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By Louis Doremus Huntoon

HAVE been asked many times by financial men in New York as to the best way of securing an interest or control of a gold mine in Canada. It must be understood at the start that prospectors and early owners will not sell a 100 per cent interest. They not only retain from 10 to 25 per cent interest, depending upon the work done, but usually demand more or less cash to reimburse them for expenses. These conditions are accepted by Canadian capital and operating mines looking for new properties. The winter is not a hindrance to work but may be of great advantage. The overburden of soil and gravel is generally wet and most difficult to trench in the summer time especially if at all deep. The snow also permits easy transportation of freight. Properties distant from rail transport all of their machinery and supplies during the winter months.

Jan 1, 1933

By C. J. Bechtoldt, H. C. Vacher

Quenched alloys, prepared by powder metallurgical techniques, were examined by microscopic and X-ray diffraction methods. The compositions and heat treatments were chosen so that the chromium and nickel solvuses could be determined and a range of composition and temperature, in which a eutectoid had been reported, could be explored in small intervals. The results showed no evidence of eutectoid reactions having taken place. ALLOYS containing iron, chromium, molybdenum, and nickel are extensively used in high-temperature applications. In order to provide basic information on the solid-state reactions that occur in such alloys, the National Bureau of Standards is engaged in an extensive study of the equilibrium phases in the binary, ternary, and quaternary systems involving these four metals. Attention was directed to the chromium-nickel system because a review of the literature showed conflicting data. A recent compendium1 of the constitution of binary alloys gives two diagrams for the chromium-nickel system, one a simple eutectic and the second a diagram showing a eutectoid and a eutectic. The eutectoid was the result of an allotropic transformation in a high-temperature solid-solution form of a chromium-rich phase called 0. The approximate temperature and composition of the eutectoid was 1200°C and 30 at. pct Ni. In the preliminary study, at the Bureau, no transformation was indicated in the chromium-rich phase of ternary and quaternary alloys in which chromium and nickel were major components. Similar results have been reported from time to time in the literature,2-8 In consequence of this situation, a systematic study was made of the constitution of heat-treated chromium-nickel alloys using metallographic and X-ray diffraction methods. The compositions of the alloys were selected so as to determine the boundaries of the chromium-rich and the nickel-rich phases and to explore in small intervals the ranges in composition and temperature in which the eutectoid had been reported. The results of this study are reported and discussed in the present paper. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES Materials, Alloys, and Heat Treatments—The alloys were prepared by a powder metallurgy technique similar to that used in earlier work.9 Analyses of the materials used are given in Table I. Powders were mixed using a vibrator in 30-g batches of predetermined composition; 2-g pellets were made from the mixture by compacting at room temperature in a 1/2-in. diam mold under 60,000 lb per sq in. pressure. The pellets were sintered in dry hydrogen for 10 days at 1300°C. At the end of the sintering treatment the specimens were quenched in water, which caused a pale green film to form on the chromium-rich alloys and thin black scale to form on the nickel-rich alloys. The pellets after sintering were approximately 1/2 in. diam by 3/32 in. thick. The purification train9 was modified by inserting a tube of titanium turnings, heated at 700°C to increase the efficiency of the removal of oxgen and nitrogen. It was found in the earlier work that the sintering treatment lowered the carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen contents of chromium-rich alloys to 0.01, 0.01, and 0.004 wt pct, respectively, and that there was a loss of chromium. In order to ascertain the extent of this loss, the chromium contents of certain alloys were determined chemically. They included those alloys used to determine the parameter-composition curves and those of critical composition, used to determine the chromium-solvus microscopically; these analyses were made on samples after the final heat treatments. The mixed powder values for the chromium content of those alloys that were not analyzed were adjusted to conform to a smooth curve based on the chemically analyzed values for

