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By S. A. TAYLOR

THERE is probably no other mineral industry of which the public has as much information and misinformation as it has of the coal industry. Unfortunately, however, the general public's knowledge of the coal industry, outside of the particular kind of coal it is accustomed to, by reason of use, is largely made up of information received from newspaper and popular magazine articles, in which the mine workers are depicted as overworked and mistreated men, and the coal operators as "coal barons." Those who have any specific knowledge of exact conditions in the coal industry know how unjust and un- fair such an opinion of the coal industry is, not only to the miner but to the operator as well. Many reporters and writers of magazine articles are misled by statements regarding the condition of the miners that are exaggerated and not founded on facts and, if an investigation of the conditions of the miner's work, his habitation and surroundings were fairly made, it would at least compel more truthful statements by those who write for public reading. That such an investigation would not reveal anything that was wrong, or anything to be censured or cured, no one, I think, would maintain, but I do think that any fair investigation of the facts would show that conditions in and around the newer and later-developed coal mines and communities would compare favorably with those of manufacturing districts, and that where the mines and com- munities are old and not very attractive places to work, or live in, they carry with them other considerations, compensating for these conditions, and cannot be remedied by reason of a lack of sufficient coal to warrant economically any costly changes.

Jan 1, 1926

By H. J. Fraser

LIKE a runner catching his second wind, the mining geologist in 1944 has had some opportunity to appraise the result of three years of active and intense search for the metallic sinews of war and peace. The war period has been one of physical activity and accumulation of new data but has not so far resulted in the announcement of any profound or revolutionary theoretical concepts or techniques. Most technical publications during the year have been either descriptive or statistical. A review of accomplishments during the war years, although affording some measure of satisfaction in individual cases or regarding production of certain metals or' ores, is far from justifying any feeling of complacency regarding the growth of the profession either in fundamental knowledge or in application. During 1944 an abundant supply of all metals and minerals flowed steadily to smelters and fabricating plants. Also, during this and preceding years, adequate stock piles for war needs, in view of the improved foreign and domestic supply situation, were accumulated in many metals in such quantities that the mining industry has become concerned not with the problem of supply but with the effect these accumulated stocks, if maintained, might have on the postwar market. These considerations culminated in the enactment by Congress of the Surplus Disposal Act, which, admittedly a tempo-

Jan 1, 1945

By AIME AIME

T HE Institute of Metals Division and the Iron and Steel Division will meet jointly at the Stevens Hotel, Chicago, during the week of the American Metals Congress, Sept. 22-26. The Iron and Steel Di- vision of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Society for Steel Treating and the American Welding Society meet at the same time. but the sessions have been arranged to conflict as little as possible. A rich program of papers and plant visits has been arranged for the members and guests of the two Institute Divisions. The annual dinner and a pro- gram of entertainment are being arranged by the Woman's Auxiliary of the Chicago Section. Members are urged to register immediately up011 arrival and to make dinner and plant visit reservations at the same time.

Jan 1, 1930

By E. A. Anderson

THIS seems to be the year for superlatives in A.I.M.E. meetings. The programs of the various Divisions and Institute committees offered an abundance of interesting and valuable information in the form of technical papers, symposia. and lectures to large and interested audiences. The Institute of Metals Division may hold up its head with pride for its own program. With six technical sessions, three full-day symposia, and the annual I.M.D. dinner, four meeting days were not enough and many simultaneous sessions were required. The quantity and quality of the paper were equaled by the numbers and interest of those attending.

