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By Robert Craig, Earl L. Rau

Introduction Grinding circuits are used to reduce the particle size of ores to the size desired for beneficiation or to grind a concentrate to a size required for final marketing. Grinding and classification can be carried out using either wet or dry circuits. Most sulfide ores are ground in wet circuits using one or more stages of grinding to obtain the necessary mineral liberation to produce a final concentrate which will meet the desired criteria. Iron ores are ground in circuits applicable to the particular ore using either wet or dry grinding. Nonmetallic minerals frequently present different requirements. Barite is likely to be subjected to wet grinding before beneficiating the ore; the concentrate is dried and then dry ground to meet market particle size requirements. The one thing that most mill operators will agree to is that there is no such thing as the "best" configuration of equipment for grinding. The circuit which works well on one ore may be totally unsatisfactory for another ore body. The general trend in the industry is flow sheet simplication with fewer parallel circuits instead of multiple-line circuits using small mills. This change in philosophy has been brought about by the saving of both capital and operating costs that may be possible with larger equipment. Remember that comminution is basically a very inefficient process, and that the costs can range upwards to 50% of the total milling costs. It, therefore, behooves the mill operator to carefully design his grinding and classification circuits. He must ascertain the optimal economic particle size for beneficiation and then make certain he has achieved the best balance between capital and operating costs to achieve the desired mesh of grind. Equipment Grinding circuits consist of one or more pieces of equipment to grind the solids. Generally, these circuits include one or more grinding mills, classification equipment, and the necessary materials handling equipment such as pumps, pipelines, and conveyors. There are many different types of equipment available which are used to grind and classify ores and minerals. Following is a tabulation of most of the equipment used for wet and/or dry grinding.

Jan 1, 1982

By J. J. Knoerzer

A full-scale operational test was conducted on the Coaltek preheating and pipeline charging system at the Semet-Solvay Div. of Allied Chemical at Ironton, Ohio, for the purpose of determining whether a high-quality blast furnace coke could be made from blends containing at least 75% Illinois No. 6 Coal and at the same time reduce air pollution during the charging of the ovens. The coke produced had similar physical characteristics as compared to our conventional wet-charged coke, with the exception of smaller size for the preheat coke. Air pollution during charging was con- trolled and there were no serious operating problems. The coking time was reduced 25% from our normal 17 hr for wet charging to 12.8 hr for preheated charges. The blast furnace performance with preheat coke was satisfactory.

Jan 1, 1976

By L. F. Rooney

In June 1964 the Indiana Geological Survey discovered gypsum beds more than 10 ft thick in rocks of Devonian age in La Porte County, Ind. Although the extension of the Michigan Basin evaporites into northern Indiana has been recognized for some time, the gypsum beds have been regarded as either too thin or too deep for exploitation. Current Survey research, however, indicates that exploration by industry might find commercial deposits of gypsum less than 50 miles from Chicago. In four cores taken by the Survey within 1 sq mile in La Porte County, the maximum thickness of inter-bedded gypsum and anhydrite is 35.8 ft. Both gypsum and anhydrite beds contain irregular masses of limestone and dolomite that average a few inches in cross section and total about 20% of the rock by weight. The maximum thickness of gypsum in one minable unit verified by core is 12.5 ft, and its purity is 81.3%. Chloride content of the gypsum beds is less than 0.005%. Depth to the gypsum in La Porte County is 330 to 500 ft, about the same depth as the gypsum being mined in Martin County, Ind. In June 1964 the Indiana Geological Survey discovered gypsum deposits of probable commercial thickness near La Porte, Ind. (Fig. 1). This article presents preliminary data on the distribution, thickness, depth and chemical composition of the gypsum, the possible causes of gypsification, and economic considerations of immediate interest to industry. Because of the preliminary nature of the work, only a few geologic relationships concerning the genesis of the deposits will be mentioned. DEFINITIONS The following terms used throughout this article have been restricted to the following definitions: evaporites: anyydrite (CaSO4) or gypsum (CaSO4 . 2H2O). minable evaporites: any evaporite unit which may contain more than 80% evaporites, which is more than 10 ft thick, and which in places may be completely gypsified. PREVIOUS WORK The presence of gypsum and anhydrite in the Devonian rocks of northern Indiana has been recognized for at least 70 years1-4 and can be inferred from a number of reports on the geology of Michigan. For example, in a cross section from southwestern to central Michigan, Ells5 indicated the presence of

