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By AIME AIME

DURING my senior year at college a professor said to his class that a student who failed to obtain a passing grade in that certain subject could not graduate with his class and that his diploma would be withheld until the failure had been removed. In that way for four years a diploma had been made to appear to us as the objective in attending college. We grew up to think that a diploma was the means of providing employment; consequently, a diploma could not be jeopardized and, heeding the professor's remarks, we resolved to put forth special efforts and make good. During one of our class periods this same professor digressed briefly from his prepared lecture in metallurgy and advised the boys to join a national technical society. He spoke with earnestness and sincerity. After class we students discussed those remarks. We concluded that the professor had not convinced us. We were already members of technical societies at school and saw no need of joining another. In fact, even up to that moment a society had never indicated to any of us that joining it had any relation to landing a job, and we were fully aware that joining another society meant paying out more money, for fees and dues, which money we then needed to buy food, clothes, and perhaps a new slide rule. Furthermore, we knew that joining a society was not part of the curriculum and, therefore, the diploma could not be withheld if we did not follow the advice. Our conclusion was that we would not join but would concentrate on our work that assured getting our diplomas.

Jan 1, 1936

By Robert C. Johnson

Domestic byproduct fluorine (in fluosilicic acid) availability at various price levels of aluminum fluoride were determined and a contingency availability curve developed. The supply of byproduct fluosilicic acid is restricted in amount to certain geographic regions, where plants processing phosphate rock are located, and the byproduct can be collected. The maximum possible U.S. annual supply, based on potential plant capacities, is 373,400 tons of fluosilicic acid containing 295,400 tons of fluorine. Based on inputs of 5, la, 25, 50, and 100 thousand tons per year, five levels of producing aluminum fluoride from fluosilicic acid (100 percent) were costed. Based on a 12-percent discounted cash flow rate, including the cost of salvaging the fluosilicic acid, the calculated selling price of aluminum fluoride ranged from $233 per ton to $448 per ton. At the higher price, 98 percent of the potential supply of byproduct fluosilicic acid could be used profitably; at the lower price only 46 percent could be used profitably.

Jan 1, 1973

By Keith C. Hendrick

"Metal prices are frequently the most critical and least predictable element in determining the profitability of mining operations. Short -term fluctuations can be offset in varying degrees by hedging or other market actions. Such solutions are not practical for the longer term, The paper investigates the nature and extent of metal price risks and evaluates methods to reduce them.IntroductionIt is management's responsibility to improve the odds by managing the-risks by identifying them clearly, assessing them accurately, minimizing them where possible-and, then, timing decision s success fully.In determining the profitability of current operations, preparing forward plan s or developing feasibility studies for new projects or expansions, pr ices are usually the most critical input. Being market determined rather than cost based, they can also be the most unpredictable As a result, commodity prices are frequently the greatest of all risk factors.Nature of Commodity PricesThe cyclical nature of commodity prices is well known. They are stable only when supply is in balance with demand and forecast to remain that way. An imbalance on either side of the equation can lead to a price reaction completely out of proportion to the actual or perceived surplus or shortage.This exaggeration arises through the cumulative effect of market forces. When the market senses an uptrend, consumers buy for the expected increase in activity. They also seek additional quantities for inventory before price s rise. Merchants defer spot sales anticipating higher price s, speculators go along for the same reason, and producers raise prices in response to demand. Events tend to confirm the expectation of each party and strengthen their reaction causing prices to move higher."

