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Today's largest producer of domestic beryllium oxide, Mineral Concentrates & Chemical Co., Inc., has recently disclosed the basic outline of its unique process of beneficiating beryllium ores to high purity BeO. This process, known as the Mincon process, is a thermic-flotation scheme which has reportedly resulted in a recovery ratio exceeding 90% and in allowing up-grading of beryllium concentrates to as high as 33%. Mincon borrowed a step from the iron ore industry by introducing a pelletizing and sintering stage in their flow sheet at the company's mill at Loveland, Colo. This mill, now operating at full-capacity with three-shifts a day, is still undergoing some minor changes and adjustments in the equipment and chemical reagents.

Jan 10, 1961

By R. S. Rickard, H. D. Peterson, M. C. Fuerstenau, J. D. Miller

The flotation characteristics of the oxide copper minerals, malachite, azurite, and cuprite, have not presented the difficulty for concentration as have those of the copper silicate, chrysocolla. The copper carbonates and oxides respond reasonably well to flotation with conventional collectors, whereas chrysocolla will not respond to flotation with fatty acids or xanthates under normal flotation conditions. In this view then, other reagents will have to be devised to function as collectors for chrysocolla. The most obvious general class of reagents for this purpose would seem to be the organic copper chelating compounds. The utility of chelating agents as collectors in flotation systems has already been demonstrated.1-6

Jan 4, 1966

By W. C. Schafer

In tunneling or mining where hydraulic shields, moles, or rock boring equipment is used lasers such as those shown guide the production machine by providing a continuous and visible line and grade reference. In this application the laser may be mounted in the heading, preferably somewhere above spring line. If we view the circular heading as a compass in the vertical plane with 0º referencing at the crown of the heading and 180º on the invert, then it might be said that the laser may be mounted anywhere from 270º through 0º to 90º. The laser is generally mounted 2 to 3 ft off the wall or the crown of the heading by means of a bracket that may be attached directly to the liner plate. In cases where no liner plate is used, then brackets may be bolted directly into the ribs, or grouted directly into the rock. Once the laser is in position the beam is projected to the face. Two points must be surveyed upstream between the laser and the face which define line and grade. Targets may be suspended beneath each of these points approximately 2 to 3 ft. These targets may be circular or rectangular with a surface area which approximates 16 sq in. Each of these two targets should have a ½ to ¾ in. hole drilled directly in their center. When the laser is adjusted so that the beam passes through the holes in each of the two targets, the laser beam itself will parallel the center line of the tunnel and become a visible line and grade reference over the total beam projection.

Jan 1, 1970

By Herbert D. Drechsler

The objective of this paper is to identify the components of income above that necessary to keep a mine in production and relate those components to the profits of a mining firm. This is a discussion of "Economic Rent". Economic rent is the payment to the factors of production -- capital, labour, entreprenuer and the owner of the mineral deposit -- above the minimum necessary to keep all of these factors cooperating in the production of minerals from a particular deposit. THE SOURCE OF ECONOMIC RENT IN THE MINING INDUSTRY In the mining business each mine has a unique cost of production unrelated to any other mine. The cost of production is developed from many factors such as the technical characteristics of the deposit: depth of deposit, depth of overburden, areal extent, and type of deposit. Furthermore, there are locational factors which also alter cost of production. For example, identical mineral deposits located in Zambia or in the southwest U.S.A. would have different capital and operating costs. These differences occur because of different qualities of labour, ease of acquisition of operating supplies or investment capital and other similar factors. To explain the source of rent, we shall use ideas developed by Alfred Marshall and Kenneth Boulding. Suppose a meteorite with special qualities exploded over earth and sent showers of small meteorites to the ground in various places. At some point in time, people learned of the special qualities of these meteorites and a demand arose and one mine was started. Suppose further that the cost of production to produce these meteorites was different for each deposit. Probably the lowest unit cost mine would commence production because if a higher unit cost mine started-up, eventually someone would discover a deposit that had a lower unit cost of production. The lower unit cost mine would take over the market and the high unit cost mine would cease production. The cost curve for the first mine would look like the following Figure 1. [ ] The output for the first mine is on the horizontal axis with the cost per ton on the vertical axis. The curve labelled AC I is the average total cost of production over the range of possible production that could occur at the property. The total costs are composed of variable costs, which are dependent on output and fixed costs, which are dependent on time. For example, the cost of operating supplies would be a variable cost and normal profit would be a fixed cost.1 The opportunity cost of the investment would also be part of the fixed costs. In our example, all factors of production, are receiving the minimum necessary payment that will keep the mine operating. The average total cost curve is U-shaped because at zero output, the meteorite mine has no variable costs, only fixed costs which, on a unit basis, obviously are very high. To produce a small output of meteorites, the mining firm adds

