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By R. L. Tobie, E. K. Staley

Because of high production demands at San Manuel mine (approximately 40,000 tpd) and the relatively narrow grade range of the orebody, no attempt is made by the company to mine selectively. The caving sequence is laid out to meet the production demands, and proceeds in a manner to induce the least amount of weight on extraction openings. Once an area is undercut, draw control procedures are applied uniformly until the area has been mined to depletion. The orebody, located 50 miles northeast of Tucsoil, Ariz., is a low-grade deposit of chalcopyrite disseminated throughout a structurally weak, highly fractured, strongly altered granitic host rock over- lain by several hundred feet of relatively competent andesitic conglomerate. When undercut, the granite ore caves readily into fragments which usually pass through the grizzly without either excessive breaking or an undue amount of secondary blasting.

Jan 6, 1967

By G. Hileman

At present there are three fields in commercial exploitation in the Argentine. In order of production they are: (1) Comodoro Rivadavia, (2) Salta, (3) Plaza Huincul. Comodoro Rivadavia.—This field is on the coast of the Territory of Chubut in the southern part of the republic. It is being developed and exploited by Yacimientos Petroliferos Fiscales, the government oil entity, and five private companies. The immediate coastal portion of the field, which embraces the original discovery area, is almost completely developed. This is especially true of the original government reserve and one private property. The Y.P.F. has extended its explorations and developments westward to Escalante, 27 km. distant on the state railway. This extension has been the most active and prolific section of the field for the past three years. The government has also continued its exploration drilling in the region lying south of Colonia Sarmiento and east of the Rio Senguer. Private companies have not been able to extend their operations beyond the claims they had in process of acquisition in 1924, when the government reserve areas were established. The Y.P.F. is the major producer of the field and employs modern methods and appliances. Practically all its drilling and pumping operations are electrically operated, from a central power plant. In view of t'he scarcity of water supplies, this facilitates operations and is an economic factor of considerable importance.

Jan 1, 1934

By D. J. Blickwede

WHEN iron is dipped in molten zinc at temperatures in the range 840" to 930°F, the two metals react to form layers of Fe-Zn compounds which adhere to the iron. At the galvanizing tem- perature, the successive layers are:' y (Fe5Zn21), 61 (FeZn;), and 5 (FeZn13), in conformity with the Fe-Zn constitution diagram. There is no quantitative information in the literature on the rates of growth of the individual alloy layers over the temperature range 840° to 930°F. Rather all the past experiments have studied the loss in weight of iron as a function of galvanizing

Jan 1, 1954

By J. Douglas Gibson

In Canada, the economic climate for mining is still warm, but a noticeable chill set in last November when the Government published a White Paper on tax reform known as the Carter Report. Moreover, this chill could drop to a freeze injurious to the whole Canadian economy if two of the proposals in the Carter Report are adopted. The offending suggestions call for an end to (1) the depletion allowance and (2) the three-year tax holiday for new mines. Both of these tax incentives have played a major role in the postwar development of the Canadian economy and will, if undisturbed, play an even more important role in the future. The fact that they have worked and worked well is evident from the record. Fruits of an Industrial Beanstalk Excluding fuels, the value of Canadian mineral production was just under $3 billion in 1968-almost nine times as much as in 1946. With fuels included, the figure is $4.25 billion, or almost ten times as much as in 1946. Proportionately, this growth far exceeds that of Canada's manufacturers or of her economy as a whole. Table I traces the overall mineral production growth by principal products. Of particular interest here are petroleum, iron ore, natural gas, sulfur and potash, the combined production of which has grown from little or nil to a point where it now accounts for more than 40% of Canada's mineral output.

Jan 1, 1970

By S. H. Brockunier

During the examination of a gold-property in Georgia, last summer, I had occasion to study the effect of different chemicals upon the ore; the object being to find a more economical method of extraction than chlorination, as practiced there, had proved to be. Some of my notes and results may be of interest to others. The country-rock consists of mica-schist, hornblende-schist and black slate. The vein-matter is quartzite and schist, containing some stringers of quartz, the whole forming a body from 20 to 50 ft. wide. All of the rocks in the vicinity have become disintegrated to a depth of from 50 to 75 ft., forming the so-called saprolite. I found the workings to represent two distinct classes : I. Open-cut surface-ore: very soft,oxidized and disintegrated; containing much alumina, silica and iron. Average value, $4 per ton. 11. Ore from lower levels : quartzites and schist; very hard ; containing much silica and manganese, some alumina, and from 2 to 10 per cent. of pyrites. Average value, $8 per ton. Class I. was soon dismissed. The only way to make it pay would have been by the use of steam-shovels and a large crushing-plant. The tendency to slime would be the principal difficulty.

