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By D. W. Brunton

The erection of large metallurgical establishments for the treatment of gold, silver, copper, and lead-ores, at railroad arid topographical centers, where fuel and fluxes, together with proper oremixtures, can be cheaply and constantly obtained at all seasons of the year, has led to the very general introduction of a system of ore-handling known as "public sampling." By this system the ore, instead of being shipped direct to the mill or smelter, is sent to a public sampler, where it is crushed and sampled. Guaranteed samples are sent to the different metallurgical establishments, and the ore is then sold to the highest bidder. Though differing in many respects from the English system of "ticketing," the underlying principle is nearly the same, while the greater rapidity with which a lot of ore can be disposed of renders

Jan 1, 1885

An appropriate change in Art. I, Sec. 9, of the bylaws was voted by the Board on April 16 whereby, in the case of Student Associates applying for change of status to Junior Member, only two endorsers are needed instead of three, provided one of them is the same member who endorsed his original application for Student Associateship.

Jan 1, 1952

By David A. Martin

Resource based companies have been inundated with changes in government tax legislation during the past few years. To cope, capital investment planning analysts have turned almost completely to computer simulation modeling to react quickly enough to determine the effect on their companies' major investment projects and on the projected financial picture of the companies. This paper will examine various royalty and tax structures as applied to coal, oil and gas, and minerals in the U.S. and Canada with particular emphasis on recent changes in the Canadian tax scene and their implications to capital project economic evaluation in other parts of the world.

Jan 1, 1977

By C. C. Harris

The Gaudin-Meloyl equation for the size distribution of fragments resulting from single fracture is where y is the mass fraction of material smaller than size x, and x, and r are parameters to be determined from the experimental data. In physical terms, r is associated with the number of active flaws in a particle of characteristic dimension xo . The special attribute of this equation is its emphasis on the coarse size region of a distribution. There are various procedures2-5 for obtaining the parameters in Eq. 1, but a simple graphical method is awaited. This situation contrasts sharply with that in the cases of the familiar Gates-Gaudin-Schuhmann and Rosin-Rammler equations.6 The purpose of this note is to present a method based on a procedure7 which has been successful in several other applications.8-13

Jan 1, 1967

By Gail Moulton

THE oilfields in Illinois are located principally along the LaSalle anticline in the southeastern part of the state. The oil produced comes most largely from beds of Pennsylvanian and Mississippian age, but there is an increasing important production from deeper horizons, as will be noted under new development. The oil is largely of paraffin base, and has an average specific gravity of about 35° Baume. The rank of Illinois as an oil producer has dropped from third since 1913, when its production was exceeded only by that of California and Oklahoma, to eighth in 1923. This has been the result of failure to find new pools of considerable size to offset the declining production of the old wells and of the greatly increased production of some of the other states. The noteworthy features of petroleum production in Illinois during 1924 are: the low rate of decline for the state as a whole; the smaller percentage of dry holes; and the larger average initial yield of the new wells.

Jan 3, 1925

By H. M. Howe

The tenacity with which a bad name adheres to a process is well illustrated by the prevalent belief in the irregularity of the product of the Bessemer converter. We have been lately told by an eloquent member that lack of uniformity is the name of Bessemer steel, and that uniform soft steel can only be made in the Clapp-Griffiths Bessemer converter. Yet I believe that, however irregular the percentage of carbon in Bessemer steel may have been formerly, to-day it is well-nigh completely under control. Indeed, the results of a large number of analyses that I' have studied go to show that the

Jan 1, 1887

By James R. Aggson, John C. Curran

In a cooperative research effort, the US Bureau of Mines Denver Mining Research Center and the Pittston Co. investigated floor heave ground control problems that have plagued underground coal mining of the Beckley coalbed in southern West Virginia. Floor heave is accompanied by a redistribution of stresses and loads that are associated with underground openings, causing roof and pillar problems. The floor and roof analysis techniques that were used in the USBM/Pittston investigation may have a wide range of applicability in the mining industry. Recommended orientations and geometries for mining operations are directed at floor problems, but may also enhance roof stability.

Jan 1, 1980

By Arthur E. Granger

IN the early days of the science, and until the recent past, geologists worked as individuals or in small groups. Prior to 1930 perhaps the largest single group under one administrative head was the Geologic Branch (now Division) of the U. S. Geological Survey, which employed at that time (including temporary help) 100 to 150 geologists. Today that same unit employs some 1500. In industry some companies employ as many as 100 geologists in a single department. These numbers obviously pose a need for administration. The basic qualifications for good administration are the same for any group of human beings, but the administration of geologists presents some special problems. Choosing Administrative Personnel: There are two kinds of personnel needs: 1) technical, which requires professional geologists who have proved their capabilities in the field, and 2) clerical and fiscal, which provide the necessary supporting or housekeeping functions. This discussion will be concerned only with the first category, except to point out the need for competent and understanding help from clerical and fiscal people and close relationship between top administration, technical or professional personnel, and the clerical and fiscal groups.

