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By Arthur G. Levy, Henry M. How

The purpose of the investigation on which this paper is based is to determine whether the structural change which occurs in the slow cooling of steel below the transformation range has an important effect on its engineering properties. We recognize two distinct things which occur in steel when it is brought from above to below the transformation range, first, the transformation proper, that is, the breaking up of the austenite or solid solution of the cementite in the remainder of the iron, and the liberation of its components as undissolved cementite and as ferrite or alpha iron; and second, a structural change consisting in the gradual coalescence of the ferrite and cementite respectively into larger and larger separate masses. Let us distinguish these from each other by speaking of them as " the transformation " and " the structural change " respectively. If the cooling is at all rapid the unevenness of contraction induces severe stress; so that in a sense a slow cooling has a third influence, the prevention of such stress. This transformation from austenite to ferrite plus cementite can complete itself only below the transformation range; and, because this structural change is a change in the structural arrangement of the products of that transformation, it too can complete itself only at temperatures below that range, say below 725°; and of these temperatures it is only those between 600° and 725° that give the metal sufficient mobility to permit this structural rearrangement to progress with ally rapidity. The transformation is now known to be rapid, but the structural change is relatively slow. The transformation, the liberation of the dissolved cementite from the state of solution in the austenite to a free state, leaves the steel structurally in the

Jan 1, 1913

By Granville S. Borden

TAXES in general are onerous and are not a pleas- ant subject for discourse. There are, however, some very cogent reasons why we should dedicate a part of our thoughts and services to the solution of our taxation problems: The happiness of every individual in the United States depends on the maintenance of a stable government. The collection of taxes is an indispensable function of a stable government, and the power to collect taxes depends in part on the question whether taxes are fair and equitable. As representatives of the mining industry it is our duty to .protect it from tax burdens that are discriminatory or- unjust, As citizens we find that taxation is incessantly endeavouring to unravel the knots in our purse-strings. Many members of the Institute may be consulted .by clients on taxation problems, especially the phases which re- late to depletion and valuation. It is the hope of the writer that the discussion of some of the current depletion and valuation problems will stimulate interest in the problems, and as a consequence of this new interest facts will be ventilated, opinions rendered and services performed, which will be a means of solving the problems to the satisfaction of all parties interested.

Jan 1, 1929

By G. R. M. Del Giudice

The term "slime-coating" is not new in the art of flotation; the phenomenon has been observed and described by Taggart;(l)† Taggart, Taylor, and Ince;(2) and by Ince.(3) Notwithstanding that flotation was introduced for the treatment of finely crushed ore, the adverse effects of slimes have been recognized since the earliest days of the process, and the Elmore, Delprat, Potter, and other processes actually specified desliming of the ore prior to treatment. The cause of this trouble has been studied and described by Taggart;(1) Taggart, Taylor, and Ince;(2) Ince;(3) Morrow and Griswold;(4) and by Gaudin and Malozemoff.(5) Old Theory of Slime-coatings At present, so far as published work shows, there seems to be but one theory for the mechanism of slime-coatings. Ince(3) states that they are due to attraction between electrostatic charges of opposite sign on the sulfide and on the slime particles, supporting this theory by migration experiments in the Burton tube. He also used the microscope in conjunction with a glass cell employed by Beans and Eastlack(6) in studying migration, but met with interference from endosmosis. Several attempts have been made in the Department of Mineral Dressing at Columbia University to duplicate Ince's experiments with the Burton tube, but the results have never been convincing. Formation of precipitates which settled through the pulp levels, and evolution of gas at the electrodes, which disturbed the interface between the pulp and the distilled water above it, seriously interfered with observations. However, by use of the migration cell shown in Fig. 1, endosmosis effects and the disturbances due to precipitation and gas evolution were avoided, and distinct and reproducible migrations or absence of migration were observed. The cell was made of bakelite and had platinum electrodes. Objectives were employed which had a working distance of at least three millimeters,1 and the parts of the mounting which came in contact with