Jan 1, 1983

By Walter A. English

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

Jan 1, 1939

By H. Gumede

The challenges of noise emission in the mining industry are well known. These challenges are exacerbated by the increasing trend towards mechanized mining, and there is general consensus that an effective industry-wide Buy Quiet initiative (BQI) will significantly assist in reducing noise-induced hearing loss by minimizing noise at its source. In its endeavours to improve the health of workers, the MOSH Noise Team has facilitated development of a proposed strategy and structure for a BQI. Extensive consultation with stakeholders resulted in support for the initiative. The MOSH Noise Team was advised to solicit the contributions of consulting mechanical and electrical engineers (CM&EEs), whose support is viewed as critical for realization of the initiative, since elimination of noise at source is an engineering challenge, and most procurement standards and specifications are set and managed by engineers. A workshop with CM&EEs and their representatives, as well as group environmental engineers (GEEs), confirmed the urgent need for the initiative and provided valuable insights. The workshop used obstacle based planning techniques to identify the factors on which the success of this BQI will depend. Most potential obstacles to the implementation revolved around proper scoping, leadership commitment, and companies? adherence to the initiative. Lack of involvement by the relevant stakeholders and economic issues were also identified as potential obstacles. Delegates at the workshop felt that the successful implementation of the industry-wide BQI, will depend on the mining industry addressing the specific obstacles. The most critical and urgent issue was identified as the formation of a properly constituted industry-wide BQI task team that includes representatives from critical stakeholder groups and which is mandated and empowered to drive the initiative.

Jan 1, 2014

By Charles A. Ashburner

The manufacturing and domestic consumers of anthracite are beginning to realize the fact more fully, that the coal purchased for any one year does not seem to burn so freely, does not fire with so little trouble, and does not last so long as that purchased during other years, or vice versa. Where coals of different sizes, or from different districts, are offered to the trade by the same or competing salesmen, the question suggests itself, which shall we buy ? Among housekeepers, who are the most numerous class of consumers, though on the smallest scale, distinction is seldom recognized among these anthracites. By other consumers the coals are grouped into those which, when burned, will produce either a white or a red ash, special qualities being arbitrarily attached to each. Others, again, know only of three varieties : (1) Those from the WYoming and LacKawanna fields, or the coals shipped from the northernmost basins over the railroads running through northeastern Pennsylvania direct to New York—notably, the Delaware. Lackawanna and Western, Delaware and Hudson, and Erie railways; (2) those shipped by the Lehigh Valley Railroad and the Lehigh and Susqaehanna division of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad down the Lehigh Valley ; and (3) those shipped over the main line of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad down the Schuylkill Valley. In special localities, where a favorite coal is largely used, the consumer will speak of one class, composed of his favorite coal, which possibly comes from two or three collieries, with a total aggregate annual production of less than a million tons; and of a second class, composed of the coals from all the other collieries in the anthracite

Jan 1, 1886

By Francis H. Crockard

DURING the past five years we have probably witnessed greater technological advances than in any similar period. Industry and science have steadily marched ahead. The makers of iron and steel products have watched with great interest the development of stream-lined trains, faster and safer airplanes, the entirely new science of air-conditioning and the widespread use of stainless steels. Since 1930, we have witnessed the erection of the world's largest suspension bridge, the largest and fastest ocean liner and the spectacular Boulder Dam, while even greater things are planned in these particular fields. Other industries, too, have been moving ahead rapidly. This advance in a few years has been caused primarily by the fierce competition of the depression. Now, more than ever, is the emphasis placed upon quality and service. Makers of southern merchant pig iron have been no exception and have been confronted with increasingly strict chemical specifications and with much greater stress on physical characteristics than ever before. For example, sulfur in the iron must be held very low, competition demanding that it be in the 0.020's and low 0.030's; silicon content must be held within a very narrow range, and definite requirements of phosphorus and manganese are an essential part of the specifications. Physical characteristics are becoming of increasingly greater importance. The introduction of triple-skimmed, slow-cooled iron several years ago was the first step in this direction. Now there are a few customers who buy iron by chemical analysis and physical appearance, having found that the analysis alone is an insufficient guide to their requirements.

