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By A. J. W. Headlee

RECENT interest in germanium centers around its use as a semi-conductor of electricity in electronic devices. It is generally believed that germanium transistors, diodes, triodes, photocells, and rectifiers will largely replace the present-day vacuum tubes. The germanium electronic devices are much smaller, lighter, and more resistant to shock, and they require only a small fraction of current required for conventional devices. Hence only a small amount of heat is given off by the equipment. This development will require many times the quantity of germanium now being produced, which in 1948 was approximately 1000 lb1 and was obtained almost entirely from zinc ores in Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. No one knows with certainty what the demand will be for germanium by 1956. It may be 40,000 lb.1 Known concentrations in zinc ores are not sufficient to

Jan 10, 1953

By Frederic E. Carter

THE gold, silver, copper alloys have been the subject of several fairly complete investigations by Jänecke, Sterner-Rainer1 and others, and indeed it would seem as if almost too much labor had been expended on them when one thinks of the numerous other ternary alloys calling for more light; however, the combinations of the three metals are actually so widely used in jewelry that they merit perhaps the work done on them. There are a few properties of importance and interest not treated by the authors mentioned which the writer investigated some little time ago, and therefore he has ventured to put on record the results of some of his tests made at that time. He has chosen, as being the two series of most importance to the jeweler, only the 14 and 18-kt. golds, so the subject is by no means so inclusive as that previously treated. As stated, this paper is merely a record of tests made in a practical manner on two useful series of alloys, and is not at all a critical study of their properties. 14-KARAT ALLOYS These alloys are important because they are the most generally used in 14-kt. jewelry; by changing the proportions of silver and copper there are obtained all shades of color from the green of the alloy containing gold and silver but no copper, to the red of the alloy containing gold and copper but no silver. Many 14-kt. gold alloys are made with the addition of zinc to the three metals mentioned here; the added metal does not appreciably alter the color of the alloy nor has it, in general, much effect on the working properties; it may, however, prove useful as part of the zinc added may act as a deoxidizer and render the alloy free of gas. It is not a necessary addition because with proper precautions all the 14-kt. gold alloys containing only silver and copper in addition to the gold can be made free of gas and capable of being cold rolled without cracking. The alloys in which approximately equal quantities of silver and copper

Jan 1, 1928

By Robert Linton

THE Sierra Consolidated Mines Co., organized in 1909, owns, together with other holdings, practically all of the productive mineral area in the Ocampo district. Lying within this area are 15 mines, large and small, that had previously been worked and appear to have yielded, since the discovery of the camp, about 100 years ago, bullion of a total value of over $50,000,000. The deepest mine, the Santa Juliana, had been worked to 1,100 ft. below the outcrop. The reopening of the mines involved, first, extensive and thorough development to open up the known ore-shoots at greater depth and explore the ledges for additional shoots, and, second, a revision of existing equipment and methods, so as to increase output and reduce cost of production. This paper will give some account of the metallurgical treatment and a description of the new mill to be built at El Salto.

Jan 2, 1914

By J. W. Whitlow, P. K. Theobald, W. C. Overstreet

Monazite placers in a region of the Carolinas ex- in 1951-1954 by the USGS are estimated to contain at least 53,000 short tons of thorium and 4600 short tons of uranium. None of these deposits is being mined. The 5200-sq mile area investigated extends northeast along the western Piedmont from the Savannah River in South Carolina to the Catawba River in North Carolina. Much of the region is 700 to 1100 ft above sea level. Gentle hills and broad interfluves give a local relief of 100 to 200 ft. This increases to 1700 ft at the west margin of the area where the east flank of the Blue Ridge is approached in South Carolina and the South Mts. are entered in North Carolina. This report is restricted to placers in the Piedmont. Monazite deposits in the Blue Ridge and coastal plain were not covered by the investigation. Monazite Mining in the Carolina Piedmont: Discovered in 1879 by W. E. Hidden,' the monazite placers in the Carolina Piedmont were first mined in 1886. The area was a major world source for thorium and the lanthanides until 1895, when Brazilian monazite entered the trade. Total output from the Carolina Piedmont has been nearly 5500 tons of monazite,2 but the placers have been idle since 1911, except for 48 tons produced between 1915 and 1917. Monazite mining was revived in the Carolinas in 1954 when a dredge operated by the Heavy Minerals CO. opened a fluviatile placer along Horse Creek in the coastal plain near Aiken, S. C. Geology and Mineralogy: Two recent papers",' have described the geology of the monazite placer district in the Piedmont between the Savannah and Catawba rivers; the general geology of the region has been reviewed by P. B. King.' These reports show that the placers are in locally derived alluvial sediments that cover the floors of shallow, narrow valleys in an area underlain by monazite-

