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By D. Bradbury

Sufco coal mine, a subsidiary of Arch Western Bituminous Group, recently purchased a reverse osmosis (RO) system. The systems intent was to remove impurities in the water being mixed with the hydraulic oil to maintain the viability of critical longwall hydraulic systems and to prevent degradation. This project not only ensured hydraulic components from corrosion, but also revealed a cost savings by reducing the percentage of hydraulic oil mixed with the RO water. SUFCO WATER TREATMENT HISTORY Sufco coal mine has been in operation for approximately 70 years. Old works extend up to 15 miles one way, not including adjacent mined out longwall panels. Due to the geologic conditions and strata, water treatment has been as simple as putting water in at a high point of a mined out area and recovering it at a low point to discharge. Doing this reduces the total suspended solids (TSS) to less than 25 parts per million (ppm) and the total dissolved solids (TDS) less than 1,200 ppm which complies with Sufco?s water discharge permit. Even though the requirements for the permit were met, the water is still corrosive in nature. A portion of this water is piped back into the fireline (makeup) water system. It is then boosted to pressures of up to 500 psi to support mining sections, belt systems, equipment, fire fighting systems and the longwall.

Jan 1, 2011

By R. W. Smith, D. L. Taylor, K. A. Altman

Recent research has shown that traditional sensitivity, what if and best case/worst case analysis of metallurgical data has the potential to over estimate the value of mining projects. Use of simulations, which rely on the input of statistical information, may provide more realistic predictions of the value of future projects. Actual metallurgical data is used to demonstrate that analyzing the data from a statistical perspective can give insight into completing an optimum amount of metallurgical testing and a mechanism to determine that samples used for the testing are truly representative of the ore that will be processed.

Jan 1, 2000

By Holcombe R. J, Dobos S. K, Little T. R

Blue amphibole-bearing rocks in the North D'aguilar Block of southeast Queensland occur either as relict pods and lenses within regionally extensive greenschist facies phyllites and schists or as blocks entrained in serpentinite-matrix melange. Epidote + crossite-bearing varieties predominate and formed under conditions consistent with underplating and high P:T metamorphism in a subduction-related tectonic environment. Neither lawsonite nor jadeite has been observed and metamorphic conditions are estimated at 380-4500C for pressures of 0.5-0.8 GPa. High P:T metamorphism occurred during the earliest stages of deformation and was superimposed upon protoliths of inferred Late Devonian - Early Carboniferous age, including mafic volcanics, tuffs and coarse volcaniclastic breccias as well as pelagic and henipelagic sediments, all of which have undergone varying degrees of over-printing to the greenschist facies. Greenschist facies metamorphism occurred during the second phase of deformation and was associated with the formation of mainly flat-lying or subhorizontal structures; it followed the cessation of subduction and occurred in response to either thermal relaxation during uplift or the imposition of regional heating induced by crustal thickening and/or synkinanatic granite emplacement. Uplift and cooling of the high P:T rocks was completed by 260-265 Ma and may have occurred in response to the same extensional processes which gave rise to the onset of rifting in the adjacent Esk Trough.

