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By John L. Boardman, C. W. Goodale

The motives behind the organization of the Bureau of Safety were twofold. First, there was the policy of the company toward its employees, which was one of fairness and consideration for their welfare and which entails the prevention of injuries; second, in order to prevent injuries, a study of their causes was essential, and this study could be made only by a thorough systematic classification of accidents, which required a special department to form and carry out the plans. The Bureau of Safety was organized to begin operation Jan. 1, 1914, hut practically all of the first year was spent in collecting data, making plans, etc. This department is semi-independent of others and reports directly to the president and general manager. It consists of the president of the company and the managers of the following departments: Mines, Washoe Reduction Works, Great Falls Reduction Works, Coal department, lumber department, B. A. & P. railway; and the chairman of the Bureau of Safety. Working under this group is the General Safety Committee consisting of the manager of mines, as chairman, the general superintendent, two assistant general superintendents, and the heads of the following departments: mechanical, geological, purchasing, sampling works, and framing plant; and also the safety engineer. Operating under the General Safety Committee are the group safety committees, consisting of the Anaconda group of mines, Boston & Montana group of mines, zinc group of mines, Washoe reduction works at Anaconda, B. & M. reduction works at Great Falls, coal department, lumber department and the R. A. & P. railway. Each of these group safety committces was in charge of the superintendent or manager of the group represented and the committee consisted of the foremen of the mine's or works that the committee served, as well as the safety engineer. These foremen and superintendents had met regularly for the purpose

Jan 1, 1923

By John L. Boardman, C. W. Goodale

The motives behind the organization of the Bureau of Safety were twofold. First, there was the policy of the company toward its employees, which was one of fairness and consideration for their welfare and which entails the prevention of injuries; second, in order to prevent injuries, a study of their causes was essential, and this study could be made only by a thorough systematic classification of accidents, which required a special department to form and carry out the plans. The Bureau of Safety was organized to begin operation Jan. 1, 1914, hut practically all of the first year was spent in collecting data, making plans, etc. This department is semi-independent of others and reports directly to the president and general manager. It consists of the president of the company and the managers of the following departments: Mines, Washoe Reduction Works, Great Falls Reduction Works, Coal department, lumber department, B. A. & P. railway; and the chairman of the Bureau of Safety. Working under this group is the General Safety Committee consisting of the manager of mines, as chairman, the general superintendent, two assistant general superintendents, and the heads of the following departments: mechanical, geological, purchasing, sampling works, and framing plant; and also the safety engineer. Operating under the General Safety Committee are the group safety committees, consisting of the Anaconda group of mines, Boston & Montana group of mines, zinc group of mines, Washoe reduction works at Anaconda, B. & M. reduction works at Great Falls, coal department, lumber department and the R. A. & P. railway. Each of these group safety committces was in charge of the superintendent or manager of the group represented and the committee consisted of the foremen of the mine's or works that the committee served, as well as the safety engineer. These foremen and superintendents had met regularly for the purpose

Jan 1, 1923

By P. W. Bridgman

During the war, the Navy undertook the construction, under my direction, of an experimental gun embodying features designed to lessen the cost and time of production. These experiments were initiated after representations as to their desirability had been offered by myself, by the Naval Consulting Board, and by the National Research Council. The first drawings were made in June, 1917, and the experiment was completed in November, 1918. For the sake of clearness it will pay to recapitulate briefly the fundamental idea of gun construction. It is well known that if a hollow cylinder is subjected to internal fluid pressure, the maximum stress occurs in the inside layers, the outer parts carrying much less than their due share of the stress. This inequality of stress is more pronounced the thicker the walls of the cylinder. If such a cylinder is pushed to the elastic limit, failure in elasticity will take place long before the outer lagers have reached the limit of their capacity. Economical use of the material would demand, however, that all parts of the cylinder reach the limits of their capacity simultaneously. This may be brought about, at least in cylinders of not too great thickness, by producing in the inner layers an initial compression, and in the outer layers an initial tension. The effect of internal pressure is at first to relieve the compression of the inside layers, while increasing the tension of the outside layers. If the initial stresses are properly distributed, all parts of the cylinder will reach their elastic limits simultaneously, thus giving a cylinder of maximum strength for its weight. In gun construction as hitherto practiced, this initial distribution of stress is produced either by winding the inner tube with wire, a common English practice, or by shrinking hoops over the inner tube, which has been the standard American practice. Either process is long and expensive, particularly with the larger guns, 12- or 14-in., which require

