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By M. Hayri Erten

In this research the possibility of pelletizing high grade fluorsoar fines or flotation concentrates with the use of calcined colemanite as binder is investigated, and the room temperature and elevated temperature strengths of these pellets are compared with those of pellets which are obtained by using bentonite as binder. Pellets of 10-12 mm. size and having 10% calcined colemanite showed a much higher room temperature strength than those containing 5% benonite, both being endurated at 1000°C for 15 minutes. However, when the same batch of pellets were tested at elevated temperatures of 250º to 500°C, bentonite gave better results. X-ray tests showed that in the pellets endurated at 1000°C for 15 minutes the original crystal structure of fluorite mineral is preserved.

Jan 1, 1977

By T. H. Chin, R. W. Bartlett

A simple on-stream particle-size analysis method is presented that leads to a bulk-property single-channel device; although the concept can be extended to multi-channel sizing information. The method is based on continuously measuring and comparing the percent solids in the sample stream and in an internal-reference stream containing only undersize particles. A semipermeable hydraulic system is used such that the particle mass concentration in the internal stream can vary, and is always proportional to the undersize particle mass concentration in the sample stream.

Jan 1, 1975

G. F. COMSTOCK (author's reply to discussion *).-The discussion of this paper has been of such volume and interest as to constitute in itself a sufficient excuse for the paper, even though the paper itself may have been as much in error as some of its critics have maintained. Mr. Howard does not appear to realize some very practical facts that the opponents of his theory have advanced. Among these are: the coarsely crystalline fracture of the nucleus of a transverse fissure, so different from the smooth fatigue break around it; the occurrence of fissures in large numbers in certain heats or rollings of rails, while other heats or rollings do not develop them; and the much smaller proportion of transverse fissures found in rails rolled .from reheated blooms as compared with direct-rolled rails. These facts are not explained by Mr.

Jan 6, 1919

The suggestions of the members of the Institute are very much desired by the Committee on Nominations prior to deciding upon its nominations to fill the places of those officers who retire early in 1917. The Committee must make its final report to the Board of Directors early in October. The members are, therefore, asked to send in promptly their suggestions for Directors as well as for Vice-Presidents and President. The Committee hopes to hear from a large number of the members. The officers to be elected at the annual meeting in February, 1917, are: One officer, known as Director and President. Two officers, known as Director and Vice-President. Five officers, known as Director. The attention of members is called to Articles V and VII of the Constitution, and to By-Law XIII, which reads as follows: "The geographical districts to be considered by the Committee on Nominations shall be as follows, until otherwise ordered by the Board. District No. 1. New England, New York, and-New Jersey, excepting New York City and district, which is provided for in the Constitution. (N. B.-New York City and district is designated District 0.)

Jan 7, 1916

By D’Arcy A. Shock

In this year's review, the concept of solution mining has been expanded to include total solution as well as the technology of leaching, or partial solution methods. Leaching methods continue to make strides in the processing of metallic minerals, particularly in copper and uranium production. No quantitative data are available on the increase of leach operations; however, it is known that there were more systems installed in 1969 and that the estimated 15% of U.S. domestic production of copper produced in 1968 was by leach methods.1 While the number of publications appearing during the year were few,2,3 there were special sessions in this field at the AIME Annual Meeting and SME Fall Meeting in 1969 and more scheduled for these meetings in 1970. Significant areas that should be mentioned are: the continuing interest in bacteria to convert sulfide sulfur to acid thus reducing reagent costs in both copper and uranium sulfide ores, the exploration of leaching agents other than common mineral acids or alkaline solutions,4,5 kinetic studies of leach mechanisms and the development of microfractures for increased leach solution penetration by use of chemical or atomic explosives.6,7

Jan 1, 1970

Safety and health are no longer secondary responsibilities but must be of paramount concern to every mining operation, according to Anthony J. Thompson, an attorney with Hamel, Park, McCabe & Saunders of Washington D.C. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) forecasts an estimated 19,000 inspections during 1979, and the economic and psychological impact of these inspections may he significant. To illustrate his point Thompson reviewed the experiences of a relatively large operation during a recent MSHA visit. The inspector was on the premises for two months, issuing between 250 to 300 "significant and substantial" (s&s) citations. During the most intensive period, about one month in duration, the operation experienced a production loss estimated between 2500 to 3000 tons; an accident rate up 30% over the previous month and 20% over the same month in the preceding year; 100% of the safety director's and safety engi¬neer's time was devoted to the inspection; 50% of top level management's time; and 90% of the mid-level or front line supervisory's time.

