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By Milton E. Wadsworth, John N. Ong, W. Martin Fassell

The temperature and oxygen concentration dependence on the reaction of sphalerite in oxygen at pressures from 6 to 640 mm Hg have been investigated in the temperature range 700° to 870°C. Sphalerite has been found to oxidize linearly over this entire temperature and pressure range. At higher rates, considerable self-heating was observed. The dependence of the oxidation rate on the oxygen concentration may be expressed by: Rate = k' where k' is the specific rate constant and 0 = K1[O2]/(1 + KI[O2]), where K1 is the equilibrium rate constant for the adsorption of oxygen on sphalerite. Values of the activation energy and the enthalpy of adsorption were found to be 60.3 and —59.6 kcal per mol, respectively. Data have been presented that indicate conditions under which either a sulphatizing or an oxidizing roast may be obtained. ROASTING processes have been employed in the metallurgy of a great number of basic metals in use today. Until recently, however, little attempt has been made to deduce the fundamental mechanism by which oxidation takes place. Structural changes upon oxidation have been investigated1 = and thorough work has been performed with regard to the reaction products and the thermodynamics of the oxidation reactions. The objective of this investigation was to determine the rate of oxidation of sphalerite and to apply the absolute reaction rate theory in the theoretilcal interpretation of the experimental results." "O Description of Apparatus The apparatus contains the following features: 1—a furnace with gas system, 2—an autographic weighing system, and 3—a temperature control system. Furnace With Gas System—The furnace was mounted by a yoke on each end and was free to travel up and down on steel guide rods, permitting the introduction and removal of samples from the apparatus with minimum difficulty. The furnace was heated by three sections of Kanthal wire wound externally on a zirconia tube and insulated with Fiber-frax. Pure gases or mixtures of gases were introduced into the lower end of the furnace through two flowmeters, a mixing chamber, and a gas-tight sparger, Fig. 1. The gaseous products of the reaction and the unused gases were prevented from escaping to the atmosphere by maintaining a small negative pressure on the system. This procedure permitted air from the outside to enter through the small an-nulus around the quartz suspension fiber and prevented the escape of the internal gases. Autographic Weighing System—The autographic weighing system consisted of an adapted gold balance, a photoelectric circuit, and a weight recorder, Fig. 2. The sample was suspended from one end of the balance beam by means of a platinum chain outside the furnace and a long thin quartz fiber on the inside of the furnace. On the other end of the balance beam, the necessary weights were added to counterbalance the sample. In addition, a calibrated chain was added to the balance which was linked directly to the weight recording unit. Control was effected by means of a photoelectric circuit." A parallel beam of light from a strong source was directed onto a small front-surfaced aluminum mirror mounted in the middle of the balance beam and then to a front-surfaced mirror mounted on the ceiling of the room. The beam was then reflected onto a front-surfaced right prism at a distance of 9 ft from the balance

Jan 1, 1957

By Augusto Viana Leandro Teixeira

Rare Earth Elements (REE) are fundamental for modern life products and green technologies. Supply constraints and the price peak of 2011 boosted intensive research for alternatives for processing and separation. Complex monazite- type, rare earth ores usually contain high acid consumption impurities, such as iron and aluminum, and radioactive thorium in their composition. These impurities are not removed by conventional concentration processes due to fine, micro-level association between the REE carrying minerals and the gangue minerals. This work presents a selective process route for REE extraction from iron-rich, monazite ores. The process involves sulfation by addition of concentrated sulfuric acid and pyrohydrolysis at temperatures of approximately 700–750 °C. Experimental results show REE extraction higher than 70% and low iron (below 5%) and thorium extraction (below 10%). A method based on thermogravimetric analyses was shown to be adequate to predict the behavior of a given ore sample in the sulfationselective pyrolysis-leaching process.

