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By H. A. Wheeler

IT may surprise some of our members to learn, among the industries based on the mineral resources of the United States that of clay now ranks third, being exceeded in value of product only by pig-iron and coal. The present annual value of clay-products exceeds the value of the outputs of gold and silver, and also exceeds the combined values of copper, lead, zinc, aluminum, mercury, antimony and nickel. These facts are shown in Table I. which gives the statistics for the year 1902

Jan 1, 1905

New Trade Status for Mainland China--On January 24, the Congress approved a most-favored-nation trade status with Mainland China for both imports and exports. A Presidential Proclamation had been issued earlier in anticipation of the Congressional action. Import duties on such commodities as tungsten, mercury, and antimony are automatically decreased. Defense Production Act Extended--The Defense Production Act of 1950 was extended 60 days to March 28, 1980. The provision for the usual 2-year extension of the Act is reportedly included in an omnibus energy bill that is tied up in committee. The Act under Title III provides for the expansion of productive capacity and supply and, more specifically, it gives priority to defense contracting where defense and non-defense interests conflict

Jan 1, 1980

Jan 1, 1885

During the period January 1, 1977 through July 31, 1977, 5 percent (264,000 tons) of U.S. capacity was closed due to power curtailments in the Pacific Northwest because of the shortage of water. During July, one plant in Tennessee cut production by 50,000 tons annually due to a power reduction by the Tennessee Valley Authority. Full capacity production was resumed at a West Virginia smelter during September. If demand for aluminum is strong it seems likely that aluminum supply during the remainder of 1977 and in 1978 will be tight. The price was increased 3¢ per pound to 51¢ per pound effective March 28, 1977, and by an additional 2¢ per pound to 53¢ per pound, effective July 5, 1977. New projects and expansion of existing facilities are planned by Australian aluminum companies over the next 2 to 3 years. The companies listed have committed themselves to spending approximately A$801 million: Alcoa of Australia Ltd. -New alumina plant at Wagerup, south of Perth. Darling Ranges bauxite is located near the proposed project. A$650 million. Coma 1 co Industries Pty. Ltd. -Increase bauxite mining capacity and upgrade or replace other facilities at its Weipa mines on Cape York Peninsula region of Northern Queensland. A$81 million. Alcan Australia Ltd. -Expansion program that will increase capacity of the Kurri Kurri aluminum smelter north of Sydney about 50 percent, and improvement of other facilities at the plant. A$70 million.

Jan 1, 1977

By Hazel B. Comstock

[This material survey on magnesium and magnesium compounds is one of a series of Bureau of Mines publications designed to serve the needs of Government and industry for comprehensive, up-to-date information on mineral commodities and activities Magnesium, the world's lightest structural metal has become a most useful material in airborne and space vehicles, automotive equipment, machine tools, and consumer products. Use of magnesium on in basic refractories for iron and steel furnaces has expanded as the production of iron and steel has increased. Progress in converting steel furnaces to the use of oxygen has further increased the use of magnesium and magnesite brick.]

Jan 1, 1963

By Hazel B. Comstock

This materials survey on magnesium and magnesium compounds is one of a series of Bureau of Mines publications designed to serve the needs of Government and industry for comprehensive, up-to-data information on mineral commodities and activities. Magnesium, the world's lightest structural metal, has become a most useful material in airborne and spare vehicles, automotive equipment, machine tools, and consumer products. Use of magnesium ores in basic refractories for iron and steel furnaces has expanded as the production of iron and steel has increased, Progress in converting steel fun cares to the use of oxygen has further increased the use of magnesia and magnesite brick.

