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What is experience worth? Representatives from the Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Societies discussed the question as part of the 1970 Annual AIME Meeting held in Denver, Colo. the week of February 15. Petroleum engineer-consultant, Michel T. Halbouty of Houston, Tex. offered his own clarification of present-day employer-employee relationships in engineering as a whole. "Longevity does not equal experience on the job. Further, when employees are considering salary increases and promotions, job performance is considered all the time; experience two- thirds of the time and length of employment one- half the time." He added, "worth is really what the employee can get for it and experience is essential to survival." Halbouty also noted that salary and responsibility is a function of man's value to his company and is about "as discrediting as grey hair." As far as the engineer is concerned, he reported, the company's ability to pay is, in large measure, not considered. From the company's viewpoint, however, the employee is expected to learn his first year on the job. His second year, he is expected to make his presence felt, Should he require three years to orient himself he might soon be looking for another job. The petroleum engineer pointed out that when the employee wants to know why the salary scale tends to plateau off in later years, most employers react by recognizing that employees "flatten themselves rather than the company flattening them."

Jan 1, 1970

By Max Boehmer

After 30 rears of development and after an output of $350,000,000 in value of gold, silver, lead, zinc, and copper, there has not been published a satisfactory explanation of the origin of the immense deposits of the Leadville district. The original examination and survey of Leadville by members of the U. S. Geological Survey was a 'most magnificent piece of work, but their attempt to explain the origin of the ores was based upon the then-accepted theory of lateral secretion, originated by Sandberger, which theory was afterwards disproved in many cases by further development in numerous districts. This theory contended that the ore in the veins had been leached by surface-waters from the eruptive rocks in the immediate vicinity, and it had its origin in the fact that the neighboring eruptive rocks all contained, to an appreciable degree, the several metals found in the ore-deposits. But the practical miner, reasoning in a simple manner from the condition of things as he found them underground, soon discovered the fallacy of this proposition. He reasoned that, in the case of the Leadville deposits, this theory could not be true, because, if the ores were leached from the overlying eruptive rocks by surface-waters, they would as a matter of necessity be controlled by the action of gravity, and the main bodies

Jan 1, 1911

By O. C. Wheeler

During 1938, Colombia witnessed greater activity in oil prospecting and development than in any previous year in its history; more wells were drilled, more potential production established, more geological and geophysical work was accomplished, and more leases and concessions were acquired. Many companies, including the Texas, Socony Vacuum, Richmond (subsidiary of the Standard Oil of California), the Shell, and Tropical, contributed to this activity. Probably the most noteworthy development was in connection with the Barco Concession, which forms part of the Maracaibo Basin in eastern Colombia, adjacent to the Venezuelan frontier. There a great deal of preparatory work was accomplished in addition to camp and other construction, 20 producing wells were drilled and work was begun on the construction of a 12-in. pipe line to transport the oil to the port of Covenas, a distance of 260 miles. It is reported {hat 58,000 bbl. daily initial production was established during the year and is awaiting an outlet through this pipe line. Leasing and exploratory operations in Colombia continued active throughout the year; applications were made for concessions covering more than 1,100,000 acres of national lands and, in addition, leases were taken up on large areas of privately owned lands. Under Colombian law

Jan 1, 1939

By A. Kenneth Schellinger

IF the ball mill is considered only from an energy standpoint, it can be thought of as a converter of kinetic energy into heat energy and surface energy. The law of the conservation of energy must apply to the ball mill as it does to any machine or process in nature. The heat energy output of the ball mill is apparent to any casual observer of the operating mill since the outflow pulp will be appreciably warmer than the inflow water and rock. The rock in the ball mill is crushed by shearing of its ionic bonding caused by some impact-induced stresses beyond the elastic limit. As the bonds holding the mineral crystal lattices together are ruptured, new surface area is created on each unit of which a definite number of unsaturated bonds exist. Such unsaturated energy of bonding may be termed the "surface energy," and is a potential energy figure. This created energy was withdrawn from the ball mill system and represents an absorption, or disappearance of heat. To reduce the size of the rock, surface area must be created and with it the at-