Jan 1, 1960

By Koichi Kashida, Mayumi Someno, Kazuhiro Goto

The present work has two objectives: first to develop an experimental method which would give some new information on the micromechanism of the reduction of oxides by gases at elevated temperature; second to clari,fy the intermediate phases of the W-0 system, formed during the reduction. A Galvanic cell with the solid electrolyte , ZrO2 . CaO, was imbedded in powders of W03, CuO, or Fe20s with two measuring electvodes and with a reference electrode. The change of the intraparticle gas composition was measured at An oxygen concentration cell consists of two electrodes separated by an electrolyte through which the transference of electrical charge is accomplished predominantly by the migration of oxygen ions. Many works have been reported on the oxygen con- 600" to loo@ C during the reduction by the gas mixture of hydrogen and argon. The intraparticle gas composition changes stepwise with time. The electromotive force of such temporary interruption corresponds to the equilibrium electromotive force of two solid phases formed during the reduction. The intermediate phases of W-0 system, which are formed in a large quantity during the reduction by hydrogen, are W0 2 W02.72 and WOz. The micromechanism of the reduction of oxides by gases is discussed. centration cells with the solid electrolyte of solid solution of zirconia and lime, since Kuikkola and wagnerl demonstrated the possibility of determination of standard free energy of formation of oxides by an electromotive-force method with the Galvanic cell. One of the present authors (K.G.) and his coworkers have applied the cells with the solid electrolyte of zirconia and lime to the following measurements:

Jan 1, 1969

By C. Richard Tinsley

Mineral economists debate whether to call the deep-ocean nodules "manganese nodules," "nickel nodules," "polymetallic nodules," or even "ferro-manganese nodules." It is nickel and copper that are generally regarded as the main targets in the nodules. Processing considerations are thought to virtually dictate that Deepsea Ventures will produce high-purity manganese metal (at least if it follows a hydrogen chloride leach), whereas other groups have been focusing on the selective extraction of copper, nickel, cobalt, zinc, and molybdenum, while rejecting manganese to tails. Solvent extraction appears to be the primary multimetal extraction technique (except for manganese). These processing considerations indicate that metal production f, or Deepsea Ventures is essentially a co- product system (manganese recovery is necessary to recycle chloride ions) while the other groups can more easily approach the metals as selective co-products (e.g. recovering nickel and copper, and rejecting cobalt). Some zinc may be produced as a co-product, as it may have to be removed in the solvent extraction process.

Jan 4, 1975

By G. Herget, O. Garg

Trends will continue towards more automated, and sometimes larger mining and haulage equipment to reduce pit development and haulage costs. To save labour costs, larger capitalization of open pits is required and pit design and stripping ratios have to be firmed up at a very early stage of mine planning. Bench failures will assume a greater importance with larger equipment and at present we have only a limited capability of predicting stable slopes in complex structural geological settings. Deep open pits will pose particular problems in regard to high toe and floor stresses. This will require the development of more efficient systems for rock mass exploration and an improvement of our predictive capability in regard to pit slope stability and appropriate management of ground- water and materials. To meet the challenge, we have to improve: a) Analytical tools to assess slope stability in structurally complex settings as found in large open pits; b) Core orientation methods during diamond drilling operations; c) Geophysical logging methods to obtain geotechnical and structural geological information for large volumes of rock; and d) Geotechnical data handling systems to define mechanical properties

Jan 1, 1983

By Nicholas J. Grant, John S. Benjamin, Bill C. Giessen

In the course of a study of hard particle-duc tile binder composite alloys, interest arose in the nature of the products of the reaction between the inter metallic compound NiAl and the binder niobium. No published information was then available. A program to

