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By IPMI Educational and Scientific Foundation

It is with great pleasure that we announce the availability of this fourth issue of the IPMI Journal, a publication of the International Precious Metals Educational and Scientific Foundation. This digital peer reviewed publication has been created as a vehicle for the sharing of technical information related to the science and technology of precious metals. Since 1976, the International Precious Metals Institute has championed the exchange of information of critical importance to the precious metals scientific and commercial communities through its various communications vehicles. This has included instructional videos, annual conference symposia, special topic committee meetings, regional seminars, and professional and student achievement awards. Due to the breadth of important topics related to all aspects of precious metals, it has been the vision of the IPMI to provide a publication available to the general public that would become a key source of pertinent topics containing high quality publications by experts in their fields of study. Historically, the IPMI has attracted world renowned experts in many fields (including Nobel Laureates Henry Taube, Ei-ishi Negishi, Robert Grubs, Professor Ben Feringa, and David MacMillan) in the dissemination of discoveries, inventions, and industry proven practices. Such information has a total value greater than the sum of its parts as seemingly unrelated innovations from distinct focus areas can be adapted to solve problems. Because of this important characteristic of information exchange, we have decided to create a digital journal, available to the general public, that will not only communicate state of the art discoveries and sound practices, but will also review historical communications from the IPMI’s archives that have value and use even in today’s environment. On behalf of the members and leaders of the IPMI, we hope you will find value in this new publication.

Dec 1, 2022

By Persifor Frazer

1. SMOKE PREVENTION. Report of Select Committee of House of Commons (1843). Nuisance considerably abated in Leeds (Wm. Backerd, July 13, 1843, 239 pages). A synoptic index, p. 211, gives, in alphabetical order, the digest of every subject taken up. 2. FUEL : ITS COMBUSTION AND ECONOMY. D. Kinnear Clark, C. E. 24mo, 1354 pp. Crosby Lockwood & Co., London (1880). Includes abridgement of treatise on combustion of coal and prevention of smoke, by C. W. Williams, A.I.C.E. 3. DIE RAUCHSCHÄDEN IN DEN WÄLDERN DER UMGEBUNG DER FISCALISCHEN HÜTTENWERKE BEI FREIBERG. Dr. J. v. Schröder, Professor in Tharand, and Dr. A. Schertel, Vorstand des Hüttenlaboratoriums zu Freiberg. Royal 8vo, 27 .pages, 19 pages of tables and a map. Ernst Maukisch, Freiberg (1884). (Aus dem Jahrbuch für das Berg- und Huttenwesen, 1884.) In 1861, Reich and Stockhardt examined the extent of injury to vegetation by the Muldner works. Needles and twigs of pine showed in 100,000 parts : Pb, 5 to 50 ; As, 3.3 to 14.3 ; S02, 62 to 120. In the top twigs, 5 to 8 ; needles, 10 to 16 ; thicker twigs, 10 to 22 ; thinner twig-ends, 17 to 54 of lead. Lead greater in amount in sickly twig-ends with few needles ; also in the bark than in the naked wood of the trunk, which had hardly a trace ; also in the part turned toward the works than on the opposite side. Pb and As diminished in the vegetation with distance from the smelter ; and the same with regard to the soil. Fresh snow was collected, and SO, As, and Pb detected in it.

May 1, 1907

These proceedings consist of papers presented at Bureau of Mines Technology Transfer Seminars in August 1983 for the purpose of disseminating recent advances in mining technology in the area of large mobile surface mining equipment safety and health. The Bureau of Mines conducts several of these seminars each year in order to bring the latest results of Bureau research to the attention of the mining industry as quickly as possible.

Jan 1, 1983

By J. G. George

A brief review of the silver industry is presented to set the stage for the analysis of the distribution of silver production by source from various types of mines in Canada and of the changing relationship between the total output of silver and the total output of base metals. The decline in the average grade of the Canadian mines is also discussed and a trend for the future is proposed. The report then examines in broader aspects the world primary silver production and concludes, in the section on outlook, that the effective supply in primary silver will grow at a rate significantly lower than the growth rate expected for base metals. A cumulative deficit of some 900 million ounces is projected for the period 1975-1980 and a further deficit of some 1,100 million ounces if projected for the 1980-to-1985 period.