Jan 1, 1962

By M. H. Forester, John D. Cooner

ALTHOUGH the unmined anthracite will last for approximately A 150 years, most of the thicker and cleaner coal beds have been almost entirely first-mined and pretty well robbed, leaving much of the present and future production to come from thin and dirtier beds. Herewith is a section of one of the dirty beds being mined in the Wyoming region This section shows that 45.8 per cent of the bed is made up of impurities and that the 45 in. of coal in the bed is in five benches, the thickest of which is 19 inches. In some localities of the anthracite region there are 14 beds of minable coal. Orderly and proper mining of the coal makes it necessary to rob or second-mine-almost all beds have already been first-mined-in sequence from the top downward. Therefore the robbing of the few remaining portions of the thicker and cleaner beds is in many instances being held up by the mining of the overlying thin and dirtier coal beds. Impurities Impurities consist of fire clay, slate, rock, and bone. The latter, which is black, contains 40 to 60 per cent carbon and often resembles good coal. In some beds there are also bands of "blue" coal, which, as the name implies, is of a bluish slaty color. Although much of this "blue" coal has a carban content almost as high as the good anthracite, it is not

Jan 1, 1943

By H. M. Chance

In recent years an important function of the mining engineer has been the appraisal of the value of mining-properties required by those planning consolidations of a number of' individual operations. In no field of productive industry have the economic results attainable by consolidation been more clearly shown than in the mining-regions of the United States. In many important mining-centers unification of ownership of the most valuable properties has already partially or completely been attained, and, in other districts, projected absorptions and consolidations await only favorable financial conditions for their consummation. The iron-ore districts of the Lake Superior region, the coal-mines of Colorado, of Wyoming and of Utah, the anthracite mines of Pennsylvania, the Connellsville coking-coal mines, and large areas of bituminous coal-land in Pennsylvania, in Ohio, in the Indian Territory and in other portions of the United States, are now largely controlled by a few corporations operating on a large scale, or by a number of corporations working in harmony because of an affiliation and interleaving of interests. The tact of keen financiers and the diplomacy of men of great administrative ability are the chief operative forces in conceiving and accomplishing such consolidations, but in formulating and maturing them, the services of the mining engineer are often required to supply the facts upon which they must be based. For this purpose the expert is expected to furnish full and complete reports covering the quantity of ore, coal or other mineral available, its value per ton, cost of mining and treatment, etc. In reporting upon gold-, silver-, lead-, zinc-, copper- or iron-

Jan 1, 1905

By Benjamin C. Allen

The surface tensions of liquid chromium and manganese were determined by a modification of the dynamic drop-weight method and found to be, respectively, 1700 * 50 and 1100 * 50 dynes per cm at their melting points. Molten drops were formed LITTLE is known about the surface tension of liquid chromium and manganese, even though they are technologically important metals and widely used in steelmaking. In the past, direct determinations have been hampered by their high reactivity on the lower end of a vertically held rod inductively heated under argon. The technique essentially reproduced surface tensions reported for liquid nickel and zirconium using static drop-shape methods. and vapor pressure. In this work, surface tensions were measured by the drop-weight method, using induction heating under argon. EXPERIMENTAL WORK Chemical analyses of rods used are given in Table I. Chromium rods were prepared from iodide-process crystals which had been are-melted, hot-extruded, warm-swaged, and centerless-ground.'

