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By L. H. Robinson

A proposed method of drilling utilizes sequential detonation of two types of explosive charges delivered to the hole by a conventional drilling fluid through pipe. A shaped charge first produces a long thin hole. A second charge, called a gauging charge, is pumped into the thin hole, explodes, and enlarges it to full gauge. In one suggested configuration, the explosives are contained in cylindrical capsules 4- to 5-ft long. A drilling head is positioned 2- to 3-ft off bottom. When a capsule is pumped to the bottom of the hole and stops, pressure inside the drill pipe increases and differential pressure detonates the explosive. Primacord along the length of the capsule disintegrates the capsule. The debris circulates out of the hole with the drilling fluid. The gauging-charge action was examined using 2-ft cubes of Berea sandstone. The sandstone (18 per cent porosity) was vacuum-saturated with water and surrounded by concrete. To prevent reflected tensile pulses, the acoustical impedance of the concrete matched that of the sandstone. A 750-psig pressure was applied to a drilling fluid within a shaped-charge-formed hole before detonating the gauging charge. In these tests, 190 gm of rock were removed for each gram of explosive detonated. A similar series of experiments on low-porosity (0.40 per cent) metamorphic limestone provided a more rigorous test. Extensive fracturing from the gauging-charge action prevented an estimate of the volume of the expanded hole. The diameter of the hole was irregular, ranging from about 2 to 4 in, or about fivefold larger than the hole created by the shaped charge. INTRODUCTION In the past, explosives have found a varied but somewhat limited use in the oil field. An early well stimulation technique, still in use today, in vo lves shooting ni troglycerin to en large the borehole and to increase matrix permeability near the wellbore. Bullets and jets are now the conventional method of perforating casing and tubing. Detonations are frequently used to "back off" or "shoot off" stuck pipe and, of course, seismo-graphic work has long depended on explosive-generated pulses to find attractive earth structures. Efforts to use explosives in drilling operations have received limited examinations1-3 which, in one respect, is surprising because explosives offer one way to transmit large amounts of energy directly to the bottom of the hole. Recently, Ostrovskii l described a Russian method of drilling with explosives that utilizes small capsules containing explosives which are pumped into the mud stream to the bottom of a borehole. As the capsules leave the end of the drill pipe, a detonation mechanism is armed. Impact detonates the explosive. In another configuration, two liquids (an oxidizing agent and fuel) in the capsule are separated by a frangible membrane. Separately, the liquids are nonexplosive. Near the bottom of the drill pipe, the capsule passes through a narrow constriction which ruptures the membrane. The mixing of the liquids produces an explosive. Impact is again used to detonate the explosive. About the time Ostrovskii was developing his method, Humble Oil & Refining Co. was independently doing research on another explosive drilling concept based on the sequential detonation of two types -of explosive charges. The proposed technique consisted of alternately pumping a shaped charge and then a "gauging charge" down a well. The shaped charge should drill a long, tapered hole, and the gauging charge should expand it to full gauge. This paper presents the visualized drilling concept and gives results of laboratory work which showed that sequential firing of charges can form hole at an attractive charge-to-rock removal ratio. An important finding was that increased environmental pressure, which is to be expected in wells, increases rock removal efficiency of the gauging charge.