Jan 1, 1935

By Francis Crockard

DURING the past five years we have probably witnessed greater technological advances than in any similar period. Industry and science have steadily marched ahead. The makers of iron and steel products have watched with great interest the development of stream-lined trains, faster and safer airplanes, the entirely new science of air-conditioning and the widespread use of stainless steels. Since 1930, we have witnessed the erection of the world's largest suspension bridge, the largest and fastest ocean liner and the spectacular Boulder Dam, while even greater things are planned in these particular fields. Other indus-tries, too, have been moving ahead rapidly. This advance in a few years has been caused primarily by the fierce competition of the depression. Now, more than ever, is the emphasis placed upon quality and service. Makers of southern merchant pig iron have been no exception and have been confronted with increasingly strict chemical specifications and with much greater stress on physical characteristics than ever before. For example, sulfur in the iron must be held very low, competition demanding that it be in the 0.020's and low 0.030's; silicon content must be held within a very narrow range, and definite requirements of phos-phorus and manganese are an essential part of the specifications. Physical characteristics are becoming of increasingly greater impor-tance. The introduction of triple-skimmed, slow-cooled iron several years ago was the first step in this direction. Now there are a few customers who buy iron by chemical analysis and physical appear-ance, having found that the analysis alone is an insufficient guide to their requirements.

Jan 1, 1936

By Weyer J

Many existing computer planning programs for the mining industry focus either on big mining enterprises with a high production rate or on smaller operations for high value minerals. Big mining enterprises, like the hardcoal company `Ruhrkohle AG' in Germany have their own R&D departments which develop powerful computer programs for planning purposes, partly in co-operation with mining universities. However, there is a remarkable number of small- scale mining operations which are either not able to buy expensive hard- and software or don't have the skills for the operation of extensive software programs. Partly there is also a trend in using rule of thumb calculations rather than computer programs which need a lot of - partly unavailable - data. For this reason a computer program was developed which does not need expensive hardware and software and which can help the planning engineer in the selection of a limited number of possibilities. Until this time the planning engineer established two or three different cases and calculated the results with a pocket calculator. This could last some hours or even some days. Now he or she can use the computer program with a normal PC to compare the cases. All activities are menu-driven. The basis for all, calculations are fixed and variable costs as well as average performance for special activities. The paper gives an example for a possible planning situation in fluorspar mining (originally this program was developed for the fluorspar enterprise Lengenfeld in Germany). It shows the initial situation, the main structure of the program, the input logic and the results. Benefits, limits and possible extensions of the program are discussed.

Jan 1, 1995

By Dr. O’Neil Thomas J., Donald W. Gentry

It was a western truism that more money was made from selling mines than from buying them, just as it was accepted that many a good mine had been spoiled by working it. from R. E. White, "The Mining Town," Alta California August 18,1873 INTRODUCTION One of the most important aspects of mineral enterprises of US corporations is the influence of the depletion allowance on cash flow. This allowance permits mineral producers to claim sizable federal income tax deductions not available to other industries, and these deductions significantly increase cash flows in mining. In the past several years the minerals depletion allowance has come under increasingly heavy fire from many sectors as a tax loophole that deprives the federal government of large amounts of revenue. One estimate of the loss of tax dollars in 1968 was $2.25 billion due to depletion deductions and intangible expenses in the oil industry. Largely on the basis of such arguments, the Tax Reform Act of 1969 reduced percentage depletion rates for a number of minerals, and the Tax Reduction Act of 1975 totally eliminated statutory depletion for most oil and gas. In regard to percentage depletion for hard minerals, the federal government has estimated its resulting loss of revenue at $1.75 billion for 1980. The TEFRA legislation of 1982 further reduced the statutory depletion allowance available to iron ore, coal, and lignite beginning in 1984. Thus, it is clear that minerals engineers and managers should have a thorough knowledge of the origin, evolution, justification, and computational procedures relating to the depletion allowance. ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION OF THE DEPLETION ALLOWANCE

