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By Kim Beattie

IN spite of the fact that in 1944 Canada experienced a decline in production of all her leading base metals-nickel, zinc, lead, and copper; despite uncured headaches in the coal-mining industry; and cheerfully ignoring a still further drop in gold, the most valuable product of her mines, which had the lowest output of any year since 1931, the Canadian miner retains the traditional optimism of miners everywhere as he looks forward to the postwar period. Some factors should keep the Canadian mining industry from being too optimistic of the coming era of peace, but the fraternity generally holds that its confident attitude towards the future is based on sound reasons. The decline in production in the Canadian mining industry last year can be almost wholly attributed to the serious shortage of labor and the difficulty in obtaining transport and supplies in remote areas. Some falling off occurred in the demand for certain strategic metals, but the diversion of gold miners, especially, without replacements being obtainable, to direct war work or allied pursuits, was certainly the principal cause of the reduced output in 1944. But that is a situation which will right itself at the close of the conflict.

Jan 1, 1945

By Sylvie Brassard

Available information ?? InfoMine: mineral properties ?? Metals Economics Group: budgeted exploration expenses ?? MineScan: Canadian and American Mining Companies ?? Statistics Canada: Canadian Direct Investment Abroad, by Sector in the world OR all sectors by Country

May 1, 2008

By J. M. Clark

(Wilkes-Barre Meeting, June, 1911.) For some years past, those interested in the development of the increasingly important mining industry of Canada, have urged the adoption by the Dominion Parliament of a federal mining-law, which would have the force and stability of statutory enactment. At present, placer-mining in the Yukon Territory, is governed by the Yukon Placer Mining Act. All other mining under federal jurisdiction is governed by 'Orders in Council and Ministerial Regulations. In the earlier stages of development, it is perhaps a matter of necessity that these important matters should be so dealt with; but it is now felt that the time has come when mining-rights in the extensive regions under federal control should be put on a permanent basis, -and that any changes required from time to time should be made only after full and open discussion in Parliament. A short sketch will suffice to indicate how vast and varied the interests affected really are. When the Dominion of Canada was constituted by the Imperial Statute known as the British North America Act of 1867 (which came into force by proclamation on July 1 of that year), it comprised only the present Provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick; but provision was made for the inclusion of Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, British Columbia, Rupert's Land, and the North West Territories. Subsequently Rupert's Land and the North West Territories were acquired, the 'Crown Colonies of British Columbia and * SECRETARY'S NOTE.-Mr. Clark, an eminent Canadian lawyer, and joint author of the treatise on "The Law of Mines in Canada," has been requested by the Do¬minion Government to prepare a Federal mining-law, and presents this paper, by invitation of the Council, in order to obtain, if possible, useful suggestions from members of the Institute.-R. W. R.

Apr 1, 1911

By C. M. Campbell

The Inconceivable Wealth propaganda goes on apace. Premier King, at Vancouver, has stated that we still have, untouched, natural resources, "beyond the wildest dreams." Principal Currie, in an address before the Canadian Society in New York said that Canada's resources, "are as yet merely scratched and it is not possible to compute her almost fabulous natural wealth." Mr. Meighen, in the last election campaign announced that, "under the providence of God, Canada is more richly endowed, perhaps, than any other country in the world." Four years ago a despatch was sent to Premier King "on behalf of" this Institute advising him that "Inconceivable Wealth" in minerals in this country was assured. This was made as a statement ~f "incontrovertible fact." Specifically, this despatch stated that this wealth was on such a scale that the mining industry would in the future lead all others in this country. This inventory is still in effect as far as this Institute is concerned.

Jan 1, 1926

By E. W. Shaw

The past year (1950) has been a big one for the oil industry in Canada, with new records being set in almost every phase of exploration and development activity. New highs were reached in acreage holdings, in geophysical activity, in wildcat drilling, and in field development and production. The only item that did not show a substantial increase over recent years was the amount of reserves added by new discoveries. This was not due to a decrease in the number of new discoveries, however, hut rather to the fact that most of the discoveries were made during the later months in the year and could not be fully evaluated by the year end. The foregoing remarks pertain mainly to activity in Western Canada. In Eastern Canada, operations continued on a modest scale. with exploration drilling down slightly from the previous year but with development drilling and production at about the same level. Returning to Western Canada, it is observed that the general exploration play was one of expansion and intensification. The issuing of new petroleum and natural gas regulations by the province of British Columbia precipitated a moderate entry of companies into the northeastern part of the Province.