Jan 7, 1957

By Edgar G. Tuttle

The accompanying figures show a jig arranged for separating the middle product or middlings obtained in the concentration of certain ores, minerals, coal, etc. In the preparation for sizing, prior to jigging, of ore-bearing minerals, coal, etc., with their impurities, it is generally desirable to avoid reducing them to unnecessarily small sizes. Where the impurities adhere to the mineral particles or are disseminated through its mass, it is generally necessary to crush to such a fineness as will unlock the minerals from the gangue. If a considerable proportion of the material consists of mixtures of the minerals and gangue, each in large size, and a lesser proportion consists of a mixture of the two, in smaller sizes of various dimensions, it is not always desirable to reduce the whole to such size as would be required to liberate completely the pieces of ore and gangue in the finest mixtures. In such a case it is preferable to reduce all the material to such an

Jan 1, 1897

By Brian F. Osborne

A continuous on-line particle-size analysis system for solid/liquid suspensions is described. The basic sensor utilizes a centrifugal principle to separate particles according to size, the resultant separation being measured by means of beta-ray attenuation. Results obtained when analyzing a variety of materials at sizes from 65 mesh (210 µ) to 20 w are discussed in detail. Accuracies better than 2% are demonstrated. The effects of particle specific gravity, and mixtures of materials of diverse specific gravities, are discussed from both a practical and a theoretical viewpoint. It is demonstrated that particle specific gravity has a minimal effect on the size reading obtained. This renders the instrument suitable for handling materials where the ratio of light to heavy component may change. The design of the first commercial installation of this instrument is described in detail. This installation will be capable of analyzing three streams in sequence, measurement at three particle sizes being effected on each stream.

Jan 1, 1975

By Thomas H. Sheehan

The purpose of this paper is to present an application of computer technology to assist the mineral company financial executive in assessing exchange risks. The paper is divided into five parts: Background, Translation Approaches, Theory, Empirical Validation, and Conclusion. BACKGROUND Exchange risk results from a change in the rate of exchange between a host and a home country's currencies. Legitimate reasons exist for changes in the currency exchange rates among countries in a world with over a hundred different currencies. These reasons include: different economic growth rates, social factors, cultural heritages, and political motivations. The problem of exchange rate changes are perennial and exist whether the world operates on exchange rates or floating exchange rate practices. The cause of the problem is trade and international payment imbalances. If one accepts the premise that exchange rates fluctuate over time, then the mineral company financial executive faces a continual process of reassessment of the impact of exchange rate changes on the financial worth of his company. (1) The mineral company financial executive prepares balance sheets and income statements that are audited by certified public account- ants annually for shareholders, bankers, and tax authorities. The financial executive translates assets and equities denominated in foreign currencies into domestic dollars, e.g., Japanese firms convert to Yen, French firms convert to Francs, and so on. When figures from foreign subsidiary operations are consolidated into the balance sheets of the parent corporation, estimates of the company's finan-

Jan 1, 1977

By A. Blake Caldwell

In 1936 the Ertsberg story began and its development is a classic example of the courage it takes to discover one mining prospect and bring it into production. Truly, the finding and working of this mine is a modern exception to the overwhelming odds every modern prospector must surmount to be successful. Today, it takes lots of time, plenty of money and the tenacity of a bulldog to whip the laws of nature. Ertsberg ("ore mountain" in Dutch) is literally an elliptically shaped plug of magnetite which erosion has exposed for 560 ft above ground level. The deposit has been likened to an ice cream cone with the outcrop the ice cream, which is above ground, and with the cone buried below the surface. Assaying about 2.5% Cu, the 33 million tons of ore also carry 0.025 oz Au and 0.265 oz Ag per ton.

Jan 1, 1970

By Jonathan S. Jackson, Bruce P. Ream

Leach water management is one of the few areas in dump leaching subject to operator control. As such, it is of considerable importance. Theoretical considerations indicate that high leach solution application rates are inefficient in washing solubilized copper from dumps. The high rates cause unnecessary dilution of copper values, raising unit recovery costs. Use of excessive amounts of leach solution also cools dumps, resulting in reduced leaching rates. This paper reviews leach solution application methods and details the results of field tests run to determine the benefits and feasibility of low versus high application rate techniques of applying water to dump surfaces.

