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By C. E. Abbott

The Birmingham district, Alabama, is distinctive in the proximity to one another of its deposits of iron ore, coal and flux. These three basic requisites for the making of iron and steel are found within a radius of 10 miles. Both dolomite and limestone are produced, the former for blast-furnace flux and the latter for basic open-hearth operations. The Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Co., a subsidiary of the United States Steel Corporation, operates a limestone mine at Muscoda, near Bessemer, 12 miles southwest of Birmingham, served by its own railroad transportation system. The mine has a capacity of 130 tons per hour. Average analyses of a recent month's production arc as follows: Fe²zO³ SiO² Al²O³ CaCO³ MgCO³ Lump, percent............................. 0.51 0.22 98.63 0.14 Crushed and washed, per cent,................ 0.70 0.26 98.36 0.18 Lump stone, 2 1/2 to 755 in., is used in open-hearth operations at Fairfield Steel Works. Fine crushed and washed stone, 1% to 0.063 in., is calcined at the lime-burning plant and used for lime charges at the Ensley open hearths. Geology The district's deposits of hematite ore occur in the Clinton formation, and the limestone beds mined are stratigraphically 330 ft. above the ore beds worked. A cross section on the center line of the mine is shown in Fig. 1. This limestone formation, 130 ft. thick, is in the Warsaw horizon of the Lower Mississippian. It lies above 100 ft. of Fort Payne chert, which is immediately above the Clinton formation, and is composcd of layers of chert and cherty limestone, approximately 50 per cent of the material being pure chert. The chert is extremely hard, and the cost of driving raises through it is very high. Both iron ore and limestone deposits lie on the southwest limb of the Jones Valley anticline, the formations dipping from 15' to 32' to the southeast. The iron-ore seam outcrops along the crest of Red Mountain, a ridge with northeast-southwest trend rising 200 to 300 ft. above Jones and Shades valleys at the

Jan 1, 1938

By C. E. Abbott

The Birmingham district, Alabama, is distinctive in the proximity to one another of its deposits of iron ore, coal and flux. These three basic requisites for the making of iron and steel are found within a radius of 10 miles. Both dolomite and limestone are produced, the former for blast-furnace flux and the latter for basic open-hearth operations. The Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Co., a subsidiary of the United States Steel Corporation, operates a limestone mine at Muscoda, near Bessemer, 12 miles southwest of Birmingham, served by its own railroad transportation system. The mine has a capacity of 130 tons per hour. Average analyses of a recent month's production arc as follows: Fe²zO³ SiO² Al²O³ CaCO³ MgCO³ Lump, percent............................. 0.51 0.22 98.63 0.14 Crushed and washed, per cent,................ 0.70 0.26 98.36 0.18 Lump stone, 2 1/2 to 755 in., is used in open-hearth operations at Fairfield Steel Works. Fine crushed and washed stone, 1% to 0.063 in., is calcined at the lime-burning plant and used for lime charges at the Ensley open hearths. Geology The district's deposits of hematite ore occur in the Clinton formation, and the limestone beds mined are stratigraphically 330 ft. above the ore beds worked. A cross section on the center line of the mine is shown in Fig. 1. This limestone formation, 130 ft. thick, is in the Warsaw horizon of the Lower Mississippian. It lies above 100 ft. of Fort Payne chert, which is immediately above the Clinton formation, and is composcd of layers of chert and cherty limestone, approximately 50 per cent of the material being pure chert. The chert is extremely hard, and the cost of driving raises through it is very high. Both iron ore and limestone deposits lie on the southwest limb of the Jones Valley anticline, the formations dipping from 15' to 32' to the southeast. The iron-ore seam outcrops along the crest of Red Mountain, a ridge with northeast-southwest trend rising 200 to 300 ft. above Jones and Shades valleys at the

