Search Documents

No true conception of the Park City mining district can be obtained without first giving consideration to the part it has played as a consistent producer of mineral wealth. Its position in this regard is almost unique in the annals of a lead silver camp. For over fifty years it has been a continuous producer of lead and silver and for twenty years it has added to the world's supply of zinc. Few camps with its productive history are so little known to the mining fraternity for the reason that its life has never been punctuated by periods of "boom" which serve to attract general attention, neither has it been the field of operation for promoters who temporarily focus attention upon their scene of action. Its history is one of legitimate mining operations. These were at first carried on by a number of smaller companies. A period of consolidation followed and at the present time the entire production of the camp is in the hands of two major companies and one smaller company. These are flanked by a number of prospecting properties, which are at this time actively engaged in the search for ores and later events will doubtless put some of them in the producing class.

Jan 1, 1925

By Otto Wartenweiler

AFTER the phenomenal development of the new mine, the United Eastern Mining Co., with Mr. Frank A. Keith as President, decided to install a reduction plant. The character of the ore, closely resembling the product of other mines in the district, did not offer any particular metallurgical problems, since these neighboring mines had been operating milling plants very successfully for several years. Thus, with the general metallurgical treatment fairly well-defined, the matter of next importance was to design and construct a plant as economically as possible, that would give the best results obtainable. The ore consists of a mixture of calcite and quartz in about equal quantities with some decomposed andesite, while the average value of mill heads were calculated to be $20 plus in gold, no silver being present. The tonnage to be treated at ,the start was fixed at 200 tons, but, in view of the favorable condition of the mine, it was considered advisable to arrange facilities, for increasing the capacity to 400 tons. . While it is best in some cases to adopt a distinct independent unit system where future enlargement is contemplated, in this instance the plans worked out differently. Summarized, the treatment adopted consists of coarse crushing, coarse grinding, fine grinding and cyanidation. For coarse crushing the selection of the No. 6 size gyratory crusher was governed not so much by its capacity as by the size of the feed openings to properly receive the run-of-mine material, which was too coarse for a No. 5 crusher. To accomplish the coarse grinding to. best advantage, a careful comparison was made between the modern steel ball mill-the last word in crushing and grinding-and one of its older, and, at that time better-established, competitors, the rolls.' The following conclusion was reached: While it is possible that for the sized plant under consideration the cost of operating rolls might be a little cheaper, it is preferable to use ball mills because a simpler arrangement is possible, and1 because. the handling of, ball mills is preferred by the operator.

Jan 11, 1917

By Eugene Guccione

"All engineering societies should encourage and motivate their members to take part in public affairs. And engineers, in turn, should learn to translate their technical knowledge in a language which politicians can understand," stated James Boyd last month as he received the Hoover Medal, which is awarded annually by four engineering societies-AIME, IEEE, ASME, and ASCE-to an engineer who has rendered important public service. James Boyd is no ordinary engineer (see box). A few weeks ago, Dr. Boyd took time out of his busy schedule to stop at MINING ENGINEERING'S editorial office for the following exclusive interview.

