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A Report Of Current Activity In The Industry

Jan 4, 1951

Coal Division Industrial Minerals Division Minerals Beneficiation Division Mining, Geology and Geophysics Division Elmer A Jones, President President-elect Will Mitchell, Jr, Past President J B Morrow, Eastern Regional Vice-President G Donald Emigh, Central Regional Vice-President J D Forrester, Western Regional Vice-President R B Ladoo, Treasurer John Cameron Fox, Secretary AIME 29 West 39 St, New York 18, N Y

Jan 1, 1957

G. K. BURGESS, ? Washington, D. C.-At the Bureau of Standards it was decided, in order to study the high-aluminum end of these curves, that efforts should be made to prepare pure aluminum, and the promise of getting aluminum, practically free from the two elements that have such great effect in very small quantities, namely, silicon and iron, and which

Jan 12, 1919

By Norman E. Lehman

Pyrometasomalic mineralization occurs within meta-morphosed Paleozoic carbonates intruded by Laramide granodiorites. Two types of alteration developed shams in the district. The dominant type is post-magmatic which developed an early hydrous endoskarn phase, and intermediate anhydrous exoskarn phase, and a late hydrous phase affecting both sham types. A rare, second type is magmatic in age, lacks the hydrous phases, and developed a mineralogically-zoned endoskarn. Garnet exoskarns lacking associated plutonic rocks are stratigraphically controlled and contain an early anhydrous phase, an intermediate hydroxyl-bearing phase, and a late hydrous phase associated with base metal deposition.

Jan 1, 1981

By Martin F. Milligan

THIS short discussion of the effects of deoxidation on the mechanical properties of cast steels is intended to serve as general introduction to the subject of this afternoon's session. The subject is covered in detail in Mr. Carter's excellent paper. My material has been collected from the works of various investigators, several of whom are present today. For a definition of deoxidation, as applied to steel-furnace melting practice, we can best go to Briggs' book, "The Metallurgy of Steel Castings." Briggs says that deoxidation "includes all the phenomena in the final preparation of steel that would permit it to solidify free from gas cavities and from dissolved oxygen of all kinds." Various practices are used by welters to produce these end results.

Jan 1, 1947

The Engineering Societies Building is owned by the United Engineering Society which is composed of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, the four national engineering societies known as the Founder Societies. Its erection, and that of the Engineers Club which adjoins, was made possible through the generosity of Mr. Andrew Carnegie, Honorary Member, who in 1903 contributed $1,500,000 for the purpose. The Founder Societies purchased the land on which the Engineering Societies Building stands and the Engineers Club the land for its building.

Jan 1, 1923

By George B. Clark

THE geological data emphasized so successfully in prospecting for new deposits, that is, structural controls, strength of solutions, and type of mineralization, are basically those required for successful exploitation. In the mining of newly discovered deposits the most economical methods should be employed as early as possible to keep the overall cost per unit produced at a minimum and to permit maximum extraction of valuable minerals. A crucial question is: How can geological data be translated into useful quantitative results which will aid in achieving this end? H. E. McKinistry1 has suggested that a solution may be reached in one of two ways: 1-the usual approach, use of judgment based on experience; or 2-mathematical calculations and tests on models, both subject to certain limitations. He also suggests that in addition to better use of geology more case data and theoretical data are needed on which to base sound judgment. Further research, therefore, is necessary. Perhaps in this field the emphasis should be on more specialization in mining methods and ground movement by men with thorough training in physics, engineering, geology, and underground mining. These specialists would be equipped to point out the most economical and scientific methods of exploitation.

Jan 8, 1954

By R. E. Zimmerman, Shiou-Chuan Sun

An evaluation of the mechanism surrounding the froth flotation of coarse coal and mineral particles as a result of experiments conducted at The Pennsylvania State College. Maximum size ranges for both bituminous and anthracite coals were established as well as the factors affecting the floating of coarse particles.

Jan 5, 1950

By W. A. Boyer, A. W. Beck

At the Morning mine of American Smelting & Refining Co. it was particularly important that there be a means of signaling the engineer from the moving cage in the shaft. Because of the shifting ground in which the shaft was located, buckling timber made it extremely difficult to keep a continuous bell line serviceable. In 1930 engineers considered a moving contact pantograph arrangement between the cage and two stationary messenger wires strung on insulators in the shaft compartment next to the cage. The idea was abandoned because falling material in the shaft and speed of hoisting made it difficult to maintain communication. Later in 1934 a manufacturing company was consulted about the use of an electric eye or a radio signal. As the shaft was located in a return air stream of nearly 100 pct relative humidity, there was too much fog for the electric eye to be used. The radio signal was considered, and it was believed feasible to generate electric static on the cage, locating a radio receiver at the top of the shaft, but the manufacturing company's research department was too busy to work on it at that time.

