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By Messervey, J. P.

NOVA SCOTIA is sharing in the rapid advance of the mining industry that is one of the remark- able features of Canada's recent progress. The production of coal and gypsum has increased rapidly, and there has also been a marked development in the mining of gold, salt, zinc, copper and other minerals. Coal, the basis of the principal mining industry in the Province, was discovered by the early explorers on the shore of Cape Breton Island, and used by the garrison at Halifax as early as 1749. The first government record shows total annual sales amounting to 1668 long tons in the year 1785, while last year production was 6,643,000 long tons. The principal mines are discussed in a separate paper by Alexander L. Hay1.

Jan 1, 1928

Jan 1, 1879

By Alfred V. de Forest

WE are now assembled in this hall for the eighteenth lecture in honor of the memory of our greatest American metallurgist, Henry Marion Howe. Many of his most intimate contemporaries, led, as was fitting, by Professor Sauveur, have described his vital accomplishments in three fields: as a leader in technical industrial development; in theoretical research; and finally as a teacher and source of inspiration for nearly two generations of students. In 1914 Professor Howe had retired from active teaching, but maintained his laboratory at Columbia University under the care of Arthur G. Levy, with whom he published many of the papers that later were incorporated into his last book, "The Metallography of Steel and Cast Iron." My position at the time was that of personal assistant to Professor Campbell-no pay, no duties, but the great privilege of preparing specimens, taking pictures and attending to some of the current consulting work. Whenever possible, I visited Howe's laboratory to chat with Levy and gather ideas about the wonderful field of metallography-in which I was a rank amateur, rescued by the quiet enthusiasm of Donald Smith of Princeton from an instructorship in civil engineering. Levy let me act as a fly on the wall during the Professor's occasional visits. Busy as he was, Professor Howe took the time and trouble to encourage my interest, as he had done for hundreds of others. He told me how he went about gathering his own information speculating as to causes, considering experiments, and verifying his conclusions. I ventured to mention some tests I had run on the irregular stretching of wires of different metals. He read the small volume I had prepared of ill-assorted facts and fancies and remarked: "Nobody cares for your theories or the history of your tests. Describe what you found as briefly as possible and perhaps I can help you to publish." Curiously enough, among my discards were some autographically recorded load-versus-electrical-resistance measurements. Taken with inadequate knowledge and equipment, these curves did not reproduce consistently, but if the relationship between strain and resistance had then been explored, the latest type of strain gauge might have been in useful service for the past 25 years. Professor Howe was a gifted teacher, perhaps because he was primarily an ardent and assiduous student. His own eagerness to learn and his willingness to revise and extend his opinions constantly encouraged those of his environment to be diligent and painstaking in the pursuit of knowledge. In honoring his memory, I also wish to bring to mind the kindly, humorous and quiet Levy, and join his name again, as it was for too brief a space in the past, with that of many-sided Henry Marion Howe. FACTORS OF IMPACT STRENGTH The subject chosen for the Howe Memorial Lecture by Dr. Gillett last year

Jan 1, 1941

E. K. Landis, Philadelphia, Pa. (communication to the Secretary) : Mr. Firmstone's paper is of great interest; but he has unfortunately otnitted to state the most important point, viz., the percentage of sulphur in the two materials he compares; and this omission vitiates the conclusions which he draws. Comparing by grade, instead of silicon-contents (as in his Table III.), the iron made using limestone with that made using dolomite, we find for gray-forge the average of four analyses under limestone to be, Si, 0.644; S, 0.089 ; while one analysis under dolomite gives Si, 0.508 ; S, 0.070. For No. 2 iron, the limestone flux gives, as an average of 19 analyses, Si, 1.107; S, 0.051; while the average of 4 analyses made with dolomite flux gives Si, 0.630; S, 0.056. It will be observed, that no No. 1 pig is given under limestone, while 14 analyses appear under dolomite, averaging Si, 0.950 ; S, 0.028. As nothing is said about changed conditions, it is Fair to presume that the ore and fuel, as well as the blast-temperature (which is stated to have been uniform at about 750' F.) remained practically the same; and since the sulphur in the two fluxes is not given, it is impossible to know whether the lower sulphur for equal silicon-contents is due to the use of dolomite or to other conditions. The use of dolomite would produce a more fusible cinder, and the furnace would be hotter than when using limestone; therefore, we might expect to see a grayer iron. The amount of So. 1 iron made with dolomite seems to confirm this supposition; and, under these conditions, we might expect more of the sulphur to be volatilized, and to pass off in the gases. The easier fusibility of the cinder would also permit more rapid driving; and this should reduce the amount of silicon and sulphur in the iron, as the amount of reduced metalloids in the pig is directly proportional to the length of time it remains in the reducing-zone.