Jan 1, 1963

By K. T. Audt

The Yayoi period, from about 300 B.C. to A.O. 300, represents a time of important changes in Japanese history. During this period the advanced rice culture of the Asian continent was introduced to Japan, along with the techniques of animal husbandry, spinning, bronze casting and metal working(1) . As was the case in the Jomon period (11000 B.C. to 300 B.C.), the Yayoi period is traditionally defined by a particular type of pottery, characterized by the use of the potter's wheel and an extreme simplicity of decoration and form(2) . Pieces of this pottery were found in 1884 in a district of Tokyo, known as Yayoi-Cho, not far from Tokyo University. Within a decade the name Yayoi had come to be used for the period which also saw the first casting of metals in Japan121. During the Yayoi period, the foundation of the ancient Japanese state was laid as the individual small communities were unified and as labour specialization and social levels developed. In fact, the Yayoi may be the true ancestral culture of Japan(3) . However, the origin of the Yayoi is not definitely known. One theory indicates that the Yayoi people may have been driven from the Asian mainland (via Korea) by the dynastic wars that accompanied the unification of China under the Ch'in and Han and that these settlers rapidly displaced the Jomon. Bronze objects and the cultivation of rice may have arrived about the same time - in the third century B.C. Iron was in Japan within another century, but since it rusts badly and disintegrates, only a few small pieces are known from such an early date(4) . After about 50 B.C., the Yayoi cultures of western Japan were in fairly close and regular contact with the continent via Korea(5)

Jan 1, 1999

By Willard C. Lacy

A mining operation begins with prospecting and exploration-stages with long periods of investment and high risk of failure. However, success in exploration ultimately determines survival of the mining industry. Prospecting and exploration may discover evidence of a mineral occurrence and outline its size and character, but ore deposits that support mining are "made" through the collective efforts of project geologists, geophysicists, geochemists, metallurgists, engineers, chemists, lawyers, and even politicians (Joralemon, 1975). Some deposits may go through multiple cycles of rejection and recommendation, discovery and development, decline and abandonment, rediscovery and development, etc., as economic, technological, or political conditions change or geologic understanding is improved. Peters (1987, p. 233) graphically illustrates the normal life cycle of a mine and the position of exploration in the cycle (Fig. 4.0.1). During the past fifty years, mineral exploration has evolved from comparing evidence of mineralization of prospects with that of known deposits to a more quantitative science employing many facets of geochemistry, geophysics, multispectral sensing from space, computer data storage, analysis, modeling, and most importantly, a better understanding of ore genesis. This modem approach to exploration began in the late 1940s and continues to develop. Exploration efforts peaked in the 1960s with emphasis upon the search for porphyry copper deposits, Mississippi Valley lead-zinc deposits, and volcanogenic massive sulfide copper-lead-zinc deposits. It peaked again in the middle and late 1980s with emphasis upon micron-size disseminated gold and epithermal and stratiform precious metal deposits.

Jan 1, 2008

By Joanna LaForte

"In response to “Arctic Mineral Wealth —Equitable Participation with Aboriginal Landowners – A slow or fast process?”, this author’s impression is one that, to her, seems obvious — this is definitely going to be a slow process. To question this issue seems ridiculous, unless the mining industry is considering following the same patters of the past, thereby adding to the suppression and injustices to which the aboriginals are so accustomed. To make genuine progress, where trust and good communication has been achieved with time as a factor in proceeding, the author feels, without a doubt, that the triangle of industry, government and aboriginals will seriously have to be restructured or eliminated. Anytime you mix government with progress, along with other problems, you are looking at bureaucracy, and that takes time. Issues such as the settlement of land claims have not been resolved, and in all likelihood could take forty years to finalize. Aboriginals have been suppressed for centuries by governments and industries with ethnocentric ideologies, and now that they are in a position to reclaim their lands, attain their own economies and government, and truly secure a wealthy, self-sufficient legacy for their descendants, how can anyone imagine they’ll move quickly? This author also strongly disagrees to some sections of Mr. Wakefeld’s article and will expand on her objections.We question whether aboriginals under-stand the process of mine development. If we encounter an electrical problem in our home, o we not call an electrician without having to learn the trade ourselves? This comparison seems simplistic, but does convey a point. As cited, “there are now over 100 000 aboriginals who have completed post-secondary education.” Are the numbers revealed in Mr. Wakefeld’s paper there to scare us? Is he suggesting that without the industry’s haste, the aboriginal’s new found intelligence could pose a problem to the mineral explorer. While it is true that not all are highly educated, the aboriginals have specialists in market fluctuations, feasibility studies and the needed skills. They have specialists, such as their representative organization of COPE 1984, (the Committee for Original People’s Entitlement), who under-stand their cultures, language and desires. Their education should expedite the negotiations and end the power struggles equitably. Aboriginal people are not stupid. Once they have reason to be proud, regain their communities and know the direction that they’re headed, their self-determination will return."