Jan 1, 1977

By Pat McCarran

WHEN this Government was founded, the framers of the Constitution wrote into that instrument a provision that Congress should "coin money and fix the value thereof;" and the Constitution prohibits making anything but "gold and silver" lawful money. So silver is written into our basic law. Shortly after President Washington took office in 1789 the Congress passed the first Mint Act, setting up the U. S. Mint. In that Act, signed by President Washington on April 2, 1792, the weight of the American dollar was fixed, and it was provided how much silver should be contained in a silver dollar and how much gold should be contained in a gold dollar. It was decided that 371 1/4 grains of pure silver was to be the standard dollar of America. That standard with respect to the pure silver content of the dollar has never changed.

Jan 1, 1947

By LESTER W. STRAUSS

FOR fifteen months after the other dominions of the British Empire and the entire so-called sterling 11loc loosed the shackles that bound the111 to the gold standard, South Africa, giant among gold-producing nations, remained stubbornly attached to gold at the traditional ratio of 85 shillings in currency to one ounce of gold. But eventually even South Africa had to heed the dictates of trade and the obvious interests of its great gold-mining industry. In December, 1932, South Africa's currency severed its golden bonds. Today the South African pound is 011 a par wit11 the British pound.

Jan 1, 1935

By Richard Belair, John Read

Ask someone what they can tell you about the Royal Canadian Mint and most likely the first thing that they will mention, is coinage. The Royal Canadian Mint manufactures Canada's one-cent coins, nickels, dimes and quarters - over 1 billion per year. Most of these coins use copper and nickel as base material, and all of this metal is mined, refined and processed in Canada prior to being shipped to the mint for coin production. In 1985 alone, 1270 metric tons of Canadian nickel and 2160 metric tons of Canadian copper were absorbed in circulating coinage. July 1987 will have marked the introduction of Canada's new one dollar coin, an important new addition to Canada's monetary system. The first phase of this program will consume about 2,235 metric tons of Canadian nickel in the initial production run. Annual requirements in subsequent years are estimated at 225 metric tons. The Royal Canadian Mint is also a major producer of circulating coinage for foreign countries. Since the state-of-the-art Winnipeg plant swung into full production in 1976 the Mint has struck more than 5.2 billion coins for some 35 nations around the world. 1985 sales have increased almost 6 fold over 1984. 1987 already shows commitments for a further significant increase in volume in this business. The use of Canadian metals in export to foreign nations as coinage adds still more to the Royal Canadian Mint's key role as a major market maker for Canada's mining industry. The success of the Mint in this realm can be directly traced to it's 75 years as one of the world's most important refiners of gold. Today, the Royal Canadian Mint is the largest refiner of gold in the Western Hemisphere, and the third largest, by volume, in the world. The R.C.M. hallmark on kilo bars, 100 troy ounce comex bars

Jan 1, 1987

By A. Panteleyev, C. S. Ney, R. J. Cathro, A. Sutherland Brown

The general distribution of metal deposits in the Canadian Cordillera can be related to its tectonic evolution. The Canadian Cordillera is naturally divisible into five longitudinal tectonic belts within which rocks are broadly similar in type, age and history. From west to east they are the Insular, Coast Crystalline, Intermontane, Omineca and Eastern Marginal belts. Seven classes of metal deposits in the Canadian Cordillera are defined and their characteristics described. These classes are skarn, porphyry, massive sulphide, stratiform, magmatic, copper in basic lavas, and vein deposits. Maps showing the distribution of medal and metal-group concentrations serve to illustrate the relations in space and time between mineralization and geologic evolution.