Jan 1, 1922

By P. W. Bridgman

During the war, the Navy undertook the construction, under my direction, of an experimental gun embodying features designed to lessen the cost and time of production. These experiments were initiated after representations as to their desirability had been offered by myself, by the Naval Consulting Board, and by the National Research Council. The first drawings were made in June, 1917, and the experiment was completed in November, 1918. For the sake of clearness it will pay to recapitulate briefly the fundamental idea of gun construction. It is well known that if a hollow cylinder is subjected to internal fluid pressure, the maximum stress occurs in the inside layers, the outer parts carrying much less than their due share of the stress. This inequality of stress is more pronounced the thicker the walls of the cylinder. If such a cylinder is pushed to the elastic limit, failure in elasticity will take place long before the outer lagers have reached the limit of their capacity. Economical use of the material would demand, however, that all parts of the cylinder reach the limits of their capacity simultaneously. This may be brought about, at least in cylinders of not too great thickness, by producing in the inner layers an initial compression, and in the outer layers an initial tension. The effect of internal pressure is at first to relieve the compression of the inside layers, while increasing the tension of the outside layers. If the initial stresses are properly distributed, all parts of the cylinder will reach their elastic limits simultaneously, thus giving a cylinder of maximum strength for its weight. In gun construction as hitherto practiced, this initial distribution of stress is produced either by winding the inner tube with wire, a common English practice, or by shrinking hoops over the inner tube, which has been the standard American practice. Either process is long and expensive, particularly with the larger guns, 12- or 14-in., which require

Jan 1, 1922

By George M. Enos, Robert J. Anderson

This paper gives a summary of tests made on the accelerated electrolytic corrosion of the tin brass, 70:29:1 copper-zinc-tin (admiralty metal), of different grain sixes in various electrolytes. There has been great difference of opinion as to the effect of grain size on the corrosion rate of brass, particularly in condenser-tube practice, but so far as is known no information has been published on the subject. It has been assumed, on the basis of the amorphous-cement theory, that fine-grained brass would corrode more rapidly than coarse-grained because the amorphous phase is more soluble than the crystalline and there is more cement per unit area exposed in the fine-grained material. In previous work on the corrosion of metals and alloys in acid mine waters from coal mines,1,2 it was found that the grain size, within a restricted range, had practically no effect on the corrosion of the brass 70:29:1 copper-zinc-tin: In the tests made, samples of three grain sizes were included; viz., 0.025, 0.035, and 0.075 mm. diameter (1600, 817, and 177 gr. per sq. mm., respectively), and the average losses on exposure to the most acid of three waters were 7.07, 6.80, and 6.72 mg. per sq. cm. per day (24 hr.), respectively. No distinguishing features were observed on microscopic examination of the corroded samples. In two other mine waters, the corrosion losses were substantially the same for the respective samples. These tests were -incidental to other tests and were not sufficiently comprehensive to warrant drawing definite conclusions. In further work with the accelerated electrolytic corrosion test, as developed recently in the Bureau of Mines, tests were made

Jan 1, 1924

By Sarat C. Rubra

Geographically, British India includes India or Hindustan proper, Burma, and a part of Beluchistan. In ancient times India occupied a very important position anlong the producers of minerals and metals; in fact, as late as the middle of the seventeenth century, it contributed a very considerable quota of the mineral and metal supplies of the world. The branches of the industry worthy of special note are gold, silver, lead, antimony, copper, iron, diamonds and other precious stones. The famous " Damascus steel" was originally manufactured in India, Damascus being only a mart; and it is interesting to note that even at the present time this product is still made in India. Prior to the discovery of diamonds in Brazil in 1728, India was the sole producer of this important mineral; and while no diamond-mines are now systematically worked, fine specimens are occasionally reported to be found in river-beds and in alluvial diggings. For ages, nearly all of the minerals of present commercial value have been produced and worked in India, and many of the deposits may still play an important part in the world's mining and mineral history. Despite the patient work of the ancient Indians, the limited knowledge they possessed of pumping and ventilation precluded the possibility of attaining any great depth in mining. Under special conditions, shafts have been sunk to 600 ft., but the average depth was much less. As a result of this limitation, the ancient miners confinecl their work to the available ores in sight, leaving large bodies of ore intact, which can be profitably worked with modern methods of mining. As an evidence of this statement may be mentioned the mines of the Kolar gold-fields in Mysore, which have reached in some shafts a. depth exceeding 2,400 ft. Traces of ancient work in these