Jan 1, 1990

By J. P. Denny

The constitution of the Ga-In system was determined by thermal methods. An experimentally determined metastable equilibrium line (an extension of the indium-rich liquidus) was obtained. The various alloys were studied metallographically using polished samples obtained by a casting method. These low melting alloys required a special dry-ice assembly to maintain a suitable temperature. RECENT interest in alloys that are liquid at room temperature has led to rather extensive investigation of gallium-base alloys. Widely distributed over the earth, gallium could be produced in substantially larger quantities than at present, if a significant demand existed.' One study' has established its presence in 12 out of 14 zinc blends, in all of 15 aluminum ores, in 4 out of 12 manganese ores, in 35 out of 91 iron ores, and in all of 7 magnetite ores. It occurs as a rule in minute amounts, however, leading to high extraction costs. Recent quotations run from $2.50 to $7.50 per g. During the course of the present investigation, portions of the system Ga-In have been redeter-mined, and the results of this study are presented herein. Thermal and metallographic methods have been employed. Lecoq de Boisbaudran, the discoverer of gallium, conducted the first investigation" on Ga-In alloys in 1885. The temperatures of incipient melting, and of completion of melting, were determined at four alloy compositions. In 1936, Hansen' constructed a eutec-tic-type phase diagram for the system Ga-In, based on . work. The existence of a Ga-In compound was regarded as improbable by Hansen, and subsequent investigations are in agreement. French, Saunders, and Ingle3 conducted a more complete study of the system in 1938, using thermal methods. Their phase diagram is a eutectic type, containing a unique concave-upward liquidus. The solid-solution range of gallium in indium was reported as 9.5 pct by weight, and that of indium as less than 1 pct, at the eutectic temperature. The eutectic composition, determined as being bracketed by the compositions showing a true horizontal at the eutectic temperature (16°C), was reported as 76 5-0.5 pct Ga and 24 i 0.5 pct In. Experimental Procedure The preparation of Ga-In alloys is simplified by the low melting points involved. Various compositions were prepared by melting in pyrex tubes, using a cover of distilled water or parafin to prevent the alloys from wetting the glass wall. In all cases, the melts were homogenized. by stirring. Where possible, both cooling and melting curves were determined. The extensive undercooling of gallium was found to prohibit a satisfactory cooling-curve analysis of gallium-rich alloys, however, and transition points on the gallium side of the eutectic could be determined only by melting curves. The inverse rate method of thermal analysis proved to be most satisfactory and was used to a great extent. Various heating and cooling rates were used, ranging from 0.2" to 5.0°C per min. Low temperature melting analyses were conducted within a constant temperature bath, maintained at about 70 °C. The alloys were solidified (under water or paraffin) within a pyrex tube, using dry ice; the tube was then sealed within a cold Dewar flask, the unit transferred into the constant temperature bath, and periodic temperature readings taken. The high temperature melting-curve determinations and all cooling-curve determinations were made in a vertical tube furnace. At near-eutectic compositions, the furnace was placed within a refrigerated room held at —20°C. Accordingly, the furnace on cooling approached —20°C asymptotically and permitted the determination of those phase transitions occurring below room temperatures. Temperatures were measured with a 30-gage iron-constantan thermocouple, immersed directly in the alloy. To prevent contamination of the melt, the leads and junction were coated with Lucite, applied by painting with a solution of Lucite in ethylene dichloride. Electromotive force measurements were made with a Leeds and Northrup precision potentiometer, type 8662. The couples were calibrated against the boiling point. of water and, at lower temperatures, against a calorimeter thermometer having a Bureau of Standards certificate. The melting points of gallium and indium used in the present investigation were determined as 29.-77° and 156.1°C, in good agreement with previously reported values of 29.78°C° and 156.4"C.' The spec-

Jan 1, 1953

The Porphyry Gold Mine (150km NE of Kalgoorlie) was reopened in November 1983 with production commencing in April 1984. Original reserves quoted for the open pit were 822000 tonnes at 5.2 g/t Au based on wide spaced diamond drill holes. Close spaced grade control drilling has revealed some loss of tonnage and a significantly lower grade. In the area of the pit mined to 30 June 1985 this grade control reserve estimate contained 67% of the gold in the original ore reserve with the grade being 19% lower. It is anticipated that the final grade control reserve estimate will contain around 80-85% of the gold contained in the original reserve. There has been close agreement between the Mill Head grade (4.19 g/t Au) and the grade control predicted grade (4.2 g/t Au) confirming that dilution is not a major problem. After initial poor agreement (attributed to "lock-up" in the circuit) the bullion calculated head grade steadied out at 93% of the grade control prediction. This difference is considered to represent the geostatistical bias in the drill hole/crushed rock sampling. Gold recovery has been in the range 93-95% (compared with bullion calculated grade). The net result is that the recovered grade of ore mined to 30 June 1985 is 70% of the original ore reserve grade.

Jan 1, 1986

By Russell R. Trengove

Exploring for additional ore bodies on the property of the New Idria Quicksilver Mining Co.'s property at Idria, Calif., was done by the Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the Geological Survey. It comprised a study of the geology, mapping, and searching for additional cinnabar by diamond drilling from both surface and underground. Diamond-drill equipment was moved to the project in November 1941, and drilling was completed in.May 1942. Sixteen holes aggregating 2,580 feet were drilled. Diamond drilling by the Bureau of Mines developed information regarding ore structures that proved valuable to the operators in planning underground prospecting that led directly to the discovery of high-grade ore.