By H. N. Hall

Various factors must be considered in an engineering evaluation of gravity-drainage reservoirs. Among these are: (1) the effect of producing rate on total oil recovery; (2) the effect upon well productivity and ultimate recovery of the pressure level maintained during the producing life of the reservoir; (3) the economic advantage of full or partial pressure maintenance; and (4) estimate of the rate of gas production and injection and the possible purchase of gas under conditions of full pressure maintenance to ascertain compressor facilities needed. All of these factors can be evaluated only when a reliable method is employed for determining reservoir performance in gravity-drainage reservoirs. The purpose of this paper is to present a general method for calculating the performance of a gravity-drainage reservoir. This method is applicable for conditions of complete pressure maintenance, partial pressure maintenance and normal pressure depletion. Provisions are made to take into account variations throughout the reservoir of reservoir configuration, changes in permeability and fluid composition. Based on the method presented in this paper, an IBM 650 computer program has been developed. The past performance of an actual gravity-drainage reservoir producing under conditions of declining pressure and no gas injection was duplicated using this program. INTRODUCTION In tilted reservoirs the production of oil is influenced by drainage of oil from upstructure to downstructure locations. When this downstructure drainage of oil is sufficient to cause effective segregation of the gas and oil in a reservoir, the reservoir is usually classified as a segregation drive or gravity-drainage reservoir. (Discussion will be restricted to gravity-drainage reservoirs which have no encroachment of edge water.) The important feature in gravity-drainage reservoirs is the density difference between reservoir oil and gas. These phases tend to segregate in the reservoir with the result that in the gas cap the oil saturation is maintained at a higher level by drainage of oil from the gas-cap area. Oil can be produced from the oil zone at a low gas-oil ratio and reservoir energy is thereby conserved. The standard material balance in not adequate for predicting gravity-dramage reservoir performance because it does not take into account the difference in saturation above and below the gas-oil contact. Several authors'.' have presented methods for calculating the performance of gravity-drainage reservoirs in which reservoir pressure is maintained constant by gas injection into the gas cap. Using some simplifying assumptions, these methods can be employed with a desk calculator to give acceptable results. The problem of predicting the performance of gravity-drainage reservoirs under the conditions of declining reservoir pressure is many time more complex than that of constant pressure. fierefore, attempis to develop a method suitable for desk calculation have required excessively simplified assumptions. In the past several years, highspeed digital computers have become more widely available for reservoir engineering problems. These corn puters are well suited to problems such as the prediction of the performance of gravity-drainage reservoirs with pressure decline. Many of the simplifying assumptions necessary for hand computation can be eliminated so that a realistic approach to the gravity-drainage process can be made. CONCEPTUAL PICTURE OF OIL MOVEMENT IN GRAVITY-DRAINAGE RESERVOIRS Before attempting to develop an analytical treatment for conditions occuring in a gravity-drainage reservoir, a concept should be formed concerning the movement of fluids in the reservoir as oil is produced. A review of the literature'.' shows that it is customary to classify gravity-drainage operations into two categories—(1) with complete pressure maintenance, and (2) with declining pressure. The same line of reasoning will be followed in presenting the concept of the movement of fluids in the reservoir because it is easier to visualize the movement of fluids under conditions of complete pressure maintenance. After discussing complete pressure maintenance, an analogy will be made between that and the case of declining pressure. It should be kept in mind throughout that the final aim for the problem of solving gravity-drainage performance with digital computers will be to develop a general program for any kind of gravity-drainage reservoir. COMPLETE PRESSURE MAINTENANCE One feature which is generally common in gravity-drainage reservoirs is a gas cap located at the top of the structure. This is shown in Fig. 1(a). Fig. l(b) shows oil saturations that might occur through the reservoir. In the gas cap, oil saturation is lower than

By Marvin L. Whisman

Several parameters controlling the reproducibility of tritium determina¬tion in organic compounds by liquid scintillation counting were evaluated by the Federal Bureau of Mines. These included optimum volume of scintillator solution for maximum counting efficiency, reproducibility of counting a sealed commercial standard and comparison with duplicate counts on laboratory-prepared samples. The error introduced by using microliter pipets, optical differences in counting vials, reproducibility of counting organic samples where quenching is a factor, reproducibility of counting laboratory-prepared samples with an added internal standard, optimum ratio of internal standard activity to sample activity, effect of sample volume upon counting efficiency, count rate at which coincidence losses become apparent, and reproducibility of organic compound radioassay by the standard addition technique are outlined. From the evaluation of these parameters, a technique that can be applied routinely to organic compounds containing tritium has been established, and details are included in this report.