Jan 1, 1966

By J. P. Nielsen, H. Margolin, E. Ence

The Ti-Ni phase diagram has been investigated up to 68 pct Ni with iodide titanium base alloys by metallographic, X-ray, and melting point methods, and from 68 to 90 pct Ni by examination of as-cast structures of sponge titanium base alloys. NVESTIGATION of the nickel-rich portion of the I Ti-Ni phase diagram was first reported by Vogel and Wallbaum in 1938.' This work was subsequently extended to lower nickel contents by Wallbaum' who indicated the possibility of a eutectic reaction for nickel contents below 38 pct. Long et al.3 studied the titanium-rich portion of the phase diagram and found eutectic and eutectoid reactions below 38 pct Ni. However, the temperature of the eutectic indicated by Long et al. was considerably lower than that suggested by Wallbaum. Long and his coworkers synthesized their alloys by powder metallurgical techniques and encountered oxygen and/or nitrogen contamination. Thus the diagram which was obtained did not represent binary alloying conditions. However from these results the features of the binary diagram were predicted. At Battelle Memorial Institute4 the Ti-Ni diagram was investigated up to approximately 11.5 pct Ni with sponge titanium alloys. The range of temperatures used was not sufficient to define the eutectoid temperature or composition. The data of Wallbaum2 and Long et al.8 were of particular interest for the present study, and although the work was originally concerned with the region below 40 pct Ni, the investigation was extended to higher nickel contents in an attempt to resolve the differences between these workers. Experimental Procedure Preliminary work on the Ti-Ni system was carried out with duPont Process A sponge titanium alloys to reduce the amount of subsequent work to be done with iodide titanium base alloys. The sponge titanium used contained 99.71 to 99.77 pct Ti, 0.1 pct Fe and 0.005 to 0.009 pct Ni. The iodide titanium obtained from the New Jersey Zinc Co. contained 99.9 to 99.95 pct Ti. Nickel used with sponge titanium was 98.9 pct pure. The high-purity nickel alloyed with iodide titanium was cobalt-free with approximately 0.05 pct C and was obtained through the courtesy of the International Nickel Co. The 15 g sponge titanium charges for melting were prepared by compacting in a die or by placing the weighed portions of nickel and titanium directly into the furnace. Iodide titanium charges were made by drilling holes in the as-received rod and inserting the nickel or by wrapping the nickel in sheet. Sponge titanium alloys containing from 0.2 to 90 pct Ni and iodide titanium alloys containing 0.2 to 68 pct Ni were prepared by these methods. In addition to these alloys several 1/2 1b sponge titanium alloys were supplied by the Allegheny Ludlum Co. The charges were melted in an arc furnace under an argon atmosphere. The procedures used were similar to those reported in the literature5,' and the furnace has been described.' Except for iodide titanium alloys with 40 to 68 pct Ni (see section on copper contamination), each alloy was melted for 1 min, then either turned over or broken before re-melting for an additional minute. Currents of 200 to 400 amp were used depending on the melting point of the alloy. Prior to heat treatment, alloys containing less than 14.5 pct Ni were hot-forged at 750°C. With the exception of alloys in the homogeneity range of the compound TiNi, alloys of higher nickel contents could not be hot-forged. Heat treatment of iodide titanium base alloys was carried out in argon-filled quartz capsules which were broken under water at the conclusion of heat treatment to quench the specimens. Temperatures were controlled to ±5oC and annealing times up to 48 hr were used. For melting point determination, specimens were placed in carbon crucibles which were in turn en-capsuled in argon-filled quartz capsules. The start of melting was determined by rounding of corners and by metallographic examination. Complete melting was considered to have occurred at that temperature at which the specimen assumed the shape of the crucible. Specimens were prepared for metallographic examination by mechanical polishing or by an electrolytic procedure." For alloys containing up to 80 pct Ni Remington A etch7 50 pct glycerine, 25 pct HNO,, 25 8 HF) was used. For higher nickel alloys aqua regia and Carapella's etch (5 g FeCl,, 2 ml HNO,, and 99 ml methyl alcohol) were employed. Specimens to be exposed for powder patterns were prepared by filing, by breaking specimens in a

Jan 1, 1954

By AIME AIME

WEST TEXAS, New Mexico and Northern Mexico form one of the most interesting regions in America for geologists and mining men and are full of points of historical and human interest for others. Including as the region does, a representative portion of the high plateau of Mexico, the front range of the Rocky Mountains and the great down-dropping plains of Texas, there is variety as well as interest in the geological and mining problems there to be studied. Gold and silver mining were the pioneer industries and are yet of high rank in importance. Among the papers to be presented at the El Paso meeting of the Institute this month will be two dealing with silver mining and ore treatment at the Shafter mine in Texas, that most un- usual property which has for so many years been the largest mining enterprise in its region. West Texas is now better known for its petroleum and gas, and in another paper will be described the problems involved in uding natural gas for smelting at the well-known El Paso smelter of the American Smelting and Refining Co. In still other papers, presented at the session sponsored by the West Texas Geological Society and cooperating organizations, the general geology of the region, the potash and the sulfur deposits will be de- scribed. At El Paso the refineries of the great com- panics will be available for visits.