Jan 1, 1996

Mitsui Aluminium Co. of Japan announced that it would finance 25 percent of the construction costs for the 217,000 ton-per-year primary aluminum smelter being built by Alumax, Inc. at Holly, SC. Mitsui would receive 25 percent of the plant's production in return. Construction on the smelter began early in 1978, and is scheduled to be completed in 1981. The Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa) announced plans to restart a third potline at its Point Comfort, TX primary aluminum smelter in July. The company previously announced plans to restart two potlines at the facility in May. Reynolds Metals Co. began preparations to restart primary aluminum production in May in one of two 57,000 ton-per-year potlines at its Corpus Christi, TX smelter. The plant has been closed since 1975.

Jan 1, 1979

By D. B. Paterson

In view of decreasing head grades, the relatively high gold price, and recent developments in metal evaluation, an exercise was initiated to determine the extent of gold concentration, the mode of occurrence, and the areas of concentration within the run-of-mine milling circuits of Randfontein Estates Gold Mining Company (Witwatersrand) Limited. The total gold content of three of the thirteen run-of-mine mils in the Group was measured as a typical lock-up of approximately 200 kg per mil. The majority of this gold was concentrated either behind the grid-type body liners or within the pockets of the body liners. This paper is an account of the experimental procedure and the results obtained, and highlights possible means of limiting gold lock-up in future.

Jan 1, 1988

By Arthur Notman

For the period January 1st, 1942, to January 1st, 1946, the American Bureau of Metal Statistics records the gold production of the world as 118,788,000 fine ounces. If we include 1946 at the same rate as 1945 (26,- 590,000), we arrive at a total of 145,378,000 fine ounces in the past five years . Included in these figures are estimates of Russian output at 4,000,000 ounces per annum for the five years, and 1,300,000 ounces per annum for Korea and Japan. The remaining 120,000,000 ounces represent the aggregate production from official reports of the other gold producing areas of the world, with the exception of the 1946 figures, as noted above. At $35.00 per fine ounce, this represents $5,188,230,000. According to the reports of the Federal Reserve System of the United States, on December 31st, 1941, the monetary gold reserves of the United States were $22,736,- 600,000 (at $35.00 per fine ounce) , while on October 31st, 1946 (latest available) , they had fallen to $20,402,000,000, a decline of $2,334,600,000. Adding this decline to the value of the new production for the five years, we have a total of $7,522,830,000, which has been absorbed by the rest of the world since Pearl Harbour, a rate of absorption of over $1,500,000,000 per annum. This has taken place at a rime when the advocates of purely managed currencies had convinced many people that gold performed no really essential function in the world's economy, and that we could get along perfectly well without it. It was pointed out that gold could not be eaten, it could not clothe our nakedness, it could not shelter us from storms, and, therefore, it was a non-essential, even though it could be used to settle international balances of trade. Apparently, the world as a whole still regards it as preferable to the paper promises of governments, however sound, relatively, they may appear. Actually, we have no way of measuring the true strength of this feeling, because the principal governments of the world have made it legally impossible for their citizens to own gold, except in the form of ornaments.