Jan 1, 1965

By Frederick N. Rhines, Robert F. Mehl

Relatively few data have been collected on the rates of diffusion in ternary solid solution systems. In general it does not seem worth while to gather extensive data for such systems until the factors that determine the rates of diffusion in binary systems are better understood. But the rates of diffusion in a ternary system of limited solid solubility, in which the terminal solid solution is in equilibrium with an intermediate phase and may thus be represented as a quasibinary system, represents a case of special interest. In this case, where by reason of the association of the two solute metals in an intermediate phase a special attraction of the two solute atoms may be safely assumed, some interaction of these atoms during simultaneous diffusion in the solvent lattice might be expected. It has frequently been proposed that molecular solid solutions exist in quasibinary and in other ternary (and binary) solid solutions. There is no direct evidence for such solid solutions; arguments based upon the supposed anomaly in certain physical properties1 are hardly important; unexpected density relationships have proved deceptive;2 suggestions of molecular solid solutions have been made on the basis of solution laws in their application to certain systems, but without result;3 attempts to find lattice parameters in the solid solution Al-MgZnz, which cannot be calculated from the separate effects of magnesium and zinc and might therefore be taken as evidence for a molecular aggregation, have given negative results.* Fundamentally, methods for the determination of the state of molecular aggregation in solution depend upon the kinetic behavior of the particles constituting the system. If it could be shown that the two solutes in a quasibinary ternary system diffuse in molecular proportions, despite a radical difference in the separate rates of diffusion of each solute when diffusing alone in the solvent lattice, some basis for the concept of molecular solid solution would be afforded. Freche5 examined the rates of

Jan 1, 1940

By M. Gensamer

IN applied mechanics and in metallurgy the transition from elastic to inelastic action is a matter of considerable interest and importance. Often the first inelastic deformation is apparently quite homogeneous; that is, uniformly distributed throughout the specimen. Sometimes this deformation is heterogeneous; that is, localized; inelastic deformation proceeds to some definite amount in restricted regions before adjacent regions of the specimen are inclastically deformed. In such cases the deformation does not become homogeneous until the whole specimen has been deformed the amount corresponding to that for each localized deformation. If the test is stopped before uniform extension sets in, the heterogeneous character of the deformation is apparent on the surface of the specimen through characteristic markings, which have been called "Lüders"' lines, "Hartmann's" lines, the "Piobert effect," or simply "flow figures." These markings are the source of considerable trouble in fabricating operations, particularly in the deep drawing of steel sheet. In many cases where the transition is of this nature, the stress developed at the upper limit of the elastic range is greater than the stress during the period of heterogeneous deformation, giving rise to the familiar "drop of the beam" effect in testing. The amount of the yield-point elongation, as well as the value of the stress at the lower yield point (the value to which the stress drops when yielding begins), are functions of the tempera-ture and the testing speed. Lower temperatures and faster rates of testing increase both the yield-point elongation and the yield-point stress. These matters have been ably discussed in a recent paper by Winlock and Leiter1 though, as brought out by the discussion of that paper, the phenomena are but little understood. The purpose of the present paper is to clarify the problem through the application of a simple principle, and to show that, through the application of this principle, a number of phenomena in the plastic deformation of metals become more read-ily understood.

