of the Fullerton-Whittier field in southern California. In these later developments, down to date, the fresh area absolutely proved is not much in excess of 3,000 acres. Recent developments in Coalinga indicate the possible extension of that field to the south, but at great depth. Coalinga is still the most northerly field of any consequence in the State. The Kettleman Hills have hitherto brought in nothing, although a

Apr 1, 1912

The Naval Consulting Board is asking the aid of all the members of the Institute in its effort to help solve the submarine problem. Probably every member of the Institute has some suggestion, and while each one of these may be of only slight value in furnishing the remedy, the aggregate may be of great service. Every member of the Institute will soon receive a pamphlet known as Bulletin No. 1 of the Naval Consulting. Board of the United States in which full information and instructions will be given to all of those who are willing to assist. It is hoped when this information is received the members of the Institute will give it their prompt attention and write as soon as possible to the Secretary of the Naval Consulting Board, 13 Park Row, New York, N. Y.

Jan 9, 1917

By Sherwin F. Kelly

THIS is intended as a simple review of the principles and practice of geophysics, so will not be of interest to the geophysicist, who is hereby warned of its elementary character. The engineers for whom it is written are those who, having glimpsed the formidable formulas and discussions of the geophysicists, give all publications on the subject a wide berth. For a few years now the geo-physicists have had a tendency to be ingrowing at their meetings, going deeper and deeper into theory and instrument construction, and forgetting to present the topics that would interest the practicing engineer who desires merely to know how geophysics can help him, not why.

Jan 1, 1934

By GEO H. DEIKE

NOT much activity has been evident during the past year in the establishment of co-operative scholarships but the interest among the coal-mining companies is more pronounced than ever. This is apparent from the replies received to a letter sent out by the Committee on the Promotion of Student Interest in Coal Mining to over 120 coalmine operating officials. With that letter was forwarded a bulletin issued by the school of mineral industries of The Pennsylvania State College entitled ?Industrial Scholarships ? a Partnership of Industry and Education.? In that circular was outlined the need for trained men in the war and postwar world, and particularly as such demands pertain to the growth of the mineral industries.

Jan 1, 1943

By J. E. McConnell

No. 1 Electric Furnace and Billet Casting Shop, located in Plant No. 4 adjacent to our new 12 inch merchant bar mill, represents Inland Steel Company's first venture into both electric furnace steelmaking and continuous casting. Construction of the shop began in September, 1968 with excavation and foundation work, followed by awarding of general construction and major equipment contracts from December, 1968 to April, 1969. The first heat was tapped from No. 90 furnace on December 18, 1970, and the first cast attempted on December 29, 1970. The rated shop capacity is 500,000 tons per year of semi-finished billets and blooms, and was justified on the basis of approximately 85 percent of the product mix falling into the special bar quality category of steel grades. Auxiliary equipment has been designed into the shop to pursue free machining steels, including leaded and tellurized grades. The start-up and operation of the shop for the first year was essentially based on a two-part philosophy: 1. Initially operate with the "open stream" casting technique to accomplish machine shakedown and operator familiarization and training. 2. Operate with special bar quality, or "submerged casting", practices, make necessary refinements and gain customer acceptance

Jan 1, 1972

By Carl M. Fellman

LABOR disputes caused considerable turbulence in the coal mining industry during 1946. As an outcome of these disputes, a definitely fundamental change in safety procedure was instituted: establishment of safety regultions for coal mines through the agency of agreements between the miners' union and the agency or agencies operating the coal mines. Although a temporary plan at present, the future will determine the. extent to which it may become permanent. Notwithstanding the turmoil in the industry extending through much of the year, the safety record for the first eleven months of 1946 was the best in the history of the industry for that period. The fatality rate for 1946 is lower than in any other year in the history of coal mining in the United States. This follows a pattern inasmuch as new low coal-mine fatality records were also made in 1945, 1944, and 1943. The five-year period 1942 to 1946 inclusive has a coal-mining fatality rate far lower than any other five-year period in the history of the industry. It is significant that this period exactly coincides with the operation of Federal coal mine inspection which got under way early in 1942.

