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By E. A. Reilly, G. R. Gardner, F. P. Lasseter

THE methods that may be applied to the treatment of slurries and water, as these are related to practical coal-preparation problems, are concerned essentially with the movements of solids suspended in water. It is assumed that there are no fundamental differences between the principles involved in the treatment of coal slurries and the phenomena encountered in general mineral-dressing practice, and the latter are presented in some detail. Basic principles are correlated with present practice for both the anthracite and the bituminous coal. fields, and meth¬ods are discussed which are designed to utilize best all the material subjected to treatment and suggest a sound approach to the solution of problems relating to the return of clear water to process or to streams. In order to approach the practical phases of the subject with sufficient understanding of the basic principles, it is necessary to discuss two types of phenomena that are applicable. The first is flocculation and the second is sedimentation. Descriptive matter is given covering the various meth¬ods and types of equipment employed to conduct these operations, with emphasis on their application to water and coal-slurry treatment.

Jan 1, 1943

By Wm. I. Weisman, Sid McIlveen

Sodium sulfate is an important industrial chemical, being one of perhaps a dozen or so chemical commodities produced and consumed in the United States in quantities exceeding 1 Mt/a. In recent years approximately half that production has come from natural sources, whereas 27 years ago only 25% was derived from these sources. Table 1 illustrates the history of production of natural sodium sulfate in the United States. Production of natural sodium sulfate from various types of deposits is the main source of this chemical in Canada and Mexico, and probably in Argentina, Chile, Spain, and the USSR. Mineralogy and Physical Properties Sodium sulfate is widespread in occurrence and is a common constituent of many mineral waters, as well as seawater. Atmospheric precipitation contains sulfate; it is one of the major dissolved constituents of rain and snow (Davis and DeWiest, 1966). Many of the saline lakes throughout the world contain varying amounts of sodium sulfate. Because sodium is usually the dominant cation, some workers make an anionic distinction, referring to lakes containing predominately sulfate as bitter lakes and those containing predominately carbonate as alkali, or soda lakes (Bateman, 1950). Sodium sulfate in its natural form is found as the hydrous salt mirabilite (commonly called Glauber's salt), and as thenardite, the anhydrous variety. The largest quantities occur in the form of mirabilite. Sodium sulfate is found in varying degrees of purity, from theoretically pure efflorescent crystals of mirabilite to combinations and admixtures of other salts and impurities. It is a common constituent of some brines; from this source much is extracted commercially. [ ]

Jan 1, 1983

By R. C. Allen

About four years ago the writer proposed a revision of the correlation of the Huronian formations in Michigan, and noted the bearing of the question on the correlations of the Huronian rocks in Wisconsin and Minnesota.1 Dr. C. K. Leith opposed this revision and argued for the retention of the correlations of the United States Geological Survey, published in 1911,2 for which he and Dr. Van Hise were mainly responsible. As late as June, 1917, Harder and Johnson, following Leith, thought it "premature to change radically a correlation based on years of careful field work."3 The work of Wolff on the Mesabi and Cuyuna Ranges, of Hotchkiss on the Gogebic Range (unpublished), and of the writer and assistants on the Michigan ranges, together with data developed by exploratory and mining operations, has introduced so many new facts not recognized in the scheme of the U. S. Geological Survey that the correlations of 1911 must be considered, in some important respects, obsolete. Indeed, new data are accumulating so rapidly that any classification, which for the moment may seem best to explain the facts, is almost immediately modified or refined by further observations. The problem of Huronian correlations is difficult, but interesting and important. With the aid of fossils, stratigraphers of the post-Algonkian formations have been able to show that slight disconformities mag separate strata of vastly different ages, and that within physically conformable strata may be concealed a hiatus of great magnitude. In the non-fossiliferous Huronian group, minor physical breaks in the strata are only beginning to attract attention, and it is too early to discuss what bearing these will have in correlating the formations of one area with those of another, but it is safe to say that the "lost intervals" which are not disclosed by physical relationships will remain forever lost; therefore we may not hope to discover the ultimate truth concerning the

Jan 1, 1920

By Thomas. B. D.

