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By Ralph H. Kress

Haulage trucks designed expressly for mine service were introduced about 35 years ago. The first models to arrive on the scene hauled about 15 tons and easily outperformed the modified highway trucks that had been used for mine haulage up to that time. The specialized trucks obviously had a greater potential for mining operations, and once this fact was recognized, competitive pressures in both the mining and truck-manufacturing industries drove the new vehicles toward ever more efficient performance. Many changes in truck design resulted, but not all were accepted for a variety of reasons. Often poor design was the reason, but in many cases progressive and promising designs were abandoned only because the truck manufacturer lacked the courage, tenacity, or vision to capitalize on them. There were also many cases where a promising new design was abandoned because the prototypes were initiated in a mine where personnel lacked the patience to prove them. Truck Startup Takes A Team Ally new truck that is to succeed and contribute to lower mine haulage costs must be well conceived and launched with good teamwork on the part of all concerned. Naturally, it is essential to have a good overall truck design at the outset to make this teamwork worthwhile. The design must include the selection of the right components manufactured by suppliers that can each do justice to their particular part of the new truck. Last, but by no means least, the mine operator where the truck is to be launched must be enthusiastic in his efforts to see the new vehicle through to successful operation.

Jan 1, 1971

By Rollyn P. Jacobson

The town of Pacific, in Jefferson County, Mo., is 27 miles west of St. Louis. Since the area lies entirely on the flood plain of a cut-off meander of the Meramac River, it was considered a likely environment for accumulation of commercial quantities of sand and gravel. Excellent transportation facilities are afforded by two major railways to St. Louis, and ample water supply for washing and separation is assured by the proximity of the river. As a large washing and separation plant was planned, the property was evaluated in detail to justify the high initial expenditure. An intensive testing program using both geophysical and drilling methods was designed and carried out. The prospect was surveyed topographically and a 200-ft grid staked on which electrical resistivity depth profiles were observed at 130 points. The Wenner 4-electrode configuration and earth resistivity apparatus* were used. In all but a few cases, the electrode spacing, A, was increased in increments of 1% ft to a spread of 30 ft and in increments of 3 ft thereafter.

Jan 2, 1955

By Frederick Tickell

PETROLEUM engineers are displaying considerable interest in those fundamental properties of matter and energy that control the phenomena of oil and gas production. The subject is a difficult one to investigate by laboratory experiments for two reasons: (1) it is impossible to reproduce in the laboratory the scale of forces and dimensions that exist in the underground reservoir; (2) if we attempt to scale down the dimensions we are unable to reduce all proportionally. It is as if we tried to construct a model blast furnace for the reduction of iron ore, and reduced all lineal dimensions. We should find that the interstices between the miniature chunks of ore would not .permit rapid transfer of gases, that combustion and heat transfer would not take place as in the full size furnace and that, in short, the contraption would not work. Just so, when we attempt to make a reduced scale oil field we find we must have, not only miniature reservoir and miniature wells, but "miniature" sand, oil, gas, etc. Much valuable work, however, has been done along these experimental lines and more will no doubt follow, but investigators should bear this point in mind and strive to attain dimensional homogeneity and dynamical similarity in order that their conclusions may be translated into terms applying to the oil reservoir. As Gibson says,1 "These conditions are attained when all terms of the physical equation have the same dimensions, . . . when all corresponding particles of the two systems trace out similar paths and when the velocities are such as to make all corresponding forces acting on two such particles in the same ratio. It is the purpose of this paper to discuss the mechanics of fluid movement as it pertains to the oil pool and to point out the complexity of the laws of fluid delivery under the conditions often found.

Jan 1, 1928

By Richard L. Ash, Thomas E. Pearse

Most theories of blasting phenomena are based on the condition that explosive charges have a spherical shape. If a cylindrical charge is considered, the explosive is usually assumed to have an infinite velocity of detonation. Another limitation is also often imposed whereby only one free face is considered to exist. Unfortunately, these conditions all serve to limit the number of variables involved and tend to over-simplify analyses. The result is that explanations for actual effects from blasts are seldom realistic. In addition, no solution has yet been found to explain the actions of certain blasting agents that appear to stress materials in a different manner than do many of the high explosives. In order to determine causes for some of the unexplained phenomena, investigations were conducted by the writers on both actual field blasts and theoretical problems. Although many solutions have been proposed to explain the rock breakage processes, none relate the effects of hole depth, explosive and rock energy- propagation velocities with charge placement geometry. Evidence indicates there is a definite interdependence of those factors and that they are of vital importance in proper drill-pattern design. For simplicity most of the discussion in this paper applies to vertical blast-holes drilled in uniform massive rock for open pit blasting, although the basic principles presented apply to all forms of blasting with certain basic modifications being necessary for specific field conditions.

