Search Documents

Jan 1, 1881

By Henry Lloyd Smyth

In 1891-92 1 was entrusted with the geological survey of part of the large area lying between the Marquette and Menominee iron-ranges in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and extending from the Republic trough on the north, through portions of the valleys of the Michigamme and Fence rivers, to and including the intermediate Felch mountain range on the south. Until a few years back the larger part of this area has been very difficult of access, and much of it is difficult still. The rock-surface is for the most part covered with swamp, forest and glacial deposits of various kinds, and therefore has not invited geological study. For these reasons the district, as a whole, with the exception of the Felch mountain range, remained almost unknown from a geological standpoint until our work in 1892. Our main object was to map the pre-Cambrian rocks, particularly the iron-bearing formations of Algonkian or Huronian age, and to obtain as much information as possible with reference to their sequence and structure, In carrying out this purpose, the use of simple magnetic instruments was found to be of the greatest assistance, and indeed indispensable. In this paper the results of our experience in tracing magnetic rocks by means of the disturbances produced in these instruments, have been brought together in systematic form, with such references to the particular area as are necessary in order to illustrate general principles, with the hope that they will prove useful to other workers in the same region, or in other regions where similar conditions may be encountered. The writer was efficiently aided in the field-work by Messrs. Samuel Sanford and Charlea N. Fairchild for nearly the whole period, and E. B. Mathews and H. F. Phillips for part of it,

Jan 1, 1897

By F. A. Schaufelberger

Early work on chemical precipitation of metals from metal salt solutions is reviewed. The chemistry and thermodynamics of precipitating copper, nickel, cobalt, and cadmium metals by reaction with hydrogen are discussed. Mechanisms of metal precipitation, nu-cleation, growth, and agglomeration are reviewed, as well as some solubility phenomena of cleation,gases and solids at elevated temperatures. Experimental data presented deal mainly with the reaction of copper sulfate solution with Hz. METAL can be recovered from a leach solution either indirectly by precipitation as a compound that is later reduced or directly by electrolysis, cementation, or chemical reduction, for example, with hydrogen. The widely used electrowinning processes suffer from the inefficiency of converting fuel to low voltage dc and from low current efficiency when complete recovery is attempted. With the batch hydrogen reduction methods outlined here, a unit of fuel converted to hydrogen in modern gas reform plants will make two to three times as much metal as can be obtained with electrolysis. With continuous hydrogen reduction, four to six times as much metal is obtained. Precipitation by reducing a metal salt solution with H, has been known for almost 100 years.' Commercial use of the process, however, awaited the research and development program initiated by Chemical Construction Corp. Within the last few years this program has brought about construction of commercial plants, listed on p. 701. Ideal hydrogen reduction will precipitate a pure metal from a solution obtained by commercial leaching methods at a rapid rate without excessive temperatures and pressures. The metal precipitate will be of desired size and density, less than a percent left in the vessel being deposited on the wetted parts. The present discussion will outline Chemical Construction Corp.'s early development program and will discuss the chemistry and mechanics of reducing copper, nickel, cobalt, and cadmium from solution by H2. Work on selective reduction of nickel from cobalt has been described earlier.2 The article is not concerned with precipitation of copper by disproportionation of cuprous solutions where yield is limited" to 50 pet.* It does not discuss use of gaseous reducing agents other than hydrogen, such as SCV which may lead to contamination with sulfur, or CO," which is considerably more expensive than hydrogen and produces a gaseous reaction product, CO2.† The article does not include use of other nongaseous reducing agents: which are far more expensive than CO. Also, notes on the history, engineering design, and performance of commercial plants have been given elsewhere." It will be shown that a pure metal can be precipitated by reduction with hydrogen from solutions obtained by commercial leaching methods when the solution cohposition is controlled and proper acidity, proper metal ion concentration through controlled complex formation and hydrolysis, and adequate agitation for suspension of metal and for transfer of reducing gas are maintained. Reasonable temperatures and pressures are used which are less excessive than those used by previous workers, although they are maintained at above equilibrium values because of process kinetics.' It has also been found necessary to induce nuclea-tion and to control growth and agglomeration in order to get a powder product of suitable physical properties. Review of the Literature Muller, Schlecht, and Schubardt of I. G. Farbenm claimed a successive reduction of silver, copper, nickel, cobalt, and zinc from ammoniacal solution by applying progressively higher temperatures and hydrogen pressures. Metals produced by this technique were not pure, since no attempt was made to adjust the solution composition between the different reductions. It is doubtful that the zinc product contained any metallic zinc. The major contribution to the literature" was made by the Ipatiews,12 who prepared platinum, iridium, copper, nickel, cobalt, lead, tin, arsenic. antimony, and bismuth at often extreme conditions, up to the critical temperature of water (373"C), at 1500 to 7500 psi, for as long as several days. Even cadmium and zinc were claimed to have been observed in trace quantities precipitated together with basic salts. In the early experiments solutions were not stirred. Extensive formation of oxides and basic salts occurred. probably long before sufficient hydrogen could be supplied in the unstirred liquid to decrease the metal concentration in solution by reduction. The importance of hydrogen pressure was

