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By Henry Fernald

THE accounting system or bookkeeping methods of any company are principally the concern of that company and of those who are in control of its affairs. Its published financial report is, however, primarily intended for those who are not already fully informed regarding its operations and finances. Whatever may be the advantages of standardization of accounting and bookkeeping methods, it must be admitted that a company has a certain right to handle its accounts and keep its books and records in whatever manner may seem to it best adapted to its affairs, even though such methods may differ materially from those generally adopted by others. In its financial reports it should not, however, either ask or expect that the statements it makes or the terms which it uses will be given in its case a meaning and interpretation different from that which they are ordinarily considered to have inn similar reports and statements of other companies. The particular form and arrangement of such reports is a matter concerning which there may be much difference of opinion. It is of little importance whether current assets come first or last in the Balance Sheet, but it is important that there should not be included under this designation any items which are not properly current assets within the generally accepted meaning of that term. The extent to which stockholders or others interested are to be made acquainted with the full details of a company's business is a question which the proper authorities must in each case decide. It should, however, be recognized that there are certain facts regarding a mining company which must be set forth in a financial statement if it is fully to cover the conditions and affairs of the company. For example, a financial statement which does not include or is not accompanied by a statement of the ore reserves of the company does not fully set forth its financial condition. This is true whether the absence of such a statement of ore reserves is because it is not desired to make public the figures or whether it is because the ore reserves themselves are not definitely known or accurately measured.

Jan 1, 1928

By Charles S. Robinson

The Henderson ore body is east of the Continental Divide in the Front Range of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, about 80 km (50 miles) west of Denver. The ore body is being developed for mining by workings that extend more than 1100 m (3500 ft) below the topographic surface. During construction of the mine workings, ground water in fractures in cystalline rock has been encountered. From 1969 to 1973, Charles S. Robinson & Associates, Inc., in cooperation with the engineering and geologic staffs of the Climax Molybdenum Company, a division of Amax Inc., studied the ground water geology of the Henderson mine development area. Detailed geologic record( of the Henderson mine were available as a result of the exploration, evaluation and development of the mine. Records of the flow, chemical composition and temperature of the ground water at and near the surface, from the entire mine, from portions of the mine, and from exploration holes drilled in the mine, were kept as the mine was developed. Where possible, ground water pressures in drill holes and changes in pressure with time, were recorded. The geologic, hydrologic and chemical data were correlated. The following conclusions were drawn from the correlations: The ground water in the Henderson mine occurs in fractures in Precambrian igneous and metasedimentary rock and in a series of Tertiary intrusive rocks. Two zones of ground water were recognized; an active zone, in which the fracture systems are recharged and discharged annually into the surface water system, and a passive zone, in which the fractures were filled with water in the geologic past. Discharge from the passive zone is through mine workings that intersect the fracture systems. Discharge from a fracture or fracture system is initially high but decreases with time. The rate of decrease in flow (or pressure) is exponential. By measuring the change in flow with time, it is possible to calculate the amount of flow at some given period of time in the future. Based on changes in rate of flow and pressure, and the geology, and assuming rates of mining of the ore, it will be possible to predict the volumes of water that will have to be handled during the life of the mine and the area around the mine that will be drained by the mining operation.

Jan 1, 1979

By Audley H. Snow

The general drift of the discussion as to the relative merits of pressure- and exhaust-fans has resulted, if we may judge from the prevailing practice, largely in favor of the latter. The subject has been hitherto treated, however, with special reference to highly gaseous mines, the effect of the form of ventilation upon dust-explosions having been too little considered. Even in mines containing practically no gas, dust-explosions may occur; and if, as I believe, pressure-fans are to be preferred for their effect upon dust, it may be worth while to reopen the debate, and to challenge the advisability of exhaust-ventilation under certain conditions. There are several forms of colliery-ventilation, which may be described as follows: Plain or simple pressure-ventilation, in which the fan acts as a pressure-fan, and the movement of coal is unobstructed at the surface by doors or equivalent devices in drifts or shafts, the traveling and haulage. thus being in the return-current. Plain exhaust-ventilation, in which the fan acts as an exhaust-fan, the movement of coal being likewise unobstructed at the surface, and the traveling and haulage being in the intake.