Jan 1, 1951

By W. D. C. MacKenzie

IT IS almost exactly fifteen years since the discovery of the Leduc oil field and, as this luncheon is part of the Thirteenth Annual Technical Meeting of the Institute's Petroleum and Natural Gas Division, it seems, therefore, a singularly appropriate time to discuss the theme which the program committee has suggested for the occasion -the progress of the Canadian oil industry during the fifteen years since the discovery of the Leduc field. As you will see, I plan to take a few minor liberties with this suggested theme. I shall present ample evidence of growth and progress, but, at the same time, I want to refer to some areas where progress has been anything but conspicuous and to see what can be learned from these areas for the future. The achievements of the Canadian oil industry since the Leduc discovery in 1947 have been substantial, and the public is relatively familiar with the more spectacular developments.

Jan 1, 1962

By H. E. T. Haultain

The study of rock crushing or grinding in tube-mills is difficult on account of the large size of the units employed in the field and the large number of variables entering into the problem. Three or four years ago, in the laboratory of the Department of Mining Engineering of the University of Toronto, a serious effort was commenced to study the matter under laboratory conditions. Experiments were carried on in a cylindrical tube-mill 18 in. long and 12 in. in diameter, inside measurements,

Jan 1, 1923

By H. E. T. Haultain

The study of rock crushing or grinding in tube-mills is difficult on account of the large size of the units employed in the field and the large number of variables entering into the problem. Three or four years ago, in the laboratory of the Department of Mining Engineering of the University of Toronto, a serious effort was commenced to study the matter under laboratory conditions. Experiments were carried on in a cylindrical tube-mill 18 in. long and 12 in. in diameter, inside measurements,

Jan 1, 1923

By J. F. Wilkinson

A high degree of accuracy is often required in mine-surveying, in order that expensive mining work may not be misdirected. The making of underground connections by drifts or shafts located as the result of surveys presents a crucial test of correctness not usually involved in any other class of surveying. In view of these considerations, the present notes and description of a survey made in June, 1890, for the San Francisco shaft of the New Almaden quicksilver-mines, may be of interest to members of the Institute who are surveyors. The purpose of this survey was to locate on the surface a vertical 2-compartment shaft (3.5 by 7 ft.), to connect with another vertical shaft, of practically the same size, which had been sunk a number of years before from an adit-level about 240 ft. vertically below the surface, to a deeper, so-called 600-ft. level. It will be seen, of course, that the most important matter was to secure an exact coincidence in vertical line, so that the resulting continuous vertical shaft from the surface should have no offset or irregularity at the point of junction between its two parts. The levels were of less importance; but, as the hoisting-works were to be placed in position and the new shaft permanently timbered from the start, its correct alignment was an essential requirement. The important features of the work, therefore, were the methods used in determining with certainty : 1. That the shaft was located in the right place in a general way; 2. That the ordinary inaccuracies of linear and angular measurements were so reduced as to insure correctness of location within certain defined and allowable limits. Instruments.—Thc instruments used were: a Buff and Berger transit-theodolite, with a 6-in. horizontal plate, reading to 10 seconds; a Heller and Brightly Y-level; a Chestermán steel tape, graduated in tenths and hundredths of a foot; and New York leveling-rods, graduated to thousandths of a foot.

Jan 1, 1901

By F. C. Dyer, H. E. T. Haultain

There has been much written on ball-mills, but no small amount of the literature is simply the expression of individual opinion without sufficient data. This is no doubt due to the complexity and obscurity of the phenomena involved. The outstanding paper is by E. W. Davis,I superintendent, School of Mines Experiment Station, University of Minnesota, which is based on a large amount of data from careful experiments with full-size apparatus, together with some mathematical philosophy. The entire philosophy is summed up in the equations given; but the present writers question the foundation upon which this philosophy is based. Encouraged by the work of Davis, the authors of this paper continued work they had been doing along this line. At first, photographs were taken of the ends of rods in a small laboratory rod mill. The mill was tilted slightly toward the feed end and the discharge end was removed. The rods remained in the mill long enough to permit good observation and good photography. Later, a mill 24 in. inside the stepped lining was constructed. It consisted of two sheets of plate glass, 1/2 in. apart, set in a cast-iron ring. It was driven by a variable speed motor and was connected to an accurate speedometer (magneto and voltmeter type). In place of balls or rods, cast brass disks were used. These were 3/8 in. thick and varied in diameter from 2 in. down to 3/4 in. Four small projections on each side prevented the disks sticking to the glass when water was used; sometimes steel balls % in. in diameter were added to the load of disks. There was also constructed a 6-in. mill with corrugated linoleum lining and containing a dry load of various sizes of steel balls. The mills were so connected to the motor that the small mill made two revolutions to one of the large mill. Many runs were made with a great variety of materials, including crushed marble, seeds of many kinds, and many mixtures (some wet and