Jan 1, 1957

By C. McCulloch

OPEN-PIT mining of coal is relatively a recent innovation; men still active in the industry can trace its development. Re- viewing the growth of operations from the original horse-drawn scrapers, through the various stages of power equipment to the huge strip- ping shovels of today, one also notes changes in the methods of what the coal man calls preparation at the face. We really should not call it face preparation because, in contrast to underground mining, a face does not exist in strip mining. Further, preparation of the coal for market at the loading point has already, in but a few years, become largely of historic interest only and modern mines as well as old mines recently modernized rely almost entirely on separate and elaborate preparation plants to produce marketable coal. This practice was not voluntarily adopted by the producer but was forced upon him by the inadequacy of previous

Jan 1, 1939

By J. Spotts McDowell

INTRODUCTION The magnitude of the thermal expansion of silica brick, and its inability to withstand rapid temperature changes, present problems of considerable importance in the manufacture of siliceous refractories. In the study represented by the experimental data herein described, these problems are considered from the point of view afforded by the results of recent investigators: Fenner and his associates of the "Geophysical Laboratory, Washington, D. C., who have established the stability relations of the silica minerals, and Endell and co-workers in Berlin, who have studied the changes brought about in the constitution of siliceous refractory materials upon the application of heat. In the process of manufacture, the quartzite from which the brick is made changes in part into cristobalite and tridymite. The attempt is herein made to determine by microscopic methods the degree of transformation in various specimens of test bricks manufactured at slightly varying temperatures of burning, with varying coarseness of grain, and to determine the effect of repeated burning. The effect of variations

Jan 10, 1916

By E. W. Newman

DURING 1943 and 1944, there was an urgent need for certain grades of optical calcite (Iceland spar) for instruments for military uses. To find a supply of this material, prospecting was carried out in Montana, California and Colorado. Although some production was obtained by the work in California, the best results were from prospecting the large calcite veins of south central Montana. The bulk of the optical calcite mined during World War II has come from that area. The Bureau of Mines took an active part in the search for optical calcite in Montana. It examined most of the known calcite veins in the 70-mile distance between Wilsall, on the Shields River, and Absarokee, on the Stillwater River, and conducted exploration on several of the deposits. The Geological Survey also took an active part by mapping many of the veins. Actual mining of the calcite was performed at first by Calcite Operators, Inc., and later by the Metals Reserve Co., through an agent. A sorting plant was established at Clyde Park, where custom material could be sold. These activities stimulated mining by private operators. To be suitable for military uses, the calcite mined had to meet rigid specifications as to both size and quality. Individual crystals had to be clear and transparent and if in the form of rhombs had to measure at least 7/8 in. on each edge. Some color and a few inclusions in the calcite were allowable, but material with incipient or developed cleavages, or showing twinning other than parallel to the base, was unacceptable. HISTORY OF DEPOSITS The existence of large veins of calcite in south central Montana has long been known, and for many years the farmers of this region have used the common vein calcite for producing grit for chicken feed. According to reports, the first optical calcite produced from Montana came from the Cartwright deposit near Greycliff,1 but until recently the mining of optical calcite in Montana has been limited to spasmodic searching for small crystals suitable for making nicol prisms for saccharimeters and microscopes, or for mineral specimens. The possible need of substantial amounts of optical calcite for military uses began to appear late in 1942 and early in 1943, therefore the Polaroid company began searching for a source of supply in Montana and California. Work on the Wade property near Clyde Park was started on a small scale in the fall of 1942, by A. H. Hansen, of Clyde Park. During the winter and spring of 1943, a modest quantity of optical calcite was mined and shipped to the Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass. Most of this was produced from the "Hansen vug," which was found close to the surface. Early in the summer of 1943, mining on the Wade property was undertaken by Calcite Operators, Inc., a company organized for mining optical calcite from the Montana and California deposits. This com-