Jan 1, 1910

By Donald W. Mitchell

MINE operators have a choice of several classifications of mechanical loaders. Within each classification there are many types and makes available. Table I lists loaders on which manufacturing data as to operating characteristics are available. This paper discusses the conditions met in a mine as they affect these characteristics. It is assumed that management will provide satisfactory engineering, supervision, power, maintenance, loader service within a concentration of workings, and a balanced working cycle served by balanced production equipment. These are factors which affect the optimum operational efficiency of a loader. The conditions which determine loader choice are:

Jan 5, 1951

By Paul C. Ragland, P. Geoffrey Feiss

The Piedmont province of the southern Appalachians is the focus of interest for many exploration geologists. In the past, only those deposits with significant surface exposure were exploited. Thus, few deposits have been found and relatively little exploration has been conducted in recent years. Modern geochemical and geophysical techniques can alleviate this problem of concentrating on exposed ore bodies by allowing us to "look through" the soil and saprolite to detect the presence of significant mineralization at depth. This paper will attempt to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of several geochemical exploration techniques in the Piedmont province of Cabarrus and Stanly counties, N.C. The area chosen for study is shown in [Fig. 1], lying almost wholly within the Mt. Pleasant quadrangle, N.C. The area is on the eastern boundary between the Charlotte belt, a zone of plutonic and intermediate grade metamorphic rocks, and the Carolina Slate belt, a series of complexly interbedded volcanic and sedimentary rocks of predominantly low metamorphic grade. The area is considered to be an early Paleozoic active, continental margin. l As is typical of most of the piedmont, outcrop is sparse. [Figure 2] is a sketch map of the general geology of the area under study, showing the Charlotte belt rocks in the northwestern quadrant and slate belt rocks to the east. Within the area are a number of old mines and prospects, the most famous of which are the Furniss and Phoenix mines in Cabarrus County. All are reported to have contained Au and Cu. Ag and Pb were reported from some. A summary of the deposits is given in [Table 1]. Data used in this study are from three Master's theses completed at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hi11. 3, 5, 6 In separate studies, well waters, 5 B-zone soils,3 and vein and float from the area were sampled and analyzed. Each study concluded separately that geochemical anomalies in the vicinity of the ores justify use of that specific sampling technique in a geochemical exploration program. However, no comparative study of the methods has been made. It is our intention

Jan 1, 1980

By H. J. Winters

Position of the Porphyries in US Copper Supply The United States continues to be the largest producer and consumer of copper in the world. [Table 1] shows several production statistics for 1974, the most recent year that the non-communist world copper industry might consider a good year, and for 1976 and 1977. In 1974 an estimated 24% of the non-communist world's newly mined copper was mined in the US, and 87.89% of that was from the western porphyry coppers. In 1976 US new mine production was down to 22% of the non-communist world's newly mined copper, and the percentage of US new mine production supplied by the porphyry coppers had risen to 89-91%. In 1977 the statistics remained the same as in 1976. US porphyry copper production represented about 65% of US refined copper consumption in 1974, rose to 75% in 1976, and dropped back to 61% in 1977 as imports of foreign copper into the US began to swell. The financial situation of the porphyry copper mining industry continues to be very unhealthy. To see why; we can take a quick look at costs and prices.