Jan 1, 1935

THIS paper presents briefly some of the principal results of 3 ½ months field work during the summer of 1938 in the Chichagof mining district, southeastern Alaska. The report is preliminary and presumably will be followed later by a more complete report to be published by the Geological Survey. The paper is concerned principally with the structural geology of a block of steeply dipping graywacke as revealed underground in the Hirst Chichagof and the Chichagoff mines, the two principal mines of the district. The two mines have produced about $16,000,000 worth of gold and silver. The attitude of the graywacke, which is locally cut by dikes and sills of aplite, is remarkably uniform and trends about N. 62º W. The average dip is about 67º SW. The graywacke is cut by large faults, the best known of which are the Hirst and the Chichagof, whose average trends are about N. 30ºW. and average dips about 75º SW. The faults at some places split into the bedding of the graywacke and at others are deflected from their normal trends for considerable distances along the bedding. The relative movements along the faults was northwest and up at about 30º for the south- west or hanging-wall sides. The ore bodies are elongate quartz lenses in the faults. Most of the quartz is mineralized but locally large quartz masses are too low grade to be mined. The emplacement of the ore bodies appears to have been structurally controlled in large part by the intersections of the faults with the bedding surfaces. Places where the faults split or are deflected appear to have been particularly favorable places for ore deposition. There has been some post-quartz movements along the faults but it is thought that such movements have not been extensive enough to greatly modify the original positions and shapes of the ore bodies.

Jan 1, 1939

By L. C. Graton

Civilization did not begin until metals became the material of tools, implements and machines. - RICKARD, Man and Metals. HISTORY is no more an end in itself than is a backsight the sum total of a survey. This Institute may view with satisfaction the remarkable development of the mineral industry since its founding three score and fifteen years ago, its own enlarging service to that industry, and the contribution thus made toward the enhanced welfare, opportunity and mutual understanding now in greater or less degree reaching and benefiting all peoples of the globe. But neither this professional society nor the dynamic mining industry as a whole wishes on this anniversary to direct its gaze chiefly toward the past. The foremost purpose of historical review should be to throw into clear perspective the strong points and the defects in the forward march thus far, primarily as the basis for conceiving and designing a still sounder progress henceonward. At various times since the Institute's founding, the theories of ore deposition have been considered from the historical view point.l-7 For the present occasion it seems fitting to lay prime emphasis on the practice and utilization of geology in its varied relations to the problems of the mining industry. It is hoped that the reader will understand and accept the degree to which the whole is sampled by parts familiar to the present writer, and the disproportionate attention to thought and achievement within the United

Jan 1, 1947

By C. W. Volek, G. Mandl

Steam-injection tests in the field have shoum that heat transport into the oil/water region, ahead of the steam zone, may have a significant effect on the production process. Earlier theoretical work on reservoir heating by hot-fluid injection can be used to describe the growth of the steam zone, but only if heat transport from steam zone into oil/water region is neglected. It therefore became necessary to re-examine and extend the earlier theory. It was found that this theory ceases to be consistent with the physical model of the process at a certain critical time, tc, which depends on reservoir thickness, temperature, and quality of the steam. The critical time marks an important change in the heat flow across the condensation frovt: the heat flow, which is purely conductive during 0 < t < tc&apos; becomes predominantly convective at t = tc. Accordingly, at t = tc, the equation which governs expansion of the steam zone changes. On the basis of the new equation, an approximate description for the steam-zone growth during t > tc is developed by making use of upper and lower bounds for the exact solution of the problem. The boundary conditions for heat and mass flow inside the oil/water region are established, and a simple method of detennining the saturation at the downstream side of the condensation front is presented. Experimental results show that the theory gives an accurate description of steam-zone expansion before the critical time. At times near critical time, and also after critical time, experimental data show theoretical steam-zone volumes to be high. Even so, the accuracy of the calculated steam-zone volumes is sufficient for practical purposes. THEORY OF STEAM-ZONE GROWTH INTRODUCTION The engineering evaluation of steam-drive processes is based mainly on a mathematical description of reservoir heating by hot fluid injection presented several years ago by Marx and Langenheim.l This theory can be used to determine the growth of the steam zone,2 provided the flow of heat from the steam zone into the liquid zone ahead of the condensation front (Fig. 1) is neglected. Since we must expect, however, that heat transport into and inside the liquid region (the region between condensation front and production wells) will affect both the water/oil flow and the growth of the steam zone, it is necessary to re-examine and to generalize the Marx and Langenheim theory as applied to steam drive, which will hereafter be termed the "old" theory. Observations made in several field tests emphasize the need to study the heat flow across the condensation front (CF). On several occasions it was discovered that heat was transported in the liquid zone far ahead of the advancing CF, resulting in an early breakthrough of warm water. This seems to occur most often when high injection pressures are applied, when "wet" kONINKLIJKE/SHELL EXPLORATIE EN PRODUKTIE LABORATORIUM RIJSWIJK, THE NETHERLANDS SHELL DEVELOPMENT CO. HOUSTON, TEX.