Jan 1, 1930

By F. N. Rhines, A. H. Grobe

At elevated temperatures the oxide of silver is unstable in the air at atmospheric pressure, consequently no external oxide scale forms upon pure silver under conditions of high-temperature annealing. When small quantities of certain alloying elements are present in the silver, the formation of a thin external scale is possible1 and in addition there may form a subscale composed of the oxide of the solute element precipitated within the body of the silver. Norbury2 and Leroux and Raub3 have reported internal oxidation (subscaleiormation) in alloys of silver with 2, 7.5, and 30 per cent of copper. The presence of the subscale is believed to be responsible, at least in part, for the objectionable "fire mark" in Sterling silver.4 Several other alloys of silver, after oxidizing heat-treatments, are known to exhibit undesirable polishing characteristics that may be the result of internal oxidation. Except for the absence of an external scale of silver oxide, it is to be anticipated that silver alloys will prove to be very similar in their oxidation behavior to the alloys of copper, the oxidation characteristics of which have been studied in some detai1.5,6 The present research confirms this anticipation. The oxidation of a series of 20 dilute alloys of silver has been studied metallographically; some types of subscale not encountered among the copper alloys have been found. Instances of internal oxidation in alloys of most of the metals of the 1-6 and VIII groups of the periodic system are on record, but evidence of this type of oxidation in alloys of the metals of the intermediate groups is lacking. A number of the metals of the intermediate group, among them cadmium, lead, tin, and zinc, appear to provide the conditions essential to subscale formation; i.e., they form oxides with a relatively low negative free energy of formation, they dissolve other metals that form more stable oxides, and, presumably, oxygen will diffuse through them. In a study of 40 alloys of these white metals only a few cases of internal oxidation have been found. The probable reasons for this difference in behavior will be discussed presently. Experimental Procedure Silver.—The silver alloys employed in the oxidation studies were prepared in heats of 30 grams each from high-purity silver (99.993 per cent Ag)* and the purest avail-

Jan 1, 1942

By A. H. Grobe, F. N. Rhines

At elevated temperatures the oxide of silver is unstable in the air at atmospheric pressure, consequently no external oxide scale forms upon pure silver under conditions of high-temperature annealing. When small quantities of certain alloying elements are present in the silver, the formation of a thin external scale is possible1 and in addition there may form a subscale composed of the oxide of the solute element precipitated within the body of the silver. Norbury2 and Leroux and Raub3 have reported internal oxidation (subscaleiormation) in alloys of silver with 2, 7.5, and 30 per cent of copper. The presence of the subscale is believed to be responsible, at least in part, for the objectionable "fire mark" in Sterling silver.4 Several other alloys of silver, after oxidizing heat-treatments, are known to exhibit undesirable polishing characteristics that may be the result of internal oxidation. Except for the absence of an external scale of silver oxide, it is to be anticipated that silver alloys will prove to be very similar in their oxidation behavior to the alloys of copper, the oxidation characteristics of which have been studied in some detai1.5,6 The present research confirms this anticipation. The oxidation of a series of 20 dilute alloys of silver has been studied metallographically; some types of subscale not encountered among the copper alloys have been found. Instances of internal oxidation in alloys of most of the metals of the 1-6 and VIII groups of the periodic system are on record, but evidence of this type of oxidation in alloys of the metals of the intermediate groups is lacking. A number of the metals of the intermediate group, among them cadmium, lead, tin, and zinc, appear to provide the conditions essential to subscale formation; i.e., they form oxides with a relatively low negative free energy of formation, they dissolve other metals that form more stable oxides, and, presumably, oxygen will diffuse through them. In a study of 40 alloys of these white metals only a few cases of internal oxidation have been found. The probable reasons for this difference in behavior will be discussed presently. Experimental Procedure Silver.—The silver alloys employed in the oxidation studies were prepared in heats of 30 grams each from high-purity silver (99.993 per cent Ag)* and the purest avail-