Jan 1, 1923

By F. C. Dyer, H. E. T. Haultain

There has been much written on ball-mills, but no small amount of the literature is simply the expression of individual opinion without sufficient data. This is no doubt due to the complexity and obscurity of the phenomena involved. The outstanding paper is by E. W. Davis,I superintendent, School of Mines Experiment Station, University of Minnesota, which is based on a large amount of data from careful experiments with full-size apparatus, together with some mathematical philosophy. The entire philosophy is summed up in the equations given; but the present writers question the foundation upon which this philosophy is based. Encouraged by the work of Davis, the authors of this paper continued work they had been doing along this line. At first, photographs were taken of the ends of rods in a small laboratory rod mill. The mill was tilted slightly toward the feed end and the discharge end was removed. The rods remained in the mill long enough to permit good observation and good photography. Later, a mill 24 in. inside the stepped lining was constructed. It consisted of two sheets of plate glass, 1/2 in. apart, set in a cast-iron ring. It was driven by a variable speed motor and was connected to an accurate speedometer (magneto and voltmeter type). In place of balls or rods, cast brass disks were used. These were 3/8 in. thick and varied in diameter from 2 in. down to 3/4 in. Four small projections on each side prevented the disks sticking to the glass when water was used; sometimes steel balls % in. in diameter were added to the load of disks. There was also constructed a 6-in. mill with corrugated linoleum lining and containing a dry load of various sizes of steel balls. The mills were so connected to the motor that the small mill made two revolutions to one of the large mill. Many runs were made with a great variety of materials, including crushed marble, seeds of many kinds, and many mixtures (some wet and

Jan 1, 1923

By Charles P. Berkey, Joseph H. Sinclair

This paper describes the results of a visit to the Santa Elena Peninsula, Ecuador, in January and February, 1921. On account of the complicated folding and faulting of the rocks and the peculiar occurrence of petroleum, field work was possible on only a few of the many geological problems and the results here published are only a contribution to the solution of the general problem. We know of nothing published on the geology of the district, except one account, in Spanish and German, by Theodor Wolf. The Santa Elena peninsula, the most important headland of the coast of Ecuador, lies two degrees south of the equator. The chief town, Santa Elena, is about 75 miles west of Guayaquil, the main seaport of Ecuador. The nearest developed oil field is the Zorritos of northern Peru, 120 miles south across the Gulf of Guayaquil. If newspaper reports are true, viz. that the Anglo-Ecuadorian Oilfields, Ltd., has recently brought in a 700-bbl. well on the coast of the peninsula near Ancon, the district may become important in the production of petroleum. At the time of our visit, the best way to reach the peninsula was by a steamer of the Pacific Steam Navigation Go., southward from Panama and northward from Guayaquil. About once a week, one of these steamers anchored 1/2 mile off shore near the village of Salinas, an important cable station. An alternative route, in the dry season, is by automobile from Guayaquil. In February, 1921, a railway bed had been graded part way between Guayaquil and Salinas, but this was detcriorating rapidly because of lack of funds to continue construction or to keep in repair that portion already completed.

Jan 1, 1923

By Charles P. Berkey, Joseph H. Sinclair

This paper describes the results of a visit to the Santa Elena Peninsula, Ecuador, in January and February, 1921. On account of the complicated folding and faulting of the rocks and the peculiar occurrence of petroleum, field work was possible on only a few of the many geological problems and the results here published are only a contribution to the solution of the general problem. We know of nothing published on the geology of the district, except one account, in Spanish and German, by Theodor Wolf. The Santa Elena peninsula, the most important headland of the coast of Ecuador, lies two degrees south of the equator. The chief town, Santa Elena, is about 75 miles west of Guayaquil, the main seaport of Ecuador. The nearest developed oil field is the Zorritos of northern Peru, 120 miles south across the Gulf of Guayaquil. If newspaper reports are true, viz. that the Anglo-Ecuadorian Oilfields, Ltd., has recently brought in a 700-bbl. well on the coast of the peninsula near Ancon, the district may become important in the production of petroleum. At the time of our visit, the best way to reach the peninsula was by a steamer of the Pacific Steam Navigation Go., southward from Panama and northward from Guayaquil. About once a week, one of these steamers anchored 1/2 mile off shore near the village of Salinas, an important cable station. An alternative route, in the dry season, is by automobile from Guayaquil. In February, 1921, a railway bed had been graded part way between Guayaquil and Salinas, but this was detcriorating rapidly because of lack of funds to continue construction or to keep in repair that portion already completed.

