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By P. D. I. Honeyman

Changing trends in concentration, involving regrinding with the subsequent production of a finely divided, high-grade flotation product, presents a real problem to the modern copper smelter. In the treatment of such a material, handling difficulties are numerous and potential possible losses may be very great. In many plants, of course, preliminary roasting of the furnace charge remains an economical necessity. Under such circumstances, the operator has no alternative except to follow orthodox roaster reverberatory practice, though taking all possible precautions to avoid excessive dust losses and bad working conditions. In other plants, roasting is not only unnecessary but would be highly undesirable, and at best the charge would be merely dried before entering the reverberatory furnace. In the latter case the possibilities of raw charging loom large. The Miami plant of the International Smelting Co. handles the entire output of concentrates of the several mining companies operating in the Globe-Miami district. All of these companies produce a flotation concentrate which, at the Miami Copper Co. particularly, is all reground and is high in grade. In addition, the Inspiration Copper Co. ships a substantial tonnage of high-grade cement copper to the smelter from its leaching plant. Following the flow sheet of the original plant, all such material received was bedded, dried in Wedge furnaces and smelted in reverberatory furnaces. At times during the history of the plant it has been necessary to carry the drying operation further, to a partial roast, before reverberatory smelting. Since the charge contained over 80 per cent flotation concentrates, the handling of which in a dried condition was at best a dusty job, unusual precautions were taken to cut down dust losses. The Wedge furnace plant was equipped with a Cottrell treater and all hoppers and calcine cars were carefully designed to cut down dust loss in transferring the so-called calcine from hoppers to car and from car to furnace. In the furnace itself the dusting problem was a severe one. Arch erosion was very rapid and flues and waste-heat boilers rapidly filled up with a partly smelted flue dust.

Jan 1, 1934

By James Gayley

The lining of the hearth and bosh of a blast-furnace has naturally come to be considered its weakest part, being subject not only to abrasion, but also to intense chemical action. In order to provide against rapidity of wear, it was formerly customary to build the lining from the mantle to the top first, and to put in afterwards the hearth and bosh, drawing the latter into a recess that had been reserved for it in the upper lining. At some works this practice still prevails ; but through the progressive development of cooling-devices, it has become possible to protect the bosh so well as to make it the most durable part of the furnace. The main question now is, by which one out of several methods the best economy results can be obtained. The plain bosh-jacket, made of wrought-iron or steel, and frequently called the air-cooled jacket, was a great improvement over the crinoline-construction formerly in vogue; but it was difficult in many cases to persuade furnace-managers, that in order to secure its best effects, they must discard the thick bosh-walls and put in comparatively thin ones. Mr John M. Hartman, who did more perhaps than any one to extend the use of these jackets, invariably contended for a 13-inch wall, the thin wall being an essential part of this construction. Later, a coil of pipe was placed just inside the jacket, through which water, circulating freely, contributed further to the proper maintenance of the walls. Undoubtedly much better results have been obtained in practice where the iron jacket has been supplemented by a coil in this way. It is safe to say that this combination of water-coil and jacket is much better than external sprays on the jacket; but it does not prevent the brick-work from cutting entirely away, which enlarges the bosh to that extent and interferes with the economy and output of the furnace. In case of leakage or stopping-up of the pipes, they cannot be replaced. A leading blast-furnace manager who is now using this construction