Jan 1, 1942

By O.W. Ellis

Recently there has been a considerable revival of interest in the effects of the various elements commonly added to brass for the purpose of increasing its strength. For many years the work of Guillet2 alone gave reliable information in this regard. Even today his determinations of the coefficients of equivalence of the various elements relative to zinc in brass are those universally employed in industry. This is so because these coefficients have stood the test of time—their substantial correctness has been proved in almost universal practice. It is not our intention to discuss here these coefficients or their use. Rather do we wish to emphasize the need for further systernatic studies of the mechanical properties of the ternary systems of copper, zinc, and other individual elements. Since Guillet published the results of his first investigations Millington, 16 Smalley33 and Thiband 45 have added somewhat to our information. In general they have confirmed the findings of Guillet, which may be stated in the following rather general terms: 1. The addition of aluminum to the 70:30 and 60:40 brasses progressively increases their hardness and strength and reduces their ductility and resistance to shock. 2. The addition of small amounts of iron to a 60:40 brass improves its strength without affecting its ductility. 3. The addition of small amounts of manganese to a 60:40 brass causes a progressive increase in its strength and reduction in its ductility. A considerable amount of information has been amassed in regard to the effect of nickel on brass (9, 22, 41) which it is unnecessary to refer to here, in view of the scope of this paper. The situation in regard to these alloys in 1926 was very clearly stated by an anonymous writer,47 in The Metallurgist of February of that year, whose remarks were so to the point that they are well worth quoting: It will he seen that there are still large fields remaining to be studied in each of these systems (those of the aluminum, iron, nickel and manganese brasses) before our knowledge is adequate. When we come to the more complicated systems the position is even less satisfactory, and on account of the very incomplete nature of the work which has been

Jan 1, 1929

By O. W. Ellis

Recently there has been a considerable revival of interest in the effects of the various elements commonly added to brass for the purpose of increasing its strength. For many years the work of Guillet2 alone gave reliable information in this regard. Even today his determinations of the coefficients of equivalence of the various elements relative to zinc in brass are those universally employed in industry. This is so because these coefficients have stood the test of time—their substantial correctness has been proved in almost universal practice. It is not our intention to discuss here these coefficients or their use. Rather do we wish to emphasize the need for further systernatic studies of the mechanical properties of the ternary systems of copper, zinc, and other individual elements. Since Guillet published the results of his first investigations Millington, 16 Smalley33 and Thiband 45 have added somewhat to our information. In general they have confirmed the findings of Guillet, which may be stated in the following rather general terms: 1. The addition of aluminum to the 70:30 and 60:40 brasses progressively increases their hardness and strength and reduces their ductility and resistance to shock. 2. The addition of small amounts of iron to a 60:40 brass improves its strength without affecting its ductility. 3. The addition of small amounts of manganese to a 60:40 brass causes a progressive increase in its strength and reduction in its ductility. A considerable amount of information has been amassed in regard to the effect of nickel on brass (9, 22, 41) which it is unnecessary to refer to here, in view of the scope of this paper. The situation in regard to these alloys in 1926 was very clearly stated by an anonymous writer,47 in The Metallurgist of February of that year, whose remarks were so to the point that they are well worth quoting: It will he seen that there are still large fields remaining to be studied in each of these systems (those of the aluminum, iron, nickel and manganese brasses) before our knowledge is adequate. When we come to the more complicated systems the position is even less satisfactory, and on account of the very incomplete nature of the work which has been

