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By R. P. Agarwala, M. S. Anand, S. P. Murarka

Using the residual radioactivity technique, grain boundary diffusion of chromium in the a phase and lattice diffusion in the a and the ß phases of zirconiuttz have heen studied. The diffusivities (in units of square centiwzeters per second) have heen expressed as THE rate of diffusion of atoms along surfaces and grain boundaries is much greater than that through the bulk of metals. These processes dominate over volume diffusion at lower temperatures and can be isolated from it by virtue of the fact they yield high diffusion coefficients and low activation energies. In zirconium, however, it has been difficult to identify the volume-diffusion parameters separately. The values of diffusivities in a and ß phases yield activation energies which are much lower than those for volume diffusion calculated from semiempirical or empirical relations.1-3 Diffusion frequencies (Do) are also low, especially in the a phase, and they yield negative entropies of activation.4 Similar results have been obtained for the diffusion studies in titanium.5 It is yet to be investigated whether in these cases diffusion is controlled by some extraneous factor like high reactivity of these metals, or some different mechanism is operative as suggested by Pound et a1.6 However, Federer and Lundy,7 in a recent study of the diffusion of zir-conium-95 and columbium-95 in zirconium, and Gibbs et al.,8 in the study of impurity diffusion in titanium, found a temperature dependence of D, Do, and Q. Their study yielded low values of Do and Q at low temperatures, as has been found by other workers, and fairly high values at high tempera-

Jan 1, 1965

By H. M. Morse

Mississippi, during the year 1941, experienced the greatest diversity of oil activity since the beginning of oil interest in the state—core tests for exploration, core tests for sulphur, continued drilling at Tinsley for production, and wildcatting, which brought to light two new oil fields and two new salt domes. There were 45 wildcat wells drilled in 1941, which showed greater results and findings geologically than the 85 drilled in 1940. Tinsley Oil Field (Yazoo County).—The Tinsley oil field, with its boundaries fairly well defined now, is 8 miles long and 3 miles wide at its widest point. During the past year 213 producing wells were completed, which brought the total number of producers in the field by the end of 1941 to 325 wells. Seven producing sands have been logged, with a total average thickness of 30 ft. of oil sand. The producing formations are the Selma, Eutaw and Tuscaloosa. The average total depth of the wells is 5012 ft. The average gravity of the oil is 35.4°. Production for 1941 was approximately 15,500,000 bbl. of oil. Vaughan-Pickens Oil Field (Yazoo County).—At the end of 1941 only three wells were Producing in this field, the fourth having been abandoned. The total production for the field for the year was approximately 250,000 bbl. of oil. The producing sand is the Wilburn, in the Eutaw formation. Cary Field (Sharkey County).—The British American Oil Producing Co. completed, on Sept. I, 1941, its F. B. Houston No. A-I well, sec. 23, T. 11 N., R. 7 W. It is

Jan 1, 1942

By H. M. Morse

Mississippi, during the year 1941, experienced the greatest diversity of oil activity since the beginning of oil interest in the state—core tests for exploration, core tests for sulphur, continued drilling at Tinsley for production, and wildcatting, which brought to light two new oil fields and two new salt domes. There were 45 wildcat wells drilled in 1941, which showed greater results and findings geologically than the 85 drilled in 1940. Tinsley Oil Field (Yazoo County).—The Tinsley oil field, with its boundaries fairly well defined now, is 8 miles long and 3 miles wide at its widest point. During the past year 213 producing wells were completed, which brought the total number of producers in the field by the end of 1941 to 325 wells. Seven producing sands have been logged, with a total average thickness of 30 ft. of oil sand. The producing formations are the Selma, Eutaw and Tuscaloosa. The average total depth of the wells is 5012 ft. The average gravity of the oil is 35.4°. Production for 1941 was approximately 15,500,000 bbl. of oil. Vaughan-Pickens Oil Field (Yazoo County).—At the end of 1941 only three wells were Producing in this field, the fourth having been abandoned. The total production for the field for the year was approximately 250,000 bbl. of oil. The producing sand is the Wilburn, in the Eutaw formation. Cary Field (Sharkey County).—The British American Oil Producing Co. completed, on Sept. I, 1941, its F. B. Houston No. A-I well, sec. 23, T. 11 N., R. 7 W. It is

