Search Documents

Jan 1, 1903

By AIME AIME

T'HE Columbia Section of the A. 1. M. E. took charge of the Western Mining Convention on Oct. 3, and the meeting was held under their auspices. W. L. Zeigler, chairman of the Section, called the session to order. The first paper on the program, "Lead Refining Practice at Bunker Hill Smelter," was presented in per-son by the author, A. F. Beasley, superintendent of the smelter. He pointed out the differences in the refining practice at Bunker Hill from other American refineries. The Bunker Hill plant was the first to adopt the liquation process for silver skims as developed in Australia. Details were given of operating practice with results. F. F. Colcord questioned the author in regard to the kind of metal best suited for kettles, which was said to be cast iron.

Jan 1, 1929

By Calvin Pierson, R. S. Dean, E. P. Barrett

Wrought iron and steel have been prepared from limonite, hematite, and magnetite ores by gaseous reduction, compacting and squeezing the resulting product at high temperature and finally melting the wrought iron so formed. The structure, analyses, mechanical and magnetic properties of the products are given. It is found that the structure of iron ores is best studied by subjecting them to gaseous reduction and using metallographic technique on the resulting sponge iron. In this way the cell structure of iron ore is clearly shown. The wrought iron made by heating compacted sponge iron to 1450" C., and forging, shows a cell structure inherited from the ore. This cell structure is further preserved in melting and casting the wrought iron. The probable relation of the properties of the materials to this inherited cell structure is discussed.

Jan 1, 1935

By A. B. Parsons

When the Seeley W. Mudd Memorial Fund was established in. 1929 the donors mentioned certain types of projects to which preference might be given in selecting those to he financed by the income from the Fund. One suggestion. was that the projects "be of particular benefit to young engineers." This modest little book meets this specification most aptly. It seeks to guide the engineer-particularly the young one-with the least loss of time and effort to the most convenient source of authentic information regarding any topic in which he may at the moment be interested. Knowing the best place to find the literature on a subject is almost as valuable-and far more practicable-than maintaining a library of one's own large enough to provide the information.

Jan 1, 1933

By Calvin Pierson, R. S. Dean, E. P. Barrett

Wrought iron and steel have been prepared from limonite, hematite, and magnetite ores by gaseous reduction, compacting and squeezing the resulting product at high temperature and finally melting the wrought iron so formed. The structure, analyses, mechanical and magnetic properties of the products are given. It is found that the structure of iron ores is best studied by subjecting them to gaseous reduction and using metallographic technique on the resulting sponge iron. In this way the cell structure of iron ore is clearly shown. The wrought iron made by heating compacted sponge iron to 1450" C., and forging, shows a cell structure inherited from the ore. This cell structure is further preserved in melting and casting the wrought iron. The probable relation of the properties of the materials to this inherited cell structure is discussed.

Jan 1, 1935

By J. E. Lawver

On the basis of both laboratory and pilot-scale tests, a newly developed high-tension electrostatic process is technically and economically feasible for the production of iron ore superconcentrates containing 0.02 to 0.20% silica at iron recoveries of 85 to 90%. The process can be used to recover both a superconcentrate and a pellet-grade concentrate, from a feed containing middlings, and the system is not unduly upset from changes in feed structure and composition. The adverse affect of excess quantities of material finer than 30 microns, i.e., above 10% in quantity can be avoided by a desliming step. Finally, because of the cost of drying, the best feed for the process appears to be dry-ground ores as well as spiral, flotation, or magnetic concentrates.

Jan 1, 1970

By Jack F. Havard, John S. Lagarias

When ore bodies are faulted or mill feed turns refractory, mining managers and engineers act vigorously to convert imminent failure into eventual success. The recent proliferation of onerous environmental regulations and restraints is likewise a threat to successful mining enterprise, in some ways more insidious and dangerous than the problems presented by natural obstacles. The regulatory burden has become so heavy that a pall of pessimism covers much of the mining industry. In this paper we frankly recommend an approach that does not just "make the best of it" but rather directs the whole environmental process: first, to improve planning, engineering, and operating procedures; and, second, to demonstrate the need for modification of laws and regulations which are intolerably burdensome to both the mining industry and the public.