Jan 1, 1964

By C. Ernest Birchenall, Gerd M. Rosenblatt

The pressure and molecular weight of the antimony vapor over solid solutions of tin in antimony, containing 97.4, 94.9, 93.0, and 90.7 at. pct Sb, have been measured from 445° to 545°C by the torsion-effision method. The vapor is all Sb, within experimental error. A solidus curve which differs somewhat from the accepted curve has been calculated using the measured antimony activities. Metallographic examination of additional annealed alloys substantiates the accepted solidus. The solid solutions, which show negative deviations from ideality, probably do not deviate greatly from regular solution behavior. HANSEN' considers the Sb-Sn phase diagram to be well established with the exception of the boundary of the (Sb) phase.* Although there have been no pre- Their data can be combined with data for the solid alloys to calculate the solidus curve of the (Sb) phase. This paper presents measurements of the pressure ant1 molecular weight of antimony over Sb-Sn solid solutions containing 97.4, 94.9, 93.0, and 90.7 at. pct sb. Measurements were made by simultaneous use of the volmer3 torsion and Knudsen, effusion methods. The results of these measurements have been combined with the vapor pressure of pure antimony5 to obtain the activity of antimony in the primary solid solutions. The solidus curve calculated from these data differs somewhat from the accepted curve and is rather uncertain. Metallographic examination of Sb-Sn alloys was carried out to clarify the position of the solidus of the (Sb) phase. EXPERIMENTAL The apparatus and technique have been described previously.5 The measurements were made with the same effusion cells and torsion wire used in the measurements on pure antimony. The torsion measurements were calibrated with mercury at 30" using a mercury vapor pressure of 2.96 x 10-3 mm Hg determined by concurrent, absolute, weight-loss experiments. As in the measurements on pure antimony, an extraneous vapor was observed to distill off during the first run after the cell had been loaded with A fresh sample of alloy and during the first minute or two of every run. The change in composition after a series of runs with one sample was of the order of 0.1 at. pct and thus completely negligible in the calculation of the thermodynamic properties. The alloys were prepared from pieces of Merck antimony and Matheson, Coleman, and Bell reagent-

Jan 1, 1962

By J. L. Huitt, B. B. McGlothlin, D. K. Lowe

Published correlations for the principal aspects of hydraulic fracturing were combined into a digital computer program to facilitate the study of interrelated variables. The computer program includes individual relationships for fracture width during pumping, fracture area generated, propping agent embedment, flow capacities of propped fractures and transport of propping agents in horizontal fractures. The effects of more than 20 treatment and formation parameters on the predicted results of hydraulic fracturing treatments were studied. The effects of these parameters were determined for (I) fracture width during injection, (2) fracture width after the overburden comes to rest on the propping agents, assumed not to be crushed, (3) generated and propped fracture area, (4) location and concentration of propping agents in the fracture when injection ceases, (5) flow capacities of the various propped sections of the fracture and (6) expected increase in the well productivity. The effects of propping agent, formation and fracturing fluid parameters on well productivity are discussed. The parameters that were found to have the most pronounced effects on hydraulic fracturing treat~nents are injection rate, treatment volume, fracturing fluid coefficient, size and amount of propping agent, spearhead volume, well drainage radius and formation capacity. INTRODUCTION Many correlations have been published for predicting effects of various parameters that are considered in the design of hydraulic fracturing treatments. The Carter equation' can be used to predict generated fracture radius as a function of fracture width, fracturing fluid leakoff and other parameters. Fracture width can be determined by use of the Perkins and Kern correlation' in which the fracture width is related to the fracture radius, fluid injection rate and certain formation and fracturing fluid parameters. Wahl and Lowe et aL4 have reported methods of predicting the location of propping agents in fractures when pumping ceases. The former study is applicable to the case where the ratio of propping agent diameter to fracture width is less than 0.1. The latter is applicable when this ratio is greater than 0.1. These studies showed that the propping agent placement in horizontal-radial fractures depends principally on how the individual particles are transported in the fracture by the carrying fluid. Particle transport in fractures is determined by local fluid velocity in the fracture, fluid and particle properties, and the size of the particle relative to the fracture width. The distribution of propping agents, effective overburden pressure and formation rock strength control the propped fracture width6 by controlling the extent to which the propping agent particles embed into the fracture faces. From the distribution of propping agents and the propped fracture width, fracture flow capacities can be calculated or the various regions of the fracture. The flow capacities and the radial extent of these regions can be combined with reservoir information to predict the productivity increases for fractured wells. In all these studies, the effects of certain treatment and/ or reservoir parameters on one facet of fracturing can be predicted only if other facets which the parameters affect are fixed. For instance, fracture width and radius are interrelated; that is, to calculate the value of one, the value of the other must be known. Also, some parameters influence more than one aspect of fracturing. For example, prop-pant transport is a function of both fracture width and fluid viscosity. but fracture width is itself a function of fluid viscosity. Since these calculations are complex and the parameters interrelated, it is not possible to write an equation with which the over-all effects of treatment parameters can be solved explicitly. For these reasons, the correlations for determining the effects of the parameters which are most significant in hydraulic fracturing treatments have been incorporated into a digital computer program. COMPUTER PROGRAM The program, which was written for an IBM 7094 computer, can be used to predict results of most of the combinations and values for the treatment parameters that are ordinarily considered for fracturing treatments. A spearhead of fracturing fluid and a propping agent-carrying fluid with different fluid properties can be taken into account. Also, the total volumes and relative amounts of the spearhead and carrying fluids can be varied. Two different propping agents (as used in tail-in operations) and a wide range of formation properties and injection rates are considered. The computer program (Fig. 12) consists of several sets of calculations. First, the final flooded fracture radius and average fracture width at the cessation of pumping are calculated. This is done by simultaneous solution of the Perkins and Kern fracture width equation and the Carter equation for flooded fracture radius (equations used in the computer program appear in the Appendix). The next step is to determine local fluid velocity in the fracture as a function of time and radius. Since it is not possible to write this function in closed form expression, a table of velocity values is generated by the program and stored for subsequent use. The time span from the beginning of