Jan 1, 1961

A viable mineral economy requires availability of economic deposits, the ability to exploit then, and protection of the public interests. The natural tendency for each party to consider only its legitimate self interests can lead to delays or deadlocks. The paper presents several viewpoints aimed at opening each party's mind to the ideas of others in the hope that negotiations might be more reasonable and rapid for the benefit of all concerned.

Jan 1, 1979

The authors provide a discussion of the paper, ?Coal workers? pneumoconiosis prevalence disparity between australia and the united States,? a peer-reviewed paper that appeared in the technical papers section of the July 2012 issue of Mining Engineering magazine. The original authors, G.J. Joy (gjoy@cdc.gov), J.F. Colinet (jcolinet@cdc.gov) and D.D. Landen (dlanden@cdc.gov), respond.

Jan 1, 2013

By L. Don Leet

Abstract Earthborne vibrations from blasting and other sources, including rock bursts, can now be recorded effectively. The nature and magnitude of vibrations from various sources have been investigated and certain applications of the knowledge thus gained have been made. Vibrations from blasting have been measured on special equipment over a range from an electric blasting cap at a few feet, through the largest quarry shot in history to date ( 1,-362,985 lb.), to the first atomic bomb, in uew Mexico on July 16th, 1945. Laws relating amount of explosive to amount of vibration at different distances have been developed and tested. Special studies have been made of the effects of vibrations on buildings, particularly from the standpoint of possible structural damage. Recorded vibrations are used to study the effects of modern short-period delay shooting. It ?has been found that short-period delay firing is extremely effective in reducing vibrations under the right conditions, but with certain limitations. In quarry shooting, there appears to be a minimum number of holes below which vibrations are not appreciably reduced by short-period delay firing. In several instances this minimum has been near 7. Vibrations in the ground from rock bursts and the effects of mining in stresesd ground have been studied both underground and on the surface in a search for a rock burst warning system. Introduction Earthborne vibrations from blasting and other sources, including rock bursts, can now be recorded effectively. Analyses of blasting records have been yielding increasing funds of information of practical as well as theoretical interest. The nature and magnitude of the vibrations have been investigated with special reference to their effects on structures.

Jan 1, 1951

CONTENTS PAGE HESSE, A. W,-Safeguarding Coal-mining Operations against Danger from Oil and Gas Wells. Discussed by A. W. Hesse, T. G. Fear, George H. Ashley, George S. Rice, W. E. Fohl, R. V. Norris, S. A. Taylor, F. B. Tough, C. W. Gibbs, A. Hurlburt, S. W. Meals 1 DAWSON, THOS. W.-Belt Conveying of Coal at H. C. Frick Coke Company Mines. Discussed by F. F. Jorgensen, Thos. W. Dawson, Graham Bright, A. W. Hesse 13 OTTO, HENRY H.-Ultimate Recovery from Anthracite Coal Beds. Discussed by R. V. Norris, S. A. Taylor, Henry H. Otto, Douglas Bunting, Graham Bright, Howard N. Eavenson, J. B. Warriner 15 HOSLER, Rush N.-Schedule Rating Coal Mines in Pennsylvania for Compensation Insurance Rates. Discussed by E. A. Holbrook, W. W. Adams 17 ARCHBALD, HUGH.-Application of Gaussian Curve to Mining Industry. Discussed by Donald A. Laird, T. T. Read 19 ASH, SIMON H.-System of Coal Mining in Western Washington. Discussed by Eli T. Conner, Simon H. Ash 21 MILLER, J. S.-Method of Mining a Steeply Pitching Anthracite Vein by Successive Skips. Discussed by Eli T. Conner, J. S. Miller, J. B. Warriner 22 HARRINGTON, GEORGE B.-New Orient, an Unusual Coal Mine. Discussed" by George S. Rice, Eli T. Conner, John A. Garcia, George B. Harrington, F. F. Jorgensen, Graham Bright, W. M. Hoen, George N. Simpson, W. C. Adams, R. W. McNeill, Chas. C. Whaley, Carl Scholz, E. T. Gott, Andrews Allen 23 PERROTT, G. ST. J.-Properties of Liquid-oxygen Explosives. Discussed by George S. Rice 48 Safeguarding Coal-mining Operations against Danger from Oil and Gas Wells Discussion of the paper of A. W. HESSE, presented at the New York Meeting, Feb-ruary, 1925, and issued, as Paper No. 1412-F, with MINING AND METALLURGY, February, 1925. A. W. HESSE.-The well under investigation, No. 101, Fig. 2, was started about Sept. 5, 1921, and drilled-in in November. The first hole was started with a 13-in. bit and reached the Pittsburgh coal at a depth of 563 ft.; at 602 ft. the 10-in. casing was run in and the well was continued with a 10-in. bit and 1400 ft. of 8-in. casing was put in. It was then continued to a depth of 1770 ft. and 6-in. casing put in; then continued to a depth of 2555 ft. where the gas was struck. As the well produced only about 100,000 cu. ft. per day. 2-in. tubing was used to conduct the