Jan 1, 1970

By Herbert Clark Hoover, Lou Henry Hoover

IN the last book I have explained the methods of delimiting- the meers along each kind of vein, and the duties of mine officials. In this book1 I will in like manner explain the principles of underground mining and the art of surveying. First then, I will proceed to deal with those matters which pertain to the former heading, since both the subject and methodical arrangement require it. And so I will describe first of all the digging of shafts, tunnels, and drifts on venae profundae; next I will discuss the good indications shown by canales2, by the materials which are dug out, and by the rocks ; then I will speak of the tools by which veins and rocks are broken down and excavated ; the method by which fire shatters the hard veins ; and further, of the machines with which water is drawn from the shafts and air is forced into deep shafts and long tunnels, for digging is impeded by the inrush of the former or the failure of the latter ; next I will deal with the two kinds of shafts, and with the making of them and of tunnels ; and finally, I will describe the method of mining venae dilatatae, venae cumulatae, and stringers.

Jan 1, 1950

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Jan 1, 1938

By James A. Barr

Phosphate rock is a natural rock containing one or more phosphate minerals usually calcium phosphate, of sufficient purity and quantity to permit its use, either directly or after beneficiation in the manufacture of commercial products.1 The principal minerals in phosphate rock have the apatite structure which may be represented by the type formula: Ca10(X2) (PO4)6 where X represents the hydroxyl group (OH), chlorine or fluorine, either singly or collectively. The calcium may be partly replaced by sodium, magnesium, and other positive ions such as manganese, strontium, lead, uranium, cerium, yttrium and other rare earths. The PO4 radical may be partly replaced by small quantities of UO4, AsO4, SiO4, CO3, SO4, or Vo4. A typical commercial rock is usually a calcium phosphate containing 3 to 4 pct fluorine, the major impurities being limonite or other iron oxides, clay, aluminum phosphates and silica as quartz sand. A little vanadium is present in most of the domestic rock deposits (except the Tennessee Brown Rock), according to Jacob, Hill, Marshall and Reynolds! A little uranium occurs in the Florida leached zone, as will be brought out later. The chemical analyses are reported as P205, or tricalcium phosphate Ca3(PO4)2, the latter often designated by the trade name BPL (bone phosphate of lime). Commercial analyses usually report iron and alumina as oxides, lime as CaO and silica or insoluble. Colony3 examined many samples of apatite, staffelite, dahlite and American phosphorites and concluded that all have identical X-ray diffraction patterns. The phosphates in the phosphate rock have very minute crystalline structures. The mineral apatite Ca3(F.Cl) (PO4) 3 is the principal primary source of the element phosphorus, and occurs widely distributed in igneous rocks but rarely in a minable mass. Only about 12 pct of the world production of phosphate rock comes from primary apatites; the remainder is derived from secondary phosphorites. These phosphorites have been formed by the alteration of sediments by solutions containing phosphoric acid. Such solutions have come from the weathering or leaching of igneous rock containing apatite, bone deposits of prehistoric animals, marine life or guano deposits. These phosphorites are mostly alterations of phosphatic limestones. The sedimentary phosphate deposits are of marine origin and may have been enriched by subsequent solution of the more soluble calcium carbonate by waters containing carbon dioxide, by physical concentration by wave action, and by redeposition of the dissolved phosphate ions. Uses of Phosphate Phosphorus is the spark of life and is the structure builder and one of the main elements of plant food (fertilizer). Without phosphorus, life cannot exist. A "complete" plant food[t] in addition to phosphorus compounds contains potash, which acts as a catalyst to convert nutrients to useful forms, nitrogen to supply the growth element and many minor elements. The cycle of supply of phosphorus is from the apatite to solution and soil, absorption of plant life, decay and return to the soil or by animal life feeding on the plants. With insufficient supply of phosphorus in vegetation, life is not prolific. If crops are removed from