By J. A. Woolf, E. S. Leaver

The presence of soluble base metals in precious-metal ores usually precludes cyanidation as the best method of treatment. The laboratory experiments described in this paper show the possibility of cyanidation of gold-silver ores containing less than 0.5 per cent. of cyanide-soluble copper and the effect of zinc in the cyanide solution. Part I.—Copper in Cyanidation The proposed process of cyanidation of precious-metal ores containing copper is based on the regeneration of about 80 per cent. of the cyanide used in the dissolution of the copper. The method of regeneration involves a combination of the sulfide and the acid precipitation of the copper and silver. The resultant solution is made alkaline with lime, and the gold is precipitated with zinc dust. Solubility of Copper Minerals in Cyanide Solution In order to determine the solubility of copper minerals, including metallic copper, under the usual conditions for cyanidation, experiments were conducted with synthetic ores. Each ore sample was prepared by mixing the particular pure copper mineral with barren sea sand. Both the mineral and sand were ground to pass 100 mesh before they were thoroughly mixed. The percentage of copper in each head sample was determined by direct assay, excepting the metallic copper sample, which was computed on weights before mixing. Table 1 gives the results. Azurite, bornite, chalcocite, cuprite, malachite and finely divided metallic copper are readily and completely soluble under the usual conditions for cyanidation. Enargite and tetrahedrite are sufficiently soluble to cause an excessive loss of cyanide, and they also cause fouling of solutions with arsenic and antimony. Precious-metal ores containing small percentages of chalcopyrite or chrysocolla may give satisfactory returns with the usual cyanidation.