Jan 1, 1979

By E. W. Codington

The pebble-phosphates of Florida occur in a district roughly bounded on the north by the 28th parallel, on the east by an irregular line running a few miles east of Peace river and on the west by the Gulf of Mexico, and covering an area of about 4000 square miles. There seems to be no reason why the deposits should not extend farther south along the gulf coast. That section remains unprospected, transportation-facilities being non-existent. It is not intended in this paper to discuss the geology of these formations; but a word as to their probable origin will be perhaps the best method of giving a correct idea of their present position. Starting with a low, flat surface, with even less of superficial undulation than appears at present, an im-

Jan 1, 1896

By Eugene A. Stephenson

NUMBER of noteworthy events in the petroleum industry may be reported for 1941, of which the most spectacular was doubtless the rise in the daily rate of crude-oil production to a peak of approximately 4,300,000 barrels. This enormous daily rate did not ensue from the furor of flush pools but represented for the most part merely a slight additional daily delivery from many wells that had previously been operated on a more restricted basis, in line with good conservation practice and also from the adroit increase in the number of days per week by the Texas Railroad Commission. Another important fact was the increase in price throughout the Mid-Continent area from the static level of $1.02 for 36°, A.P.I., crude, to $1.17 per barrel. Efforts to elevate the price above this point have met with severe opposition from the O.P.A.. as has also a similar effort by the PennsyIvania Crude Oil Producers' Association, but the vastly increased costs for materials and labor may shortly give the industry the enhanced price which it has long deserved.

Jan 1, 1942

Edward Halse, Puerto Berrio, Colombia, So. Amer. (communication to the Secretary*): The Taviche mining-district is generally known as " Taviches," being named from the two villages called respectively San Pedro Taviche and San Jero-nimo Taviche. It is so called by Jose G. Aguilera, in his paper on the Geographical and Geological Distribution of the Mineral Deposits of Mexico;' and in published reports by the late N. W. Rudston Read ;2 and by Juan de Dios Villarello3 The region is a large one, measuring about 24 miles long and 7 miles wide. Dr. Chance, in his interesting paper, tells us very little about the nature of the ores, and, with regard to the geology of the district, contents himself with observing that " the country, as a rule, consists of eruptive rocks; and no evidences of sedimentary strata appear near the mines." The latter part of the above statement is hardly correct. The formation is mainly