Jan 1, 1893

By R. W. Raymond

THE question, what is the best proportion among weight, fall, and speed of stamps, is one which has not yet received thorough and systematic examination. In considering the economical application of stamping machinery, we meet, at the beginning, with serious difficulties in obtaining accurate data for comparison. The weight and fall of stamps vary as the shoes and dies wear out; and this may lead to a change of speed also. Moreover, defects in engines, boilers, or machinery for the transmission of power, may occasion serious losses, which cannot fairly be charged to the arrangements of the stamps proper. Again, the capacity of stamp-mills is directly dependent, in some degree, upon the nature and extent of discharge, fineness of screens, and other peculiarities of the battery. Finally, the hardness and tenacity of the rock crushed varies so much that comparisons between different localities cannot be implicitly trusted. The safest experiments are those made in the same mill, by changing first one and then another condition of working; but this is seldom possible for such conditions as weight and lift of stamps, and only within narrow limits for their speed. We may eliminate questions of friction, transmission, and generation of power, in the case of stamps, by measuring the power actually developed by their fall. Thus, the weight, multiplied into the fall in feet, and the number of drops per minute, gives us exactly the number of foot-pounds exerted by each stamp. Dividing by 33,000, the number of foot-pounds per minute in one-horse power, we have the horse-power per stamp, from which the effective power of the whole mill may be obtained. Dividing the amount of rock crushed daily by the effective horse-power, gives us the daily amount per horse-power; and this is the best measure that can be obtained for the effectiveness of the stamps. A complete discussion of the subject would require us to determine the exact influence of the discharge, etc., and the exact resistance offered by different classes of rocks, for both of which points the data are wanting. Professor J. D. Hague, in the third volume of the United States Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel, gives a valuable

Jan 1, 1873

By C. P. Sandberg

C. P. Sandberg, London, Eng. 1 think we should all be grateful to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and to their chemist, Dr. Dudley, for spending so much time and money in order to solve an important question; nor are me less indebted to the public spirit which leads them to impart tlie experience thus gained. In Europe nothing similar has hitherto been done, either by a company or by any private individual. In England the great railway companies employ their engineers in other ways, and do not keep a chemist or specialist to study rails; bat even if they did they would probably not publish the results. The chief professional engineers are so occupied with their private practice of railroad construction generally, that they cannot be expected to devote their time and energies to so special a question. The German Railway Union has, in my opinion, missed the real object of its elaborate researches by falling into the error of specifying costly, impracticable tests for rails—tests at the same time which do not infallibly expose the impurities that may be in the rails under examination. There has, therefore, been nothing done on this side of the Atlantic in the way of exhaustive study to determine the best composition for steel rails. America should consequently have full credit for the enlightened example which she has set. I wish, however, to make a few remarks on Dr. Dudley's second paper,—& paper which follows very much upan the same lines of argument as the first red three years ago, upon which I have previously touched in my pabr on the same subject read at the meeting in August last. If Dr. Dudley had discovered a new metal he could hardly, I think, have taken wore pains to prove that he was correct in his first formula for the best chemical colnposition of steel rails. But I hare seen so much done in the way of proof by experiment that I am inclined to think that almost anything can be proved by experiments and by satnples. If Dr. Dudley would only give up his formula, which would not suit any country—not even America—

Jan 1, 1881

By B. H. Dunshee

This paper is not intended to be a technical discussion of square-set framing as used in mines, but merely a short description of the different kinds of framing that have been used in the Butte mines, and what has been decided upon, after years of practical experience, as being the best, taking into consideration the physical condition of the veins and country rock, and also the supply of timber available for mining purposes. Butte is, essentially, a square-set district. Virginia City, Nev., was the first mining camp to use this method of timbering, and to Philip Deidesheimer, who went to the Ophir mine in 1860, is given the credit of solving the problem of square-set framing, where large bodies of ore were stoped and the timbers were supposed to hold the ground from caving without any filling. That he did his work well is shown by the fact that the main features of his framing are in use to-day. In the Butte mines the conditions are such that this method of timbering is generally used. We do not, of course, depend upon the timbers any more than is necessary. The worked-out stopes are filled with waste rock as close behind the miners as possible and not interfere with mining operations. The waste rock is obtained from development work on the different levels or from the surface. In the earlier days of mining in Butte there were numerous independent companies and naturally there were different ideas as to the best way to frame the square sets, although the general features were the same. Timber was abundant for mining purposes and the common practice was to use sawed lumber, generally 10 by 10 in. or 12 by 12 in. square. Some of the mines used for girts 6 by 10 in. or 8 by 12 in. timber, depending upon whether they used 10-in. square or 12-in. square timber for posts and caps. This avoided the necessity of framiug the ends of the girts, and also required less timber for the