Jan 6, 1951

By Harmon E. Keyes

Harmon E. Keyes (Chemical & Metallurgical Engineer, Eagar, Ariz.)-Chemical dissolution of chalcocite by acidic ferric sulfate is well known. Resulting elemental sulfur may be oxidized to sulfuric acid by heated ferric sulfate. Laboratory tests at Southwest Experiment Station, USBM, Tucson, generally confirmed stoichiometric relations of 1 part Cu dissolved to 1.750 parts ferric iron reduced, using CP chemicals, dried ore samples, and apparatus cleaned with potable water. Recirculation with open-drainage percolation to increase copper in leaching solvent was followed successfully when appropriate, both in laboratory and Pinto Valley pilot tests. Before 1924 attempts to produce ferric sulfate by aerating ferrous sulfate solution were known. Initial oxidation was satisfactory, but rate slowed below practicality as oxidation progressed and acidity increased. Also, due to hydrolysis of ferric sulfate, a ferric precipitate of hydroxide and basic sulfate resulted. Both laboratory and pilot plant tests gave similar results, regardless of whether CP ferrous sulfate or scrap iron cementation discard solution was used. Rapid oxidation of ferrous hydroxide by air alone is well known to analytical chemists. I demonstrated a process to produce acidic ferric sulfate solutions by precipitating ferrous hydroxide with milk of lime, aerat-

Jan 1, 1973

By Edward Halse

Normal banded structure,* exhibiting bands or layers of mineral symmetrically arranged from the sides to the center of the vein, appears to be by no means common in the Republic of Mexico. When the bands of quartz form interlocking crystals in the center (" comb-structure "), the evidence that the filling has taken place in an open space is complete. This also applies in the case of any mineral the fibers of which are perpendicular to the walls, and which presents here and there, in a central line, cavities or vugs lined with crystals (geodes); but it does not follow that the whole width of the banded vein represents that of the original open fissure. The opening and filling may have been slow and gradual processes, advancing

Jan 1, 1902

By Arthur E. Granger

IN the early days of the science, and until the recent past, geologists worked as individuals or in small groups. Prior to 1930 perhaps the largest single group under one administrative head was the Geologic Branch (now Division) of the U. S. Geological Survey, which employed at that time (including temporary help) 100 to 150 geologists. Today that same unit employs some 1500. In industry some companies employ as many as 100 geologists in a single department. These numbers obviously pose a need for administration. The basic qualifications for good administration are the same for any group of human beings, but the administration of geologists presents some special problems. Choosing Administrative Personnel: There are two kinds of personnel needs: 1) technical, which requires professional geologists who have proved their capabilities in the field, and 2) clerical and fiscal, which provide the necessary supporting or housekeeping functions. This discussion will be concerned only with the first category, except to point out the need for competent and understanding help from clerical and fiscal people and close relationship between top administration, technical or professional personnel, and the clerical and fiscal groups.

Jan 7, 1957

Increased world consumption of crude and products coupled with the trend toward supplying this demand from the nearest and most economical source of supply had the economic effect of broadening the demand for Venezuelan crude. As a result of this, Venezucla produced more in 1934 than in 1929, the previous peak year. During 1934 Venezuelan output is estimated at a total of 139,382,000 bbl., a daily average of 381,868 bbl., against 120,442,000 bbl. in 1933, a daily average of 329,978 bbl. This is an increase of 51,890 bbl. per day. It is interesting to note from the comparison of production for the past 10 years (Table 1) that in spite of the fact that Venezuela produced more in 1934 than in 1929 its share of world production is slightly less than in 1929 and 1930. During the latter part of 1934 Vcnezuela produced its first billionth barrel of crude. Only three other crude-producing countries of the world have attained this distinction; namely, United States, Russia and Mexico. Venezuela still ranks third in the producing countries of the world, being surpassed by the United States and Russia. Exports of crude and products from Venezuela for 1934 are estimated at 133,400,000 bbl. This is an increase of 16,107,000 bbl., or 13.73 per cent as compared with 1933.