Jan 1, 1985

The following is an incomplete list of members and guests who called at Institute headquarters during the period Jan. 10, 1918 to Feb. 10, 1918: K. Baumgarten, San Diego, Cal. J. A. Meyerovitch, Petrograd, Russia. F. J. Brine, Toronto, Ont., Canada. C. Naramore, Washington, D. C. W. A. Castleton, Salt Lake City, Utah. Orrin P. Peterson, Wausau, Wis. J. Ross Corbin, Boyerton, Pa. William H. Rea, Pittsburgh, Pa. W. M. Corse, Buffalo, N. Y. W. Murray Sanders, Tucson, Ariz. W. A. Deane, Summitville, N. Y. Edmund F. Saxton, Philadelphia, Pa. S. E. Doak, Philadelphia, Pa. William C. Schmidt, Humboldt, Ariz. F. G. Downs, Jersey City, N. J. G. J. Sielaff, Oakland, Cal. Albert H. Fay, Washington, D. C. A. D. Sproat, Bound Brook, N. J. F. Julius Fohs, Tulsa, Okla. J. A. Stader, Joplin, Mo. A. L. Gholz, Minneapolis, Minn. A. K. Stewart, Mine La Motte, Mo. Ruger W. Hay, Easton, Pa. Geo. W. Tower, Jr., New Rochelle, N. Y. Stanley C. Herold, Pittsburgh, Pa. Henry Traphagen, Toledo, Ohio. A. A. Holland, Montreal, Canada. H. E. Treichler, Chuquicamata, Chile. T. Z. Humphrey, Anaconda, Mont. Paul M. Tyler, Fairlee, Vt. H. M. LaFollette, LaFollette, Tenn. F. R. Van Campen; Seattle, Wash. J. B. Lain, Goldfield, Nev. Thor Warner, Phoenix, Ariz. J. R. Lashbrooke, Los Angeles, Cal. Clarence Woods, Narrows, Va. W. F. Lewis, Ewen, Mich. E. N. Zern, Pittsburgh, Pa. C. E. McQuigg, New Haven, Conn. Robert J. Anderson has resigned his position as chief chemist and metallurgist of the Cleveland Metal Products Co., Cleveland, Ohio.

Jan 3, 1918

By Earl Bardwell

IN his paper entitled, Development of Hindered-Settling Apparatus, Dr. Richards has related the history of the development of the hindered-settling classifier and given illustrations of the several types of this apparatus which lie has designed.1 An earlier paper,2 Close Sizing Before Jigging, shows the nature of the hindered-settling phenomenon and the results which it produces. In the first-mentioned paper Dr. Richards describes the method of getting hindered settling and shows the relation that the constriction bears to the classifier. The question of proper ratios between the area of the sorting column and the area of the constriction opening Dr. Richards leaves open, aside from certain statements as to the ratios which have been found to give good results in practice. While working with a hindered-settling classifier of the type now in use at the Boston & Montana Reduction Plant of the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. a number of interesting facts were brought out which have thrown considerable light on the question of proper ratio between the area of the sorting column and the area of the constriction and which will be made the subject of this paper. Free and Hindered Settling. -If a, mineral particle be dropped into a vessel containing still water, the particle will sink in accordance with the laws of free settling in water, which are as follows: 1. Of two grains having the same specific gravity but differing in size, the larger will settle in still water at the greater velocity. 2. Of two grains having the same size but differing in specific gravity, the heavier grain will settle at the greater velocity.

Jan 8, 1913

By R. M. Caitlin

QUITE a number of years ago in looking for basic facts, it seemed obvious, in view of an unquestion-able supply of raw material and an extensive requirement probable in the near future, that the funda-mental requirement of any shale-oil industry was mass production 'by a continuous process. This decision greatly simplified matters, as it eliminated all considera-tion of externally-heated retorts, and all batch processes, which only utilize a part of the capacity of the interior space because, unless the ashes are removed as rapidly as formed, the space occupied by them is dead, instead of being occupied either by shale in active distillation or in drying out and heating up preparatory thereto. A second imperative and basic necessity soon appeared as a natural sequence, namely, the fixed carbon of the spent shale must be utilized to supply the heat for the eduction of the oil. PRODUCTION OF THE CRUDE As the production of the crude oil is the first and most important step in the utilization of oil-shale, being the only source from which the multitude of possible by-products can come, each by a special treatment of the crude oil, I will devote the time allotted to me to the subject of crude oil production-its cost expressed in terms of tons treated per man per shift. The costs of mining the shale and refining the crude shale oil vary with local conditions and are not specially influenced by the source of the crude. But the cost of distilling the shale in terms of tons per man shift seems to be the basis of any proper comparison of costs. After considerable experimenting, ranging from laboratory tests up to and including quantities of fifteen to twenty tons, it was evident that a plant might be made up of an indefinite number of units operating in concert. The economic size of the units, however, would .have to be determined by experiment. The general theory of our process contemplates a regulated combus-tion of the fixed carbon in the spent shale, in its incan-descent condition after all the oil has been driven out of it; and a transfer of the resultant heat to the mass of raw shale above.