Jan 1, 1904

By Theodore H. Eyde

The porphyry-copper province of southwestern United States and northern Mexico constitutes the largest copper-producing region in the world. More than 20 deposits discovered since World War II are being exploited or in the process of exploration and development. Because of the remarkable success in discovering new deposits, exploration activity continues at a very high rate and deeper targets are explored each year. Exploration programs for deeply buried porphyry-copper deposits require a reevaluation of the conventional exploration techniques. Though surface induced-polarization techniques have about reached their practical detection limit, aeromagnetics will play an increasing role in the exploration activity as will downhole logging tools. In addition to a valid geological concept, any successful exploration program for porphyry-copper deposits in the southwest must have two other essential ingredients: money and guts. Unfortunately many exploration programs in the southwest are underfunded and doomed to failure. Future exploration will demand more joint venturing in which larger and more expensive exploration programs can be successfully funded by groups of companies or syndicates.

Jan 1, 1975

By M. N. Dunlap

This article summarizes the successful incorporation of a flash-flooding stream into the tailing-disposal system at the St. Joseph Lead Company's Federal Division mill, in St. Francois County, Missouri. The mill was built in 1906, by the Federal Lead Co., as its No. 3 mill for the concentration of southeastern Missouri lead ores, and damming Davis Creek was first considered in 1908. Plans were made also in 1925 and in 1937. Dam layouts varied from a reinforced concrete structure to a barrier built of tailings alone. .All were abandoned because of liability that would be incurred by flash-flood rupturing of an incompleted dam. By 1942 mill capacity had reached 12,000 tons daily and increasing tailing-disposal costs again focused attention on the Davis Creek basin. This time the problem of riskless dam building was solved. Moreover, most of the items that appeared in the answer were materials that normally required wasting and the major portion of labor involved performed functions that it mould normally have done, without constructive benefit, elsewhere. The new layout also made possible advantageous changes in mill-water supply pumping; static head being reduced from 514 ft to 9; ft, friction head from 4900 ft to 2860 ft, and pumping can be done now at periods of low power demand. The following facts about the Davis Creek watershed explain the 36-year reluctance to reach these, and other, benefits. Size: 3600 acres. Outline: roughly pear-shaped, 21/2 by 3 miles at the largest dimensions. Topography: mostly hill land with steep valleys. Relief: 760 minimum to 1153 maximum. Maximum rainfall: 3.36 in. per hour. Permanent water: none natural. Now 2200 gpm discharged through 16-in. drill hole from mine pumps underground. Geology: the 17 acres near dam centerline is Bonne Terre dolomite covered with sand and gravel eroded from Pleistocene beds that cap some of the hills. The remainder of the pond basin is on Davis shale. Soil cover: mostly second-growth timber with some abandoned fields; all subject to careless burning, which reduces water-retaining ability. Flood history: flash-flooding that had taken at least one life. Downstream values: two railroad bridges before creek intersection with Flat River. Immediately below confluence, a highway bridge, a low-water crossing, a few business establishments and several blocks of residences. In July 1942 the following segments of an ingenious plan were put into operation. A ditch 270 ft long, 16 ft wide and 51/2 ft deep was excavated to bedrock in the gravelly soil along the proposed dam's centerline. This excavation, which exposed many gravel-filled channels, was run full of slimes drawn from a riser set in the top of an adjacent tailings-disposal