Jan 6, 1925

By Bruce D. Hebb, Shahin Shadlou

Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) is an excellent material choice for a broad spectrum of corrosive fluids and, in many cases, offers the best value per dollar. FRP Flanges present the greatest design challenge of all standard piping components. The theory underlying the design of flanges is very complex. In addition, due to the nature of FRP material, proper fabrication of the flanges is as critical as the design. In this review, the challenges of making FRP flanges along with the design techniques and best practices of fabrication that will lead to a high-quality flange will be discussed.

Feb 1, 2024

By J. C. Bradley

THE relation of annealing temperature to conductivity of copper wire has been determined. Conductivity hard was 98.26 per cent. After a 10-min. heating at 200°C. it was 98.69. By annealing 10 min. at 300° C. a large increase, to 100.93, occurred. Maximum conductivity, 101.15, was attained after a 500° C. anneal; thereafter it decreased to 100.53 after a 950° C. anneal. If copper is gassed the decrease is much more than this. Materials and Methods The work was done on high grade electrolytic copper, 99.942 per cent. copper plus silver, silver 0.0008 per cent. It was hot-rolled to >/4 in., then cold drawn to 0.080 in. The wire was cut into 25 5-ft. lengths and numbered 1 to 25 as cut. Four samples were tested hard. The others were wound into 5-in. diameter coils. For the 100° C. heating a coil was put into water, the water brought to boiling, and the wire kept at this temperature for 10 min. For the higher temperatures the coils were placed in envelopes of sheet copper, a little water added, and the envelopes sealed by folding over the edges twice, and hammering them together. This kept the air out very well. The envelope and wire 'were brought to the desired temperature; this was maintained for 10 min., then the whole was water-quenched.

Jan 1, 1927

By S. Amid, D. Fisk

"Wireless technologies are permeating the mining and metals industry and enabling a myriad of benefits. With standards such as IEEE 802.11 for wireless devices and ISA100.11a for wireless field instruments protecting their investments, customers look to benefit from the cost and flexibility offered by wireless devices. Using wireless field instruments, plants are eliminating the costs associated with wired system by 50 to 70% and using these savings to install more field instruments, which, when used smartly, enables them to optimize their processes efficiency and equipment reliability. Wireless also empowers a mobile workforce by allowing them to have access to key process and maintenance data directly from the field. This paper describes how wireless can help operations and maintenance personnel to be more effective. Three case studies, illustrating how the mining and metals industry is taking advantage of the technology today, are presented:1.,Optimisation of the water recovery process using wireless2.,Field operations improvement with wireless handhelds3.,Improving fleet maintenance through wireless mobile equipment management"

Jan 1, 2011

By W. A. Dunkley

During the past year and a half the Western United Corporation of Aurora , Illinois , has been distributing carburetted water ges from its Lockport , Ill . , plant , to an extensive territory , under an initial pressure ranging up to 90 lb.. per sq. in . The most distant distributing point on the system is at Harvard , Ill . , about 35 miles from the plant.. The territory supplied is approximately 85 miles long and 35 miles wide , the total mileage of rains being 1223 , or approximately 24 per cent of all the gas trains in Illinois outside the city of Chicago .