Jan 1, 1938

By C. M. Wayman, M. A. Gedwill, C. J. Altstetter

Cobalt Whiskers were grown by the hydrogen reduction of CoBr,. The fcc = hcp martensitic trans-formation in these whiskers was studied using X-ray and metallographic techniques. Present theories of the fee + hcp martensitic transformation were ex-amined in the light of the present findings Experimental evidence for slip as a part of the transformation mechanism is presented. In the bulk form cobalt is known to undergo a martensitic transformation1 from an hcp to an fcc structure upon heating above about 430°C. Upon cooling, the reverse transformation starts at about 400°C, but does not go to completion except in single crystalline or coarse-grained samples, or upon plastic deformation. The transformation may be thought of as the shearing of close-packed atomic planes in such a way as to change the stacking sequence from ABCABC to ABABAB with a contraction normal to the shearing planes and an expansion in the planes,2 producing a c/a ratio slightly less than ideal. This restacking to give {0001) and (112) 11 (1010) can be accomplished by the passage of a shockfey partial dislocation over every other (111)f plane resulting in a theoretical shear of 19.47 deg. To date there has been no completely satisfactory explanation of how the partial dislocations are produced on the close-packed planes or propagated from plane to plane to give the correct stacking sequence. The object of the present research was to study some of the characteristics of the fcc to hcp transformation in geometrically simple single crystals. It was felt that whiskers of cobalt grown by halide reduction would be ideal specimens with which to study the transformation, because whiskers have the following desirable features: 1) are easily grown as fcc single crystals; 2) exhibit relatively simple geometries; 3) have comparatively low dislocation densities;

Jan 1, 1964

In 1776 two Franciscan friars, Dominguez and Escalante, started to find a direct route from Santa Fé to Monterey, and in their misguided wanderings northward they reached Timpanogos, now known as Utah lake, where they heard of a much larger body of water to the northwest, of which they were told that it was extremely salt.* They never saw this great lake, because they passed south of it on their way to the Pacific coast. The Dead Sea of North America was discovered in 1835 by James Bridger, a trapper. He and other trappers had ascended the Missouri and had reached the Bear river. A discussion arose as to the course of this river, and a bet was made, to settle which Bridger followed the Bear river to its source, in the Uintah mountains, and from the crest of the watershed he caught sight of the lake, to which he then descended.† He tasted the briny water of the inland sea and wondered if it were an arm of the Pacific Ocean. The lake was first seen by the Mormons on July 24, 1847. A band of them, numbering 145 and led by Brigham Young, had migrated from Missouri in search of a new home in the western wilderness. It is recorded that when Brigham Young stood on the summit of the pass over the Wasatch range and saw the valley of the Jordan outspread before him, he exclaimed: "It is enough. This is the right place". He had seen it in a vision, so he claimed, and foresaw the future glory of the new Zion that was to be planted in that happy

Jan 1, 1932

By James W. Dally, William L. Fourney, Anders Ladegaard Peterson

For the past 3 years, the authors have been conducting research sponsored by the National Science Foundation (RANN) to improve the process of excavation by drilling and blasting. The approach followed has been experimental where the development of stress waves and fractures initiated at the bore hole have been investigated in order to obtain a complete understanding of the dynamic Fracture process. The second step in the approach has been to introduce modifications in the drill and blast procedure which will permit closer control of the fracture process.

Jan 2, 1978

By O. A. Knight, Helmut Muller-Stock

The suppression of the austenite-martensite transformation that can be brought about by the addition of certain alloying elements, such as manganese or nickel, to plain carbon steel has been known for a long time, especially since Guillet's investigation at the beginning of this century. The extent to which the critical range is lowered depends upon the percentage and nature of the special element added. First the Arl point is lowered gradually, then at a certain percentage a sudden lowering to about 300" C. occurs. The addition of still larger percentages of the alloy may result in lowering the Ar, point to room temperature or below, in which case the steel remains austenitic at room temperature, especially after rapid cooling. The effect of alloying elements of this general type on the lowering of the transformation temperature is well illustrated by Sauveur(lJ$ in his Fig. 281a, reproduced here as Fig. 1. This type of curve is characteristic of both manganese and nickel though it requires about 21/2 times as much nickel as of manganese to produce the same result. The influence of nickel in retarding the transformation of austenite into the lower transition constituents is due to its lowering of the critical range of the steel, which is also well illustrated by Sauveur'l) (after Osmond) in his Fig. 284, reproduced here as Fig. 2. Scott('" presents a diagram illustrating the effect of manganese on the Ac3 and Ara points which is strikingly similar to the diagram above referred to in Fig. 2 concerning the effect of nickel. Lowering the critical range has the effect of increasing the viscosity, or, rigidity, of the alloy at the time when it is undergoing its transformation, which greatly slows down the transformation reaction velocity, and this, in turn, makes it easier to suppress, wholly or in part, the transformational changes. Reaction rates are normally much slower at low