Jan 1, 1980

By F. H. Ellinger

A BRIEF description of the thermal expansion characteristics and of the four known crystal structures among the six allotropes of plutonium has been covered in a summarizing report on plu- tonium by E. R. Jette.' A detailed description of the crystal structure and thermal expansion of y plutonium has been published.' The present paper deals with the crystal structure of d plutonium, and with the thermal expansion of 6, 6' and € plutonium, as determined by X-ray diffraction methods. The X-ray diffraction patterns were taken in Uni-cam high temperature powder cameras using fil-

Jan 1, 1957

By Howard Eavenson

SOME time ago, in a conference considering the mechanizing of a group of mines, I was asked if I knew of any data showing the relative frequency of accidents due to the use of 275 or 550-volt current inside mines and having a recollection of seeing some in print, the answer was made that I would find what was available. Subsequent search failed to find any pub-lished records of any kind giving such figures and none of the compensation agencies of whom inquiry was made were able to supply any, excepting the Pennsyl-vania Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau, which had some data covering a few months for some companies in that State. The inquiry was confined to the three largest producing States, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Illinois. The inspection departments of neither of the first two had any such records, and in Illinois, only 275 volts has been allowed inside the mines for many years. A laborious inquiry has resulted in the data, shown in Table 1, which on this account was confined to the years 1921 and 1925, the latter being the latest figures available. In each State, to find the mines using 275 and 550-volt current respectively, it was necessary to list the mines from the Coal Catalog, and then to complete the list by inquiries from the companies directly, from Operators' Associations and from Inspection Depart-ments. As the mines not electrified, and those using

Jan 5, 1928

By Harrison Schmitt

IN the practice of ore finding the geologist is continually confronted with the question of oreshoot extension, so that the general problem seems worthy of systematic investigation. This problem appears when the reserves are estimated and when the advisability of deepening the shaft comes up. Moreover, there is need for lower development cost to keep pace with cost reductions in other departments, or even to offset a rising cost of ore finding or ore following. This can be gained by close geologic control of the development; and much of the geology involved is that bearing on the downward, upward, and horizontal extensions of shoots. Furthermore, the purchase of a mine or prospect often depends directly on the question of shoot extension; because it is seldom that the ore is fully developed and the purchase price is almost invariably based largely on "possible" and geologically prospective ore. Most current methods for estimating "possible" and the more nebulous classes of ore are crude and indecisive. In the following pages the extension of oreshoots is the major theme, although the more basic subject, the general art of ore finding, is given some space.

Jan 1, 1929

By W. F. Boericke

INTRODUCTION THE Wisconsin zinc district, or the Upper Mississippi lead. and zinc district as it is also termed, lies in the southwestern corner of Wisconsin, and embraces adjacent portions of Illinois and Iowa. It includes Iowa, Grant, and Lafayette counties in Wisconsin, and Jo Davies county in Illinois. In Iowa, Dubuque formerly produced considerable lead, but there has been little mining there in recent years. The map, Fig. 1, shows the entire district, with roads, railways, streams, and the various towns, or "camps," around Which the mines. are clustered. The hatchwork indicates the areas iii which lead and zinc have been mined. The district is about 60 mi. (96 km.) north and south and about 40 mi. (64 km.) east and west. Not all of the territory is mineral bearing, and there are considerable areas that are believed to be barren. The grouping of the mines is patchy and irregular, though certain broad zones of mineralization extend almost the full width of the district, as from Mineral Point west through Mifflin and Livingston, and from Shullsburg west through New Diggings and Hazel Green. It is worth noting that the best mines of the district have, to date, been found within 10 mi. east or west of the fourth principal meridian line, thus lying within a long, narrow, north-and-south belt extending the length of the district. In a field as large as the Wisconsin, which has only within com-paratively recent time been worked intensively for zinc, the. chances are good for, opening new and important orebodies in parts of the district not yet, or insufficiently, prospected. However, the prospecting has been most successful around, or adjacent to, the old lead diggings of nearly a century ago, and the camps that were well known then are still centers of activity. In their order of importance they are: New Diggings, Benton, Mifflin-Livingston, Galena, Linden, Hazel Green, Shullsburg, and Highland.