Jan 1, 1929

By F. B. Plummer

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING deals with the production, transportation, and refining of crude oil. Refining is chiefly the work of the chemical engineer; production, that of the petroleum engineer. Production engineering only is discussed in this paper. Petroleum production engineering is closest related to and, in fact, is a branch of mining engineering. Formerly, many petroleum engineers were trained as mining engineers or mining geologists. The profession is related also to mechanical and civil engineering to about the same extent that mining engineering is. Petroleum production draws upon the mechanical branch for drilling and pumping machinery and upon civil engineering for the construction of transportation lines, water supplies, and water-disposal plants. Fundamentally, petroleum production engineering deals with the removal of the oil from the reservoir rocks, just as mining is concerned with the removal of ore. The process of oil production demands a specialized knowledge just as distinct from mechanical and civil engineering as mining is distinct from operating a Diesel engine. Even though the chief tools of the petroleum engineer are the drill and the pump, these may be of little avail, and certainly not efficient, if their selection and use is not based on a knowledge of the physical chemistry of oil, the geology of the formations, the structure of the oil sand, the hydrodynamics of the reservoir, and the interrelation of all these many factors.

Jan 1, 1936

By James Gayley

The atmosphere, which plays such an important part in the manufacture of iron and steel, is the most variable element involved in its several processes; and particularly is this true of the blast-furnace process, which consumes air in large quantitiee. At no time since the blast-furnace became an important and widely used apparatus—even when it was operated in the most crude manner—have the variations in composition of the raw materials used been as frequent and as great as the variations in humidity of the atmosphere. Important improvements have been made in the blast-furnace and its accessories, such as the hot-blast stoves, the increase in size and change in the shape of the furnace, more efficient blowing-engines, the increased protection given to the bosh-walls, and the careful preparation of the raw material, all of which have exerted a pronounced influence on the furnace-operations from a metallurgical standpoint. But during the past eight years little advance has been made in this direction; the fuel-consumption has not diminished, nor has there been any material increase in production. Within that period, however, there has been witnessed the greatest development in appliances for the economical handling of material. So complete has been the work in this direction, that, except in isolated cases, in this country at least, a further extension does not hold out much promise of a satisfactory return on the investment required. It seemed that, with the exception of the gas-engine, we had about reached the limit, for like a strong wall, the atmosphere, with its humidity as variable to-day as when first blown into a primitive blast-furnace, appeared to stand as a barrier to

Jan 1, 1905

By CHARLES E. W.

I. LOCATION. THE Mojave mining district is situated in a group of small hills centering around Soledad peak, in the Mojave desert, Kern county, Cal. These hills are about 4.5 miles SSW. of Mojave, a railroad town at the junction of the Santa Fé and Southern Pacific railroads. The town of Mojave is about 50 miles north of Los Angeles, to which it is connected both by telegraph and by rail. The distance on the Southern Pacific railroad is 102 miles, covered in 3 hr. and 45 min. by express train. A sketch-map of this region is shown in Fig. 1. The Mojave district is relatively isolated. The only other mining towns in this section of California are Randsburg and Johannesburg, in a district (containing the well-known Yellow Aster mine) at the northern end of a low ridge of hills, which begins about 20 miles NE. of Mojave, runs nearly N. for 35 miles, and varies in width between 3 and 6 miles. As will be seen later, the origin and formation of these hills are not the same as those of Soledad peak. II. CLIMATE AND VEGETATION. The climate and vegetation of the Mojave district are typical of the arid regions of the southwestern United States. During the winter and spring there is some rainfall, and the tempera-ture is generally from 60° to 70° F. in the day-time. The rainfall in the spring is often very considerable for short spaces of time, and cloud-bursts are not infrequent. In summer there is continual sunshine, with temperatures, as a rule, exceeding 100° F. in the day-time, while 115° F. in the shade of a house is not at all unusual; but at night the temperature falls considerably. No rain falls during the summer. The vegetation