Jan 1, 1971

The U.S. economy continued to expand during 1986, although at the slowest pace since 1982 when the current business expansion began. Real gross national product (GNP) grew about 2.6%, slightly below 1985 growth but significantly below that of 1984. The continuing expansion was fueled predominantly by rising personal consumption expenditures as well as growing government purchases of goods and services. Fixed investment, although positive, failed to grow at the rate of the overall economy. The trade deficit, which increased more than 30% over the record 1985 level, continued to depress economic growth despite significant declines in the price of petroleum and the value of the dollar. On a more positive note, domestic employment continued to grow--increasing over 2 million from the 1985 level--and inflation and interest rates declined. The unemployment rate dropped slightly to 7.0%. Of direct importance to the minerals-producing industries, expenditures for consumer and producer durables as well as investment in residential construction each grew faster than the overall economy, but investment in nonresidential structures fell more than 10% from the 1985 level. The low level of real capital spending declined about 3% in 1986, following strong gains in 1985 and in 1984. Capital expenditures for new plant and equipment bottomed out in the second quarter and expanded in the third and fourth quarters. The decline in the first half of the year was partially attributed to uncertainty arising from the then-proposed tax bill. Also, there was little impetus for corporations to invest in new capacity since factories were operating at less than 80% of capacity during most of the year, in part because of continued competition from imports.

Jan 1, 1987

By Keith L. Harris

Real2 gross national product (GNP) grew at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.3% in the fourth quarter and at 2.5% for all of 1986, according to the most recent Department of Commerce estimates table 1). The 1986 GNP growth was the lowest since the recession in 1982, and was slightly below the estimate published in the last issue of Minerals and Materials. Barriers to greater economic growth in 1986 included the Federal budget deficit, the trade deficit, reduced energy-sector investment because of low oil prices, and uncertainty over changes in the Federal tax code.3 Major sectors of the economy responsible for the fourth-quarter growth included real Government purchases of goods and services, up $19.9 billion from the third-quarter level; real net exports, up $12.2 billion; real residential investment, up $3.0 billion; and nonresidential fixed investment, up $1.5 billion. The increase in Government purchases of goods and services was attributed to the S25.1 billion rise in net purchases of farm products by the Commodity Credit Corp-oration. Real personal consumption expenditures and inventory investment declined, however. Personal consumption expenditures declined primarily because of reduced motor vehicle purchases. Despite only modest growth during the fourth quarter, the economy improved significantly because of the narrowing of the trade deficit and growing employment (table 2) while maintaining low unemployment and inflation rates. Business sounded an optimistic note, with planned increases in current-dollar capital spending of 0.9% for 1987 compared with a 1.7% decrease in 1986. While it is primarily the nonmanufacturing industries that expect to increase investment from 1986 levels, some manufacturing industries are increasing investment by significant percentages as well, notably the steelmaking and nonferrous metals industries (table 3).

Jan 1, 1987

By Wendell L. Reich

Percussion drilling dates back to the hand operated star drill and hammer. Eventually steam and compressed air were substituted for muscle power and the mechanical percussion drill was born. From the hand held jack hammers, driving a forged steel bit into the rock, there evolved the jack leg, the rubber tired and crawler mounted drill carrier with automatic feed, increasing power and reducing man?s muscle requirements. Because the reaction of a blow on one end of a piece of steel has to be transmitted to the other end there is a limit to the depth or length of drill steel that can economically be used in out of the hole percussion devices. During the late 1800?s there is evidence that designers were attempting to put the percussion tool at the bottom of the hole, directly on the bit, in order to avoid the long drill steel which absorbed much of the blow, leaving little to be applied to the bit and the rock being drilled.

Jan 1, 1972

By J. Venter

The history of firedamp is the same as that of coal: The initial stage was the accumulation of vegetation, which was converted into peat under certain local conditions, then lignite, bituminous coal, and finally anthracite. These deposits ceased to increase owing to inundation that deposited earthy sediment, sometimes as much as several tens of meters (several tens of yards). The vegetable matter, whether it was covered with sediment or not, began to ferment. The basic organic components of the vegetable matter are: Cellulose, lignin, and wax and resin in varying proportions, according to the different kinds of vegetable matter. There are, in addition, some impurities, generally mineral.