Jan 1, 1944

By WILKES BARRE

AS PREVIOUSLY announced, the semi-centennial meeting of the Institute is to be held at Wilkes-Barre, Pa., on Sept. 12, 13, 14, and 15. An interesting program of technical sessions and excursions is now being prepared by the Local Committee. At the time of going to press the program had not been completed in sufficient detail to permit its being pub¬lished in this number. The detailed program will be published in the September MINING AND METALLURGY, which will be printed in time to be distributed before the Wilkes-Barre Meeting. It may be said in advance, however, that the Com¬mittee has progressed so far in its work that we are assured of one of the -most notable meetings the Insti¬tute has held and that members will miss a rare .treat if they do not attend. The many trips and excursions, as well as the banquet, will be -given to the members as a compliment from the members of the Local Com¬mittee. . . The paper by Howard Eavenson on the Lynch Plant of -the United States Coal and Coke Co. will be illustrated by lantern slides and moving pictures. One of the most appropriate discussions will be that opened by Prof. J. F. Kemp on the Stratigraphy of the Anthracite Region; this also will be amply illustrated.

Jan 1, 1921

By Fred R. Ingram

FOR the purpose of this discussion, let us consider that the Rocky Mountain region covers the area in the seven Mountain States, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, and before we discuss the needs of these states, let us define Industrial Hygiene. Industrial Hygiene is that branch of preventive medicine concerned with the protection of health, improvement of efficiency, and prolongation of life of the industrial worker; in short, adult health conservation. It includes in its broad meaning not only the prevention of occupational diseases, such as silicosis, lead poisoning, cadmium poisoning, and many others, but such relative problems as overcrowding, fatigue, and personal and mental hygiene; exposure to abnormal temperatures, pressures, and humidities; ventilation, heating, and lighting. It is a science which requires the combined activity of medical personnel (doctors and nurses), engineers, and chemists to evaluate the exposures and determine the means of eliminating the hazard. The engineer surveys the workplace, takes air samples at the breathing level of the workman, and analyzes the work exposure. The chemist determines in his laboratory the exact amount of toxic material collected in the sample, which represents the exposure of the workman. The doctor must diagnose the occupational disease, recognize its cause, and evaluate the disability. Together, all three must correlate the data obtained and devise efficient methods, medical or engineering or process changes, for controlling or minimizing the dangerous condition and for studying the effectiveness of these measures. The plant doctor, in addition, must aid in the readjustment of the incapacitated worker and provide facilities for prevention. Industrial hygiene, however, is of no avail without the understanding co-operation of management.

Jan 1, 1945

By B. M. Burchfiel

CALIFORNIA possesses such an abundance of ceramic materials other than clays, that she is quite independent of other states and foreign countries so far as these materials are concerned. Certain users import some feldspar, silica, and allied minerals, but they do so from choice and not necessity. Production is largely for home consumption, so the total volume of ceramic materials produced is comparatively small. Many small deposits of the materials here under discussion are worked by individuals, and their output sold to individual grinding companies or users. The data given here shall be confined to the larger deposits and developments because they give a truer picture of typical deposits, operations, and materials.

Jan 1, 1936

By George M. Fowler

DURING 1937 the subject of mining geology was probably given more attention and more mining geologists were usefully employed than at any previous time. Of the many contributing factors the most important were: (1) a higher degree of prosperity in many countries, (2) a. better understanding of geologic phenomena, and (3) the apparently diminishing reserves of several important minerals. Mining companies have come to look upon geology with a growing appreciation of its aid in the more effective exploration and exploitation of mineral deposits. Most of the larger and more active companies have one or more geologists permanently attached to their staffs and some have well organized and efficiently managed geological departments. Even the smaller companies, who feel they cannot afford to employ a geologist on a permanent basis, are seeking the advice of competent men in this field with increasing frequency. One of the most significant trends has been the growing tendency to base exploratory work on more thorough geologic studies instead of empirical "hunches,"on which so much off the work in the past has relied. Likewise, mining companies are apparently more willing to expend larger sums on the basis of geologic possibilities in a district.