Jan 1, 1949

By L. A. White

IN this paper it is proposed to follow the developments in the design of the lead blast furnace at Port Pirie from the time The Broken Hill Associated Smelters Pty. assumed control in 1915 to the present time, with special reference to the development of the system using two superimposed rows of tuyeres as is now in operation. Lead smelting operations first commenced in 1889, when the British Broken Hill Pty. Ltd. started its first furnace. This was followed by installing two more furnaces during the same year and another the following year. In 1892, Broken Hill Proprietary Co. Ltd. acquired the smelting works and combined operations with those at Broken Hill, New South Wales; by 1897, the whole of the smelting operations had been transferred to Port Pirie and thirteen blast furnaces were built to treat the Broken Hill ore production. In 1915, The Broken Hill Associated Smelters Pty. Ltd. took over from the Broken Hill Proprietary and have carried out operations since that time. From its inception, the present company started on a long range program of reconstruction, in which the development of the lead blast furnace has played a prominent part. A definite trend in plant development has been towards the simplification of plant control by a reduction in the number of operating units. The great advantages of technical control which resulted from the very simplified flowsheet established in the continuous refining process stimulated the desire to extend the principle to the smelting operation. Thus in the sequence of furnaces described here, it will be noted that the trend has been towards larger and, of course, fewer units. With each such development it is significant that the operating conditions and metallurgical results have shown steady improvement. Standard Furnace In 1920 there were seven furnaces operating, five of a type subsequently called the standard furnace and two of the original thirteen smaller furnaces, the latter type being used for the treatment of drosses, etc. produced from the refinery section, while the standard type carried out the main, lead-smelting operations. The standard furnace (figs. 1 and 2) had the dimensions given in table I.

Jan 1, 1951

By M. R. Goldick

The Roan Antelope concentrator was originally designed with a nominal milling capacity of 6000 tons of copper ore per day but this was subsequently considerably exceeded. In broad outline the plant consisted of two No. 30 McCully gyratory crushers for coarse crushing, five 5½-ft Standard Symons crushers in open circuit for secondary crushing, ten No. 98 Marcy ball mills arranged in five sections, each two-mill section with primary and secondary Dorr classifiers for two-stage grinding. One stage of flotation roughing was followed by two stages of cleaning, all in airlift type pneumatic flotation machines, with the final concentrates filtered on Oliver drum filters. Tailing was thickened in a 250-ft Dorr traction type thickener before pumping to the tailing dam. Concentrating operations commenced in June 1931, on the completion of the first two ball-milling sections and output was increased during the next few months as the remaining sections were finished. From the start, very few technical difficulties were experienced but a number of evolutionary changes have been made as a result of operating experience and the availability of improved equipment. These have resulted in plant and ore-flow alterations although the general scheme of ore treatment remains substantially as before. The main changes to date were the installation of a new crushing plant at Storke shaft, some 7000 ft west of the original Beatty shaft; the completion of a two-stage secondary crushing plant; an increase of 20 pct in ball-milling capacity; a change-over from pneumatic to a mcchanical type of flotation machine for flotation roughing; the reduction of flotation cleaning from two stages to one stage. Ore Treated Typically the ore treated consists of metamorphosed shales and sandstones with shales as the principal mineral-bearing rock carrying chalcocite, bornite and chalcopy-rite as the main copper minerals. Chalcocite predominated in the original eastern end of the ore body but there is a pronounced trend to an increased proportion of the copper-iron sulphides as mining proceeds westward. Although the ore can be described as soft, this advantage is offset by the extremely fine dissemination of the copper minerals which calls for a high degree of comminution of the ore (go pct minus-zoo mesh Tyler standard) to give a reasonably satisfactory separation of mineral from gangue. Latterly, there has been a tendency for the ore to become harder as shown by a reduction in the ball-milling rate from a previous figure of over goo tons per ball-mill day to the present output of some 800 tons. Chalcopyrite is not so finely disseminated and has also proved more amenable to flotation than chalcocite. Nonsulphide minerals are mainly the so-called oxides such as malachite, cuprite and melaconite with some chrysocolla and