Jan 1, 1984

By A Stasi, B Brice

Water is a limited and precious resource in Australia. Because of the increasing demand for water from all sectors of the economy and the variability in supply, efficient management of water resources is of vital importance. The national water reform agenda has provided a strong impetus to all states and territories to progressively move towards more efficient and sustainable water management. The Queensland Water Act 2000 is the legislative framework for providing water for the environment and for planning for the security of supply to water users. The comprehensive water planning process prescribed in the Act results in new tradeable water allocations that are separate from land. These water allocations are well specified and can be traded on a permanent or temporary basis. Trading of water allows it to move to its highest value use, thereby encouraging the most efficient distribution of this limited resource. In addition to transferring ownership of water allocations, it is also possible to change the attributes of the allocation, such as the location from which water may be taken. Changes to water allocations are subject to approval from the resource manager. Pre-testing allows for certain changes to be approved very quickly, making the trading process more streamlined and cost effective. Temporary trades, or seasonal water assignments, currently account for the majority of water trades in Queensland. However, permanent trading activity is expanding steadily as old water entitlements are converted to tradeable water allocations and as the market matures. The permanent trading market provides significant opportunities to the mining sector. It allows mining companies to buy water allocations at market prices without compromising environmental outcomes or causing third party impacts.

Jan 1, 2006

During the period 1979 thru 1982, Multi Mineral Corporation conducted a mining research program at the United States Department of the Interior's Bureau of Mines Oil Shale Mining Environmental Research Facility in the Central Piceance Creek Basin, Rio Blanco County, Colorado. The program consisted of mining, environmental and geotechnical research data and the results are described in this report.

Jan 1, 1983

By Chas. F. Jackson

The mining literature is replete with descriptions of methods and costs of operation at producing mines. To day the mine manager can find published information bearing upon almost any problem with which he may be faced. From this literature he can familiarize himself with methods employed by otter operators for coping with problems similar to his own, under more or less parallel conditions. Transaction of mining societies, publications of the U. S. Bureau of Mines, technical journals, and handbooks all afford valuable information dealing with operating methods and costs, Very little has been published, however, regarding methods and costs of equipping and developing new properties and bringing them to tae productive stage. There may be some question in the minds of many as to the value of papers on this subject, due to the great variety of conditions encountered. No two prospects are alike. Obviously, it is impossible to forecast what expenditure will be required to develop a mine from a raw prospect or even to predict whether the prospect can be developed into a productive mine.

Jan 1, 1933

By Oliver Bowles

The various Latin American countries are undergoing a slow process of industrialization. The harvesting of one or two agricultural commodities or the mining of a few marketable minerals is being supplemented by development of an Integrated industrial economy. In many countries, progress in this direction has not been rapid, but as it gains impetus an increasing market for cement is a natural consequence. This is evident from the fact that industrialization is linked with increasing transportation, and means of transportation are very poor in much of Latin America. Bridges, culverts, and concrete Highway's, now scattered sparingly throughout the vast land areas south of the United States, must multiply as the demands of industry increase and as a higher scale of living is attained. Eventually the South American countries will be linked by modern highways. Furthermore, the arid climate of many regions creates a demand for construction of dams and irrigation works, and a continent poor in coal reserves but with abundant water power inevitably must direct its energies toward the construction of hydroelectric power plants. Countries rich in raw materials but with few natural harbors have urgent need of massive concrete breakwaters and docks. The demand for concrete in houses will also grow. Standards of living are low, and perishable building materials are widely used. As living conditions improve cement will be used increasingly in home construction. Even in the field of simple and modest housing cement affords a means of creating low-priced verminproof and fireproof homes, for which the need it imperative under climatic conditions that prevail in this area of the world. Already many of the countries have undertaken extensive public works, and such programs are likely to increase. Assuming moderate industrial progress and stabilized governments the demand for cement in this great southern area promises substantial growth.

