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By B. H. Sage

VARIATIONS in the composition of the liquid phase of natural reservoirs which are continuous through significant ranges in elevation have been noted by petroleum technologists. In general, there is a greater gas-oil ratio and the gravity of the oil is higher in production from the upper parts of the formation. In the present paper the possible changes in composition with elevation which would result from the attainment of thermodynamic equilibrium in a uniform gravitational field have been evaluated for a naturally occurring hydrocarbon liquid, a binary hydro-carbon liquid phase and a binary hydrocarbon gas. The results indicate a progressive decrease in the mole fraction of the components from methane through the butanes with increasing depth, accompanied by a corresponding increase in the amount of the heavier components making up the system. The magnitude of these variations is perhaps insufficient to explain completely the variations in the properties of the liquid phase that are encountered at various elevations within a particular producing horizon. However, the changes are significant and the treatment presents an example of the application of thermodynamic data to the evaluation of the properties of hydrocarbon fluids under the conditions approaching those encountered in natural reservoirs.

Jan 1, 1938

By Lawrence W. Teufel

A method to determine in situ stress directions and magnitudes from anelastic strain recovery measurements of oriented core has been used to determine the principal horizontal in situ stresses in the Rollins Sandstone in a deep well near Rifle, Colorado. The principal horizontal stress directions were determined directly from the principal horizontal strain recovery directions. The principal horizontal stress magnitudes were calculated from the principal strain recovery magnitudes, overburden stress, and Poison's ratio of the rock using a viscoelastic model. The accuracy of the in situ stress directions and magnitudes determined from anelastic strain recovery measurements was substantiated by a direct comparison with open-hole hydraulic fracture stress measurements. The anelastic strain recovery method predicted the magnitudes of the maximum and minimum horizontal principal stresses to be 54.5 MPa and 51.9 MPa, respectively; with an azimuth of N63ºW ± 8º for the maximum horizontal stress. The hydraulic fracture stress measurements yielded maximum and minimum horizontal principal stress magnitudes of 49.6 MPa and 46.8 MPa, respectively. The azimuth of the maximum horizontal stress ranged from N50ºW to N70°W.

Jan 1, 1984

By V. F. Hollister

The South American porphyry copper province includes most of the Andean orogen, excepting the tin province of Bolivia. Porphyry coppers have not been commonly found within the tin belt, though copper-tin deposits in San Rafael, Peru and copper-tungsten deposits in Llamuco, Chile, are known. James" shows the depth to the Moho to appreciably thicken where the tin belt exists, but disclaims any genetic significance from this coincidence. Table I gives some of the most important porphyry copper deposits explored to date, but does not include Antaminas, Peru, nor a number of other large skarn deposits associated with intrusions. V. D. Perry* points out that porphyry copper mineralization does occur to some extent in the intrusion associated with many of these skarn deposits. Also not included are the suspected possible porphyry type occurrences, such as, for example, quartz-sericitically altered lower levels of the Casapalca mine, Peru. Many deposits not well enough documented to list in a summary paper are also excluded. Should anyone care to tabulate all other large copper de- posits in South America, they could demonstrate that a tremendous potential awaits the proper political and economic climate in the future.

Jan 8, 1973

By B. W. Frazier

AT a recent meeting of the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers, during a discussion upon the compression of air, attention was called to an apparent anomaly in the phenomena attending the compression. At a subsequent meeting this apparent anomaly was explained by Prof. Herschel, and all the facts observed shown to be strictly in accordance with the laws of thermodynamics. Upon reading the report of the discussion in the published transactions of the society, it occurred to me that an attempt to determine mathematically the amounts of energy (whether in the form of heat or of work) expended and absorbed in compressing air, and causing it to perform work by expansion, might prove of use to some who have not access to any treatise upon the application of the laws of thermodynamics to the compression of air, and who have not the time or the inclination to make such application for themselves. The apparent anomaly noticed was this: If air be compressed, and at the same time, by the sufficient application of a cooling medium, kept at a constant temperature, the indicator diagrams in the