Jan 1, 1982

By H. K. van Poollen, H. C. Bixel

A treatment is given of the transient pressure behavior of a well located at the center of a circular region surrounded by a radial discontinuity. On either side of the discontinuity, the values of permeability, viscosity, compressibility and porosity are uniform but may be different from those on the other side of the discontinuity. The results are obtained by solving a pair of finite difference equations. The numerical solution to these equations is obtained using a digital computer. The results are compared with previously published, approximated analytical solutions to the same problem. Solutions, presented graphically, show pressure decline for constant rate fluid production. The range of variables studied include dimensionless time from '0.001 to 100 and storage capacity ratio from 0.001 to 1,000. The well behaves as if it were in an infinite reservoir for dimensionless times less than 0.25. Reservoir properties near the well can be estimated in the usual manner. An overlay technique is used to match an experimental curve with one of the theoretical curves. It is possible to estimate the distance to a discontinuity by substituting the actual time t and the corresponding dimensionless time tD at which a match occurs into the equation a = (0.000264 tk1/tD , µ1 cI)I/2 where kI/ I µI cI is the diffusivity near the well, and may be estimated from data taken at early time. Several buildup curves are computed. These curves show that for early shut-in times, correct values for transmissibility are obtained from conventional analysis. However, erroneous values of static reservoir Pressure are obtained unless data at large shut-in times are taken. INTRODUCTION A mathematical treatment of the transient pressure response of a well located at the center of a region bounded by a circular discontinuity is given. Within a region (Fig. 20) the properties of both the rock and the fluid are considered to be constant on either side of the discontinuity. While these properties are considered constant, they may be different on opposite sides of the discontinuity. A discontinuity of this type could be a fluid-fluid contact or a sudden change in rock characteristics such as thickness, porosity or permeability. Analytical solutions to this problem are available. 1-3 However, they are so involved that they are of little practical use. An approximate solutionl is available but the range of times over which it is valid has not been specified. A numerical solution to a pair of finite difference equations is used to obtain the solution given in this paper. PREVIOUS WORK One of the first solutions to the problem was published by William Hurst.1 Hurst considered unsteady-state flow of fluids through two sands in series with different mobilities in each sand. He used Laplace transforms to obtain a solution for a single well located at the center of the circle enclosing the first of the two sands. In this case, the solution for the pressure change in Region I (Fig. 20) is2

By Carl Beal

IN February, 1918, the conclusion was published by Lewis and Beal1 "that wells of equal output on the average will produce equal amounts of oil in the future, regardless of the ages of the wells." This conclusion was based upon the study of data collected principally in Oklahoma and was not known at that time to be true for other oil fields. An abundance of statistical proof was later, collected by the senior author of the present paper, which showed that the conclusion was undoubtedly well founded and that it applied to other fields as well. Accordingly, it was later restated2 as the "law of equal expectations" as follows: "If two wells under similar conditions .produce equal amounts during any given year, the amounts they will produce thereafter, on the average, will be approximately equal, regardless of their relative ages." Although only scanty data from the California oil fields were available at the time this publication was prepared, sufficient information was analyzed upon which to base the insert on Fig. 80, which showed beyond a doubt that the law held at least for a part of the Midway oil field in California. Recently the authors have collected more complete data in California, and it is the purpose of this paper to explain the method used in demonstrating the truth of the law and, in addition, to give several methods by which curves constructed in accordance with this law can be used in a practical way with ease and accuracy.

Jan 8, 1919

Discussion of the paper of Robert R. Abbott, presented at the New York Meeting, October, 1913, and printed in Bulletin No. 82, October, 1913, pp. 2389 to 2400. ALBERT SAUVEUR, Cambridge, Mass.:-Mr. Abbott has certainly made a strenuous effort to ascertain the influence of the various elements on the absorption of carbon by steel-a subject of great importance to those dealing with the case hardening of that metal. Because of the extensive and careful character of Mr. Abbott's experiments, one is all the more disappointed that his results, as he himself recognizes, are not more satisfactory; for, indeed they leave us just about where we were,-still entertaining uncertain views in regard to the carbon-absorbing power of various alloy steels. It might be asked whether Mr. Abbott's method of estimating the amount of carbon absorbed-namely, by weighing the specimens before and after the carburizing treatment-was the best one to select. Are not serious sources of error. inherent to such procedure because of the difficulty of satisfactorily removing the earburizing material attached to the specimen ? The method of least squares has certainly failed to solve the problem satisfactorily. By manipulating Mr. Abbott's results in a different manner I have obtained the following expression: P = 100 - 50 C - 7 Ni + 20 Cr, in which P represents the carbon-absorbing power; C, the percentage of carbon; Ni, that of nickel; and Cr, that of chromium. It is assumed that the carbon-absorbing power of pure iron, or what might be called its carburizability, is represented by 100. Applying the formula, for instance, to a steel containing 0.15 per cent. C, 3 per cent. nickel, and 0.50 per cent. chromium, its carbon-absorbing power would be 100-50X0.15-7X3+20X0.50=81.50; that is, 81.50 per cent. of the carbon-absorbing power of pure iron.