Jan 1, 1938

By Robert Baker

IT has been demonstrated in the laboratory by A. J. Phillips1 that a transformation or conversion from beta directly to alpha may take place in a brass of 61 to 62.5 per cent copper content. The completion of the transformation is dependent on a rapid rate of cooling from the all-beta field through the alpha + beta range to the alpha field. Phillips states that in a slowly cooled alloy containing 62 per cent copper and 38 per cent zinc the copper content of the beta is progressively decreased from 62 to 56 per cent by precipitation of alpha. Rapid cooling tends to prevent the separation of alpha with a copper content of more than 62 per cent by reducing to a minimum the time required for passing through the alpha + beta range. Upon crossing beyond the (alpha + beta.)/(alpha) boundary to the all-alpha region below, the material is transformed from beta to alpha. It is essential that there be no change in composition. Phillips obtained his results by quenching a 62:38 copper-zinc alloy from 850° C. in iced brine at -8° C. No reference to the occurrence of this transformation in a manufacturing process has been found in the literature. An investigation of the microstructures of a number of hot forgings made from leaded brass rods yielded one forging in which this striking conversion from beta to alpha had occurred. The purpose of this paper is to describe the transformation and certain conditions under which it may occur during the hot pressing of brass. The conversion was noted in a shape forged from a leaded brass rod, the composition of which was: Cu, 60.26 per cent; Zn, 37.86; Pb, 1.88. In this study the lead content was disregarded and the alloy was considered to be equivalent to an alloy of 61.40 per cent copper and 38.60 per cent zinc (98.12 parts = 100 parts). The possibility that the lead might obstruct or accelerate the precipitation of alpha was not studied. The lead appears as black globules in the photomicrographs and has a negligible solubility in the alloy.

Jan 1, 1931

By Francis B. Foley

In examining steel under the microscope, one is constantly confronted with structures that are difficult to interpret. Recently, in a collection of samples for exhibition purposes, the writer found a piece of open-hearth runner metal, 2 in. (50 mm.) in diameter, that had been fractured for use as a sample of cast-steel structure. On polishing and etching a section for the purpose of photographing a field to typify the microstructure of steel in the "as cast" condition, a variety of structures was found (Fig. 1) so arranged as to arouse interest at once. For a distance of about 0.065 in. (1.6 mm.) from the skin of the runner, normal ingot structure was found (Fig. 2); this was followed by a zone, about 0.215 in. (5.5 mm.) wide, of considerably lower carbon content in which occurred a most pronounced Widmannstattian structure (Fig. 3); from this point on to the center of the runner, the metal was again of normal ingot structure (Fig. 4). Representative samples taken from the metal in the three zones showed the following analysis: Carbon Nickel Chromium Per Cent. Per Cent. PeR Cent. Metal from skin........................... 0.34 1.26 0.63 Widmannstattian zone.................... 0.21 1.18 0.63 Metal from center......................... 0.34 1.32 0.67 Such a condition might result from decarburization followed by recarburization of the skin. This section came from one of the branch runners to the bottom of the mold, not from the main runner, and it is difficult to conceive of decarburization occurring in this portion of a runner. If the metal were stripped while quite hot, some oxidation would take place but the recarburization is unaccounted for. It could not occur by segregation after solidification—the tendency then is for diffusion and homogeneity. The following seems to fit the conditions and is offered as an explanation. The outside layer of normal structure 0.065 in. (1.6 mm.) thick was chilled on the walls of the runner brick when the molten metal first entered the runner. As the molten metal flows by, the outside of the stream

Jan 1, 1920

By John E. Lanning

During the last decade, since most smelters have included Cottrell plants as standard equipment for the removal of dust from furnace gases, it has become apparent that smeltermen have had a new problem slowly developing. This problem has manifested itself in accelerated destruction of, or serious injury to, the masonry of flues and chimneys. The masonry either spalls, if the material is of low strength, or acquires large major cracks, either of which conditions attains such proportions that renewals or reinforcing become necessary to maintain the structure in satisfactory condition. This paper describes the failure of a large modern brick chimney to such an extent that its safety was vitally impaired; the investigation of its condition; the methods of restoring satisfactory strength to the structure; and the installation of an acidproof lining. Plant History The Clarkdale smelter of the United Verde Copper Co., which was put in operation in 1915, was primarily a blast-furnace plant. The smelter at Jerome had utilized blast furnaces exclusively, and in the design of the new (1915) plant, blast-furnace smelting evidently was considered of major importance, the smelting equipment consisting of four blast furnaces 48 in. by 26 ft. 8 in. and three reverberatories, each 19 by 101 ft. The latter, supplemented by roasters, were intended mainly for handling dust and fine ore resulting from the crushing operations. The original roasting equipment consisted of six six-hearth Wedge roasters, six more being added in 1917. All gases from blast furnaces, reverberatories, roasters and converters were conducted by means of suitable flues and dust chambers to one central chimney. This chimney, 30 ft. inside diameter by 400 ft. high, is a self-supporting steel structure, lined with 4-in. brick supported on steel shelf angles, riveted to the shell, spaced about 15 ft. vertically. The bricks were of local manufacture, not particularly hard-burned, and were laid in ordinary cement-fireclay-sand mortar. No record is available to indicate that any particular effort was made to secure an acidproof mortar. The same materials were employed in the construction of the reverberatory and roaster flues, and the roaster dust chamber. Parenthetically, it may