Jan 1, 1927

By Robert Sisselman

Saving time and energy at Consolidation Coal Co.'s Rowland mine is realized by exploiting its coal deposits via three mining methods. Surface, auger and underground techniques are uniquely combined with specialized transport vehicles to coax the coal from seams unduly protected by topography and lithology. These factors account for what is believed to be the swiftest and most economical means of working the Beckley, W. Va., property.

Jan 1, 1970

By John Reynders

Our entry into the World War suddenly brought home to us in a startling way the vital importance of manganese. Since the war, much has been written and said upon the subject of manganese and a great deal of time and money have been spent in attempts to find an adequate substitute for this metal in the manufacture of steel; none has been found. It is true that ways are known by which it is possible to make small amounts of good steel without manganese; but taking into consideration the diminishing quality of iron ores and fuels. as' well as the increasing exaction of specifications for finished products, it may safely be assumed that high-grade manganese ore will be more and. more a necessity in the production of steel as time goes on. Taking world resources as a whole it may be well to point out that the problem of obtaining needed supplies of manganese from a strictly commercial viewpoint is now less serious than it was before the war. Formerly it was feared that world resources of high-grade manganese ore might be exhausted in a relatively short time, but, largely as a result of the stress laid upon the importance of manganese during the war, the world's available supply of high-grade manganese ore has been greatly augmented by new discoveries and fuller development of previously known deposits.

Jan 5, 1927

By T. D. Yensen, N. A. Ziegler

AGING is a term that connotes a slow change in properties under ordinary operating conditions. It can be accelerated by increasing the temperature and by mechanical straining. The magnetic properties of iron and some of its alloys have for many years been known to be subject to such a change. But the cause of the change was not recognized until a few years ago after mechanical age-hardening in nonferrous alloys of the "duralumin" type had been definitely shown, by means of solid solubility curves, changes in electrical resistance and microanalysis, to be caused by slow precipitation of one or more constituents from the solid solution. The similarity between the solid solubility curves of such alloys (Fig. 1) and those for iron-nitrogen (Fig. 2) and iron-carbon alloys (Fig. 3) below the Al transformation point suggested at once that magnetic aging of iron might be caused by a similar process; namely, by the slow precipitation of carbon and nitrogen in the form of Fe4N and Fe3C at ordinary temperatures because of a cooling rate that had been too rapid to permit complete precipitation according to equilibrium conditions. This suggestion has since been amply confirmed, particularly by the comprehensive work of Köster1 on the effect of nitrogen and carbon. Typical curves are shown in Fig. 4 for the relationship between aging temperature and coercive force. Previous to the establishment of the precipitation-hardening theory it was thought that the effect of nonmetallic elements like C, N, 0, etc., on the magnetic properties of iron was greatest when these elements were retained in solid solution, atomically dispersed throughout the interstitial spaces of the iron lattice2.

Jan 1, 1935

By T. J. Hudson, P. B. Queneau, J. D. Prater

The process parameters for effective utilization of nitric acid as an oxidant for copper-iron sulfides have been developed. Leaching variables found to be important were acid concentration, temperature, time, atmosphere, pressure, mineral type, particle size, and percent solids. Particular attention was devoted to analysis and control of fumes evolving during the oxidation. Data were recorded on metal extraction, elemental sulfur formation and oxidation, product gas composition and evolution rate, reagent consumption, and residue flotation response. The study was concluded by laboratory testing a flowsheet based on the foregoing observations. Ninety-eight percent of the copper contained in a chalcopyrite-bornite concentrate was recovered, requiring 1.6 lb of nitric acid to be regenerated externally per pound of copper extracted. Iron remained in the leach residue as hydrogen jarosite and was ultimately rejected from the system by froth flotation. Sixty percent of the sulfur contained in the copper concentrate reported in the elemental form; the remainder was oxidized to sulfate and eliminated with the hydrogen jarosite in the flotation tails or by neutralization of the solvent extraction raffinate with lime. Nitrogen was evolved primarily as NO and NOD; up to 3% N2O also was present. Gases containing sulfur were absent except when pyrrhotite was solubilized in the absence of soluble copper. In this case, HAS was evolved.