Jan 1, 1947

By Paul M. Tyler, R. M. Santmyers

Platinum and its allied metals osmium, iridium, rhodium , palladium, and ruthenium are the most costly of the better-known metals and combine properties that make them unique among the elements . For a number of isolated uses substitutes have been found which are cheaper and quite as satisfactory ; but none will replace platinum in many of its varied uses , and there is a large and growing demand for purposes for which no economical substitutes are known . As this paper is being written the supply of platinum tends further to increase as a result of the exploitation of newly developed resources and the expansion of production from older sources . In obedience to economic law prices have declined steadily . Buyers , always reluctant to commit themselves on a falling market , have maintained a waiting attitude , and consumption trends are not clearly indicated . Should platinum again approach the price of gold , the natural tendency would be to use more of the metal . In recent years , however , the industrial and scientific uses of platinum have become subordinate to its consumption in jewelry . In matters of personal adornment the popular whim and not practical utility is the dominant factor in demand , and it does not follow that lowered prices will stimulate demand . The substitution of white gold and certain plated goods for platinum may be checked by cheaper platinum , but a fickle public that turned from gold to platinum when platinum became the more costly metal can not with certainty be expected to buy more platinum jewelry because more of the metal than formerly may now be had for the same price . The dearth of platinum during and for some years after the World War had a profound effect upon prices , and this in turn wrought important changes in the field of consumption . When prices advanced the chemical industry, formerly the leading consumer of platinum, was forced to economize in its consumption of the metal and to substitute other metals whenever it could . Somewhat similar conditions resulted in the electrical industry and in the use of platinum in dentistry . Some of these former outlets are permanently closed , and others may be reopened now that platinum prices have receded to pre-war levels , but despite the general expansion of industrial and scientific activity since 1913 the demand for platinum outside the jewelry trade has suffered a net decline . Since the metallurgy of platinum is relatively simple the reason for its high price is its relative scarcity in the earth's crust . An interesting speculation set forth by certain geologists attributes the extraordinarily high density of the interior of the earth in part to the presence of iron alloyed with substantial amounts of platinum and other related metals . In support of this hypothesis it may be said that platinum is often found in meteorites , and known deposits in the earth's crust are all of deep - seated origin . However , even if there were a high concentration of platinum in the interior of the earth it would be next to impossible at the present state of our knowledge to make it available , and the world would continue to depend for its supply on deposits found within minable depths below the surface . For many years before 1914 the world obtained its supply of platinum metals primarily from Russia , which before the war produced as much as 300,000 troy ounces in a year , or approximately 95 per cent of the world output . Despite fluctuations due to internal political disturbances Colombia managed to account for 3 to 4 per cent , leaving the rest of the world to furnish the remaining 1 to 2 per cent .

Feb 1, 1931

By Hal M. Lewers

IN the past few years and especially since the beginning of World War No. 2, gold has attained a new, important. and critical place in the international scene, and in world affairs. In the past, as far back as history records, most wars have been waged for the purpose of acquiring it from someone else by conquest. But now, the most titanic struggle of all time is being waged with the avowed purpose of not only destroying it, but of destroying all that it stands for and represents. A tradition dating back to ancient Rome, affirms that battles are fought by men with weapons, but wars arc eventually won by gold. The validity of that tradition is now being subjected to its major test. Hitler has proclaimed that in his new world order, the work dollar or reichsmark, a beautifully engraved paper currency representing only a theory of value, based on unit of work and production, will become the supreme medium of world exchange, and that gold eventually will he valueless and obsolete.

Jan 1, 1942

Real economic growth for the year will most likely exceed the Administration's estimate of 3.2%, up from 2.9% in 1986, unless consumers change their spending patterns more than expected as a result of the October stock market decline. The economy grew at a real annual rate of 3.7% in the first three quarters of the year, Analysts agree that the stock market decline will slow economic growth-- most have lowered their growth expectations for 1988 by about 1%; but few would argue that the economy will slow significantly in the fourth quarter of 1987. [ ] During this economic recovery, personal consumption expenditures provided the main impetus for growth and a deeping trade deficit, the main hindrance to growth. In 1987, however, personal consumption expenditures grew at a lower rate than the overall economy. Mush of the economic growth resulted from a reduced trade deficit and growing investment by business in equipment to improve productivity and to meet the domestic and foreign demand for products. The declining value of the dollar resulted in a better competitive position for U.S. goods but also contributed to a rising rate of inflation as imports rose in price. Inflation, as measured by the fixed-weighted index for gross national product, was still far below the rates in the early 1980k, however. More than 2 million jobs were created during the year, predominantly in the service sectors of the economy, and the monthly unemployment rate in September fell to the lowest level in a decade. Then, after 13 months of decline, the unemployment rate edged up 0.1 percentage point to 5.9% in October.