Jan 1, 1906

By M. C. Flemings, F. R. Mollard

Two-phase Pb-Sn alloys, ranging in compositiotz from 12 to 26 at. pct Pb, were unidirectionally solidified in a convection-fvee system, with thermal gradients in the liquid of up to 480°C per cm. Plane front solidification Loas achieved in all alloys at sufficiently steep gradient and slow growth rate. Conditions causing breakdown of the interface to a cellular or dendritic structure were roughly as predicted by a sinlple constitutional supercooling criterion. Structures of alloys of near-eutectic composition, solidified with plane front, exhibited a lamellar structure; the alloys furthest from the eutectic exhibited a rod-like morphology. Assumptions used in a previous paper for calculations of solute redistribution in two-phase plane front growth are shown to be reasonable for Pb-Sn alloys. Results of calculations are in good agveement with experiment. These show that variations in growth rate during solidification of the composite produce marked changes in average composition of the solid. IN a previous paper, Part I,' conditions necessary for plane front solidification of two-phase alloys were discussed and calculations given on solute redistribution in this type of solidification. This paper, Part 11, describes experiments on Pb-Sn alloys, designed to check the assumptions of the analyses presented, and to demonstrate their applicability to a given alloy system (Pb-Sn). APPARATUS AND PROCEDURE General. A vertical crystal growing unit was built for the study as described below, and "normal solidification" employed throughout (i.e., the ingot was completely melted except for a portion near the bottom end and then solidification initiated). The furnace was designed to permit achieving very low interface velocities, and steep gradients, in essential absence of convection; it is sketched in Figs. 1 and 2. Simple heat flow considerations indicated choice of a small-diameter specimen (ingot) to achieve high thermal gradients; ingot size chosen was 0.3 cm in diam. The ingots were held inside silica tubes 0.06 cm wall thickness. The requirement for an essentially convection-free system was met by use of the vertical furnace with the heat source over the heat sink, as well as by use of the small diameter ingots. In addition, by selection of tin-rich Pb-Sn alloys, the diffusion boundary layer (lead-rich) was denser than the bulk liquid and would not cause convection. The only apparent driving force for convection in this system was the small transverse temperature gradient resulting from heat flow into the samples from the furnace. Such convection must have been small, however, since 1) no temperature fluctuations in the melt were noted in the recordings, which would have indicated turbulent convection, and 2) experimental results obtained and described below could not have been achieved in presence of significant convection. Ingot Preparation. Pb-Sn alloys ranging from 12 to 26 at. pct Pb were prepared from high-purity lead and tin (99.9999 pct pure metal). Each alloy was prepared by first melting the pure metals in the proper ratio in air, in a Pyrex container. The melt was then stirred thoroughly with a graphite rod and cast into a preheated graphite mold. Ingots were then prepared from these castings for use in the actual experiments; each ingot consisted of a rod of alloy, 15 cm long in a 25-cm-long transparent fused-silica tube, 0.3 cm ID and 0.06 cm wall thickness. One chromel-alumel thermocouple, made with 0.004-in.-diam wire and protected by a two-hole alumina tube, was inserted into each ingot. The 1.5 cm of the thermocouple nearest the bead were protruding from the alumina tube and were coated with a very thin layer of boron nitride paste which provided electrical insulation while allowing good heat conduction. The electrically welded junction size was about that of each wire and the cross section of the two wires represented about 0.3 pct of the sample cross section. Including the coating, the thermocouple cross section still represented less than 0.5 pct of the ingot cross

