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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 W. M. Pierce

THE present work has been done in an endeavor to correlate and complete the data on the constitution of alloys of zinc with other common, metals, dealing exclusively, however, with the zinc-rich alloys in which the zinc content is between 90 and 100 per cent. This investigation has included the systems lead-zinc, cadmium-zinc, iron-zinc, copper-zinc, aluminum-zinc, nickel-zinc, manganese-zinc, cobalt-zinc, tin-zinc, and magnesium-zinc. The important ternary system zinc-lead-cadmium and the zinc corners of other ternary systems have been investigated in connection with this work but will not be dealt with here. Zinc does not form a single homogenous zinc-rich solid solution over any considerable range of concentration with any of the metals mentioned. A limited range of solid solubility is said,; by previous investigators, to occur in several cases and certain effects on the properties of zinc are attributed (with varying degrees of consistency among different writers) to the presence of certain other metals dissolved in zinc. The increasing use of rolled zinc and the possibilities offered by zinc as a casting alloy in certain fields have it made essential to determine precisely these equilibrium relationships. In carrying out this .investigation reliance was placed chiefly on two methods, conductivity measurements and microscopic analysis. The first method proved valuable in determining the existence and extent of solid solubility. The second method stands alone as a means of determining structural characteristics and supplements the first method in the measurement of solid solubility. The scleroscopic hardness of all conductivity specimens was measured partly for its value from the point of view of mechanical properties and partly; as a check on the conductivity curves in indicating the limits of solid solubility. No hardness curves are included in this paper, for in no case were they important in arriving at the constitution of any system.

Jan 2, 1922

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 James B. Vance, Parviz Mottahed

An extensive research program has been carried out at PCS Mining for some time into the use of high frequency microseismic emissions in the range of 30-200 kHz for roof fall warning in the mines. A laboratory investigation on loaded samples of potash has established a close correlation between acoustic emissions and the applied load. The tests also indicated the occurrence of the Kaiser effect. The positive and encouraging response from underground testing and controlled laboratory testing has lead to the extension of the investigation into correlation of the high frequency microseismic emissions and the change in stress distribution due to mining. Hydraulic borehole pressure cells were installed at different depths ahead of the advancing boring machine. The output due to the stress change and the microseismic event count was monitored by a continuous chart recorder. This paper discusses the results of this instrumentation. The results confirm the strong correlation between the two measured parameters and outlines future areas of research for the use of the high frequency microseismic emission techniques in quantifying the changes in stress distribution.

Jan 1, 1984

By Floyd Kelley

THERE is an ever-increasing demand for furnaces with controlled atmosphere, due to the large quantities of steel being used in the automotive industry, such as the .high-chromium stainless irons, the 18 Cr, 8 Ni stainless iron and low-carbon steel sheets. The difficulties involved in the annealing of such materials, if they are to be kept absolutely free from oxidation, are many. It is possible to bright-anneal these steels in small laboratory hydrogen furnaces, using specially purified hydrogen and taking some additional precautions. In the first place, the insulation, usually of alumina or magnesia, holds small amounts of water vapor, which it is almost impossible to remove completely. Secondly, there is always condensation of water vapor in the cooling chambers of such furnaces, and with the continuous circulation of the hydrogen gas in the furnace, the water vapor is carried from the cooling chamber back into the heating chamber. This water vapor oxidizes the charge. Lastly, the supply of moisture is made sure by the diffusion of small amounts of air from the atmosphere into the furnace against the pressure of the hydrogen. The oxygen combines with the hydrogen and forms more water. Under such conditions there is, little gained by using specially purified gas, because it becomes contaminated after reaching the furnace.

Jan 1, 1931

In their presentations Dr. Puddington and Dr. Stratton-Crawley have concentrated on spherical agglomeration and two-liquid extraction respectively. I should like here to complete the picture by putting these two techniques together in context with other techniques in which non-polar oils are used in the concentration and separation of minerals. Although these techniques are invariably treated separately and have been studied in isolation, there is a lot to be said for considering them together and trying to systematize their similarities and differences. This I take as a principle guideline in my introduction to this discussion. Four processes can be distinguished on the basis of the dosage of oil required: --simple flotation with collector-extender --agglomeration (emulsion) flotation --spherical agglomeration --two-liquid separation Dr. Stratton-Crawley has suggested that "pigment flushing" could find application in the treatment of ores. This is an interesting suggestion. However, the process can be regarded as a variant of two-liquid extraction, and it is convenient for me to do so in this discussion. Table 1 sets out some main features of these techniques. The first, in which the oil is used to enhance the strength and reduce the dosage of the collector is not designed for and has no special advantages in the treatment of fines, and therefore will not be further treated here. To add to the details appearing in the Table, thumbnail sketches of the other three, which all do show particular efficacy in the treatment of fine particles, are given below.

Jan 1, 1979

By Henry A. Wentworth

Electrostatic separation of ores in its present form is generally known as the Huff process, from the name of Charles H. Huff, of Boston, Mass., through whose constant and persistent labors (with the invention of Clinton E. Dolbear as a basis) the successful commercial process embracing separative machinery and the various electrifying devices has been developed step by step, and the finances for the long period of development provided, and the method finally established and recognized throughout the world as an important and successful addition to the ore-dressing department of metallurgy. The permanent field-success of electrostatic separation began in 1908 with a 20-ton Huff experimental mill built specially for the purpose by the American Zinc, Lead & Smelting Go., in Platterille, Wis., a plant which was a success from the start and was gradually increased in capacity as the market-conditions warranted to 100 tons of concentrates per day. Much credit is due to the above-mentioned company for its initial

Jan 1, 1913

By R. L. Loofbourow

We are concerned with the destabilizing effects of water inflow and remedies which can be used to reduce that cause. The number of these remedies which have already been demonstrated in mining may be a surprise. Several possible remedies, well known in other work seem worth trial. In saw mines the destabilizing effect of inflow is negligible; in others it can be disaster. Inflow can reduce stability in mining for very nearly, if not all minerals, whether by open pit or under- ground methods. It might cause trouble in saw under water work. As examples of these effects consider hydrostatic pressure on the walls of fractures and ' lubrication' of clay seams. Skin protection by paint or gunite is not likely to help. It is generally necessary to go deeper, for example to drain the ground more effectively or to reduce inflow. The improvement of stability is but one of a score of possible advantages attainable with water control. Most of these advantages would help costs as wet mines go deeper for leaner ore while coping with more restraints and higher costs of per, labor and supplies. Investigation is promising!

Jan 1, 1983