Jan 1, 1934

By William Kent

In a paper by Mr. Frank Firmstone, published in vol. iv, of the Transactions of the Institute, on " Comparison of Results from Open-topped and Closed-topped Furnaces," the regularity of the average grade of pig iron procluced by the furnace under different conditions is expressed by means of a curve or diagram. The object of this note is to show that the graphic method, or that of representing variations by plotted curves or diagrams, is capable of a much more extended application to blast-furnace records, making a valuable auxiliary to the " furnace hook," and that by it the practical metallurgist may obtain at a glance information concerning the variations of the furnace during long periods, which could be found in the furnace book only after a tedious search. Plate XII is a graphic record of an anthracite blast furnace for one month. The table on page 554 gives the figures obtained from the furnace book, together with a record of temperature of the atmosphere, barometric pressure, and moisture in the air, which was obtained from a meteorological observatory not far from the furnace. In the records of a furnace, two of the variable qualities are final results, viz., the quantity of pig iron produced, and its grade; all the other variables are antecedent causes which produce the final results. Of these variable callses which contribute to the quantity of product and its grade, some are partially under the control of the furnace manager, others depend upon the state of the atmosphere, and still others are accidental. Of the first class are the character of the materials charged, and their relative proportions, their mechanical conditions, as wetor dry, large or small pieces, etc., the revolutions of the engine, the heat and pressure of blast, and the distribution of the charge. Of the second class are the number of pounds of air blown into the furnace for each stroke of the engine, the amount of moisture in the air, and the condition of the chimney draughts. These vary largely with the season of the year. Of the third class is the leaking of a tuyere or a temporary stoppage. To keep a record of this kind for a whole year, it is only necessary to procure a sheet of common profile or cross section paper, about 38 inches long and 8 or 10 inches wide, with cross lines ruled about 0.1 of an inch apart. The vertical lines, or those in direction of the

Jan 1, 1879

By John S. Bell, J. M. Shepherd

pressure difference of 280 psi measured initially on opposite sides of the major fault in the Hawkins Field led to pressure determinations in the Woodbine sand throughout the East Texas basin. Considering the large area, there is unusually good correlation between pressure losses and points of major withdrawals, these losses indicating that the basin pressure has been materially reduced by withdrawals, primarily from the East Texas Field and secondarily from the old fault-line fields of Limestone and Navarro counties, with the pressure loss varying inversely with the log of the distance from these two main areas of basin withdrawals to the measurement points. Apparently faults located throughout the basin serve as local blocks to continuous pressure gradients. INTRODUCTION The pressure anomalies found in the Hawkins Field, Wood County, Texas,' shortly after discovery have led to an area-wide investigation of the pressure distribution within the Woodbine sand of the East Texas basin. These pressures were obtained by drill-stem tests made for that sole purpose while drilling wildcat wells to deeper horizons. The Woodbine sand of Gulf Cretaceous Age is or has been productive of oil and gas in 42 different fields, with the 28 oil fields currently active having produced 118,000,000 bbl of oil during 1949. With one exception, producing energy for all Woodbine reservoirs has been from water drive provided predominantly by expansion of the tremendous volume of water contained in the Woodbine sand. This producing mechanism was recognized at an early date and was described mathematically by

Jan 1, 1951

By E. A. Koester

Kansas produced approximately 35,434,000 bbl. of oil in 1932 compared to 37,018,000 bbl. in 1931, a decrease of 1,584,000 bbl. or 4.2 per cent. These figures do not indicate the amount of oil that could have been made available from the state for the year. Many of the fields discovered during the year and some discovered in previous years were entirely shut in. Practically all flush production discovered within the last two years has been prorated in some manner or other. Probation Kansas production is under regulation as specified in House Bill 387, passed by the legislature in 1931, which became effective when published May 28, 1931. The principal features of the law are the prohibition of waste, including gas energy, the regulation and prevention of discrimination of purchasers, the marketing of oil ratably from wells in each field when the daily production is above 15 bbl. per well. This act gives the enforcing powers to the Public Service Commission. The Commission, having many other regulatory duties, appointed an Oil Advisory Committee, which, with the aid of the State Umpire, keeps records and makes recommendation for orders as to specific regulation of fields and conditions in each field. At the time the Commission was given authority to regulate production and marketing in flush fields, several of these had already been under voluntary proration and marketing restrictions by agreement of the operators. These gradually came under the control of the Commission by mutual consent. It is the policy of the Public Service Commission to follow the will of the operators so long as they do not have ideas or plans in conflict with the law. The cost of administration of this law is assessed against the operators according to the amount of oil taken from the fields in which ratable taking is necessary. There is a feeling that the whole state should share this expense, which is small, since it is beneficial to the older fields by assuring them 100 per cent market for their output by restricting the flush fields.