Jan 1, 1968

By G. R. Speich

The age-hardening of Fe-18 to 21 pct Ni marten-sites containing small amounts of titanium, aluminum, copper, or molybdenum has been studied by hardness measurements, transmission electron microscopy, extraction replicas, and X-ray and electron diffraction. Electyon-probe microanaly-sis of the extracted precipitates was also performed. The effects of temperature and composition on the aging kinetics have been studied in detail for Fe-20 pctNi-Ti martensites. All the martensites hardened on aging at 400" to 500 "C with a single aging peak. In the Fe-20 pct Ni-Ti martensites hardening was associated with the formation of a fine dispersion of NisTi. No precipitation was observed in an Fe-21 pct Ni-2.6 pct A1 alloy, although the hardness increased from 327 to 545 Dph during aging at 500°C. Copper was precgitated from an Fe-20 pct Ni-10.7pct Cu alloy, at least during the later stages of age-hardening. Hardening in an Fe-18 pctNi-5pct Mo alloy was associated with the precipitation of an intemzetallic compound tentatively identified as NisMo. The formation of austenite and the recovery of the defect structure of the martensite occur simultaneously with the normal precipitation processes &ring aging of these alloys. THE age-hardening of substitutional iron-base martensites is an important subject for study since age-hardening is one of the principal means of strengthening the substitutional iron-base martensites in precipitation-hardening stainless steels1 and maraging steels.a~4 In contrast to Fe-C martensites, these martensites are relatively soft and ductile in the as-quenched condition, due to the low solid-solution hardening effect of the substitutional elements as compared to carbon. Also, these martensites are hardened by aging at low temperatures in contrast to Fe-C martensites which generally soften on tempering. Titanium and aluminum, singly or in combination, as well as copper and molybdenum, have been the principal alloying additions to stainless steels to obtain an age-hardening reaction.' Ti-A1 or Co-Mo-Ti combinations have been used in the case of maraging steels.3"4 The present work has been confined to a study of the age-hardening characteristics of an Fe-18 to 21 pct Ni martensite to which small amounts of titanium, aluminum, copper, and molybdenum were added in order to study the effects of each alloying element separately. The age-hardening characteristics of these alloys were studied by hardness measurements, transmission electron microscopy, extraction replicas, and X-ray and electron diffraction. Electron-probe micro-analysis of the extracted precipitates was also performed. The types and dispersion of precipitates, the formation of austenite, and the recovery of the defect structure of the martensite all were studied. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Alloys. The compositions of the alloys studied are listed in Table I. The level of 18 to 21 pct Ni was chosen to assure complete transformation to martensite on quenching and is the same nickel level used in maraging steels. The concentrations of titanium, aluminum, copper, and molybdenum were chosen after a study of the and Fe-Ni-MO' ternary diagrams indicated how much of each alloying element could be dissolved in austenite. Alloys with 2 and 4 pct Cu were also studied, but these did not show precipitation hardening at the nickel levels studied and will not be discussed further. The alloys were prepared from electrolytic iron and high-purity* nickel, titanium, aluminum, copper, and molybdenum by vacuum melting of 20-lb heats. These were vacuum-cast into two 8-lb ingots. The ingots were hot-rolled at 1100°C to 1/2-in. plate and subsequently cut into 3/8-in. cubes. The cubes were sealed in evacuated quartz capsules and solution-treated for 16 hr at 1100°C, except for the Fe-20 pct Ni-10.7 pct Cu alloy and Fe-21 pct Ni-2.6 pct A1 alloys which were solution-treated for 16 hr at 1300" and at 1250"C, respectively. Metallographic examina-