Jan 1, 1942

By W. J. Rude

LARGEST of the known commercial deposits of pebble phosphate are those found in Polk County, Florida. The phosphate bed, commonly known as the matrix, will consistently average 6 to 9 ft. in depth, and is found under 3 to 60 ft. of over-burden. The phosphate pebbles, white and black in color, varying greatly in grade, are found imbedded in a matrix of sand and clay; and range in size from the fines to pebbles 1 1/2 in. in diameter, although the average coarse size is approximately 1/2 in. in diam¬eter. On some of the washers all material under 14 mesh is lost. High-grade phosphate (75 per cent plus of bone phosphate of lime, CasP2Oa) is generally soft, the pebbles breaking up during the mining operation and in pumping; low-grade phosphate, 67 to 69 B.P.L., is black in color with hard pebbles with no loss encountered in pumping.

Jan 1, 1941

By AIME AIME

The following persons have been proposed for election as members or associates of the Institute during March and April, 1908. Their names are published for the information of members and associates, from whom the Committee on Membership earnestly invites confidential communications, favorable or unfavorable, concerning these candidates. A sufficient period (varying in the discretion of the Committee, according to the residence of the candidate) will be allowed for the reception of such communications, before any action upon these names by the Committee. After the lapse of this period, the Committee will recommend action by the Council, which has the power of final election.

Jan 5, 1908

By George M. Fowler

MINING geology is a progressive study, so we must look to the future for the solution of many of its most significant problems. These problems, world-wide in scope, offer ample opportunity for the exercise of the utmost skill and intelligence by all that attempt to solve theta, as it is generally recognized that many ore deposits of the future will he found only by months or years of combined intelligent effort by the several engineering groups. Renewed appraisals are continually being made to better understand the relationship of physical-chemical processes to ore deposition and other mineralization and to interpret the findings of the geophysicists and others in terms of economic results. A study of current geologic activi¬ties clearly reflects the growing tendency for cooperation between the different branches of geology in order to appraise their united efforts. In line with these activities arrangements have been made to transfer the geophysical section of the U. S. Bureau of Mines to the Geological Survey.

Jan 1, 1936

The following table summarizes the information on the Hurghada field. which is still the major producing field in Egypt. Age of field to end of 1937. years..................... 24 Producing area for gas and oil. acres.................. 1.050 Babbels Total oil production to end of 1937................... 30.188.500 Total oil production during 1936..................... 1.219.406 Total oil production during 1937..................... 1.141.230 Average oil production per acre to end of 1937.......... 28.750 Average oil production per acre-foot to end of 1937.... 2.359 Daily average production (Nov. 1937)................ 3.162 Daily average production per well (Nov. 1937)........ 41.88 MillionB Cu. Ft. Total gas production (Aug. 1925 to end of 1937)....... 4,189 Total gas production during 1936.................... 281 Total gas production during 1937.................... 222.5 Maximum daily average in 1937 (July)............... 0.7 Number of producing wells completed to end of 1937... 97 Number of producing wells completed during 1937..... 3 Number of wells abandoned during 1937.............. 1 Producing wells at end of 1937....................... 78= Total number abandoned wella at end of 1937......... 19 Total number dry wells at end of 1937................ 20 Average depth of bottom of producing horizon, ft...... 1,720 Average depth of top of producing horizon, ft.......... 1,598 Character of oil, approximate average in 1937: gravity at 60" F., 0.900; base, mixed. Character of gas, approximate average during 1937: gallons gasoline per 1,000 cu. ft., 6.9. Producing rock (main): Nubian (?) sandstone. Cretaceous (?); character, sand rock and sandstone. 1 Figures were given in E. tons. A conversion factor of 6.98, based on 0.900 sp. gr., was used to obtain the number of barrels.—Ed. *All pumping.