Jan 9, 1962

By Edmund Kirby

This meeting marks the point at which the long-standing dissatisfaction with the mineral-land laves, the innumerable protests against them, and the many isolated efforts to obtain relief, have developed into a general movement for the: revision. That part of the mining industry which is affected by these laws has three general organizations to speak for it: the American Institute of Mining Engineers, Mining and Metallurgical Society of America, and the American "A Mining Congress: all of which are represented in this meeting. In the series of able and thoughtful presented here, prominent men have discussed the evils of the present laws aid some of the reforms which should be made in them. We all appreciate fully the ultimate value of these studies; but we are also painfully aware of the fact that discussion of this kind has been going on for a quarter of a century without any other effect than a steady increase in the mass of printed records stored on library shelves. In order to get any practical result we must induce an indifferent government at Washington to act, and to do this we must unite in pushing some practical plan whereby it may act in a simple and effective way and with the least possible amount of criticism or opposition. The actual question before us is not whether the mining laws are bad; for their evils and absurdities are not only beyond discussion but also beyond the resources of a temperate and dignified vocabulary. It is not what particular changes ought to be made; for it is premature to make specific recommendations until there is some one to listen to them. Moreover, we all know that there are wisdom and experience enough available, and awaiting that time, for the creation of a code which would be a model to the mining world. The practical question now is, how to obtain the revision; and since the American Mining Congress has of late restricted its attention to this phase of the problem I wish as one of its representatives here to present its views upon the matter.

Jan 6, 1914

By Swapan Bhattacharya

United States federal and state regulatory authorities require underground mine operators to adopt adequate measures to minimize material damage to the surface caused by mine subsidence. This paper presents an approach to define and determine the extent of material damage due to subsidence from underground coal mining. The basic steps involved in the development of adequate criteria have been enumerated together with the approaches and methodologies used.

Jan 1, 1984

By A. H. Lindley, Fraizer M. Stewart

For many years large mining companies were able to finance nearly all of their capital requirements from internally generated funds. However, during the last decade, funds needed for capital expenditures, dividends, and scheduled debt retirement have grown faster than cash flow. As a result the minerals industry has had to rely increasingly on other sources of funds. Getting the capital for new mining projects is a challenge, particularly for smaller companies. New methods of financing and new variations to old methods have been developed and more are needed. Commercial banks are short-term lenders. By policy their loans are limited to low risk loans-those made solely on the borrower's general credit, and secured loans where cash flow is sufficient to provide repayment within a comparatively short term. To maintain liquidity, banks prefer to make loans of less than seven years' term. If a longer loan is needed an insurance company or pension trust may take the long-term part.

Jan 1, 1971

By Albert Burch

AN analysis of this subject demands a study of the theory and practice of the present system, conclusions as to its merits, and recommendations for remedying its defects if any be found. Theory of the Present Law The theory of the present law with reference to lode locations contemplates the existence upon the surface of mineral-bearing veins which have clearly marked boundaries, and which can be so readily traced that a locator may immediately mark the boundaries of his 600 by 1,500 ft. claim in such a way that the vein will pass through both of its end-lines. It also supposes that, having discovered such a mineral-bearing vein, the locator will at once post a notice upon such discovery, mark the boundaries of his location in such a manner that they can be readily traced, and from that time forward have absolute title to the ground embraced within such boundaries, as against every person except the United States. For initiating title to placer ground, the law presupposes the discovery of a valuable mineral deposit; but not necessarily in place, as in the case of lode claims; and the location must be made to conform "as nearly as may be" to the legal subdivisions of the United States public land survey. When the placer law was extended to include the acquisition of title to oil lands, no exception was made as to the necessity for the discovery of valuable mineral in advance of location!