Jan 1, 1974

By John J. Van den Broek

As the established tailings disposal techniques do not meet the requirements of today, alternative methods of disposal are explored. McIntyre Mines Ltd., Coal Div. found a solution in the construction and operation of a tailings dewatering plant. The solids are recovered from the tailings slurry by means of mechanical dewatering equipment and are then dried in a unique drying system to provide an excellent thermal fuel for a power generating station.

Jan 1, 1983

By Albert Burch

AN analysis of this subject demands a study of the theory and practice of the present system, conclusions as to its merits, and recommendations for remedying its defects if any be found. Theory of the Present Law The theory of the present law with reference to lode locations contemplates the existence upon the surface of mineral-bearing veins which have clearly marked boundaries, and which can be so readily traced that a locator may immediately mark the boundaries of his 600 by 1,500 ft. claim in such a way that the vein will pass through both of its end-lines. It also supposes that, having discovered such a mineral-bearing vein, the locator will at once post a notice upon such discovery, mark the boundaries of his location in such a manner that they can be readily traced, and from that time forward have absolute title to the ground embraced within such boundaries, as against every person except the United States. For initiating title to placer ground, the law presupposes the discovery of a valuable mineral deposit; but not necessarily in place, as in the case of lode claims; and the location must be made to conform "as nearly as may be" to the legal subdivisions of the United States public land survey. When the placer law was extended to include the acquisition of title to oil lands, no exception was made as to the necessity for the discovery of valuable mineral in advance of location!

Jan 6, 1914

By John Richards

MY remarks will be confined to the experience of our company in mining the No. 8 seam of coal in Ohio, although I believe that the relationship existing here between the method of mining and the method of cleaning will hold true in many of the coal seams throughout the country. The increasing demand for a cleaner and better graded product is being felt throughout the entire coal industry, and the methods of mining are playing an important part in the control of various sizes and quality of coal produced. We have found a definite relation between the mechanical loading of coal and its preparation for the market. In the No. 8 coal seam the location of the non-combustible material is regular. The' marketable coal lies in three benches, separated by streaks or bands of impurities. These impurities must be removed from the coal to properly pre pare the product for the market. Where hand-loading methods are employed, the loader removes as much of this non-combustible material as possible at the working face. The impurities that are missed by the loaders are removed as the coal passes through the preparation plant, by means of picking tables. As this method of cleaning cannot improve the quality of the extremely fine sizes, a practice has been established in the company's hand-loading mines, of undercutting the coal about 2 in. above the bottom of the seam, thereby eliminating any possibility of impurities caused by the cutting machines cutting into the rock bottom below the coal seam.

Jan 1, 1934

By Ben F. Dickerson

Mineral exploration programs have often experienced mismanagement in the decision-making process, and these errors have consequently resulted in stockholder losses. Unfortunately, the events leading to these errors are little known and rarely studied, since managers aren't prone to publicizing their mistakes. However, a bit of magnified hindsight may serve to identify some of the problems. It is interesting to note that there does not seem to be a generally agreed-upon definition of the role and function of exploration management. Several articles have addressed this subject, written by both academic and industry exploration personnel. Two apparent thought trends can be observed: First, the theoreticians insist that modern scientific management principles can be directly applied, without modification, to mineral exploration. However, when one searches for the rules, the proponents rapidly retreat behind the computers and talk learnedly of management information systems and game theory.

Jan 6, 1978

By Brian Mason

Wire Ropes in Mines. Proceedings of a conference held at Ashorne Hill, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, September, 1950. Published by the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, Salisbury House, London, 1951. 828 P. $7.00-The volume contains 18 pages on the manufacture and properties of rope wire and wire ropes. In addition, wire rope practice in Britain, Ontario, the Witwatersrand, The United States, South Africa, and other countries are discussed. Testing, government regulations, and inspection are also treated. The book contains a three day discussion on these subjects complete with a summary of conclusions and recommendations. Heating Ventilating Air Conditioning Guide 1952. Published by the American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers, New York, 1952. 1496 P. $7.50.Contains a technical data section of reference material on the design and specification of heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems. Also has a section containing information on equipment and manufacturers. An index to technical and equipment sections is included.

