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Seattle offered sunny, dry weather to about 2500 mining men who assembled September 10 to 14 for the 1961 American Mining Congress. The impact of snappy sessions on national mineral policy, state of the industry and foreign competition (to name only a few) was somewhat overshadowed by enthusiasm of conventioners for salmon fishing. This lordly fish, which mysteriously runs to its hatching place to spawn and die at this time of year, was not cooperating with the anglers in Puget Sound. However, this did not prevent consuming ample amounts of the deliciously prepared Quinault salmon at the "Potlatch" celebration.

Jan 10, 1961

By C. H. Mathewson

(New York Meeting, February, 1916) DURING the past year considerable work dealing with the mechanical properties and microstructure following the anneal under uniform conditions of certain types of commercial rolled brass has been done in this laboratory. Since these experiments were conducted with the active cooperation of the Bridgeport Brass Co., involving free use of its product, and have thus furnished information which is characteristic of some of its special mixtures, full publication of the numerical relationships and comparative results encountered does not seem justifiable. Some of the more general features of this work are, however, available and it is our present purpose to use the material in question, along with some results of special tests, in discussing the characteristics of recrystallization as related to the degree of hardening by strain and the ordinary annealing variables. We desire to make acknowledgment of the many courtesies extended by Mr. Charles Ferry, Metallurgist of the Bridgeport Brass Co., and the value of his cooperation, which has greatly stimulated the study of brass in this laboratory. A clear and systematic presentation of the principal relations between temperature and time of anneal, the changing physical properties and microstructure and the degree of previous reduction by cold-rolling, was first made, in the case of rolled brass and copper, by the French engineer, C. Grard,1 in 1909, although much fragmentary information of this general character had appeared earlier and the main facts involved were undoubtedly known to many brass specialists through their own private research. From this work, it appears that in the cartridge mixture (67 per cent. copper, 33 per cent. zinc) the properties imparted by cold-working within the limits, 13 to 75 per cent. reduction of area by rolling

Jan 1, 1916

By R. W. Kraft, L. D. Graham

The process of' spheroidization, or more properly coarsening, of Al-CuAl,eutectic alloy specimens with various initial microstructures was studied by quantitative metallographic and X-ray diffraction techniques. By measuring the rale at which specimens with a very fine dispersion of phases (produced by quenching molten droplets of the alloy in water) coarsened it uias determined that the rate-controlling mechanism for coarsening was diffusion, probably of aluminum in the aluminum-rich phase. The lamellae in specimens with a high degree of microstructural and cr-ystallog/uphic anisotropy (produced hy unidirectional solidification of ingots) thickened during heat treatment by recession of the CuAl, platelets from jaulted regzons, yet the specinlens retained a very high degree of. anisotropy after prolonged heat treatments at a temperature within 8°C of the eutectic temperature. In such specimens the crystallographic orientation relationship between the phases remained constant and no change in the crystallographic substructure occurred. Based on these observations a model was developed for the coarsening—or rate of' thicken-ing—oj- the lamellar structures which predicts that the rate of decrease of interface area is proportional to the square of lamellar interface area. Experiments with degenerate and very coarse lamellar microstruc -tures preduced by extremely slow unidirectional solidification) indicate that initial microstructure is a most important factor governing the final micro-structure after heat treatment. The particle size and shape of dispersed phases are important parameters affecting the properties of a wide variety of two-phase materials. As is well-known, varietythe dispersed-phase particles tend to coarsen at appropriately high temperatures because the interface energy of the system is reduced by the concomitant reduction in interface area. The phenomenon of