Jan 1, 1914

C. P. Sandberg, London, Eng. 1 think we should all be grateful to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and to their chemist, Dr. Dudley, for spending so much time and money in order to solve an important question; nor are me less indebted to the public spirit which leads them to impart tlie experience thus gained. In Europe nothing similar has hitherto been done, either by a company or by any private individual. In England the great railway companies employ their engineers in other ways, and do not keep a chemist or specialist to study rails; bat even if they did they would probably not publish the results. The chief professional engineers are so occupied with their private practice of railroad construction generally, that they cannot be expected to devote their time and energies to so special a question. The German Railway Union has, in my opinion, missed the real object of its elaborate researches by falling into the error of specifying costly, impracticable tests for rails—tests at the same time which do not infallibly expose the impurities that may be in the rails under examination. There has, therefore, been nothing done on this side of the Atlantic in the way of exhaustive study to determine the best composition for steel rails. America should consequently have full credit for the enlightened example which she has set. I wish, however, to make a few remarks on Dr. Dudley's second paper,—& paper which follows very much upan the same lines of argument as the first red three years ago, upon which I have previously touched in my pabr on the same subject read at the meeting in August last. If Dr. Dudley had discovered a new metal he could hardly, I think, have taken wore pains to prove that he was correct in his first formula for the best chemical colnposition of steel rails. But I hare seen so much done in the way of proof by experiment that I am inclined to think that almost anything can be proved by experiments and by satnples. If Dr. Dudley would only give up his formula, which would not suit any country—not even America—

Jan 1, 1881

By Paul D. Merica, L. J. Gurevich

In connection with other investigations on the properties and characteristics of chilled-iron car wheels, the question as to the best range of annealing temperatures was raised. Chilled-iron wheels are cast with a chill against the tread and the inside of the flange, the remainder being in sand. The composition of the metal is so chosen that under these conditions the trcad and inside of the flange will show white iron to a depth of from 5/8 to in. (15 to 22 mm.), the remainder of the wheel becoming graph itized or gray. In order to relieve the stresses set up during cooling under such drastic conditions, the wheels are stripped from the mold, while still red hot, piled in a soaking pit, and allowed to cool very slowly from their temperature at stripping. Obviously the most suitable temperature for this annealing is the highest at which no formation of graphite occurs within the white tread and at which the wheels can be stripped from the molds. Inasmuch as no direct determinations have been made of the temperatures at which the formation of graphite takes place in white iron of compositions used in car wheels upon annealing, it was considered worth while to determine these temperatures as a means of establishing the maximum temperatures at which the annealing of the wheels may be carried out. In the course of this work, some incidental observations were made which are of interest in connection with the theory of graphitization in whitc iron. The literature on the subject of the formation of graphite both during cooling at casting and upon annealing is very extensive and can be best studied by reference to a comprehensive discussion of the subject by Hatfie1d.l Perhaps the most important contributions of previous investigation are the following: 1. Whether a given mass of molten iron becomes white, mottled, or gay upon casting, depends on its composition and its rate of cooling through the temperature range of solidification and immediately below. 2. The more rapid the rate of cooling, the less is the extent of graphitization.