Jan 1, 1949

By David L. Sikarskie

The measurement of residual stress fields using X-ray diffraction techniques requires the removal of successive layers of material from the specimen. In the process of removing these layers, the underlying residual stress field is altered; hence, if the original stress field is desired, corrections must be made to the measured stresses. Although these corrections already exist for a number of cases, an alternate procedure is outlined herein whereby the corrections are presented in series form. This form is numerically more convenient within certain ranges of correction depths and in its simplicity gives additional insight into the factors affecting the corrections. It, further, readily permits determining the proper slice depth to remove and the effect on the correction of both specimen thickness and magnitude and form of the measured residual stress itself. ONE of the techniques currently being used to determine residual stress fields is X-ray diffraction. Since X-rays are diffracted essentially from the layers of atoms near the surface of the specimen, of the order of 0.0001 to 0.001 in. depending on conditions, the method can only determine stresses* in this very thin surface region. Therefore, if the residual stress field at some depth into the specimen is required it is necessary to remove successive layers of material taking measurements after each cut. In the process of removing a thin surface layer of stressed material, however, the over-all equilibrium of a cross section of the specimen is disturbed with the result that the internal residual stress which existed before the slice of material was removed is altered. This alteration of stress occurs after each slice and its effect is cumulative. Thus, if the original stress distribution is desired, corrections must be applied to the measured stresses. These corrections can be found by satisfying equilibrium on each new cross section. These corrections have been derived in detail for a number of cases, e.g., cylinders, bars, plates,' and also are given in Appendix VI of Ref. 2. In each of the above cases the correction terms require the evaluation of definite integrals of the measured residual stress distribution. In general, this is indeed the way one would proceed with the corrections. There are a number of instances, however, where the integrals can be replaced by a series form of correction which is considerably more convenient numerically and, also, gives added insight into the factors which influence the corrections. Such a form of the correction is particularly useful, for example, if one is interested in designing a test such that stress corrections will be small. Also, the question of what depth of slice to use in relation to both specimen thickness and residual stress distribution itself must invariably be answered. Questions of this type can be readily answered using a series form of correction. In addition, if the correct residual stress distribution is needed only for limited depths into the specimen the series correction provides numerical results which are equivalent to the integral correction. I) DERIVATION OF THE SERIES CORRECTION The problem to be considered here is that of a bar or plate,* i.e., either one or two dimensions of the specimen is large compared with the third. Also, the residual stress distributions considered depend only on z, see Fig. 1. In view of this it can be shown' that a stress correction, based on simple beam theory, satisfies all conditions of "elasticity theory" and hence is the correct (and only) solution. The integral form of the correction (this assumes that the measured residual stress is a piecewise continuous function) as given in Ref. 1 is:

Jan 1, 1968

Established as a Division November 17, 1948 R Schuhmann, Jr, Chairman A E Lee, Jr, Past Chairman R C Cole, Chairman-Elect H W St Clair, VIce-Chairman, '61 , Vice-Chairman, '62 Paul Queneau, Vice-Chairman, '63 T D Jones, Treasurer R W Shearman, Secretary AIME, 29 West 39th Street New York 18, N Y

Jan 1, 1960

CARL E. SWARTZ, Chairman D. K. CRAMPTON, Past-Chairman CYRIL S. SMITH, Vice-Chairman ARTHUR PHILLIPS, Vice-Chairman FRANK T. SISCO, Secretary 29 West 39th Street, New York, N. Y. H. A. MALONEY, Treasurer Executive Committee 1943 1944 ERIC R. JETTE WILLIAM C. ELLIS LOUIS W. KEMPF ALAN MORRIS GEORGE SACHS KENT R. VAN HORN

Jan 1, 1942

By J. R. Hassemer, T. T. Chao, University of Georgia, K. C. Watts, R. F. Sanzolone

Secondary oxides of Fe-Mn have been used in mineral exploration from the time gossans were first recognized Since gossans are conspicuous features and are largely explored, it is necessary to look for more subtle indication of blind mineralization. Sampling materials used in these geochemical studies consist of secondary Fe-Mn oxide-rich products of hydrothermal mineralization, and "in situ" weathering found in fracture fillings-as selvages along joints and disseminations in host rock. These materials were selectively collected and studied in the Silver City mining region. Two independent sampling methods were compared. The difference in the sampling methods was mainly in the ways samples were obtained and processed. One method involved systematic sampling of fracture fillings and coatings from which secondary Fe and Mn oxides and associated trace elements were then selectively extracted by chemical methods. The second approach involved collection of composite stream sediments and physical extraction of Fe-Mn oxide materials by gold panning, bromoform concentration, and electromagnetic separation. The source of the Fe-Mn-rich materials in the stream sediments is considered to be fracture fillings and coatings that mechanically entered the drainage basins. Map distributions of the two-sample types were compared. Both methods showed generally supportive patterns of anomalous metal dispersion, although anomaly-to-background contrast seems better in joint coatings. Both were useful in distinguishing geochemical differences between mining districts in the region. For example, the Pinos Altos district may contain more hydrothermally-introduced iron than the Central district, whereas the Central district has lead and zinc enrichments that are less on the amount of iron enrichment than is the case in the Pinos Altos district. The methods were qualitatively compared relative to time, expense, and other advantages and disadvantages.