Jan 6, 1914

By F. Keller, A. H. Geisler

Some of the important changes that take place in the structure of aluminum alloys are largely submicroscopic in character. This is especially true of the changes that accompany age-hardening and recrystallization. Although improved metallographic practices have been helpful in indicating some of these changes indirectly, results are limited by the resolving power of optical microscope lenses. The electron microscope, however, provides a new and important means for investigating the fine structure of metals in a range not possible heretofore. It is anticipated that this microscope will yield new and useful information to metallurgists when suitable techniques are developed to utilize its very high resolving power. Several unique methods have been devised to permit the examination of the structure of opaque samples by the electron microscope. These are all based on the principle of producing a very thin film that represents the prepared surface of the opaque metal sample, which can be examined in the transmission microscope; however, the available methods fall into three categories, depending on the manner in which the film is obtained. With the oxide-film method developed by Mahl3-17 a very thin surface layer of the metallographic sample is converted into oxide by a thermal, chemical or anodic treatment. After removal from the metal sample by one of the special techniques described by Evans,19 this oxide film is examined in the electron microscope, and is found to portray the structure of the original metal surface. Films formed on aluminum,8,17 nickel,7 iron 3,8,9 and a nickel-beryllium alloy" by heating; films formed on iron 8.9 by chemical action; and films formed on aluminum3-16 by anodic oxidation, have been examined. The other two are more recent methods developed principally in this country; they consist in making the thin film in the form of a mold or replica of the surface contour of an etched sample. With the negative replica method the thin film is made directly on the sample; with the positive replica method it is made on a negative reproduction of the sample. With both methods, variations in the contour of the metal sample, caused mainly by etching, produce variations in the thickness of the surface replica. Because of the direct dependence of the amount of scattering of the illuminating electrons upon the thickness of the film penetrated, only the variations in thickness of the replica are responsible for tones in the electron image. Negative replicas are made by forming a thin film of some suitable material directly on the polished and etched metal sample, and derive their name from the fact that after removal from the sample they have the high and low points in the sample reversed, as shown in Fig. I. Nega-

Jan 1, 1944

The first prize of the President's Prizes has been awarded to J. J. Beeson for his paper entitled "Disseminated Copper Ores of Bingham, Canyon." When this paper-was written, Mr. Beeson was a student at Stanford University, and was president of the Stanford Geological and Mining Society. The President's prizes were established in 1915, funds being provided, at that time for three prizes of $50, $30 and $20 respectively, for the best essays, or other papers submitted in competition by Junior Members and Members of Affiliated, Student Societies. The original intention was to award all three during the year 1915, but the committee has deemed it advisable to extend the time for the second and third prizes, and the Secretary of the Institute will be glad to hear from any member who wishes to compete for one of these prizes. A competitor for the President's Prizes must be, at the time of submitting his essay, either a Junior Member or a Member of an Affiliated Student Society of this Institute. The essays must be upon some subject related to Mining, Economic Geology, or Metallurgy. I11 malting the awards, special weight will be given to originality in investigation and treatment; and to 'literary merit. As a general rule, the essays should not be less than 3,000, nor