Jan 1, 1960

By S. A Weigand, J. W. Bolton

Production of sound bronze castings is a matter of great practical interest to users and manufacturers of high-grade non-ferrous engineering specialties. Although there has been much excellent research in this field, there still remains some confusion regarding the fundamental principles underlying production of really sound bronze. The literature of the past 20 years on this subject indicates that the prevailing opinion of metallurgists and foundrymen has been that unsoundness in bronze is due generally to oxidation. The following references are typical. Review of Literature Carpenter and Edwards1 state that when gun metal is melted the alloy dissolves gas, the amount increasing with rise in temperature and duration of the melting. The solubility of the gas diminishes during the fall in temperature and it escapes through the liquid metal. At the moment of incipient solidification there is an evolution of gas. Sperry2 says that by using charcoal a reducing atmosphere is supplied whereby oxidation is prevented, and this also prevents gases from coming in contact with the metal. Logan3 says that many of the troubles that occur in non-ferrous castings are the direct result of one thing—oxidized material. He mentions how readily copper absorbs oxygen when molten, but does not mention the harmful effects of reducing conditions as observed in overpoled copper. Guillemin and Delachana14 investigated the gases occluded in bronze and found that the better bronzes contained mostly hydrogen while the poorer ones had a larger proportion of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

Jan 1, 1929

By J. W. Bolton, S. A. Weigand

Production of sound bronze castings is a matter of great practical interest to users and manufacturers of high-grade non-ferrous engineering specialties. Although there has been much excellent research in this field, there still remains some confusion regarding the fundamental principles underlying production of really sound bronze. The literature of the past 20 years on this subject indicates that the prevailing opinion of metallurgists and foundrymen has been that unsoundness in bronze is due generally to oxidation. The following references are typical. Review of Literature Carpenter and Edwards1 state that when gun metal is melted the alloy dissolves gas, the amount increasing with rise in temperature and duration of the melting. The solubility of the gas diminishes during the fall in temperature and it escapes through the liquid metal. At the moment of incipient solidification there is an evolution of gas. Sperry2 says that by using charcoal a reducing atmosphere is supplied whereby oxidation is prevented, and this also prevents gases from coming in contact with the metal. Logan3 says that many of the troubles that occur in non-ferrous castings are the direct result of one thing—oxidized material. He mentions how readily copper absorbs oxygen when molten, but does not mention the harmful effects of reducing conditions as observed in overpoled copper. Guillemin and Delachana14 investigated the gases occluded in bronze and found that the better bronzes contained mostly hydrogen while the poorer ones had a larger proportion of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

Jan 1, 1929

By Abdel Kadir Attia, Haydn H. Murray, Adel Abdel Azin, Sabah N. Boulis

An extensive reconnaissance survey of bentonitic clays in Egypt was carried out from 1982 to 1984. X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, electron microscopy, and physical property evaluations were used to identify the mineralogy and assess their industrial potential. Samples were collected from a number of localities, namely Qasr El-Sagha (Fayum), Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road (Western Desert), and Qattamia area (Eastern Desert). This paper reviews the geological occurrence, the mineralogical and chemical characteristics, and the potential utilization of these deposits.