Jan 1, 1963

By Francis M. Walters

THE problem of making iron-manganese alloys of scientific purity is a rather difficult one. They cannot be prepared in air because of the readiness with which the metals oxidize at the temperature of melting; and they cannot be prepared in vacuum because of the, high vapor pressure-of- manganese. The very property of: manganese which permits it to be purified interferes with the utilization of the best method of making pure alloys. Accordingly, it is necessary to use a gas atmosphere which will not affect the-properties of the alloys. The gases available for the purposes are hydrogen; helium and argon. Nitrogen forms intermetallic compounds with manganese very readily. Hydrogen, while valuable as a deoxidizer and having the advantage of being comparatively cheap, is explosive over a wide range and, has a rather high thermal conductivity. Helium is reported as, costing little but is difficult to secure at a reasonable price and also has a conductivity nearly as high as hydrogen. Since argon has a sufficiently low thermal conductivity, it has been selected for use in one induction furnace for melting, under a controlled, gas atmosphere, in spite of its cost, which is so high (70 cents to $1.50 per cubic foot) that it must be stored and purified.. Such a gas atmosphere-as argon makes necessary the use of the, high-frequency induction method of heating. This involves, a non-metallic container for the gas; .which is most conveniently of fused quartz or glass. The next

Jan 1, 1929

By C. H. Li, R. D. Carnahan, R. J. Stokes, T. L. Johnston

When silver chloride deforms by pencil glide at temperatures of 26ºand 72°C, grain size has no effect upon the proportional limit and the material necks down to a knife edge under tension. At -196ºC, deformation takes place on fewer slip systems to produce straight slip traces, the flow stress becomes sensitive to grain size and fracture occurs by cleavage from an intergranular source without any reduction in area. THERE are significant differences between the appearance of the slip bands formed in silver chloride and in the alkali halides at room temperature. The bands in sodium chloride, e.g., are fine and geometrically straight, whereas in silver chloride they are coarse and wavy.' Such differences in the slip behavior prompted us to inquire what the effects of grain boundaries might be on the mechanical properties of these solids. As an introduction to a general study of ionic poly-crystal behavior, we have investigated the effect of grain size on the stress-strain relationships in silver chloride at different temperatures. We have chosen silver chloride chiefly because polycrystals can be easily prepared free from cracks and macroscopic voids by conventional techniques. Moreover, as we shall see, the slip behavior can be readily modified by changing the temperature. It will be shown that the effect of grain size on the yield stress of silver chloride is strikingly dependent upon the temperature of deformation and that this temperature effect comes about through a change in the number of slip systems which operate at the onset of plastic flow. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES Polycrystalline tensile specimens were made by recrystallizing cold-rolled AgCl sheet. Thirty-gram quantities of AR grade silver chloride powder were melted in a low heat capacity furnace, cast into cylindrical forms 3/4 in. in dim and approximately 1 in. in length and then extruded with a 16:l reduction ratio into rods 3/16 in. in dim. Extrusion temperatures were varied from room temperature to 350°C. In order to impart various degrees of cold'work to the extruded rod. All extrusions were then cross rolled to sheet 0.040 in. in thickness at room temperature and machined to form tensile specimens having a gage length of 0.750 in. with a width of either 0.250 or 0.145 in.* Annealing was carried out in an air oven at 200°C for periods up to 20 hr. specimens having average grain diameters ranging from 0.024 to 0.40 mm were prepared by varying the extrusion temperature and annealing time in the conventional manner. To obtain specimens with grain sizes larger than 0.40mm, lightly deformed thin prisims of silver chloride single crystals (supplied by Harshaw Chemical Co.) were recrystallized. Grain size determinations were made by an intercept method and revealed that the grains were equi-axed. Laue back-reflection X-ray patterns showed little tendency to form a preferred orientation texture. Specimens which were to be used for the slip band studies were polished by immersion in fresh boiling concentrated NH,OH for 60 sec. They were then etch polished for 10 sec on each side by hand lapping on a stationary velveteen lap wetted with a dilute Hypo solution (5 g of Kodak Acid Fixer in 100 cc H20). Finally the specimens were rinsed in warm water and alcohol, blown dry and carefully mounted in the tensile machine for testing. Tensile tests were performed at three temperatures, namely, 26º, -72º, and -196°C. A screw-driven hard tensile machine was used at a constant strain rate of 0.006 in. per in. per min. Loads were determined with a light- proof ring fitted with A-18 strain gages and extensions were measured with a 0.0001 in. dial gage. Constant level baths of alcohol with dry ice and liquid nitrogen were used to maintain the two lower test temperatures. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS Reproducibility—In view of the light sensitivity and reactive nature of silver chloride, it was necessary to determine whether reproducibility depended upon either exposure to light or to the condition of the surface. However, during the course of the work it became clear that variation of laboratory lighting

Jan 1, 1962

By ROBERT R. ABUOTT

(Cleveland Meeting, October, 1912.) THE practice of carbonizing steel for the purpose of case-hardening has assumed great commercial importance within the past, 10 years. Formerly, case-hardened steel was held in more or less contempt, since it. was considered a cheap substitute for tool-steel. This is no longer the case. The development of the motor-car industry, and coincidentally that of modern alloy-steels, has resulted in overcoming many difficulties formerly experienced in case-hardening. This result has been accomplished by increased knowledge regarding the analysis of the steel which would respond most readily to case-hardening, and by more careful methods of treatment of the carbonized steel. The ordinary method of carbonizing consists in packing the steel with the carbonizing-material in cast-iron boxes and placing them in a furnace at a temperature of from 1,500° to 1,900° F. for a time sufficient to give the required depth of cc case." The steel is then either quenched directly from the box, or is allowed to cool without unpacking, and finally given a single hardening-heat., or, for special work, two or three heats. During the year 1911, more than 100,000 tons of carbonizing-material was sold in the United States, at an average price of probably $55 per ton. More than 85 per cent. of this material consisted of granulated bone. Within the past four years, many manufactured compounds have been placed on the market, consisting largely of some form of carbon or carbonaceous material, with or without the addition of chemicals. Steel will absorb carbon placed in contact with it at the temperature of the atmosphere. The reaction is exceedingly slow, but. increases rapidly with increasing temperature. Below * Metallurgical Engineer, The Peerless Motor Car Co.