Feb 1, 1923

By van der Merwem J. N.

"Coal pillars are prone to scaling over time, and are progressively reduced in size and consequently subjected to increased load and reduced strength. The effective factor of safety therefore reduces. Databases of failed and stable pillars cannot, therefore, be regarded as definitive.More than a decade has passed since the first attempt to predict the lifespan of pillars. This paper presents a review based on the new database and pillar strength equations. The methodology for the analysis is based on the fact that pillars scale. The ultimate safety factor (defined as the ratio between strength and load at the time of failure) is derived, followed by an estimate of the rate of pillar scaling, which results in an estimate of the expected time of failure.It is suggested that the predicted lifespan should not be used as an absolute indicator of expected pillar life, but rather as an index – the pillar life index (PLI) – to complement the safety factor and related probability of failure when evaluating pillar stability. A pillar with a predicted lifespan of less than 500 years would be regarded as being in danger of imminent collapse, while a lifespan of at least 1 000 years should be required for long-term purposes.The differences between this analysis and that published in 2003 constitute a strong case for regular reviews of all the empirically based stability indicators, namely the safety factor, probability of failure, and the PLI. Reviews at 10 year intervals appear to be required.The constants in the proposed method are valid only for the Witbank No. 1, 2 and 4 seams and the Highveld No. 2 and 4 seams.IntroductionIt is well known that over time, coal pillars are prone to scaling, and thus are progressively reduced in size and consequently subjected to increased load and reduced strength. The effective factor of safety therefore reduces and it is quite possible for failure to occur after a long time interval. In fact, scrutiny of the database of failed pillars indicates that failure occurred after periods ranging from 2 to 49 years, and not immediately after mining.The factor of safety for pillars at the time of failure is not the same as that immediately after mining. The concept of the safety factor is based on the pillar strength obtained by statistical analysis of pillar dimensions immediately, or within a month after mining, when the surveys are conducted. Strictly speaking, the safety factor as commonly used is valid only immediately after mining, and it continues to reduce thereafter. The ideal situation would be to base analyses of pillar strength on pillar dimensions at the time of failure, but that is simply not possible because the real dimensions cannot be measured at that time."

Jan 1, 2016

By H. Kasaini

Batch wise adsorption tests for platinum (Pt) on the surface of activated carbon pellets (Norit RO 0.8 BET surface area 1100 mg/g) were carried out in mixed chloride solution. The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the adsorption performance of amine-treated activated carbons (AACs) and native activated carbons (NACs) in terms of adsorption capacity and selectivity. The effect of pH and temperature on adsorption capacity and selectivity was established. The amine- treated ACs were prepared by anchoring the amino groups (butyl amines) on the surface of AC pellets in aqueous media and the UV-Vis was used to determine the amount of amine sequestered from solution by ACs. The dosage of butyl amine on the surface of ACs averaged 0.15 g/g, carbon. The adsorption mechanism was described by the ionization and complexation model whereby interaction between the protonated AAC surface and the anionic chlorocomplex ions (PtCl5 [H2O]-, PtCl62-) proceeded by either electrostatic attraction or/and by covalent bonding [(NH3)2PtCl6 or (CH2COO)2PtCl6]. By comparison, the adsorption capacities of Pt on amine-treated ACs and native ACs were 53.8 mg/g and 33.03 mg/g, respectively which highlight the benefits of anchoring functional molecules on ACs. The selectivity of AACs was influenced by solution pH. Pt adsorbed selectively on the surface of amine-treated ACs at pH<1.5. The highest separation factor that was recoded pertained to Pt and Fe species (ßPt/Fe = 90) then followed by Pt and Ni species (ßPt/Ni = 30) or Pt and Cu species (ßPt/Cu = 15). The lowest separation factor was recorded for Pt and Cr ions (ßPt/N= 5). Adsorption kinetics of Pt on amine-treated AC surfaces, according to the first and second order reactions, were investigated and results showed that rates were in the order 10= 5). -4 min-1 and 102 g?min/mg, respectively. The pseudo 1st order kinetics predicted the adsorption capacity of 51.81 mg/g which was almost similar to the experimental value (53.8 mg/g) while the second order rate equation predicted Pt adsorption capacity of 40.1 mg/g. Both The Langmuir and Toth isotherm fitted the Pt adsorption at pH < 1.0. The Freundlich isotherm tended to underestimate the adsorption capacity of AACs.