Jan 1, 1874

By George S. Barnett

The Equis and El Roble projects are located in the Cordillera Occidental of Colombia. The Equis vein deposits have sulfide ore reserves of 95,955 mt (105,770 st) grading 8.51 g/mt (0.248 oz/st) gold and 12.4 g/mt (0.36 oz/st) silver with 0.94 % copper, 1.10 % lead and 11.06 % zinc. Ore reserves at El Roble are estimated as 1.1 Mmt (1.21 million st) grading 4.89 % copper and 3.39 g/mt (0.099 oz/st) gold. Geologically possible reserves at Equis may total 1.6 Mmt (1.76 million st). El Roble has the potential to contain several tens of millions of metric tons. Exploration included diamond drilling, trenching, channel sampling, rock and soil geochemistry, geophysics and tunneling. Erratic high grade samples affect the weighting of channel and drill core samples. Secondary reconcentration of gold is also a factor. Sample maps and graphs show the distribution of values to be highly variable. Geostatistical treatment of some of these data gave important guidelines for parameters such as sampling densities, drill hole spacing and confidence limits.

Jan 1, 1985

By R. C. Stevens

INTRODUCTION Idarado Mining Company, a subsidiary of Newrnont Mining Corporation, is situated high in the San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado. Portals, offices and surface plants are located near the towns of Ouray and Telluride at elevations ranging from 9,000 to 12,000 feet. The Ouray portion of the development was initiated in 1943. Upon completion in 1945 of a 250-ton mill, processing of development ores containing copper, lead and zinc was undertaken; thus, serving as a pilot testing unit for larger scale milling operations. These facilities were subsequently enlarged and utilized until 1956. Meanwhile, in 1953 Idarado had acquired The Telluride Mines Company, 62 miles distant by highway; however, only six miles via a network of tunnels which eventually linked the two workings. Extensive underground development and increased ore production necessitated reconstruction and expansion of the milling plant. The facility was designed to accomodate processing of 1700 tons of ore daily. This goal was achieved and it represents the current daily output. MINERALOGY The veins are a compound fissure which have undergone several stages of mineralization. The first stage is represented by complex ores of copper, lead and zinc in a quartz gangue. Precious

Jan 1, 1970

By J. R. Thoenen

THE preper classification of mining methods has received the earnest study of many mining engineers and has resulted in much technical controversy, depending no doubt upon the point from which classification is viewed or the use to which it is put. So far as the writer is aware, the discussion has invariably centered around the classification of underground mining methods, and only superficial attention has been directed to surface methods. Volume 72, page 10, of the Institute Transactions, presents such a classification, sponsored by the Mining Methods Committee of the Institute. A similar classification by Prof. Hugh P. Nicholson appeared in Mining and Metallurgy in October, 1934. The two classifications are quite different in their treatment of underground methods but are identical in classifying surface methods, although Professor Nicholson does suggest possible further divisions for surface mining and admits that such subdivision is more difficult than appears at first. Surface subdivisions as given by these two authorities are as follows, showing that in spite of rearrangement the two classifications are identical: From his experience of many years in the study and operation of both underground and surface metal and nonmetallic mines, the writer does

Jan 1, 1942

By J. R. Thoenen

THE preper classification of mining methods has received the earnest study of many mining engineers and has resulted in much technical controversy, depending no doubt upon the point from which classification is viewed or the use to which it is put. So far as the writer is aware, the discussion has invariably centered around the classification of underground mining methods, and only superficial attention has been directed to surface methods. Volume 72, page 10, of the Institute Transactions, presents such a classification, sponsored by the Mining Methods Committee of the Institute. A similar classification by Prof. Hugh P. Nicholson appeared in Mining and Metallurgy in October, 1934. The two classifications are quite different in their treatment of underground methods but are identical in classifying surface methods, although Professor Nicholson does suggest possible further divisions for surface mining and admits that such subdivision is more difficult than appears at first. Surface subdivisions as given by these two authorities are as follows, showing that in spite of rearrangement the two classifications are identical: From his experience of many years in the study and operation of both underground and surface metal and nonmetallic mines, the writer does