Jan 1, 1923

By Richard B. Moore

The successful commercial production of helium during the last few years has added greatly to its scientific interest. When the quantity of an element available for experimental purposes increases within a few years by 200,000 per cent., both public and scientific interest in the element are greatly stimulated. Before the war, probably, there was not more than 10 or 15 cu. ft. of helium in existence. The larger part of this was owned by Prof. Kam-merlingh Onnes, and was used by him in connection with his low-temperature work at Leiden. By experimental work during the war and immediately afterwards, the Canadians, under Prof. J. C. McLennan, produced about 60,000 cu. ft. of helium of various grades of purity. Up to Dee. 1, 1921, when the plant at Fort Worth was shut down because of lack of funds, there had been produced during the experimental work by the U. S. Government, during the war and afterwards. 2,300,000 cu ft. of helium averaging between 92 and 95 per cent. purity. After the new appropriation was made in 1922, the production plant was again started and at the time of writing was making about 15,000 cu. ft. of helium a day. Only three of the five units were being operated because of the inability to get sufficient gas to run at full capacity. The gas supply is owned by two companies and on account of a disagreement between them, it has been possible for some time to get gas from only one. It is expected that when all five units are running steadily, the daily production will be between 30,000 and 40,000 cu. ft. of gas averaging from 93 to 95 per cent. purity. All three experimental plants used during the war have been shut down. The Air Reduction plant, using the Claude system, and the Linde

Jan 1, 1923

By Richard B. Moore

The successful commercial production of helium during the last few years has added greatly to its scientific interest. When the quantity of an element available for experimental purposes increases within a few years by 200,000 per cent., both public and scientific interest in the element are greatly stimulated. Before the war, probably, there was not more than 10 or 15 cu. ft. of helium in existence. The larger part of this was owned by Prof. Kam-merlingh Onnes, and was used by him in connection with his low-temperature work at Leiden. By experimental work during the war and immediately afterwards, the Canadians, under Prof. J. C. McLennan, produced about 60,000 cu. ft. of helium of various grades of purity. Up to Dee. 1, 1921, when the plant at Fort Worth was shut down because of lack of funds, there had been produced during the experimental work by the U. S. Government, during the war and afterwards. 2,300,000 cu ft. of helium averaging between 92 and 95 per cent. purity. After the new appropriation was made in 1922, the production plant was again started and at the time of writing was making about 15,000 cu. ft. of helium a day. Only three of the five units were being operated because of the inability to get sufficient gas to run at full capacity. The gas supply is owned by two companies and on account of a disagreement between them, it has been possible for some time to get gas from only one. It is expected that when all five units are running steadily, the daily production will be between 30,000 and 40,000 cu. ft. of gas averaging from 93 to 95 per cent. purity. All three experimental plants used during the war have been shut down. The Air Reduction plant, using the Claude system, and the Linde

Jan 1, 1923

By S. P. Holt

The chief use of scrapers at this mine has been on lead ore of milling grade, clean and dry, in stulled stopes, 50-100 ft. long, 5-12 ft. high, and pitching 20-30°. Scrapers have also been used to fill these stopes with waste. The first scraper used (Fig. 1) is modified from a Cleveland-Cliffs design, being only 30 in. wide. It is light, weighing but 95 lb., handles well, and-digs itself in; but it spills part of its load on a long haul. It could be improved by lengthening the side plates, but because of the double bent angle irons, it is difficult to make at mine shops and has been discarded. Fig. 2 shows where the light angle irons have failed, spoiling

Jan 1, 1923

By S. P. Holt

The chief use of scrapers at this mine has been on lead ore of milling grade, clean and dry, in stulled stopes, 50-100 ft. long, 5-12 ft. high, and pitching 20-30°. Scrapers have also been used to fill these stopes with waste. The first scraper used (Fig. 1) is modified from a Cleveland-Cliffs design, being only 30 in. wide. It is light, weighing but 95 lb., handles well, and-digs itself in; but it spills part of its load on a long haul. It could be improved by lengthening the side plates, but because of the double bent angle irons, it is difficult to make at mine shops and has been discarded. Fig. 2 shows where the light angle irons have failed, spoiling