Jan 1, 1906

By AIME AIME

THE Institute of Metals held a well rounded out symposium on the working of metals, distributed over two sessions. At the first session* four papers were presented, two dealing with the, cold working of metals and alloys and two with the hot working of non-ferrous alloys. The first paper by E. V. Crane, dealt with "Metal Working in Power Presses." Mr. Crane pointed out the empirical nature of engineering data available for use in calculating the probable stresses developed and power requirements, for the shearing, drawing, binding and other forming operations. He described the various operations, methods of determining stresses developed and presented data obtained. In the discussion C. F. Hammond took exception to Mr. Crane's objections to the rather too frequent. annealing operations in drawing of cartridge cases, pointing out that the material was-manufactured to meet specified structure and physical requirements, which could only be met by carefully controlled sequences of working and intermediate annealing operations.

Jan 1, 1931

By W. L. Fink, L. A. Willey

This paper is the nineteenth of a series from the Aluminum Research Laboratories, presenting the results of the investigations of equilibrium relations in aluminum-base alloys made from electrolytically refined aluminum. In previous papers equilibrium relations have been determined and correlated for 12 binary systems. Equilibrium relations have also been determined for portions of the aluminum corners of three ternary systems (aluminum-iron-silicon, aluminum-magnesium-silicon and aluminum-copper-magnesium). The object of the present paper and those to follow is to increase our knowledge of the aluminum corner of the more important ternary systems. In 1926 Dix and Keith † suggested a new method for designating the phases encountered in alloy systems. The system has been used to a very limited extentl,2,3 The system has since been slightly modified and will be used in this and future papers. In the system as modified, a phase is designated by placing in parentheses the chemical symbols of the elements essential to the formation of that phase. The symbols in the parentheses are separated by dashes in order to clearly distinguish them from a chemical formula. Elements that are not necessary to the formation of the phase in question, but which may be present in solid solution, are not indicated in the designation. If two or more phases would have the same designation according to these rules, they are distinguished by prefixing Greek letters, and are definitely identified by X-ray diffraction patterns. Previous Investigations The solid solubility of magnesium in aluminum has been well established by the work of Dix and Keller4, Schmid and Siebe15, and Saldau and Sergeev6. There is no agreement as to the composition of the magnesium constituents at the aluminum end of the binary aluminum-magnesium system. Hanson and Gayler7 report Mg2Al3; Boyer8 found that the alloy

Jan 1, 1937

By J. Buchwald, R. W. Heckel

THE DeHoff method' of analysis of ellipsoids of constant shape provides a quantitative metallo-graphic technique whereby the actual size distribution of the ellipsoids may be determined from polished and etched random planar sections. This method provides a useful metallographic tool since it appears to be the only method available for determining the size distribution of nonequiaxed second-phase particles. This method, however, assumes that the type of particle being studied is known to be either oblate or prolate of a fixed minor to major axis ratio, q. This, in general, means that one assumes either oblate or prolate ellipsoids of a given q and checks the total volume and surface area of the second phase as determined from the particle size distribution to values of these quantities determined by other techniques. Suitable check methods may be point counting, lineal fraction, and areal fraction methods for obtaining the total volume and the Smith and Guttman2 method of intercepts for obtaining the total surface area. If the initial guess at particle shape and q were incorrect, i.c., the volume and surface information obtained from the particle size distribution data does not agree with those values obtained by other techniques, another assumption must be made and the particle size dist distribution must be recalculated. A current study in this laboratory has involved a large number of these calculations. To facilitate the handling of the calculations, the DeHoff method was programmed in the FORTRAN language for an IBM 1620 computer. The purpose of this note is to briefly describe this program. The complete program along with a list of variable names, a sample input, and a sample output may be obtained from the senior author. Basically, the program provides for the calculation of particle size distributions for a series of q values for both oblate and prolate ellipsoids for each set of input data. The total volume of second-phase particles per unit volume are calculated for each calculated particle size distribution. The output of the program is arranged to allow a rapid comparison of the calculated volume and surface values to data obtained by independent check measurements. A condensed flow chart of the program in the notation of DeHoff1 is given in Fig. 1 The calculation of the number of particles per unit volume in the jth size class, Ni, according to the DeHoff method' is: where k(q) is the shape-correction factor given by DeHoff as a function of q for both oblate and prolate ellipsoids, A is the size-class increment, k is the number of size classes, ni is the number of particles in the ith class on the planar measurement surface, and B(j,i) are the saltykov3 coefficients which correct for measurement surfaces which do not pass through the major and minor axes of the particles. The values of /3(j,i) are included as a two-dimensional array in the program. Particular values of k(q) are included in the program in increments of q of 0.05. The first calculation is carried out for q = 1 (spheres), the second for q = 0.95 oblate, the third for q = 0.95 prolate, and so forth. The number of q values chosen for the calculation is determined by a control card in the input for each set of data.