Jan 1, 1947

By Thomas T. Read

IN reviewing the field of mineral industry education last year reference was made to recent assertions, mostly emanating from sources not in a position to know the facts, that mining engineers as a class are disappearing. Attention might also then have been called to a statement that appeared in Engineering News, August 11, 1892 (p. 130), ". . . the great absolute decline in number of mining graduates, which last amounts almost to a complete abandonment of mining engineering as a distinct branch of study." Evidently we outrank opera stars in the number of farewell appearances we are able to make; 43

Jan 1, 1936

By A. Hultgren, G. Phragmén

Page Outline of Progress of Knowledge and Theories about Gas Evolution in Steel Ingots. and Its Influence on Crystallization and Segregation................ 134 Object of Present Investigation........................................... 148 Theoretical Discussion of Process of Solidification........................... 149 Gas Given Off from Rimming Steel during Solidification................... 149 Equilibrium Diagram of the Iron-carbon-oxygen Alloys................... 151 Solidification of Pure Iron-carbon-oxygen Alloys.......................... 157 Solidification when Carbon Monoxide Is Given Off at Constant Pressure... 157 Solidification when Gas Evolution Is Suppressed....................... 158 Schematic Application on Solidification of Rimming-steel Ingots.......... 159 Influence of Manganese, Sulphur and Phosphorus......................... 160 Experimental work..................................................... 162 Liquid Steel and the Mold Gas......................................... 162 Ingots Investigated and Methods Used.................................. 165 Ingot structure....................................................... 174 Structure of Rim Zone.............................................. 174 Structure of Core................................................... 181 Structures Obtained under Special Conditions of Freezing................ 182 Distribution of Metalloids............................................. 187 Other Observations Made............................................. 192 General Discussion of Solidification Process................................. 195 Condition of Liquid Steel before Casting................................. 195 Rimming Period...................................................... 202 Composition of Rim Zone............................................. 225 Freezing after Top Is Closed........................................... 228 Slag Inclusions and Ingot Scum........................................ 234 Reaction between Gas in Blowholes and Surrounding Solid Steel during Cooling 235 Summary.............................................................. 237 Appendix—Preparation and Etching of Ingot Sections....................... 238 References............................................................. 239 In 1934, Jernkontoret (The Swedish Ironmasters' Association) appointed a committee for the study of the structure of rimming-steel ingots and the various phenomena associated with their solidification. The members of the committee, including those who have joined it later, have been: I. Bohm, B. D. Enlund, B. Kalling, M. Tigerschiöld, S. Wohlfahrt and the authors. The present paper‡ is a somewhat

Jan 1, 1939

By G. Phragmén, A. Hultgren

Page Outline of Progress of Knowledge and Theories about Gas Evolution in Steel Ingots. and Its Influence on Crystallization and Segregation................ 134 Object of Present Investigation........................................... 148 Theoretical Discussion of Process of Solidification........................... 149 Gas Given Off from Rimming Steel during Solidification................... 149 Equilibrium Diagram of the Iron-carbon-oxygen Alloys................... 151 Solidification of Pure Iron-carbon-oxygen Alloys.......................... 157 Solidification when Carbon Monoxide Is Given Off at Constant Pressure... 157 Solidification when Gas Evolution Is Suppressed....................... 158 Schematic Application on Solidification of Rimming-steel Ingots.......... 159 Influence of Manganese, Sulphur and Phosphorus......................... 160 Experimental work..................................................... 162 Liquid Steel and the Mold Gas......................................... 162 Ingots Investigated and Methods Used.................................. 165 Ingot structure....................................................... 174 Structure of Rim Zone.............................................. 174 Structure of Core................................................... 181 Structures Obtained under Special Conditions of Freezing................ 182 Distribution of Metalloids............................................. 187 Other Observations Made............................................. 192 General Discussion of Solidification Process................................. 195 Condition of Liquid Steel before Casting................................. 195 Rimming Period...................................................... 202 Composition of Rim Zone............................................. 225 Freezing after Top Is Closed........................................... 228 Slag Inclusions and Ingot Scum........................................ 234 Reaction between Gas in Blowholes and Surrounding Solid Steel during Cooling 235 Summary.............................................................. 237 Appendix—Preparation and Etching of Ingot Sections....................... 238 References............................................................. 239 In 1934, Jernkontoret (The Swedish Ironmasters' Association) appointed a committee for the study of the structure of rimming-steel ingots and the various phenomena associated with their solidification. The members of the committee, including those who have joined it later, have been: I. Bohm, B. D. Enlund, B. Kalling, M. Tigerschiöld, S. Wohlfahrt and the authors. The present paper‡ is a somewhat