GRAVITY concentration is a general term designating processes for separating and sorting granular material by means of forces that depend on the density, size and shape of the particles. When these forces are applied to the particles the latter are caused to move, those of a given density along one path and those of a different density along another, until ultimately they are sufficiently separated to be removed from the operation of the process. The forces producing this separation are in general complex and, unfortunately, no completely rigorous analysis of them has as yet been devised. The science of the hydrodynamics of viscous fluids deals with , the little that is known about the problem. Every observer of nature is familiar with the fact that an object moving in a fluid encounters a force of resistance. We have only to walk against a brisk wind or stir a cup of coffee, or observe the slow fall of a grain of sand in water, to experience directly the fact that such forces exist. The exchange of force between an object and a fluid in which it is moving operates on the fluid as well as on the object. Thus a sailboat may be set in motion by the force exerted by the wind on the sail; but the sail also deflects the wind-furthermore, the water in which the boat floats is set in motion by the force exerted by the boat as it cleaves through the water, The wind is thus enabled to do work on the water through the intermediary of the boat. In general, an object moving through a fluid encounters a force that opposes the motion and also acts to change the motion of the fluid. In gravity concentration we are dealing with this force of resistance acting on the granular particles that are to be separated. Furthermore, the motion induced in the fluid by a particle will in turn affect the motion of a neighboring particle. This effect will be reciprocated and in consequence there will be an exchange of forces between all the particles in the material. These effects are complex and the most that can be expected is that we may be able to determine in a qualitative way how they operate. In gravity concentration, then, the following types of forces may be distinguished as acting on the particles:

Jan 1, 1943

By F. H. Newell

Measurements of the amount of water flowing in many of the larger rivers of the west have been made by the United States Geological Survey, and by this means the daily discharges of these rivers have been computed for a period of over two years. These measurements have been confined mainly to that part of the country commonly known as the arid region, where the rainfall is insufficient for the needs of plants most useful to man, and the supply of water, not only for agriculture, but also for mining and all other purposes, falls below the demands made upon it. In such localities flowing water has a great value, for without it many industries are impossible. Experience has shown that in the western part of the United States, over an area a little less than two-fifths of the whole extent of the country, there are great bodies of fertile land enjoying a genial climate, and in every way adapted to the support of a large population, except in the one particular of water-supply. By utilizing the water available, portions of this rich land can be rendered valnable. In other words, the laud-values rest directly upon the prospects of a continuous artificial water-supply. The same is true of many mineral lands, which require for hydraulic mining, or for the supply of concentrating-works, stanip-mills, etc., a certain water-supply, and are impaired in value if this supply is inadequate or irregular. The pressure of this need upon the mining industry is not so widespread, or in the first instance so severe as upon agriculture; but as different regions become more thickly settled, and the two industries compete for a water-supply not sufficient for both, it, is probable that the miner will suffer. But he can snspend operations with less inconvenience than the farmer. Agricuitural land, if the watersupply is not continuous, becomes a desert; on the other hand, the profit of mining is greatly enhanced by the presence of agricultural

Jan 1, 1892

By Graham Bright

Metal mines were developed long before coal mines and the early lighting of underground workings was effected by torches and candles. The early coal mines were outcrop workings and little trouble was experienced from gas, but as the mines became deeper and shaft mines were opened it became apparent that an open-fame lamp was exceedingly dangerous where gas occurred. No satisfactory way of lighting gaseous coal mines was found until Sir Humphrey Davy brought out his famous safety lamp in 1815. The introduction of the Davy lamp was a great step forward but it was unsatisfactory from a light standpoint because the gauze absorbed a large percentage of the light given out by the flame. Clanny corrected this by the introduction of a cylindrical glass lens, which not only permitted a free distribution of the light from the flame but added greatly to the safety by eliminating the possibility of the flame coming in contact with the gauze and by protecting the flame against air currents. A very complete story of the flame safety lamp since its inception is given in the U. S. Bureau of Mines Bulletin No. 227, by J. W. Paul, I;. C. Ilsley and E. J. Gleim, published in 1924. A little more recent publication, known as Safety in Mines Research Board Paper No. 4, entitled "The Light Power of Flame Safety Lamps," by R. V. Wheeler and D. W. Woodhead, was published in England in 1927. The flame safety lamp was the only lamp available for gaseous mines for about 100 years. Although the incandescent electric lamp has been in use over 50 years, it was not found safe to use this lamp from wired circuits in gaseous locations. The storage battery was advocated shortly after the development of the incandescent lamp but until the introduction of the tungsten filament in the miniature mine-lamp bulb, the battery lamp was not a real possibility because of the excessive weight of the battery necessary to produce a sufficient amount of light. The actual development of the electric-battery type of lamp took place largely between 1910 and 1915. In England and Europe, the developmenb was almost entirely along the