Jan 8, 1919

By J. E. Tobey, David R. Mitchell, J. H. Kerrick

DETAILED knowledge of purchase specifications established by coal consumers is essential to the successful design and operation of a coal-preparation plant. ANTHRACITE Specifications should be considered by both the consumer and the producer as guide posts outlining a certain path for both to follow. Plants differ, therefore specifications must differ to meet the varied requirements. Specifications are not of themselves a "cure all" or an assurance of complete satisfaction in fuel utilization. Specifications should not be regarded as a license to engage in an orgy of buying any and all coals that may happen to fall within their limits. This would lead to the indiscriminate mixing of coals which may vary in their burning characteristics. Different coals of equal grade tend to be individualistic in their burning characteristics. Rather, specifications should be used to help simplify coal selection, to reduce the actual number of coals used over a given period; in other words, to have a stabilizing influence on coal or customer turnover. In the final analysis, the use of too many coals per year in a plant is costly to both the consumer and the producer. Too many sources usually result in higher operating and maintenance costs for the consumer and higher sales costs for the producer. Finally, the statement included in the report accompanying the com¬prehensive Coal Selection Charts prepared by the Coal Committee of the National Association of Purchasing Agents, and released in 1938, is significant. This Committee worked diligently for a period of 15 years seeking to find a scientific and reliable method for selecting coals. The two following paragraphs are quoted from its report: More important is the fact that no ready-made classification or set of specifications can possibly replace the judgment and resourcefulness of an experienced combustion engineer or fuel technologist, nor the usual need for full scale plant tests under the exact conditions of use before a final decision is made ...

Jan 1, 1943

By Dr. O’Neil Thomas J., Donald W. Gentry

The greatest of all gifts is the power to estimate things at their true worth. LaRockefoucauld INTRODUCTION The primary reason for performing a feasibility study on a proposed mining venture is to investigate all phases of the proposal in as much detail as necessary to justify either dropping the project or continuing expenditures through the next stage. The economic evaluation component of the feasibility study, therefore, must ultimately be based on information which provides an answer to the question, "What is it going to cost?" Unfortunately engineers preparing feasibility studies never have all the engineering or economic information they would like or need. Consequently, the economic portion of the analysis can only be performed if estimates of the various costs associated with the project are made. Project cost estimates, in turn, require estimates of all the physical factors affecting cost components, including anticipated performance of plant and equipment as well as all pertinent geologic, mineralogic, and metallurgical variables. Before useful cost estimating procedures can be applied considerable data must be collected, compiled, and organized. Preparatory work typically includes organization of cost data available for estimating purposes, development of techniques for updating historical costs, and establishing methods of forecasting prices and costs over the duration of the project. Cost estimates for mining and mineral processing projects involve so many features and variables that it is absolutely essential to have some means by which the vast amount of detail can be organized. It is very important to identify, in as much detail as possible, all the cost data available (historical and developed) to the estimator. These costs, after being properly identified in detail, should be com- piled, stored, updated regularly, and made readily available for use in developing new cost estimates Accessing files of current cost information requires a standardized numerical system of classifying cost data. When uniform definitions and procedures are used, every project record contributes to the common store of estimating data.

Jan 1, 1984

By R. W. Bond

The gas-lift is a comparatively recent development in the Oklahoma and Kansas fields. It was used to some extent in the old Dilworth field several years ago, but the first extensive installations were made in the Tonkawa and Garber fields in Oklahoma early in the year 1926. Compressor Equipment During the early development of the system, the equipment used generally consisted of small tandem compressors of about 250 cu. ft. per min. displacement, driven by automotive-type gas engines, using a short belt drive. These compressors were first installed at the individual wells largely as an experiment. After the experimental installations had proved the method a success, it was considered economically advisable to centralize the compressor equipment in strategically located stations. However, as the information in regard to "gas-lift flowing life" was anything but definite, and the most optimistic estimates in regard to it did not exceed six months, portability of equipment was still the first consideration in the minds of many operators, who continued to install srnall semi-portable com-pressors in their centralized stations. As electric power became available in the fields, the electric motor came rapidly into use as the prime mover for the small compressors. The operating cost of this motor is greater than that of the automotive-type gas engine for the same power output, but the greater continuity of service tends to balance the extra cost. Aside from the semi-portable units, a number of strictly portable compressors were used. These consisted of automotive-type gas engines direct connected to vertical compressors. The unit was assembled on one base and could be mounted on wheels or skids as desired. The chief objection to these, in the writer's opinion, was their small capacity— approximately 150 cu, ft. per min.—which made it necessary to use two, three, and sometimes more units per well, thus making the installation rather costly. However, they have been found valuable for test purposes and emergencies, where installation time is an important factor.

Jan 1, 1928