Jan 1, 1953

In October, the Aluminum Company of America restarted the fourth of seven pot-lines at its Point Comfort, Tex. primary aluminum smelter. The price of primary aluminum ingot, as quoted by American Metal Market, was increased from a range of 60.5 to 63.0 cents per pound at the end of September to a range of 66.0 to 66.5 cents per pound at the end of October. BERYLLIUM On October 15, Brush Wellman, Inc., of Cleveland, one of two U.S. producers of primary beryllium products, announced a planned $6 million expansion of its extraction plant at Delta, Utah, increasing the plant?s capacity to extract beryllium from bertrandite ore by 25%. Another $5 million will be spent on two mine expansion programs in Jaub and Millard Counties, Utah. Other mineral claims and 1 eases he 1 d by The Anaconda Company will be taken over by Brush Wellman through lease or purchase. This expansion, when completed in 1981, will decrease U.S. dependence on imported beryl ore.

Jan 1, 1979

The U.S. economy and, consequently, the demand for minerals grew at more moderate rates in 1995 compared with stronger performances the previous year. Demand for metals such as steel and copper was relatively stable. For example, the decline in steel consumed in motor vehicle manufacturing (reflecting lower vehicle sales) for the first half of 1995 was offset by an increase in steel consumed in construction during the same period. More detailed information on events, trends, and issues in the mineral and material sector Is presented below and in the commodity sections that follow. Overall Performance The value of processed materials of mineral origin produced in the United States during 1995 was estimated to be $395 billion, an increase of almost 10% compared with 1994. The estimated value of U.S. raw nonfuel minerals production in 1995 was $38 billion, about 7% more than in 1994. The value of U.S. minerals production has increased in 30 of the last 35 years.

Jan 1, 1996

Entering June, U. S. producer pricing of 99.5 percent unalloyed aluminum ingot was divided at 53-57 cents per pound. The Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp. took the initiative and raised its June 1 ingot values by 4 cents to 57 cents. Consolidated Aluminum Corp. announced plans to increase ingot prices by 4.5 cents per pound to 57.5 cents per pound effective May 15. Dealers increased their May ingot quotes by 1.5-2 cents to 50-50.5 cents. CADMIUM While producers in the United States kept May cadmium at $2.25-$2.50, dealers increased their quotes by 15-30 cents to as high as $2.15.

Jan 1, 1978

The Particulate Mineralogy Unit has been established at the College Park, Maryland, Metallurgy Research Center. The Particulate Mineralogy Unit will have the responsibility within the Bureau of Mines for the characterization of particulate minerals which have potential for adverse environmental effects. The Unit will provide a focal point for identifying particulates in connection with environmental problems related to the activities of agencies such as OSHA, HEW, EPA, and MESA. The Particulate Mineralogy Unit is seeking to clarify the ambiguities surrounding the mineralogy of and terminology used for asbestiform minerals and other mineral particles. The Unit?s investigations of the morphology, composition, and structure of asbestiform minerals and their nonasbestos analogs have made its members recognized experts in this field. The information which it develops on the characterization of asbestos and other particulate mineral forms such as silica should provide a technically rational basis for decisions by regulatory agencies. Those desiring further information, contact Dr. W. J. Campbell, Program Coordinator, College Park Metallurgy Research Center, College Park, MD 20740, telephone: 301-344-4014. ALUMINUM: For over a month, domestic producers have priced 99.5 percent grade primary aluminum ingot at 48¢ per pound. In the same period, merchants raised ingot quotes by 1.5¢-2.5¢ to a range approaching 44¢-47¢ per pound.

Jan 1, 1976

Federal Regulations require MESA to regulate the exposure of workers to inhalation hazards in the surface work areas of coal mining and processing operations. (1) The purposes of this study are listed below: 1. Determination of candidate inhalation contaminants for surface work areas of coal mining and processing operations. 2. Selection of appropriate sampling and analytical methods. 3. Performance of qualitative surveys of 56 representative coal mining and processing facilities. 4. Preparation of handbook to provide guidance for inspectors sampling for these contaminants. This report describes the work which was done to accumulate the information which was used in preparing the inspector's handbook. Specifically, this report contains descriptions of the surveys which were performed, analytical results obtained from these surveys, findings and conclusions, and recommendations for additional research.