Jan 1, 1967

By F. L. Wolf

The catenary system of line construction possesses so many desirable characteristics from the operating standpoint that it has wide application for all types of electric traction. Many steam roads are electrifying sections of their lines, and in most cases are operating both steam and electric locomotives over the same track. This means that the overhead catenary system is subjected to the severe corrosive action of locomotive smoke, and data concerning the resistance of various alloys to this form of corrosion are very desirable from every point of view. Reliable and specific information and data on the subject of corrosion due to steam and smoke from locomotives are extremely meager and, on this account, extensive service tests, together with accelerated tests, have been made on a number of commercial metals and alloys. The observations and data recorded in this paper are the result of a preliminary test which was started in 1923 and which has been carried on to the present time. The recognition of the need for even more detailed and accurate data has resulted in the undertaking of another test which has been in progress for about a year. The result of this test will be published in due course. Some years ago The Ohio Brass Co. was asked by one of the large steam railroad companies to furnish data on construction details for a catenary system which it was considering for one of its divisions. The selection of materials which would give the necessary physical characteristics as well as withstand the severe corrosive action of locomotive gases caused electrical railroad engineers considerable concern. At that time, there were available no specific or authentic data on these important questions: no systematic investigation of the problem appeared to have been made, even though it's importance was generally recognized. Such observations as had been made were crude in that they had been limited largely to visual inspection which too frequently is most misleading. However, the scattered information which was collected gave important clues as to how best to start an investigation. Technical literature was studied, metallurgical experts were consulted, and the problem was discussed with engineers who were in close contact

Jan 1, 1930

By Norman Braly

THE following is not offered as an extended paper on the subject of shaft sinking, but more as a description of the present practice of shaft sinking in the Butte district. The Anaconda company is sinking at present the following shafts: Badger State, Moose, Mountain Consolidated, Mountain View, Pennsyl-ania and Tropic. At the High Ore and Leonard mines the shafts are being deepened by sinking two compartments and will subsequently be enlarged to the full working size by raising alongside the compartments which are now being sunk. The following other companies are also sinking shafts: Butte-Alex Scott, Butte and Zenith City, Boston and Corbin, North Butte Mining Co. (at the Granite Mountain shaft), East Butte Co. (at the Pittsmont shaft), and the Rainbow Lode Development Co. Shaft Timbering. The shafts of the Butte district, generally speaking, are of three compartments arranged in a straight line, and the pump compartment is usually arranged for the use of an auxiliary hoisting cage, as well as for carrying pipe lines and electric wires. The Rainbow shaft is practically square, and of three compartments. The length of the shafts outside of timber will vary from 17 to 22 ft., and the width from 6 ft. 6 in. to 7 ft. Fir timber is used in all shaft work. This may be obtained from the Coast, when it is known as Coast fir, or from Idaho or Montana, when it is known as native fir. The native fir seems to be the tougher wood, but it is hard to obtain clear lumber in the lengths and sizes necessary for shaft work. Some of the shaft timber of the Anaconda company has been treated with creosote as a preservative, but this practice has not come into general use, as the ground of the camp is so heavy that the timbers usually crush before they rot. The size of timber most .used for shaft work is 12 by 12 in., while 10 by 12 in., 10 by 14 in. and 12 by 14 in. are used for some of the special pieces around the shaft. The new Leonard shaft is timbered with 14 by 14 in. wall plates throughout.

Jan 8, 1913

By F. M. Lewis, J. F. Myers

The selection of the proper type of flotation machine involves the consideration of a wide variety of factors. Under any condition, all types of machines will promote some kind of separation. Obviously, the correct way of deciding which type of machine is best suited for a particular problem would be to set up all types of machines and test them out in a competitive manner, but the vast number of small concentrating plants are unable to make such complete and exhaustive tests. The experience of the authors of this paper indicates that if all the factors involved in any particular problem can be determined, and if all the flotation-machine characteristics are understood, some basis for selection could be arrived at other than actual comparison. This paper is presented to show how the process factors and machine characteristics have been combined at the mills of the Tennessee Copper Co. from studies of several types of flotation machines. At the two mills of the Tennessee Copper Co. in the Ducktown Basin of Tennessee, four distinct flotation separations are made on the complex sulphide ore. Three different concentrates are produced from the ore—in the order of their importance: iron concentrate, copper concentrate, and zinc concentrate. Four different types of flotation machines are used. The selection of these four machines, for the plant operation, was based upon the study and operating experience of the machine units shown in the following list: Fagergren machine; square cell, size 56 inches Fagergren machine; level type, size 56 inches Denver machine; conical disk impeller, size 24 inches Denver machine; receded disk impeller, size 24 inches Minerals Separation Sub-A, size 24 inches Munro-Pearse deep cell, pneumatic Southwestern air machine, Hunt principle To date the study of flotation machines has been confined almost entirely to the rougher circuits. The various cleaning operations, being relatively a much simpler matter, have not been investigated so thoroughly. Table I shows a typical analysis of the two ores as well as of the mineral content.