Sep 1, 1955

By AIME AIME

FOR the following notes and pictures we are indebted to Sumner S. Smith of Oakland, California: Gold was discovered on Squaw Creek in the fall of 1927 by an Indian named "Paddy Duncan," and most of the stream was staked by natives. This stream is about 12 miles in length and flows into the east fork of the Alsek River, 10 to 15 miles below the old Dalton Post in British Columbia, near the international bound-

Jan 1, 1929

By Joseph W. Leonard

The purpose of this paper is to review and discuss some of the less evident and sometimes neglected opportunities for progressive developments in coal research. While a great deal of both promotional and technical information flows from some areas of coal research, output deficiencies in other areas of activity have reached a magnitude where important developments have been, and will increasingly be, unfavorably affected. These areas mainly involve coal mining and preparation. Some recommendations for the intensification of effort in these areas follow: Coal Mining While a huge tonnage of in-the-ground coal is assured, the location and distribution of these tonnages are becoming less favorable. The easy-to-mine coal which is located in or near population centers has been, or is being, mined. The vigor with which the less accessible reserves are recovered by the mining industry depends largely on the condition of the coal market at the time of mining. Hence, during a buyer's market, the commercially oriented mining industry is compelled to mine the easier and less costly reserves. Conversely, during a seller's market, the need to rapidly expand production results in more difficult mining and higher cost coal as few obstacles are encountered in finding markets. Hence, a seller's market tends to enhance the recovery of reserves while a buyer's market does not. One reason for today's fuel supply problems is that the Nation has recently emerged from a long-term coal buyer's market which lasted from about 1950 to 1968. During that period, national policy caused severe production cutbacks which regretably drove the industry to mining only the more accessible and better quality reserves. Often in order to remain in business, many hundreds of millions of tons of more difficult to mine reserves were abandoned and lost behind caved areas. Many of these reserves are close to population areas and would not have been lost in a more stable economic climate. It is difficult to fully account for all the impacts that were caused by the great buyer's market of the 1950s and 1960s. Besides the obvious loss of reserves that were once considered national wealth, the mining of better reserves tended to produce a generation of technically optimistic mining people. Mining people frequently became accustomed to looking at nothing less than outstanding mining conditions as a result of the declining market. Many are now and have long since received a re-education in the other half of mining. Going from many years of mining accessible, select and easy-to-win reserves, to the crash-driving of development entries in reserves that were considered unworthy of mining during 50s and 60s, frequently results in a much higher rate of encounter with in-seam and out-of-seam rock as well as with coal-deficient areas or "washouts." Intensive entry driving activity and compulsory non-selective mining in sometimes lean reserves were brought on by the need to rapidly open up new supplies of coal. Working under these requirements presents a continuing reminder that much more needs to be known about the relatively esoteric art of planning the best direction for driving entries in order to insure that a more consistent and greater supply of coal is available during early mine development. All of the preceding discussion tends to point to a need for a better estimate of those reserves of coal that are likely to be mined in the future. Such estimates should not be limited to the compilation of the amount of coal in the ground; but, where possible, should also include information concerning the capability for producing this coal. After all, a coal seam of ample thickness may have a degree of thickness variability, undulation, bad roof or floor, so as to make what would otherwise appear to be an attractive mining condition untenable. Underlying the problem involving the feasibility of producing known reserves is the need to develop better methods for the characterization of coal seams and associated lithotypes, based on drill core data, once at area is selected for mining. Reserves and their characterization involve aspects of exploration technology that are frequently considered mature. The resulting technological deficiencies may be the main reason why coal exploration frequently does not end with core drilling of a property, as it should, but extends into the mining operation during the driving of development entries. When exploration is extended to the driving of development entries, the near absence of integrated decision-making theory involving mining, geology, mathematics, and economics becomes, once again, all too painfully apparent and frequently results in very costly rationalizations. Hence, by the formal initiation of a concentrated program to combine the cyclical effects of economics with geology and mining, more relevant estimates of reserve distribution, tonnages, and production capability should be forthcoming. Moreover, a similar formal effort is needed to develop a combination of the most advanced concepts of mathematics, geology, and mining to better "see" coal seams as a means to favorably implement many long-range decisions involving mine safety and productivity. Much more applied research needs to be done on coal mining systems for mining in thin seams and/or under bad roof. Current difficulties in both of these areas at recently opened coal mines should provide a sobering glimpse into the future. Full-scale applied research, sponsored by appropriate federal agencies, is urgently needed on a scheme involving a new combination of established mining and preparation elements. The scheme may include: (1) a continuous mining machine remotely operated by a miner stationed at some distance behind the machine using a cord attached control box; (2) hydraulic transport of coal through pipes from the mining machine to a coarse refuse removal grid, crusher, and then on to portable concentrating equipment; (3) the hydraulic transport of clean coal out of the mine in pipes to the surface for thermal dewatering, if neces-