Jan 1, 1920

By Oswald J. Heinrich

The great improvement which have been made in late years in the different systems and instruments used to perforate the crust of the earth for purposes of testing and exploring for mineral resources or for other reasons, by means of bore-holes of greater or less diameter and to greater or less depths, are manifold. It may therefore be of interest to make an impartial comparison of them, or of such as are most commonly used. Being well aware of the difficulties which are encountered in such a task, a reasonable allowance most be made in such a comparison. It is a rare instance when even two decidedly different systems or instruments have been used in the same locality, penetrating identically the same strata to the same depth. The diameter of a borehole as well as its greater or less depth must also be considered in regard to its cost per foot, etc. But for practical purposes, for exploration at least, we may assert this rule: Any bore-hole, of whatever diameter, which allows the means of examining the strata most carefully and completely, will be sufficient for this purpose, but that one which will do it most economically and in the least space of time, must be considered the best for it. It will, therefore, partially depend upon circumstances, what system, in spite of other superiorities, may be the best in each case, and the following remarks may aid in deciding this question. To make the attempt here to review all that has been published upon the different systems and means of boring would be out of place. Reference can be had to the able publications treating upon this subject. A difference in this respect exists in regard to the use of the hollow rods in connection with the diamond drill, used for that purpose. The great future, which appears to be evident for this instrument, will be warrant enough for any one, who has had the opportunity to test it, to give his experience to the public. Only in this way can we bring this system to such perfection, as it seems to deserve and

By W. J. Helfrich, R. A. Dodd

Binary aluminum solid-solution alloys containing various amounts of silver, magnesium, and zinc were prepared by careful directional solidification, and the hydrostatic and X-ray densities were compared. With the exception of the Al(Ag) alloys, the X-ray densities were consistently greater than the hydrostatic measurements, in agreement with earlier observations by Ellwood. In contrast to Ell-wood's interpretation in terms of vacant lattice sites associated with Brillouin zone effects, a tentative explanation based on the existence of solidification microshrinkage was favored. This hypothesis was confirmed by an examination of Al(Zn) alloys prepared by vapor diffusion of zinc into aluminum. The hydrostatic and X-ray densities were now in very close agreement, and it was concluded that the filling of Brillouin zones in aluminum solid-solution alloys does not necessarily result in the formation of defect structures containing an excess of vacant lattice sites. ThE existence of defect structures of the vacancy type in alloys in which the excess vacancies have an electronic rather than a thermal or mechanical, and so forth, origin is well recognized. Examples of incomplete lattices of this type are to be found in the Ni-Al,1-3 Fe-Ni-A1,4 c~-Ni-Al,5 Fe-Cu-Al,= and Co-A17 systems. These defect structures are of a special kind in that the intermediate phases possess an ordered atomic arrangement or superlattice, and in some instances the vacancy concentration may be unusually large, e.g., at 45.25 at. pet Ni in NiA1, approximately 8.8 pet of the lattice sites are unoccupied. Ellwood8-10 has reported similar defect structures in the aluminum solid solution alloys of the Al-Zn and A1-Mg systems and in alloys of the Au-Ni system." In Al(Zn) the (apparent) vacancy concentration rose, somewhat irregularly, to a maximum of about 2 pet vacant sites at 25 at. pet Zn, while in Al(Mg) the (apparent) vacancy concentration increased continuously to 1.7 pet at 15 at. pet Mg. An explanation in terms of Brillouin zone overlap was attempted, although Pearson12 has pointed out the difficulty of reconciling the observations with zone theory. However, the possibility of the effect being caused by the Fermi surface just touching a plane of energy discontinuity inside a prominent Brillouin zone has, in general, been accepted. In fact, Massal-ski13 has interpreted Ellwood's8 observations as confirmation of Leigh's14 theoretically predicted zone overlap occurring at approximately 2.67 electrons per atom. Unfortunately, Massalski was apparently unaware that Ellwood9 had revised his earlier results considerably, and the revised data did not confirm Leigh's analysis. Ellwood's clata were reexamined by the present authors who noted a possible correlation between the percentage defects as a function of alloy composition and the temperature interval of solidification measured from the respective equilibrium diagrams. This suggested an explanation in terms of shrinkage porosity rather than vacant lattice sites, and pointed to the desirability of reexamining appropriate alloy systems using: both Ellwood's method of specimen preparation (casting followed by wrought fabrication) and alternativ'e methods, i.e., diffusion, which might be expected to minimize, or even completely obviate, microporosity. ALLOY PREPARATION 1) Cast Allolys and Aluminum Single Crystals. Al(Ag), Al(Mg;l, and Al(Zn) alloys of various compositions up to 20 at. pet silver, 13.5 at. pet mg, and 30 at. pet Zn were prepared by melting under helium and casting into graphite molds. In the first two systems, the maximum alloying addition was quite close to the limit of solid solubility, but the possibility of transformation to a' during quenching somewhat restricted the suitable Al(Zn) composition range. The alloys were prepared from high-purity aluminum, a lot analysis showing 0.002 wt pet Cu, 0.002 wt pet Fe, and 99.996 wt pet A1 by difference. The silver, magnesium, and zinc were of 99.99+, 99.98+, and 99.998 wt pet respectively. Each composition was analyzed chemically. The as-cast ingots measured 7/16 in. diam and 5 in. length. One in. was removed from the top of the ingot, and the bottom 3 in. was machined to 0.275 in. diam; a point was also machined on the smaller diameter end. The remainder of the original ingot served as a top riser during subsequent remelting and controlled solidification. The machined ingots were now remelted using a Bridgman soft-mold technique to ensure directional solidification and, therefore, a minimum of micro-shrinkage. Alumina powder was used as mold material contained in an alundum thimble, and this crucible was placed in a helium-filled Vycor tube. The assembly was lowered through a suitable temperature gradient at approximately 0.5 in. min-l, and the risered portion of the casting was subsequently removed by sawing.