Jan 1, 1940

By Jr. Flynn

"The Bureau of Mines receives and answers many requests for information on the qualities and properties of American coals, and also publishes many papers that deal with coal characteristics. Compilations of chemical analyses of coal from specific locations are contained in a series of technical papers,2/ by States, whereas typical analyses of coal seams, by States and counties, are given in data books, volumes 1 to 7,2/ by producing districts, as defined in the Bituminous Coal Act of 1937. Bulletin 446, ""Typical Analyses of Coals of the United States,"" condenses and supplements these data books, which do not apply to the Western States. Other coal properties are described in numerous publications listed in the Bureau of Mines Bibliography of Publications. However, no recent publication lists average B.t.u. values by rank on a Statewide and national scale. Averages have been estimated in the past, and some of them are included in this paper for comparison.The average and the ranges of as-received B.t.u. values of American coals on a Nation-wide basis, as found by the statistical method described in this paper, are given in table 2 and on a State-wide basis in table 3. The following is abstracted from table 2:In deriving average B.t.u. values for coals, the results depend on the type of data available and the methods of calculation. The data, or analyses, may represent any of three types of samples - mine, tipple, or delivered. In mine sampling, a channel cut is made of a vertical face of the coal bed, carefully excluding most of the impurities, and the material retained is the sample. It is readily seen that mine samples are selected samples and do not strictly represent the unmined coal bed, unless the coal contains no major impurities. Mine samples generally represent the best-quality coal that could be produced. In contrast to mine samples, tipple and delivered samples represent coal that actually has been mined, and their analyses may show either lower or higher values than mine samples of the same coal, depending on treatment and preparation after mining.Of the thousands of analyses accumulated by the Bureau of Mines, most are of either tipple or delivered samples and represent the coal after it has been mined. Any average calculated from this aggregate of data will, consequently, reflect coal that has been produced, and not unmined coal in situ.The method of calculating an average from the basic data also will have considerable influence. If there are three seams of coal in a county, the average analysis for the county is not necessarily the arithmetic mean of analyses of the three individual seams. For a probable average of unmined coal, the B.t.u. values of each seam should be weighted in proportion to the unmined reserves of each seam. In similar manner, an average for past pro¬duction should be weighed according to the past production for each seam. Figures for coal reserves are only estimates based upon geologic evidence and its interpretation. Production records are much more accurate than estimated reserves, although detailed production records for individual seams by counties are very few."

Dec 1, 1949

By Rex E. Cheek, Donald E. Menzie

The fluid mapper, a model relatively new to the petroleum industry, was used to study the effect of various mobility ratios on the areal sweepout efficiency for two typical spacing patterns. The experiments indicated the areal sweepout for the five-spot pattern varied from 51.8 per cent at a mobility ratio of 0.093 to 89.1 per cent for a ratio of 24.4. In the direct line-drive pattern, the areal sweepout varied from 58.7 per cent at a mobility ratio of 0.089 to 92.0 per cent at a ratio of 24.8. The fluid mapper may prove useful to determine quickly the effective areal sweepout for any well spacing. INTRODUCTION The effect of the mobility ratio on the areal sweepout efficiency during primary depletion of a water drive reservoir and during secondary recovery operations has recently become more widely recognized The mobility ratio, M, is defined as: _ kjp (displaced fluid) k/u (displacing fluid) where k = effective permeability u = viscosity When the displacing fluid is miscible with the displaced fluid, the permeabilities are equal and the mobility ratio may be expressed as a ratio of viscosities: u (displacing fluid) u (displaced fluid) The mathematical analysis for calculating the areal sweepout efficiency with mobility ratio other than unity is quite tedious.5,11 An experimental method by using a potentiometric model2 in a step-wise manner and in using an X-ray shadowgraph model3,12 with continuous fluid flow has been published. Several types of models have been used to study oil and gas reservoir performance. These models may be classified as physical, electrolytic, potentiometric, X-ray shadowgraph, and fluid mapper. The X-ray shadowgraph and fluid mapper are models relatively new to petroleum engineering and have not been used extensively for specific applications. The theory of the fluid mapper indicates it may be adapted to a study of areal sweepout efficiencies for various mobility ratios as well as other complex problems in petroleum engineering. The use of the model and results obtained when using displacing and displaced fluids of equal densities but different viscosities are discussed. FLUID MAPPER DEVELOPMENT H. S. Hele-ShawV eveloped a fluid mapper model based on the hydrodynamic theory. This theory is that in the steady flow of a viscous fluid between horizontal parallel plates spaced a very small distance apart, the effect of viscous shear is of such magnitude in the vertical plane that the motion in the horizontal plane is practically undisbrted streamline flow. Techniques developed by Hele-Shaw were not expanded and no additional developments in fluid mapper models were forthcoming until A. D. Moore, University of Michigan, published a series of papers starting in 1949, which describe the construction of a flexible and inexpensive model'h nd the fluid mapper technique for the solution of certain problems.' The essential components of the fluid mapper as developed by Moore are::.ln 1. A base slab. made of dental stone (calcium sulphate and water). which is shaped to represent the prototype. 2. Plate glass slightly larger than the slab and spaced