Jan 1, 1930

By P. N. Nikiforuk, M. C. Zoerb

An analog computer model has been developed of a large, walking dragline. This model permits changes in the configuration of the dragline, or changes in its digging cycle, to be readily investigated on a computer. As a result, it is possible to determine ways of improving the dragline performance without having to carry out many expensive experiments on the actual machine. This model can also be used as a simulator for dragline operator training. INTRODUCTION The movement of large volumes of material is always a costly operation and the increasing trend towards the use of large capacity equipment does not necessarily produce the economy desired. This problem is of particular concern to the mining industry in its open-pit operations where large draglines are used to remove the overburden. Since this operation often forms a very large part of the total cost of open-pit mining it is particularly important that it be kept as economical as possible. This requires that the dragline be operated at its maximum possible productivity. In order to optimize the operation of a dragline it is desirable that a suitable model of the dragline be available for study. Once such a model is available the effects of changes in the configuration of the dragline, or changes in its digging cycle, could be readily investigated on a computer and methods of improving its performance could be determined without having to carry out expensive experiments on the actual machine. Such models would be of use not only to dragline users, but also to the manufacturers of draglines for design purposes. Presumably studies of this type could eventually lead to computer-con trolled stripping operations. As far as can be determined very little work1'2 has been done on the derivation of dragline models. Such models must be derived before work of the nature indicated in the previous paragraph can be carried out. As a small contribution to this field this paper describes work that has been carried out by the senior author during the past few years on the derivation of one such model. This model describes the drag, hoist and swing operations of a 35 cu yd, commercially available, walking dragline. This model was derived for use with an analog computer and can be used either for optimization studies, or for the training of dragline operators. DESCRIPTION OF DRAGLINE General: The particular dragline for which an analog computer model was developed is owned by the Great West Coal Company of Estevan, Saskatchewan. It is a walking dragline and its function is to remove 40

Jan 1, 1967

By A. B. Calhoun

These mines, which belong to the Burma Corporation, Ltd., formerly a London company now incorporated in Rangoon, Burma, are situated in the semi-independent state of Tawng-Peng, one of the small divisions comprising the northern Shan states and erroneously known as part of Upper Burma. Bawdwin is approximately 23' 6' N. latitude and 97" 20' E. longitude, 450 miles north of Rangoon, 169 miles northcast of Mandalay and 50 miles south and west of the Province of Yunnan, China (see Fig. 1). Although the mines were worked by the Chinese during the Ming Dynasty, 1412 A. D., the most extensive operations took place between 1796 and 1851, when the mines contributed largely to the silver market of China. During the reign of Tung Chik, 1868 A. D., they were abandoned partly because of the Mohammedan rebellion in Yunnan, which made life and property insecure, but largely because of the difficulty of operating the mines on account of water and poor ventilation. Since that time practically nothing was done, although the Burmese kings are said to have made several sporadic attempts to work the mines, until 1891 when Europeans were attracted by the great slag dumps (assaying about 40 per cent. lead) which the Chinese had left after extracting the silver. After a railroad and smelter had been built and 200,000 to 300,000 tons of slag smelted for lead, exploration work was started and old workings cleaned out in order to locate the remnants of the orebody that it was supposed the Chinese had left. After two years of most discouraging work, the remains of a large orebody was discovered by the Dead Chinaman Tunnel or what is the 171-ft., or No. 2 level adit. From then on the development was rapid and today the Chinaman is considered one of

Jan 1, 1923

By A. B. Calhoun

These mines, which belong to the Burma Corporation, Ltd., formerly a London company now incorporated in Rangoon, Burma, are situated in the semi-independent state of Tawng-Peng, one of the small divisions comprising the northern Shan states and erroneously known as part of Upper Burma. Bawdwin is approximately 23' 6' N. latitude and 97" 20' E. longitude, 450 miles north of Rangoon, 169 miles northcast of Mandalay and 50 miles south and west of the Province of Yunnan, China (see Fig. 1). Although the mines were worked by the Chinese during the Ming Dynasty, 1412 A. D., the most extensive operations took place between 1796 and 1851, when the mines contributed largely to the silver market of China. During the reign of Tung Chik, 1868 A. D., they were abandoned partly because of the Mohammedan rebellion in Yunnan, which made life and property insecure, but largely because of the difficulty of operating the mines on account of water and poor ventilation. Since that time practically nothing was done, although the Burmese kings are said to have made several sporadic attempts to work the mines, until 1891 when Europeans were attracted by the great slag dumps (assaying about 40 per cent. lead) which the Chinese had left after extracting the silver. After a railroad and smelter had been built and 200,000 to 300,000 tons of slag smelted for lead, exploration work was started and old workings cleaned out in order to locate the remnants of the orebody that it was supposed the Chinese had left. After two years of most discouraging work, the remains of a large orebody was discovered by the Dead Chinaman Tunnel or what is the 171-ft., or No. 2 level adit. From then on the development was rapid and today the Chinaman is considered one of

Jan 1, 1923

By Everett G. Trostel

AMERICAN industry in 1943 emerged from the construction phase into the production phase, and American military operations passed from preparation into full action in the many theaters of the global war. The increased pace of industrial and military operations has resulted in a tremendous demand for petroleum and its products.

