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By E. M. Norris

Phosphate deposits are distributed widely over the earth's surface. Of the known areas of deposit, eight fields are of particular interest because of their vast reserves of high grade phosphatic material and the volume of their production that goes to the world's great consuming areas. These fields, in the order of their present economic importance, are situated respectively in Florida, French Morocco, Kola Peninsula of U.S.S.R., Tunisia and Algeria, Tennessee, Montana-Idaho-Wyoming-Utah, Ocean and Naru Islands in the Gilbert group, and in Egypt. The Rocky Mountain deposits have a comparatively low ranking in the phosphate trade of today, but this field contains one of the largest known reserves of phosphatic material, associated with which are recoverable trace minerals, which are of increasing importance in our national economy. The first discoveries of phosphate rock in the western states were recorded in Cache1 and Rich2 counties in Utah, respectively in 1889 and 1897. Mining operations were begun on these deposits near Montpelier, Idaho, in 1906. During the latter year geological studies of the phosphate beds were started by Weeks and Ferrier of the U. S. Geological Survey. These studies have been continued to the present day by a distinguished roster of the Survey's technicians. As a result of this systematic exploratory program, the Survey has published a series of bulletins, papers, and maps, which provide the mining public with a comprehensive study of the exposed

Jan 1, 1949

By AIME AIME

THE first fall meeting of the new Coal Division started on time on Thursday morning, Sept. 11, at Pittsburgh, with Paul Sterling of the Anthracite Section presiding and over a hundred members and guests in the room. The attendance increased from session to session, the total registration being 248. Excellent arrangements had been made by the officers of the Division covering all features of the meeting, the only drawback being that more papers-were listed for presentation than could be discussed in the time available. Howard-N. Evensong, chairman of the Division, explained this situation as sore and sore papers case in by likening it to the case of the small boy who wanted a second niece of pie at the end of a large seal. When his mother remonstrated that if he ate any more he would certainly burst, the young man replied, "Well, you just hand over the pie and then get out of the way." With that Mr. Evensong turned the meeting over to Mr. Sterling, who handled it so well that with ample discussion it was still possible to adjourn at lunch time, all but the group of junior papers having been heard. This series of papers, the output of the .very lively Junior Section organized last spring by the younger men of the Division was regretfully put over until Friday morning, when that on "Heat Drying" by S.. M. Parsley was read.

Jan 1, 1930

Why should I pay $8.50 an hour for dealer repairs when my own mechanics work for $3.50?" The numbers vary, but that's the argument most contractors use to justify doing their own repairs. They don't realize it, but they're probably losing big money. For instance, it takes nearly a quarter of a million dollars in tools alone to equip a shop comparable to an average equipment dealer's facilities. A contractor must buy a lot of expensive, specialized tools he seldom uses, or else settle for the inefficiency of having repairs done by his mechanics with relatively unsophisticated tools. His building soaks up money in rent, maintenance insurance, taxes. His mechanics demand good wages. It even costs money when mechanics aren't repairing equipment. Mechanics get full wages for slack periods and cleanup time, too. This doesn't count as service manhours, but it's still part of the total repair cost. To help contractors uncover these hidden expenses and find out the true cost of owning a shop, some equipment dealers have devised a do-it-yourself "shop cost analysis form."

Jan 1, 1970

Jan 1, 1884

After months of negotiations, the U. S. has agreed to buy between 6000 and 7000 long tons of Bolivian tin now stockpiled at Peruvian and Chilean ports, at $1.175 per lb, f.o.b. South American Ports. Harry A. McDonald of the Reconstruction Finance Corp. signed the contract with Victor Andrade, Bolivian ambassador. The Mercantile Metals and Ore Corp., of New York City, acted as the agent of Bolivia's Banco Minero in negotiating the deal. The contract is a short term one. Throughout the talks, the U. S. refused to make a long term agreement because of the possibility that Bolivia will soon nationalize its mines. The Bolivians desired to sell the U. S. 18,000 tons during a one-year pact. The price agreed upon is roughly the same as with Malayan producers. In the meantime, American Smelting & Refining Co., signed over control of its operations to the Bolivian Government. The formal act of leasing the mines to the Bolivian Government follows the announcement last July by the company that it was closing operations because of high costs. Contract terms were not disclosed.