Jan 1, 1939

By Charles A. Lindberg

Mobile cranes on tires are perhaps the most important accessory in truck-haulage pits. They usually are of 20-ton capacity at short radius and with outriggers but have considerable overload capacity. Standard booms are 30 ft but have 10-ft extensions with which they are usually operated. Cranes have two engines, both originally gasoline, but 150-hp Diesel engines have been found more reliable for the propulsion motor, the 100-hp gasoline motors being retained for hoisting. Pro- visions are made for dropping the ballast counter- weight to reduce axle weights to legal limits for highway travel. The weights are carried on a regular truck or are transported on an extra trailer axle behind the crane. Tractors-Probably equalling the cranes in usefulness are the track-laying tractors which are used to prepare roads and other surfaces, to clean up at the shovel, and for dozing on stripping dumps. A new type of tractor mounted on rubber tires has been tried out on the Mesabi Range for the past year and a half. The advantage of this design is its mobility which makes it capable of taking care of the spill at the shovel and then running to the dump to clean up. Alternating between these two jobs, it relieves heavy tractors that can be used to better advantage on heavier work that does not require so much traveling. This tractor can travel at speeds of 12 to 13 mph and is designed to facilitate repair of the expendable parts. Weaknesses have developed in the internal construction which have seriously marred the performance record of this unit, but when used within its capacity it is quite successful.

Jan 1, 1949

By Mark David Rankin

This paper represents a general assessment of the primary factors driving the market for mobile offshore drilling rigs and the utility of those factors as choice variables for the offshore drilling program planner.

Jan 1, 1982

By Robert T. DeGavre

INTRODUCTION The $645 million financing for Inco Ltd's Soroako nickel project in Indonesia not only represents a significant human achievement but also there are certain important lessons that can be derived from Inco's experience in financing the project. The paper will not present a technical assessment of the project since Inco Ltd. submitted a series of papers on this subject at the international Laterite Symposium as part of the 108th Annual Meeting of the AIME in February 1979. BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SOROAKO PROJECT Table 1 summarizes the milestones achieved in the Soroako project and its financing. Exploration Phase A contract of Work was signed on July 27, 1968 by the Republic of Indonesia and F.T. International Nickel Indonesia (P.T. Inco) covering an extensive area of over 25,000 square miles on the two southeastern arms of the island of Sulawesi. The Contract provides that P.T. Inco has the sole responsibility for financing the project and determining the terms on which the financing should be obtained, that P.T. Inco has the right to receive and hold outside of Indonesia foreign exchange revenues and to freely dispose of such revenues, and that Indonesians have the right to purchase up to 20% of the equity of P.T. Inco over a period following start of production. P.T. Inco began field investigations in the Contract Area in August 1968. Preliminary reconnaissance sampling with portable drills broadly outlined areas of favorable laterite terrain which were then systematically sampled on surveyed grids. By early 1971 sufficient exploration work had been completed to indicate that the laterite deposits near Soroako could sustain a major nickel-producing plant (figure 1). Pilot plant studies in 1970 and 1971 at Inco's research station in Port Colborne, Ontario, using two bulk samples of Soroako ore material, also confirmed that the ore could be upgraded and treated for the recovery of its metal values. Feasibility Phase Encouraged by the results of its exploration program and pilot-plant work, Inco Ltd. commissioned Toyo Engineering Company of Japan in August 1971 to prepare a capital cost estimate for a relatively small nickel project called "Stage I". Stage I was to be a single-line pyrometallurqical process plant with an annual capacity of approximately 15,000 metric tons of nickel contained in 75% nickel sulphide matte (see Figure 2). Electric power was to be supplied by a thermal power station. It is important to recognize that Inco's strategy was to develop the Soroako ore deposits in several stages: first, construct a small project to gain experience and to reduce the initial capital outlay and then later expand in one or more steps to a much larger project to achieve maximum economies. The strategy reflected both Inco's financial position in 1971 as its sales and earning dropped sharply and the difficulties previously experienced by Inco in trying to launch in the late 1960's very large "greenfield" nickel projects in New Caledonia and Guatemala. Toyo's Project Development Study was completed. in January 1972. Based upon Toyo's cost estimate for physical facilities, Inco estimated the total capital cost of Stage I to be $115 million. For the next several months, Inco ran numerous in-house financial feasibility studies, using as inputs Toyo's cost estimate and the results of its exploration and pilot plant programs. In September 1972, Inco completed a project feasibility study which was based upon a capital cost estimate of $135 million. The feasibility study was immediately made available to potential partners and lenders. Partner Negotiations The Japanese nickel market had from the outset been central to Inco's planning for the Soroako project. That market had been growing dramatically at rates in excess of 20% per annum during the 1950's and 1960's. Japan had established, for rational security and other reasons, a domestic