Jan 1, 1985

By A. R. Troiano, R. F. Hehemann

The influence of partial decomposition to high temperature bainite on reaction kinetics at a lower temperature has been studied in two alloy steels. Reaction at the lower temperature is retarded by the prior treatment, and the extent of decomposition may be reduced. Interpretation of these results is based on a mechanism involving a limitation in the nucleation and growth of bainite plates. OF the major transformations in steel, the characteristics and general behavior of the bainite reaction are probably the least understood and appreciated. Limitations of space preclude a critical evaluation of the present status of the bainite transformation in this presentation; however, such a treatment will shortly appear elsewhere. Only the salient features pertinent to the present investigation will be introduced briefly here. Although the reaction curve for the formation of bainite is similar to that for a nucleation and growth process, other kinetic features are more in keeping with the martensitic mode of transformation. A definite temperature exists above which austenite will not transform to bainite.1-5 his temperature, which has been designated B., is determined by the composition of the austenite. Unlike other nucleation and growth processes, the amount of austenite transformed to .bainite is a function of reaction temperature. The extent of decomposition increases from 0 at H. to 100 pct at some lower temperature.&apos; , This lower temperature will be designated B1 and appears to be relatively insensitive to austenite composition.% 5 The similarity in the effect of reaction temperature on the bainite and martensite transformations serves to emphasize the close connection between these two decomposition processes. Austenite decomposition in the bainite range proceeds without partition of the alloying elements.8-11 Partition of carbon has been proposed" primarily on the basis that partial transformation to bainite lowers M, and increases the amount of austenite retained at room temperature. Carbon enrichment resuslting from such partition has been employed to explain the influence of reaction temperature on the extent of decomposition.&apos;" It should be noted, however, that no enrichment has been detected experimentally in high carbon steels.1,14,15 Lattice-parameter measurements of retained austenite in steels containing 0.3 to 0.4 pct C have indicated carbon enrichment, 3,10-18 although the split indicative of a high carbon martensite has not been reported. Carbon enrichment, if it does occur, must be highly localized around the bainite plates. Therefore, carbon enrichment does not account for the influence of temperature on the progress of the bainite reaction."&apos; Thermal history is known to influence the martensite transformation through stabilization.20,21 No similar phenomenon in the bainite transformation has been reported. Materials and Procedure Two triple-alloy steels were chosen for this investigation. Their compositions were as given in Table I. These steels were chosen because the pearlite reaction did not interfere with the bainite reaction. Steel K was received in the cast condition and forged from 2 in. square bars to 1/2 x1 3/4 in. plates. The 4340 was received as 11/4 in. hot-rolled rounds. Both steels were homogenized in vacuum for one week at 2300°F in order to minimize segregation. A quenching dilatometer similar to that described by Flinn, Cook, and Fellows" was employed for the kinetic measurements. Dimensional changes were detected by a differential transformer coupled with a high speed recorder. The dilatometer was mounted so that it could be transferred to any one of three furnaces: a nitrogen-atmosphere austenitiz-ing furnace and two salt-bath furnaces for isothermal transformation. Dilatometer specimens were 1/32 x 1/4x 1/2 in. with a gage length of 1.4 in. All specimens were nickel plated in order to minimize decarburization during austenitizing. The austenitiz-ing conditions consisted of 10 min at the temperatures given above. Austenitizing temperatures were controlled to 210°F and transformation temperatures to ±3ºF. The precision of the dimensional measurements was estimated to be ± 5 x105 in. per in. Results and Discussion Isothermal Transformation: The characteristics of the isothermal bainite reaction will be described

Jan 1, 1955

By B. T. Wykoff

This paper describes an important function of mining in Southeast Missouri. The practice is a necessary procedure to prevent disintegration of the pillars. Although the technique is peculiar to this district, it might have application in other mines using room and pillar method.