Dec 1, 1912

By S. D. Strauss

The marketing of nonferrous metals and of the ores and concentrates from which these metals are recovered is a fascinating trade, international in character, sensitive to every change in the economic tide, and complex in its organization. Each individual metal has its own marketing mechanism; no two are exactly alike. The differences sometimes are a matter of tradition rather than of necessity, but usually they have developed because of the very nature of the problems of producing or consuming the individual metal. This description, because of limitations of space, can do no more than indicate the major aspects of the trade and touch lightly on the marketing structure of each metal. The dictionary states that a market is a "meeting of people for selling and buying." In the case of nonferrous metals this meeting may occur on a half-dozen different occasions between the time the ore has been first mined and the time the refined metal is available for use by industry; or it may not occur at all until after the metal itself has been rolled, drawn, stamped, cast, or forged into a useful semifabricated shape. To illustrate: A Chilean miner may sell his small ore production to a custom mill, which produces concentrates that are sold to an ore dealer, who finances the shipments of the concentrates to a United States custom smelter, which buys these' concentrates for conversion into blister, which is subsequently refined into electrolytic copper and sold. Conversely, much of the production of aluminum is in the hands of integrated concerns that mine bauxite, convert bauxite to alumina, smelt the alumina to produce aluminum, and then fabricate the aluminum into semifinished or even finished products before title to the material changes hands for the first time. Some nonferrous ores are not converted into metal at all but are sold by the miners or dealers directly b the ultimate consumers. A good example would be chrome ores used by the chemical industry. And of course a substantial part of the commerce in nonferrous metals is in scrap, which is the reconversion into useful form of metals that have long since been mined and smelted. Thus, one-third of all the lead used in the United

Jan 1, 1959

By EDWARHD HALSE

Discussion of the Paper of Dr. H. M. Chance, presented at the Lake Superior Meeting, September, 1904. EDWARD HALSE, Puerto Berrio, Colombia, So. Amer. (communication to the Secretary*) : The Taviche mining-district is generally known as a Taviches," being named from the two villages called respectively San Pedro Taviche and San Jeronimo Taviche. It is so called by José G. Aguilera, in his paper on the Geographical and Geological Distribution of the Mineral Deposits of Mexico;' and in published reports by the late N. W. Rudston Read ;2 and by Juan de Dios Villarello.3 The region is a large one, measuring about 24 miles long and 7 miles wide. Dr. Chance, in his interesting paper, tells us very little about the nature of the ores, and, with regard to the geology of the district, contents himself with observing that ? the country, as a rule, consists of eruptive rocks; and no evidences of sedimentary strata appear near the mines.? The latter part of the above statement is hardly correct. The formation is mainly eruptive, being hornblende-audesite of Tertiary age, which is limited on the east by the calcareous (Cretaceous) formation, and on the west by the Huronian rocks of Ocotlan. Limestone is seen close to the Santa Càtarina mine, at the northern end of the region. In the surface-working known as La Cueva, a little northeast of San Pedro, limestone forms the eastern wall of the deposit which consists of spots (moscas) of pyrargyrite in white opaque or transparent quartz. Ill one place the ore is associated with stibnite, and the quartz frequently exhibts a

Sep 1, 1905

By AIME AIME

IN a recent technical paper of the Central Committee of the French Coal Mines (Note technique No. 198, by L. Lahoussay) the author points out that continuous in¬crease in depth of mine shafts makes it more and more necessary to look for appropriate means to reduce the weights and dimensions of the hoisting ropes. Increasing depth demands a larger section and weight for the cable if the useful load is not to be cut down at the same time. This naturally leads to increased cost per ton, and at the same time creates serious mechanical difficulties. The dimensions of the hoisting engine must be increased, acceleration at the start must be decreased so as to avoid periods of excessive peak power loads, and a longer time be allowed to slow down the speed of the hoist when applying brakes. The hoisting rope, upon which depend the dimensions and hence the mass of the hoisting engine, presents the greatest obstacle to the development of hoisting from greater depths. Evidently, for a given depth, the total weight of the rope can be notably reduced by utilizing a wire rope of decreasing section, approaching the theoretical logarithmic form. This is a solution frequently adopted for great depths. Of course, the weight of the rope could be easily' diminished by reducing the useful load, but it is certain that with increasing depth of mining, more effort must be made to confine the hoisting to a small number of shafts, and increase the load hoisted per trip.