Jan 1, 1902

By Paul H. Johnson

Chemical mining may be defined as the use of chemicals in extracting metal values from in situ broken or unbroken ores within a mine. The present means for the generation and regeneration of sulfuric acid or sulfuric-ferric sulfate solutions are inadequate for most applications. This report describes a pressure oxidation process for the generation and regeneration of these solutions from pyrites and spent iron sulfate leach liquors. While recent mining developments such as solution injection, caving, and conventional and nuclear blasting, have provided new and better means for the per-colation of leach solutions through rock masses, little has been done to reduce cost and improve the quality of the leach solutions that are required. A leach solution for chemical mining should meet certain requirements. It should be 1) inexpensive on either a small or large tonnage basis, 2) capable of selectively leaching the desired ore minerals contained in a particular ore, 3) of the proper strength or quality to do the job of leaching in an underground environment and 4) amendable to simple and inexpensive metal recovery steps. It is also important that the capital investment be low for the solution generation and; or regeneration plant.

Jan 8, 1965

By Wilson D. Michell

THE Magma copper vein trends east-west, dips 70° south, and cuts through a 6000-ft thickness of limestones, quartzites, shale, diabase, and schist. The vein is itself a fault with -a horizontal offset of 500 ft on the formation contacts in the two walls. There are two principal faults of large displacement and numerous smaller steep and flat faults that complicate the prediction of ore occurrence. A study of the geology, its systematic recording to facilitate ready reference, and graphic methods of interpretation of mineralization have aided the exploration, development, and mining of the ore. In making predictions of the distribution of mineable ore bodies and their shape in critical areas, studies are made of "mineralization contours" and "mineralization trends," which are developed on a longitudinal section of the vein from variations in the concentration of the combined base metal content as shown by assays of available openings in the mine.

Jan 1, 1947

By Arthur Knapp

The economics of fuel oil must be considered in two aspects; viz., fuel oil as one of a number of competitive fuels and fuel oil as a refined product of petroleum. "Fuel oil" is usually defined as that product of petroleum which is used in furnaces for the generation of heat by simple combustion. It is true that any product of petroleum used in an internal combustion engine is essentially a fuel oil, but such oils are not included in the class known as "fuel oil." Fuel Oil as One of Several Fuels For a number of years, the petroleum industry has believed that the petroleum reserves were very limited and that petroleum products would begin to become scarce within a few years. The industry has believed that there would be a gradual but continual rise in prices as a result of this impending scarcity. The industry, therefore, has informed the users of fuel oil thai., once they were eliminated by price, they were eliminated for all time. The petroleum industry believed and made the consumer believe that there would never be any appreciable recession in price which would make it

Jan 1, 1928

By H. S. McQueen

THE insoluble residue method for the examination and correlation of limestones and dolomites, or other sedimentary rocks containing calcium and magnesium carbonates, originated and was developed in the laboratory of the Missouri Geological Survey. The numerous and ever-increasing problems in the field of applied geology, and the need for a tool or aid in the solution of them, led to experimental work with samples collected from deep wells, in the early part of 1924. The success attained, almost at the outset, with this method was so great that the method has now been developed from the state of the experimental to the realm of large-scale, every-day routine. In a previous paper the writer' described the procedure in detail and the characteristics of the residues obtained from certain Paleozoic forma-tions in Missouri. The purpose of the present paper is to discuss the economic application of the insoluble residue method.

Jan 1, 1936

By J. E. Ryan

TRONA, Calif., is a miniature urban community of some 3500 people, located on the northwest shore of dry Searles Lake in the extreme northwest corner of San Bernardino County, approximately 186 miles north and east of Los Angeles. Since it is situated on the Mojave Desert, a typically desert climate prevails with wide variations in temperature between day and night, extreme daytime summer heat, and cool to cold winters. Rainfall averages somewhat less than 4 in. per year, and dust storms are common. The rate of evaporation, however, is great, amounting to 6 to 9 ft of water per year. The extremely low humidity makes the summer heat of 110°F tolerable with only a mild, temporary discomfort.

Jan 5, 1951

By Howard Smith

FOR several years this Institute has recorded in its TRANSACTIONS the various discoveries of potash? in America, and the successive stages in the development of an independent domestic potash industry. This paper is intended primarily to continue the record through the year 1935. In retrospect it is not inappropriate to note that public interest aroused in 1910 resulted in the production of some 1090 tons of pure potash in 1915, as a small beginning in the domestic inorganic potash industry, and that the infant industry thus begun reaches its majority this year, following a record production in 1935 of about 600,000 tons of potash salts and exports to no less than 22 foreign countries, including six countries in Europe. This production, with an estimated 200,000 tons of pure potash, may be compared with a production in 1934 of 430,157 tons with an equivalent of 144,342 tons of pure potash.