Jan 1, 1952

By B. VISWANATH

T HE Mysore iron works, at Bhadravati, about 2000 ft. above sea level in the Shimoga district of Mysore, British India, is served by a meter gage branch line of the Mysore State Railways. The works which were designed and erected by Perin & Marshall, who still act as consulting engineers, are surrounded by a thickly wooded country which sup- plies about 400 tons per day of wood for fuel. The ore deposits lie 20 miles to the south, and limestone quarries are close by the works. The Bhadra river sup- plies the works and the town with the necessary quantity of water. Dwelling houses for the employees

Jan 1, 1930

By T. F. Witherbee

It is proposed to give, first, a description of the works; second, a report of the first six months of the present blast; and third, such improvements as have been suggested by the practical working. The site selected for this furnace was, at the time of commencing work, October, 1872, entirely covered by the navigable waters of Lake Champlain. A coffer-dam was first built of cribs of round timber filled with stone, forming three sides, while the shore answered for the fourth. Considerable excavating was done with a steam-dredge, a hole being left for it to pass out. The opening was then built up, and the cribbing banked up with blue clay from the bottom of the lake, to render it water-tight and the dam pumped out; the remainder of the excavating being done by hand. All of the foundations, with the exception of the elevator-tower, and fifteen feet of the east side of hot blast, rest on the Potsdam sandstone, which forms the shore line, dipping into the lake at an angle of fifteen degrees. Owing to jogs in the formation, a much greater depth was found necessary than was at first anticipated, the foundation under the stack

By William Campbell

(Cleveland Meeting, October, 1912.) [SECRETARY'S NOTE.-To avoid repetitions of foot-notes, references to authorities are made in the paper by means of figures, referring to a numbered list in the appendix.-J. S.] I. INTRODUCTION. IN the olden days the making of alloys was au art, and the secrets of the craft were jealously guarded. To-day it has become a science, though the old ideas in regard to the secrets and formula are dying hard. Modern progress may be attributed to scientific research and testing of materials, and the substitution of chemical analytical control for " cook-book " methods. We know to-day a great deal about the constitution of alloys, the reasons of the change in structure and physical properties by heat and mechanical treatment; and this new knowledge is due for the most part to the physical chemist and metallographist, who have shown us that alloys are simply solutions, and as such obey definite laws. The application of the theories of solutions and of the phase rule tells us what ought to happen when our alloys are in a state of equilibrium. The working-out of the temperature-composition diagram (thermal diagram) for numerous alloys has thrown a light on the structure and constitution which has dispelled most of the darkness in which we labored before the advent of metallography. The work began with the determination of the freezing-point curves, and here the research of Le Chatelier,1 Gautier,2 Roberts-Austen,3 and the other pioneers broke the ground. Next the physical chemists, Tammann,4 Rooseboom,5 Bancroft,6 and their colleagues, showed us the complete thermal diagram and its meaning. Then the researches of Heycock and Neville 7 on the Cu-Sn series and of Shepherd 8 on the * Associate Professor of Metallurgy, Columbia University in the City of New York.

Dec 1, 1912

By Dix, E. H.