Jan 1, 1945

By James D. McClung, H. J. Gluskoter, M. R. Geer

INTRODUCTION The purpose of coal preparation is to improve the quality of coal to make it suitable for a specific purpose by (1 ) cleaning to remove inorganic impurities; (2) sizing-crushing or screening, or both; or (3) special treatment, such as dedusting. The properties and quantities of impurities in coal are of major importance in the design and operation of steam generating equipment. Al- though boilers are often designed and equipped to use a wide range of coals, no boiler will perform equally well with all types of coals. All coals have certain properties that place limitations on their most advantageous use. These limitations are especially stringent for many of the older installations. Because of a general lowering of quality of raw coal in recent years, the need for coal cleaning has significantly increased. Among the factors contributing to the need for increased coal preparation are (1) increased demand for quality brought on by market and environmental requirements; (2) increased extraneous dilution caused by mine, health, and safety laws; and (3) depletion of the higher-quality coal seams.

Jan 1, 1979

By J. McLaren Forbes

Geologists and engineers in charge of diamond drilling often have no practical experience in the work, yet they must direct the drillers. In discussing some of the problems that arise, the author of this paper has tried to remember the things he did not know about diamond drilling when he first came in contact with that work. The basic reason for most diamond-drill holes is to obtain information. The more thorough the understanding of the geological and engineering problems involved, the greater will be the benefit derived from a drilling program. One of the best methods to ensure some thinking before drilling is to record on the permanent drill log, before the hole is collared, the reasons for the work and the information desired from that particular hole. When the hole is finished, the information obtained should be recorded. Driller The choice of a diamond driller is very important. If no experienced driller is available, a competent miner who has a sense of responsibility and better than average mechanical ingenuity can do the work. The best answer to most practical drilling problems, from the standpoint of the person in charge of the drilling program, is the service of experienced diamond drillers or drilling firms. Equipment Drilling equipment should be adequate to put down the longest hole desired and handle the toughest ground encountered. The type of bit used depends upon the ground drilled. Experimenting with various bits and careful study of footage records are the best means of determining which to use. Under ordinary circumstances it is best to drill using an EX barrel when possible. The length of rod and core barrels that can be used depends on the size of the drill station. Also, the length of core barrel depends on the way the ground cores. In good ground as much core will be recovered with a 10-ft. barrel as with a shorter one, and with considerable saving of drilling time. A water pump is needed if the hole is so deep that the water pressure is not strong enough to wash out the cuttings, or if it is drilled at an angle that prevents full force of the water pressure. Instructions For an Inexperienced Driller 1. Never run a bit too long a time. When a bit seems to be "good for one more run," discard it. 2. Always let the rods down on bottom easily. Protect the bit from sudden shock. 3. Start the drilling slowly and easily. Do not put pressure on the bit too fast. Diamonds can break. 4. Be sure the water pressure is strong enough to clear the bit, but do not use more water than is needed, as it may wash away the core. Usually, if no core is recovered the hole is a total loss. 5. When dry-blocking, do not run without water longer than necessary as the bit may burn. 6. Be sure the rods are well caulked and tightly screwed together. If not well caulked they will lose water, and if not

Jan 1, 1946

Jan 1, 1929

By Guillermo Zuloaga

The iron deposits of the Imataca Range of Venezuela, which occur along the Orinoco River, in the northern border of the Guayana Highlands, have lately attracted attention on account of their economic possibilities. Many deposits occur in this area; some of slight economic importance and others that may rank with the largest masses of high-grade iron ore of the world. The geology and the character of the ores seem to be remarkably similar to those of the large iron deposits of Brazil. In the investigation of the Venezuelan deposits a definite relationship has been found between the mineralization of the large orebodies and igneous intrusions, especially norites and granites. The following paper is the result of a field and laboratory investigation of the ore deposits. The field work was done during the months of February and March of the year 1929, partly in the company of Prof. W. H. Newhouse. The laboratory studies have been made in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, under the supervision of Professor Lindgren and Professor Newhouse. GENERAL GEOLOGY OF GUAYANA HIGHLANDS General Geography and Physiography The Sierra de Imataca proper occupies a narrow belt along the south bank of the Orinoco River, in the northeastern part of the State of Bolivar and in the western part of the Delta Amacuro Territory of Venezuela. The State of Bolivar is generally known as the Venezuelan Guayana, as it forms part of the same physiographic province of the Guianas and northeast Brazil. In general the Venezuelan Guayana is an extensive plateau, sloping gently towards the Orinoco River to the north and towards the Atlantic Ocean to the east. In the northern part mountains are rare, and consist mainly of elongated low hills. Towards the British Guiana-Brazil boundary, table mountains with vertical cliffs are found forming the ranges of Parima, Roraima and Pacaraima. General Geology The Guayana Highlands are the northern extension of the Brazilian Archean shield. Only a few scattered masses of sediments remain on its