Jan 1, 1976

By W. R. McMillan, E. A. Gulbransen, K. F. Andrew

Annealed and electrolytically polished pure iron was oxidized between 650° and 850°C at oxygen pressures of 0.1 to 2 microns Hg. Electron optical studies showed that oxidation occurs discontinuously over the surface and orients crystallographically with the substructure of the metal grains. IN previous papers', " the authors described the formation of oxide films on high purity iron at norrnal pressures and at temperatures below 300°C. Electron optical studies showed that the oxide film consisted of many individual oxide crystallites having nearly random orientation on each metal grain. The size of the oxide crystallites depended upon the temperature and upon the extent of oxidation. In these studies the crystallite size varied from 250 to 1800Å. Recently, Bardolle and Benard3 studied the crystal habit of the oxide crystallites formed on Armco iron between 650" and 850°C in what might be defined as a "poor vacuum" atmosphere in which the pressure could be varied between 10-1 to 10-3 mm of Hg. Their results showed that, at 850°C and a vacuum of l0-2 to 10-3 mm of Hg, a few well oriented nuclei of oxide were formed on the metal grains. At pressures between l0-1 to 10-2 mm of Hg, many oriented nuclei of oxide were formed. At 750°C the metal surface was bright although an oxide was present. Unfortunately, the extent of oxidation, the oxygen pressure, and the influence of carbon in the metal were not determined, and it was, therefore, impossible to give a theoretical interpretation to the very beautiful light micrographs. Bardolle and Benard used the light microscope to determine the crystal habit of the oxide and X-ray diffraction to determine the orientation relationships. It was believed that the use of controlled amounts of oxidation at high temperature is an important method for the study of the initial stages of oxidation of metals at high temperatures. This paper presents the first results of an electron optical study of this problem for iron. Since the electron microscope and electron-diffraction methods using stripped oxide films and surface replicas yielded finer details of the crystal habit and structure of oxide film, these methods were used in this study. Two types of iron having different carbon contents were used: Puron and Armco* iron. A com- parison of the results for these materials made possible a study of the influence of the surface oxide-carbon reaction on the initial stages of oxidation. Before discussing the experimental results, the thermodynamic equilibria of 1—the oxidation reaction, 2—the surface oxide-carbon reaction, and 3—the solubility of oxygen in iron, will be considered. In addition, it is important to consider the kinetic-theory predictions on the rate of collision of oxygen with the iron surface. Thermodynamic and Kinetic-Theory Calculations Only one type of reaction is usually considered in the oxidation of iron at normal pressures at high temperatures: Fe(a) + 1/2O2(g) = FeO(s) 3Fe(a) + 2O2(g) = Fe3O4(s) 2Fe(a) +3/2O2(g) = a-Fe2O3(s). [11 However, two other reactions may occur: FeO(s) + C (solid solution in Fe) + Fe(a) + CO(g) [2] and Fe(a) + O2(g) e Fe(a) (solid solution of 0,). [ 3 ] In addition, iron will react with the higher oxide at certain temperatures to form FeO. For a complete interpretation of the oxidation of iron at low pres-

Jan 1, 1955

By Linn Bradley

R. J. WYSOR, So. Bethlehem, Pa. (communication to the Secretary*). At our plant (Bethlehem Steel Co.), we have had several Bradshaw burners under course of construction and erection for some time, but up to the present we have not had opportunity to put them in service. I regret that I can not take part in the discussion with some actual results from these, burners. Mr. Huessener properly emphasizes the importance of obtaining the highest combustion temperature practicable in boiler practice, which demands a near approach to perfect combustion conditions. The ideal burner is the one which, while meeting the various mechanical, requirements, fulfills the above condition under a wide range of gas pressure. The question as to the relative value of hot raw gas and cold washed gas for boiler use is a very interesting one. I think that in the past the importance of low temperature of washed gas sometimes has been over-emphasized. Mr. Huessener has pointed out that so far as temperature is concerned, no advantage accrues in washing gas below 100° F. In

Jan 3, 1917

Readers of recent Bulletins have doubtless observed that the problem of improving both material and moral condition of employees is receiving close attention from influential members of the Institute. This will lend interest to certain developments and investigations that have been reported elsewhere.

Jan 5, 1918

By D. W. Jessup

THE handling of native labor is offering an interesting problem that requires diplomacy. It is difficult to induce many of the men to leave their villages and enter into regular work. They do not feel the necessity of manual labor other than to obtain sufficient money to pay the annual hut tax and to buy a little clothing. The ground provides mealies (corn) which means food and beer, he hunts and catches fish, so why work? But gradually, as the native becomes more civilized, his wants increase and his ideas change; he now needs money to supply his desires and eventually he must work more. So in time it is hoped that the labor market will be better supplied.