Jan 1, 1974

By Gerald Sherman

IN the southern field of the anthracite region of Pennsylvania, many of the coal seams dip at angles of 40° to 50° from the horizontal. For transportation purposes, "tunnels" are driven across the coal measures and, occasionally, "rock gangways," beside the seams and parallel with them. The use of gangways driven in country rock appears to be increas-ing, as they avoid the maintenance' of long gangways in coal, which eventually are driven to the colliery boundaries, and permit mining from a number of intermediate blocks without interference. The rock consists of slates or sandstones of moderate hardness, which may range into very hard, highly siliceous, fine-grained conglomerates. In this distinctly bedded formation,' the direction of the heading, whether parallel with or across the structure, makes it necessary to distribute the drill holes in a different pattern to break the ground, but does not change loading conditions. In 1932, practically all the mucking was done by hand, and it was the established custom to use four men on two drills for drilling and breaking the ground, and five for loading it, out. A driver and mule was needed in addition, to assemble the rock cars at a siding or branching track in the rear, pending their final disposal. This might occupy the driver's whole time, or if the length of haul were short, he might be able to do other useful work. It was thought possible in 1932 to reduce the cost of driving such headings in rock by mechanical loading, and to investigate this subject a scraper loader was used in a section of tunnel then being driven. Opera-tions while driving 195 ft. of this tunnel using a scraper loader were care-fully observed. Time studies were made of the loading, and records made of the routine of breaking ground, but not in such detail. Tunnels or gangways in the colliery are 7 ft. high above the rails, by 10 ft. wide, which requires a minimum of 8 ft. in height, broken to allow for rails and ties. This cross section is of sufficient size to permit the use of any one of several types of power loaders, but for this demonstration if was found most convenient to use a scraper loader.

Jan 1, 1936

During the year this Committee has had the benefit of the services of 75 Committee members, resident in the various States of the Union and in foreign countries, 10 of them representing us abroad. A number of plans for awakening the interest of possible new members have been carried out and the results have been very gratifying. The comparative results for 1913 and 1914 are as shown in the following table: 1913 1914 Applied for membership 630 946 Elected 450 1,006 Accepted election 433 921 When it is remembered that the depression following the outbreak of war in Europe has had more serious effect on the mining industry than almost any other, these results cannot be regarded as anything other than very encouraging. Because of the unsatisfactory conditions still prevailing it will doubtless be difficult to make even as good a showing next year. It is considered, however, that the function of this Committee is not merely to secure new members, having no regard for other than numbers; its true function is to exercise a proper supervision over the growth of the Institute, building it up in those fields in which it is weak, and directing its growth in such a way as to make it most effective in fulfilling its proper function as the national organization representative of the mining profession. The plan of inviting the alumni of the leading mining schools to apply for membership, which was initiated last year, was completed this year, with the exception of one or two schools, notably the University of California, from which we have not been able to obtain a list of alumni. With these exceptions we have now extended to the graduates of all the important mining schools of this country, and several of those abroad, an invitation to apply for membership in the Institute. It. is not thought desirable to repeat this invitation too frequently, and it is therefore suggested that this field be left alone for a year or two, when, if the mining industry experiences a marked revival of interest, it will be well to send out a second letter to the same men.

Jan 4, 1915

By AIME

AS the Petroleum Division rounds off the first quarter century since its evolution from technical committee status, there steps to the long line of notable men who have presided over its activities a young man, currently of Tulsa, one Herbert F. Beardmore by name. For one year, as Chairman for 1946, the Division will be his oyster. hi; baby, his responsibility. "Herb" Beardmore was born at Columbus, Ohio, Feb. 6, 1904, and lived there until he was thirteen. Then his family moved to Oklahoma City, and later sent him to the University of Oklahoma, where he graduated in 1925 with a B.S. in engineering geology. His final year in college was the first year in which a petroleum engineering course was taught at the school. Since his course of study so closely paralleled that of a petroleum engineer, he has frequently been spoken of as the first petroleum engineering graduate from the University of Oklahoma. Out of college he went to work as an oil-field roustabout in the Ranger, Texas, field for Jake L. Hamon. This work consisted of all manual labor phases of cable-tool operation and beam-pumping of oil wells. He moved in 1926 to Bartlesville, to become a gas engineer for the Indian Territory Illuminating Oil Co., where he was employed in gas-well drilling, gas production, and transportation, mostly in Osage County, Oklahoma.