Jan 1, 1947

By J. F. Myers, F. M. Lewis

The selection of the proper type of flotation machine involves the consideration of a wide variety of factors. Under any condition, all types of machines will promote some kind of separation. Obviously, the correct way of deciding which type of machine is best suited for a particular problem would be to set up all types of machines and test them out in a competitive manner, but the vast number of small concentrating plants are unable to make such complete and exhaustive tests. The experience of the authors of this paper indicates that if all the factors involved in any particular problem can be determined, and if all the flotation-machine characteristics are understood, some basis for selection could be arrived at other than actual comparison. This paper is presented to show how the process factors and machine characteristics have been combined at the mills of the Tennessee Copper Co. from studies of several types of flotation machines. At the two mills of the Tennessee Copper Co. in the Ducktown Basin of Tennessee, four distinct flotation separations are made on the complex sulphide ore. Three different concentrates are produced from the ore—in the order of their importance: iron concentrate, copper concentrate, and zinc concentrate. Four different types of flotation machines are used. The selection of these four machines, for the plant operation, was based upon the study and operating experience of the machine units shown in the following list: Fagergren machine; square cell, size 56 inches Fagergren machine; level type, size 56 inches Denver machine; conical disk impeller, size 24 inches Denver machine; receded disk impeller, size 24 inches Minerals Separation Sub-A, size 24 inches Munro-Pearse deep cell, pneumatic Southwestern air machine, Hunt principle To date the study of flotation machines has been confined almost entirely to the rougher circuits. The various cleaning operations, being relatively a much simpler matter, have not been investigated so thoroughly. Table I shows a typical analysis of the two ores as well as of the mineral content.

Jan 1, 1947

By C. M. Young

The safety lamp is the most common and convenient apparatus for detecting inflammable gases in mines, the presence of gas being shown by a blue flame, called the cap, if the wick has been lowered to suppress the luminous flame. The height of the cap increases with the proportion of gas and with the temperature of the lamp flame. Lamps of the Wolf type, the fuel of which is benzine, have a hotter flame than lamps in which vegetable oils are used, such as the Davy, and the Clanny, and are more sensitive than the latter and their many modifications. The Piehler alcohol lamp gives a still higher cap while the Clowes hydrogen lamp is most sensitive of all. While the effect of the temperature of the source of ignition is well known, the writer knows of no previous attempt to correlate the change of this temperature with change of the height of the cap produced, In order to determine the height of the cap at various temperatures, it was necessary to have a source of ignition the temperature of which could be accurately controlled over a considerable range. This condition was met by a coil of wire of high fusing point heated by an electric current controlled by a variable resistance. The use of a coil offered the further advantage of freedom from complications due to the flame of a burning fuel. Such a flame, being itself of variable height, would to some extent raise or lower the elevation of the base of the cap and therefore add to the difficulty of determining the height of the cap. Besides this, the presence of a small cap from the lamp fuel, commonly known as the "fuel cap," would interfere with the observation of small gas caps. After some experiment, a coil was made of platinum wire, No. 26, diameter 0.016 in. The coil was 17/64 in. (6.746 mm.) in outside diameter and had eight full turns in a length of 1/2 in. (12.69 mm.). This was connected to an electric circuit through an adjustable resistance, as shown in Fig. 1. In order to measure the temperature, a thermocouple was inserted in the center of the coil; the leads passed out at the ends and were ccnducted to a millivoltmeter. It is probable that the current of air passing upward through the coil resulted in the indication of a tempera-

Jan 1, 1920

ANNUAL meeting of the Woman's Auxiliary of the American Institute of Mining and Metal-lurgical Engineers convened on Tuesday morn-ing, Feb. 20, the president, Mrs. H. W. Hardinge, presiding. President Hardinge, in opening the meet-ing, said: "I have the honor and great pleasure to welcome you to our seventh annual meeting. It has been a happy year, though I started in fear and trembling. My fear is partly gone and my trembling becomes less as time goes on. Never has a chairman had such splendid cooperation and harmony in her work; no. matter how much was asked nor what the task, I have always received the same answer, `We are with you, of course we can do it.' Often the road has been untried and the way full of snares, but we have all pulled together. Is it any wonder we have had a prosperous year? I cannot thank the governing -board and officers enough for their help." Mrs. Hardinge described her trip through the West last summer, during which she visited many of the local sections of the Auxiliary. She also spoke of the work of the Rossiter Raymond memorial library which has been started as an activity of the Woman's Auxiliary. Mrs. Reynders read the minutes of the last annual meeting, and Mrs. Kemp read the treasurer's report. The latter showed that on Feb. 1, 1922, there was a bank balance of $683.61 and on Feb. 10, 1923, the bal-ance was $947.93. Mrs. Westervelt expressed the sorrow of the Auxiliary for the death -of Mrs. Florence Howe Hall and of Mrs. Levi P. Holbrook.