Jan 1, 1933

By AIME AIME

MORE than thirty members of the Coal Division attended the Coal Land Valuations Round Table on Monday morning. Chairman Dilworth stated that the Committee had been appointed to take up the question and, after reading the list of members of the Committee, pointed out that the object of the meeting was to formulate a plan of action rather than to discuss any phases of valuation, per se. To this end he presented a tentative outline of points to be considered in the future by the Committee. After a lively discussion on the desirability of inclusion of some questions in the agenda of the Committee, the following outline was adopted :

Jan 1, 1931

By G. M. Schwartz, J. N. Gundersen

Utilization of magnetite-bearing taconite from the great Mesabi range of Minnesota is fast becoming a major industry in the state. The planning and early development stages of taconite processing projects have been de-scribed1-3 and an excellent discussion has appeared recently4 concerning the current mining, crushing, concentrating, and pelletizing techniques of the Reserve Mining Co., whose operations lie entirely within the Eastern Mesabi district. The present paper will deal only with some of the geological aspects of taconite utilization in the district, with emphasis placed upon some of the common mineralogical and textural features of the tacon-ites currently being mined or stripped and how these factors generally affect the potential recovery of the iron from the metamorphosed Biwabik iron-formation. The generalized geologic setting of the Eastern Mesabi district is presented in Fig. 1. The small circles on the geologic map, adapted from Grout and Broderick,3 mark the location of drill holes that were available for inspection during this study through the courtesy of Reserve Mining and Erie Mining Cos. The cores from these holes were divided into stratigraphic units and examined for their mineral content. Typical mineral associations and grain fabrics were also determined from hundreds of thin and polished sections. Available metallurgical tests made it possible to determine the probable response of a given variety of taconite to magnetic concentration. The longitudinal section of Fig. 1, projected along the strike of the iron formation, presents the simple stratigraphy of the area. It also shows the uniformly thick nature of the iron formation members in the district as well as a somewhat abrupt thickening of the formation to the west of the probable fault. The stratigraphy of these precambrian rocks has been described5-' elsewhere and need only be briefly reviewed. Historically, the oldest rocks unit, the Giants Range granite (Algoman) was covered by the Animikie group of sediments (Middle Huronian?), consisting of the Pokegama, Biwabik, and Virginia formations. Outcrops of the Pokegama quartzite are locally distributed along the northern limit of the Biwabik iron formation, but they are too limited to depict on the geologic map of Fig. 1. The effects of the intrusion of several small diabase sills within the Virginia and Biwabik formations are obscure because all of these rocks have been subsequently highly metamorphosed, mainly by the Duluth gabbro. The emplacement of the transgressing Duluth gabbro (Middle Keweenawan) and that of numerous peg-matitic veins in the iron formation8 has resulted in extensive contact and metasomatic metamorphism which has locally reconstituted the previously existing minerals of the Biwabik formation, in large part quartz and magnetite, into a wide variety of silicate mineral assemblages9 that have a profound effect upon the re coverability of the remaining magnetite. The entire region has subsequently been eroded and largely buried beneath Pleistocene glacial deposits. Structurally, the strike of the gently dipping Animikie group generally parallels the elongate outcrop pattern of the Biwabik iron formation on the map of Fig. 1. The Animikie group most commonly dips from 5" to 15" to the south-southeast. In this area, the Duluth gabbro pluton is somewhat sill-like, dipping about 30" to the southeast. Projecting these present structures upward, it seems probable that the gabbro once extended over the underlying Animikie group in the Eastern Mesabi district. SELECTION AND PRESENTATION OF DATA Because of the locally intense metamorphic activity in the district, mineralogical variations within the magnetite-bearing taconites are commonly abrupt, both vertically and laterally. Consequently it is difficult to select a single hole or small group of holes whose cores will be entirely representative of all of the district. Two holes have been selected, however, that in a general way represent mineralogical and textural variations that are likely to be encountered in both the eastern and western parts of the district. These recently drilled holes were chosen for discussion because it was possible to log the core and then to place the sample intervals at stratigraphic boundaries prior to preparation of the core for magnetic tube tests.

Jan 1, 1961