Jan 1, 1965

By Coolbaugh, Franklin

CRUSHING of Climax mine-run ore is carried out in two plants: No. 1 plant (flowsheet in Fig. 1) has a capacity of approximately 5000 tons per day. It is used as a stand-by except when maximum production is required. No. 2 plant (Fig. 2) has a top capacity of approximately 17,000 tons per day. The No. 2 crusher is more efficient to operate on reduced tonnages regardless of the wide variation in peak capacities. The system of crushing is similar in both plants: Mine ore, of a size which can be drawn through 48 by 96-in. slusher openings underground, is dumped into the crusher bins from ten-ton mine cars and fed into 48 by 60-in. Buchanan jaw crushers by means of chutes and Ross chain feeders. The jaw crushers are set to discharge at approximately 9-in. size. Jaw crusher discharge is conveyed to 7-ft. Symons standard cone crushers where it is broken to minus-2-in. size,

Jan 1, 1946

By Edward H. Robie

PONCA CITY proved an ideal selection as a place of meeting for the Petroleum Division this fall. The accommodations at the Conoco Club were just what was required for such a gathering; the committee having the arrangements in charge functioned with the efficiency of veterans and the enthusiasm of neophytes; and the members and guests followed the speakers with close attention, entered the subsequent discussions with gusto, and divulged the "low-down" at private conferences. No one minded the drizzling rain on the first day, which only served to keep up the attendance in the auditorium; the weather then cleared up in time for a group picture before the gathering went their separate ways.

Jan 1, 1932

By James Johnston

Synopsis.—A description of the working of the mills of this company and the metallurgical practice in vogue, by which a remarkably complex silver ore, averaging 54 oz. of silver per ton (run-of-mine ore), is treated to give a 95.66 per cent. extraction. The main features of the processes are: The cyanide amalgamation of the high-grade ore. The cyanide treatment of the low-grade ore, after extremely fine grinding and close classification, in a caustic soda solution. The use of a wet desulphurizing process to break up refractory silver minerals. The substitution of aluminum dust for zinc dust as a precipitant. The recovery and shipment of over 13,000,000 oz. of silver in bullion at 997 to 999 fine since this metallurgy was inaugurated, about 2.5 years ago. On the completion and successful operation of the mill to treat their high-grade ore,' the Nipissing Mining Co., under the general management of R. B. Watson, started a series of investigations of the possible treatment of the low-grade ore by the cyanide process, so that they would be in a position to market only silver bullion. These tests were run in July, 1911, on a large scale, by G. H. Clevenger, on an average mixture of Nipissing ore. The results obtained by a partiai amalgamation followed by cyanide treatment gave an extraction varying from 90 to 93 per cent. and were sufficiently encouraging to warrant Charles Butters, the company's Consulting Metallurgist, in recommending that the new low-grade ore mill under contemplation should be a cyanide mill, instead of a concentrator. The cost of such a mill, capable of treating 200 tons per day, to obtain a 90 per cent. extraction at a working cost of $3 per ton of ore treated, was estimated at $250,000. In coming to a decision as to which type of mill should be erected, the concentrator, with the subsequent shipping of concentrates to a smeltery,