Jan 1, 1944

By Franklin R. Carpenter, W. P. Headden

TWO notes have already appeared in the Transactions concerning the columbite or tantalite of the Black Hills tin-mines. In vol. xiii., page 232, Prof. Schaeffer speaks of the mineral as tantalite, and concludes by saying that its separation from the tinstone "is a matter which will, I believe, prove puzzling to the wisest metallurgist." He also observes that he is unable to find by analysis in his specimens the least trace of columbic acid. Prof. W. P. Blake, in the same volume, at page 696, says: " Even if it [tantalite or columbite] were present to a considerable amount, it would not injure the tin in smelting. It does not alloy with tin, but carries a small percentage of tin, which would probably be liberated in smelting." He calls the mineral columbite from the fact that a great number of specificgravity tests invariably indicated that it should be so classed. We have made chemical tests as well as specific-gravity tests upon many samples from many different parts of the Hills. Our analyses have always shown the presence of columbic acid, and the specificgravity tests have always indicated columbite, as we have elsewhere shown.* As Prof. Blake has already observed, it is not found in such close association with the tin as to prevent separation by a rough handsorting, but it is usually present with the stream-tin. As Prof. Schaeffer says, it cannot be separated by ordinary concentration; and while, as declared by Prof. Blake, its columbic acid may not unite with the tin in any form, yet its iron and manganese oxides may be reduced, and thus lower the quality of the tin produced, as is also the case when the smelting charge contains wolfram. To determine the effect of columbite in the ordinary potassium cyanide assay, there were assayed at the Dakota School of Mines four samples containing different proportions of columbite. The results, published in the report of the school for 1888, seemed to indi-

Jan 1, 1889

By Dorsey Lyon

INTRODUCTION THE electric furnace has always been found to be especially adapted to melting, refining, and finishing processes throughout its gradual acceptance by metallurgists, as a practical apparatus for conducting metallurgical operations. In the steel industry, the electric furnace is firmly established in the manufacture of steel of the highest grade, equal to crucible steel. For the production of the cheaper grades of steel in large tonnage, the electric furnace gives a higher-grade product than the open-hearth or converter, but due to the high cost of power prevailing in steel centers, considered from the electric furnace standpoint, it is not economical to produce tonnage steel in the electric furnace. As a refining and finishing agent for open-hearth or Bessemer steel, the electric furnace has had some degree of success in the production of tonnage steel. After a study of the use of the electric furnace in the steel industry, it appears that there may be a possibility of its use to advantage for the melting of cathode copper. In the case of copper the problem is not one of actual refining, because the copper if refined properly y the electrolytic method needs no further refining; it needs simply to be cast into a marketable shape. The name" refining". is applied to the present finishing process, because in the operation oxygen and other impurities are removed, which the electrolytic copper absorbs in being melted in the reverberatory furnace. Considering that processes may be positive, negative, and neutral; the electrolytic method would be positive; reverberatory melting of cathode copper, negative; and electric furnace melting, neutral. The electrolytic method produces about as pure a copper as is possible, if operated properly and the anodes are not too impure. The final reverberatory melting of this cathode copper lowers the grade of the final product, due to the absorption of gases and impurities.