Jan 1, 2014

By A A. Roberts, R F. Dewhirst

"Extensive literature surveys, research in the project environment and personal experiences both within and consulting to project teams have revealed some consistent ‘people factors’ that contribute most to ultimate project success. Outside of purely technical and business case issues, there are a small number of leadership characteristics – probably only ten – that if correctly applied can positively leverage a team’s impact on project success.Of the top seven project success characteristics that were consistently highly rated in a recent study, five of them were around leadership. The authors have focused on this topic, noting that good leaders need to display the following traits:passionate commitment to deliveryconsistent modelling and reinforcement of correct values and behaviourfocus on managing relationships well and energising teams and individualscarefully clarifying project vision from front-end loading stages onwardseffective decision making.Not every project manager can and does practise these behaviours all of the time, but being aware of them and receiving training or facilitation in improving their application of these skills can equip project managers with the essential tools to markedly improve their own performance and that of their teams.This paper draws upon experiences in the field and provides lessons – both good and bad – to illustrate. As well as examining leadership traits, the way in which a leader can establish, organise, motivate his or her team and ultimately lead them to success is examined. The paper shares methodologies that have been successfully used to track status within a team and generate appropriate recovery plans where required.In particular, the paper will examine a case study based on an amalgamation of real project issues in some challenging situations using virtual teams (ie physically distant teams located in different centres) to illustrate the importance of strong and positive leadership in achieving success across geographies, time zones and languages.CITATION:Roberts, A A and Dewhirst, R F, 2016. Leadership in projects – a recipe for success, in Proceedings Project Evaluation 2016, pp 49–58 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Mar 8, 2016

"The Code was developed in 2004 through the Collaboration Agreement between Institution of Mining Engineers of Chile (IIMCh) and the Ministry of Mining (Chile) in Dec 2002. It is an amalgamation of current practices with respect to standards and procedures for exploration prospects, mineral resources, and reserves for the purpose of public reporting. Certification is required to prepare and issue information on mineral assets according to the guidelines that regulate the technical, economic, and environmental aspects that satisfy the conditions set by the Chilean capital and financial markets.The Mineral Resources Committee of the Instititution of Mining Engineers of Chile (IIMCh) is pleased to introduce theCode for the Certification of Exploration Prospects, Mineral Resources and Reserves which is the result of a Collaboration Agreement between the IIMCh and the Ministry of Mining established in December, 2002.This code synthetizes the present practice of the mining industry in regard to standards and procedures applied to exploration prospects, mineral resources, and reserves with the purpose of reporting publicly on financial instruments based on these mine assets in the capital markets. These standards follow general criteria already adopted and applied by capital markets in those countries characterized by a very dynamic and well developed mining sector such as Australia, Canada, Southafrica, United Kingdom, and others. The work done by the Mineral Resources Committee of the IIMCh has had the recognition of the Combined Reserves International Reporting Standards Committee (CRIRSCO) that leads the establishement of an international code in these matters. CRIRISCO is an entity formed by representatives of the countries previously mentioned, a representative of the Society of Mining Engineers of the UStates and a representative of the IIMCh. The Institution thanks the Ministry of Mining, the representatives of these Ministry in the Mineral Resources Committee, and specially the Minister of Mining, Sr. Alfonso Dulanto Rencoret due to the genuine support given to the IIMCh in the preparation of this Code.The Institution also thanks the Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros (SVS) because of the help given continuously to the Committee as well as by the interchange of opinions and suggestions received during the preparation of this document."