Jan 12, 1913

By M. J. Scoble, W. J. P. Leigh

This paper aims to characterise the forms of slope instability incident in surface coal mines in Britain. These are related to observed controlling factors, with particular reference being given to slope geometry and structure. The work is based on specific data collection programmes considering actual stable and unstable mine slopes. Reference is made to field examples.

Jan 1, 1982

By F. A. Forward, V. N. Mackiw

The paper relates to the laboratory and pilot plant studies that have been carried out by Sherritt Gordon Mines Ltd., Metallurgical Research Div., in developing the ammonia pressure leach process for extracting copper, nickel, cobalt, and sulphur from high grade nickel concentrate produced from Lynn Lake ores, and describes in some detail the chemistry of the process. IT is well known'.' 2 that copper, nickel, cobalt, zinc, ferrous iron, and a number of other metals combine with ammonia in aqueous solution to form complex ions of the form [Me(NH,)x]"+. The stability and solubility of these ions depend on the concentration of the metal ion in solution, on the amount of NH, present, and on the amount and type of anions present, e.g., OH-, C0;-, NO,, C1-, SO;-. If ammonia is partially or completely removed from such solutions, for example by boiling, the soluble ammines tend to decompose and the metals precipitate as basic salts. These properties of metal ammines have found practical application in the commercial recovery of copper, nickel, and cobalt from a variety of ores. In an operation formerly conducted at Kennecott"" the mill tailing containing 0.80 pct Cu as copper carbonate was leached by percolation with an ammonia-ammonium carbonate solution to dissolve the copper as the ammine. At Calumet and Hecla0-" With a mill tailing containing about 0.4 pct Cu as metallic copper, it has been found necessary to aerate the ammonia-ammonium carbonate leach solutions between stages to oxidize the solubilized copper. At Nicarol"-" where nickel and cobalt occur as oxides and silicates which are not soluble in ammonia, the ore is heated to decompose silicates and to selectively reduce the nickel and cobalt to metal, leaving the iron as Fe,O,, and is then leached with ammonia-ammonium carbonate solution accompanied by aeration to dissolve nickel and cobalt as ammines. In each of these leaching operations, the anion present is CO, and the metals can be precipitated from the leach solution as oxide (copper) or hydroxide and carbonate (nickel and cobalt) by boil- ing off NH, and C02 both of which are recycled to treat a subsequent ore charge. The products-—oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate—can be treated by conventional smelting, calcining, or electrolytic methods to convert them to refined metals. Thus the procedures mentioned utilize the properties of the ammines to extract copper, nickel, and cobalt from nonsulphide ores and separate them from the leach solutions. These processes have the advantage that they can be carried out in closed vessels at atmospheric pressure, that the leaching solutions are specific for the desired metals, that the metals can be recovered as relatively pure compounds by the boiling operation, and that the NH, and CO, can be recycled. Also, as the leach solutions after boiling and filtration are substantially free of metals, NH,, and CO,, they can be discarded, thus facilitating the control of the water balance in the leaching circuit. When, as is the case with Sherritt Gordon concentrates, sulphides are treated with ammonia solution in the presence of oxygen, the leach solution contains SO,--, and an entirely different set of conditions is encountered. The ammine sulphates (of nickel, for example) are more soluble than the carbonates and can be only partially decomposed by boiling. The SO, and NH, in the solutions can not be recovered by boiling. Thus, despite the more favorable leaching conditions resulting from high solubility of the ammine sulphates, the recovery of metals, NH,, and SO, from the solutions must be effected by other means. Sherritt Gordon Nickel Concentrate Treatment The Ni-Cu-Co flotation concentrate produced at Lynn Lake'" contains 12 to 16 pct Ni, 1 to 2 pct Cu, 0.2 to 0.5 pct Co, 33 to 40 pct Fe, 28 to 34 pct S, 8 to 20 pct insoluble, and less than 0.02 oz per ton precious metals. The nickel is present chiefly as pentlandite, the copper as chalcopyrite, and the iron as pyrrhotite and pyrite. Most of the cobalt is thought to be present in pentlandite, although it is known that a small amount occurs as Co-Ni-pyrite.