Jan 8, 1914

By J. H. Jackson, P. D. Frost, C. H. Lorig, A. C. Loonam

THIS paper describes (1) the effect of sodium on the tensile ductility of magnesium-lithium base alloys, and (2) the precautions necessary to avoid sodium contamination. Effect of Sodium on Properties The harmful effect of sodium in magnesium-lithium base alloys has been recognized by other investigators.1,2 However, quantitative data on its effect have not hitherto been published. The effect of sodium on the ductility of an 87 pct Mg-9 pct Li-4 pct Zn alloy is shown in fig. 1. The sodium was introduced by adding sodium chloride to the flux, which consisted of 50 pct LiC1-50 pct KC1. Moderately high ductility was obtained at an indicated sodium content of about 0.05 pct. Actually, the value probably was less than 0.05 pct, be-cause analyses of the lithium, which were more accurate than those of the alloy, indicated that the highest ductility was obtained when its sodium content was 0.02 pct or less. In fact, in alloys having somewhat greater strength than this particular composition, the sodium content of the lithium must be under 0.01 pct to avoid embrittlement. The effect of sodium on the ductility of several alloys having fairly low strength levels is shown in fig. 2. These alloys were melted with a flux containing 75 pct LiC1-25 pct LiF, to which various quantities of sodium chloride had been added. Sodium had no significant effect in pure magnesium but markedly decreased the ductility of the magnesium-lithium-zinc alloy, even though the alloy contained only 3 pct Li. As the lithium content of the binary alloys was increased, the ductility of the sodium-free alloys also increased. However, the effect of sodium on ductility became progressively more pronounced. Sodium raised the minimum hot-rolling temperatures, particularly those of the high-strength alloys, but its effect, in this respect, was less critical than its effect on tensile ductility. For optimum cold roll-ability, a low-sodium content was required. No deleterious effect of sodium on the stability of properties at slightly elevated temperatures was found. Control of Sodium in the Alloys Optimum ductility is obtained in the magnesium-lithium base alloys when sodium-free materials are used. Commercial lithium was formerly the chief source of contamination. Now purified lithium is usually available. When lithium of ordinary purity is used, the effects of sodium can be minimized by using a flux consisting of 75 pct LiC1-25 pct LiF. Bubbling nitrogen through the melt also helps remove sodium. The damaging influence of sodium on the ductility of the magnesium-lithium base alloys was observed very early in the alloy development program. The discovery came about as a result of chemical analyses made on the lithium used in the alloys. Ductile alloys had been made from lithium containing about 0.2 pct Na, whereas the lithium used in the brittle alloys contained about 0.9 pct Na. The first magnesium-lithium alloys were melted under commercial fluxes ordinarily used in melting magnesium alloys. These fluxes were unsuited for scavenging the contaminating sodium, and the resulting alloys were not ductile. Next, a flux containing 50 pct KC1-50 pct LiCl was tried. This was somewhat more effective but still was not satisfactory. After a number of different experimental fluxes had been investigated, one containing 75 pct LiC1-25 pct LiF was adopted. This flux made it possible to obtain good ductility in the alloys. The

Jan 1, 1951

By R. S. Busk, R. F. Marande

The magnesium-aluminum-zinc 'system contains most of the magnesium-base alloys used commercially, although in practice the ternary alloys are usually modified by the addition of a small amount of manganese. Table I contains the magnesium-base commercial sand-casting alloys most widely used throughout the world, together with their typical tensile properties. These alloys may be regarded as a single family of varying aluminum and zinc content, disregarding manganese. A concise means of presenting data for them is by means of iso-property lines plotted on triangular coordinate paper. Constitutional, casting, and mechanical properties are presented in this manner. The data are given with the obiect of providing reference material, and to aid in the choice of a commercial alloy to serve a particular purpose. Detailed, critical analysis of the commercial alloys has been covered in a previous paper.' All alloys reported were made in rj-lb. melts, superheated to r700°F. for 15 min., cooled to r400°F. and poured in sand molds. The test bars produced had a 1/2-in. reduced section and were about 6 in. long. Except for the data represented in Figs. I and 3 the alloys used were of commercial purity and contained 0.1 to 0.2 per cent Mn in addition to the aluminum and zinc. Constitutional Data Under the heading of Constitutional Data are included all known data on con-