Jan 4, 1923

By Å. Sterten, R. Tunold, J. Brun, K. Dalatun

c axis compression behavior of beryllium single crystals at three purity levels under hydrostatic pressures up to 27 kbars was determined. Extensive non-basal slip, observed by two-surface trace analysis and transmission electron microscopy, occurred under a hydrostatic pressure of about 12 kbars (175 ksi) for the high-purity (twelve-zone pass) material and at about 19 kbar (275 ksi) for the lower-purity (zone-leveled) material. Prismatic loops with a (c + a) Burgers vector were observed in association with second-phase parti- A principal factor limiting the use of beryllium is its brittle behavior when tested at the usual strain rates (E = 10-4 sec- 1) at temperatures below about 200°C and under impact conditions at temperatures in excess of 200°C. It has been proposed' that the brittle-ness of beryllium is associated with the lack of a sufficient number of independent slip modes and the absence of a slip mode with a Burgers vector out of the basal plane [presumably (c + a) pyramidal slip mode] and to the ease with which beryllium cleaves on the basal and second-order prism planes. The absence of pyramidal slip has been attributed to a high Peierls-Nabarro stress associated with the motion of dislocations with a (c + a) vector and the ease with which cleavage occurs on the basal and second-order prism planes. The experimental evidence in support of the proposed explanation for the brittleness of beryllium is far from complete; for example, that the ductile-to-brittle transition in polycrystalline beryllium is associated with the operation of profuse (C + a) slip has not been unequivocally established. The occurrence of (c + a) slip ({1122}(1123)) has been experimentally established2-5 under conditions where basal and prism cleavage are restricted in a c axis compression test. In these investigations (C +a) slip was found in high-purity beryllium single crystals tested in c axis compression* at 200°C and in Be-4.4 pct Cu and Be-5.2 pct cles in the lower-purity materials tested. The loops were related to surface "extrusions" observed on many of these same specimens. Nonbasal dislocations operating on (1122) planes with a (c + a) Burgers vector were observed. The presence of c and a dislocations together with (c + a) dislocations suggests that the (c + a) dislocations dissociate presumably on unloading or after failure of the test crystals to c and a dislocations. terial, (c + a) slip has only been observed near the the fracture4 surface in room-temperature c axis compression tests. Fracture in these tests occurs without measurable plastic flow, as determined with a strain sensitivity of 10"6. Since it has been shown for many metals that the application of hydrostatic pressure suppresses fracture,?-' it was felt that studying the behavior of unalloyed beryllium single crystals stressed in c axis compression under a hydrostatic pressure would reveal whether (c + a) can occur if fracture was prevented, and that it might elucidate the role of (c + a) slip in the ductile to brittle transition. Evidence that (C + a) slip is associated with increased ductility in a high-pressure environment has been found in stress-strain tests on poly crystalline beryllium.10 The present paper describes a study on the influence of a hydrostatic pressure environment on the occurrence of (c + a) slip in beryllium single crystals. Material of two purity levels was tested in c axis compression over the pressure range ambient to about 27.5 kbars.* 1) MATERIAL PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION Two lots of low-purity single-crystal beryllium were used. The first lot was "ingot secondary refined grade" and designated lot A. The second lot (lot B) was produced by a two floating zone pass zone-leveling operation in an argon-filled sealed quartz apparatus on a 1-in.-diam by 12-in.-long bar of Pechiney secondary refined-grade vacuum-cast and hot-extruded material. The high-purity material (lot C) was made by traversing twelve floating zone passes through a similar bar of Pechiney secondary refined-grade vacuum-cast and hot-extruded material. In a series of spark cutting and lapping procedures,11 single-. crystal specimens some 0.12 in. sq by 0.30 in. high were made with the sides Parallel to the first- and second-order prism planes and the basal plane within 3' of arc of the top and bottom surfaces of the specimen. Such an accurate orientation is necessary because of the large difference in resolved shear stress