Jan 1, 1931

By E. C. Burke, W. R. Hibbard

Plastic deformation in magnesium single crystals was studied by tensile tests at room temperature utilizing an improved preparation and testing technique. Consistent critical resolved shear stress values for basal slip were obtained. The advent of pyramidal slip at room temperature was rationalized upon the basis of grip constraints. A bend-twinning hypothesis was advanced as an explanation of mechanical twinning which occurs as a complex stress-relief mechanism. INVESTIGATIONS of the plastic deformation of magnesium have been limited to the determination of the fundamental kinetics which may be summarized as follows: 1—Twinning on the {102).l 2— Slip on the (001) plane in the [loo] direction at room temperature.' 3—Slip on the {101) or {102) plane in the [loo] direction above 225°C." 4—Critical resolved shear stresses for basal slip in tension at room temperature of 83 g per sq mm with a variation from 57 to 127 g per sq mm." Bakarian' studied the compression of thin wafers of magnesium single crystals and classified the components of the deformation mechanisms as follows: 1—The Basal field: (001) at an angle of less than 20" to the compression surface. Fracture along {101} or slip on (001) followed by {101} fracture. 2—The prism field: (001) at an angle greater than 60" to the compression surface. Twinning on the {102) generally occurring during the early stages of loading, basal slip in the areas of original orientation and (001) slip within twins. 3—The central field: (001) at angles greater than 20" but less than 60" to the compression surface. Slip on the (001). 4—The critical resolved shearing stress for {101} slip above 225°C was 400 g per sq mm. Observations of mechanical twins in hexagonal close-packed metals have been summarized by numerous investigatorsb-' emphasizing a lateral or rotational atomic adjustment, in addition to the pure twinning shear, and the importance of reorienting the basal plane to a position more favorable for continued slip, rather than the resulting small dimensional changes. Criterion for the operative twinning planes has not been clearly established. Schmid and Boas hurmised that an energy condition related to the atom movements is the determining factor. MillerQ bserved that twinning stresses in zinc crystals decreased as the amount of prior deformation increased. Preparation of Specimens Magnesium single crystals % in. in diam x 8 in. long were grown from the melt under an argon atmosphere in a gradient furnace similar to that described by Jillson." Magnesium containing 0.018

Jan 1, 1953

Aase, Glenn D., (J'40) Jr. Met.. American Smelt. k Refin. Co., Selby, Calif. Abadie, Henry G., (J'43) Petr. Engr., Avenal, Calif. Abbott, Clarence E., (M'04) Civil Engr., V.P.. Tennessee Coal, Iron & R.R. Co., 1542 Brown Marx Bldg., Birmingham, Ala. Abel, Raymond L., (M'28) Chem. Engr., C.O., Pitts¬burgh Chem. Warfare Procurement Dist., American Bank Bldg., Pittsburgh. Pa. Abel, Walter D.. (M'32) Min. Engr., Supvr. Engr., R.F.C.Lee Angeles, Calif. Abele, Louis T., (M'31) Route No. 1, Adameville, Tenn. Abell, Leo M., (M'31) Mill Supt. & Met., Emperor Gold Min. Co. Ltd., Vatukoula, Fiji Is. Abernathy, G. E., (M'38) Geol., Kansas State Geol. Survey, Pittsburg, Kans. Abernathy, Jack H,, (M'40) Asst. Cenl. Supt. of Prod., Sunray Oil Co., 11th Floor, Philtower Bldg.. Tulsa 3. Okla. Abernethy, D. Carl, (M'44) Min. Engr. Rm. 3217, N. Int. Bldg., Washington, D. C.