Jan 1, 1936

By R. S. Bradley, B. K. Miller

The principal producing areas of fire clay in Missouri are: (I) the east central district, which includes Audrain, Callaway, Montgomery, Warren, and Boone Counties (Fig. I); (2) the St. Louis district, which includes St. Louis and St. Louis County; (3) the north central Ozark district, which includes Franklin, Gasconade, Osage, Maries, Phelps, and Crawford Counties. Most of the semiplastic‡ fire clay is found in Audrain, Callaway, Montgomery and St. Louis Counties, and in St. Louis. Flint fire clay is found in Callaway, Audrain, and Montgomery Counties and in most of the north centra! Ozark district. High-alumina diaspore clay is found only in the north central Ozark district, except a few deposits found in Montgomery County. This paper is concerned with the semi-plastic fire clay that occurs in the east central Missouri district near Mexico, Audrain County, Missouri, which is mined by the open-pit method as practiced by the A. P. Green Fire Brick Co. About one-fourth of the semiplastic fire clay in that district is mined in shaft mines, and three-fourths in open pits.

Jan 1, 1942

By Walter A. English

CONTENTS PAGE Introduction. By WALTER A. ENGLISH 1 Theory of Seismic Reflection Prospecting. By WILLARD H. TRACY 2 Instruments for Reflection Seismograph Prospecting. By ARTHUR NOMANN 9 Seismograph Field Operations. By FRANK ITTNER 15 Determining Geologic Structure from Seismograph Records. By P. C. KELLY 22 INTRODUCTION BY WALTER A. ENGLISH,* MEMBER A.I.M.E. THE four papers making up this symposum have been prepared espe-cially for those who have no knowledge of seismograph prospecting. To many people mathematics is a formidable subject, and many are discouraged from studying seismograph prospecting under the mistaken assumption that the mathematical requirements are severe. In the papers presented here there is not a single mathematical equation. We believe that considerable competence in dealing with some of the most important problems of this work can be attained without any mathe-matical training whatever. At the present time, there is a real need for interpretation of results by persons thoroughly competent to bring geologic experience and imagination to bear on data that are subject to multiple interpretation from a strictly physical viewpoint. Likewise, those charged with the responsibility of planning seismo-graph exploration campaigns would do well to become familiar with as . much as possible of the technical aspects of the work. They would then be in better position to judge of its success in individual cases. It has often been said that the seismograph is a new structure-finding tool for the geologists to use. Using a tool and using its product are two different things. One does not use an automatic screw-threading machine when he buys a box of screws at the hardware store. Neither does the geologist

Jan 1, 1939

By Clarence Zener

The heat-treatment of steels will not pass from the stage of an art into that of a science until the mechanism of the phase transformations associated therewith is thoroughly understood. Such an understanding will involve two distinct types of inquiry: (I) the direction of the transformation, (2) the speed of the transformation. The first type of inquiry, which involves only the equilibrium relations between the various phases in steel, is the subject of the present and of a succeeding article; the second type, which involves the kinetics of transformations, will be the subject of a later article. In order that a theory of equilibrium relations may give useful information, certain experimental data must be put into the theory. It is customary for these data to be of a thermal nature. In the system discussed herein—steel—such thermal data are very scarce. In medium-alloy steels another type of data might possibly be used. In these steels the concentration of solute is so low that it may be possible to use the approximation of dilute solutions, an approximation that leads to linear relationships. The unknown functions, or constants, may then be determined in some cases from the binary iron-alloy system and in other cases from the ternary iron-carbon-alloy system. From the functions, or constants, so determined may then be computed the equilibrium relations in more complex medium-alloy steels. In the present article this second approach is used, the necessary experimental data 'being obtained from the simple binary and ternary equilibrium diagrams. Fundamental Equations In this article are derived the equilibrium relations between the gamma, alpha and cementite phases. In these three phases all important alloying elements except carbon form substitutional solutions, each alloying atom occupying a potential site for an iron atom. Carbon, on the other hand, forms an interstitial solution. In the face-centered cubic gamma phase, the interstitial positions are at the center of the unit cube and at the centers of the cube edges. There are therefore four interstitial positions per unit cell, or one per iron atom. In the body-centered cubic alpha phase, the interstitial positions are probably at the face centers, and also at the centers of the edges, which are crystallographically equivalent to the face centers. There are therefore six interstitial positions per unit cube, or three per iron atom. In cementite, (Fe, Alloy)3C, the carbon atoms may. be regarded as filling all the lattice positions of a given type. The introduction of the fundamental the of equilibrium has presented the author with a quandary. These equations are formally so similar to other equations that have been derived1,2 for related systems that they may appear to some readers