Jan 1, 1949

By Honggang Zhong, Tan Yi, Qijie Zhai, Zhao Dan, Xinping Mao, Huigai Li

"The influence of superheat degree on the distribution and volume content of inclusions were studied in 65Mn thin slab produced by compact strip production(CSP) in Zhujiang Steel in China, The results showed that the diameters of inclusions are mainly less than 5µm. Most of the inclusions gathered at the 1/4 thickness direction for the thin slab of 27? superheat degree, compared with the center position for that of 37?. There are more inclusions larger than 50µm in the low superheat samples, which is caused by the short floating time. In addition, the inclusions were observed and analyzed by metallurgical microscope, SEM and EDS in order to ensure their composition, type and further find their source. It was find that the types of these inclusions mainly are Al2O3, SiO2,CaO and their composites, a few of them are TiN and MnS.IntroductionIt is well known that inclusions have a great impact on the strength, plasticity, fracture toughness, cutting performance, fatigue property and corrosion resistance of steels. Especially, with the demand for thinner slab, the cleanness is increasingly becoming more significant as a quality criterion[1]. High manganese and carbon steels not only demonstrate high strength but also proper plasticity. There are many problems unsolved for 65Mn steel as a result of the low solidification rate, bad thermal strength, crack sensitivity and low casting temperature[2,3].The superheat of the molten steel has a great impact on the erosion of refractory lining, molten steel fluidity and non-metallic inclusion behavior[4]. The serious erosion situation of ladle lining, nozzle and casting tundish will give rise to more inclusions at a high superheat. Meantime higher superheat will make second dendrite arm spacing coursing and element segregation which lead to inclusion, bubble formation and shrinkage cavity. On the contrary, it is hard for non-metallic inclusions to float up with a low superheat value. Inclusions of 65Mn steel, which produced in different superheat condition by CSP, were studied for the sake of higher slab properties including statistics and EDS analysis."

Jan 1, 2012

By R. R. Morral, F. M. Krill, K. T. Aust

THE occurrence of twins in aluminum ingots cast under certain conditions has been well established. For instance, Herenguel and Lacombe1,2 have observed a twinned columnar structure in 99.5 and 99.9 pct Al, solidified by continuous or semicontinuous casting. The structure, which they termed "basaltic," appears in the form of elongated crystalline fibers of alternating luster. Herenguel and Lacombe2 found sections of flat crystalline plates composed of twin crystal plates, in which the twin plane (111) and a [I121 direction contained in the twin plane are parallel to the principal heat gradient. This orientation relationship is different from the usual orientation texture observed in cast face-centered cubic metals, where the [100] direction is approximately parallel to the long columnar axes lying in the direction of growth." A large amount of twinning has also been observed by the present authors in semicontinuous cast aluminum of 99.2 pct purity, Fig. 1. Mondolfo4 has suggested that the twinned cast structure forms by a deformation twinning process as the result of uneven cooling stresses within the ingots. This suggestion appears to be inconsistent with the large amount of twinning observed in the semicontinuous cast ingots and with the large difference of dendritic

Jan 1, 1953

By W. N. Patterson

The three major objectives of this contract were (1) to survey underground diesel-powered mining machinery to determine noise exposure problems, (2) to recommend noise control techniques, and (3) to develop a technique for predicting underground sound levels from surface sound power measurements. The objectives were achieved. The contractor developed information on the severity of the noise problem caused by diesel engines underground and pinpointed the equipment causing the problems. He recommended a number of corrective techniques that can provide relief until long-term solutions are found. A procedure for predicting underground noise levels from above-ground measurements of the machine noise was found valid for several cases tested.

Jan 1, 1975

By R. W. Diamond

Three mills are now operated by the Consolidated Mining & Smelting Co. of Canada, Ltd.: (1) The Sullivan Concentrator, Chapman Camp, B. C. (near Kimberley, B. C.), (2) the St. Eugene Concentrator, Moyie, B. C., and (3) the Tadanac (Customs) Concentrator, Trail, B. C. Differential flotation is the only concentration method employed in all three plants. Tables are used for pilot work only. Values in all ores treated are as minerals of some or all of the metals —lead, zinc, gold or silver. Occasional customs ores contain small amounts of copper. Sulfide iron content of ores treated varies from a low figure in some ores to 38 per cent. iron in Sullivan ore. Gangue minerals vary considerably. A few customs ores are somewhat oxidized and as a result present difficulties. Flotation equipment and control are similar in the three mills, and the flow sheets at the St. Eugene and Tadanac mills, while much simpler, are modeled after that of the Sullivan Concentrator. In this paper I will not detail treatment nor equipment in any of our plants but will describe special features in, or in connection with, all of them. I will then deal with flotation reagents, describing our use of each of them, particularly where differing from general practice. I will conclude with comments on special subjects related to differential flotation.