Jan 1, 1933

Harry HaRkness Stoek, whose sudden death on March 1,1923, was a great shock to his friends in all park of the country, was a man of remarkable personal characteristics and mental ability. Through an acquaintance with him of nearly 35 years, during 12 yeam of which I was intimately associated with him both in business and socially, I learned to appreciate his many high qualities, his strict adherence to high professional and social ideals, and his lovable traits of character. In this appreciation I was joined by every one who was thrown in close personal contact with him. He was a conscientious student, not given to hasty judgments, but when he formed an opinion he was positive in upholding it. At the same time, he was most courteous and kindly in combatting that which he believed was erroneous. In fact, I never knew a person of his attainments more modest, forceful and kindly, or one who had a keener sense of clean humor. In his private life,he was a devoted husband and father, a consistent communicant and worker in the Episcopal Church, and was charitable in all things. In fact, his whole life was marked by helpfulness to others and a determined and successful effort to "make the world better by his having lived in it." Doctor Stoek was born in Washington, D. C., Jan. 16, 1866. His early education was obtained in the public schools of that city and he graduated from the Central High School in the first class to graduate from a high school in Washington. He entered Lehigh University in 1883, graduated in 1887 with the degree of Bachelor of Science, and after a year of post-graduate study in mining and metallurgy he received the degree of Engineer of Mines. During the summer vacation in 1885, he served as an assistant in the Department of Mineralogy in the National Museum at Washington, and during the summer of 1887 acted as U. S. Government inspector of dredging on the Tharnes River, Connecticut. From June, 1888, to January, 1900, he was assistant engineer for the Susquehanna Coal Co., at Wilkes-Barre, Pa. From January, 1890, to June, 1893, he was Instructor in Mining, Metallurgy and Geology at Lehigh University, and had charge of all courses in mining and metdlurgical design, and the visits of students to mines and metallurgical

Jan 1, 1923

By William Kent

(Read at the Amenia Meeting, October, 1877.) IN a paper by Mr. Frank Firmstone, published in vol. iv, of the Transactions of the Institute, on "Comparison of Results from Open-topped and Closed-topped Furnaces," the regularity of the average grade of pig iron produced by the furnace under different conditions is expressed by means of a curve or diagram. The object of this note is to show that the graphic method, or that of representing variations by plotted curves or diagrams, is capable of a much more extended application to blast-furnace records, making a valuable auxiliary to the "furnace .book," and that by it the practical metallurgist may obtain at a glance information concerning the variations of the furnace during long periods, which could be found in the furnace book only after a tedious search. Plate XII is a graphic record of an anthracite blast furnace for one month. The table on page 554 gives the figures obtained from the furnace book, together with a record of temperature of the atmosphere, barometric pressure, and moisture in the air, which was obtained from a meteorological observatory not far from the furnace. In the records of a furnace, two of the variable qualities are final results, viz., the quantity of pig iron produced, and its grade; all the other variables are antecedent causes which produce the final results. Of these variable causes which contribute to the quantity of product and its grade, some are partially under the control of the furnace manager, others depend upon the state of the atmosphere, and still others are accidental. Of the first class are the character of the materials charged, and their relative proportions, their mechanical conditions, as wet or dry, large or small pieces, etc., the revolutions of the engine, the heat and pressure of blast, and the distribution of the charge. Of the second class are the number of pounds of air blown into the furnace for each stroke of the engine, the amount of moisture in the air, and the condition of the chimney draughts. These vary largely with the season of the year. Of the third. class is the leaking of a tuyere or a temporary stoppage. To keep a record of this kind for a whole year, it is only necessary to procure a sheet of common profile or cross section paper, about 38 inches long and 8 or 10 inches wide, with cross lines ruled about 0.1 of an inch apart. The vertical lines, or those in direction of the