Jan 1, 1956

By A. D. Mutch

IT has long been known that there are wide variations in the thermo-electric potential of pyrite. In the last few years a study of this variation and other properties of pyrite was carried out at the University of Toronto by F. G. Smith on specimens of pyrite from many localities.1-3 As a result of these studies the pyrite geothermometer was developed by Professor Smith. The calibration of the pyrite geothermometer is based on the assumption that "crystals of any one electronically conducting mineral species deposited at a high temperature have a more positive thermo-electric potential than crystals deposited at a low temperature, and the thermo-electric potential varies continuously between any given limits of the temperature of deposition." The cause of the variation was postulated to be crystal discontinuities, such as lineage boundaries. As yet this postulated relationship has not been established as fact. On theoretical grounds it is indicated that the thermo-electric potential of pyrite or any other partial conductor is dependent upon a number of factors as well as the temperature of formation. For this and other reasons there is ground for doubt as to the validity of the relationship postulated above. To date a large number of readings have been made with the pyrite geothermometer which have been recorded in terms of the calibration of the instrument in degrees centigrade. So far most of the pyrite tested by this technique has been in association with gold ore. The values for the temperature of formation obtained in these tests appear to be reasonable and, in relation to geological problems, to vary in the right sense. Determinations on some specimens not in association with gold ore have given readings that appear to be much too high, taking into account the probable maximum temperature of the host rock. To sum up, although many determinations made with the. pyrite geothermometer appear to give reasonable values for the temperature of formation of the pyrite, there are at the same time other readings which seem anomalous. On the basis of an examination of available results of work with the pyrite geothermometer, two problems must be considered: 1-the validity of the calibration of the pyrite geothermometer; and 2-the nature of the distribution of the thermo-electric potentials of pyrite in relation to the specific problems that have been examined. In this paper the academic problem relating to the validity of the calibration of the pyrite geothermometer will not be discussed. Instead, the variations of thermo-electric potential of pyrite in association with gold veins will be discussed with regard to specific examinations. The first of these two examinations deals with the distribution of thermo-electric potentials of pyrite in association with a gold vein and was carried out in the McIntyre Porcupine Mine, Schumacher, Ont., in the summer of 1949 as part of a study with this technique. The second problem deals with variations of thermo-electric potential of pyrite in gold ore specimens from all over the world. The specimens used in this study were part of the private collection of Frank Ebbutt, geologist for Howe Sound Exploration Co. Results of Detailed and Reconnaissance Studies In discussion of the results of determinations made in these two studies the values of thermo-electric potential in millivolts will be used. It will be noted that in some of the diagrams the determinations are recorded in terms of pyrite geothermometer temperatures. Fig. 1 is a calibration chart relating, pyrite geothermometer temperatures and thermo-electric potentials. A full discussion of the technique is given in the original paper by F. G. Smith.' Briefly, the determinations are made by placing two stainless steel probes, one hot and the other cold, against the surface of the pyrite crystal being tested. The thermo-electric potential that is developed is read with a null-point potentiometer that is calibrated in what

Jan 1, 1952

Feb. 18 to. 21, 1918 Committee on Arrangements J. E. JOHNSON, JR., Chairman BRADLEY STOUGHTON, Vice-Chairman A. R. LEDOUX RALPH W. DEACON F. T. RUBIDGE L. W. FRANCIS E. M. SHIPP MRS. S J. JENNINGS J. V. N. DORR A. L. WALKER G. D. VAN ARSDALE R. M. RAYMOND Finance Committee ALBERT R. LEDOUX, Chairman WALTER H. ALDRIDGE J. H. JANEWAY GEORGE D. BARRON CHARLES F. RAND WALTER DOUGLAS BENJAMIN B. THAYER