Jan 1, 2003

Cansolv® S02 Scrubbing Technology was described in a paper in Copper/Cobre 03. Four years on, the technology is operating at a full scale production facility.Hindustan Zinc Limited expanded their capacity by installing the AUSMELT process. The process proceeds through smelting, slag reduction, slag cleaning and holding stages sequentially in the same vessel, resulting in widely varying off gas characteristics. The off gas is suitable for treatment is a conventional acid plant for a modest proportion of the day, but at other times produces off gas too high in S02 to be discharged to atmosphere. Cansolv® S02 Scrubbing Technology was identified as a means of effectively removing the S02 down to low levels from the off gas during all stages of the pyrometallurgical process. Furthermore, the Cansolv® S02 Scrubbing System Technology produces high purity S02 that allowed for the captured S02 to be directed to an existing acid plant, avoiding the capital cost of new acid making capacity.

Jan 1, 2007

By Thomas M. Kohler, Gerald L. Finfinger, Gregory M. Molinda

The Bureau of Mines has completed an investigation of the effectiveness of methane drainage in the Lower Sunnyside Coalbed at Kaiser Steel Corp.&apos;s Sunnyside No. 1 Mine in Utah. Most of the previous at- tempts to drain methane gas using long horizontal holes were conducted in the Eastern Coal Province. From the high degree of success realized in these efforts and the large body of knowledge gained from associated research, it seemed natural to extend the technology to western coalfields. Previous work had indicated that properties affecting gas drainage were variable in the Sunnyside Coalbed. In an attempt to characterize these properties, four degasification holes were drilled from the out- side entries of an advancing section. The holes were drilled to lengths of 780, 1,680, 1,315, and 1,047 ft and produced initial flow rates of 50,000, 180,000, 340,000, and 240,000 f t3/d, respectively. A total of over 300 million f t3 of commercial-quality gas has been removed from the Sunnyside Coalbed. The four holes have reduced face emissions by 78 pct.

Jan 1, 1986

By Thomas T. Read

REVIEWING the events of the year in mineral industry education, a certain amount of either amusement or irritation, depending upon one&apos;s viewpoint, can be derived front the section dealing with mining engineering in Walter B. Pitkin&apos;s "New Careers for Youth" which appeared during the summer. On p. 102 Prof. Pitkin says "The mining engineer is disappearing .. . because . . . the profits of mining decline rapidly with the age of the mine." In his "Are Too Many Students Taking Mining Courses?" published in the May issue of this journal, W. B. Plank presents statistics showing that there was some decline in student enrollment in mining and metallurgical courses in 1932-3 and 1933-4, compared with 1930-31, but that the decline was proportionate to that in all lines of engineering study combined. Informal reports from Institute officials that have visited tinning schools during the fall indicate that nearly all schools showed an increase in enrollment for the current school year. Pre else statistics will be made available by Prof. Plank at the Annual Meeting. His study last year provided, for the first time, accurate and complete information on the enrollment in mining schools, as well as the number of various courses and the degree granted, and it will be interesting to have comparable figures for this year. Prof. Pitkin&apos;s views on the future opportunities for mining engineers were discussed at some length - on pages 439-4.40 of the November issue of MINING AND METALLURGY.

Jan 1, 1935

By Henning Nielsen

SIX weeks ahead of schedule, the International Nickel Co. of Canada Ltd. has brought a 30-mile rail line into the newly born town of Thompson, Manitoba. Its construction spurs the development of a rich new mining region slated to become the world&apos;s second largest nickel-producing area-exceeded only by Inco&apos;s Sudbury, Ont., workings. Two mines, the Thompson and the Moak Lake, will be opened to meet International Nickel&apos;s scheduled annual production goal of 385 million lb of refined nickel by 1961. Accomplishment of this aim will mean an additional 75 million lb of the metal available to consumers. In addition, stepped-up out- put of Inco&apos;s Sudbury holdings may increase this figure by another 25 million lb. (For an earlier report on these developments see MINING ENGINEERING News, January 1957).

Jan 12, 1957