Jan 1, 1895

By Robert M. Weidenhammer

For years before the war, Coal had the reputation of being a sick industry. Currently it is operating at peak production and succeeding pretty well in keeping out of the red. But, says Mr. Weidenhammer, it will have a relapse as soon as the war ends unless (1) working capital can be built up; (2) it gets the support of the people and Congress; and (3) a truly long-range national fuel policy is formulated.

Jan 1, 1943

By T. A. Rickard

The function of a preposition is to show the relation of one thing to another; it is necessary therefore for the writer to select the preposition that indicates the particular relation, otherwise he will fail to express himself clearly. Is it against common sense' to suggest that a Government is justified, morally as well as constitutionally, in preventing the decay of an industry by insisting upon the amalgamation of the prosperous with the needy? All these seven prepositions are used correctly. With the first dredge introduced in Russia, of Werf Conrad, Haarlem, make, this method of alluvial dining became important. Here the prepositions "with", "in", and "of" are used wrongly. He means: "This method of a1lu;ial mining sprang into importance shortly after the first dredge, made at the Werf Conrad, Haarlem, was introduced into ;Russia." The statement itself ii not true, but for that I am not responsible. Once, while I was serving with him, we were frozen in out of sight of land in the Gulf of Pichili in the North of China. Admiral Fisher wrote thus. He has used nine prepositions in making this brief statement. The sequence of three prepositions "in out of" is particularly awkward.

Jan 1, 1931

By AIME AIME

WEST TEXAS, New Mexico and Northern Mexico form one of the most interesting regions in America for geologists and mining men and are full of points of historical and human interest for others. Including as the region does, a representative portion of the high plateau of Mexico, the front range of the Rocky Mountains and the great down-dropping plains of Texas, there is variety as well as interest in the geological and mining problems there to be studied. Gold and silver mining were the pioneer industries and are yet of high rank in importance. Among the papers to be presented at the El Paso meeting of the Institute this month will be two dealing with silver mining and ore treatment at the Shafter mine in Texas, that most un- usual property which has for so many years been the largest mining enterprise in its region. West Texas is now better known for its petroleum and gas, and in another paper will be described the problems involved in uding natural gas for smelting at the well-known El Paso smelter of the American Smelting and Refining Co. In still other papers, presented at the session sponsored by the West Texas Geological Society and cooperating organizations, the general geology of the region, the potash and the sulfur deposits will be de- scribed. At El Paso the refineries of the great com- panics will be available for visits.

Jan 1, 1930

By E. A. Holbrook

Research, primarily, is finding out the truth. Research applied to enigeering opens the door to new principies and processes, the application of which benefits mankind in a material way. The engineer believes that investigation instituted with the primary view of making the results directly applicable to the industries is the highest type of research. Coal is essentially the basis of modern industrial civilization; therefore, any considerable research pertaining to coal must link itself to the industry by practical application of the results of the research. In other words, all investigational work connected in any way with coal leads to conclusions that permit a better understanding of the origin, nature of occurrence, composition, better and safer mining, more careful preparation, or greater efficiency in utilization of coal. Modern engineering research has been fostered essentially by universities and in the laboratories of institutions of learning. Coal problems that lend themselves to solution in the laboratories have been first attacked and are perhaps the farthest toward solution. For example, a great amount of research work has been carried out with the various phases of chemistry connected with coal. On the other hand, the equally important problems connected with methods of mining have received but little attention, primarily because their solution involves the continued use of a great and expensive laboratory, which is none other than the mine itself. As many of the problems already solved have had chemistry as their background, so many of the problems unsolved have physics as their background; there are also unsolved problems that deal in coal economics. Even psychology must be called upon in future coal-mining research as a basis for solving those great problems that deal with human relationships. 'In general, considerable advance has been made in coal research dealing with chemistry, not so much progress has been made with problems having physics and engineering as a background, while there is a tremendous range of untouched problems that deal essentially with business and psychology. Research in coal mining is not a new development. In the chronicles of the northern coal trade as published in the Transactions of the North

Jan 1, 1920

By Carel Robinson

THE little coal mine at Otsego, in the Winding Gulf field of southern West Virginia was dying. In the history of coal mining thousands of mines have been successful at first, but usually a change occurred and profits ceased. Often be change was so gradual and extended over such a length of time that the fundamental causes did not stand out in sharp relief and their significance was not realized. Studies often reveal that the cause for failure was in the arteries that connect the producing places with the mine entrance. Profits continued so long as the working places were close to the tipple and while the thrill of newness aid ease of access resulted in effective supervision from day to day. The air- way and haulageway, the wire line and manway, may have been sufficient when the distance from the entrance was a few hundred feet, but were inadequate when this was extended for thousands of feet.