Jan 1, 1944

By John V. Beall

Never having done it before, it took us all day and until 11 at night to select and pack for a four-day back- pack trip up Lake Chelan last month. When we were through, we couldn't lift our own pack and Sylvia's, OUT spouse's, we barely managed to budge. Nevertheless, the next morning we were at the dock to board the Laldy of the Lake for the 3 ½ -hr boat trip to Lucerne. Our dress and accouterments creating the appearance of a veritable expedition into the wilderness made a sharp contrast with our fellow passengers, a senior citizens tour group from Spokane. We had come out to Seattle for the SME Fall Meeting and were taking advantage of the occasion for a vacation trip back to Lucerne and Holden where we had lived briefly 25-years ago, and a backpack trip up Railroad Creek from Holden to the Glacier Peak country, weather permitting. No matter what you say, weather is important, and this is one of the ingredients that went into making the SME Fall Meeting and Exhibit in Seattle, September 22-24, a thoroughly delightful experience for the 700 plus persons who attended. Seattle is a beautiful city, but with late September sunshine, which we experienced, it is the best. The second ingredient, is a swinging host committee. Under the leadership of Don Anderson and Tom Van Zandt, co-chairmen, and Mrs. Cecilia Reed, Ladies Program, superb hospitality and fine arrangements were blended. Earl Beistline, from Fairbanks, organized a two-day short course on arctic operations which preceded the meeting and drew an attendance of 44. Dick Robbins, in charge of arrangements, provided Masters-at- arms for technical sessions and a presentation of the colors by the U.S. Coast Guard at the Welcoming Luncheon. Eric Cheney's field trips ranged far and wide with events both before and after the meeting. David (Jeff) Kroft, capably managed audio-visual operations with a group of students from the University of Washington. Charles Hochmuth worked long, hard and effectively before and during the meet- ing on finances. Hank Reed, managed an authentic three-ring circus as Entertainment Chairman. His activities covered two cocktail receptions for all registrants and a dinner-dance. Dolph Campbell and Joe Hackbarth provided publicity by press and TV (see p. 37-40). SME's meetings have certain characteristics and possibly not all of these are known to everyone. The first of these is the deliberate involvement of the AIME Section in the area of the meeting. Most trade shows and conventions are run 100% by a professional staff and although SME staff could also do this, it has been our experience that a more friendly and better meeting results when the local members apply their talents. Actually SME only considers a site for a meeting after it has received an invitation from a Section. The knowledge of local conditions which Section committeemen bring to a meeting is of great value.

Jan 1, 1971

By Russell G. Haworth

Three companies, United States Potash Company, Potash Company of America, and International Minerals and Chemical Corporation, are now operating potash mines and refineries in the Carlsbad, New Mexico, area. The three mines are located approximately twenty miles east of Carlsbad. The deposits have been found ideal for mechanized mining methods. This summary has been compiled from information made available by the three operating companies.

Jan 1, 1949

Abadilla, Quirico A. Catanawan, Tayabas, P I '20 Abbey, Robert Graham, District Mgr., The W. W. Sly Mfg. Co, 50 Church St, New York, N. Y. '21 Abbott,-A. N., Mines Supt, Mazapil Copper Co., Ltd .. Concepcion del Oro, Zac., Mexico. '23 Abbott, Clarence E., Mgr, Mines & Quarries, Tenn. Coal, Iron & R R Co. 1242 Brown Marx Bldg, Birmingham, Ala. '04 Abbott, Louis Benjamin, Chief Engr, Consolidation Coal Co, Elkhorn Div . Jenkins, Ky. '15 Abeel, George H., Jr., Cons Min Engr... . Box 427, Santa Monica, Cal. '18 Abel, Albert E., Asst. to Pres., Valley Mould & Iron Corp Hubbard, Ohio. '19 Abel, Raymond L., Asst. Prof., Dept. of Pet. Refin , Univ. of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, Pa. '28 Abernathy, George Elmer, Prof. of Geol. & Min., Kansas State Teachers College. Pittsburg, Kans '20 ||Abernethy, D. Carl, Jr. Min. Engr., Hudson Coal Co . Scranton, Pa '27 Abey, Hiroshi, Min. & Met. Engr., Min. & Met. Dept, The Higher Technical School, Osaka, Japan. '17 Aborn, Robert H., Instructor in Met, Harvard University Cambridge, Mass. '19 Abozeid, Mahmood, Pet. Production Engr., Marland Oil Co Ponca City, Okla. '20 Abraham, Arthur W., Geol, Richfield Oil Co. Box 788, Bakeisfield, Cal. '20 Abraham, W. E. V., Member, Geol Staff of Burmah Oil Co, Ltd Nyaunghla. Upper Burma, India. '23