THE percentage of manganese used in commercial aluminum alloys is small, and yet this element is an important addition to some very valuable alloys. When used alone with commercial aluminum containing iron and silicon as impurities, the usual percentage in wrought materials is from 1 to 1.5 per cent., whereas castings may contain as much as 2 per cent. An aluminum-manganese alloy containing nominally 1.25 per cent. manganese is much used in sheet form for the manufacture of cooking utensils and other articles requiring a little greater strength and hardness than could be obtained with commercially pure aluminum. It is also used for various purposes in the form of rods, tubes and pipes. The aluminum-manganese alloys, both wrought 'and cast, offer excellent resistance to many kinds of corrosion attack. The U. S. Naval Gun Factory uses an aluminum alloy containing from 1 to 2 per cent. each of copper and manganese, for both castings and forgings. Manganese is also used, up to about 1 per cent., as a minor alloying .element in several of the strong aluminum alloys of the duralumin type. It is felt that the role of this element when thus used has not been fully understood, but it is believed that the results obtained in this investigation will throw additional light on the subject. The earlier work on the system aluminum-manganese was general in nature, and no detailed investigations of the relations existent in the useful aluminum-rich alloys have been reported. Guilletl1in 1902 surveyed the system, and Hendrichs2 in 1908 published an equilibrium diagram which, although based on .few data, is often used in the literature. Fragmentary work has also been done by other investigators."

Jan 1, 1927

By T. F. Witherbee

IT is proposed to give, first, a description of the works ; second, a report of the first six months of the present blast; and third, such improvements as have been suggested by the practical working. The site selected for this furnace was, at the time of commencing work, October, 1872, entirely covered by the navigable waters of Lake Champlain. A coffer-dam was first built of cribs of round timber filled with stone, forming three sides, while the shore answered for the fourth. Considerable excavating was done with a steam-dredge, a hole being left for it to pass out. The opening was then built up, and the cribbing banked up with blue clay from the bottom of the lake, to render it water-tight and the dam pumped out; the remainder of the excavating being done by hand. All of the foundations, with the exception of the elevator-tower, and fifteen feet of the east side of hot blast, rest on the Potsdam sandstone, which forms the shore line, dipping into the lake at an angle of fifteen degrees. Owing to jogs in the formation, a much greater depth was found necessary than was at first anticipated, the foundation under the stack

Jan 1, 1876

By H. O. Hofman

With the exception of the exhaustive paper on the Father de Smet mill, by its designer, Mr. A. J. Bowie, Jr. (Bans., x. 87), nothing, so far as the writer is aware, has as yet appeared on the stamp-mills of the Black Hills of Dakota, although they have been steady producers for the last ten years. Within the small area of about 6000 by 1600 feet, $2,271,341.14 was produced in 1887† from rock averaging $4 per ton in free gold. I. The Ores. Character of the Ores.—The gold of the district is found in quartz and pyrites finely distributed through vast bodies of mica- and amphibole-schists, argillites and phyllites, and also impregnating the schists themselves. The " Belt," embracing the section of Lead City, Terraville and Central City, is the only part worked at present. The principal associated mineral is iron pyrites, with some arsenopyrite and chalcopyrite, garnet and asbestos. The ores from open cuts and upper levels are more free-milling. than those from underground workings below water-line. Hence

Jan 1, 1889

By Max Hebgen

Within the State of Montana the streams rise in the high mountains at. an elevation of from 5,000 to 8,000 ft. These streams leave the State line both east and west at elevations from 3,500 to 2,400 ft. It is, therefore, apparent. that all these streams have an average fall of 3,000 ft. within the confines of the. State, and many opportunities are presented on all streams. for the development of power, by taking advantage of the natural fall. It is probable that 1,000,000 h. p. can :be developed in the State of Montana. I. NATURAL FEATURES OF STATE AFFECTING POWER DEVELOPMENT. The main. range of the Rocky mountains, forming the Continental Divide, cuts the State of Montana into two parts. The eastern part is drained by the Missouri river and its tributaries, the Madison; Jefferson, Gallatin and Yellowstone, rivers. The western part is drained by tributaries to the Columbia river, the Clarks fork and the Kootenai river. The Clarks fork in turn is formed by the junction of Missoula and Flathead rivers, the latter, draining Flathead lake. The western part of the State. is mountainous and the eastern part is comparatively level. As a natural result the rivers in the western part are capable of generating large amounts of power, while in the eastern part of the State natural power sites are much fewer and farther apart. It also follows that in the mountainous districts large amounts of power are required for the mining industry, while in the eastern part of the State, which is principally devoted to agriculture, power is required in smaller quantities. ?