Jan 1, 1967

By A. K. Knickerbocker

Practically all underground work on the Minnesota iron ranges is done by miners working on a so-called contract wage system. This system, while it has certain advantages over the straight day's pay or company-account method of wage payment, has serious and vital defects. In view of the scarcity and demands of labor, it is important that employers of labor scrutinize their systems of wage payments carefully, not only to save losses and trouble, due to labor disturbances, but also to secure the greatest efficiency of their workmen and reduce their operating costs. It is admitted that an adequate, just, and equitable wage is the prime factor in bringing about these benefits. The wage of labor and its method of application and payment have been, and always will be, the main factors in the unrest and dissatis. faction of labor. Not only does labor want and need an adequate wage, assuming that work is adequately performed, but it wants and is entitled to a just and equitable wage. Labor must have respect for the fairness of the wage and for the fairness of the management in the application of the wage It is conceded that the Minnesota iron miners are now, and have been, in the main paid adequately, but the inherent defects of the so-called contract system prevent any just or equitable application of this wage to the various units of the labor body. The defects of the contract system, with its obvious inequalities, favoritisms, and injustices, are cancers in the brain of labor. Every thinking miner realizes these defects and knows just what they are; the unthinking do not realize the details of the subject, but each month they are forcibly reminded of these defects through the pay envelope. As practiced on the iron ranges, however, the so-called "contract " system is not a contract and the name is a misnomer. No true contractual obligation exists. As usually practised, the contract system involves the setting of a price per foot in development work, or per foot or per car, usually the latter, in slicing or stoping, by the mining captain, and assumes its acceptance, though often under protest, by the men. A price is set for each working place, in which there are usually two men per shift. This price includes labor and supplies, such as explosives, fuse and caps, shovels, carbide, etc., and the men divide the total earnings less the amount expended for supplies. The cost of the supplies charged to the men varies

Jan 1, 1920

WE, the undersigned, being all persons of full age and citizens of the United States and a majority residents of the State of New York, desiring to form a corporation pursuant to the provisions of the Membership Corporations Law for the purpose of incorporating, as provided in Section 5 of Article I. of said law, the existing unincorporated association known as American Institute of Miming and Metallurgical Engineers, Incorporated, do hereby make, acknowledge and file this Certificate for that purpose, and do certify as follows: I. That the American Institute of Mining Engineers is an unincorporated association organized and existing with the . object of promoting the arts and sciences connected with the economic production of the useful minerals and metals and the welfare of those employed in these industries by means of meetings for social intercourse and the reading and discussion of professional papers, and to circulate by means of publications among its members and associates the information thus obtained.

Jan 1, 1946

By H. W. Graham

AS these annual occasions in honor of Henry Marion Howe continue through the years: there is progressively less likelihood that the lecturer will have had personal knowledge of Dr. Howe. The present speaker is one of those who unfortunately had no opportunity to come under the inspiring presence of this great metallurgist. A review of Howe's work shows it to cover a comprehensive range of interests and to evidence an impressive richness of detail. Not only was Howe at home in the laboratory, but he was familiar with the processes of iron and steel making and had a real understanding of them. His writings include much that is descriptive of processes with a wealth of material that is becoming of increasing historical value. He recorded his studies of the theoretical aspects of processes and published at least two process classifications, one in 1890 that was lengthy and somewhat theoretical, and a second in 1906 that was more of a practical listing. Wide as Howe's field of interest was, it is significant of the circumstances of his time that he gave- little consideration to raw materials or to their effect on iron and steel making processes. In 1933, Waterhouse, Howe lecturer for that year, presented a descriptive summary of the major steel making processes, and in 1946 Joseph discussed the blast furnace process. Otherwise Howe lectures have not dealt with processes as major subjects. In today's lecture, with no effort to describe the mechanical arrangements of iron and steel making facilities, it is proposed to examine the essential technological elements of the processes, to explore the inter-relation of these elements, and particularly to seek recognition and understanding of those factors which determine why certain processes are or are not used. The discussion of this lecture will deal with the major well-known large tonnage processes, with only such attention to processes of minor tonnage and special character as may be warranted for explanation by contrast. Subject to the errors of generalization and the shortcomings of condensation involved in presentation limited to a single hour, it is proposed to examine broadly but intensively those operations which convert raw materials into steel. It is an innovation for a Howe lecturer to discuss the raw materials of the iron and steel industry, but the changing circumstances of passing years intensify the influence of raw materials on processes and require the metallurgist to be alert for the process adjustments that may become advisable or mandatory. For a half century the metallurgical processing of iron and steel has followed a surprisingly straight path, but this does not necessarily mean that there are no curves in the road ahead. Ages ago primitive man came to know iron in its metallic form, not only by the