Jan 1, 1970

By J. R. Mihalisin

Phase changes in as-cast alloys in the Ni2 CoCr-Ni, Ti-NSAl system containing 0.1 wt pct C were studied after heat treatment at 1650°F. It was found that a vegion of CrCo-type s was developed in this system after I1000 hr. The tendency for s formation was dePendent upon the aluminum and litanium content, the s -forming tendency generally becoming more pro-nounced as the latter two elements are increased. s lended to form in interdendritic regioues and was associated with solutioning- of- carbide phases. Electron- vacancy computations for prediction of s formation on these alloys mere in sufficient agreement with what was observed experimentally to indicate that the method should be of value in assessing a-forming potential in cast alloys. However, the correlation of electrotz- vacancy numbers may not be as favorable in cast as cormpared to wrought alloys. THE increasing use of high-temperature alloys for longer times at higher temperatures has resulted in a real need for obtaining information on the phase changes taking place in these alloys since these changes often have a direct effect on properties. This paper reports on a study of the phase changes in Ni-Cr-Co-Al-Ti alloys after prolonged heating at 1650°F. The alloys were selected from the pseudo-ternary system Ni2CoCr-Ni3Ti-Ni3Al and this system was chosen because it is the basis of many of the newer cast commercial superalloys. The attempt here was not to define accurately the boundaries of s formation in the NizCoCr-Ni3Ti-Ni3Al system but to delineate the phase transformations taking place upon heating alloys covering a wide range of chemistries in this system. An addition of carbon was made to all alloys to further simulate commercial alloys. It was hoped that the information generated in this manner would be of more direct use to superalloy designers than an equilibrium diagram approach since commercial alloys generally have outlived their usefulness when equilibrium is attained. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE The alloys were vacuum-melted from carbonyl-nickel pellet, vacuum-grade chromium, electrolytic cobalt, high-purity aluminum and titanium, and spec-trographic-grade carbon.

Jan 1, 1968

By A. F. Melcher

The present paper is a progress report on an investigation of the physical factors of oil and gas and especially of their sands,' such as pore space, size of pores or permeability, retentivity, viscosity of the oil, temperature, pressure, thickness and area of the pay sand, water relations, and capillarity. The purpose is to determine as many of these physical factors as possible, and to ascertain the relations existing, directly or indirectly, between these physical factors and the production of oil and gas. As yet only pore space2 and size of grains of pay sands have been investigated, although an apparatus has been designed to determine the permeability of a sand to oil, water, or gas under definite drops of pressure between the entrance face and exit face of the sample. Messrs. E. W. Shaw, R. Van A. Mills, D. Dale Condit, G. B. Richardson, G. C. Matson, and C. H. Wegemann collected the samples upon which the physical determinations were made. Acknowledgment is made to my colleagues of the United States Geological Survey for many suggestions and criticisms; to Mr. Mills for the production data given of the oil wells from which some of the samples were collected; to Mr. A. W. McCoy of the Empire Gas and Fuel Co., Bartlesville, Okla., for many ideas. Determining Pore Space of Oil and Gas Sands In selecting a method for the determination of pore space, two objects were kept in mind: First, the method must not only be sufficiently