Jan 1, 1937

I;. D. Godshall, Everett, Wash. (communication to the Secretary) : In Mr. Morse's interesting paper several statements occur which seem to require correction and comment. This is the more appropriate, since Mr. Morse has mentioned me by name, and has cited my "Review of the Russell Process,"* so that silence on my part might be taken as indicating an assent which I cannot give. On the first page of his paper Mr. Morse says that the " goingback " of chlorination was " the only difficulty encountered at Aspen," and adds that he has " never seen any explanation " of the cause. The plain inference is that he now fills this complete

Jan 1, 1896

Jan 1, 1911

By Samuel B. Christy

Columbia College has the honor of founding the first well-organized School of Mines in America. The University of Michigan, however, shared with her the honor of graduating the first class, in 1867. Prof. Thomas Egleston was the pioneer in the new movement. He drew up the original plan for the Columbia School of Mines in 1863, and was in 1864 appointed its first professor. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology turned out a class of mining students a year later, and others followed in the order of their first graduating class, as shown in Table I., condensed from the Engineering News of August 11, 1892. Besides those mentioned, mining schools have been organized in the States of Arizona and Nevada, and more or less instruction is advertised in connection with other engineering schools. It will be noticed that Columbia easily heads the list with reference to the number of graduates; the Massachusetts Institute of Technology stands second ; the California University third, and then follow Lehigh, Washington University, the University of Michigan, Lafayette College, Michigan Mining School, Missouri, Colorado and the others. The total number of graduates from these 16 schools in 26 years, has been 871, or an average of 33 per year; but as all these schools give a partial education to many who do not graduate, it is probable that from 2000 to 3000 mining students have received from them considerable training. An interesting comparison of the rate of growth of the engineering schools has been recently instituted by the Engineering News, for the period between 1860 and 1892. Table 11. shows that civil engineering had the advantage in numbers from the start, and maintained the advantage until 2890, when it was surpassed by mechanical engineering. The development of the latter course may be said to date from 1880. There are many interesting facts evident in Table 11. It will

Jan 1, 1894

By L. E. Young

MUCH has been said and written on this subject and probably little new can be said. However, the point of view of the operating company changes from time to time, and more stress may be laid upon a subject today than was done some years ago, and it is with this changing point of view that the following observations are presented: The writer wishes to limit the discussion to views of a company mining bituminous coal, particularly to what the production department expects of the college grad¬uate. In an editorial in MINING AND METALLURGY for February, 1929, entitled "Is. Mining Engineering Passing?" it is stated that: It is not by accident that mining engineering courses have been general rather than special and form even today the only general engineering courses widely offered and followed by engineering students.'* * * even in this age of specialization, the mining engineers remain a body characterized particularly by broad knowledge.

Jan 1, 1929

By J. HUNER

Twenty-four new fields were found in Louisiana during 1945. Of this number 15 were oil fields, eight were gas condensate, and one a dry gas field. None of these fields, with the exception of West Delhi, is as yet of any great consequence. The Weeks Island field in Iberia Parish may eventually develop into a considerable reserve.

Jan 1, 1946

By B. W. Vallat

(San Francisco Meeting, October, 1911.) THE Newport mine, located at Ironwood, Gogebic county, Mich., on the Gogebic iron-range, is owned and operated by the Newport Mining Co., for the mining of iron-ore. I. GEOLOGY. The general geology of the Gogebic range has been determined and recorded at different times by well-known geologists,) and their work will be referred to briefly in connection with the local conditions in the mine. The strike of the formation across this property is about 15° north of east. The, general dip is 68° to the north. At the base of the formation on the south lies the granite. Looking north, at right angles to the strike of the formation, we have the foot-wall of quartz-slates and quartzite about 400 ft. wide; the iron-formation about 800 ft. wide, and the hanging-wall of black slates. The iron-formation is composed of banded jasper and quartzite together with iron oxide and concentrations of iron-ore. In character the ore is a soft red hematite, with occasional masses of hard blue "steel ore." The formation is crossed in many places by diorite dikes, which cut through at various angles, the larger or main dikes dipping into the foot-wall in a SE. direction at angles varying from 15° to 30°, while numerous small dikes occur which strike through the formation in a vertical plane and at approximately right angles to the main dikes. There are various theories concerning these dikes, especially as to the time of their origin with relation to the ore-deposition. The commonly-accepted theory is that the dikes were there first, but there are some who contend that they were formed