Jan 1, 1948

By H. W. Graham

AS these annual occasions in honor of Henry Marion Howe continue through the years: there is progressively less likelihood that the lecturer will have had personal knowledge of Dr. Howe. The present speaker is one of those who unfortunately had no opportunity to come under the inspiring presence of this great metallurgist. A review of Howe's work shows it to cover a comprehensive range of interests and to evidence an impressive richness of detail. Not only was Howe at home in the laboratory, but he was familiar with the processes of iron and steel making and had a real understanding of them. His writings include much that is descriptive of processes with a wealth of material that is becoming of increasing historical value. He recorded his studies of the theoretical aspects of processes and published at least two process classifications, one in 1890 that was lengthy and somewhat theoretical, and a second in 1906 that was more of a practical listing. Wide as Howe's field of interest was, it is significant of the circumstances of his time that he gave- little consideration to raw materials or to their effect on iron and steel making processes. In 1933, Waterhouse, Howe lecturer for that year, presented a descriptive summary of the major steel making processes, and in 1946 Joseph discussed the blast furnace process. Otherwise Howe lectures have not dealt with processes as major subjects. In today's lecture, with no effort to describe the mechanical arrangements of iron and steel making facilities, it is proposed to examine the essential technological elements of the processes, to explore the inter-relation of these elements, and particularly to seek recognition and understanding of those factors which determine why certain processes are or are not used. The discussion of this lecture will deal with the major well-known large tonnage processes, with only such attention to processes of minor tonnage and special character as may be warranted for explanation by contrast. Subject to the errors of generalization and the shortcomings of condensation involved in presentation limited to a single hour, it is proposed to examine broadly but intensively those operations which convert raw materials into steel. It is an innovation for a Howe lecturer to discuss the raw materials of the iron and steel industry, but the changing circumstances of passing years intensify the influence of raw materials on processes and require the metallurgist to be alert for the process adjustments that may become advisable or mandatory. For a half century the metallurgical processing of iron and steel has followed a surprisingly straight path, but this does not necessarily mean that there are no curves in the road ahead. Ages ago primitive man came to know iron in its metallic form, not only by the

Jan 1, 1948

(Under this heading will he published notes sent too the Secretary of the Institute by members or other persons introduced by members.) Management or superintendency desired by member, graduate mining engineer of large practical experience in the details of mining, milling, concentration and cyaniding. Experienced in the efficient mechanical equipment and operation, and in the general business management of a mining property. No. 444. Metallurgist and operator who has specialized in the hydrometallurgy of. gold and silver, particularly stamp milling and cyaniding, desires change from present position. Ten years' experience in Western U. S. Thirty-six years old, married, in best of health and will go. anywhere. Available in 30 days. No. 445.

Jan 4, 1918

By E. J. Parkins, H. L. Shergold

The paper is divided into two parts. The first part describes an investigation of the effect of temperature on the conditioning and flotation of an ilmenite ore with a 1:l oleic acid-fuel oil mixture as collector. During conditioning the pulp underwent characteristic changes of flocculation, deflocculation and dispersion which were monitored by measuring the power consumption of the conditioner motor. Optimum flotation results were obtained at the end of the deflocculation period. High ilmenite recoveries were obtained at high temperatures and high concentrate grades at low temperatures. The second part of the paper describes a study of the effect of temperature on the adsorption of oleic acid at the ilmenite/water interface. At high adsorption densities it was chemical and exothermic. Contact angles showed that the hydrophobicity of the collector-coated minerals increased with an increase in temperature.

Jan 1, 1976

By A. J. Brown

THE causes that have formed fissures in the earth's crust, and the agencies that have converted them into metallic beds, are amongst the most important and interesting subjects that can engage the attention of the mining engineer or the scientist. They lie at the very base of the whole system of vein geology, and until something like a correct theory can be arrived at with regard to them, the science as such is necessarily very incomplete. The data for such a theory, owing to a lack of careful and systematic observations in countries pre-eminently metalliferous, like Mexico and the States of Central and South America, are almost entirely wanting. Doubtless there has been abundant speculation on the subject, from the earliest times down to the present, in every country where mining has been one of the leading industries of the inhabitants. Perhaps the theory of Elie de Beaumont more nearly approaches a satisfactory explanation than that of any contemporary authority. The most recent investigations, both in Europe and on this continent, tend to produce the conviction that the phenomena of metallic fissure lodes are in some way connected with, and- dependent upon, plutonic agencies-not, however, as the direct product of volcanic activity, but rather as the result of chemical agencies called into play through its aid. Active volcanoes generally produce only the well-known types of volcanic rocks, though, perhaps, well-marked cases can be shown where these contain ores of copper, etc., evidently derived from the same deepseated source as their hypogene gangue. To prove that there is a connection between metallic lodes and plutonic rocks, it is not necessary that the ores should in all cases occupy fissures within the limits of masses of propylite, rhyolite, or other like rocks, or be