Jan 1, 1928

By Keith Leonard Sutherland, Ian William Wark

Mercaptobenzthiazole and its sodium salt are marketed under the trade names Flotagen and Flotagen S respectively, for use as collectors for cerussite and other minerals. The structural formulas for sodium rnercaptobenzthiazole and for sodium ethyl xanthate are: Chemically there is a resemblance between the two compounds, though the free acid (mercaptobenzthiazole itself) is much more stable than xanthic acid. Both are readily oxidized, e.g., by iodine to disulphides, and can be estimated by iodometric titration. Qualitatively they are similar as collectors in flotation, although there are quantitative differences between them that may be important in practice. It is deduced that the influence of the nitrogen atom is subordinated to that of the sulphur atoms, and that the dominant group of these compounds is the mercapto group —SH or —5Na. The general method of investigation has been based on contact tests. Two temperatures, 10" and 35" C., have been chosen, and with a standard concentration of 20 mg. per liter of mercaptobenzthiazole (i.e., of the free acid) the influence of alkali, cyanide and copper sulphate on contact at sulphide mineral surfaces has been studied. This standard concentration corresponds to about 19 mg. per liter potassium ethyl xanthate; it brings out the differences between the minerals better than a higher concentra-

Jan 1, 1939

By Ian William Wark, Keith Leonard Sutherland

Mercaptobenzthiazole and its sodium salt are marketed under the trade names Flotagen and Flotagen S respectively, for use as collectors for cerussite and other minerals. The structural formulas for sodium rnercaptobenzthiazole and for sodium ethyl xanthate are: Chemically there is a resemblance between the two compounds, though the free acid (mercaptobenzthiazole itself) is much more stable than xanthic acid. Both are readily oxidized, e.g., by iodine to disulphides, and can be estimated by iodometric titration. Qualitatively they are similar as collectors in flotation, although there are quantitative differences between them that may be important in practice. It is deduced that the influence of the nitrogen atom is subordinated to that of the sulphur atoms, and that the dominant group of these compounds is the mercapto group —SH or —5Na. The general method of investigation has been based on contact tests. Two temperatures, 10" and 35" C., have been chosen, and with a standard concentration of 20 mg. per liter of mercaptobenzthiazole (i.e., of the free acid) the influence of alkali, cyanide and copper sulphate on contact at sulphide mineral surfaces has been studied. This standard concentration corresponds to about 19 mg. per liter potassium ethyl xanthate; it brings out the differences between the minerals better than a higher concentra-

Jan 1, 1939

For convenience, we tabulate below the weight systems contained in the Probierbüchlein: [Pound and centner weights used by merchants for ore, lead, and copper I frother = 20 or 50 centners (depending on locality) I centner (Stolberg & Eisleben) = 112 pounds. I centner (Nuremberg) =100 pounds I pound =2 marks =32 lot =128 quintlein-512 pennyweights =1024 beller I mark -16 lot -.64 quintlein =256 pennyweights = 512 beller 1 lot= 4 quintlein= 16 pennyweights= 32 beller I quintlein = 4 pennyweights= 8 beller I pennyweight = 2 beller Netherlands mintmasters' weights for silver I mark =12 pennyweights=288 grains I pennyweight - 24 grains Assay weights for gold I mark= 24 carats 96 carat-grains. I carat = 4 carat-grains] The assayer's weights were miniature copies of the legal weights of his locality, intended, like the modern assay ton, to eliminate calculation. Each assayer made his own, not usually bothering about a given proportion between the true weights and the assay set, but maintaining the correct ratio between all the weights in any one set. The weights were quite small, to permit the use of less sample, but the exact size is nowhere stated in the Probierbüchlein. Even the legal pound varied considerably from place to place, depending on locality, and assayers would use different factors depending on the sensitivity of their balances, among other things. Agricola makes the assay centner equal to one actual drachma, by which term he means the German quintlein, or 1/12,800 of the full weight of the 100-pound centner. Schreittmann says that the 100-pound centner on the assay scale should be less than half a quintlein, i.e., the factor should be at least 25,600. Biringuccio says the assay centner might