Jan 1, 1938

By John Gillie

PRioR to the year 1902 electricity was used in the Butte district only for lighting, for the tramming of ores on the surface, and for the electrolytic refining of copper. In that year the Canyon Ferry hydro-electric plant on the Missouri river, with a transmission line to Butte and Anaconda, was completed, and enabled the mining operators to purchase electric current in large quantities at reasonable rates, and its application and use in the various mining operations and reduction works proceeded rapidly. The principal applications of electric current in metal mining may be listed as follows: Compressing air for hoisting. Compreeaing air for rock drills and pneumatic tools. Pumping. Ventilating. Lighting. Tramming. Compressing air for blast furnaces and converters Running shop and miscellaneous motors. Compressed Air for Hoisting. The Anaconda Copper Mining Co. operates 22 mine shafts and plants at Butte. Of these, 15 are large plants and hoists, through which most of its ores are hoisted. In 1912 this company commenced using compressed air in place of steam, in operating a number of its large hoists, and at this date has 10 main hoisting engines and 10 auxiliary hoists driven by compressed air. The compressed air is furnished from a central plant containing six compressors, each having a capacity of 7,500 cu. ft. of free air per minute compressed to 90 lb. pressure in large receivers, and conducted by suitable pipe lines to the various hoists, the air being reheated before passing to the engines. Each of these compressors is driven by a 1,200-h.p. synchronous motor, directly attached to the drive shaft, and takes electric current at 2,200 volts. Two additional compressors are being installed,

Jan 1, 1914

By Kenneth P. Katen

INTRODUCTION Though the use of continuous mining machines consolidated the operations of cutting, drilling, blasting, and loading in one machine that would theoretically provide uninterrupted production, it was soon realized that the face haulage and roof support operations remained as major impediments to continuous production. The ability to provide not only continuous cutting and loading, but also continuous haulage and roof support (see Fig. I), was the basis for the introduction of mechanized longwall systems in this country from Europe in 1951. The early systems employed friction props for roof support, but were to become obsolete shortly after introduction of the first hydraulically powered, self-advancing supports in 1960. Since then, use of the longwall technique has grown to the point where it is currently providing more than 5% of the annual output of underground coal mines in the United States. The shortwall system had its origin in Australia, but was first introduced into this country in 1962 following the development of powered roof supports. It, too, provides for continuous cutting, loading, and roof support (see Fig. 2), but has not experienced the widespread popularity of longwall due to its inherent inability to easily provide for continuous haulage. While there are in the neighborhood of 100 longwall systems currently in operation in this country, there are only a handful of short- wall operations providing production of slightly more than 907 184.7 t/a (1,000,000 stpy) Both of these systems provide uninterrupted roof support for face operations by means of hydraulically powered steel roof supports. In each case, the coal removal consists of open-end cuts made from the narrow end of a large rectangular pillar (panel) which has been blocked out by continuous miners developing entries around its perimeter. However, this is the extent of the similarities between the two systems. It is hoped

Jan 1, 1981

By Kenneth P. Katen

INTRODUCTION Though the use of continuous mining machines consolidated the operations of cutting, drilling, blasting, and loading in one machine that would theoretically provide uninterrupted production, it was soon realized that the face haulage and roof support operations remained as major impediments to continuous production. The ability to provide not only continuous cutting and loading, but also continuous haulage and roof support (see Fig. I), was the basis for the introduction of mechanized longwall systems in this country from Europe in 1951. The early systems employed friction props for roof support, but were to become obsolete shortly after introduction of the first hydraulically powered, self-advancing supports in 1960. Since then, use of the longwall technique has grown to the point where it is currently providing more than 5% of the annual output of underground coal mines in the United States. The shortwall system had its origin in Australia, but was first introduced into this country in 1962 following the development of powered roof supports. It, too, provides for continuous cutting, loading, and roof support (see Fig. 2), but has not experienced the widespread popularity of longwall due to its inherent inability to easily provide for continuous haulage. While there are in the neighborhood of 100 longwall systems currently in operation in this country, there are only a handful of short- wall operations providing production of slightly more than 907 184.7 t/a (1,000,000 stpy). Both of these systems provide uninterrupted roof support for face operations by means of hydraulically powered steel roof supports. In each case, the coal removal consists of open-end cuts made from the narrow end of a large rectangular pillar (panel) which has been blocked out by continuous miners developing entries around its perimeter. However, this is the extent of the similarities between the two systems. It is hoped