Jan 4, 1918

By D. W. Jessup

ONLY during the past few years, have the old-fashioned methods for treating ores and byproducts progressed to any marked degree. The advent of multiple-hearth roasting, blast roasting, the baghouse, and the Cottrell plant indicate this change. It is the ability to roast and smelt sulfide ores and concentrates that gave this later advance. Further investigations that will solve the problem of efficient handling of flotation concentrates and their attendant ills are of the utmost importance. With future developments, the metallurgist will be able to smelt more economically and to treat still more refractory ores, making the early methods appear small by comparison. GROWTH OF SMELTING Well within the memory of pioneer smeltermen, the ore was charged directly into the blast furnace as it came from the mine;, only the richer, ores were smelted, the lower grade and sulfide ores were undesirable. Matte was, at first, thrown away and only two products) were desired-slag and lead bullion. Scores of the early smelting companies failed because of improper reduction of ores, high costs, short- furnace campaigns, inability to treat sulfide ores, and ores containing-zinc. With the failure of weaker companies, consolidation eliminated many others, until today the field is dominated by a comparatively few organizations, each strong financially. Formerly, a few thousand dollars would erect a small plant, whereas the modern smelter costs over a million dollars. Ore and products to which formerly no attention was paid are now treated with comparative ease and at a good profit. Mechanical improvements have modernized smelting, furnace tonnages show an increase, and metal recoveries have made enormous strides. Even though costs have decreased, they have not dropped in proportion to the improvements, because of the higher wages, greater costs of fluxes and coke, more undesirable ores smelted, etc.

Jan 8, 1925

By P. R. Swann, J. G. Parr

Quenched structures were studied in alloys containing up to 12.5 pct cobalt. The subsequent decomposition of a 10 pct cobalt retained-ß phase alloy was investigated using metallographic and X-ray diffraction methods. Hardness measurements also were made during the decomposition process. Precipitation of Ti2Co is by nucleation and growth; and an activation energy of 50,000 cal per mole was determined. The values of the coefficient ß suggest that the precipitate is pearlitic at temperatures between 450 and 475°C, and spheroidal between 500 and 525°C. THIS paper describes part of a series of invesligations into phase transformations in binary alloys of titanium with transition elements. The general approach is similar to that taken in work on titanium-iron and titanium-nickel alloys.' Previous investigators'' have established the titanium-rich end of the titanium-cobalt phase diagram, reproduced in Fig. 1. Orrell and Fontana' showed that alloys containing more than about 6 pct" cobalt quenched from the ß range, produced 100 pcl retained-p phase. The isothermal decomposition of alloys containing between 0.8 pct Co and 15.5 pct CO was investigated by the same workers in the temperature range 650 to 1000°C. They reported that these alloys transformed into a or Ti,Co depending on the cobalt content, but no quantitative data were given. In the work to be described a series of alloys containing 0.8 pct Co to 12.5 pct Co was examined in the quenched condition. The 10 pct Co alloy (the lowest cobalt content to retain 100 pct ß on quenching) was selected for further work on the tempering kinetics of the ß decomposition. Experimental Procedure Since our own melting equipment was not installed at the outset of this work, the Physical Metallurgy Division of the Department of Mines and Technical Surveys (Ottawa, Canada) prepared the alloys. These were made of Japanese sponge, (which when melted had a value of 103 DPH, using a 1-kg load), and electrolytically prepared cobalt. The al- loys, made up to contain 0.8, 1.6, 3.3, 5.8, 8.3, 10.0 and 12.5 pct Co, were homogenized by swaging into rods at 900°C. Filings were taken from the rods, and any iron chips from the file were separated magnetically. Size fractions of both plus and minus 200 mesh (about 75p) were shown by their constitution, after annealing just below the eutectoid temperature, to contain the same cobalt content. Consequently, it was permissible to use the —200-mesh fraction, knowing it to be representative of the rod composition. Quenching in argon was carried out in a newly designed furnace, whose features include (1) an Inconel furnace tube, (2) a positive pressure of argon maintained at all times in the furnace—even when a sample is removed or inserted. The furnace is shown in Fig. 2 and is described in the Appendix. The tempering processes were carried out on powder samples sealed in evacuated quartz capsules. Since the highest tempering temperature was 525OC, no protection against reaction with the quartz was necessary. (Tests were made on filings of iodide titanium and showed no hardness increase after equivalent heat-treatments.) A thermocouple was attached to the capsule, which was heated to the