Jan 1, 1949

By John Fritz

Gentlemen of the American Institute of Mining Engineers : I desire to thank you sincerely for the distinguished honor you have conferred upon me by electing me to the presidency of this society, a position which in the past has been filled by some of our most distinguished and ablest members, men eminently qualified by education, practical training and a business ability which has enabled them not only to fill the position with credit to themselves, but as well with honor to the society. In deference to a custom long established, by which the presidentelect is expected to read a paper on some subject with which he is more or less familiar, I have thought that a brief review of the methods employed in the manufacture of iron, as witnessed by myself, and reaching back to 1838, would interest some of our older members and give our younger ones a glimpse into the trials and difficulties encountered in those early days by the pioneers in this great industry. In 1840, 12 to 20 tons of pig-iron was the make of a furnace per week—at this time from 1200 to 2000 gross tons. In 1840, 3 to 4 tons No. 4 wire rods per turn. They have lately made 176 gross tons in 11 hours. In 1840 I have not the quantity of puddled iron made; but it was

Jan 1, 1895

By S. Kodama

Starting on a small scale, the equipment for processing synthesis gas to form liquid hydrocarbons was expanded to handle 100 m) 3/hr. This reactor was successfully designed and constructed, and a basis for future design methods was established. Because, however, this work was carried out on an empirical basis, it is felt that a more thorough theoretical study should be made in an effort to increase the efficiency of the process, particularly in the development of a simpler converter.

Jan 1, 1951

By T. Johnston, B. Cox

The results of oxidation and corrosion experiments on niobium in oxygen and steam at temperatures of 350° to 650°C, and in dilute sulphate solutions at 300°C are presented. The oxidation of niobium in oxygen can be explained in terms of a pre-transition period, which obeys an approximately parabolic rate law, and a post-transition period in which a more rapid linear rate is partially stifled by restriction of the gas flow due to the gvowth of the porous outer film. Due to changes in the porosity of the outer layers the restriction presented by the porous outel. film attains a limiting value. Subsequent oxidation obeys a linear rate law and shows an almost linear dependence of the rate on gas pressure. liltimately a second failure of the protective film may take place leading to a further acceleration in the oxidation rate. In water vapor the oxidation of niobium follows a parabolic rate law and does not show a transition to linear kinetics. The higher oxide, Nba05, was usually absent from the NbO/NbO2 film which was formed. The addition of a small partial pressure of oxygen to the water vapo3, resulted in accelerated oxidation according to the normal kinetics for oxidation in oxygen. The oxygen reacted preferentially with the niobium, and the protective oxide film was reformed when all the oxygen had been consumed. This behavior supports the theory that nucleation of Nb205 on the surface of the protective NbO/NbO2 film is the cause of the accelerated oxidation. After oxidation in steam at high-pressure Nb2Os was found in the protective film. The mode of formation of Nb2O5 under these conditions did not produce a change in kinetics, but was thought to explain the comparatively large dependence on pressure of the oxidation rate. The kinetics of oxidation in oxygenated aqueous solutions at 300°C were similar to those for oxidation in oxygen. A penetrating attack on niobium sheet may be related to the second breakaway observed by some investigators of oxidation in oxygen.

Jan 1, 1963

By W. Wilmans

Electrokinetic dewatering of kimberlite slime under constant direct curents of 0,5 to 2 A and dewatering under constant applied potentia Is of 16,5 to 46,5 V are considered. The combined efects of electrophoresis and the addition of 8,3 x 10-3 M Mg2+ ions on the one hand, and 1 to 10 p.p.m. of the anionic polyacrylamide flocculant Praestol 2935 on the other, were investigated in a 3-litre Perspex electrophoretic cel. .The electro-osmotic dewatering experiments were conducted in a 3-litre Perspex electro-osmotic cel at various electrode spacings, as well as with a moving anode (top electrode). During electrophoretic dewatering, the zeta potential of the kimberlite particles did not change significantly, whereas the pH and temperature showed marked increases with time. The addition of Praestol 2935 enhanced the setling of the sludge bed owing to the additional effect of flocculation. The addition of electrolyte Mg (CIO4)2 retarded the separation process, partly as a result of gel formation in the slurry. During the electro-osmotic experiments, the rate of dewatering was found to be approximately proportional to the applied constant direct current, and to be independent of the electrode spacing. In general, electro-osmotic dewatering seemed to be more energy-efficient than electrophoretic dewatering.