Jan 1, 1874

By A. J. Brown

The causes that have formed fissures in the earth's crust, and the agencies that have converted them into metallic beds, are amongst the most important and interesting subjects that can engage the attention of the mining engineer or the scientist. They lie at the very base of the whole system of vein geology, and until something like a correct theory can be arrived at with regard to them, the science as such is necessarily very incomplete. he data for such a theory, owing to a lack of careful and systematic observations in countries pre-eminently metalliferous, like Mexico and the States of Central and South America, are almost entirely wanting. Doubtless there has been abundant speculation on the subject, from the earliest times down to the present, in every country where mining has been one of the leading industries of the inhabitants. Perhaps the theory of Elie de Beaumont more nearly approaches a satisfactory explanation than that of any contemporary authority. The most recent investigations, both in Europe and on this continent, tend to produce the conviction that the phenomena of metallic fissure lodes are in some way connected with, and dependent upon, plutonic agencies— not, however, as the direct product of volcanic activity, but rather as the result of chemical agencies called into play through its aid. Active volcanoes generally produce only the well-known types of volcanic rocks, though, perhaps, well-marked cases can be shown where these contain ores of copper, etc., evidently derived from the same deepseated source as their hypogene gangue. To prove that there is a connection between metallic lodes and plutonic rocks, it is not necessary that the ores should in all cases occupy fissures within the limits of masses of propylite, rhyolite, or other like rocks, or be

By Henry Howe

THAT the quiescence of a liquid while it is solidifying should favor the formation of columnar crystals, normal of the cooling surface, is seen readily on considering the mechanism of solidification. First; each particle of any composite liquid, whether it be an aqueous solution or a molten metal; in solidifying splits up into two parts, different in composition and hence in fusibility. One part is infusible at the, existing temperature, - and hence solidifies, and in general attaches itself to the inclosing walls of metal which have already, solidified; A, Fig. 1. The other part is, fusible at the existing temperature and hence remains molten. In the case of carbon Open steel, the part. of each drop which actually j; Sea solidifies is poorer, in carbon than the drop itself was before it began to solidify, and this impoverishment of the solidifying,. half-drop enriches . the other, half-drop in carbon, and Layer of Liquid thus. makes it unfreezable at the existing tem- Fig. 1.MECHANISM OF perature. SOLIDIFICATION. By this- mechanism there arises during solidification a " littoral" or shore layer- of liquid, B, Fig. 1, bathing the already solidified. walls, and more fusible than either those walls or the great remaining central mass of liquid or "deep sea," C, from which it separates them. It is essential that we grasp clearly this conception of a fusible littoral molten layer coating the already solidified walls and separating them from the deep sea. Meanwhile. heat is flowing rapidly outward through these walls, its escape cooling them, so that if any given particle of the deep sea metal

Jan 2, 1919

By D. Harrington

One of the main functions of the United States Bureau of Mines is to obtain and disseminate information that will promote safety in and around mines, and the health and safety of employees engaged in mining. Serious health and safety conditions arising out of contamination of air in metal mines by dust, fumes from explosives and fires, and absorption of oxygen by timber and other causes, led the Bureau of Mines to cooperate with the United States Public Health Service in the study of dust occurrence and ventilation in metal mines in various parts of the country. A. J. Lanza, of the U. S. Public Health Service, and Edwin Higgins, mining engineer of the U. S. Bureau of Mines, in 1915, made a detailed study in the mines around Joplin, Mo.; their reports1 are now available. In 1916, 1917, and 1918, a similar study was made in the Butte, Mont., region by Doctor Lanza and D. Harrington, mining engineer of the Bureau of Mines; the reports of this investigation will be available soon. In 1919, the study was continued in some of the Arizona mines by D. Harrington, of the Bureau of Mines, and G. E. McElroy and R. A. Koronski, of the U. S. Public Health Service, the underground work being completed in June, 1920; these reports are now being prepared for publication. In the spring of 1920, the scope of the work was extended, with D. Harrington in charge as supervising mining engineer, and short studies were made in the mines of the Coeur d' Alenes in Idaho and around Oatman, Ariz. It is hoped soon to extend the work into mines of California, Nevada, Colorado, Michigan, and Minnesota, and ultimately to other states should the mining companies be willing to coöperate. While the coöperation of the mining companies is necessary, the companies are put to practically no expense other than supplying a guide to accompany the investigators underground, the length of time spent