Jan 1, 1934

By Robert C. Stephenson

Large deposits of titaniferous magnetite occur associated with anorthosite and gabbro in the Lake Sanford area, Essex County, New York. The ore, gabbro, and anortbosite show consanguineous relations. Anorthosite grades through gabbroic anortbosite into gabbro but is locally intruded by gabbro. Structural and petrographic evidence suggests that gabbro was differentiated from anorthosite by filter pressing. Field and laboratory study of ore occurrences indicates that an ore residuum concentrated in the gabbro through magmatic segregation' by normal crystallization and flowage. Ore occurs as bands which grade into gabbro, and also as large masses which replace anorthosite. Ore in the gabbro is finer grained and richer in ilmenite than ore in anorthosite. Introduction The Lake Sanford area lies in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, in the southeast portion of the Santanoni Quadrangle (Fig. I), and there are four ore bodies in the area immediately surrounding Lake Sanford. The area lies 30 miles by highway from the railroad at North Creek. The deposits were discovered in 1826, and from then until 1858 iron was produced in small quantities. They were idle from 1858 to 1906. Between 1906 and 1913, extensive development work was carried on. These early attempts to produce iron ore were thwarted by transportation difficulties and by the titanium content of the ore, which, ironically, has been the element responsible for the present development. In 1941 the National Lead Co., Titanium Division, developed the Sanford Hill ore body and is now producing ilmenite and magnetite concentrates.18 The Defense Plant Corporation is extending the railroad to the property from North Creek and is building a sintering plant to treat the magnetite concentrate. Investigations OF the Deposits* Early studies of the Lake Sanford titaniferous magnetite deposits were made by Emmons in 1842,l2 by Kemp, in 1897-98'0 and by Newland in 1908.22 Singewald26 and Osborne23 considered these deposits along with numerous other titaniferous magnetite deposits in 1913 and 1928, respectively. None of these reports entailed a detailed study of the ore occurrence in this area. The present study was begun in 1940. Seven months were spent in the field, and considerable time was spent in labora-

Jan 1, 1949

CONTENTS PAGE MERRISS, M. H.-Direct Electrolysis of Black-copper Anodes of High Nickel-lead Content. Discussed by C. S. Witherell, C. P. Linville, G. E. Dalbey, M. H. Merriss 1 GRISWOLD, GEORGE G.-Calculating the Zinc for Desilverizing Lead Bullion by the Parkes Process. Discussed by C. S. Witherell, George G. Griswold, Milo W. Krejci, Lawrence Addicks, W. F. Gross, H. H. Alexander, A. F. Beasley, C. P. Linville 3 ALEXANDER, H. H. and STACK, J. R.-The Reduction and Refining of Tin in the United States. Discussed by Edward F. Kern, J. R.' Stack, R. L. Hallett, C. R. Hayward, William H. Bassett, R. C. Canby, H. G. S. Anderson 20 GREENAWALT, WILLIAM E.-Greenawalt Electrolytic Copper Extraction Process. Discussed by Stuart Croasdale, Colin G. Fink, Arthur L. Walker, Edward F. Kern, Henry A. Tobelmann, Oliver C. Ralston 26 BENEDICT, C. H. and KENNY, H. C.-Ammonia Leaching of Calumet and Hecla Tailings. Discussed by G. E. Dalbey, C. H. Benedict 34 RALSTON, OLIVER C.-Hydrometallurgy of Lead. Discussed by F. L. Bosqui, Jr., George D. Van Arsdale 34 TAINTON, U. C. and LEYSON, L. T.-Electrolytic Zinc from Complex Ores. Dis¬cussed by W. G. Woolf, C. A. Hansen 39 Direct Electrolysis of Black-copper Anodes of High Nickel-lead Content Discussion of the paper of M. H. MERRISS, presented; at the New York Meeting; February, 1924, and, issued, as Paper No. 1273-M, with MINING AND METALLURGY, September, 1923. C. S. WITHERELL, New- York, N. Y. (written discussion).-This paper is particularly valuable in that it gives the results of operations -carried out under conditions differing from standard practice. In the electrolytic refining of copper, as in other kinds of metal refining, it is occasionally necessary to treat extraordinary foul or complex material, in which cases 'it is valuable to know what other metallurgists have accomplished under similar conditions. As tapping the slimes-covered anodes brought the tank-voltage down to 0.45 to 0.50 volt, the counter electromotive force was, probably not more than 0.1 or 0.2 volt; hence the so-called polarization was, mainly,