Jan 1, 1946

By R. F. Marande, R. S. Busk

The magnesium-aluminum-zinc 'system contains most of the magnesium-base alloys used commercially, although in practice the ternary alloys are usually modified by the addition of a small amount of manganese. Table I contains the magnesium-base commercial sand-casting alloys most widely used throughout the world, together with their typical tensile properties. These alloys may be regarded as a single family of varying aluminum and zinc content, disregarding manganese. A concise means of presenting data for them is by means of iso-property lines plotted on triangular coordinate paper. Constitutional, casting, and mechanical properties are presented in this manner. The data are given with the obiect of providing reference material, and to aid in the choice of a commercial alloy to serve a particular purpose. Detailed, critical analysis of the commercial alloys has been covered in a previous paper.' All alloys reported were made in rj-lb. melts, superheated to r700°F. for 15 min., cooled to r400°F. and poured in sand molds. The test bars produced had a 1/2-in. reduced section and were about 6 in. long. Except for the data represented in Figs. I and 3 the alloys used were of commercial purity and contained 0.1 to 0.2 per cent Mn in addition to the aluminum and zinc. Constitutional Data Under the heading of Constitutional Data are included all known data on con-

Jan 1, 1946

By Harmel A. Dawson, Robert A. Wilson

First the basic steps to determine the values present and the minerals involved which are the basis for the metallurgical testing are presented in this paper. Next, choosing the process or processes indicated for treating an ore are discussed. This is followed by the test procedures used, the results of which will indicate amenability to treatment. These test procedures have been developed, used and proven effective in laboratory evaluations relative to plant processing. Special, uncommon processing is beyond the scope of the paper. Evalutation of test results and incorporation into the preliminary and final flow sheet for plant design are discussed. The value of a flow sheet, with material and water balances, to plant design is shown.

Jan 1, 1978

By Ernest R. Dickie

IN 1945 the Bagdad Copper Corp. decided to change from block caving to open-pit mining. By early 1948 the conversion was completed and production was increased from 1500 tons per day to 4000 tons per day. Open-pit mining costs decreased approximately 40 pet from the cost of producing ore by the underground method. At present one P & H model 1400 all-electric 4 1/2-yd shovel and one P & H model 1055 Diesel 3-yd shovel are used continuously for stripping. One 21/2yd North- west shovel handles the ore. Delivery of a new P & H 1055 electric shovel for stripping is expected this month. Blasthole drilling is performed with two Bucyrus model 22 and two Bucyrus model 27 churn drills.

Jan 9, 1951

By Frederick Laist

Introduction IN a leaching process, having obtained the copper in solution, the choice of the precipitation method is influenced y the following factors: 1. Availability of precipitant. 2. Adaptability to the leaching process. 3. Final product desired. 4. Regeneration of leaching solutions. 5. Fouling of solutions. There are three general classes of precipitation methods: 1. The use of iron, scrap or sponge. 2. Electrolytic deposition. 3. The use of some gas or reagent y which the copper is obtained, usually in the form of an intermediate precipitate which requires further treatment. For example, the precipitation of the copper as Cu2Cl2 from chloride solutions, with SO2 gas. The use of iron is adapted to almost any process. It has the great advantage of extreme simplicity, and the recovery of the copper and any values present in a highly concentrated, easily treatable form. The disadvantages are the cost in isolated places, the uncertainty of the scrap-iron market, and the fouling of the leaching solutions. The latter is a serious factor, When a reagent such as salt is used in them, which makes necessary their re-use. Where applicable, electrolytic deposition is very attractive. The copper is obtained in a form directly marketable, there is a regeneration of acid amid no fouling of solutions. Unfortunately, chloride solutions do not lend themselves to electrolysis. An entirely satisfactory anode material has not yet been discovered, although magnetite, apart from being rather brittle, seems to answer the requirements fairly Well.

Jan 7, 1914