Jan 1, 1985

By ROBERT E. HARDWICKE

THE QUESTION of whether the production of oil should be limited to market demand has been constantly discussed during the last two years. Oil men, legislatures and courts have reached highly conflicting conclusions. Opponents of limitation to market demand assert that it is a scheme of the big purchasing companies to fix prices and to create a monopoly. Proponents, on the other hand, declare that such a limitation is necessary to prevent physical waste and that the effect on prices is merely incidental. A brief review of market demand legislation will disclose the confusion existing. The laws of Oklahoma,' prohibiting waste of oil and gas, specifically' authorize limitation to market demand as a method of preventink such waste. These laws and the proration orders based thereon have been upheld by the Supreme Court of Oklahoma, by several three-judge Federal District Courts, and by the Supreme Court of the United States.' Kansas has a similar law3 but no case has been found which discusses its validity. About a year ago the California Legislature passed a comprehensive conservation act, generally known as the Sharkey Bill giving authority to restrict production to an amount representing current requirements for use, taking into consideration oil and products in storage. This may be considered as equivalent to limitation to market demand. The Act was defeated upon referendum vote after a hard fought campaign in which it was charged that the Act would result in destruction of the independent operators.

Jan 1, 1932

By A. W. Fahrenwald

FLOTATION practice in Idaho is now about 13 years old. The advance has been steady during these 13 years. The operators have been alert to take advantage of the newest developments and they have themselves made a constant effort to improve their work. The metallurgical improvements are clue to the development of (1) better equipment, (2) better reagents, and (3) better understanding and control of the process. During the 8 years which the writer has been in this district, there has been continuous experimentation by several companies to improve the ore dressing by flotation methods. Gravity concentration has fought hard to hold its place, and although it is true that gravity processes have been improved during this period, nevertheless, in several of the important mills of the district the few tables that managed to hang on have finally given way. On the straight-lead ores, tables and jigs are still used; and, due to better classification, their hold on this job has been strengthened.

Jan 1, 1927

By George W. Hezzelwood

THE Balatoc mine, one of the Haussermann group,[t] is on the Island of Luzon, the largest of the Philippine group, about 260 km. north of Manila, and 12 km. from the city of Baguio. The Baguio district is the most important gold-mining area of the Philippines, with 14 producing mines in 1939, milling 2,3;8,894 tons of ore, yielding [P]40,881,048, approximately 55 per cent of the total Philippine production of [P]74,131,216. PRODUCTION HISTORY The Balatoc mine began production in January 1929 with a 150-ton cyanide mill. Increases in mill capacity have taken place as follows: March, 1932, to 350 tons June, 1933, to 470 tons December, 1933, to 515 tons July, 1934, to 700 tons December, 1934, to 1000 tons May, 1935, to 1200 tons October, 1938, to 1300 tons April, 1939, to 2000 tons January, 1941, to 2150 tons Production during the period of expansion has steadily increased in total value in spite of the fact that grade of ore milled has dropped-from $31.06 in 1929 to $5.78 in 1940. Annual reports give production as shown in Table 1, the average values being based on gold at the old price of $20.67 per ounce. [ ] GEOLOGY The ore occurs in quartz-calcite veins that vary in width from narrow stringers to mineralized zones 40 to 50 ft. wide. Wall rocks consist largely of diorites, with some andesite, and a fragmental breccia called locally the "Balatoc plug." Texture of the ore varies widely in the different veins-from a soft, highly altered, gouge material filled with quartz fragments through a soft, unaltered quartz-calcite to a hard, massive quartz ore. Three major vein systems have been extensively developed, and smaller amounts of work have been done on several others. These veins strike east-west to N. 60°, dipping south from 50° to 90°, and are essentially tension breaks between a series of faults or shears striking N. 30°E. to N. 50°E. and dipping southeast from 50°to 90°. The shear veins and tension veins probably formed more or less simultaneously,

Jan 1, 1942

By E. Morgan Massey

Located in virgin coal acreage near Gilbert, W. Va., Massey Coal Mining Co.'s Ben Creek No. 2 mine afforded the company's engineers the opportunity of designing and laying out the entire mining operation from the mine faces to the railroading loading site. However, the topography of this region posed difficult problems in haulage of coal for, in this extremely rugged terrain the uppermost coal seams lay in the mountain-top ridges, approximately 1400 ft above the valley floor. The decision for mining equipment naturally leaned to the new high-capacity continuous miners where seam conditions permitted: otherwise, to the new super-high capacity conventional cutting and loading machines. Since the coal seams lay in ridges and points of considerable outcropping, the decision was to keep the transportation on the surface and mine the coal with multiple entries into the outcrop. This way, the major problems of underground haulage, drainage, and ventilation are eliminated, and the opportunity to take advantage of a-c underground power becomes a much simpler proposition.