Jan 8, 1913

By W. O. Crosby

WASHINGTON CAMP, in Santa Cruz county, Arizona, is a small and little known mining district situated on the lower, eastern slope of the Patagonia mountains, about 20 miles east of Nogales and a like distance south of Patagonia Station on the Sonora railroad, which connects it Benson, 83 miles from Nogales, with the main line of the Southern Pacific. This district is also about 4 miles north of the international boundary, 35 miles west of Bisbee and 40 miles north of Cananea, in Sonora. The topography of the district, which lies at a general elevation of 5,500 ft. above the sea, is only very moderately rugged, and presents no obstacles to mining operations. Although some of the claims of the camp, including the Pride of the West, Belmont and Holland, were extensively worked for silver 25 years ago, they passed, at moderate depths, as in so many other districts, out of the argentiferous lead carbonate and sulphide into zinc, copper and iron sulphides; and for two decades the camp was abandoned and almost forgotten. In recent years, however, its apparent possi¬bilities as a copper producer have led to a revival of mining activity; but not, as yet, with conspicuous success. Although economically relatively unimportant, the deposits of Washington Camp are, mineralogically and structurally, nevertheless, typical examples of ore-bodies developed in connection with the garnet ledge now recognized as a normal feature of granite-limestone contacts; and, in the opinion of the writer, this is an instance where a minor example is yet essentially normal and capable of throwing important light upon the origin and genetic relations of the type.

Nov 1, 1905

By J. R. McWilliams

Several of the current concepts of brittle fracture involve consideration of the existence of defects or flaws. Griffith 1 observed that the tensile strength of brittle materials was several orders of magnitude less than might be expected from the calculated strength of the molecular bonds. He was able to show that the stress concentration at the tip of an elliptical crack is sufficient to raise the local stress level many fold. He therefore proposed that real materials do contain such stress risers in the form of minute cracks and that this accounts for the rather large difference between theoretical and actual strengths of brittle materials. The degree of stress magnification depends to a great extent upon the orientation of the crack with respect to the general stress system, and to the general geometry of the crack.

Jan 1, 1967

By T. C. Craig

For the year 1934, there were 382 oi1 wells completed for a total initial of 146,965 bbl. Fifty-three wells were deepened for a total increase of 8363 bbl., bringing the total volume of new oil to 155,328 bbl. As of Jan. 1, 1934, the daily potential of the field as determined by the Texas Railroad Commission was 159,740 bbl. Of this amount 26,429 bbl. is "marginal oil," and 2682 bbl. is exempt on account of water. In December, 1934, the daily potential was established by the Railroad Commission as being 297,501 bbl. with a daily allowable of 56,800 bbl. Of this amount 31,993 bbl. is "marginal oil," and 2183 bbl. is exempt on account of water. There has been no field-wide test made during the year, and as a result the rated potential of the field is in all probability much higher than the actual potential. As each new well comes in, a five-day test is made under the supervision of the Railroad Commission. The potential thus established is added to the field potential and shares its pro rata part of the market outlet, which is the allowable production, no allowance