Jan 5, 1917

By Herman Dykstra, R. L. Parsons

A numerical method for solving partial differential equations in steady state fluid flow is described. This method, known as the "relaxation method," has two advantages over analytical methods: (1) practically any problem can be solved, and (2) a solution can be obtained quickly. A disadvautage is that the solution is not general. The method is applied to core analysis and relative permeability measurement to calculate constriction effects and to calculate the true pressure drop measured by a center tap in a Hassler type relative permeability apparatus. Further applications are suggested. INTRODUCTION Many problems in fluid flow cannot be solved analytically because of the nature of the boundary conditions. For many problems, however. an exact answer is not necessary because boundary conditions are not exactly defined or the parameters describing the porous medium are not accurately known. The relaxation method can be used to obtain an approximate answer easily and quickly for the flow of incompressible fluids in porous media. The method can also be used for other types of problems, such as determining the stress in a shaft under load. or the temperature distribution during steady state heat flow. In this discussion only calculations concerned with the flow of fluids in porous media will be considered. The method was introduced by R. V. Southwell in 1935.' THEORY The treatment given here follows that given by Enimons.2 Consider a porous medium to be replaced entirely by a net of tubes of equal length and uniform cross-sectional area as shown in part in Fig. 1. Assume that the net of tubes behaves exactly like the porous medium which it replaces; that is, the net can be made fine enough to reproduce exactly the porous medium. Assume also that Darcy's Law can be used to calculate the flow from one point to another point through these tubes. The flow from point 1 to point 0 is KA . ------ P-P) .......(11 where a is the distance between points: K is the "permeability" of a tube; A is the cross-sectional area of a tube; is the viscosity of the liquid in the porous medium; and (P1 — P0) is the pressure difference between point 1 and point 0. In like manner the flow can be calculated from points 2, 3, and 4 to point 0. The net flow into point 0 is Qo = KA/µa (P1 + P2 + P33 + P4-4P0) . . (2) MB For an incompressible fluid the net flow into point 0 will be zero or, Q. = 0. This says that at point 0 fluid is neither being accumulated nor depleted. 'Therefore. P1 + P2 + P3 + P4 - 4P0 = 0 .... (3) . If. now. with specified boundary conditions. the pressure i.; known at a finite number of points in a given region, as at the points shown in Fig. 1, Equation (3) will be satisfied at every point. If, on the other hand, the pressure is not known, the pressure can be guessed at these points. Then. unless the guess is perfect. Equation (3) will not be satisfied at all of the points. When Equatiol~ (3,) is not satisfietl. let d = P1 + I?, + P, + P, - If' .,....(4) where 6 is an apparent error and is called the residual at point 0. Equation (4) shows how much the pressure guess is in error at point 0 with respect to the surrounding points. A positive residual means that the pressure is too low, and a negative residual means that the pressure is too high. To bring the residual, 6. to zero in order to satisfy Equation (3). it is necessary to make changes in the pressure guesses. Equation (4) shows that a +1 change in Po will change the residual at point 0 by -4. A +1 change in the pressure at any of the four surrounding points will change the residual at point 0 by +l. Thus it can be seen that a change at any point will affect the residual at that point and the four surrounding points. By changing the pressure from point to point, all of the residuals can eventually be brought nearly to zero and the problem will be solved. This procedure is the essence of relaxation methods and is used to relax the residuals so that Equation (3) is satisfied at every point. The procedure can be most easily explained in detail by solving a simple problem. as Southwell says, "To explain every detail of a practical technique is to risk an appearance of complexity and difficulty which may repel the reader. A

Jan 1, 1951

By R. L. Parsons, Herman Dykstra

A numerical method for solving partial differential equations in steady state fluid flow is described. This method, known as the "relaxation method," has two advantages over analytical methods: (1) practically any problem can be solved, and (2) a solution can be obtained quickly. A disadvautage is that the solution is not general. The method is applied to core analysis and relative permeability measurement to calculate constriction effects and to calculate the true pressure drop measured by a center tap in a Hassler type relative permeability apparatus. Further applications are suggested. INTRODUCTION Many problems in fluid flow cannot be solved analytically because of the nature of the boundary conditions. For many problems, however. an exact answer is not necessary because boundary conditions are not exactly defined or the parameters describing the porous medium are not accurately known. The relaxation method can be used to obtain an approximate answer easily and quickly for the flow of incompressible fluids in porous media. The method can also be used for other types of problems, such as determining the stress in a shaft under load. or the temperature distribution during steady state heat flow. In this discussion only calculations concerned with the flow of fluids in porous media will be considered. The method was introduced by R. V. Southwell in 1935.' THEORY The treatment given here follows that given by Enimons.2 Consider a porous medium to be replaced entirely by a net of tubes of equal length and uniform cross-sectional area as shown in part in Fig. 1. Assume that the net of tubes behaves exactly like the porous medium which it replaces; that is, the net can be made fine enough to reproduce exactly the porous medium. Assume also that Darcy's Law can be used to calculate the flow from one point to another point through these tubes. The flow from point 1 to point 0 is KA . ------ P-P) .......(11 where a is the distance between points: K is the "permeability" of a tube; A is the cross-sectional area of a tube; is the viscosity of the liquid in the porous medium; and (P1 — P0) is the pressure difference between point 1 and point 0. In like manner the flow can be calculated from points 2, 3, and 4 to point 0. The net flow into point 0 is Qo = KA/µa (P1 + P2 + P33 + P4-4P0) . . (2) MB For an incompressible fluid the net flow into point 0 will be zero or, Q. = 0. This says that at point 0 fluid is neither being accumulated nor depleted. 'Therefore. P1 + P2 + P3 + P4 - 4P0 = 0 .... (3) . If. now. with specified boundary conditions. the pressure i.; known at a finite number of points in a given region, as at the points shown in Fig. 1, Equation (3) will be satisfied at every point. If, on the other hand, the pressure is not known, the pressure can be guessed at these points. Then. unless the guess is perfect. Equation (3) will not be satisfied at all of the points. When Equatiol~ (3,) is not satisfietl. let d = P1 + I?, + P, + P, - If' .,....(4) where 6 is an apparent error and is called the residual at point 0. Equation (4) shows how much the pressure guess is in error at point 0 with respect to the surrounding points. A positive residual means that the pressure is too low, and a negative residual means that the pressure is too high. To bring the residual, 6. to zero in order to satisfy Equation (3). it is necessary to make changes in the pressure guesses. Equation (4) shows that a +1 change in Po will change the residual at point 0 by -4. A +1 change in the pressure at any of the four surrounding points will change the residual at point 0 by +l. Thus it can be seen that a change at any point will affect the residual at that point and the four surrounding points. By changing the pressure from point to point, all of the residuals can eventually be brought nearly to zero and the problem will be solved. This procedure is the essence of relaxation methods and is used to relax the residuals so that Equation (3) is satisfied at every point. The procedure can be most easily explained in detail by solving a simple problem. as Southwell says, "To explain every detail of a practical technique is to risk an appearance of complexity and difficulty which may repel the reader. A