Jan 1, 1942

By M. Stuart, R. F. Down

The Copper flotation concentrate produced at Gortdrum mines contains about 1% Hg. This article deals with the treatment used to produce a substantially mercury-free copper concentrate. Metallic mercury is a byproduct. Nearly all the mercury in the Gortdrum concentrate is present in the copper mineral tennantite-tetrahedrite. This mineral is variably distributed throughout the ore body so that by selective mining it was possible to produce salable concentrate relatively low in mercury while the treatment plant was being built. Roasting was the only feasible method found for removing the mercury from the concentrate, and it was decided that this should be done in an atmosphere with limited oxygen. A multiple hearth furnace is used. Mercury soot is condensed from the gas stream and treated to produce prime virgin mercury. Problems were experienced at first with materials handling, oxygen control, cooling of the calcined concentrate, treatment of the mercury soot, and in the metallurgical accounting. Precautions were necessary to avoid health problems. The plant is now operating reasonably well. The value of the mercury produced does not warrant the cost of the plant but without it, the copper concentrate could not be sold.

Jan 1, 1975

By Earl Oliver

Page A.I.M.E. Stabilization Committee Activity................. 133 Definition of Capture Rule: Robert E. Hardwicke.......................... 134 Westmoreland Natural Gas Co. vs. DeWitt................ 135 Kelly vs. Ohio Oil Co......................... 135 Bernard vs. Monongahela Gas Co.................... 136 Definition of Ownership in Place..................... 137 Prospective Stabilization Remedies.................... 137 Dean Roscoe Pound's Four Teats of Practicability.............. 137 I. Mechanically Feasible....................... 138 Capture Rule.......................... 138 Ownership in Place....................... 140 Mechanical Separatio.7 Method................. 140 Engineering Appraisal Method................. 141 II. Economically Advisable...................... 143 Capture Rule.......................... 144 Ownership in Place....................... 144 III. Politically Wise.......................... 144 Capture Rule..........................144 Ownership in Place.......................147 IV. Legally Sound..........................148 Capture Rule..........................148 Ownership in Place.......................149 Dean Henry M. Bates' Analysis......................149 Raumé................................152 The A.I.M.E. Stabilization Committee was named in 1932 to ascertain whether some practical substitute could be devised for the Rule of Capture, which was generally credited with being the major cause of instability in the Petroleum Industry. After considerable intercommittee correspondence a letter was received from E. DeGolyer under date of Jan. 25. 1935. in which he discussed the possibility of modifying rather than discarding the Rule of Capture. He summarized his proposal as follows:

Jan 1, 1937

By R. G. Ward, P. L. Sachdev

Using an improved maximum bubble pressure technique, the densities of iron silicates at 1400°C have been measured under nitrogen. At the wiistite composition the density has been measured by bubble-blowing experments with both argon and nitrogen and calculated from the measured volume of a known mass of melt under nitrogen. The densities under nitrogen are significantly different from those measured under argon for melts containing less than 28 wt pct SiO2. THE constitution of liquid slags is not well understood, largely because no single property or parameter can be measured which gives conclusive evi- dence of the types and packing of the ions present. Of the many property measurements which can provide information leading to a picture of the constitution of slags, density gives the most direct evidence and has been studied extensively. The work reported here is part of a program of study of densities in multicomponent melts in which the iron oxide-silica system is the solvent. These melts are important as they are fundamental to basic steelmaking, and they allow the study of basic silicate compositions which have hitherto been largely neglected. As considerable disparity exists