Jan 1, 1923

By A. B. Calhoun

These mines, which belong to the Burma Corporation, Ltd., formerly a London company now incorporated in Rangoon, Burma, are situated in the semi-independent state of Tawng-Peng, one of the small divisions comprising the northern Shan states and erroneously known as part of Upper Burma. Bawdwin is approximately 23' 6' N. latitude and 97" 20' E. longitude, 450 miles north of Rangoon, 169 miles northcast of Mandalay and 50 miles south and west of the Province of Yunnan, China (see Fig. 1). Although the mines were worked by the Chinese during the Ming Dynasty, 1412 A. D., the most extensive operations took place between 1796 and 1851, when the mines contributed largely to the silver market of China. During the reign of Tung Chik, 1868 A. D., they were abandoned partly because of the Mohammedan rebellion in Yunnan, which made life and property insecure, but largely because of the difficulty of operating the mines on account of water and poor ventilation. Since that time practically nothing was done, although the Burmese kings are said to have made several sporadic attempts to work the mines, until 1891 when Europeans were attracted by the great slag dumps (assaying about 40 per cent. lead) which the Chinese had left after extracting the silver. After a railroad and smelter had been built and 200,000 to 300,000 tons of slag smelted for lead, exploration work was started and old workings cleaned out in order to locate the remnants of the orebody that it was supposed the Chinese had left. After two years of most discouraging work, the remains of a large orebody was discovered by the Dead Chinaman Tunnel or what is the 171-ft., or No. 2 level adit. From then on the development was rapid and today the Chinaman is considered one of

Jan 1, 1923

By A. B. Calhoun

These mines, which belong to the Burma Corporation, Ltd., formerly a London company now incorporated in Rangoon, Burma, are situated in the semi-independent state of Tawng-Peng, one of the small divisions comprising the northern Shan states and erroneously known as part of Upper Burma. Bawdwin is approximately 23' 6' N. latitude and 97" 20' E. longitude, 450 miles north of Rangoon, 169 miles northcast of Mandalay and 50 miles south and west of the Province of Yunnan, China (see Fig. 1). Although the mines were worked by the Chinese during the Ming Dynasty, 1412 A. D., the most extensive operations took place between 1796 and 1851, when the mines contributed largely to the silver market of China. During the reign of Tung Chik, 1868 A. D., they were abandoned partly because of the Mohammedan rebellion in Yunnan, which made life and property insecure, but largely because of the difficulty of operating the mines on account of water and poor ventilation. Since that time practically nothing was done, although the Burmese kings are said to have made several sporadic attempts to work the mines, until 1891 when Europeans were attracted by the great slag dumps (assaying about 40 per cent. lead) which the Chinese had left after extracting the silver. After a railroad and smelter had been built and 200,000 to 300,000 tons of slag smelted for lead, exploration work was started and old workings cleaned out in order to locate the remnants of the orebody that it was supposed the Chinese had left. After two years of most discouraging work, the remains of a large orebody was discovered by the Dead Chinaman Tunnel or what is the 171-ft., or No. 2 level adit. From then on the development was rapid and today the Chinaman is considered one of

Jan 1, 1923

By C. Baldwin Sawyer

During the last half century, much time has been devoted to investigations of the effect of nitrogen on the physical properties of steel, but in all discussions of results there is considerable doubt as to the accuracy and interpretation of analyses. No conclusions concerning the effects of nitrogen on the physical properties of steel can be more reliable than the methods used for determining the quantities of nitrogen present. The work described in this paper endeavors to establish some additional conditions required by the customary distillation method for reliable and nccurate determinations. Results by a combustion method of analysis for total nitrogen content are presented; these indicate that all of the nitrogen in steel, exclusive of that contained in blowholes, may be determined by the distillation method. Based on these more sound and more reliable analyses, results havc been obtained that bear on the following divisions of the general subject, nitrogen in steel: Nitrification of steel by melting in nitrogen, nitrification of steel by heating in ammonia, decomposition of nitrified steel by heating, and thermal analysis of nitrified steel. Consideration of Two Methods of Analysis and Some Results The details of the distillation and combustion methods are chemical in character and of little interest to most readers. They are therefore described in an appendix. The distillation method is essentially that described by Hurum and Fay1 and was generally used throughout this work. It is capable of the greatest accuracy and all results given are significant to the last, figure. Where analyses do not check, the samples

Jan 1, 1923