Jan 1, 1947

By Donald C. Barton

Success in the use of the Eötvös torsion balance method of mapping geologic structure depends largely on the accuracy in the interpretation of the observed results. Skill in that interpretation depends (1) on the knowledge of the types of the variation of gravity, the gradient of gravity horizontally, and of the differential curvature produced by bodies of different sizes, shapes, dimensions, and densities; (2) on the knowledge of the possible types of structural bodies which might produce the observed anomalies; (3) on the empirical knowledge gained by experience not only in the geological interpretation of torsion balance surveys, hut of interpretations of inadequate geological data; and (4) on a knowledge of the possible and probable types of geologic structures in the area of the survey. The knowledge of the anomaly which a known body will produce and conversely the knowledge of the body or bodies which will produce a known anomaly may be gained by empirical experience and by mathematical study. The knowledge gained by empirical experience is fragmentary and inexact. The geology of most structures actually is known very superficially. The surface geology may be known accurately. If the structure is petroliferous, the subsurface geology of the oil field will be known down to 3000, 4000, 5000 ft. or in a few oil fields down to 7500 ft., but the deeper geology will be unknown and the metamorphic, igneous, or massive limestone basement below the reach of the drill may contrast sharply in density with the overlying sediments. Away from the oil field, the subsurface geology is known only from scattered drill holes, which do not go to the basement. A fair but not necessarily accurate knowledge of the geology of the nonproductive area can be obtained by correlation of the wells but the degree of its accuracy in general is proportional to the density of the occurrence of the wells. The geology below the bottom of the wells however is unknown. An anomaly mapped by the torsion balance is the sum of the effects of the contrasts in mass of its whole geologic surroundings. If the dimensions of a body of abnormal density are large enough, depth or distance makes no difference in the effects on the gradient and differential curvature; and as a matter of fact, in many places, the basement and irregulari-

Jan 1, 1929

By Thomas L. Garwood, F. C. Menk

IT is generally, accepted that no method of coal cleaning except froth flotation is effective in cleaning dust. In the majority of coals mined in the United States the dust sizes contain a high percentage of impurities, hence the removal of the dust from the coarse sizes lowers the impurity content of these sizes. Dedusted coal is desired as a means of providing a better feed to cleaning plants because of increased efficiency in both dry and wet plants. In dry-cleaning plants, a dedusted feed makes for a pervious and uniform bed. With a dusty feed the fines tend to segr6gate in the feed stream and pass en masse over the air separators, causing a lack of uniform aeration and fluidity of the bed necessary to efficient cleaning. In wet-cleaning plants dedusting of the feed often decreases the sludge problem to the point of eliminating the necessity of wasting wash water. It may be advantageous to eliminate sludge-settling equipment in favor of dedusting equipment, to provide the advantages of a dedusted feed to the wet-washing process. Dedusting advantages may include: (1) the removal of fusain, especially advantageous in plants washing coal intended for metallurgical coke; (2) prevention of the gradual build-up of solids in the wash water, with a consequent variation in the washing ability of the system; (3) prevention of the loss of dust to the sludge ponds, providing instead a fuel for local consumption or special markets. DEDUSTING The practice of dedusting, sometimes called aspirating, has presented a problem in disposing of the dust and intermediate small sizes recovered in the process. It has been found that no difficulty is experienced in disposing of the intermediate sizes, since they are free of fine dust and burn freely on grates built for small coal. They handle well, flowing freely from bins and hoppers and into conveyors, and pulverize easily. They have a low angle of repose. In tests made on this size as a feed to coke ovens, the results have been excellent, in that the natural breakdown of .coal in handling and shooting in the mine gives this small-size coal good