Jan 1, 1965

By Earl Oliver

CONTENTS PAGE A.I.M.E. Stabilization Committee Activity 3 Definition of Capture Rule: Robert E. Hardwicke 4 Westmoreland Natural Gas Co. vs. DeWitt 5 Kelly vs. Ohio Oil Co 5 Bernard vs. Monongahela Gas Co 6 Definition of Ownership in Place 7 Prospective Stabilization Remedies 7 Dean Roscoe Pound's Four Tests of Practicability 7 I: Mechanically Feasible 8 Capture Rule 8 Ownership in Place 10 Mechanical Separation Method 10 Engineering Appraisal Method. 11 II. Economically Advisable. ., . 13 Capture Rule 14 Ownership in Place 14 III. Politically Wise 14 Capture Rule 14 Ownership in Place 17 IV. Legally Sound 18 Capture Rule 18 Ownership in Place 19 Dean Henry M. Bates' Analysis 19 Resume 22 THE A.I.M.E. Stabilization Committee was named in 1932 to ascer-tain whether some practical substitute could be devised for the Rule of Capture, which was generally credited with being the major cause of instability in the Petroleum Industry. After considerable intercommittee correspondence a letter was received from. E. DeGolyer under date of Jan. 25, 1935, in which he discussed the possibility of modifying rather than discarding the Rule of Capture. He summarized his proposal as follows:

Jan 1, 1937

By Edward Thomas

ROCK bolting, third great change in postwar underground mining, is inseparably tied to the other two changes: better drilling and mechanized mining. Mechanized mining provided the impetus, when conventional supports restricted maneuver-ability of equipment-while carbide-tipped bits lent the means of drilling required holes cheaply. With the need and the tools at hand development snow- balled. In just six years, from January 1948 to January 1954, some 800 mines adopted bolting for systematic support, and over 100 of these mines now use rock bolts exclusively. Simultaneously, foreign mines have adopted the idea, but to a lesser extent. What held back this major change? The concept of fastening loose material to unbroken and apparently solid material is probably as old as mining itself, and sporadic use has been reported from virtually every mining region in the world. But falls of rock have always been the greatest source of both fatal and nonfatal accidents in underground mining and miners have understandable reluctance to work under roof or back material if they even suspect that it might be hanging like a "sword of Damocles" -supported only by a thin bolt.

Jan 11, 1954

By W. C. Lacy

THE Cuajone porphyry copper deposit is the northernmost of a group of three deposits in southern Peru controlled by the Southern Peru Copper Corp.-Toquepala, Quelleveco, and Cuajone— all within a 20-mile belt. Although small pockets of high-grade copper oxide ores were worked in the Cuajone area in the 19th century, it was not until 1939 that its potentialities as a disseminated deposit were recognized by 0. C. Schmedeman. An exploratory drilling pro- gram was begun in December 1942 and continued until early 1945. The program was revived in November 1952 and completed early in 1954. Early exploration was by diamond drilling. Later exploration was predominantly churn drilling, with diamond drilling used only for wildcat holes. Along this northwest-trending belt of deposits. which follows the western slopes of the Andean Range, quartz-monzonite has invaded earlier dio-rite intrusives and a series of warped and tilted Cretaceous volcanic flows. Little faulting of consequence has been recognized within the mineralized areas. Sulfide minerals were introduced into all these diverse rocks, and mineralization was followed by erosion, oxidation, and enrichment. In Late Tertiary and/or Quaternary time the entire