Jan 6, 1924

By Robert C. Stephenson

Large deposits of titaniferous magnetite occur associated with anorthosite and gabbro in the Lake Sanford area, Essex County, New York. The ore, gabbro, and anortbosite show consanguineous relations. Anorthosite grades through gabbroic anortbosite into gabbro but is locally intruded by gabbro. Structural and petrographic evidence suggests that gabbro was differentiated from anorthosite by filter pressing. Field and laboratory study of ore occurrences indicates that an ore residuum concentrated in the gabbro through magmatic segregation' by normal crystallization and flowage. Ore occurs as bands which grade into gabbro, and also as large masses which replace anorthosite. Ore in the gabbro is finer grained and richer in ilmenite than ore in anorthosite. Introduction The Lake Sanford area lies in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, in the southeast portion of the Santanoni Quadrangle (Fig. I), and there are four ore bodies in the area immediately surrounding Lake Sanford. The area lies 30 miles by highway from the railroad at North Creek. The deposits were discovered in 1826, and from then until 1858 iron was produced in small quantities. They were idle from 1858 to 1906. Between 1906 and 1913, extensive development work was carried on. These early attempts to produce iron ore were thwarted by transportation difficulties and by the titanium content of the ore, which, ironically, has been the element responsible for the present development. In 1941 the National Lead Co., Titanium Division, developed the Sanford Hill ore body and is now producing ilmenite and magnetite concentrates.18 The Defense Plant Corporation is extending the railroad to the property from North Creek and is building a sintering plant to treat the magnetite concentrate. Investigations OF the Deposits* Early studies of the Lake Sanford titaniferous magnetite deposits were made by Emmons in 1842,l2 by Kemp, in 1897-98'0 and by Newland in 1908.22 Singewald26 and Osborne23 considered these deposits along with numerous other titaniferous magnetite deposits in 1913 and 1928, respectively. None of these reports entailed a detailed study of the ore occurrence in this area. The present study was begun in 1940. Seven months were spent in the field, and considerable time was spent in labora-

Jan 1, 1949

By D. Hnrrington

THE Dust Symposium was attended by approximately 100 persons, nearly all of whom remained from the starting hour (2 p. m.) until the use of the auditorium was demanded for another meeting at 5:30 p. in. In calling the meeting to order, D. Harrington made a few remarks as to the importance of the health dust problem in mining as well as in general industry and expressed gratification that the subject is now out in the open and that mining people are desirous of ascertaining the facts. B. F. Tillson acted as chairman of the meeting. The milling executive who desires to know what to do to prevent his workers from being unduly exposed to the dust hazard can get much out of the paper by D. E. Cummings, who has been doing much work in mines trying to keep -the dust in the air within safe limits. His recommendations indicate that the main protection of the worker in mines is by adequate ventilation, supplemented by the extensive use of water in drilling, as well as in water curtaining to condition air both in regard to dust content and to temperatures. Blasting was shown to be one of the chief causes for dust and it was recommended that whenever feasible all blasting should be delayed to the end of the working shift.

Jan 1, 1935

By PAUL AUDIBERT

THE downward trend of metal prices seems to act something like a reagent that precipitates selfishness in most business men's hearts; in the same way the upward trend precipitates altruism. Operators do not say: "I continue working my mine without curtailment because I can afford the present prices while my neighbor cannot and thus will give me way." They say: "I continue working my mine because 1 consider it a service for consumers. They will get better prices on a free market. Any curtail¬ment would be an attempt to raise prices artificially, that is to say, bad economics." Copper producers have learned how fallacious is such an opinion. It perhaps was not fallacious in olden times when all mines were worked on a small scale even if operating on a big deposit. At that time the supply and demand law played fair. When prices were too low and profits were vanishing for many mines, they would. shut at once, then little by little the metal scarcity would induce prices to climb up again; finally these prices would reach the point when it became profitable to again work the closed mines. Re-opening and shutting down mines was then a normal custom. Workers and operators weakly deplored this unstability, but there was nothing effective they could, do about it.