Jan 1, 1935

By AIME AIME

DURING my senior year at college a professor said to his class that a student who failed to obtain a passing grade in that certain subject could not graduate with his class and that his diploma would be withheld until the failure had been removed. In that way for four years a diploma had been made to appear to us as the objective in attending college. We grew up to think that a diploma was the means of providing employment; consequently, a diploma could not be jeopardized and, heeding the professor's remarks, we resolved to put forth special efforts and make good. During one of our class periods this same professor digressed briefly from his prepared lecture in metallurgy and advised the boys to join a national technical society. He spoke with earnestness and sincerity. After class we students discussed those remarks. We concluded that the professor had not convinced us. We were already members of technical societies at school and saw no need of joining another. In fact, even up to that moment a society had never indicated to any of us that joining it had any relation to landing a job, and we were fully aware that joining another society meant paying out more money, for fees and dues, which money we then needed to buy food, clothes, and perhaps a new slide rule. Furthermore, we knew that joining a society was not part of the curriculum and, therefore, the diploma could not be withheld if we did not follow the advice. Our conclusion was that we would not join but would concentrate on our work that assured getting our diplomas.

Jan 1, 1936

By Arthur Wade

The most important development in connection with the search for oil in Australia during 1940 was on the legislative side. Prior to 1939 legislative enactments in the various states with regard to prospecting for petroleum were such as to prohibit large-scale effort and to bar the major oil companies from operating. The preparation of the Wade Model Bill for the Commonwealth Government in 1939 and the acceptance of the Bill in principle by all States, has gone far to remove these obstacles. Amending Acts, largely based on the Alodel Bill, have now been passed by all States with the exception of New South Wales and Tasmania. In New South Wales an Amending Bill is being drafted, while the Govern-ment of Tasmania is preparing to introduce an Amending Bill provided there is any demand for it. Noteworthy developments followed immediately on the passing of these Amending Acts. The Shell Company (1)1 and the Superior Oil Company of California (2) too$ up large areas in Queensland and com-menced work during 1940. Caltex acquired a big tract of country in the Kimberley district of Western Australia (3) and has made application for an area in the Territory of Papua. An Australian company, The Phoenix Oil Extraction Co., has obtained a permit to prospect over an extensive area bordering the south coast of Western Australia (4). Other developments are foreshadowed. The Shell Company is making an intensive examination of its area in Queensland (I). Geological, geophysical and aerial surveys are in progress. Caltex has three geological parties in the held in Western Australia while Superior Oil Company of California has done some geological work in the interior of Queensland (2). None of these concerns envisages a drilling campaign in the near future. Much exploratory work is necessary. Further work has been done by the companies that were already operating in 1939, though an important Australian company - Oil Search—has abandoned the work of prospecting in Australia. This company has subleased its holdings, at North West Cape in Western Australia (;), to Caltex on a royalty basis. The company also maintains its holdings in, and connection with, the Australasian Petroleum Company Proprietary Limited, which is a combination of Standard Oil (New Jersey), Anglo-Iranian and Oil Search. This company is operating in the territories of Papua and New Guinea. Drilling Victoria.—Although a good deal of drilling was done in the LaBes Entrance Tertiary Basin of Victoria (7), no appreciable production of oil was obtained. In order to test the extent and possibilities of the oil-bearing sand in this region, the Commonwealth and State Governments jointly put down six scout boreholes to depths of between 1200 and I500 it. The results were nega tive. A deeper exploratory horehole put down by the Governments at Seacornbe, or 26