Jan 8, 1950

By S. L. Hoyt

Some of the more important properties of finished materials are strength, ductility, toughness, resistance to alternating and repeated stresses, etc. Of these, the property that appears to have received the least consideration, at least in this country, is toughness, which is due, possibly, to our regarding toughness as a qualitative property or, at any rate, as one that parallels ductility. This arises out of our greater experience with the simple carbon steels in the rolled or forged (non-heat-treated) condition which, qualitatively, are tough if ductile and are not tough if brittle. In this way we have erroneously become accustomed to judging the toughness of a material from its behavior in the tensile or similar test. The point of view presented in the present paper is that toughness, like hardness or tensile strength, should be regarded as an independent property and of sufficient importance to require, in so far as that may be possible, quantitative determinations. If such be true, it becomes at once necessary to devise experimental means for measuring or valuating toughness, and the notched-bar impact test (the Charpy test) is advanced as the most logical test that has so far been developed for this purpose. It is further advanced, with particular emphasis, that we have two kinds of toughness to deal with and, accordingly, they will be dealt with independently. Classification of Materials According to Toughness Toughness has been defined somewhat as follows: Tough materials are those that offer considerable resistance to permanent deformation but which, once such resistance has been overcome, may be deformed plastically, but only by the expenditure of considerable energy. In other words, tough materials may be deformed plastically but they absorb a considerable amount of work in the process. This kind of toughness may be called "static" toughness when the rate of loading is reasonably slow or "dynamic" toughness when the rate of loading is comparatively rapid, as in impact testing, but in all cases the stress distribution is essentially uniform. However, static toughness does not

Jan 1, 1920

By Charles H. Fulton

Experimental work on the process was begun on a laboratory scale at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1914, and transferred to East St. Louis, Ill. in 1916, where a commercial sized furnace was in technical operation until January, 1918. The essential steps of the process are as follows: Oxidized zinc ore or roasted zinc concentrate is mixed with crushed coke and coal-tar pitch and formed into briquets 9.25 in. (23.5 cm.) in diameter and 21 in. (53 cm.) long in a manner similar to that used in the manufacture of graphite or carbon electrodes, except that much less care and time are required. The composition varies with the nature of the ore; in one case, the composition was 100 parts ore, 70 parts coke, and 18 to 20 parts pitch. These briquets maintain their form and volume during and after the distillation of the zinc. This object is gained by using coke as the matrix and coal-tar pitch as the binder; this pitch becomes coke on heating and unites the ore particle and the original coke particle into a continuous mass. The briquet is an electrical conductor but only to such a degree that it can be used as a resistor. The size of the ore, as in the present practice of zinc metallurgy, ranges from fine material, such as flotation concentrate, to coarse table and fine jig concentrate. The process is not restricted to any particular kind of ore, but is applicable to pure high-grade ores, ores high in iron, and complex zinc-lead ores, since the residue from the distillation IS held immovably in place within the briquet. In the case of complex zinc-lead ores, the distillation is conducted with a carefully regulated temperature so that a high percentage of lead is retained in the distilled briquet, which may then be smelted for its lead content. In present zinc smelting practice, the reduction fuel is from 40 to 50 per cent. of the weight of the ore. In the briquet, it is from 60 to 85 per cent. of the ore; but unless the ore is exceptionally high in residue, the distilled briquet may be used over again as coke, or as a high ash coke for fuel purposes in power production. Baked briquets are hard and tough and may be handled roughly