Jan 1, 1935

[ ] (14) SCREENS: Description of Allis-Chalmers' complete line of vibrating screens for the mining industry is contained in a new 8-page bulletin. Primary scalping, secondary scalping, and conventional screens for wet or dry sizing and screens for heavy media separation are included. Also given is a typical fiowsheet showing how horizontally operated Low-Head screens are used in the sink and float process. (15) MILLS: Forty-six years of experience and 4000 installations throughout the world lie behind the seven basic types of mills illustrated in a recent bulletin from the Hardinge Co. Fields of application and materials handled in various installations are listed. (16) BLOWERS & COMPRESSORS: A brochure describing the manufacturing facilities and the axial and centrifugal blowers and compressors made by the Sawyer Bailey Corp. is now available. (17) LINATEX: The first catalog of the Linatex Corp. of America has been issued, outlining the advantages claimed for this special form of natural rubber, when used in corrosion, abrasion, and vibration resisting applications. (18) WIRE ROPE: Twenty-four pages packed with concentrated wire rope data is the way E. H. Edwards Co. describes a booklet which they are now making available. It was condensed from the Edwards general catalog to provide users with a concise guide to every important phase of wire rope production, maintenance, and use.

Jan 1, 1952

By James K. Greenlee, David W. Wisecarver

It is estimated conservatively that some 14 billion tonnes of coal reserves in the United States exist in beds considered steeply dipping, i.e. at pitches or slopes in excess of 15O - a slope too steep for practical use of mobile wheel or crawler drive mining equipment. Past attempts to mine these steep reserves are limited owing to production difficulties and high costs, an expected result when mining of slopes must be done conventionally and mining on strike with mobile mining equipment is restricted because of limited cross sectional opening and operating room. In Europe, these adverse conditions are countered through the use of the longwall mining method. In fact, longwall mining is employed along pitches up to 55°. However, both operating and administrative - conditions in foreign steep seam coal mines differ from ours in that (1) the mine does not necessarily have to make a profit and (2) single entry development of retreat mining panels is acceptable practice. In the United States development can be done with a minimum of two entries only, provided belt haulage is not used during development.

Jan 1, 1981

By Karl Eilers

This process, invented by Messrs. Hanisch and Schroder, of Rosdzin, was patented in 1883. It has attracted considerable attention in Germany, as a very neat and simple method of extracting sulphurous acid from the gases produced by roasting, and of condensing this acid so as to obtain it in the very compact anhydrous liquid form. The special importance which such a process may have at this time in the United States is suggested by the growing inconvenience, amounting to distress, experienced in such localities as Butte, Mont., where the sulphurous gases from large roast-plants have proved not only fatal to vegetation but injurious to human health. It is reported that the authorities of Butte are earnestly considering the enterprise of removing, if practicable, the dense and suffocating cloud which now hangs over that city, and of which sulphurous acid undoubtedly forms the greater and most oppressive, if not the most poisonous, part. May it not be that the solution of this problem is furnished by a

Jan 1, 1892

By W. T. Jr. Thom

INTEREST naturally attaches to fissuring and subsidence of the earth's surface, whatever the cause may be, and the induced movement and fissuring of the impervious strata overlying an oil sand is of even greater practical importance because of its bearing upon the recoverability of the portion of the oil not already extracted or extractable by ordinary production methods. It is probably true that significant ground movement induced by oil production occurs only in oil fields in relatively young formations, where the oil comes from incoherent or only slightly cemented sands and oil-soaked clays, but inasmuch as a great proportion of our "gusher" wells produce from "running" sands and yield a large part of the total oil output, it seems worth while to make an effort to inspire the collection and recording of data indicating the nature and magnitude of oil-field subsidence, both surface and subsurface.

Jan 1, 1927

The library of the above-named Societies is open from 9 A.M. to 10 P. M. except on holidays. It contains about 70,000 volumes and 90,000 pamphlets, including sets of technical periodicals and publications of scientific and technical societies. Members of the Institute, with few exceptions, are forced to spend a portion of their time in localities isolated from sources of information. To these the Library, through its Library Service Bureau, can render valuable service through correspondence; letters requesting information will receive especial attention. The Library is prepared to furnish references and photographic copies of articles on mining and metallurgical subjects; to determine the existence of mining maps, and to furnish general information on the geology and mineral resources of all countries. All communications should be made as definite as possible so that the information received may be what is desired and not include collateral matter which may not be of interest. The time spent in searching for such collateral matter will be saved, and the information will be sent more promptly and in. more usable shape.