Jan 1, 1878

By J. Richard Lucas

The coal industry, one of the great basic industries in the nation, plays a major role in the American economy. Coal is the principal fuel used in generating tremendous quantities of low-cost power so necessary to the nation. Two-thirds of the electrical energy and one-fourth of all energy consumed in the nation is produced from coal. Large-scale production of steel, cement, and chemicals is vitally dependent upon this natural resource. Because of extensive reserves and low mining cost, it is one of the few natural resources in which the United States is a significant exporter. During 1965 in excess of 500 million tons of coal were produced, almost 10% over the previous year; more than 50 million tons were shipped to foreign markets. The utility market gained approximately 8% during the year for a total of 242 million tons.

Jan 2, 1966

ALABAMA. Aldrich, Aldrich, W. F. Anniston, Noble, A. E Bessemer, Abbott, C. E., Fer¬gusson, V. Birmingham, Aldrich, T. H., Jr., Bowron, C. E., Bowron, J., Collord, G. L, Crockard, F. H., Davis, F. H, Dimmick, F. D., Hillman, Ludwig, C. P., McCarthy, M. E., McCormack, G B., McCrery, Ramsay, E., Shook, A. M. Car¬bon Hill, Pill, J. R. Coal City, Lydecker, I. S. Gannts Quarry, Hiller, E. Helena, Squire, J. Holt, Shook, J. \V. Huntsmlle, Moss. Lehigh, Toulmin. Oxmoor, Green¬amyer, A. G. Rock Run, Garvin, J. M. Sheffield, Miller, D. I. Woodward, Lodge, J., Woodward, A. H. ALASKA. Ellannar, Stevens, B. Fairbanks, Hamilton, A. L, Robe, L S. Hadley, John¬son, P. Jualin, Hoggatt, W. B. Juneau, Denby, Thane, B. L., Whipple, J. R. Katalla, Hampton, W. H. Ketchihan, Barber, J. C., Geiger, A. \V., Parker, J. L. Niblack, Finck, W. N., Niedling, B. B. Nome, Garfield, C. D. Tin Oity, Fay, A. H. Treadwell City, Kinzie, Stow, H. P. Valdez, Esterly, G. M., Hazelet.

Jan 1, 1910

By D. V. Carter, F. M. Hackbusch

Beginning the year 1938, the East and East Central Texas district comprised 48 counties, which is equivalent to the Texas Railroad Commission districts 5 and 6. At the close of the year there were 46 oil and gas fields in this district. Eight other fields, seven oil and one gas, have been abandoned. Exploratory Drilling During the year, 113 exploratory wells were drilled. Nine discoveries were made, five of which proved to be oil fields, three distillate, and one gas. Completions for the district were 2043 oil wells (distillate wells included), 36 gas wells and 163 dry holes. Exclusive of the East Texas field, the Marion County extension of the Rodessa field led the district in the number of completions during the year. Production and Proration All fields in the district produced a total of 182,369,484 bbl. of oil, a decrease of 12.57 per cent compared with the 208,594,453 bbl. produced during 1937. The East Texas field produced 148,189,913 bbl., which was 81.6 per cent of the district's production for 1938. November daily average oil production for the East and East Central district was 469,102 bbl. The estimated cumulative production to Jan. 1, 1939, for this district was 1,753,894,802 bbl. It is estimated that the East and East Central district produced 38.9 per cent of the state's total production for the year, which was 468,781,632 barrels. The decrease in 1938 production, as compared to that of 1937, in this district was partly due to the Saturday and Sunday shutdowns, 71 days for the year, which is equivalent to 19.45 per cent of the year. All fields in this district were affected by shutdowns except the Texas portion of the Rodessa field, which was shut in only during January and February. Certain wells were exempt from these shutdowns because of special pro-