Jan 1, 1943

By E. N. Doyle

Since the mid-1930's a number of plants, using the principles of heavy media separation, have been installed throughout the world. In cases involving lead, zinc or lead-zinc ores the reasons for the choice of this type of beneficiation process have fallen into four major categories: A) The economic recovery of additional distinctly separate products, such as dolomite limestone at the Mascot Plant (1) of the American Zinc Co., and the ferrosilicon produced by St. Joseph Lead Company. (2) B) The elimination of a large portion of run-of-the-mine ore prior to grinding and flotation, to allow increased throughput with low capital cost. Examples of this approach are the Levante and Ponente plants of the Montevecchio Company in Italy (3) and the frequent choice of the Sink-Float process by the Penarroya Company of Paris. C) The processing of a sedimentary deposit, in which the valuable mineral is contained in the matrix separating the boulders, as was the case at the St. Joseph Lead Company plant at Haydon Creek (4) and also at Bunker Hill Mining and Smelting, Kellogg, Idaho. D) The simplification of Around support programs in mines by allowing greater freedom of action in the extractive pattern. An example of this choice is Cominco’s Sullivan plant which came into being as part of an extensive proposal to update the mining, crushing, transportation, grinding and beneficiation processes. (5)

Jan 1, 1970

By W. S. Keyes

The State of Nevada, known par excellence as " the Silver State," occupies the major portion of the wide plateau, or so-called Great Basin, lying between the Sierra Nevada range on the west and the Wahsatch range of the Rocky Mountains on the east. It extends from the 114th degree to the 120th degree of longitude, west of Greenwich. It is limited, on the north, by the 42d degree of latitude, and on the extreme south by the 35th degree of latitude. Its general shape is that of an irregular parallelogram, from which the lower or southwestern portion has been cut off by a diagonal southeasterly line; the missing portion forms a part of the State of California on the west. The Great Basin is made up of a succession of low hills, or minor mountain ranges, running very nearly north and south, with long valleys between them. All of these mountains are more or less metalliferous. On the westcrn rim, marking the eastern flank or foothills of the Sierra, we find granites, porphyries, and propylites. Here we note the great Comstock lode, with its free-milling gold and silver ores, and still further south the once prominent and the now reviving gold and silver-bearing districts of Esmeralda County, Nevada, and of Morro County, California. Next, at some distance to the east, we find the mining districts at and near Unionville, in Humboldt County. Still further to the east we find the Battle Mountain copper-silver district, north from the railroad, and southerly therefrom the Austin or Reese Ever, Belmont, and other districts. Still further east and north of the railroad, we find the Tuscarora, a new district of very

Jan 1, 1879

By E. L. Raymond

The effect of heat treatment on the microstructure and resultant notch-bar rupture life of ZNCONEL alloys X- 750 and 718 was studied. It was found that the primary effect of heat treatment in rendering these alloys notch-ductile is the elimination of any y' denuded zone adjacent to the pain boundaries. The mechanisms by which such a denuded zone can arise and be eliminated by heat treatment are discussed. InCONEL Ni-Cr alloy X-750 and INCONEL Ni-Cr alloy 718 are age-hardenable austenitic materials. Alloy X-750 is used for its corrosion and oxidation resistance and high creep-rupture strength up to 1500°F. Alloy 718 is used most effectively up to 1300°F. One of the most important areas in their development has been establishment of consistently good rupture properties, especially in the presence of a stress concentration, such as imposed by a notch. A desire to improve these properties has led to extensive studies of the effect of heat treatment on the micro structure of these alloys and their performance in stress-rupture tests. In earlier investigations"~ of INCONEL* alloy X-750, *INCONEL i s a Registered Trademark of The International Nickel Co., Inc. grain boundary carbide morphology was linked with stress-rupture properties. If, during heat treatment, the carbide MZSC was precipitated in the grain bound-ary in a cellular form, poor rupture properties re-