Jan 1, 1935

By Guillermo Zuloaga

The iron deposits of the Imataca Range of Venezuela, which occur along the Orinoco River, in the northern border of the Guayana Highlands, have lately attracted attention on account of their economic possibilities. Many deposits occur in this area; some of slight economic importance and others that may rank with the largest masses of high-grade iron ore of the world. The geology and the character of the ores seem to be remarkably similar to those of the large iron deposits of Brazil. In the investigation of the Venezuelan deposits a definite relationship has been found between the mineralization of the large orebodies and igneous intrusions, especially norites and granites. The following paper is the result of a field and laboratory investigation of the ore deposits. The field work was done during the months of February and March of the year 1929, partly in the company of Prof. W. H. Newhouse. The laboratory studies have been made in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, under the supervision of Professor Lindgren and Professor Newhouse. GENERAL GEOLOGY OF GUAYANA HIGHLANDS General Geography and Physiography The Sierra de Imataca proper occupies a narrow belt along the south bank of the Orinoco River, in the northeastern part of the State of Bolivar and in the western part of the Delta Amacuro Territory of Venezuela. The State of Bolivar is generally known as the Venezuelan Guayana, as it forms part of the same physiographic province of the Guianas and northeast Brazil. In general the Venezuelan Guayana is an extensive plateau, sloping gently towards the Orinoco River to the north and towards the Atlantic Ocean to the east. In the northern part mountains are rare, and consist mainly of elongated low hills. Towards the British Guiana-Brazil boundary, table mountains with vertical cliffs are found forming the ranges of Parima, Roraima and Pacaraima. General Geology The Guayana Highlands are the northern extension of the Brazilian Archean shield. Only a few scattered masses of sediments remain on its

Jan 1, 1935

By H. M. Ziesemer

PRIOR to 1909 that mountain of porphyry, known as. Sacramento Hill, had remained hardly touched but had always aroused suspicions as to the presence of ore within.. During that year, exploratory work was started by underground methods; drifting and raising continued until 1913. It was proved that a mineralized zone existed, the limits of which had not been determined; so, because of the lower costs of exploratory work and the greater desirability of vertical sections, it was decided to prove the extent of the ore zone by churn drills. Drilling continued until the year 1917, when it seemed almost certain that the horizontal limits of the orebodies had been determined. Ore continued in depth in one direction beyond a point where it was economical to explore by churn drilling; this extension is still being developed by underground methods. The irregularities of the boundaries of the ore zones, together with the variable grades of ore encountered, made it necessary to drill on the corners of 100-ft. squares. Two ore zones were proved, known as the East and West Orebodies. The Sacramento Hill porphyry stock intruded into the Dividend fault. The fault ran roughly east and west with a dip to the south, having pre-Cambrian schists on the north against Paleozoic limestone on, the south. This intrusion was accompanied by a silica breccia on the south periphery, along the limestone contact side. The ore lay in the silica breccia and in the porphyry, some distance from the breccia. No ore was found in the heart of the porphyry mass on the north side, along the schist contact. The West Orebody is elliptic in shape, having a major axis of 1200 ft. (366 m.) and a minor axis of 800 ft. (244 m.); these diminish with depth until, at 300. ft., the axes are 500 ft. and 300 ft., respectively. The ore consists of chalcocite, some bornite, chalcopyrite, and considerable pyrite in a silicious gangue. About 30 per cent. of the copper is caused by