Jan 1, 1952

The old De Beers mine, which lies northwest of Dutoitspan mine at Kimberley, was the mine which launched Cecil Rhodes (In his historical career. It was the nucleus of the De Beers Mining Co. Ltd., formed in 1880, which later became De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd. Inactive for more than a half century, the De Beers Mine is being rejuvenated for a new era of operations. Both mines were on the Vooruitzicht farm owned by the De Beers brothers, who had bought it from the Orange Free State Government ten years previously for £50. Although the brothers sold it soon after the discovery of diamonds at Dutoitspan, they are remembered for having given their name to the foremost diamond mining company in the world. Diamonds worth nearly R180,000,000 have come from this ground, and more will be recovered when the mine is re-opened.

Jan 9, 1963

By C. F. Davan, C. T. Houseman

The news pages of MINING ENGINEERING and other trade publications have for the past two years carried a great many items about new developments in phosphate and potash, reflecting the surge in world consumption of these products as fertilizer. Today the question often arises concerning how much growth can be further anticipated by the phosphate and potash industries. To answer this question, a 15-year projection of world fertilizer consumption in terms of the three basic plant food nutrients-nitrogen, phosphate and potash-has been prepared. Two of these, phosphate and potash, are basic products of the mining industry. Nitrogen, once an important product of mining, is now mainly a chemical product. Another mineral, sulfur, although not a primary nutrient, depends on the fertilizer manufacturing industry for the bulk of its market. In crop year 1962-63, there began a startling in- crease in world fertilizer consumption. In that year, consumption increased by about 10% and in the following year by 10-12%.

Jan 12, 1965

By Ernest F. Burchard

MOST of the iron ore smelted in Alabama blast furnaces is mined within Alabama, although deposits in the neighboring States of Georgia and Tennessee may be drawn upon when occasion requires. Of the four commercial kinds of iron ore, the anhydrous ferric oxide, hematite (Fe2O3) ; the hydrous ferric oxide, mostly the type commonly known as limonite (2 Fe2O33H2O) ; the carbonate, siderite (FeCO3) ; and the magnetic oxide, magnetite (Fe:3O4) ; the first two are found in abundance in Alabama, the third in less than commercial quantities, and the fourth only rarely. Both the hematite and the hydroxide are found in somewhat different forms according to their geologic environment. The Red Mountain hematite, of Silurian age, that crops out in well¬defined beds for 1.50 miles northeast-southwest and 40 miles northwest-southeast is the predominant source of ore. Only a small part of this area carries ore of commercial value; Birmingham and Gadsden are now the only centers of production. The ore is of sedimentary origin, probably altered from vast deposits of greensand mixed with calcareous, fossiliferous. marine debris. Other types of hematite not vet mined commercially are in metamorphosed rocks-red ore in slates in Columbiana Mountain and specular hematite (gray ore) in quartzite in the Talladega Hills.

Jan 1, 1938

Ahrenholz, Herman William, Jr., Student, Lehigh Univ Bethlehem, Pa. '35 Allen, Carl A., Student, Colorado School of Mines Golden, Colo. '35 Allen, Paul W., Student, Mass. Inst. of Tech Cambridge, Mass. '35 Allen, R. M., Jr., Student, Virginia Polytechnic Inst., "G" Co Blacasburg, Va. '35 Amberger, K. H., Student, Michigan College of Min. & Tech Houghton, Mich. '35 Andersen, Burton Lee, Student, School of Mines, Univ. of Washington Seattle, Wash. '35 Anderson, Joseph S., Student, Univ. of Texas El Paso, Tex. '35 Anderson, R. C., Student, Univ. of Washington Seattle, Wash. '35 Ansel, Gerhard 627 Clyde St., Pittsburgh, Pa. '34 Anutta, Frederick P., Student, Michigan College of Min. & Tech Houghton, Mich. '35 Apsouri, Constantin N., Graduate Student, Univ. of Arizona Tucson, Ariz. '35 Arakelian, Haig Mark, Student, Mass. Inst. of Tech Cambridge, Mass. '34 Archer, George K 1420 Court Pl., Denver, Colo. '34 Argall, George O., Jr., K. E. House Golden, Colo. '35 Argiielles, Alfredo, Student, Univ. of Texas El Paso, Tex. '35 Atwater, Ralph, Student, South Dakota School of Mines Rapid City, S. D. '35 Austin, Robert B., Miner, Page Mine, Federal Min. & Smelt. CoSpokane, Wash. '34

Jan 1, 1934