Jan 1, 1981

By Henry T. Mudd

FLUORSPAR is a nonmetallic mineral aggregate or mass containing a sufficient quantity of fluorite (CaF2) to be of commercial interest. It has only moderate value per unit of weight and its cost as a percentage of the cost of finished consumer products is nearly negligible. Nevertheless, it has wide and great industrial importance. In periods of national emergency it is a mineral without which many very necessary manufacturing processes would be greatly handicapped; a few could not exist. Fluorite contains 51.1 pct calcium and 48.9 pct fluorine. Industrial grades of fluorspar prepared for the consumer normally contain from 85 to 98 pct fluorite, depending on the use. The ores may contain as little as 30 pct fluorite, depending on many factors such as accessibility to transportation and markets, character of ore, and prices. Fluorite is a lustrous, glasslike mineral, generally translucent to transparent; it may be clear and colorless or range in color from slightly bluish through various shades of violet, amethyst, purple, green, and yellow. It crystallizes in the isometric system and possesses perfect octahedral cleavage. Commonly it occurs in masses of very pure crystal- line material with aggregates of cubical crystals in open spaces, but - it is also found in fine to coarse granular form. Banded veins and masses with fibrous, radiating structure occur locally. It is usually found associated more or less intimately with other minerals and rocks, from which it must be separated for commercial use. The specific gravity of fluorite is 3.18 and the hardness is 4 in the Mohs scale, compared with 7 for quartz and 3 for calcite. It is distinguished from calcite by its failure to effervesce with dilute hydrochloric acid. Heated with sulphuric acid, it gives off fumes of hydro- fluoric acid, which etch glass.22,25,33.34,35.41

Jan 1, 1949

By M. King Hubbert

DuRing the past summer the writer was asked by the Illinois State Geological Survey to make a study of some of its economic geological problems with regard to the applicability of geophysical methods of prospecting to their solution. The following four problems were suggested for investigation: (1) the fluorspar area of Southern Illinois, (2) oil structures in the south central part of the state, (3) the lead and zinc-bearing area of northwestern Illinois, and (4) the water supply and gravel deposits of the glacial drift. The prime requirements were to find a means of obtaining a maximum of useful information with a fairly modest outlay of expenditure for technical staff and equipment. The method of procedure adopted was that of making a preliminary study of each of the problems named by means of available office data and published reports with supplementary field reconnaissance where necessary. Preliminary Studies Fluorspar.—The fluorspar deposits of southern Illinois as shown by Weller,1 Bastin2 and others are of two main types: (1) vein deposits along steeply dipping normal fault planes, and (2) "blanket" deposits occurring practically horizontally along a certain sedimentary horizon. The vein deposits are composed mostly of calcite and fluorspar in sheetlike veins of thicknesses, where mined, ranging from about 2 to 12 ft. The surrounding topography is in a mature state of development with a relief of about 100 ft. or more. Any geophysical prospecting for this ore would have to depend either upon the physical properties of the ore and associated minerals or upon the properties of the geologic structure containing them. Fluorspar has a density of 3.18, which is somewhat greater than 2.7, that of calcite. Its

Jan 1, 1934

By M. Gangal, B. Paul

It may be seen from Maurer's survey (Maurer,l 1966) that most of the common methods used in rock drilling today depend upon mechanical loading of the rock. In order to predict the behavior of rock under an imposed system of stresses, it is necessary to have a valid criterion which delineates those combinations of stress which cause macroscopic rock failure from those which do not. Admittedly, the conditions under which brittle materials fracture depend very much upon statistically variable local effects such as inclusions, grain boundaries, minute imperfections, etc. However, it is extremely desirable to be able to predict fracture under complex states of stress by means of a stress-criterion of failure, where, for a given material, the effects of the other variables mentioned are incorporated into a small number of experimentally observable parameters. One of the most successful of these "macroscopic stress criteria" has been the Coulomb-Mohr theory 2,3 (also see Jaeger 4 and Terzaghi 5), modified by the addition of tension cutoffs (Paul 6). At first thought it might seem rather odd that a macroscopic theory is capable of predicting fractures which originate at highly localized random imperfections at an atomic level (or more likely at the level of individual mineral grains in rocks). However, Griffith7 showed that fractures originating near the tips of randomly oriented elliptical cracks lead to the macroscopic stress criterion of failure indicated in Fig. 1 (a). Fig. I (a) is to be interpreted in the following way: P and Q represent the maxi mum and minimum principal stresses (compression is considered positive) in a macroscopically isotropic body; fracture will not occur for any combination of principal stresses lying within the 'fracture curve' shown, but