Jan 1, 1987

By P. T. O'Kane

The PLATSOL® process, initially developed for the treatment of the NorthMet Cu/Ni/PGM concentrate, has seen over the recent years its applicability extended to include numerous other Cu/Ni concentrates of the same type, as well as other precious metals-containing feedstocks. However, several concentrates were found refractory to the typical PLATSOL® conditions, more particularly so the platinum. Attempts to extend those conditions, such as higher temperatures (250°C), longer retention time, increased oxidation conditions, higher chloride additions, were not successful. Detailed mineralogical investigation of those PLATSOL® leach residues indicated the main refractory mineral to be cooperite (PtS). Further metallurgical investigations showed that a thermal pre-treatment of the concentrate effectively unlocked the refractory platinum minerals for the subsequent leach. Temperatures between 400 and 750°C were tested, with the optimum being found around 650°C. The kinetics of the pre-treatment process were fast, and one hour at temperature proved sufficient. Under those conditions, PLATSOL® extractions were re-established around 95% for both platinum and palladium. From a mineralogical examination of the calcine, it was shown that the effect of the pre-treatment was to transform the cooperite and other refractory sulphides into metallic platinum and alloys, amenable to the PLATSOL®. The implications of the pre¬treatment step for the processing of PGM concentrates arc briefly discussed.

Jan 1, 2004

By Norman Weiss

The purpose of this paper is to relate progress in the engineering field called Minerals Beneficiation to undergraduate and graduate education in our colleges and universities. So mach has been written recently about the education of scientists and engineers that I've had to struggle against the temptation to repeat what has been often said before, particularly because man like Robert Mehl of Carnegie Tech, Antoine Gaudin of MIT, H. M. Davis of Penn State, and John Vanderwilt of Colorado School of Mines have recently written many quotable paragraphs on the subject. In the matter of progress, the rapidity of proliferation in the area of physical and chemical beneficiation is convincing proof that this is indeed a lively art, and having been a millman for 35 uninterrupted years I prefer to lean on personal observations to some extent, rather than on statistics and charts v culled from the journals. I propose in this paper to talk first about the progress we've made in our branch of the mining industry in the last 3 decades--particularly in the last few years--and try to show that future progress will depend upon the quality of education and capacity for research possessed by our colleges. The second part will deal with some of the problems the colleges encounter in trying to fulfill these responsibilities.

Jan 1, 1959

By S. P. Kinney, C. E. Wood, T. L. Joseph

In connection with its investigations of the blast-furnace process, the Bureau of Mines, in cooperation with the Minnesota School of Mines Experiment Station, developed a 6-ton experimental furnace. Such a furnace was needed to determine the feasibility of producing ferroman-ganese from Minnesota manganiferous iron ores, a problem of national importance because of the present need for manganese in the steel industry and our small reserves of ferro-grade ores. Furnace operators are reluctant to use new or untried raw materials or to make decided innovations in practice on account of the financial hazard of experimenting with full-scale equipment. A small furnace which can be operated at a relatively low cost is particularly adapted for testing new raw materials and for determining the feasibility of decided innovations in practice. Laboratory experiments, plus whatever information may be available, are valuable but often do not indicate the net result of changes in an operation involving a large number of interrelated variables. From time to time the cooperation of the Bureau of Mines is solicited in connection with problems involving departures from normal procedure. Under these circumstances some sort of a practical demonstration is a desirable forerunner to full-scale operations which appear feasible after small-scale tests. The Aluminum Co. of America was interested in knowing the practicability of smelting a charge of bauxite, iron ore, and limestone, of proportions that would produce slag of the following composition: A1203, 47 to 48 per cent.; CaO, 41 to 42 per cent.; SiO2,4 to 5 per cent.; TiO2, 2 to 3 per cent.; FeO, 1 percent., and MgO, 1.8 percent. In addition to determining whether it was feasible to operate a blast furnace on slag approaching the composition given above, a quantity of slag was needed for a series of experiments that would show the relative ease and cost of extracting alumina from slag which could be made in the blast furnace, as compared to extracting it from raw bauxite. The value of the slag as a raw material