Jan 1, 1962

By John W. Buch

IN my review a year ago I pointed out that a small coal-mining companies as well as large had decided that the so called ?central shop? was a benefit. These central shops replaced in a large measure the commercial shops operated by those who have no direct connection with production of cod. Central shops in this time of salvage and major repairs have proved their worth. In addition, many of the larger companies had in their central shops equipment available for the production of many thousands of parts for our vast war machine and, as subcontractors, are doing this type of work. This is a real contribution to the war endeavor. Lack of new supplies has resulted in exhaustion of those stocks formerly stored or hidden in underground shanties. This means that the small stock of repair parts likely LO be available to any mine

Jan 1, 1943

By A. W. Gauger

WITHOUT QUESTION the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania contains the most remarkable coal deposits of the whole world. Within its borders ,are to be found excellent coals ranging in rank from the high volatile bituminous of the western part of 'the state through the low volatile or semi-bituminous of central Pennsylvania to that aristocrat of solid fuels, anthracite, found in the East. . . . But while other states and even the Federa1 Government have recognized the needs of the coal industry, Pennsylvania has not. Though bituminous coal represents one of the most important industries in the state, far more important in annual productive wealth than agriculture, for example, hundreds, of thousands of dollars have been spent on agricultural research whereas little or nothing has been spent on coal investigation.

Jan 1, 1932

By A. H. Bell

DEEPEST hole in the earth, and deepest producing oil well in the world-such is well No. K.C.L. A-2, of the Continental. Oil Co., completed on April 12 in the San Joaquin valley about four miles west of Wasco, Calif. It penetrated the earth's crust to a depth of 15,004 ft.- almost three miles-a depth that exceeds by over 2200 ft. that of the previous record holder in western Texas. It is now producing oil from sands at a depth from 13,092 to 13,- 175 ft., which is about 1500 ft. deeper than the record formerly achieved in Louisiana. Continental's new well was bottomed in what is possibly Domengine-Avenal Eocene sand, and is producing from the Middle Miocene equivalent to the Rio Bravo sand.

Jan 1, 1938

By C. Morrow

Deformation studies were performed on tuffaceous rocks fran Yucca Mountain, Nevada Test Site to determine the strengths and coefficients of friction under confining pressures from 10-50 MPa at room temperature. Frictional strengths of 30ºsawcut samples increased with pressure and reached values of around 150 MPa at the higher confining pressures. However, the failure strengths of the intact samples were quite unpredictable. The coefficients of friction ranged between 0.7 and 0.9 for all specimens. These data can be used in conjunction with in situ stress measurements at Yucca Mountain, to evaluate the potential for earthquake activity in the region.