Jan 10, 1960

By P. R. Bradley

NO thought had been given to deep level mining at the Alaska Juneau mine prior to 1930, but in that year a prospect winze was started and continued for 1000 ft. vertically below the main haulage or adit level. The point at which this winze was started was selected entirely by the prevailing physical conditions, such as proximity to established workings, convenience, and the presence overhead of a substantial pillar of dimensions sufficient to lo¬cate the sheave wheel and loading pocket. It was, therefore, with some surprise that the unusually high-grade ore found just below the collar of the winze persisted, with certain vari¬ations, to a full depth of 1000 ft. vertically. Likewise this unusually high-grade ore was found to persist on the various crosscuts driven on levels at 200-ft. vertical intervals. To be brief, this deep level work found richer ore than any yet found in the mine over like areas, and inasmuch as the area was sufficient to plan for extensive deep level mining, plans for such work were given extended consideration.

Jan 1, 1936

By Davis Baker

The direct-metal cars or ladles of the Maryland Steel Company have a capacity of 18 tons when filled within 12 inches of the top. On account of this large capacity, the formation of skulls in these ladles is by no means as rapid as in smaller ladles; but a skull once formed is a very unwieldy piece of metal to handle, and especially to remove from the ladle. We have found it cheaper to clean ladles often rather than make very heavy skulls. We aim to keep the ring of chilled metal that forms on the surface of the iron chipped off, so that the skull shall form principally at the bottom until it becomes so thick as to render the ladle unfit for service. Sometimes it happens that a ladle may be held for several hours filled with molten metal. This invariably leaves a large amount of chilled metal in the ladle. Frequently the skull will weigh several tons, and will be of the full size of the ladle inside, with a top crust, having perhaps a hole 12 inches square, through which the molten metal was poured. In order to remove skulls that cannot be easily chipped out with a bar, we use what may be called a skull-extractor, consisting of a hydraulic cylinder mounted in the center of a heavy cast-iron plate, standing vertically on a suitable foundation. Figs. 1 and 2 show the construction and operation of this apparatus, Fig. 1 being a view of the extractor with pistons extended to full stroke, and Fig. 2 a view with ladle in position and pistons about to commence the stroke. in both figures, A is the hydraulic cylinder, B the vertical cast-iron plate, and C the foundation. The water-pressure, admitted through the pipe, P, is 750 pounds per square inch, and the inside diameter of A is 14 inches. There are two pistons: D, fitting the bore of the cylinder, and E, 84 inches in diameter, moving inside of D. Both pistons move together when

Jan 1, 1893

By H. J. Rose

SIXTY-FIVE million net tons of coal were carbonized in the by-product and beehive coke ovens1 of the United States during 1924. This tonnage represented 13.4 per cent. of the bituminous coal which was mined in that year. Table 1 shows production and disposition.2 TABLE 1.-Production and Disposition of Oven Coke in 1924 BY-PRODUCT BEEHIVE TOTAL Coal charged into ovens, tons 49,061,339 15,914,310 64,975,649 Coke produced (exclusive of screenings and breeze), tons 33,983,568 10,286;037 44,269,605 Average yield of coke, per cent 69.3 61.6 68.1 Disposition of coke: PER PER PER CENT. CENT. CENT. Blast furnace 82.5 82.8 82.6 Foundry 4.6 13.3 6.6 Domestic 8.3 1.4 6.7 Water gas manufacture and all other uses 4.6 2.5 4.1 Cokes having somewhat different combinations of chemical and physical properties are desired for the various uses listed above, and these properties depend primarily upon the types of coal used. American coals have a wide range of purity and coking quality, and the chief subject of this paper will be the selection of coals for the manufacture of blast furnace, foundry, domestic, and water-gas coke, in by-product coke ovens. It will obviously be necessary to include a discussion of those physical and chemical characteristics that are generally considered essential or desirable for each type of coke.

Jan 7, 1926

By Leslie C. Richards

The competitive position of producers of industrial minerals depends upon the delivered price of their product. Freight charges are a major factor in the sales to consumers. A comparison of freight rates on movements of limestone and silica rock in the Pacific Northwest shows a wide variance in mills per ton mile for like hauls, thereby favoring some localities over others.

Jan 1, 1950