Jan 1, 1967

By Thomas J. Menner

Jan 1, 1983

For many years the occurrence of gold in the Coeur d'A1ène region had been rumored among the pioneers of the Northwest. It is stated that as early as 1853 gold was discovered in this district by Donelson, of the Stevens expedition, but the hostility of the Indians prevented prospecting. In 1858, when Lieutenant John Mullan surveyed the military road across the Bitter hot mountains, the members of his expedition, most of whom had mined in California, noticed sundry outcrops of good-looking quartz, and some of them actually found gold, as is recorded in a letter that Mullan wrote, from Washington, in 1884. The first successful prospector in the Coeur d' Alène was Tom Irwin, who worked a quartz vein on the Mullan road in the spring of 1879. Two years later he met A. J. Prichard, who was engaged in the lumber business; he told him what he thought of the chances of placer mining in the upper reaches of the Coeur d7AlBne river. This was in 1881. Prichard became keenly interested, and himself found gold on several creeks, one of which is now known by his name, at a place close to the site of the town of Murray.* In 1883 Prichard located a number of claims, and shortly afterward he wrote a letter to the members of a Liberal League to which he belonged, inviting them to "secure the lion's share" of the mineral wealth he had uncovered. His letters caused a stampede from Montana and Colorado, and from South Dakota also, to the Coeur d'Alène gold belt in the summer of 1883. A town, named Eagle City, was surveyed; in 1884 lots sold at prices ranging from $200 to $2000. The buildings were made of logs and shingles. Shoveling of the snow in' front left s

Jan 1, 1932

A price list of publications of the Geological Survey, complete to May, 1931, and with separate monthly notices of publications to (late, will be sent upon application to The Director, United States Geological Survey, Washington, D. C. A leaflet is issued each month listing new publications; it will be sent upon application to the Director, as well as Circulars containing information about topographic maps. Book publications of the Survey include (1) Annual Reports, (2) Monographs, (3) Professional Papers, (4) Bulletins, (5) Water Supply Papers, (6) chapters and volumes of Mineral Resources of the United States, (7) Folios of the Geologic Atlas of the United States and the World Atlas of Commercial Geology, (8) Topographic Folios and Topographic Maps that bear descriptive texts. Monographs, Folios of the Geologic Atlas of the United States and the World Atlas of Commercial Geology, and Topographic Folios and Topographic Maps, are not distributed free. A publication of one of the other classes can be distributed free only until the end of the fiscal year following that in which it was issued. No person can obtain more than one free copy of the same publication, and general requests for free publications, such as all of any series or all on any subject, can not be granted. In ordering publications one is requested to give both the series designation, as Bulletin 738 or Professional Paper 122, and the title. Give full address, plainly written, including county. Prepayment is required and may he made by postal, or express money order payable to the official charged with the sale of the publications. requested, as indicated in the discussion of each classification following; or it may be made in cash-exact amount -at sender's risk. Postage stamps are not accepted in payment for publications.

Jan 1, 1933

By Ralph Nichols

THE mines are near the town of Gilmore, in the Texas mining district. This district was organized in 1880. The present producing mines are near the terminus of the Gilmore & Pittsburg railroad. This railroad connects with the main line of the Oregon Short Line at Armstead, Mont. The distance from Gilmore to Armstead is 70 miles. The town of Gilmore is near the head of the Lemhi river at an elevation of 7,000 ft., while the mines are from 400 to 1,300 ft. higher. The range of mountains upon which the mines are situated forms the water shed for the Little Lost river on the west and the, Lemhi river on the east. The winters are severe and the snow fall is heavy, but the mines ship right through the year. There is an abundance of timber suitable for all mining purposes in the immediate vicinity. Water is piped into the camp from a lake about 2.5 miles distant. This lake is about 1,400 ft. above the town of Gilmore. The water is exceptionally good for boiler and domestic purposes. The mining companies now producing are. the Pittsburg Idaho Co., Ltd. ; the Latest Out Mining & Smelting Co:, Ltd. ; and the Gilmore Mining Co., Ltd. Besides the above properties, there are a number .of prospects in different stages of development. The producing mines of the district are fissures in limestone, with a general northeast-southwest course .and a dip to the west of from 40° to 70°. These fissures are at about right angles to the bedding of the limestones. The veins are regular and the ore shoots strong, both laterally and in depth, so far as developed. The ore shoots have a rake or pitch to the south. The character of the formation is shown in Fig. 1, a section of the Latest Out mine.