Jan 1, 1984

By J. L. Schroeder, W. G. Talman

EXPERIENCE has shown that certain known natural conditions and other indefinite characteristics combine to make a mining area vulnerable to mountain bumps. Some of the known conditions are heavy overburden, an overlying stratum of strong non-elastic rock, a structurally strong coal seam that does not crush easily and yet is the weakest stratum in the series, and a floor stratum of more than ordinary firmness. The indefinite characteristics could include resistance of top or bottom of a coal seam to lateral flow, effect of immediate top and bottom strata, nature of the coal seam, and other factors about which very little is known. It is in this area that exhaustive study is needed to achieve positive control of the dreaded mountain bump hazard. In the Gary district, West Virginia, two of the five operating mines have areas known to be vulnerable to mountain bumps.These are the No. 2 and 6 mines, which are working the Pocahontas No. 4 coal seam. In this area the seam is overlain at a zero to 10-ft interval by the massive Eckman sandstone, which is about 100 ft thick in the vulnerable areas. Total overburden, consisting of shale, coal seams, and sandstones, ranges from 700 to 1400 ft where bumps have occurred (Fig. 1). The coal seam is 4 to 8 ft thick and has a weak columnar structure of very soft and spongy or woody coal. The immediate top is either the Eckman sandstone or hard shale, both of which provide generally good roof conditions for mining operations. The bottom ranges from medium to hard gray shale. The incidence of bumps in the Gary district dates from about 1930 and can be correlated to some degree with the increased rate of extraction attained with mechanical mining. During early years of operation at the No. 2 and 6 mines, most of the work was development and under comparatively light cover. As overburden became heavier, together with an increasing percentage of coal coming from pillar extraction, mountain bumps began to occur. Before 1945 they were much less severe than in later years, and because there were no injuries or fatalities, no records were kept. But by 1951 the incidence of bumps had increased to such extent that it became evident a mining system would have to be designed to eliminate or at least minimize these occurrences. Drawing on experience with modified versions of old systems and certain characteristics peculiar to the Pocahontas No. 4 coal seam, the district mining engineer, Martin Hayduk, outlined the essential factors for bump control in the Gary district. These control factors indicated: 1) The highly stressed area, which lies within the limits of convergence effects, moves at approximately the same rate as the retreating pillar line. 2) There is a decided softening of the periphery of blocks which is greatest and deepest on the gob side. 3) Blocks less than 45 ft wide never have been known to bump in the Pocahontas seams. Fig. 2 shows the mining plan based on these observations—a thin-pillar system with a minimum of secondary development. It was recognized from the start that the Hayduk system had certain limitations. When pillar work backed up to an inevitable surrounded block it was no longer applicable; also, burnt bottom and/or unknown factors reduced the system's effectiveness in certain headings. Since there was no way to eliminate the loaded block, it was decided to experiment with auger drilling to attain controlled release of this stored-up energy. The decision to auger was made after consideration of three separate plants, which were: 1) To cut the solid block into pillars of maximum size by driving away from the fracture line and at such a distance outby that development

Jan 1, 1959

By R. E. Salvoti

IN underground coal mining, the increasing trend towards mechanical methods is ever apparent. Figures for 1939 showed that 28 per cent of the total bituminous coal production was mined mechanically 1940 statistic will reveal an even higher figure. Factors causing this trend are varied, but the important are the following;