Jan 2, 1922

By Nicholas J. Grant, William H. Ferguson, Bill C. Giessen

Ta-lr alloys have been examined over the complete range of compositions using metallographic and X-ray techniques. The terminal solid-solubility limits, solidus temperatures, and intermediate phases were determined. There are four inter-mediate phases: o, tetragonal, analogous to a (Fe-Cr); 0,. orthorhombic; az, tetragonal; and a TaZr,, cubic, AuCu, structure. Of these, o and a, melt peritecticaLly, a, decomposes peritectoidally, and a TaIrs has a congruent melting point. Three peri-tectic and one eutectic reactions occur. 1 HE Ta-Ir phase diagram has not been treated in the literature. Intermetallic phases and terminal solid solubilities have been described and estimated.'-4 The previous findings have been confirmed in this work. A complete diagram with additional phases and solidus curves is presented. EXPERIMENTAL METHODS Starting materials were tantalum powder of 99.8 pct purity, supplied by the National Research Corp., Cambridge, Mass., and iridium powder of 99.9 pct purity, supplied by the Bishop Co., Malvern, Pa. Both powders were -200 mesh. Table I lists the analyses as given by the suppliers. A standard procedure was employed in making the alloy buttons, which was described in detail in Refs. 5 and 6, and which included repeated arc-melting of powder compacts and determination of the composition by the weight-balance method. This is especially justifiable due to the similar vapor pressures of tantalum and iridium. In the critical parts of the diagram, a spacing of 1/2 at. pct was used, based on premelted master alloy material. The observed structures and X-ray spectra were consistent with the composition sequence of the alloys. Table II lists the final alloy atomic percentages with the calculated percent error of composition. Cross sections representative in grain size and composition were selected for the study, as described in Ref. 5. Based on prior experience, no contamination from the tungsten electrode was considered. Temperature measurements were obtained using a Leeds and Northrup optical pyrometer and have been described extensively in Refs. 5 and 6. All heat treatments were made in the high-vacuum tantalum tube furnace mentioned in Ref. 5. Samples annealed in tantalum containers cooled from 1800" to 1000"~ in 5 sec; those annealed in ceramic crucibles cooled over the same range in 15 to 30 sec. The thermal treatments are listed in Table 111. All specimens were homogenized at 1735°C for 24 hr. Tantalum-rich compositions were treated in tantalum buckets. Iridium-rich compositions were annealed in tantalum buckets below the eutectic temperature of 1950°C; up to 2200°C, tungsten-lined tantalum baskets were used; and above 2200°C thoria crucibles were used. It was found that refractory oxides (in early stages of the investigation alumina crucibles were used up to 1800°C and thoria crucibles were used to 2400"~) give off minute amounts of oxygen and thereby influence the microstructure considerably, or react directly with the alloys.

Jan 1, 1963

By G. F. Bolling

Single crystals of each metal were deformed at 77°K and heated at constant rates, variously in the range 0.125" to 4o°Kper min from 77" to -390oK, while being monitored in an X-ray diffractometer. Changes in diffraction-peak heights and line breadths were used to ascertain the temperature ranges of recrystalliza-tion. The results were subjected to the analysis of nicholas' in order to obtain the rate-controlling activation energies,Q. In this analysis no recourse to a separate and distinct nucleation stage is required and the results of studying recrystallization proved consistent with the hypothesis of a constant number of nuclei or equivalent hypotheses. The values Pb = 5.5 ± 0.5 keal per mole Zn ~ 7.5 Sn - 5 Bi - 9. 5 correspond for lead, zinc, and tin to activation energies obtained elsewhere for grain boundary migration, and for bismuth and lead to previous studies of re-crystallization by Barrett.6 This correlation allows the conclusions that interference from recovery was minimal and that the observed recrystallization rates in these pure metals are effectively governed by grain boundary migration. Good agreement was not found between the results of this kind of study in zone-refined aluminum and previous work; and supplementary isothermral experiments involving hardness tests and metallography did not resolve the discrepancy. Nevertheless, at least a range,Q = 11.5 ± 2 keal per mole, can be assigned to the activation energy for boundary migration in aluminum. An experimental study of one aspect of the recrystallization process is presented here for four metals of different crystal structure. The metals chosen for study were all zone-refined to reduce impurity effects, but the attendant high purity presented a difficulty. For any reasonably high driving force a "re-crystallization temperature", TR, is in the range of 0.25 T,, where T, is the absolute melting point, and study was therefore restricted to lower temperatures. An X-ray technique under constant heating-rate conditions adequate above 90°K was devised for the study; in consequence, a newer type of analysis following Nicholas1 had to be used to obtain quantitative information about activation energies. The standard methods of studying recrystallization have involved the comparable analyses of Johnson and Mehl2 and Avrami3 which are reviewed by Burke and Turnbull.* The general analysis4 which is applied only to isothermal studies using any of various investigative techniques states:

Jan 1, 1968

[¦Abad, Leopoldo F., College of Min., Univ. of California Berkeley, Cal. '23 ¦Abarquez, Ramon F., Met., Bureau of Science Manila, P. 1. '24 ¦Abbey, Robert Graham, Student, Case School of Applied Science Cleveland, Ohio. '21 Abbott, A. N., Mines Supt., Mazapil Copper Co., Ltd ...Concepcion del Oro, Zacatecas, Mexico. '23 Abbott, Clarence B., Gen'l Supt., Iron Mines Div., Tenn. Coal, Iron & R. R. Co., 1405 Minnesota Ave., Bessemer, Ala.' '04] [ ]

Jan 1, 1925

By Charles W. Dickson

CONTENTS. [ ] I.THE RELATION OF NICKEL TO PYRRHOTITE. Introduction. The Sudbury district is to-day one of the two great sources of nickel in the world. The peculiar geological relations of

Jan 1, 1913

ORE at the Jeffrey mine of Canadian John Mansville at Asbestos, Que., is hoisted by two 12 1/2 - ton capacity aluminum skips, counterbalanced. When the loaded skip reaches the surface it empties, via its sliding door, into a bin. Simultaneously, the skip tender, who operates at the 940 level, loads ore into the alternate skip from a 12 ½ -ton measuring pocket. This done, he sets the skips in motion. Problem: When moisture content of the asbestos ore is high, the ore, unknown to the skip tender, some- times sticks in the dumping skip, preventing complete discharge. Moreover, the sliding skip doors sometimes jam and stay open after the ore is discharged. If a skip in this condition is lowered, the result is either an overflow of ore, or the ore discharges through the open skip door, down the shaft. Spilled ore must then be mucked out of the spill pocket and hoisted in 2-ton cars. Cost is high, time is lost, and the shaft is sometimes damaged. Solution: A television apparatus was installed so that the skip tender might quickly spot improper door operation or hang-ups at the dumping station.

Jan 8, 1958

By Oliver Smalley

Except for the work of Guillet, who conducted a systematic investigation on the zinc-replacing value of nickel in brass, and extended his investigation with a view to developing commercial high zinc content nickel brasses, the author does not know of any other systematic research on the subject. The most promising commercial alloys and their physical properties obtained by Guillet are given below: These test results scarcely justify the use of such quantities of so expensive a metal, and could have been obtained from ordinary commercial brass. For purposes of comparison, the physical properties of ordinary brasses, ranging from 70 per cent. to 50.1 per cent. Cu in both the cast and normalized1 conditions are included in 'Table 1. These incidentally furnish a useful standard of the properties of castings and of rolled, extruded and forged brass when correctly annealed. A close study of some of the well-known special brasses containing nickel reveals a series of alloys which bewilder by their complexity, and me can only hazard a guess at the function and commercial value of each of the many elements used.

Jan 1, 1926

Jan 1, 1969

By H. G. Moulton

THE INCREASING scale of mining operations over the past decade, particularly in connection with the exploitation of large bodies of comparatively low-grade copper ores, has made necessary the study of the behavior of rock under failure. When extractions of as high as 40,000 tons a day are reached in steam-shovel operations and as high as 20,000 tons per day in underground mining operations, it is evident that excavations soon become of such size that the behavior of the rock will often be dependent on fundamental principles applicable to more or less homogeneous materials under stress, rather than on weathering or local planes of weakness. In the ordinary rock excavations encountered in civil-engineering practice, such as excavations for subways, highways, railroads, etc., rock faces are not carried to depths sufficient to develop any pressures, or consequently any failures, except those due to loose masses resulting from local planes of weakness. When, however, orebodies whose tonnage is measured by hundreds of thousands are to be extracted by steam-shovel operations in open pits, it is necessary to determine if possible in advance the slopes that the sides of the pits will assume, for these slopes influence the shape of the excavations and thereby the amount of ore that may be extracted by the open-pit method. When large orebodies are mined underground at depths of 300 to 500 ft. (91 to 152 m.) by caving methods, the surface subsiding as the ore is withdrawn, it is necessary to determine in advance the outermost limits of fracture in the subsiding surface, for on the delineation of these limits depends the location of surface improvements, mills, smelters, etc. and also the location of development work, such as hoisting shafts, main haulage levels, and all other underground openings that must remain undisturbed during the period of ore extraction. Heretofore, in civil-engineering practice, it has been assumed that earth and rock behave differently in failure. For the calculation of earth

Jan 2, 1920