Jan 1, 1951

By P. F. Mataich

When the subject of plant computers is brought up most people visualize the computer's con- trolling the entire plant with very little operator intervention. Actually, this picture is true today in only a limited number of cases and will certainly not be true in the minerals industries for many years to come. There are several ways in which a plant computer can significantly contribute to improving plant operation and closed loop control is only one of these. First of all, for good plant control, two basic requirements must be met. First, the operator must get good information feedback from the process and then he must know what action to take in response to this information. Control information can be obtained through instruments, laboratory analyses, or through simple visual observation. If it is timely and accurate and the operator knows how to use it, then we have the makings of a good plant control system. The computer can be of help in both these areas by getting good data back to the operator and in helping to develop a good control scheme for the plant.

Jan 12, 1966

By Ben F. Dickerson

Mineral exploration programs have often experienced mismanagement in the decision-making process, and these errors have consequently resulted in stockholder losses. Unfortunately, the events leading to these errors are little known and rarely studied, since managers aren't prone to publicizing their mistakes. However, a bit of magnified hindsight may serve to identify some of the problems. It is interesting to note that there does not seem to be a generally agreed-upon definition of the role and function of exploration management. Several articles have addressed this subject, written by both academic and industry exploration personnel. Two apparent thought trends can be observed: First, the theoreticians insist that modern scientific management principles can be directly applied, without modification, to mineral exploration. However, when one searches for the rules, the proponents rapidly retreat behind the computers and talk learnedly of management information systems and game theory.

Jan 6, 1978

By R. S. Rickard, H. D. Peterson, M. C. Fuerstenau, J. D. Miller

The flotation characteristics of the oxide copper minerals, malachite, azurite, and cuprite, have not presented the difficulty for concentration as have those of the copper silicate, chrysocolla. The copper carbonates and oxides respond reasonably well to flotation with conventional collectors, whereas chrysocolla will not respond to flotation with fatty acids or xanthates under normal flotation conditions. In this view then, other reagents will have to be devised to function as collectors for chrysocolla. The most obvious general class of reagents for this purpose would seem to be the organic copper chelating compounds. The utility of chelating agents as collectors in flotation systems has already been demonstrated.1-6