Jan 1, 1984

By C. G. McLachlan

This paper outlines a series of tests carried out during the first six months of 1927, in the laboratory and mill of the Moctezuma Copper Co. The object of the tests was to determine whether the soluble salts present in the mill circuit water were having a detrimental cffect on the recovery made by flotation. To accomplish this object a series of water analyses were made, followed by flotation experiments in which definite quantities of the salts found were added as addition agents. Before proceeding to describe the results obtained in the course of the investigation, reference will be made to five articles that have appeared during the last two years in which the action of such salts is discussed. Two of these are by A. T. Tye1, 2 and describe flotation practice at Cananea and the way in which water high in ferrous and ferric salts is conditioned for differential flotation. Two, one by A. C. Munro and H. A. Pearse3 and the other by H. A. Pearse,4 outline Britannia milling methods, and the advantages that have been derived from ore washing; while in the fifth, A. W. Hahn5 summarizes the results of laboratory experiments in which ferrous, ferric and aluminum sulfates have been added in varying amounts. The mill of the Moctezuma Copper Co. has a daily capacity of 3000 tons, and is situated about 75 miles south of Douglas, Arizona, on the Rio de Nacozari, in the Mexican state of Sonora. The ore treated is mined from the company's mine at Pilares, about 5 miles southeast of the Concentrator. This ore contains about 2.5 per cent. copper— present almost entirely as chalcopyrite—and 10 per cent. iron, of which

Jan 1, 1928

THE Institute assembled on Tuesday evening, October 24th, in the hall of the Franklin Institute, Mr. Frank Firmstone, Vice-President, in the chair. Mr.. J. Price Wetherill, of Tremont, Pa., read a paper on An Outline of Anthracite Coal Mining in Schuylkill County, Pa. The paper was discussed by Messrs. Coxe, Rothwell, Heinrich, Harden, and Symons. The second session was held on Thursday evening. Mr. A. L. Holley, Chairman of the International Committee, appointed by the Institute to consider the nomenclature of iron and steel, offered the following report of the committee, signed by all the members: WHEREAS, The recent production of soft, cast, malleable compounds of iron by the Bessemer, the Siemens-Martin, and the crucible steel processes appears to demand a new nomenclature of iron compounds, for the following reasons : 1st. The term "steel," by which these soft products are commercially and professionally designated in England and in the United States, does not completely distinguish them from previously existing "steel" which would harden and temper. 2d. A nomenclature recognized in all languages seems desirable, as well for commercial as for scientific purposes, especially as lawsuits, already commenced, depend on the meaning of the term "steel." 3d. Although homogeneity, due to fusion, is usually recognized, and is by this committee recognized as the most definite characteristic of both bard and soft steel, this quality may be equally well expressed in other terms, thus leaving the old term, "steel," to define the malleable compounds of iron, which will harden and temper. Therefore, resolved, That this committee recommends the following nomenclature : 1. That all malleable compounds of iron with its ordinary ingredients, which are aggregated from pasty masses, or from piles, or from any forms of iron not in a fluid state, and which will not sensibly harden and temper, and which generally resemble what is called " wrought iron," shall be called WELD IRON (German, Sehweisseisen; French, fer soudé) 2. That such compounds, when they will from any cause harden and temper, and which resemble what is now called "puddled steel," shall be called WELD STEEL (German, Schweiss stahl; French, acier soudé).

Jan 1, 1877

By Charles R. Keyes

In the dry regions of the globe many silver-deposits display certain remarkable features, which at the same time are so totally unlike anything met with among ore-bodies elsewhere that they hare long presented exceptional dificulties, not only to a satisfactory explanation of their origin, but to economical milling. A most striking peculiarity of these ores is the haloid character of many of their bonanzas. To this fact more than to any other may be ascribed most of the unusual uncertainties of mining-operations in desert countries—the marvelous local richness of the ores under certain conditions and the often abrupt transition to utter poverty; the inadequacy of ordinary prospecting customs and the constant devising of new exploratory methods; the unaccountable losses in smelting and the continual change in treatment-practice. For these anomalies certain climatic conditions seem to be chiefly responsible.