Jan 1, 1915

By Hans Lundberg

GEOPHYSICAL methods as described in technical articles generally fail to answer the questions of prospectors and geologists as to which method they should apply and what information they may expect from their application. This article is an attempt to discuss the use of electrical methods with special reference to the prospecting for orebodies and the map¬ping of geologic structure. Especially on virgin ground, geological reconnaissance should precede electrical prospecting, with the object of outlining carefully the orebearing rock and determining the possibilities of elec¬trical prospecting. No electrical survey will then be carried out on ground which, for geological reasons, may be considered barren or where the electrical meth¬ods are inapplicable. As the success of electrical prospecting depends on the difference in conductivity between the ore and the country rock within which the orebody is inclosed, the conductivity of the two should be considered and de¬termined, if possible. The conductivity of an orebody depends on the distribution of conductive ore minerals and, in addition, on its size (length, width and depth). Most minerals with metallic luster show good electrical conductivity; for instance, the sulfides. Zinc-blende is an exception, but as it is often associated with the ore minerals of good conductivity (for instance, pyrite or galena), there is likelihood also of finding zinc.

Jan 1, 1930

By W. H. Furlonge

WHILE fulfilling professional engagements, my travels over this portion of the Transvaal have been quite extensive—always on horseback however, so that anything like a thorough investigation of the ground passed over has been necessarily impossible; still, the more minute examination of certain small areas, coupled with general observations, has enabled me to form some idea as to the prominent geological features of the country as a whole. Anything like a complete or comprehensive description is indeed out of the question, as there are no proper maps of the country and the facilities for observation are limited. A large plateau, called the "High Veldt," stretches from east to west across the Transvaal. It is generally level, or gently rolling, and has an average elevation of 6000 feet above the sea; it is destitute of timber, and in fact greatly resembles the western prairies of North America. Rock-outcrops are not common in it. It terminates very abruptly to the east and northeast, the descent of 2000 or 3000 feet into the mountainous country that occupies its borders being made in a

Jan 1, 1890

By David Scott

THE MOGOLLON mining district, New Mexico, has received little public attention, although for 15 years it has been the leading silver producer of the state; it is situated in a region remote from the principal lines of travel, and its activities have usually been limited to the operations of two or three companies. The value of the total production of the district in the 44 years of its history has been estimated at $15,000,000. For the years 1904 to 1917, inclusive, the output was: gold, $4,370,000; silver, 10,042,000 oz.; copper, 874,862 lb.; total value, approximately. $10,500,000. In 1913 the district contributed 80 per cent. of the total silver production of New Mexico, but in 1917 only 41 per cent., due to serious interruption in the operations of the leading producer. Since 1914 the silver output has diminished one-half, and the present high value of silver is nearly offset by the increase in cost of production. The output of gold has rarely exceeded 35 per cent, of the total for New Mexico. The ratio of silver to gold, by weight, has averaged 46:1 based on the whole output of the district. LOCATION AND TOPOGRAPHY The town of Mogollon is 75 mi. (121 km.) by a poorly located highway from the nearest railroad terminals, at Silver City and Tyrone. All supplies are transported by motor trucks and teams. The area, sometimes called the Cooney Mining District, lies on the western flank of the Mogollon Mountains, which occupy the western part of Socorro County. The elevations drop steeply on the west to the valley of the San Francisco River, adjacent to the Arizona boundary. The topography is very rugged, the whole area being sharply dissected; deep canyons with steep gradients and rugged walls are characteristic of the whole western-slope of the Mogollon Range. The main canyons run east and west, and usually maintain a flow of water during the entire year. As would be expected in a region of such deep dissection, the

Jan 2, 1920

By E. Ray Webb

A interest to geologists and to mining and petroleum engineers is a laboratory method for determining the dip and strike of sub- surface structures, as well as the direction of fault planes traversing them. The information is derived by making use of the magnetic properties of borehole cores which must show visible representations of bedding or fault planes. Complete knowledge of these factors aids greatly in the successful exploitation of both ore and petroleum deposits.

Jan 1, 1940