Jan 1, 1923

||Abad, Leopoldo F, Min Engr, Div of Mines, Bureau of Science Manila, P I '23 Abadilla, Quirico A, Geol , Logo Pet Corp Box 172, Maracaibo, Venezuela '20 ||Abarquez, Ramon F, Met, Bureau of Science Manila, P I '24 ||Abbey, Robert Graham, Student, Case School of Applied Science Cleveland, Ohio '21 Abbott, A N , Mines Supt, Mazapil Copper Co, Ltd Concepcion del Oro, Zac , Mexico '23 Abbott, Clarence E , Mgr, Mines & Quarries, Tenn Coal, Iron & R R Co. 1242 Brown Marx Bldg, Birmingham, Ala '04 Abbott, Louis Benjamin, Chief Engr, Consolidation Coal Co, Elkhorn Div Jenkins, Ky '15 Abbott, Robert R , Met Engr, Peerless Motor Car Co Cleveland, Ohio '12 ||Abbott, Wells Osborn, Ray Consolidated Copper Co Hayden, Ariz '23 Abeel, George H., Jr, Cons Min Engr 4612 W 17th St, Los Angeles, Cal '18 Abel, Albert E , Asst to Pres , Valley Mould & Iron Corp Sharpsville, Pa '19 Abernathy, George Elmer, Prof of Geol & Min , Kansas State Teachers College, Pittsburg, Kan '20 Abey, Hiroshi, Min & Met Engr, Chief Engr, Takata Min Co, 2 Yeirakucho, Nichome, Kojlmachiku, Tokyo, Japan '17 ||d'Ablamg, Philip R , Millman, Old Dominion Silver-Lead Co Ellensburg, Wash '25 Aborn, R H, X-Ray Metallographic Research, Mass Inst of Tech Cambridge, Mass '19 Abouchar, Sylvain Sley, Min Engr & Geol, care of S H Sekaly, 13 Rue El Nimr.

Jan 1, 1923

By Richard W. Lodge

Ix the crucible-method of assaying ores for silver a certain amount of litharge is essential to supply sufficient lead to collect the precious metals. The object of this paper is to point out that the use of a .large excess of litharge in the assay of some ores will give results for silver that are uneven as well as low. So far as I know, however, an excess of litharge does not affect the results obtained in the crucible-assay of ores for gold. The main reasons for using, in the crucible-assay, much more litharge than is required to give the necessary lead button are : 1, its action as a flux; 2, its action as a desulphurizer; and 3, its action as an oxidizer, especially on metals like copper and nickel, whereby they are forced into the slag as oxides and thus prevented from passing into the lead button. Hence, by the use of much litharge in the crucible-assay more-ore can often be taken than in the scorification-process, and a lead button obtained which can possibly be cupelled at once or after a single scorification. The method is specially advantageous with an ore carrying much copper or similar impurity and poor in silver, when the assayer does not wish to resort to a wet-analysis for the determination of the silver. It is well known that some ores give better results when assayed by the scorification-method, while others give better results by the crucible-method. For several years I have noticed that, when much litharge was used with certain sulphide and arsenical ores, the results were considerably lower than when the scorification-method was used. This fact was more forcibly brought out in connection with certain work carried on this year by Messrs. H. A. Frame and

Sep 1, 1907

[Aase, Qlenn D., (Junior Member '40) Jr. Met.. American Smelt. & Refin. Co., Selby. Calif. Abadie, Henry G., (Junior Member '43) Petr. Engr.. Avenal, Calif. Abbott, Clarence E., (Member '04) Civil En=.. V.P.. Tennessee Coal. Iron & R.R. Co., 1542 Brown biarx Bldg.. Birminpham, Aln. Abbott. Fred E., Jr., (Member '44) Petr. Engr., C/O Arabian Anierican Oil Co.. A.P.O. 816. c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. Abel, Raymond L., (Member '28) Chem. Engr.. C. O., Pittsburgh Chem. Warfare Procurenlent Dist.. American Bank Bldg., Pittsburph. Pa. Abel, Walter D., (Member '32) Min. Engr.. Supvr. Engr.. RFC, Los Angeles, Calif.]