Jan 1, 1912

By H. M. Chance

Stretching from New York southwestwardly to Georgia is a great range of hills and mountains consisting of pre-Palæozoic schists, slates, .and gneissic and granitoid rocks, known locally by many different names; in Pennsylvania as the South mountains, the Berkshire or Durham and Reading hills, and in Virginia and farther south as the Blue ridge. To the northwest of this range lies the " Great Valley," underlain by Lower Silurian limestones, and known as the Lehigh valley, Cumberland valley, Shenandoah valley, valley of Eastern Tennessee and Georgia and by other local names, but all these are parts of one valley, geologically and geographically continuous from New Jersey to Georgia. Lying upon and along the northern flank of this range of mountains, and dipping northwestwardly under the limestone of the valley, is the Potsdam formation (Primal or No. 1 of the Pennsylvania Geological Survey), which consists of sandstone or conglomerate overlain by slates. The latter are sometimes arenaceous and occasionally are replaced in part by sandstone. This formation varies from a few feet to several hundred feet in thickness. At the outcrop the slates are completely decomposed, oxidized or disintegrated, forming a belt of clay several hundred feet wide occupying the interval between the outcroppings of the sandstone and limestone. This clay-belt includes a more or less continuous series of iron-ore (brown hematite) deposite, which have been, and still are, extensively worked. The belt is more or less continuously milleralized with iron throughout its length, and hundreds of large deposits of ore have been developed and worked, producing many millions of tons of ore.

Jan 1, 1909

By Beeby Thompson

ALTHOUGH the exclusion of foreigners and private owners from participation in the development of the. Russian oil fields prevents first-hand information being obtained, both official and private news indicate a growing appreciation of the value of the country's oil resources. Notwithstanding the suppression of that initiative and energy which only ambition can adequately stimulate, the industry is progressing and exports of products are assuming an importance that cannot be disregarded as an economic factor in the world's oil business. The following notes and observations must be regarded mainly as the views of one who has closely followed the fortunes of Russian oil, when considering the changes that have taken place in geological knowledge and oil-field technique, which have so profoundly modified oil-fields methods. Russia is fortunate in having retained the services of. a few scientists and technologists whose devotion to science has superseded their personal inclinations, and to these few men must be attributed the slow, but nevertheless striking, progress that has been made. The productive oil fields of Russia are centered around the Caspian Sea which, with its connected river system, constitutes such an ideal means of internal distribution for products. From the group of oilfields of which the. city of Baku forms a center, oil is pumped to Black-town, a suburb of Baku, where all the refineries are situated. The next important group of oil fields is located in the Terek district near Grosny, where refineries are erected and the products are piped or carried by tank cars to Petrovsk for the internal Russian market, or sent to the Black Sea by rail. A third oil field is spread over the province of Uralsk, north of the Caspian, Sea, the main port of outlet being Gourief, at the mouth of the River Ural. In Trans-Caspia there are two oil-field centers, one near Krasnovodsk on Chelekan Island, and one in Central Asia at Ferghana. The product of the former fields is transported to Baku for treatment, while the output of the Turkestan field is refined and consumed locally, mainly by the railway.

Jan 3, 1925

By Franklin Bache

THERE seems to be in the public mind, and even in the minds of some coal-operators not experienced in mines subject to dust-explosions, a feeling that there has been something mysterious at the bottom of a number of recent American colliery-explosions. It has been declared in cases of accidents in mines regarded as particularly well equipped, in which every preventive precaution was said to have been taken, that the explosions were incomprehensible, and resulted from causes beyond the present knowledge of the practical coal-operator. But it is safe to say that no explosion has taken place which could not be explained by reasons well understood by most operators. The LT. S. Geological Survey Test Laboratory, recently inaugurated at Pittsburg for the reported purpose of investigating scientifically the matter of explosions in mines, will discover no new explanation of explosions. It call, however, co-ordinate the previous investigations of similar boards in England and on the Continent; and it may do a vast amount of good by promulgating widely, and in a form comprehensible by the most unlettered miner, certain facts and obvious deductions that cannot but have an effect in reducing the number and extent of the mine-disasters which, in the last few years, have been so terrible in frequency and magnitude. The only possible sources of explosions of any magnitude in coal-mines are : (1) explosives stored in quantity in the mine; (2) gases generated or liberated in the mine; and (3) coal-dust. Combinations of any of the three may, of course, take part in the result. The danger of any great loss of life from stored explosives alone is very remote. The simplest ordinary precaution forbids the presence, in one place underground, of any considerable quantity of explosives, and it would require an

Aug 1, 1909