Nov 1, 1911

By H. B. Pulsifer

THE unprecedented high price of zinc ore prevailing through the early months of 1915 caused great activity in the Joplin district of Missouri. The Media mill is conspicuous as one of the first of the new "big mills" of the district. The mill was built over a mine previously worked but abandoned in 1912 because of the leanness of the ore and the large quantity of water encountered. The ore prices prevailing-$100 a ton in June, 1915, as against $50 in 1912-favored the new undertaking. The mill was designed for good recovery so that it might operate in times of depression. In design and equipment, the mill is exclusively local in conception and construction. Former Exploitation The tract of land is a part of the large Guinn holdings; 70 acres are comprised in this particular lot, which is situated just a mile north of the center of Webb City on the Alba line of the Southwest Missouri Electric Railway. The ore lies 242 ft. below the' surface at the top of the knoll which is surrounded by the well-known properties: Black Cat, Ground Floor, Florence, Hurry-Up, Electrical and Mercantile. Since the abandonment, in 1913, of the Yellow Dog. a bit farther to the north, the Black Cat, Ground Floor and Florence workings had been flooded. However, as there was no cut through from this side into the area it was proposed to exploit, it was thought that moderate pumping facilities would take care of the water.

Jan 5, 1917

By L. Kovisars, F. Buttazzoni

The current demand for copper in the western world exceeds 7 million tonnes annually. The growth in demand is expected to average 2.6% annually to a level exceeding 11 million tonnes in 2000. Copper mine production is currently about 6 million tonnes annually; the annual net addition to mine output in the future will have to average about 190,000 tonnes of contained copper. The industrial nations of Europe and the western Pacific are heavily dependent on copper imports. Currently these import needs are supplied by Canada, Africa and Pacific producers. The increased demand for copper in the future is expected to further weight the trade balance to the Pacific suppliers. An evaluation of undeveloped deposits allows the ranking of these deposits based on total cost of production, including provision for plant and infra- structure investment as well as political/social/ economic risk. Peru, Canada, and the Southwest Pacific are expected to significantly increase exports. The United States will develop deposits to replace depleted mines, maintaining mine production at a level approximately equal to current output, with a consequent increase in copper imports. Chile is expected to become the world's leading copper producer, as well as expanding it's position as the leading exporter.

Jan 1, 1982

By Anthony F. G. Lucas

BORN on Sept. 9, 1855, in the city of Spalato, Dalmatia. Austria, Antonio Francisco Luchich was the son of Francis Stephen Luchich, a prosperous shipbuilder and ship-owner of Lesina. His mother, Johanna Giovanizio, was known to the people of Trieste as a woman of unusual learning and piety. After receiving his high school training in Trieste, Antonio Luchich entered the Polytechnic Institute at Gratz in the year 1875, graduating two years later as an engineer. He then entered the Naval Academy of Fiume and Pola as a Midshipman, receiving his commission as a Lieutenant in 1878. In 1879, then 24, Antonio Luchich obtained a leave of absence from the Austrian Navy and came to Saginaw, Mich., to visit an uncle. He remained in this country and on May 4. 1885 at Norfolk, Va.. he became Anthony Francis Lucas. an American citizen.

Jan 1, 1945

By AIME

THE history of the Mine La Motte area covers a greater period of time than any other mining operation west of the Mississippi, for it was almost exactly four centuries ago that the white man first visited the region. In May 1541 a few men from the party of Fernando de Soto traversed the place looking for silver which they understood the Indians had found in the vicinity. Some historians say that De Soto himself visited the place sometime later. No other white man came through again until the early 1700's. In 1712 King Louis XIV of France granted to Antoine Crozat a charter for transacting all business and government in the vast domain of the New Continent stretching from the Gulf of Mexico northward indefinitely. This

Jan 1, 1947

Jan 1, 1905