Jan 1, 1987

By AIME AIME

COMMITTEES. CANAL ZONE.-Col. George W. Goethals, U. S. A., Chairman; Lt.-Col. H. F. Hodges, U. S. A. ; Lt.: Col. D. D. Gaillard, U. S. A. ; Lt.-Col. William L. Sibert, IT. S. A. ; H. H. Rousseau, U. S. N.; Col. W. C. Gorgas, U. S. A.; Maurice H. Thatcher ; Joseph Bucklin Bishop ; Lt.-Col. Charles F. Mason, U. S. A.; S. B. Williamson ; Major Eugene T. Wilson, U. S. A. ; Edward Schildhauer ; Henry Goldmark ; Edward C. Sherman ; W. G. Comber ; W. B. Corse ; J. A. Walker; Joseph A. Le Prince; J. A. Smith ; Lt. Frederick Mears, U. S. A. HAVANA.-V. T. Polledo, Chairman; Diego Lombillo Clark, Jose Primelles, J. R. Villalon, Jose Artola, J. Ducassi, Luis Morales, Enrique Montonlieu. ENTERTAINMENT ON SHIPBOARD.-William L. Saunders, Chairman; Mr. and Mrs. S. D. Warriner, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Robins, Mr. and Mrs. George.D. Barron, Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Watson, W. E. Greene. GENERAL MANAGEMENT. .Joseph Struthers, Chairman; Albert E. Vaughan. There were ten sessions of the Institute held for the presentation and discussion of, technical or professional papers. Eight of these sessions were held on the steamer while en route, and two in the ball-room of the Hotel Tivoli, at Ancon, C. Z. Mr. David W- Brunton, President of the Council, presided at all the sessions, except the sixth, at which Mr. Charles Kirchhoff, past President, occupied the chair. The following list includes the papers presented in oral abstract by the authors: First Session., October 24. The Summit Hill Mine-Fire, by W. A. Lathrop, Philadelphia, Pa. Mine-Fire at the Calumet and Hecla Mine, No. 8 Shaft., by S. D. Warriner, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Fire in the Big Lick Stope, Lykens Valley and Williamstown Colliery, by R. V. Norris, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Mine-Fire in the Hecksherville Valley, Schuylkill Field, Pa., by W. J. Richards, Pottsville, Pa.. Fire in the Monarch Mine, near Rock Springs, Wyo., by S. A. Taylor, Pittsburg, Pa.

Dec 1, 1910

By David J. Hoadley

This report describes the development and limited testing of a semi-automatic, raise climber, Compact Service Hoist System designed for stope access in underground metal and nonmetal mines. Demonstrated capabilities of the system include a 1,000-lb payload capacity, control from the traveling cage and from up to three remote stations, operating in vertical or inclined raises 3 ft in diameter and up to 300 ft in length and a travel speed of 50 ft/min. The system has the capability of operating in crooked raises because the conveyance climbs two stationary wire ropes suspended down the raise. The drive unit is electrically powered with power and control signals supplied to the drive unit through an umbilical 'cable also suspended down the raise. The system has been designed for portability, ease of installation and minimum raise development. The hoist has been demonstrated successfully in an above ground test tower. This report provides a detailed description of the hoist design and its demonstrated performance to date.

Jan 1, 1985

By Mark E. Schlesinger

Engineering design follows a six–step sequence. Demonstration of this sequence in materials engineering is less common. A case study is presented, using the 1989 paper by Gafner on the development of 990 gold-titanium alloy. This paper identifies a need, develops the problem, identifies alternatives, demonstrates the use of metallurgical principles to identify alternative responses, and shows how more favorable options are selected. The paper can also be used to illustrate engineering design as an iterative process. The paper is also useful as a starting point for more in-depth examination of specific elements of the design process, and lends itself to the creation of student exercises.

Jan 1, 2014

Jan 1, 1902

The Black Hills Mineral Atlas briefly summarizes all important data available on the mines and mineral deposits in the Black Hills that have been explored, developed, mined, or located. The purpose of the atlas is threefold; First, from available data the general potentialities of the Black Hills region can be determined, although it is not possible to calculate actual ore reserves; second, it will provide the necessary basic information regarding a given property or commodity for further detailed study; and third, the compilation is a comprehensive directory of Black Hills deposits.

Jan 1, 1955