Jan 1, 1938

By J. G. Thompson

IRON, iron everywhere, but hardly a particle of pure unadulterated iron for the metallurgist to use as a base for the protean characteristics that he develops in the alloys of iron-the modern steels. Iron, next to aluminum the most abundant metal in the crust of the earth; one of the oldest metals known to man and serving him as the most indispensable metal in both war and peace; yet man's knowledge of its properties is based on specimens that are not pure and hence probably differ considerably in their properties from the truly pure metal. Purification of iron has brought about startling changes in its electrical and magnetic properties and has modified its behavior in changing its crystal form with temperature, the basis of the heat-treatment of iron. So both the research metallurgist and the metallurgist of the steel plant are intrigued by the possibilities that might unfold were 100 per cent pure iron available in sufficient quantities to determine its properties.

Jan 1, 1940

By GUY C. RIDDELL

THE recent purchase by an American investment trust of a substantial block of shares in a British owned Venezuelan copper operation directs attention to mining activities that have been quietly gaining momentum in that country for a number of years. We hear so much of oil work in Venezuela that attention to its metal-mining activities is in most quarters casual. In gold and copper the country has made some interesting mining records, and two of the old districts are ,digging in for a come-back. Copper Copper production centers in the state of Yaracuy. The Aroa-Cumaragua mining region has had a long and eventful history. The Aroa mine itself, 50 miles from the coast in West-Central Venezuela, was discovered in 1605. First mined in 1632, owned at one time by Simon Bolivar, it has been reopened many times and is now , the basis of substantial operations by the South American Copper Syndicate, Ltd. of London. The latter has operated the property profitably, off and on, for a number of years, paying heavy dividends on a small investment-at times over 300 per cent annually.

Jan 1, 1929

By L. BENEDICT

COMMENTING on the report of the latest Royal Commission for India, the September, 1926, issue of the National City Bank's monthly letter states, among other things, that "The decision of the Royal Commission is against the proposal for a gold coinage, but in favor of placing the silver coins and paper currency now redeemable in silver on a gold basis." Also, it quotes the following from the Royal Commission's report: The essence of the proposal * * * * * is that the ordinary medium of circulation in India should remain as at present the currency note and the silver rupee, and that the stability of the currency in terms of gold should be secured by making the currency directly convertible into gold for all purposes, but the gold should not circulate as money. It must not circulate at first, and it need not circulate ever. In this connection it may be stated that during the last one hundred and fifty years or so unsuccessful attempts have been made by the governments of different nations of the world to devise a plan or plans by which gold and silver could be used concurrently for money purposes and, particularly, as standard money; such, for example, as bimetallism, which, of course, is impracticable. But, since none of such plans has been adopted generally it is logical to conclude that their proponents did not shape them so as to conform to the basic principle of standard money, or else political issues were deemed to be dominant, or, perhaps, it was partly due to each.

Jan 1, 1926

By Howard N. Eavenson

DURING the past year, as in the preceding ones, prices continued to fall, production to decrease, and more mines were closed. Much attention is being given by the industry to suggested plans for betterment of its position, and if the scheme recently brought out for consolidation of sales agencies into district agencies is loyally carried out, it cannot but help to improve conditions. The progress in the anthracite industry is shown in the report of its chairman, E. H. Suender; changes in coal preparation are outlined in the report of J. B. Morrow, chairman of Committee on Coal Preparation, while increased mechanization of the western mines is described by Eugene McAuliffe, chairman of the Committee on Machine and Strip Mining. In spite of the depression, interest in the Coal Division has been increasing, its meetings have been well attended, and its committees are active and have been doing excellent work.

Jan 1, 1932

By AIME AIME

BY the end of 1943, the United States will be able to produce aluminum at a rate of 1,150,000 tons a year. How much aluminum is 1,150,000 tons? It is sufficient to replace every railroad passenger car in this country three times a year. Or, it would put a thirty-piece aluminum cooking utensil set in every one of America's 34,000,000 homes with enough metal left over to make 5,000,000 miles of aluminum transmission cable, such as was used in the electrification of much of rural America. Expansion of aluminum production capacity for the war program has occurred in three steps: (1) expansion by private industry; (2) the letting of contracts by the Defense Plant Corp. for the construction of additional aluminum plants which may remain after the war to compete with existing facilities; and (3) the more recently announced D.P.C. program for the building of emergency plants to make aluminum, using stand-by power available in large metropolitan centers power of relatively higher cost, making it questionable whether such plants, now gravely needed, will be able to compete in a peacetime economy.