Jan 1, 1975

By M. W. BERNEWITZ

AUSTRALIANS and New Zealanders, whose countries have respectively yielded gold to the value of £666,000,000 and £96,000,000, are taking full advantage of the current high prices for that metal. There is a marked activity in ordinary prospecting, geophysical exploration, further development of working mines and reopening of old properties, formation of new companies, installation of new equipment and processes, and expansion of operations generally. Australian gold production last year was approximately double the quantity of 1929 and its value three times as great, 1929 being the low of recent years. The 1933 production was about 821,000 oz. From New Zealand, 165,000 oz. was exported last year. Papua and New Guinea contributed slightly over 100,000 oz. What the future price of gold will be nobody knows, but, even if it returns to the former level, Australian producers are almost sure of 110 shillings an ounce until 1940 through the Commonwealth Government's Gold Bounty Act, at present temporarily and necessarily suspended from operation.

Jan 1, 1934

By A. J. Williams, R. B. Corbett

"INTRODUCTION This investigation was undertaken to obtain information concerning the effects of boron in steel and its method of addition, so that boron, which is readily obtainable domestically, may be used to relieve the great demand for those scarce, strategic, alloying elements that hitherto have been considered necessary for the successful manufacture of quality steel.Previous Work Guillet 4/ seems to have been the first to predict that boron-bearing steel might have a possible industrial use when, in 1907, he published results of an investigation into the properties of steel containing 0.21 to 1.51 percent boron.Possibly Walter 2/ was the first to appreciate the fact that extremely small percentages of boron are effective in improving the properties of a steel. His patent, issued in 1924 claimed steels containing boron within the limits of 0.001 to 0.100 percent; furthermore, the specifications disclosed that boron increased the hardenability of steel and refined its grain structure. In 1937, Naton and Piwowarsky 6/ otherwise observed that boron increased the hardenablity of steel."

Jun 1, 1945

By Shigeo Asai

"Electromagnetic processing of materials is newly proposed to be considered as one of the engineering fields where functions of electromagnetism are utilized for processing electrically conducting materials, such as liquid metals, electrolytes and plasmas. The background requiring this processing and the engineering characteristics supporting it are described. The applicable functions of electromagnetism to material processing are revealed from the view point of magnetohydrodynamics. The existing processes and the proposed ones are classified into utilized functions and engineering applications are discussed. IntroductionElectric energy has been used in the metallurgical field for the processes of melting, refining and solidification. In these cases both the magnetic field which is induced by an imposed electric current, and the electric current are applied on electrically conducting materials such as molten metals. Thus, it turns out that the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) phenomena have unconsciously been seen in metallurgical processes using electric current. The academic backbone studying MHD phenomena is the Magnetohydrodynamics which is being developed in the fields of plasma physics, astrophysics, fusion research and nuclear energy.The first attempt where magnetohydrodynamics was intentionally applied on metallurgy was a Symposium of IUTAM (The International Union of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics) in titled as ""Metallurgical Applications of Magnetohydrodynamics"" at Cambridge, UK, 1982 [1]. This timely event stimulated a few metallurgists to recognize the importance of ~MHD and was a good warning to the metal societies in the world. Especially in Japan, the Steelmaking Investigative Subcommittee of Research Planning Committee in the ISIJ (The Iron and Steel Institute of Japan) discussed the application of ~IHD to metallurgy and selected it as one of the four major innovative subjects for future steelmaking technology in Japan [2]. Indeed, the term of ""Electromagnetic Metallurgy"" itself was firstly coined by this subcommittee. Upon the request of a report from the subcommittee, the ISIJ has established a committee on ""Electromagnetic Metallurgy"" at 1985, under the author's chairmanship."

Jan 1, 1988