Jan 1, 1968

By Kenneth C. Vincent, A. M. Gaudin

IN a study1of the action of amyl xanthate on chalcocite in water suspension, it was found that if the xanthate is added in relatively large quantity the xanthate group can be accounted for in three forms: (1) as xanthate ion remaining in water, (2) as benzene-soluble cuprous xanthate on the chalcocite, (3) as a benzene-insoluble coating on the chalcocite. Reduction in the amount of xanthate added leads to disappearance of form 1 then of form 2. With minute quantities of added xanthate, substantially all the reagent is of the "unleachable" kind. Yet this unleachable xanthate can be dissolved by pyridine to form a soluble cuprous xanthate complex, and it is sufficient in effectiveness to make chalcocite flotable even if insufficient in quantity to form a complete monomolecular film on the mineral. In that study it was also found that chalcocite abstracts cuprous xanthate from benzene solution, in what may (or may not) be a case of molecular adsorption. It seemed desirable, therefore, to study further the "unleachable" xanthate on the chalcocite, and particularly to ascertain whether it is formed as a result of the benzene leach or is actually formed during the conditioning of chalcocite in aqueous xanthate solution. A splendid tool to make such studies has recently been perfected; that is, the use of radioactive spies or tracer atoms. With this tool, it was thought possible to answer the problem stated above, but, unfortunately, this did not prove to be true. Answer to the flotation question was clouded by the existence of rapid and selective diffusion of copper atoms in the solid mineral-a phenomenon that was totally unexpected yet remains interesting and perhaps important. METHOD OF RADIOACTIVE SPIES The method of radioactive spies is discussed in many places. Two convenient references are the article by Evans2 and the book by Pollard and Davidson.3 The method was first developed by Von Hevesy and Paneth in 1913, when only natural radioactive isotopes were available. These isotopes are few in number, and so the method remained limited in scope. Recently the synthesis of over 350 active isotopes of all the known stable chemical elements4 has opened widely expanded possibilities for the method. A fundamental tenet of the method is that a radioactive atom and a nonradioactive atom are exactly alike until disintegration of the radioactive atom. Then, by its sudden death, the spy reveals its location. The relative abundance of spies at various locations makes it possible to ascertain the relative abundance of the corresponding nonradioactive atoms at the same times and locations. A second fundamental tenet of the method of radioactive tracers is that the radioactivity lies in the nucleus of the atom: transfer of radioactivity from one

Jan 1, 1944

By J. B. Morrow, D. H. Davis

THERE are two general approaches to the problem of increasing profits from an operation. One is to lower expense; the other is to raise income. Mechanical preparation of coal may be used for either purpose but a prudent consideration of many details must precede any decision lest the results be negative instead of positive. It is quite possible that any net gain will result from a combination of the two. Since mechanically prepared coal invariably is a better product qualitatively than a hand-picked coal from the same mine, it is a reasonable expectation that the customer will be willing to increase the producer's income by paying a higher price. Or there may be the possibility that a combination of mechanical mining plus mechanical cleaning will give a lower over-all production cost for the coal in the railroad car. More likely, there will be found a combination of these two factors. From the customer's point of view, the competitive delivered cost per B.t.u. considered in relation to such incidental factors as dust nuisance, handling properties, ash disposal, and ash fusibility determines what he will pay. In-a bulk tonnage such as coal, freight is a very considerable part of the delivered fuel cost, and obviously freight paid on incombustible ash has no economic attractions. INCENTIVE FOR CLEANING Coal is prepared in four major ways: l (1) by screening or sizing, (2) by mixing or blending, (3) by cleaning, including hand picking and mechanical cleaning, (4) by dustless treatment. By a combination of any or all of these methods, coal can be prepared to standard specifications. It is easily possible to have good cleaning and still get a poor final product because of faulty screening or mixing, while it is possible to produce a very acceptable product from mediocre cleaning if the coal is well screened and mixed.

Jan 1, 1950

By B. K. Miller, R. S. Bradley

The principal producing areas of fire clay in Missouri are: (I) the east central district, which includes Audrain, Callaway, Montgomery, Warren, and Boone Counties (Fig. I); (2) the St. Louis district, which includes St. Louis and St. Louis County; (3) the north central Ozark district, which includes Franklin, Gasconade, Osage, Maries, Phelps, and Crawford Counties. Most of the semiplastic‡ fire clay is found in Audrain, Callaway, Montgomery and St. Louis Counties, and in St. Louis. Flint fire clay is found in Callaway, Audrain, and Montgomery Counties and in most of the north centra! Ozark district. High-alumina diaspore clay is found only in the north central Ozark district, except a few deposits found in Montgomery County. This paper is concerned with the semi-plastic fire clay that occurs in the east central Missouri district near Mexico, Audrain County, Missouri, which is mined by the open-pit method as practiced by the A. P. Green Fire Brick Co. About one-fourth of the semiplastic fire clay in that district is mined in shaft mines, and three-fourths in open pits.