Jan 1, 1921

By H. K. Work

THE Bessemer process is one of the most interesting methods of making steel. At one time it was by far the most important. In recent years, however, it has steadily lost ground to the open-hearth process. The forces working against this method of steelmaking are partly economic and partly metallurgical.&apos; In this paper, dealing as it does with the control of the process, the metallurgical factors alone will be considered, although it is obvious that economic factors must play a part in determining the ultimate status of the Bessemer process. This discussion has been limited in another respect-it deals primarily with the acid Bessemer process in bottom-blown converters, although much of the information is applicable to basic and side-blown converters. The fact that open-hearth steel has superseded Bessemer steel to a large extent has tended to create an impression that Bessemer steel is inferior. As a matter of fact, Bessemer steel is actually superior to open-hearth for many applications.2 There are, however, definite metallurgical limitations to the use of Bessemer steel, resulting largely from two factors: (I) the physical properties conferred by nitrogen and phosphorus, and (2) the variability from blow to blow. These, of course, are not entirely independent, since some of the variability covered in the second item is undoubtedly due to nitrogen. But the variability is also caused by other factors. One of these is the relatively small size of the Bessemer heats. Because of this, a given shipment of Bessemer steel is more likely than a shipment of open-hearth steel to contain the product of several heats, each with its own distinctive and slightly different characteristics. Added to this is the fact that the refining of Bessemer steel proceeds so rapidly that the timing of the end point is limited to a matter of seconds, whereas the finishing period in the open hearth extends over a period of one or two hours and the timing of the end point may vary by several minutes without seriously affecting the product. There is no doubt that this has contributed to the variability of Bessemer steel and has led to the use of open-hearth steel in many optional applications. That Bessemer steel may vary is not necessarily objectionable, and it may even prove an advantage, providing a precise control is available to secure the desired qualities for any specific application. With this in mind, a comprehensive research program was undertaken, one phase of which was directed toward securing more accurate control of the blow. The results have been encouraging, and it is the purpose of this paper to describe a method in which modern scientific instruments, based on photocells, are currently being employed to assist the blower. THE CONTROL PROBLEM In this day of scientific control of technical processes, where the operating

Jan 1, 1941

By Joseph L. Gillson

BRAZIL has had an industry based on ocean beach deposits of heavy minerals containing monazite, zircon, rutile, and ilmenite for well over 40 years, but except at the very earliest period, prior to 1906, and again during World War 11, has this industry been at all comparable in size with similar operations in other countries. Limiting factors have been neither a lack of reserves nor lack of markets (except for zircon). Although poor local transportation and shipping facilities have handicapped the development in Brazil, these conditions were perhaps equally bad (when mining operations started) in the Indian State of Travancore, and in New South Wales and Queensland, Australia, in which states the principal production of beach deposits of heavy minerals has occurred. The outstanding restraints on the Brazilian industry have been the lower quality of the Brazilian minerals, the relative small size of individual deposits that were known until recently, the lack of interest of Brazilian investors in mining ventures, and the unfavorable climate for investment of foreign capital under Brazilian mining law. The lower quality of the minerals is indicated by the fact that the Brazilian monazite carries only 5 to 6 pct ThO2,*, and the ilmenite 56 1/2 pct TiO2, whiteness of the Australian zircon. An inadequate market for the abundant zircon that will be avail- able in any operation in Brazil is certainly a heavy restraint, since otherwise it could be an important byproduct. The oxide of zirconia, baddeleyite, that has come from Brazil is from other sources. 1 Since the Brazilian beach sands carry only a little rutile, that mineral has not been available as a valuable byproduct to help finance the operations.