Jan 1, 1921

By Frederick Laist

THE object of the construction and operation of the 80-ton leaching plant was to test out the leaching of sand tailings on a large scale and, if possible, determine a definite method of operation, and the best construction for the larger unit which is now being built. It was also of importance to obtain some practical data as regards cost items. The 80-ton plant was not expected to be a commercial success. A leaching process on such low-grade material necessitates the treatment of a very large tonnage.. Such a cost item as labor, for instance, is entirely out of proportion in such a small plant. The amounts of acid, salt, scrap iron, and fuel for roasting, however, are the same per ton in an 80-ton plant as in a 2,000-ton plant. These costs were definitely established. Also the percentages of extraction and grade of tailings were definitely determined for a large-sized unit. Following will be found the description of the plant, the method of operation and the results obtained. A -general view of the plant is given in Fig. 1. The bins consisted of one coal bin with a capacity of 30 tons, one salt bin with a capacity of 20 tons, and a "mill tailings" or feed bin which held 70 tons. The coal and salt bins were placed with their floor level even with the firing floor of the roasting furnace. The feed bin, to give it greater capacity, discharged about 12 ft. below this point, to a 12-in. conveyor belt, which, in turn discharged into a pug mill. This fed another conveyor belt, which discharged into the top hearth of the furnace. The furnace was an ordinary six-hearth MacDougall roaster, .20-ft. in diameter. It was equipped with two fire boxes, on opposite sides, the flames entering on the third hearth. An induced draft was obtained with a Buffalo blower, worked as an exhaust fan. Just above the top hearth was an annular flue around the whole circumference of the furnace. Slots at intervals of about 18 in. led from this flue down into the top hearth. The slots were 2 in. wide by 6 in. long. This annular flue proved rather unsatisfactory, as it tended to fill up with flue dust and choke the slots, thus cutting down the draft. The volume of gas through

Jan 8, 1914

By Reuel A. Cochrane, Harry H. Angst

The successful exploitation by opencut methods of the low-grade porphyry copper deposits is due to the economical handling of large tonnages. Large tonnages are possible only if the rock material is broken so that the large power shovels can operate with minimum delays. This is particularly true at the New Cornelia mine, where the dense, hard, tough rock material creates problems not encountered in most of the porphyry copper mines. The introduction of churn drills at the New Cornelia for primary drilling, in 1936, necessitated a complete change in the methods of breaking ground as formerly air drills had been used. The blasting operations are of particular interest because of the handling of great quantities of high explosives in safely and efficiently fragmenting the hard rock material. Rock Formations At the New Cornelia mine the rocks are quartz monzonite with a diorite border facies intruding a rhyolitic series. Overlying these formations is a fanglomerate formation composed of boulders of monzonite, diorite, rhyolite, and other types of rock of unknown derivation. (The word "fanglomerate" is used in this paper in referring to the local conglomerate type of rock formations.) The ore body is approximately 4800 ft. long and 2800 ft. wide, and is of the disseminated type. Mineralization occurs principally in the quartz monzonite and to some extent in the adjacent diorite and rhyolite. The principal ore minerals are chalcopyrite, bornite, and a small amount of chalcocite. Over a considerable area the quartz monzonite is extremely hard and siliceous in character, owing to pegmatitic zones of alteration. The hardness of the ground depends on the intensity of the silicification. In a small area in the pit, the monzonite contains an abundance of pyrite accompanied by sericitization and is soft and easily fragmented. This is true also in the remaining oxidized portion of the ore body. The diorite and rhyolite formations, like the monzonite, vary from extremely hard to very soft material, but on the whole are easier to fragment than the monzonite. Jointing is prevalent in all the rock formations and plays an important role in the blasting efficiencies. In the fanglomerate formation, numerous well-defined joints, widely spaced, tend to make the ground blocky when blasted. This is a deterrent to good fragmentation. In the other rocks the joints are more numerous and are closely spaced, except in localized areas where the formations are extremely hard. These descriptions indicate that the lowest blasting efficiency will be obtained in the harder formations, from which the major portion of the mine production is obtained; namely, the monzonite and rhyolite. All rock formations mined at the New Cornelia pit are so hard that excavation