Jan 1, 1941

By Arthur Wade

The most important development in connection with the search for oil in Australia during 1940 was on the legislative side. Prior to 1939 legislative enactments in the various states with regard to prospecting for petroleum were such as to prohibit large-scale effort and to bar the major oil companies from operating. The preparation of the Wade Model Bill for the Commonwealth Government in 1939 and the acceptance of the Bill in principle by all States, has gone far to remove these obstacles. Amending Acts, largely based on the Alodel Bill, have now been passed by all States with the exception of New South Wales and Tasmania. In New South Wales an Amending Bill is being drafted, while the Govern-ment of Tasmania is preparing to introduce an Amending Bill provided there is any demand for it. Noteworthy developments followed immediately on the passing of these Amending Acts. The Shell Company (1)1 and the Superior Oil Company of California (2) too$ up large areas in Queensland and com-menced work during 1940. Caltex acquired a big tract of country in the Kimberley district of Western Australia (3) and has made application for an area in the Territory of Papua. An Australian company, The Phoenix Oil Extraction Co., has obtained a permit to prospect over an extensive area bordering the south coast of Western Australia (4). Other developments are foreshadowed. The Shell Company is making an intensive examination of its area in Queensland (I). Geological, geophysical and aerial surveys are in progress. Caltex has three geological parties in the held in Western Australia while Superior Oil Company of California has done some geological work in the interior of Queensland (2). None of these concerns envisages a drilling campaign in the near future. Much exploratory work is necessary. Further work has been done by the companies that were already operating in 1939, though an important Australian company - Oil Search—has abandoned the work of prospecting in Australia. This company has subleased its holdings, at North West Cape in Western Australia (;), to Caltex on a royalty basis. The company also maintains its holdings in, and connection with, the Australasian Petroleum Company Proprietary Limited, which is a combination of Standard Oil (New Jersey), Anglo-Iranian and Oil Search. This company is operating in the territories of Papua and New Guinea. Drilling Victoria.—Although a good deal of drilling was done in the LaBes Entrance Tertiary Basin of Victoria (7), no appreciable production of oil was obtained. In order to test the extent and possibilities of the oil-bearing sand in this region, the Commonwealth and State Governments jointly put down six scout boreholes to depths of between 1200 and I500 it. The results were nega tive. A deeper exploratory horehole put down by the Governments at Seacornbe, or 26

Jan 1, 1941

By KENNETH CITTISGHAM

During the year 1945, the total number of wells drilled in Ohio, including the. non¬productive wells, was 1034. For the 10-year period ending with 1945, the average completions per year were 1125, the least number being 910 in 1938, and the maximum 1561 in 1941. The proportion of dry holes in 1945 was 37 per cent?about the same as for the year 1944 but exceeding the 10-year average, which was 34 per cent. The number of oil wells completed exceeded the number drilled in 1944 by about 30 per cent, the average initial per well being the same in both years. Gas-well completions were approximately 10 per Cent less than in 1944, with the average initial per well about 5 per cent greater. The difference in number of oil and gas wells in the two years was in Berea and Clinton completions, as the number of oil wells increased about 30 per cent, owing to greater activity in the two sands named, while the number of gas wells decreased because of fewer completions therein.

Jan 1, 1946

By S. F. Emmons

There is, in the southern part of the State of Illinois, a series of deposits of fluorspar and galena in which the former mineral occurs on a scale of magnitude unequalled, so far as I know, in any other part of the world. In June, 1891, 1 had an opportunity of visiting the region of their principal development, near Rosiclare, Hardin county, Ill., and examined such of the mines in the vicinity as were accessible at that time. A very large proportion of the mining shafts that had been sunk in this region were unfortunately abandoned for the time being, and full of water. Moreover, detailed maps of the region are unattainable, no surveys having been made there, apparently, since the original land-surveys' of the early part of the century. In spite of these disadvantages I was enabled, in the few days at my disposal, to ascertain with sufficient accuracy certain facts not hitherto published with regard to these deposits, which seem worthy the attention of the members of the Institute. Before proceeding to a description of the deposits in question, I will give a brief abstract of the little historical and geological information hearing directly or indirectly upon them, which I have been able to find in existing publications. Historical. That the mineral was known to the Indians, is proved by the discovery, in some of the pre-historic mounds of the region,* of fluorspar, shaped into ornaments. The earliest scientific mention of its occurrence is found in the first volume of the American Journal of Science (1818+), which describes specimens obtained in the vicinity of Shawneetown by Mr. Joseph Baldwin. Similar notices appear in the same journal in 1820 and 1821, but without mention of the exact locality. They remark on the fetid odor which characterizes the mineral and its association with galena. Schoolcraft, as early as 1819, note: the occurrence of fluate of

Jan 1, 1893