Jan 1, 1946

By William B. Plank

AGAIN the records show an unprecedented enrollment of students in the mineral technology schools of the United States and Canada. In the current year, 1938-'39, 9619 students were resident in the 53 schools of the United States arid 1014 in the six schools of Canada. These data are from my fifth study of the mineral technology schools of the United States and Canada. the last previous study having been made for the year 1936-'37. The undertaking as previously was made under the auspices of the Mineral Industry Education Division of the A. I. M. E. The data or, the various schools were collected in the same way as for former studies.

Jan 1, 1939

By T. J. Smolik, Harman, D. W. Fuerstenau

By means of electrokinetic measurements, the surface properties of the aluminosilicate polymorphs (sillimanite, andalusite, and kyanite) and also mullite have been found to depend on the ratio of A10 bonds to SiO bonds in the surface. The Al-toSi ratio in the surface is dependent upon the crystal lographic properties of the mineral, which in turn determine coordination numbers of A1 and of Si, cleavage characteristics, and density of the various solids. Mullite with a greater bulk Al-toSi ratio has the highest zpc of the aluminosilicates. By treatment in dilute acids or by cycling between acidic and basic solutions, alumina is selectively dissolved from the surface of these orthosilicates. This shifts the apparent zpc to lower pH values as the fraction of SiO groups in the surface increases. Thus, surface properties can be altered by procedures that alter the A l-to-Si ratio in the surface. Flotation of these aluminosilicates results from electrostatic interaction of the collector ions with the mineral surfaces. As a result, flotation response shifts in accord with any shift in apparent zpc by pretreatment. Separation of minerals by flotation is based on differences in the physicochemical properties of their surfaces.'-3 For many minerals, adsorption of flotation collectors results from their functioning as counter ions in the electrical double layer at solid-water interface. In such systems, separation depends on differences in the zero point of charge (zpc) of the various minerals. The zpc is defined as the concentration of potential determining ions in solution at which the surface is uncharged. The potential determining ions for inorganic oxide-water interfaces are hydrogen and hydroxyl.4,5 This work is concerned with the effects of crystal structure, composition, and surface preparation on the surface properties and flotation behavior of aluminosilicates. Differences resulting from crystal structure were studied by measuring electrokinetic potentials and determining the flotation behavior of three different aluminosilicate materials having the same chemical composition (Al2O3 SiO2), namely andalusite, kyanite, and sillimanite. Furthermore, the effect of the Al2O3-to-SiO2 ratio on flotation behavior and surface properties was investigated by including synthetic mullite, 3A12O3 .2SiO2. Gaudin and co-workers 6,7 have clearly shown how crystal structure determines the native floatability of certain minerals. Those solids in which the surface is comprised mainly of broken residual bonds possess naturally hydrophobic surfaces. It was found by Bakakin8 that for a number of oxidized lead minerals, differences in floatability were due to the distance of Pb atom from the surface. Only limited work has been done on relating electrical properties of surfaces to crystal structure and composition. Healy et. a1.9 found that the zero points of charge of various manganese dioxides ranged from about pH 1.5 to pH 7.5, and these differences in the zpc's were interpreted in terms of the atomic packing in the various crystals. The research presented here clearly shows that crystal structure and chemical composition do affect the surface properties of aluminosilicates and, in addition, that these effects can be altered by changing conditions under which the surfaces are prepared. CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF THE ALUMINOSILICATES Sillimanite, andalusite, and kyanite are composed of regionally metamorphosed rocks differing mainly in degree of metamorphism. All three minerals have the same chemical composition, Al2O3 - SiO2, of which sillimanite is the high temperature polymorph and kyanite and andalusite the lower temperature polymorphs. Andalusite and sillimanite crystallize in the orthorhombic system while kyanite crystallizes in the triclinic system. The structure of these three minerals is essentially chains of aluminum-oxygen octahedra linked laterally by silicon and aluminum. The arrangement of these chains in the three minerals is shown in Fig. 1.l4