Jan 1, 1931

By AIME AIME

BECAUSE of its unequalled skill, your country in- creased its production until, in 1913, it produced 40 per cent. of the world's consumption of coal, iron ore, and cast iron; 45 per cent. of the steel; and 60 per cent. of the copper. Your industrial effort, in a general manner and your mining effort in particular, has been tremendous. In the general economy of the world, you occupy an incomparable position of power and action. All your curves of production, mineralogical, metallurgical, financial, commercial, have taken terrific trigonometrical tangents and you will easily under- stand the sorry position of your competitors. I must, therefore, pay a tribute of homage arid admiration to you all who, each in his sphere, have been the artisans of such prosperity and my earnest wish is that you continue in this way.

Jan 1, 1920

By Heinrich 0. Hofman

A T THE meeting of the Board of Directors on June 24, Prof. Heinrich O. Hofman was elected an honorary member of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers. Professor Hofman is best known to the world at large for his publications, and in this respect he is to this generation what Schnabel was to the previous one. The first edition of Professor Hofman's "Metallurgy of Lead and Desilverization of Base Bullion"; was published in 1893; the fifth edition in 1898. In 1913, he published his work on "General Metallurgy;" this was followed by "Metallurgy of Copper" in 1914, and a revised and enlarged edition of the "Metallurgy of Lead" in 1918. "Metallurgy of Zinc and Cadmium" is now in press. He also published, through the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, "An Outline of the Metallurgy of Iron and Steel" for students' use. Since the founding of "Mineral Industry" in 1892, he has been continuously the annual contributor on the metallurgy of lead, and all Institute members know that his contributions to the TRANSACTIONS have been liberal in the extreme. It is through this medium that the results of the extensive research work, which he has always carried on in connection with his work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, have been published. Of the greatest importance are his papers dealing with the formation temperatures of slags, but many other metallurgical subjects have been covered.

Jan 1, 1921

By T. Egleston

AT the Dover meeting of the Institute, Mr. F. A. Canfield showed some of the members a machine which he had invented for dressing mineralogical and geological specimens, which he has since modified and brought to such a high state of perfection, that after having used it for several months in preparing specimens for the cabinet of the

Jan 1, 1876

By T. Egleston

At the Dover meeting of the Institute, Mr. F. A. Canfield showed some of the members a machine which he had invented for dressing mineralogical and geological specimens, which he has since modified and brought to such a high state of perfection, that after having used it for several months in preparing specimens for the cabinet of the

By E. G. Deane

THE CHAIRMAN (P. G. BECKETT, Globe, Ariz.).-The mining of large orebodies has in the last few years been such a big factor in the copper output of this State, and, in fact, of the whole country, I feel that we should have some valuable discussion this evening on the various mining methods described in the papers which are to be read; and I hope you will start a discussion on Mr. Deane's paper. J. A. EDE, La Salle, Ill.-I would like to ask whether, the timbers being left in, they have any fires owing to that fact? E. G. DEANE.-No, we do not. The timbers in the mat seem to lose life. I cannot tell you exactly what change takes place, but they do not burn readily. There is undoubtedly a chemical change in them-a change that makes them lose all strength. I , spoke of the strength of the sills. When we first started, we put in 4 by 8 sills, but those sills had no more strength in 6 months than a 2-in. plank would have. .J. P. HODGSON, Bisbee, Ariz.- I would like to ask Mr. Deane if the central supply raise in the- center of the block has been satisfactory; and also whether in extracting the ore they put small raises up so that wheelbarrows are not used in the stope?

Jan 12, 1916

Advantages to Members of Our Advertising Section.-It is our intention to make the advertising section of the Bulletin as comprehensive as possible, so that members can turn to it for complete information as to where to buy the best mining and metallurgical supplies at the lowest prices. No firms or supplies of dubious reputation are advertised in the Bulletin. If members, in buying any material, will refer to the advertisement of that material in the Bulletin, or if they do not find it advertised in the Bulletin, will, when ordering, ask the manufacturers why the goods were not advertised in the Institute publication, it will be of material benefit to all of us, because the chief reason why advertisers are unable to trace direct results is because purchasers do not mention the Bulletin when writing. Finally, if members, when in need of anything whatsoever, will write to the Institute headquarters, an effort will be made to send them a complete list of manufacturers able to supply the desired materials of good quality. The furnishing of these lists will be a benefit to our Advertising Department, as well as to the members. We need scarcely call attention to the advantages obtained by the members from the money which advertising brings in, because all this money is returned directly to the members in one form or another.