Jan 6, 1950

By James W. Shaffer

Aluminum is the most abundant metallic element and forms 8% of the earth&apos;s crust. Because of its chemical activity it does not occur in nature in a metallic form but principally in the silicates, feldspar, mica, shale, and clay. Bauxitic raw materials-bauxitic clay, aluminous laterite, and bauxite-develop from these aluminum silicate sources. Bauxite and aluminous laterite are naturally occurring mixtures of aluminum hydroxides and mineral impurities, and they are the major sources of aluminum. End Uses Bauxite is the basic ore of the aluminum industry. It is refined into aluminum hydroxide and calcined for feed stock to electrolytic smelters. Over 90% of the tonnage mined is refined and smelted into aluminum. The total tonnage consumed by other industries is small in comparison, but bauxite and alumina are important for the manufacture of refractories, ceramics, chemicals, abrasives, pharmaceuticals, catalysts, cements, dessicants, and flame retardants. Some aluminum-containing industrial products are made from clays and other materials but the majority originate from bauxite directly or from aluminum hydroxide and alumina refined from bauxite. Lateritic type bauxite is also used as building and decorative stone. Geology Mineralogy and Properties Bauxite is a mineral raw material composed principally of one or more aluminum hydroxide minerals and impurities of silica, iron oxide, titania, and other elements in minor or trace amounts. The important aluminum hydroxide minerals are gibbsite, boehmite, and diaspore. Bayerite, nordstrandite, and tucanite are naturally occurring aluminum hydroxides but are rare and not commercially important. Mixtures of gibbsite and boehmite are common, boehmite and diaspore less common, and gibbsite and diaspore rare. Gibbsite is aluminum trihydroxide. Boehmite and diaspore are aluminum oxide hydroxides and have essentially the same composition, but diaspore has a greater hardness and a more tightly bonded and denser atomic structure. Although not technically correct, the commercial terms trihydrate and monohydrate are frequently used to distinguish types of bauxite. If bauxite is all or nearly all gibbsite, it is referred to as a trihydrate ore; if boehmite or diaspore or a mixture of both are the dominant minerals, the bauxite is called a monohydrate ore. If substantial amounts of both gibbsite and boehmite are present, the bauxite is frequently referred to as a mixed ore. Properties of major bauxite minerals are shown in Table 1. Silica, iron oxides, and titania are major impurities always present in deposits of bauxitic raw materials.. Silica impurities usually occur as clay minerals, micaceous minerals, or quartz, but cristobalite and feldspar are found in some deposits. The most common clay minerals are kaolins; however, illites and chlorites are often found in small quantities. Varying proportions of aluminum, iron, and clay minerals make bauxite, aluminous laterite, ferruginous laterite, and bauxitic clay deposits gradational with each other. Hematite and goethite are the common iron mineral impurities in many bauxites. Magnetite and ilmenite occur in deposits derived from basic igneous rocks. Other iron minerals associated with bauxite are maghemite, pyrite, siderite, and marcasite. The titanium minerals found in bauxites are anatase, leucoxene, rutile, ilmenite, titaniferous

Jan 1, 1983

By F. H. Newell

Measurements of the amount of water flowing in many of the larger rivers of the west have been made by the United States Geological Survey, and by this means the daily discharges of these rivers have been computed for a period of over two years. These measurements have been confined mainly to that part of the country commonly known as the arid region, where the rainfall is insufficient for the needs of plants most useful to man, and the supply of water, not only for agriculture, but also for mining and all other purposes, falls below the demands made upon it. In such localities flowing water has a great value, for without it many industries are impossible. Experience has shown that in the western part of the United States, over an area a little less than two-fifths of the whole extent of the country, there are great bodies of fertile land enjoying a genial climate, and in every way adapted to the support of a large population, except in the one particular of water-supply. By utilizing the water available, portions of this rich land can be rendered valnable. In other words, the laud-values rest directly upon the prospects of a continuous artificial water-supply. The same is true of many mineral lands, which require for hydraulic mining, or for the supply of concentrating-works, stanip-mills, etc., a certain water-supply, and are impaired in value if this supply is inadequate or irregular. The pressure of this need upon the mining industry is not so widespread, or in the first instance so severe as upon agriculture; but as different regions become more thickly settled, and the two industries compete for a water-supply not sufficient for both, it, is probable that the miner will suffer. But he can snspend operations with less inconvenience than the farmer. Agricuitural land, if the watersupply is not continuous, becomes a desert; on the other hand, the profit of mining is greatly enhanced by the presence of agricultural

Jan 1, 1892