Jan 1, 1943

By F. G. Clapp

IT is to be hoped that no casual reader will erroneously refer to the latest publication' of the Division of Public Relations of the American Petroleum Institute, as being "Petroleum Facts and Fancies." The facts are so faithfully derived and the figures are so authentically sponsored by the highest sources that no person can read this valuable volume (287 pages and numerous tables) without being convinced that every- thing therein set forth is "the truth and nothing but the truth." Yet, having read the volume from the perspective of the world's petroleum industry and with a critical attitude that comes from years of study of the subjects discussed, I find myself tempted to cogitate and to envisage a few of the fancies that come to mind as a fitting sequel.

Jan 1, 1929

By Dozier Fircley

SOME nonmetallic minerals and their products, such as portland cement, common brick and hollow tile, sand, gravel, crushed rock, vitrified salt-glaze clay pipe, and the like, are a necessity in every community. They are mineral in nature but the establishment of plants for their production is usually a local and elementary problem. Yet it is probable that an economic study of the problem in every locality will show that such nonmetallic mineral commodities are not always obtained in the most economical way, or in the best quality. Other nonmetallic minerals are of such value that they may be shipped for long distances and sold in sufficient quantities to establish prosperous commercial ventures. Among these are phosphates, barium compounds, borates, nitrogen compounds, magnesium compounds, sulfur, asbestos, and potash. Success in marketing such products depends on quality, production cost, transportation, and similar conditions.

Jan 1, 1932

By S. K. Kawatra

In order to meet federal air pollution guidelines, it is necessary to remove a considerable quantity of sulfur from many North American coals. This may be accomplished by oxidizing the sulfur to water soluble forms, followed by washing the coal. Selective oxidation of the various sulfur forms can be accomplished through the use of a variety of types of bacteria. In this paper, the various bacteria and their requirements are described, and processes using bacteria to remove coal sulfur are discussed.

Jan 1, 1987

By Matti Kongas, Kari Saloheimo, Antti Remes

"The paper studies the control performance of the flotation process as a function of the measurement accuracy and sampling frequency of an on-stream XRF analyzer, using a simple dynamic model. An additional aim is to assess how the economical result of a mineral flotation process depends on the quality of process control based on the on-line elemental assays.An on-stream XRF analyzer measures the concentrations of slurry lines in a continuous cycle from several process points. The control performance depends on the analytical accuracy and sampling frequency of the concentration measurement. With a long cycle time, the state of the process changes before a new measurement becomes available. With short measurement times the statistical variance of the counted X-ray pulses increases, increasing the random error in the analysis. In addition, the measurement accuracy depends on the concentration of the component to be measured from the slurry.To quantify the effect of analysis error and frequency to process control, a simple dynamic process model is created in the Matlab environment. Data from a copper flotation circuit is used as a test case. The process model comprises a first order reaction equation and the grade-recovery -relationship estimated from process data. The control was modeled using the control strategies implemented into a rule based advanced control system.The economical performance of the control was studied by calculating the overall net smelter return at various analyzer parameter combinations. The economical performance of the process declines strongly when the sampling cycle is increased. In studied case the sample measurement time did not have a significant effect on the results. The economical performance of the simulated process corresponds to an almost uncontrolled process when sampling cycles longer than 40 min are applied."