Jan 7, 1913

Attention! Engineers! Geologists! Here is your Opportunity to be of Professional Service The war has interrupted the supply of many minerals, which were normally imported. In view of present transportation conditions, a serious shortage exists in certain materials and will soon develop in others. Some immediate action is imperative. The first thing is to take a careful inventory of American resources. We must know where the ore deposits are, what has hitherto hindered their utilization, what methods must be used, and what equipment will be needed if an emergency demands their rapid development. Many properties must be re-examined from a new point of view, that of present necessity rather than of normal profit. When the shortage is realized, the preliminary steps for relief should have been completed. It is a necessary and patriotic form of mineral insurance. Will you have a part in it? Do not forget that these are war times, and that what may have been valueless a year ago may be a "life-saver" now; an abandoned copper prospect of 1913 might make a successful pyrite mine in 1917. We are fighting an autocratic enemy who knows his resources to the last pound, and uses them with most efficient organization. We have no Kaiser, so each of us must do his share to put our Government in the same situation. The Government needs your facts.

Jan 8, 1917

Advantages to Members of Our Advertising Section.-It is our intention to make the advertising section of the Bulletin as comprehensive as possible, so that members can turn to it for complete information as to where to buy the best mining and metallurgical supplies at the lowest prices. No firms or supplies of dubious reputation are advertised in the Bulletin.. If members, in buying any material, will refer to the advertisement of that material in the Bulletin, or if they do not find it advertised in the Bulletin, will, when ordering, ask the manufacturers why the goods were not advertised in the Institute publication, it will be of material benefit to all of us, because the chief reason why advertisers .are unable to trace direct results is because purchasers do not mention the Bulletin when writing. Finally, if members, when in need of anything whatsoever, will write to the Institute headquarters, an effort will be made to send them a complete list of manufacturers able to supply the desired materials of good quality. The furnishing of these lists will be a benefit to our Advertising Department, as well as to the members. We need .scarcely call attention to the advantages obtained by the members from the motley which advertising brings in, because all this money is returned directly to the members in one form or another.

Jan 7, 1913

By W. H. Davitt

While it is true that taxes, especially income taxes, whether they be federal, state, or local, are not usually thought of as a "cost" of doing business, it is equally true that these tax costs do reduce the distributable profits just as much as the cost of power, supplies, or labor. Therefore, the consideration given to taxes is often as important as that given to other costs. Hopefully you will recognize that, within certain limits, taxes can be controlled to an economic advantage. The tax laws as now imposed are quite complex. Many of these laws and the regulations thereunder involve many factual determinations, technical considerations, and specialized valuations that can best be made by people trained in the specific area concerned. A substantial amount of a tax liability turns on the proper consideration given to issues involving facts and principles which are peculiarly engineering in nature. The importance of these "engineering" issues in tax administration has been significantly increased in recent years by our rapidly advancing technology, automation, stepped-up mineral and oil exploitation, new industries such as electronics and nuclear power, and the extension of percentage depletion to all minerals. These specialized requirements incorporated in the law are so technical that full consideration can not be given by people with a non-engineering background.

Jan 7, 1974

By J. Richard Maier

Short-range mine planning (less than five years) previously was accomplished using contour and isopac maps, pencil and paper, an abacus, and our lucky quarter. Through the use of both micros and mainframe time sharing, Glenrock Coal Company (GCC) has been able to virtually put the old equipment away (except the problem solving quarter). In the process, GCC has saved many man-days and eliminated the more tedious parts of mine planning, such as picking elevations off a map with an engineer's scale and repetitive calculations. These savings have allowed GCC to do a more extensive job of mine planning as well as offer more alternatives, making GCC better prepared for possible economic changes. Mine planning, simply, involves looking at what has been done and deciding what needs to be done using various constraints. The application of this concept is not as easy as it sounds. The need for experience and insight cannot be replaced by a machine, but machines can supplement a person's ability by doing the bookkeeping and the repetitive work. Through the application of computers and their accessories, GCC has brought mine planning to a more modernized state. The following paper will detail the development and use of one system as used at GCC. Please note: In the figures and tables following, some of the data has been altered to protect confidential information used in mine planning.

Jan 1, 1983