Jan 1, 1943

By Harry H. Angst, Reuel A. Cochrane

The successful exploitation by opencut methods of the low-grade porphyry copper deposits is due to the economical handling of large tonnages. Large tonnages are possible only if the rock material is broken so that the large power shovels can operate with minimum delays. This is particularly true at the New Cornelia mine, where the dense, hard, tough rock material creates problems not encountered in most of the porphyry copper mines. The introduction of churn drills at the New Cornelia for primary drilling, in 1936, necessitated a complete change in the methods of breaking ground as formerly air drills had been used. The blasting operations are of particular interest because of the handling of great quantities of high explosives in safely and efficiently fragmenting the hard rock material. Rock Formations At the New Cornelia mine the rocks are quartz monzonite with a diorite border facies intruding a rhyolitic series. Overlying these formations is a fanglomerate formation composed of boulders of monzonite, diorite, rhyolite, and other types of rock of unknown derivation. (The word "fanglomerate" is used in this paper in referring to the local conglomerate type of rock formations.) The ore body is approximately 4800 ft. long and 2800 ft. wide, and is of the disseminated type. Mineralization occurs principally in the quartz monzonite and to some extent in the adjacent diorite and rhyolite. The principal ore minerals are chalcopyrite, bornite, and a small amount of chalcocite. Over a considerable area the quartz monzonite is extremely hard and siliceous in character, owing to pegmatitic zones of alteration. The hardness of the ground depends on the intensity of the silicification. In a small area in the pit, the monzonite contains an abundance of pyrite accompanied by sericitization and is soft and easily fragmented. This is true also in the remaining oxidized portion of the ore body. The diorite and rhyolite formations, like the monzonite, vary from extremely hard to very soft material, but on the whole are easier to fragment than the monzonite. Jointing is prevalent in all the rock formations and plays an important role in the blasting efficiencies. In the fanglomerate formation, numerous well-defined joints, widely spaced, tend to make the ground blocky when blasted. This is a deterrent to good fragmentation. In the other rocks the joints are more numerous and are closely spaced, except in localized areas where the formations are extremely hard. These descriptions indicate that the lowest blasting efficiency will be obtained in the harder formations, from which the major portion of the mine production is obtained; namely, the monzonite and rhyolite. All rock formations mined at the New Cornelia pit are so hard that excavation

Jan 1, 1943

By L. A. Panek

Using an approach based on the theory of similitude, the author develops a general equation and related concepts that provide new insights to an old problem. The load-bearing capacity (strength) of a square, rectangular, or cylindrical prism of a brittle material such as rock, coal, or concrete is expressed as the mathematical product of a size effect, a shape effect, and a function of the mechanical properties (deformability, cleat/joint spacing, and friction) of the pillar, roof, and floor materials. Through an application of multivariate statistical analysis, the results of assorted tests (laboratory and in situ) and observations of failed pillars can be combined into a fundamental scaling equation, which provides a unified, consistent approach to the estimation of mine pillar strength. The form of the equation is sufficiently general to be able to incorporate refinements in the characterization of the structural parameters, as they become available through future analysis and experimentation. Analysis of the published test data suggests that pillar compressive strength (per unit of area) is proportional to the cube root of the pillar width, and that the height effect can be described as the superimposing of a variable size effect (characteristic of the material) on the constant width effect.

Jan 1, 1981

By D. J. Cox, J. P. Conway, A. E. Gooch

A two-year test conducted by the USBM's Spokane Mining Research Center (SMRC) has proven the feasibility of the yielding rockbolt, a concept which may prove very useful to the mining industry by providing ground support under a variety of conditions. The yielding rockbolt was originally developed in South Africa3 to overcome the limitations of conventional bolting in rock subjected to high-stress or rock burst conditions. The yielding effect is obtained by fitting the bolt prior to thread rolling with a smooth-bore die of internal diameter slightly larger than the shank diameter but smaller than the rolled thread diameter.

Jan 4, 1977

THE National Safety Council will hold the following ses-sions in the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York, N. Y., on Oct. 2, 3 and 4: Oct. 2. 9.30 A. M. 1. Report of past year committees, by Chairman 2. "Safety Pays," by Howard I. Young, Vice-President, American Zinc, Lead and Smelting Co., Mascot, Tenn. (Discussion) 3. Entertainment 4. "Methods and Results of Improved Foremanship Conferences," by H. A. Gilbertson, Director of Per-sonnel, Lehigh Coal and Navigation Co., Lansford, Pa. (Discussion) 5. Appointment of election and resolutions committees Oct. 3, 9.30 A. M.