Jan 1, 1959

R. H. Sweetser.—Mr. Reinartz spoke of slag containing 18 per cent FeO. I think he expressed the iron as oxide. I should like to ask at what point, in iron contents, it is usual practice to quit sending that open-hearth slag to the blast furnace? L. F. Reinartz.—NO problem is involved in disposing of open-hearth slag to our blast furnaces because, on account of the grades of iron and steel made by our company, the iron oxide in the slag is sufficiently high to make it very acceptable to the blast-furnace operator. I have been told that if the total iron oxide in the slag is under 18 to 20 per cent, it is not economical to use such slag in a blast furnace. J. T. Mackenzie,* Birmingham, A1a.—Mr. Reinartz mentioned sulfate in the limestone. I wonder if he did not use the wrong word. We always have assumed that the sulfate sulfur is practically harmless. Most limestone carries some pyrite (sulfide sulfur) which we thought was what gave the sulfur pick-up. L. F. Reinartz.—I have had no experience, personally, in the use of limestone high in sulfates. I have been told, on several occasions, by other open-hearth men, that the sulfates will be reduced and increase the sulfur content of the metal. We have never found any pyrite in our limestone. A. Hayes,† Middletown, Ohio.—I should think that sulfates would be readily reducible to sulfites, and possibly to sulfides at various distances through the slag layer, from the top down to the interface between the bath and the slag, because reducing conditions are certainly sufficiently strong next to the bath in the slag to reduce sulfates to sulfides. A. L. Feild,‡ Baltimore, Md.—What is Mr. Reinartz's theory as to the effect of silica in the slag on the iron oxide content of the metal? L. F. Reinartz.—I have no particular theory as to the effect of silica in the slag on the iron oxide content of the metal. I know from practical experience that it does have an influence on reduction of iron oxide in the metal. We know that if the silicon content of the charge, and, therefore, the silica of the slag is increased, the iron oxide in the slag will be decreased. Based on Dr. Herty's work, we assume that the iron oxide is correspondingly decreased in the metal. C. H. Herty, JR.,§ Bethlehem, Pa.—In the theory of iron oxide control, we have tackled the matter from the physical standpoint, rather than the chemical standpoint or from the slag itself, and we worked on the basis that the change in iron oxide content in a slag—that is, whether the slag increases or decreases in iron oxide—is due to the simple fact that if you put more iron oxide into the slag from the gas than you put oxygen from the slag into the metal, the slag must increase in iron oxide;

Jan 1, 1935

R. H. Sweetser.—Mr. Reinartz spoke of slag containing 18 per cent FeO. I think he expressed the iron as oxide. I should like to ask at what point, in iron contents, it is usual practice to quit sending that open-hearth slag to the blast furnace? L. F. Reinartz.—NO problem is involved in disposing of open-hearth slag to our blast furnaces because, on account of the grades of iron and steel made by our company, the iron oxide in the slag is sufficiently high to make it very acceptable to the blast-furnace operator. I have been told that if the total iron oxide in the slag is under 18 to 20 per cent, it is not economical to use such slag in a blast furnace. J. T. Mackenzie,* Birmingham, A1a.—Mr. Reinartz mentioned sulfate in the limestone. I wonder if he did not use the wrong word. We always have assumed that the sulfate sulfur is practically harmless. Most limestone carries some pyrite (sulfide sulfur) which we thought was what gave the sulfur pick-up. L. F. Reinartz.—I have had no experience, personally, in the use of limestone high in sulfates. I have been told, on several occasions, by other open-hearth men, that the sulfates will be reduced and increase the sulfur content of the metal. We have never found any pyrite in our limestone. A. Hayes,† Middletown, Ohio.—I should think that sulfates would be readily reducible to sulfites, and possibly to sulfides at various distances through the slag layer, from the top down to the interface between the bath and the slag, because reducing conditions are certainly sufficiently strong next to the bath in the slag to reduce sulfates to sulfides. A. L. Feild,‡ Baltimore, Md.—What is Mr. Reinartz's theory as to the effect of silica in the slag on the iron oxide content of the metal? L. F. Reinartz.—I have no particular theory as to the effect of silica in the slag on the iron oxide content of the metal. I know from practical experience that it does have an influence on reduction of iron oxide in the metal. We know that if the silicon content of the charge, and, therefore, the silica of the slag is increased, the iron oxide in the slag will be decreased. Based on Dr. Herty's work, we assume that the iron oxide is correspondingly decreased in the metal. C. H. Herty, JR.,§ Bethlehem, Pa.—In the theory of iron oxide control, we have tackled the matter from the physical standpoint, rather than the chemical standpoint or from the slag itself, and we worked on the basis that the change in iron oxide content in a slag—that is, whether the slag increases or decreases in iron oxide—is due to the simple fact that if you put more iron oxide into the slag from the gas than you put oxygen from the slag into the metal, the slag must increase in iron oxide;