Jan 11, 1913

By E. G. Banks

This paper is presented in the belief that metallurgists and chemists will be interested in the practice of grinding in tube-mills in connection with stamps, especially since the records of working here given extend over a lengthy period of time (since May, 1905). The ore from the Waihi mine—more especially that produced in the upper levels—contains a large proportion of hard, chalce-donic quartz, and the gold exists in an exceedingly fine state, conditions which necessitate very fine crushing in order to obtain a high extraction of the precious metal. Before the introduction of tube-mills at the 90-stamp Waihi mill, it was found necessary to stamp through 40-mesh (1,600 holes per sq. in.) woven wire-screens, having a fairly high discharge. The pulp then graded : Per Cent. Per Cent. On 50-mes11, .- 0.1 On l20-mesh ..8.77 On 60-mesh, . 8-74 On 150-mesh,.... 7.48 On 80-mesh,... 16.06 Passed 150-mesh,... 55.19 On 100-mesh,.... 3.66 The stamp-dnty was 2.89 short tons per stamp per day, or a total of 260 tons daily. Although the extraction on this pulp was: gold, from 88 to 90 per cent., and silver, from 74 to 78 per cent., it was recognized that finer grinding of the sands would prove beneficial, provided a machine could be found to do this work economically. Various grinding-mills and pans were tried, but without satisfactory results, the particles of sand being so hard that the capacity of any of the machines was too small to be economical. The results of grinding in tube-mills in other countries were so satisfactory that three tube-mills mere erected at the Waihi

Jan 1, 1908

By B. H. Bergstrom

The Gaudin-Meloy1 size distribution equation requires the evaluation of two constants, xo and r. The common log-log representation of a screen analysis as cumulative weight percentage passing versus size, readily yields the required constants as illustrated for curves A and B in Fig. 1. The 100% passing (y = 1.0) size is simply x,. If the straight portion of the curve be extrapolated to the 100% passing (y=1.0) abscissa, the intercept is the Schuhmann size modulus, k. The ratio of xo to the size modulus, k, is r as shown: The Gaudin-Meloy equation requires that the slope, a, of the size distribution approach unity in the finer sizes, as is the case for curves A and B. Often distributions are better characterized by slopes other than unity. The schuhmann2 equation is able to represent these distributions if the upper portions of the curves are ignored. Empirically, the Gaudin-Meloy equation can be modified to yield slopes other than unity by writing it as Here, a is the familiar Schuhmann slope, and xo is the 100% passing size. The value of r is still given by Eq. 2. Eq. 4 with its easily determined constants is more versatile than either the Schuhmann or the Gaudin-Meloy equations, since a wide variety of size distributions can be closely described. It is easier to fit than the Rosin-Rammler3 equation, and has the advantage that the top size, x,, is finite. REFERENCES A. M. Gaudin and T. P. Meloy: Model and a Comminution Distribution Equation for Single Fracture, AIME Transactions, 1962, Vol. 223, pp. 40 to 43. R. Schumann, Jr.: principles of comminution, I., size Distribution and Surface Calculations, AIME Technical Publication No. 1187, 1940. P. Rosin and E. Rammler: The Laws coverning the Fineness of Powdered Coal, J. Inst. Fuel, 1933. Vol. 7, p. 29.

Jan 1, 1967

By J. E. Tobey

BECAUSE of the wide-spread publicity given to Nylon yarn as being made from ?coal, air, and water,? the general public has become conscious of the nonfuel uses of bituminous coal. Some of these uses are as filler for fertilizer, carbon for the absorption of orders, for water supply, and for the bedding of cattle. Spectacular as are these accomplishments the fact is that only a small amount of coal is used for nonfuel purposes. It is on the utilization of coal as fuel that the industry depends. Practically all the coal mines for years to come will be used for making coke for the generation of heat. Recently much attention has been paid to the significance of ash in coal. Another study worthy the interest of metallurgists in the iron and steel industries if that of Dr, Lowry of the Carnegie Institute of Technology relative to the percentage of sulphur in coal and coke.

Jan 1, 1941