Jan 9, 1928

By J. R. Finlay

The Cæur d'Alene silver-lead mining district of northern Idaho is probably best known to the general public as a seat of labor-troubles. So far as the writer is aware, little has been written and little is known about its geology and resources. People interested in lead-smelting are, of course, cognizant of the economic importance of the region, but they have not communicated much of their knowledge to the public. Exact figures as to the total output of the district are not obtainable, but the following estimates, covering the entire output of the 15 years during which the mines have been operated, are believed to be approximately correct: Group of Mines. Product. Wardner Group, including the Bunker Hill and Sul livan, Empire State-Idaho, Last Chance, Sierra Nevada, bur d'Alene Development Co... . $17,500,000 Cafion Creek Group, including the Gem, Frisco Con solidated, Granite, Standard, Mammoth, Hecla, Tiger-Poorman, Custer and Bell,.... 35,000,000 Mullan Group, including the Morning, You Like and Gold Hunter,........7,500,000 $60,000,000 This output covers the period of discovery and early struggles, and several periods of stagnation caused by strikes and other serious labor-troubles. In 1900 the output of the district was fully $10,000,000, and this figure would have been considerably increased in 1901 had not a curtailment of production been forced by the condition of the lead-market. In 1901 the product was about 150,000 tons of concentrates, with a gross. value of $8,250,000.

Jan 1, 1903

By William G. Pariseau, H. Douglas Dahl

Recent subsidence legislation indicates that mining engineers would be welt advised to be able to predict and control surface damage caused by mine subsidence. To date, such an ability is practically nonexistent. Model analysis is suggested as one of the alternative paths available which might yield fruitful results. Similitude requirements developed for a self-loaded body in static or quasi-static equilibrium indicate that complete similitude without centrifuging is an impracticability. However, a pilot experimental study which used a simplifying assumption to correctly model mine subsidence has produced results in qualitative agreement with field observations. The purpose of this paper is to present a discussion of the various approaches that can be taken in the study of mine subsidence phenomena. Particular attention is focused upon the rational selection and use of laboratory models. Broadly interpreted, mine subsidence is the deformation of the rock mass enclosing a mine. Depending upon a number of factors, the movement of the subsiding rock mass may disrupt gas and water lines or other buried utilities, damage surface structures such as buildings and bridges, dislocate streams, roads, and rail lines, aggravate acid mine drainage and fire problems, and generally mar the landscape. It is clearly a problem that no mine manager can safely ignore. It is also a problem that will grow with the general population increase. In the following discussion, a summary review of past and present approaches to subsidence studies is given. The possibilities of duplicating subsidence phenomena in laboratory models are examined, and an analysis of a particular type of model is presented. Some preliminary results obtained from a model of the particular type analyzed are then discussed. REVIEW OF PREVIOUS WORK Historically, subsidence investigations have been empirical studies in the field and laboratory or theoretical analyses of mathematically idealized media. Empirical and theoretical work in the United States has generally lagged behind investigations abroad. In the United States, field studies are mostly pre-World War 11. These are summarized in the Mining Engineer's Handbook. ' Field studies in Europe are more recent and more extensive. Those made in Great Britain are summarized in the Subsidence Engineers Handbook2 and represent observations made at 157 different collieries. Such studies by themselves are of limited usefulness as are all empirical studies. One can never be certain that conditions at one mine will be similar enough to those at another to warrant the drawing of like conclusions. European subsidence formulas rely heavily upon the "angle of draw" and "critical area" concepts. The angle of draw is defined as the angle between a vertical line through the face, and another line extending from the face to the surface at the point where movement is zero. The critical area is defined in relation to the least extraction necessary to produce maximum subsidence. Fig. 1 illustrates the angle of draw and critical area concepts. First and second "limits of influence" are also shown. The angle of draw and associated critical area concept are obviously not well defined, being dependent upon the accuracy of the surface survey. In Great Britain, the angle of draw has increased through the years from about 26 to 35°. In the United States, zero and negative angles of draw have been reported. In the authors' opinion, these purely geometrical concepts represent an oversimplification of subsidence phenomena and their use, in the United States at least, should be discouraged. Empirical observations of laboratory models containing layers of earth, sand, clay, and plaster were made by Fayol (cited by Peele) as early as 1885. An outgrowth of his work was the "dome theory," a verbal description of what is assumed to occur in subsiding rock masses. The dome theory has since fallen into disrepute. Theoretical analyses worthy of the name treat a subsiding rock mass as a deformable body. In these analyses, the actual rock mass is replaced by an idealized material that deforms according to a simple stress-strain relationship. The stress equations of equilibrium expressing the Newtonian laws of mechanical action and the geometry of strain furnish additional equations that must be satisfied. A loading criterion-generally understood, and in some cases stated explicitly-completes the theory.

Jan 1, 1969