Jan 1, 1922

The Enquirer of October 13, 1835 carried a letter signed "G," calling attention to the great number of Virginians who were leaving the state and to the lack of enterprise shown in not developing the ample natural resources available. He mentioned coal in particular and in closing said: "Besides the coal mines owned by individuals, the Black Heath company of colliers are carrying on extensive operations. Owing to the derangement of the currency, and the immense expenses incurred in boring and sinking new shafts, I understand that their dividends have not yet been so large, as they may be confidently expected in future.-Another company, under the title of the Midlothian Coal Mining Company, is now about being organized by the Messrs. Wooldridges of Chesterfield, for the purpose of establishing an extensive coal business. Having examined the lands embraced in the charter and the principles upon which the company is designed to be organized, I am persuaded that more productive stock can no where be found. The charter embraces a space nearly equal to a mile square, adjoining the mines of the Black Heath company, those of Mr. N. Mills, and those of Stone Henge, which space must contain coal of great thickness of excellent quality, as the strata of coal of those other mines pass through it; exhibiting a field so extensive, that centuries may elapse before it is exhausted. A shaft has been sunk on these lands, from which a very large quantity of the best coal is being raised. The terms of the charter require the Proprietors to sell one-half of these lands and mines, from the sale of which they will appropriate $100,000 as permanent capital, to purchase hands and engines, and to sink other shafts to work the property and thus going into operation with such decided advantages, as to produce a profit as great as a reasonable man should desire. Here is an opportunity for investing capital, which I think should satisfy the wishes of many Virginians who speak of emigrating. Will they not embrace it?-I have confined my remarks to the coal mines, because they are in the heart of our State, and their operations are familiar to many who can verify the statements. I might extend them to the other mineral treasures of our State; but if I do so, they must be reserved for another number, this being longer than I intended, and perhaps longer than you can conveniently find room for in your crowded columns. G." In January 1828 the Tuckahoe Canal Company was authorized to construct a canal along Tuckahoe Creek, from the James River up the stream about five miles; later this was amended to allow the use of the stream with a depth of water of two feet, no tow path was required, or provided: A toll of one cent per bushel was collected and the canal company made large profits. The service was so poor that in December 18, 1835, John G.,

Jan 1, 1942

By L. J. Boucher

The beneficiation process at Northampton is described and reasons are given for installing a flotation plant. The economics of running the plant, the difficulties of operation, and subsequent remedial action are discussed. CEMENT rock from a quarry operated by the Northampton plant1, 2 of the Universal Atlas Cement Co. has a relatively low average CaCO³ content. To meet specifications required for cement manufacture it was formerly necessary, over succeeding years, to add increasingly larger amounts of high-lime, low-alumina rock, which was obtained from a quarry operated by the company at a point along the New Jersey-New York state border, 79 miles from Northampton. Previous to 1940, 8 pct of total kiln feed consisted of high-lime rock. From 1940 to 1943, this figure jumped to 13 pct. Today it would be necessary to use 18 pct of this high-lime to meet current specifications. Increasing transportation costs made this an expensive operation. In addition, this high-lime rock quarry was contaminated with granite and high magnesia pockets. As there was no available high-lime rock in the Lehigh Valley, it was decided in 1936 to install a pilot plant where experimental work was done on processing local cement rock with flotation and burning the resulting product in a small kiln. This plant was in operation for six months and at the end of that period a suitable method of flotation had been established. From these studies it was also found that if the proportion of shipped-in rock rose slightly above 10 pct it became economically advisable to use the flotation process. It is the object of this paper to present briefly the operation of the flotation system at the Northampton plant. It seems advisable to comment on the raw material used in this process. The Northampton quarry lies geologically in what is known as the Jacksonburg formation of Trenton limestone.' In Pennsylvania this extends in a southwesterly direction from Portland, through Nazareth, Bath, and Northampton and across the Lehigh River to Ormrod. This argillaceous limestone was formed from marine deposits laid down during the early Ordivician period when a shallow sea covered most of Pennsylvania. Carbonaceous matter in the original deposit formed graphitic carbon under later metamorphic forces. From this graphite the cement rock of the Lehigh Valley derives its dark color. Most of the graphite must be removed before lime flotation can proceed. The quartz in this rock is desirable from the chemist's point of view, as it furnishes him with a form of silica necessary in the calcining process, but its abrasive properties damage pumps and piping. Aluminum silicates of potassium, sodium, iron, and magnesium are found in the form of sericite. Cal-cite averages from 69 to 76 pct. Iron in the form of iron pyrites is also present and has no deleterious effect. Talc is present in minute quantities. The

Jan 1, 1954