Jan 1, 1942

By John W. Gabelman

Uranium exploration technology historically has followed the economic cycle of demand, exploration spurt, and trailing supply; but with a greater lag. Greatest progress was made during the wane of demand as geological investigation caught up with the flood of new discoveries made during relatively short periods of peak demand. Updating brought technology to a new level based on the deposits which were discovered and not on the total range of deposit types which might exist. The technology was seldom able to predict new deposit types or new districts, which have consistently been surprises. Yet each new cycle of increased demand was at a new higher level, occasioned by a new use, which required the discovery of previously unrecognized larger types of deposits. Hindsight shows that data sufficient to have predicted most discoveries were available. The predicted growth of uranium demand far in excess of estimated resources is an incentive to examine current technology for data or promising techniques that might foster discovery by technical prediction rather than by systematic drilling. The world could well be reexamined systematically with new geophysical techniques including gamma spectrometry, radon emanometry, and magnetometry. Known occurrences could well be reevaluated in the light of new data on mineralization process and supergene leaching. Less-leachable extrinsic elements associated with uranium might he sought as clues to unleached uranium at depth. Uranium is increasingly being noted in environments containing coal and petroleum which might become targets. High-temperature replacement disseminations are increasingly reported and particularly attractive as exemplified by the Rossing district. The number of formations containing uranium occurrences is growing so that new, not necessarily fluvial, formations might be productive. Enough drilling has been done to indicate that uranium is selectively distributed regionally under some control yet to be determined. Exploration should address those environments and areas where uranium could occur rather than only those where it is already known.

Jan 1, 1976

By W. S. Keyes

(Read at the Amenia Meeting, October, 1877.) EASTERN NEVADA. THE State of Nevada, known par excellence as "the Silver State," occupies the major portion of the wide plateau, or so-called Great Basin, lying between the Sierra Nevada range on the west and the Wahsatch range of the Rocky Mountains on the east. It extends from the 114th degree to the 120th degree of longitude, west of Greenwich. It is limited, on the north, by the 42d degree of latitude, and on the extreme south by the 35th degree of latitude. Its general shape is that of an irregular parallelogram, from which the lower or southwestern portion has been cut off by a diagonal southeasterly line; the missing portion forms a part of the State of California on the west. The Great Basin is made up of a succession of low hills, or minor mountain ranges, running very nearly north and south, with long valleys between them. All of these mountains are more or less metalliferous. On the western rim, marking the eastern flank or foothills of the Sierra, we find granites, porphyries, and propylites. Here we note the great Comstock lode, with its free-milling gold and silver ores, and still further south the once prominent and the now reviving gold and silver-bearing districts of Esmeralda County, Nevada, and of Morro County, California. Next, at some distance to the east, we find the mining districts at and near Unionville, in Humboldt County. Still further to the east we find the Battle Mountain copper-silver district, north from the railroad, and southerly therefrom the Austin or Reese River, Belmont, and other districts. Still further east and north of the railroad, we find the Tuscarora, a new district of very

Jan 1, 1878

By N. F. Neumann, A. W. Schlechten

Metal chlorides were formed by reacting metal oxides and calcium chloride; the effect of additions to the reaction mixture was studied. It was found that by use of proper additions, metal chlorides could be prepared from mixtures that were not reactive under ordinary conditions. ManY recent metallurgical developments involve the use of chlorine or chlorides as primary reagents; good examples are found in the production of ductile zirconium and titanium by reduction of their chlorides with magnesium. Various methods of preparing metal chlorides are used and many others have been proposed. Some chlorides are formed by the direct combination of a metal or alloy with chlorine. Other processes react chlorine and metallic oxides; carbon or other reducing agents are usually employed to reduce the metal oxides and so promote chlorination. Metallic chlorides have also been produced by the exchange of chlorine between metal oxides and a chloride, such as sodium chloride. This type of reaction was the basis for the old process of chloride roasting in which metal ores were roasted in the presence of salt. Soluble chlorides thus formed

Jan 1, 1959