Jan 1, 1956

By Basil B. Zavoico

Production of crude oil in the U.S.S.R. during 1940 is estimated at 222,600,000 bbl., as compared with the revised figure for the preceding year of 220,866,000 bbl., an increase of 0.79 per cent, and at least 20 per cent under the planned output. Baku district (Transcaucasus) remained the outstanding producing area, accounting for 72.33 per cent of the country's production, and this relative importance of the Apsheron Peninsula oil fields will probably continue lor many years to come. In the North Caucasus the Grozny-Dagestan area further extended its decline and the current production in this district amounts to only 6.06 Per cent Of the total U.S.S.R. output, as compared with 35.76 Per cent in 1931 The production of the Kuban-Maikop district remained virtually ullchanged from the preceding year, amounting to 7.64 per cent of the country's total. The Caucasian Province, therefore, in I940 produced 86.03 Per cent of the total production of the U.S.S.R. The promising new Permian Basin district, called Ural-Volga, and referred to sometimes as the "Second Baku," increased its production appreciably during 1940 and the output of that area amounted to 8.31 per cent of the country's total, as compared with 6.35 per cent during 1939. Production in the secondary districts of Russia continued unchanged though some new discoveries in the Emba salt-dome basin suggest that the output of that district may show some increase during the coming years. The drilling operations in Russia during 1940 reached a stage of virtual breakdown and the original footage plans were fulfilled only to the extent of around 50 per cent, while exploration drilling schedules were fulfilled only to the extent of about 25 to 35 per cent. This condition was due to the obvious lack of modern drilling rigs, of good drill pipe and of strong casing. Extended breakdowns occurred with deeper drilling, particularly because with few good drilling rigs available speed was being attempted with rotation rates that the inferior drill pipe and bits could not stand. Twistoffs and endless fishing jobs resulted. The difficulties became so serious a handicap to the Soviet oil industry that it was found imperative to order American drilling equipment and pipe in quantity, a policy that was never favored in the U.S.S.R because it requires expenditure of gold or exchange in major volume, and such exchange usually is reserved only to less bulky key items or to orders directly connected with armaments; also, oil-field machinery is very bulky and the prevailing lack of bottoms makes the transport of the indicated equipment a major problem. But little progress was similarly made in other branches of the Soviet oil industry. NO new major pipe-line construction work was undertaken, consequently the railroads continued to be overburdened with traffic that could be much more effectively handled by pipe lines. No new refinery construction of any magnitude was initiated, though several plants that had been in course of construction for several years were completed during 1940 and operation 554