Jan 8, 1918

By Thomas M. Plouf

Flotation, as we know it today, is a physiochemical method of concentrating finely ground ores. The process involves chemical treatment of an ore pulp to create conditions favorable for the attachment of certain mineral particles to air bubbles which are carried to the surface of the ore pulp for removal. Frother reagents, combined with air and the agitation mechanism, produce the effective bubbles in a flotation cell. A method of analysis is presented to evaluate the effect of frother reductions and additions on a bank of flotation cells, and to economically determine if and to what extent frother reductions and additions are justified. Comparative evaluations of different frother systems, as well as the amount of frother used in a given flotation machine, cannot be made on the frother cost alone. An indepth study must be made to evaluate any given frother as applied to a particular ore body. The recovery of a given mineral is as dependent on the amount of frother as on the type of frother used. An actual case study follows in which the amount of frother required by two different flotation machines was used to make a decision as to which unit performed more efficiently based on costs. This same method may be used to evaluate new frothers as well as to determine if a larger frother addition is advisable.

Jan 11, 1975

By Leonard D. Jarrard, Ernest E. Thurlow

THE Boulder batholith of western Montana may be considered a uranium province: a regional geologic environment within which uranium is found in uncommon amounts. Reconnaissance examinations indicated that the Atomic Energy Commission should undertake an evaluation of the potential of this area for uranium production. The AEC has been assisted by the U. S. Geological Survey which has given priority to selected uranium-bearing areas in overall studies of the mineral deposits of the batholith and adjacent regions. Although no out- standing uranium deposits have been discovered, uranium ore has been produced from three widely separated deposits upon which most of the exploration to date has been directed. The intrusive mass referred to as the Boulder batholith occupies a strip of mountainous country about 18 miles wide between Butte and Helena, Mont., covering an area of approximately 1000 sq miles. Elevations range from 3500 ft along Prickly Pear Creek to nearly 9000 ft near Elkhorn Peak a few miles to the east. Except for a few flat-lying valley lands, the region is wooded with lodgepole pine and fir. Though mainly dependent upon mining ventures in the past, the area now is supported, outside of the Butte district, almost wholly by agriculture and some lumbering.

Jan 7, 1954

By J. L. Huiatt, D. G. Foot

The Bureau of Mines devised a direct flotation method for treating low-grade carnallite (KCl*MgC12*6H20) and sylvinite (a mixture of KC1 and NaCl) ores characterized by a high content of water-insoluble impurities. The procedure consists of flocculation-depression of the insoluble slimes; decomposition leach (carnallite only); potash rougher, cleaner, and recleaner flotation; and final product leaching. The technique eliminates the necessity of removing the water-insoluble slimes by mechanical or flotation desliming. Laboratory results demonstrated that the direct flotation procedure, when compared with conventional techniques, yielded equivalent or improved flotation results with equal or less reagent consumptions. The direct flotation method recovered 81.6% of the solid phase KC1 from camallite ore and 79.7% of the KCl from sylvinite ore in final products containing 60.5 and 60.9% K2O, respectively. A flowsheet incorporating the described flotation procedure is presented.

Jan 1, 1983

CHARLES P. BROOKS Charles P. Brooks, who had been identified with the mining industry in the West since 1874, having served at various times as mining and consulting engineer for most of the largest mining properties in Utah, died Dec. 11, at his home in Salt Lake City, of heart failure, after an illness of about one month. He was a very close business friend of the late Thomas Kearns and David Keith. In recent years he had been closely identified with the Silver King Coalition Mining Co., the Chief Consolidated Mining Co., the Grand Central Mining Co., the Prince Consolidated Mining & Smelting Co., and many other large properties. Mr. Brooks was born in Washingtonville, Orange County, New York, Aug. .21, 1851; he was the son of Charles Edward Brooks and Adeline Cannon Brooks. When 14 years of age he attended school at Chester, N. J., for one term, and accompanied the assistant principal of Chester Academy to New Paltz, N. Y., and finished the school year there. In 1866 he entered Dr. Stiles's school at Deckertown, N. J., and later the Sheffield School at Yale in 1867, where he received the degree of civil engineer with the class of 1870.