Jan 1, 2003

By W. S. CAYPLESS, H. O. Hofman, E. E. HARRINGTON

1. INTRODUCTION. AT the Lake Superior meeting, September, 1904, Messrs. A. Gibb and R. C. Philp presented a paper entitled " The Constitution of Mattes Produced in Copper Smelting,)' in which they concluded that ferrous and cuprous sulphides formed the chemical compound, 5 Cu2S, fee. They arrived at this inference from the observed fact that a matte containing Cu2S, 90.4, and Fee, 9.6 per cent (or, in round figures, Cu2S, 90, and Fee, 10 per cent.), did not contain any metallic copper, while one with more than 10 per cent of FeS readily dissolved copper, and with less than this amount retained copper in mechanical suspension. Although they determined the melting-points of five mattes containing from 32.6 to 80.1 per cent of copper, they did not draw a freezing-point curve, as the necessary apparatus was not available. A microscopical examination of 11 polished samples, gave them a grayish-black field of very uniform appearance, except that 5 of the specimens showed the presence of metallic copper. The object of the present investigation was to supplement the above paper by drawing the freezing-point curve of the series ferrous sulphide cuprous sulphide, and to see how the constitution could be further, revealed by microscopical work. The results obtained lead to conclusions very different from those of Gibb and Philp. While their paper bears the date 1904, it was published only in 1906.2 In the meantime, Bolles3 had presented his paper, "The Concentration of Gold and Silver in Iron Bottoms." The raw material which formed the basis of the research was a matte containing Fe, 61.68, and Cu, 11.20

Jan 1, 1907

By R. W. Raymond

EDWARD COOPER, was born in New York City, October 26, 1824. His father, Peter Cooper, to say nothing of manifold reasons for fame as an inventor and philanthropist, deserves to be remembered as a pioneer in the establishment of public schools; and it is not surprising that he sent his son to one of the democratic institutions in which he was himself so ardently interested. From the public school Edward Cooper went to Columbia. College, where he made the acquaintance of Abram S. Hewitt, who was first his tutor, afterwards his traveling companion, brother-in-law, business partner and life-long friend.* For twenty years I was the consulting engineer of the firm of Cooper & Hewitt, and also connected with the work of the Cooper Union, in which they were both deeply interested and faithfully active. On the basis of the intimate knowledge thus gained, I venture an estimate of Edward Cooper's character and career which, if not fully comprehensive, may facilitate a juster estimate than would be reached by the strident of those data which the modesty of the man permitted to be placed upon public record. Edward Cooper's mind was one of the most active, accurate and subtle with which I have ever come into contact: He had inherited from his father a sunny, benevolent temperament, and' the irresistible impulse to attack all new problems which challenged his attention. His thorough education had 'indeed made him wiser than his father, both in philanthropy and in technical inventions. He could condemn and reject a proposition which Peter Cooper would have embraced, in a splendid, though ignorant, faith that nothing was impossible to an. American, and that the word ? impossible " was simply a label,

Jul 1, 1906

By George F. Kunz

THE recently discovered occurrence of diamonds near Murfreesboro, Pike county, Ark., was brought to. our attention by Mr. Samuel W. Reyburn (Trustee for Messrs. C. S. Stifft, A. D. Cohn, August Zinsser, Jr., and himself, owners of the property), through whose courtesy we investigated the locality of the deposit. Prospecting with the diamond-drill is now in active progress ; but mining operations on a large scale have not yet been ordered. Geology.-The geology as well as the petrography of this interesting locality has been well described by Messrs. J. C. Branner and R. N. Brackett.1 Briefly summarized, the igneous rock in which the diamonds are found is a vitreous peridotite, forming a stock or volcanic neck, which has broken up through the Carboniferous and Cretaceous quartzites and sandstones. After an extensive period of erosion, during which an unknown portion of the neck and presumably a previously existent volcanic cone have been removed, the surface was covered with thin beds of Post-Tertiary conglomerate. The volcanic intrusion was accompanied by the formation of several small dikes of a rock much like that of the main body. One of these dikes cuts across the stock, while another cuts the Cretaceous sandstone, but is overlain by the conglomerate, thus giving a datum for the period of intrusion. So far as known, there was little, if any, metamorphism of the country-rock by the igneous magna, which probably followed an approximately vertical course, so that a more or less vertical extension downward of the igneous body to indefinite depths may be expected.

Mar 1, 1908