Jan 1, 1946

By George C. Bateman

WE in Canada want to see industry get back to a normal economic basis as soon as possible but wartime controls cannot be dispensed with immediately the war is over. Perhaps never again will we be entirely free from some of the types of controls such as those set up during the war. Certainly the taking over and disposal of surplus materials contemplates the continuation of some form of control for many years to come. However, to the extent that it is possible, the Allied nations are exponents of free enterprise.

Jan 1, 1944

By Guy R. Johnson

It is now generally acknowledged that the successful management of a modern foundry necessarily embraces a knowledge of chemistry, and especially a thorough acquaintance with the effect of the various metalloids on cast-iron, in order to

Jan 1, 1897

By A. W. Ashbrook

From both economic and environmental aspects, the loss of organic materials from a solvent extraction process is of major concern. A decade ago perhaps the only consideration given to solvent loss was economic in nature. Today, the environmental -.and hygiene - impacts have to be seriously considered. In this section we shall deal essentially with the processing and economic aspects of solvent loss; the environmental aspects are discussed in a later section.

Jan 1, 1978

By U. Oko

The cause and the effect of disposing of tailings water from sulfide ore milling operation were examined. Dissolved metallic ions as well as dissolved sulfur-oxygen compounds (polythionates) can prove injurious to life in water streams. Polythionates originate in alkaline flotation circuits and may cause a severe drop in the pH of stream waters. It is proposed that a suitable "aging" period be allotted to tailings water to ensure complete conversion of polythionates to sulfate prior to neutralization and clarification treatment. Discharging alkaline solid-free tailings water without aging will cause downstream acidification. Artificial oxidation of tailings water can be economical only if the concentration of thiosulfate in solution is low. When the concentration is high, it is possible to reduce the concentration greatly by first acidifying the solution, because at a pH below 4 thiosulfate in water reacts to produce a precipitate of elemental sulfur and higher order polythionates. The residual polythionates can then be oxidized at great savings by natural aging or by chemicals such as ozone, chlorine, or peroxide. Chlorine may be an economical reagent for converting polythionates to sulfuric acid but the residual organo-chlorinated compounds can prove to be toxic to aquatic life. Ozone and hydrogen peroxide which do not leave a residue are preferred oxidizers.

Jan 1, 1976

By Irving Crosby

ELECTRICAL prospecting by potential methods has been applied to mining problems for some years and determinations of the depth to bed rock have been made, but so far as is known it has not been used previously in the solution of civil engineering problems, such as investigating the foundations of dams. During the past winter and spring the senior author has been engaged as consulting geologist in studying the site of a large darn on the upper Connecticut River and has had the satisfaction of introducing electrical prospecting to foundation problems. The valley across which the dam is to be built is underlaid by a deeply buried preglacial gorge which is filled with glacial deposits. An extensive drilling campaign was in progress, but the work was unusually slow and expensive on account of the number of boulders in the overburden. The necessity of speeding up the work was pressing and it was decided that much of the needed information could be obtained by geophysical methods. After investigating the various methods and conferring with the company engineers and with the consulting engineer, Albert Crane, a contract was made with the Schlumberger Electrical Prospecting Methods, and an observer with apparatus was sent to the dam site the first of April, 1928. The problem was to determine the depth to rock at various points in order to prepare a contour map of the bed-rock surface and outline the buried gorge in the vicinity of the dam site. Over one hundred determinations of depth have been made and the bed-rock topography, is now known in considerable detail. In addition, some information has been obtained about the nature of the overburden. The drilling has been continued; in fact, two additional drills have been put to work, and the electrical determinations have been checked at several points. At one of these the depth to rock given by the electrical work was 142 ft. and the drill found rock at 147 ft., an error of less than 4 per cent. The electrical work has also been checked by the geological study, and it has been found that when the electrical determinations are in agreement with the geological expectations they are probably reasonably accurate. When the electrical interpretation of the sub-surface topography is incon-

Jan 1, 1928

Jan 1, 1951