Jan 2, 1919

A tentative plan for the Colorado Meeting has been formulated as follows: One day will be spent at Denver, one day at Colorado Springs, one day at Cripple Creek, a trip by automobile to the top of Pike's Peak, one day at Pueblo, one day at Leadville. All the principal mines and mills of the districts mentioned will be visited, including the gold mines in Cripple Creek, the lead, zinc, and steel works. of Pueblo, the production of ferro-molybdenum by electric furnace at Leadville, etc. Special arrangements are being made for the social entertainment of ladies at all points; one evening at Colorado Springs will be devoted to a reception and dance, and the usual dinner will he given on another evening. The following papers have already been accepted for the Colorado Meeting, and some have already been published: Fireproofing Mine Shafts by the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. By E. M. Norris. (March Bulletin.) Air Blasts in the Kolar Gold Field, India. By E. S. Moore. (March Bulletin.) The Use of Coal in Pulverized Form. By H. R. Collins. (April Bulletin.) Coal Mining in Washington. By F. A. Hill. (April Bulletin.) Carbocoal. By C. T. Malcolmson. (May Bulletin.) Gaging and Storage of Oil in the Mid-continent Field. By O. U. Bradley. (March Bulletin.) An Interpretation of the So-called Paraffin Dirt of the Gulf Coast Oil Fields. By A. D. Brokaw. (April Bulletin.) The Theory of Volcanic Origin of Salt Domes. By. E. DeGolyer. (May Bulletin.)

Jan 5, 1918

By G. S. Hume

TuRneR Valley, on the eastern edge of the foothills of Alberta, 35 miles southwest of Calgary, continues to be the major oil field in Canada. This field began production of gas and naphtha from the Mississipian (Madison) limestone in 1924, and until 1936 all wells were drilled for these products. At the end of 1938 there were 104 gas wells. In 1936 proof was found of a crude oil zone in the same horizon but lower on the west flank of the structure, which is a large fold cut off on the east side by an overthrust fault of great displacement. Since 1936 drilling has been done for the development of crude oil and at the end of 1938 there were 64 crude oil wells. On test through a 1-in. choke these flowed at the rate of 50,000 to 60,000 bbl. a day, but on production would not be expected to make this volume. The output has been prorated according to the capacity of the Prairie market. During the harvest season, when the demand for oil and oil products was at its maximum, the allowable production of Turner Valley was 28,363 bbl. per day. With the arrival of winter, this was cut to 11,500 bbl. per day but later was raised to 12,500 bbl. Production in 1937 from Turner Valley was 2,767,221 bbl., which was more than double that of the previous year. Production in 1938 was 6,691,075 bbl., which is considerably more than double that of 1937.

Jan 1, 1939

By R. C. Good

Slag control for any kind of steel, rimming, straight carbon or alloy, should start with the charge and be developed well in advance of the tap because its composition, viscosity and temperature will unquestionably govern the physical and chemical properties of the steel when tapped. In the majority of plants producing alloy steels, primary consideration is given to the chemical specifications; physical characteristics usually occupy secondary place in the melter's mind. Recently, however, buyers have indicated limits of machinability, hardenability, grain size and, of course, always wanted steel free from foreign nonmetallic inclusions. It is these latter specifications that require the attention of the operator to the slag and its control. The slag must act as a vehicle for oxidized elements originating from the metallic portion of the charge; it should hold the oxides of phosphorus, silicon, manganese, iron and chromium that come into contact with it either before or after the refining and finishing stage of the heat. It must be used as a transferring medium of oxygen from the atmosphere or oxide additions to the metal and should permit a free escape of gas generated within the charge. Finally, the slag is the principal controlling factor in regulating the rate of oxidation which in turn eventually determines the quality of the steel as measured for the various characteristics mentioned above. With pig iron of uniform composition, the iron oxide in the slag increases as the limestone is increased but with the same addition of stone in every heat, the iron oxide decreases as the silicon is increased in the charge, and vice versa.

Jan 1, 1935