Jan 1, 1941

By Basil B. Zavoico

Production of crude oil in the U.S.S.R. during 1940 is estimated at 222,600,000 bbl., as compared with the revised figure for the preceding year of 220,866,000 bbl., an increase of 0.79 per cent, and at least 20 per cent under the planned output. Baku district (Transcaucasus) remained the outstanding producing area, accounting for 72.33 per cent of the country's production, and this relative importance of the Apsheron Peninsula oil fields will probably continue lor many years to come. In the North Caucasus the Grozny-Dagestan area further extended its decline and the current production in this district amounts to only 6.06 Per cent Of the total U.S.S.R. output, as compared with 35.76 Per cent in 1931 The production of the Kuban-Maikop district remained virtually ullchanged from the preceding year, amounting to 7.64 per cent of the country's total. The Caucasian Province, therefore, in I940 produced 86.03 Per cent of the total production of the U.S.S.R. The promising new Permian Basin district, called Ural-Volga, and referred to sometimes as the "Second Baku," increased its production appreciably during 1940 and the output of that area amounted to 8.31 per cent of the country's total, as compared with 6.35 per cent during 1939. Production in the secondary districts of Russia continued unchanged though some new discoveries in the Emba salt-dome basin suggest that the output of that district may show some increase during the coming years. The drilling operations in Russia during 1940 reached a stage of virtual breakdown and the original footage plans were fulfilled only to the extent of around 50 per cent, while exploration drilling schedules were fulfilled only to the extent of about 25 to 35 per cent. This condition was due to the obvious lack of modern drilling rigs, of good drill pipe and of strong casing. Extended breakdowns occurred with deeper drilling, particularly because with few good drilling rigs available speed was being attempted with rotation rates that the inferior drill pipe and bits could not stand. Twistoffs and endless fishing jobs resulted. The difficulties became so serious a handicap to the Soviet oil industry that it was found imperative to order American drilling equipment and pipe in quantity, a policy that was never favored in the U.S.S.R because it requires expenditure of gold or exchange in major volume, and such exchange usually is reserved only to less bulky key items or to orders directly connected with armaments; also, oil-field machinery is very bulky and the prevailing lack of bottoms makes the transport of the indicated equipment a major problem. But little progress was similarly made in other branches of the Soviet oil industry. NO new major pipe-line construction work was undertaken, consequently the railroads continued to be overburdened with traffic that could be much more effectively handled by pipe lines. No new refinery construction of any magnitude was initiated, though several plants that had been in course of construction for several years were completed during 1940 and operation 554

Jan 1, 1941

By Francis Crockard

DURING the past five years we have probably witnessed greater technological advances than in any similar period. Industry and science have steadily marched ahead. The makers of iron and steel products have watched with great interest the development of stream-lined trains, faster and safer airplanes, the entirely new science of air-conditioning and the widespread use of stainless steels. Since 1930, we have witnessed the erection of the world's largest suspension bridge, the largest and fastest ocean liner and the spectacular Boulder Dam, while even greater things are planned in these particular fields. Other indus-tries, too, have been moving ahead rapidly. This advance in a few years has been caused primarily by the fierce competition of the depression. Now, more than ever, is the emphasis placed upon quality and service. Makers of southern merchant pig iron have been no exception and have been confronted with increasingly strict chemical specifications and with much greater stress on physical characteristics than ever before. For example, sulfur in the iron must be held very low, competition demanding that it be in the 0.020's and low 0.030's; silicon content must be held within a very narrow range, and definite requirements of phos-phorus and manganese are an essential part of the specifications. Physical characteristics are becoming of increasingly greater impor-tance. The introduction of triple-skimmed, slow-cooled iron several years ago was the first step in this direction. Now there are a few customers who buy iron by chemical analysis and physical appear-ance, having found that the analysis alone is an insufficient guide to their requirements.

Jan 1, 1935

By D. J. Parker

On Thursday, March 18, 1937, the country was shocked by news of a terrific explosion at the New London, Tex., school, which caused the death of 280 pupils avid 14 teachers. The explosion occurred at about 3:05 p.m. in the largest of the 11 school buildings on the campus. Fire 1 shows this building, marked "Main high school building", with respect to other buildings, pipe lines, oil wells, and gas lines or the property.

Jan 1, 1937