Jan 1, 1936

By F. Rosenblum, P. Spira, F. Kitzinger

The possibility of increasing the efficiency of mineral processing plants by means of computer control has prompted metallurgists to examine their flowsheets more critically in order to develop practical control strategies. Control schemes in use to date generally rely on the automation of traditional and previously manually regulated control loops, e.g., the addition of reagents to maintain a constant assay or a constant pH. This approach is predicated on the availability of well established primary sensors such as pH electrodes or on-stream analyzers. Noranda Research Center, in cooperation with Noranda Group concentrators, has developed a froth level monitor and a pulp density meter adaptable to this type of control. Although some of the basic principles on which they are based have been known for some time, their incorporation into the design of reliable, direct-reading instruments which can be interfaced with a computer is believed to be novel.

Jan 1, 1980

I. PRESIDING OFFICERS. At all Business meetings of the Institute the President, or, in his absence, the Vice-President, or, in the absence of both of them, any other member of the Board of Directors to be chosen by the meeting, shall preside. At all other meetings of the Institute the President of the Council or, in his absence, one of the Vice-Presidents, if present, shall preside II. ORDER OF BUSINESS. At each Business meeting of the Institute the order of business shall be as follows 1. Reading of minutes of preceding meeting. 2 Report of the President. 3. Report of the Treasurer. 4. Report of the Secretary. 5. Election of Directors. 6. Election of Members of the Council. 7. Reports of Standing Committees. 8. Reports of Special Committees. 9. Special Orders 10. Miscellaneous business. This order of business may be changed by a vote of a majority of the Members and Associates present in person or by proxy. The usual parliamentary rules shall govern all meetings of the Institute except in cases otherwise provided by the Constitution or the By-Laws. At all sessions of the Institute other than business meetings, the order of proceedings and the time of adjournment, shall rest in the discretion of the presiding officer

Jan 1, 1923

By Frank Ruskey, Richard G. Burdick

Many problems associated with potential hazards in a proposed mining area may not be adequately appraised because of the complexity of trying to evaluate them in terms of production requirements. Frequently, encountered hazards have to be dealt with by day-to-day operational schemes that require the miner to either force a way through them or avoid them by blocking off the area in which the hazards are known to exist. These considerations, after the mine is in full production, can be costly to the mine operator and can increase the danger to the miners. A hazard-evasion computer program for mine planning that will appraise proposed mine layouts on the basis of existing or potential hazards has therefore been developed. The program is intended for use during the planning phase of a mine, where it should assist the mining engineer in making decisions in mine design, With the output from this program, the mining engineer should be able either to corroborate his judgments made on the basis of mining experience or to find unanticipated solutions to design problems. The program tests hundreds of possible solutions to a mining layout, and by sorting out the 10 best (based on a criteria of minimum-abandoned-coal) limits the number of choices that need to be considered and appraised for applicability to a given mine scheme.

Jan 1, 1976

By G. K. N. S. Subasinghe

An attempt has been made to explain the behavior of a pinched sluice in terms of the established theories of fluid mechanics and mineral processing. A method has been developed to calculate the underflow discharge by assuming a logarithmic velocity distribution and free gravity fall through the discharge slot. The concentration profile of solids over the depth of flow has been shown to comply with Bagnold's theory of dispersive shear, rather than turbulent sediment transfer. Even although the results can be explained qualitatively by the Bagnold theory, their complete quantitative analysis will not be possible until more work is done. Consequently, an empirical equation has been developed to predict underflow pulp densities. It has been shown that the process of the segregation of the heavier mineral beneath the lighter can be described by a first order law. From the results obtained, a computer model of the pinched sluice has been developed. This predicts the underflow grade, pulp density and flow rate in terms of the feed and operating conditions. The model can also be used to determine the effect of a change in operating conditions, and for the optimization of rougher, cleaner, and scavenger circuits.

Jan 1, 1984

By Henry D. Hibbard

Henry D. HibbaRd, Pittsburgh, Pa,: This is a most interesting and instructive paper, some of whose lessons should find immediate application. It points out how fuel-consumption is to be decreased in open-hearth practice, by changes in the plan of the furnace. To look first at the greatest item of loss, radiation, it is seen that thicker brick-work is advisable to lessen this. Especially is this true of the roof, made at present, almost universally, only 9 inches thick to prevent cutting. Now that high roofs, well above the course of the flame, are becoming general, and the average melter is better able to judge the temperature of his furnace, that reason has less force; and we may build roofs 18 inches thick, or perhaps better cover the usual 9 inches with an equivalent layer of sand, which has the advantage of following the arch as it rises and falls with the different degrees of heat. The side-walls of the hearth, usually 131/2 inches thick, may also he thickened up to 18 inches, and the door-linings to 7 inches; and the heat thereby saved will be valuable, while its absence from the working-platform will be much appreciated by the workmen.