Jan 1, 1941

By AIME AIME

DESTRUCTION of the plants, machines, utilities, tools, materials, and other essentials for peacetime living penalizes not only the owners of the materials destroyed, but the world as a whole. Specifically, the fundamental fallacy of any proposal for the in- discriminate destruction of the German industrial system is that it fails to differentiate between the wartime and the peacetime economy of the Reich. We are for one simple, clear objective-an effective industrial means to keep Germany from starting another war. This objective should not be con- fused, especially before the war is even won, with the appropriate punishment of Germany or with the international arrangements for the long future to be made around the peace table by the representatives of the Allied Nations after victory is achieved. This paper, therefore, does not deal with broad, complex postwar questions of diplomacy and international policy. "Unconditional surrender" implies disarmament of the German armies, the surrender of all arms, munitions, air- planes, and other ordnance material in stock piles or in process. It also should include the elimination of all German war production facilities, such as ordnance plants, munitions plants, and submarine works, and the control of raw materials required by war industries.

Jan 1, 1944

By Scott Turner

PRESIDENT SCOTT TURNER officiated as chairman of the opening session on mining methods, Monday morning, Feb. 15. The first paper was that of Max H. Barber on open-pit mining in the Lake Superior district, read by C. F. Jackson. W. L. Taylor stated that liquid-oxygen explosive had been tried but that the operators are satisfied with the explosives used; lb. of dynamite breaks one ton of rock. Although black powder is considered the most effective explosive, the factor of safety has decided in favor of high explosives. Lucien Eaton told of the Michigan Lime and Chemical Co.'s large L. 0. X. plant at Rogers City, Mich. Mr. Turner referred to this plant, also said that the Bureau of Mines is shortly to issue Bulletin 349 completely covering the use of L. 0. X. from its inception. W. D. B. Motter, Jr., gave some items concerning Chuquicamata, Chile. Twelve years ago the blasts moved 850,000 to 1,000,000 tons, but average shots now move 250,000 to 300,000 tons. One pound of L. 0. X. breaks 3.7 tons, against 3.1 tons by dynamite. Another speaker told of some large dynamite blasts in open pits, one of 360,000 Ib. in March, 1931, and another of 430,000 lb. to be shot in 1932. Tests have been made to determine the effect of large shots on the surrounding country. Mr. Taylor said that 4- and 5-yd. shovels were preferable to those of 8 yd.; their performance is better and cost is lower.

Jan 1, 1932

By Stuart A. Bengson

It is extremely difficult to revegetate disturbed sites and mineral wastes in an arid environment because of sporadic and undependable rainfall. Thus, irrigation is often a must for starting seed germination and vegetation. Quite aside from the harsh climate, mining disturbances by themselves cause various adverse conditions for a revegetation program. The problems of revegetating a harsh soil, for instance, are often compounded by the steep slopes of mine wastes. Since these steep slopes intensify the droughty conditions by rapidly draining away soil moisture and accelerating runoff, supplemental irrigation may be the only solution for establishing vegetative cover on the slope.

Jan 8, 1976

By J. W. Spretnak, R. Speiser, A. M. Adair

THERE are sufficient arguments and evidence to indicate that boron should be adsorbed to existing austenite grain boundaries during the austen-itizing treatment. Accordingly, it is possible that boron contributes to the hardenability of heat-treatable steels by the reduction of the interf acial energy of austenite grain boundaries, at which sites are nucleated heterogeneously the decomposition products of austenite. Such a reduction in interfacial energy would reduce the total energy that can be borrowed in these heterogeneous nudeation processes and thus retard the initiation of transformation. This investigation was undertaken in an attempt to determine the effect of boron on this interfacial

Jan 1, 1956

By Neil Styler

This paper presents an analysis of measurements of inter-burden deformations above six longwall faces. An attempt is made to demonstrate some correlation between the movements at the various sites, and to examine their importance with respect to predicting caving height, disruption of overlying seams, and disruption of aquifers. This analysis demonstrates some significant differences between predicted surface subsidence, and inter-burden deformation. In addition it is shown that the caving height above a longwall face is equal to 8 to 12 times the extraction height, with a zone of fractured rock extending to approximately 50 times the extraction height above the seam.

Jan 1, 1984