Jan 1, 1959

Scraper and Slide Riddell Mucker Boskovich Device Hydro-mucker Inclined Shaft Mucking The Benching Method Performance Chart

Jan 3, 1950

By Zden[e]k P. Bažant

Due to their heterogeneity, most rocks fracture with a zone of distributed cracking ahead of the fracture front. This makes linear elastic fracture mechanics inapplicable. The present study describes a mathematical model in which the progressive microcracking is taken into account by strain-softening stress-strain relation. In a simpler version of the model, the triaxial strain-softening stress- strain relation is obtained by direct adjustment of the elements of the compliance matrix. This formulation is rigorous only if the principal stress directions do not rotate during fracture formation within the fracture process zone. As a more sophisticated and generally applicable model, the so-called microplane model which is an analogue of the slip theory of plasticity is outlined. Comparison with fracture data for various rocks are given.

Jan 1, 1984

By K. A. Grace

Reserves are the basic foundation of any mining enterprise, but a lack of understanding of the concept of resources and reserves is still a frequent cause of failure in mining ventures. A review of the development of the resource-reserve concept emphasizes the necessity for a common language, and the classification system as set out by the US Geological Survey and Bureau of Mines is advocated as the basis for this. Because of its strong economic connotation, the term reserves should be severely restricted in its use, and should encompass mining and processing factors. Modifications to the basic definition of reserves to accomplish this are proposed. Caution must be used in the quantification of undiscovered or hypothetical resources, particularly in juxtaposition with known resources data.

Jan 1, 1985

Jan 1, 1938

By W. H. Emmons

THE exploration of deposits of the metals will never become an exact science. There will always be an element of uncertainty in prospecting and developing mines. In countries where the surface has been closely scrutinized, most of the deposits whose outcrops contain valuable metals have probably been discovered. Many metalliferous deposits, however, are normally so much altered at the surface that the true significance of their outcrops is likely to be obscured. If a deposit is not exposed, its presence may become known by some one of its characteristics that is different in kind or in degree from a similar feature of the associated rock. Thus, a deposit that is not exposed may be discovered because of its magnetic property. So few minerals are strongly magnetic that the value of magnetic surveys is limited, but the dip needle has nevertheless proved of great aid in locating magnetic belts, and these in some regions are associated with workable iron ores. The Cuyuna Iron Range of Minnesota, which does not exhibit any outcrop of iron ore, was discovered by drilling "areas of attraction" that are due to belts of magnetic rocks associated with the iron ores. In some regions the use of the clip needle is justified, even if it does no more than reveal the strike of the rocks, since a knowledge of the latter enables the driller to locate and point his holes to advantage. The measures of gravity by the use of the pendulum are so accurate, or the limit of error is so small, that one might detect the presence of a concealed tabular deposit approximately at the surface, 34 ft. (10.36 m.) thick, having a density double that of the surrounding rocks. However, not many deposits have a density twice that of ordinary rocks and a thickness as great as 34 ft.; if they lie a short distance below the surface the density or the thickness must be even greater. Consequently, there is not much hope of sufficiently developing the gravity method of detecting deposits of heavy ores to make it of practical value. If the limit of error could be reduced to about one-tenth the present factor, and if the rather tedious and painstaking methods of determining gravity that are now in use could be simplified, the method would promise some degree

Jan 3, 1917