Jan 1, 1892

By Thomas MacFarlane

IN smelting copper, lead, and silver ores, it is scarcely possible in every case to make analyses of the various parcels of ore, with the view of combining these and the fluxes so accurately as to yield, in the furnace, slags of exactly the most favorable composition. This is even more difficult with ores which require previous calcination, or with mattes which have been roasted in heaps. Even in cases where the greatest pains have been taken and the most elaborate calculations made beforehand, it frequently happens that variations in the working of the furnace interfere with the result so much desired. Generally, the practical metallurgist must be content with ascertaining the average composition of his ores and fluxes, making a calculation once for all as to the most advantageous mixture, and leaving slight changes in its composition to be taken care of as it is passing through the furnace. The various products then afford him the best material whereon to base his judgment as to the manner in which his smelting mixture is working. Of course the character of the slag is one of his chief guides, but it is not always possible from its outward characters alone to form a correct judgment as to its composition. Neither would it be possible or practicable to apply chemical analysis for this purpose, as it would be impossible to wait for its results while working a furnace. Abich was, I believe, the first to point out the relation existing between the composition of volcanic rocks and their densities, and to show that, the latter being ascertained, very correct conclusions

Jan 1, 1880

By R. M. Porter

The Sullivan mine of Consolidated Mining and Smelting Co. of Canada Ltd. is located one mile west of Kimberley. With its daily production of 10,000 tons, the mine is the largest in British Columbia and one of the outstanding mines of the world. The Sullivan orebody dips from nearly horizontal to 45". The ore zone is a bedded replacement de- posit in argillite with a width varying from a few inches up to 300 ft. The main sulfide minerals are pyrrhotite, pyrite, galena, and sphalerite. The chief metals produced are lead and zinc, with less important qualities of iron, silver, tin, antimony, bismuth, cadmium, indium and sulfur.

Jan 12, 1963

By Carle Hayward

AT THE February, 1916, meeting of the Institute, a paper presented by Hayward and Raymond gave the results of a study on the effect of time in tempering medium-carbon steel, when the following conclusions were reached: It is not fair to consider the question settled when only three specimens were used for each treatment, but the results obtained indicate that for reheating quenched medium-carbon steel to temperatures below 500° it is only necessary to heat it through. Longer heating has little or no effect on the tensile strength, ductility, or hardness. At temperatures above 500°, increasing the time of treatment causes a slight falling off in hardness and tensile strength with a corresponding increase in ductility. In the discussion of the paper these conclusions were attacked and evidence presented that seemed to throw doubt on their accuracy. The authors, however, showed that this evidence was based on high-carbon or alloy steels and no facts regarding medium-carbon steel were presented. During this study the heat treatment was carried out in a small electric resistance furnace. It held nine specimens, but when these were placed in the furnace the temperature was lowered to such an extent that 30 to 40 min. were required to reach the desired heat. The authors pointed to this as a weak point in the investigation and it seemed wise to supplement the research by work on similar steel but using a different method of heating. This has been done and the results are given in the present paper. The Rhode Island Tool Co. cooperated by furnishing the steel and turning the tensile specimens.

Jan 1, 1922

By K. J. Miller, R. E. Hucko

The Coal Reparation Division of the Pittsburgh Mining Technology Center conducted an investigation to assess and compare the pyritic sulfur reduction potential of coal-pyrite flotation and high-gradient magnetic separation (HGMS). Tests were run on three coals - an Upper Freeport bed coal, a Lower Kittanning bed coal, and a Pittsburgh bed coal - to establish grade-recovery relationships characteristic of both processes. Representative portions of each coal sample were crushed to two top sizes-nominal - 500 pm (-35 mesh) and nominal - 149 pm (-100 mesh)-and subjected to conventional froth flotation. The froth product was then beneficiated by coal- pyrite flotation or HGMS, to provide a direct technical companion of the two processes. At - 500 pm (- 35 mesh), the size normally employed for coal flotation, both coal-pyrite flotation and HGMS effectively separated pyrite from coal, and the performance of the two processes was essentially the same. At a - 149 pm (- 100 mesh) sire, however, the performance of HGMS exceeded that of coal-pyrite flotation. The separation effected by HGMS were more efficient at - 149 pm (- 100 mesh) than at - 500 pm (- 35 mesh). On the other hand, it was concluded that either the effectiveness of coal-pyrite flotation decreases with diminishing top size or the process has not been optimized to treat material finer than 500 pm (35 mesh).

Jan 1, 1983