Jan 1, 1935

By D. H. Baldwin, R. E. Reed-Hill

DURING the course of experiments involving oxygen equilibrations with a high-purity Pd-5 at. pct Rh alloy, the appearance of a subscale was noted. Most of the heat treatments in a pure oxygen atmosphere were performed at 900°C. The presence of the subscale was noted when the oxygen partial pressure was in excess of approximately 95 mm, up to 1 atm, the highest pressure used. According to available thermodynamic information' on the free energy of formation of Rh2O3 (the only reliably reported solid oxide of rhodium), this oxide should not be stable under these conditions, nor, of course, any oxide of palladium. Extraction of the subscale from the matrix was affected by treatment with aqua regia, and the resulting X-ray diffraction powder pattern is shown in Table I. This pattern is not that of Rh2O3, nor that of any known rhodium or palladium oxide. It can be indexed on a hexagonal lattice with a. = 5.22Å and co = 6.0Å. In addition to this unknown material, there was a weak Rh2O3 pattern. An X-ray fluorescence analysis of the powder gave 3214 palladium counts per sec and 5381 rhodium counts per sec, thus indicating the likelihood of a double oxide of palladium and rhodium. In view of the fact that the above result was obtained on a single sample, it is perhaps best not to insist upon the above ratio of about 0.6, but possibly to tentatively assume 0.5 or 1/1. The small amount of Rh2O3 in the X-ray pattern might have occurred on cooling, and it seems possible that the double oxide, below some temperature level, is not as stable as Rh2O3. To examine this point, some of the extracted double oxide was heated on a sheet of pure palladium in air at 900°C, and allowed to furnace-cool over a period of several hours. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the powder showed approximately the same intensity of Rh2O3 and the "hexagonal" oxide as before, but, in addition, a rather faint pattern of another crystalline species made its appearance. This finding again suggests partial transformation of the major (double) oxide to other oxides on cooling from 900°C. Application of the phase rule shows that only one equilibrium oxide (subscale) could have been present at temperature. Vacuum-fusion, oxygen analysis of the extracted subscale showed 7.7 ± 0.7 pct O. Combining this information with that of the X-ray fluorescence analysis suggests the formula PdRhO. This compound should have an oxygen content of 7.07 pct, which is within the range of error of the oxygen analysis. However, until a more careful stoichiometric study is made, it is suggested that the formula be written

Jan 1, 1965

By Allan J. Clark

In his paper on "The Accumulation of Amalgam on Copper Plates,"f Mr. R. T. Baylies records the fact that at the Drumlummon mill, at Marysville, Montana, a series of tests proved that silver, instead of showing a strong affinity with the amalgamated surface of the copper plates, gave evidence of a persistent tendency to escape amalgamation; the fineness of the amalgam, as measured in gold, being highest nearest to the battery, and giving place to a constantly-increasing proportion

Jan 1, 1900

By James Douglas

As the operation of light railroads is important to the mining industry, the following statistics of the Arizona Southeastern Railroad may be of interest. When the traffic of the Bisbee copper-mines reached 20,000 tons per year the necessity of better transportation than that afforded by eighteen- and twenty-horse and mule teams became imperative on the score of both cheapness and convenience. Before deciding on the construction of a railroad, the Copper Queen Company made a thorough experiment in transportation

Jan 1, 1899

AT the session on mine ventilation on Oct. 8, 1926, held in connection with the. autumn Institute meeting at Pittsburgh, there was considerable dis-cussion of the use of auxiliary fans in coal-mine ven-tilation, and before adjourning the following resolu-tion was passed: "Resolved, that we, as a Committee, in consideration of the increasing and widespread use of auxiliary fans iii coal mines deplore the fact that they are often used without adequate knowledge of their limitations and dangers."

Jan 2, 1927