Jan 1, 1967

By AIME AIME

IN A STATEMENT summarizing general conditions in the Federated American Engineering Societies, the executive secretary, L. W. Wallace, expresses the belief that the Federation has made substantial progress. At the annual meeting of the American Engineering Council, to be held in Washington Jan. 5 and 6, this progress will be shown by reports covering activities in many fields. "Unquestionably," says Mr. Wallace, "the Federa¬tion has made favorable and permanent contacts in Washington. Through the, activities of Congress and of the new Federal administration. we have had the opportunity to render some really constructive service. We feel, however, that the great body of engineers are not adequately informed of the organization of the Federation, of its aims and purposes and of its activities.

Jan 1, 1921

By F. R. Zachar

IT has always been understood, in northern West Virginia where both the Pittsburgh and Sewickley seams are mined, that pillaring or splitting in the lower Pittsburgh seam could break the interval strata and make mining in the overlying Sewickley difficult or impossible. In some instances, however, mining methods practiced in the overlying Sewickley have reversed the problem, resulting in a shifting of the intermediate layer and destroying valuable acreages of the Pittsburgh seam below. The Pittsburgh seam in this area is, on the average, 102 in. thick. About 18 in. of low-quality head coal are left for roof protection as it is mined. Immediately over the coal are two draw slates, two rider 'seams, and a good hard black shale, locally called black rock, which serves as a permanent roof where draw slates and riders are taken down on certain main haulroads. In most areas mined in this seam in the past the bottom has been satisfactory but soft. However, in areas now being mined by the Christopher Coal Co. in Monongalia County the bottom is very hard and unyielding. The Sewickley seam, lying 85 ft above the Pittsburgh, will average nearly 70 in. in thickness and is overlain by massive shales and sandstones. Much of the seam is mined only down to the "sheep skin," a hard band about 4 in. above the bottom, which is composed of relatively hard shale. Fig. 1 shows a typical cross-section through the Pittsburgh and Sewickley seams in the area being discussed. The thin Redstone seam is not deep-mined but is stripped in some locations where it outcrops. Most of the Sewickley seam in the Morgantown areas has been mined out from 10 to 30 years. There are at present only two large mines and five or six others of small production operating in that seam. Mining systems in the past were generally of the room and pillar type with some full pillar extraction. This seam in the Scott's Run area was operated by as many as thirty or forty different companies at one time, during an era beset with strikes, market failures, and depressions. Most of the barrier pillars along the many main haulroads were abandoned, and blocks of Sewickley coal that would be fully recovered with today's machinery were left unmined when conditions became anything less than favorable. Consequently the mined-out Sewickley is spotted throughout with solid blocks varying in size from 100x100 ft to 200x400 ft and larger. It is these unmined Sewickley blocks surrounded by worked-out portions that have caused transmissions of roof stresses to underlying Pittsburgh mining areas, see Fig. 2, resulting in untold difficulty. As the Christopher Coal Co. operates both the Pittsburgh and Sewickley seams, accurate maps of workings in both seams are readily available and are regularly consulted. The first Pittsburgh squeeze attributed to overlying Sewickley blocks occurred in the Arkwright mine, where a shuttle car crew was developing a section consisting of seven panel headings. These entries were being driven in solid coal 3400 ft from the nearest worked-out Pittsburgh area. As mining advanced it was noticed that certain ribs began to slough and certain areas to show signs

Jan 1, 1952

By R. S. MACPHERRAN

TRENDS in the manufacture and use of cast iron are decidedly toward specialization, alloy iron, and increased strength. Old handbooks list only one kind of cast iron, with a tensile strength of 15,000 lb. Recent A.S.T.M. specifications show that from 50,000 to 60,000 lb. per sq. in. can now regularly he guaranteed. The use of alloy iron, heat-treated iron, and even nitrided cast iron, is rapidly growing and all kinds are improving in quality. Iron for operation at high temperature and corrosion-resisting irons have also been developed. Only a few years ago cast iron was "cast iron," but now there are almost as many kinds of cast iron as there are foundries making it

Jan 1, 1936