Jan 1, 1939

By Bhudeo N. Sinha, Paul Dean Proctor

Heavy metal contents in stream waters, sediments, and selected aquatic algae were determined for the upper Meramec River basin, Missouri, of 3905 km2 (1508 sq mi) area and site of the proposed and controversial Meramec dam and reservoir. Six distinct drainage areas within the basin are: (1) a lightly industrialized and farm area, (2) a primitive forested- ranch area, (3) an area which includes the Northern New Lead Belt, (4) the westward drainage of an old and extensive barite mining area, (5) the main trunk of the Meramec River, and (6) short north-divide tributaries of the Meramec River. Lower Paleozoic sediments rest nonconformably upon eroded and hilly Precambrian igneous basement. This locally rises as major inliers and also makes up the St. Francois Mountains to the east. Major lead, and lesser zinc, copper, cobalt, and nickel mineralization occurs in the buried Cambrian Bonneterre dolomite. Residual barite is present along the eastern fringe of the basin and is derived from the Potosi formation. Some 62 water samples, active stream sediments (AS), bank samples (BS), and 11 selected aquatic algae samples were collected in the various drainage areas and analyzed for copper, lead, zinc, cadmium, nickel, arsenic, and mercury contents. Heavy metals in water have a maximum range of 1-120 ppb (parts per billion), and this for zinc. The AS and BS sediments have orders of magnitude greater acid leachable metal contents in the -80 mesh fraction, with lead hawing the greatest range of 11-1028 ppm. Heavy metal content of stream-algae approaches that of the sediments in which they grow. Most anomalous heavy metal accumulations occur near mining and milling activities and in the streams draining such areas. Significant distortions of the primary dispersion pattern militate against geochemical exploration for hidden ore zones, but do demonstrate the mining, milling, and smelting activities of man, and sporadic mineral occurrences in younger horizons.

Jan 1, 1980

By R. E. Head

SOME mixtures of sulphide and oxide ores from the Tintic district in Utah are of a sufficiently good grade to be shipped to the smelter without beneficiation. In mining this type of ore, however, a material tonnage of ore of a similar composition but of lower grade is obtained. It is a ques-tion of economics whether such ore should be shipped with a certainty of a small return or concentrated if that would yield a sufficiently increased return to amortize plant construction and upkeep and yield a higher rate of profit than at present. It may be assumed that the tonnage of this borderline ore is constantly increasing and that eventually it will, attain such proportions as to justify plans for milling on a relatively large scale. Under existing conditions, the producer of mixed sulphide and oxide ores is not greatly concerned about the physical characteristics of his ore or of its mineralogical complexities, since his contract with the smelter calls for payment on the basis of chemical analysis. When concentration is contemplated an entirely different picture is presented. Percentages of valuable metal content must then be con-sidered in terms of minerals, for it is in the form of minerals that recoveries are made and losses sustained. In describing the performance of a given flotation mill and reagent combination, it may be stated as a generality that a specific percentage recovery of valuable elements is made. Tech-nically, however, the concentrator is really constructed and the reagents are selected to recover the valuable minerals. These considerations must be given prominence in discussing border-line ores from the Tintic district because of their physical characteristics and mineralogical composition. Because of these peculiarities they may be justly termed complex, since their lead, silver, and copper contents are each represented by two or more minerals of different chemical composi-tion and presenting widely divergent physical properties. This paper sets forth the results of a microscopic study of a type of borderline ore from the Tintic district that is now being treated by direct smelting. A

Jan 1, 1938

By C. W. Washburne

FORMER studies of sedimentary strata have been based upon the mineralogical and mechanical characters of the solid components, rather than upon the open spaces between them. For present purposes let us take another point of view, and consider not the rock material, but rather its cavities, the pores and the fissures or cleaved joints which connect with them. Let us think of the geologic column not as a series of rocks, but as a mass of irregular connecting capillaries. Different parts of the column may be distinguished by the absolute size and by the relative amount of its open spaces. Porosity Each stratum of the column is characterized by a certain porosity, which would be independent of the size of the rock grains if all were of the same shape. Slichter has shown that the percentage of open space in a pile of equal spheres is practically constant regardless of the diameter of the spheres. This is approximately true of clean, assorted sand or gravel, but it is far from being the case with most natural sediments which have a widely variable porosity, the magnitude of which is determined mainly by the amount of fine and of secondary material between the larger grains. The shape of the grains materially affects porosity, round grains leaving more open space than angular or flat grains. The thin plates of kaolin and the fine plastic matter of clay fit quite perfectly when pressed together, and it is probably this close fit, determined by shape of grain, rather than the small size of a grain, that causes the low porosity of ordinary clay shale.

Jan 9, 1914