Jan 4, 1966

Said Plutarch a long time ago, ?To appreciate a man's work at the full, it is well to know the man himself, his circumstances and the incidents of his career." He might as truly have said "gift" instead of "work." Ambrose Swasey, engineer, collaborater with scientists, promoter of engineering research, patron of Engineering Foundation, advancer of the good of mankind, modest gentleman and generous giver, is, happily, well known to a great many engineers, who will therefore more fully appreciate his recent additional gift, for the use of the Engineering Foundation, which; purpose is "the furtherance of research in science and engineering, and the advancement of the profession of engineering and the good of mankind." But full appreciation of a gift of money necessitates more than acquaintance with -the giver and knowledge of the amount. Its timeliness; its inspiration; the character and continuity of its benefits, all must be comprehended. But whose imagination, though far-visioned as the great telescopes Mr. Swasey has built, can see the limits of benefit of such gifts as he has made to the Engineering Foundation, attracting-as they will-other gifts and evidences of, devotion to a great cause-? Every such gift lays responsibilities upon the recipients. Will American engineers grasp not merely, their pecuniary value but also emulate the spirit of fraternity and desire for harmony which have accompanied them? Shall we not work together and with Ambrose Swasey to advance still further the good of mankind, thus to demonstrate an acceptance of our obligations to humanity which is a counterpart in a democracy of the noblesse oblige of aristocratic tradition?

Jan 12, 1918

By Michael K. O’Leary, William D. Coplin

Risks from political instability and government policies restricting equity ownership, local operations and transfers of payments affect the profitability of foreign mining ventures. More than seat-of-the-pants judgments and old-boy networks are required to anticipate these risks and to take actions appropriate to offsetting them. A system for making political forecasts, called the Prince System, and a series of charts relaying risks to a production of key minerals has been developed.

Jan 1, 1985

By S. P. Brown, J. E. Worthington

Increasingly, exploration geology seems to be growing into a practice overly separated from production geology, yet the eventual purpose of exploration is a producing mine. To help in the search for new deposits, exploration "lessons" will be drawn from the papers given at the Fall AIME Applied Geology Symposium. In addition, examples will be re-emphasized to show how early observation of matters now routine to mine work (for example, hydrology, rock mechanics, oxidation state) can help increase the effectiveness of exploration.

Jan 1, 1984

By C. F. Willis

The time is no longer when a man can act as an independent unit; the appreciation of the interdependence of one man upon another has emphasized the importance of the social unit. Epidemics have made us recognize that even a man's health is not distinctly his own to control as he pleases. The physical examination of workmen previous to employment started with an effort to prevent the spread of tuberculosis, for tuberculosis may be detected in its early stages and cured. But it was soon found that many other diseases were detected and the saving of lives made possible. The physical examination does not mean the elimination of the unfit—on that basis it would utterly fail—but rather the measuring of a man's physical fitness and placing the man where he can do the best for himself, his fellow worker, and the company. Industry as a whole cannot expect to live up to the standard of physical examination set for the army, nor should it expect to do so, for in all branches of industry there are types of work that do not require the same amount of endurance as does army work, and the lacing of men with physical limitations in the work for which they are capable permits a higher average of physical fitness for the work requiring physical excellence. Objects of Physical Examination The objects of physical examination are: The early detection of illness, particularly at a time when a full restoration of health is possible; the protection of employees from infection caused by working in contact with contagious diseases; the discovery of a man's physical limitations, in so far as his possibility for rendering good service is concerned; assistance to the safety movement by eliminating association in hazardous occupations with men whose physical condition renders them likely to accident to themselves and others; and the lessening of time lost by sickness. Statistics issued by the United States Department of Labor show that 22.54 per cent. of idleness is caused by sickness, with an average number of 7.71 weeks idle; whereas only 1.66 per cent. is caused by acci-

Jan 1, 1920

By George B. Clark

THE geological data emphasized so successfully in prospecting for new deposits, that is, structural controls, strength of solutions, and type of mineralization, are basically those required for successful exploitation. In the mining of newly discovered deposits the most economical methods should be employed as early as possible to keep the overall cost per unit produced at a minimum and to permit maximum extraction of valuable minerals. A crucial question is: How can geological data be translated into useful quantitative results which will aid in achieving this end? H. E. McKinistry1 has suggested that a solution may be reached in one of two ways: 1-the usual approach, use of judgment based on experience; or 2-mathematical calculations and tests on models, both subject to certain limitations. He also suggests that in addition to better use of geology more case data and theoretical data are needed on which to base sound judgment. Further research, therefore, is necessary. Perhaps in this field the emphasis should be on more specialization in mining methods and ground movement by men with thorough training in physics, engineering, geology, and underground mining. These specialists would be equipped to point out the most economical and scientific methods of exploitation.

Jan 8, 1954