Jan 11, 1979

By Toyohiko Hirota, Fukuo Itoh

Oil and natural gas aside, sea floor mineral resources currently being exploited in Japan are offshore sand and gravel and deep-sea manganese nodules. The mining of sand and gravel has already started. With regard to manganese nodules, the geophysical investigation and the study of the mining method are also underway. This report outlines the activity of a few Japanese firms, the Deep Ocean Minerals Association formed by some 30 private firms, Government agencies, a public corporation and two government research institutes. Researches on new exploration instruments, properties of deep-sea sediments and the mining method currently conducted by the National Research Institute for Pollution and Resources are described in detail.

Jan 1, 1976

By Gerald C. Mathis

FERGUS County, Mont., shown in Fig. 1, is known for its once famous gold mines near the old towns of Gilt Edge, Maiden, and Kendall. But at Heath, a small farming community near the foot-hills of the Snowy Mountains, thousands of tons of gypsum have been mined since 1916. The value of the gold taken from the mines of Fergus County runs into millions of dollars; the value of the products made from the gypsum of the Heath mine is also in the millions. The gypsum mine will continue to produce for many years, while the gold mines are closed today.

Jan 2, 1953

By S. H. Ash

SAFETY records have improved in all branches of the mineral industry. While annual production was rising from $2 billion in 1910 to nearly $12 billion in 1950, fatalities decreased from 3539 in 1911 to 974 in 1951. And, although safety progressed under hand methods, it progresses more effectively under modern, mechanized methods. But powered devices such as electric or diesel units can in themselves create new hazards unless proper safeguards are instituted. Health Use of diesels underground is increasing. Diesel equipment has been used in construction of 34 tunnels in 16 states in the last 17 years. The 77 noncoal underground mines in 24 states using diesels underground range from mines with large open stopes to those with narrow veins, so that the ventilating problems represent a good cross-section of U. S. mining. The U. S. Bureau of Mines has received no report that anyone has suffered ill effects from the proper use of properly maintained equipment. The necessity for correct maintenance and use of satisfactory exhaust conditioners cannot be emphasized too strongly.

Jan 2, 1954

Western Mining Corp. has announced plans to expand its mining operations at Kambalda, and to build a nickel refinery at Kwinana, near Perth, Western Australia. The refinery will use the ammonia-leach hydrogen reduction processes of Sherritt Gordon Mines Ltd., and it is expected that by 1970, when the expansion is scheduled for completion, Western will be the world's fourth largest nickel producer. Although estimates have not been finalized, the total cost is expected to be about $55 million. The mine and mill facilities at Kambalda, which began production in June 1967, are now producing at the rate of 11 million lb of contained nickel per year. The company estimates the sulfide ore reserves at Kambalda and St. Ives at 10.4 million tons averaging an usually high grade of 3.8% nickel, or about 790 million lb of contained nickel. In addition, silicate and oxidized ores have been located in both areas.

Jan 3, 1968

[ ] (17) WORTHINGTON: Cartoonist-author Don Herold recently took a look at the Worthington Corp., putting the results into a compact booklet called "A lot of things beside pumps." The story is aimed to better acquaint you with Worthington and how they came to produce a diversified industrial equipment. (18) SPEED REDUCERS: Now available is Cleveland Worm & Gear Co.'s new general catalog. In its 180 pages are the illustrations and description of the complete Cleveland line, together with full engineering data, dimensions, weights and horsepower capacities of the various drives. (19) METAL PRODUCTS: Armco Drainage and Metal Products, Inc. has just published a condensed 6-page catalog of its products designed for mining use. It describes and illustrates such products as Flex-Beam guardrails, corrugated metal pipe, liner plates, retaining walls, Steelox buildings, and welded pipe. (20) RECORDS: Pre-scheduled, controlled, preventive maintenance reduces costly downtime to a minimum and eliminates the need for large emergency crews. A new folder describes how such a program can be accomplished by using Remington Rand Inc., Kardex visible records. Another Remington Rand Inc. bulletin is the certified case history of how Kardex visible purchasing records help maintain a smooth running purchasing department.

Jan 1, 1952

Servicing School Opening of a special factory training course in servicing earthmoving equipment is announced by the Euclid Road Machinery Co. Four [ ] beginning and four advanced one week training courses will be offered to representatives of distributors and customers. Circle No. 1 Core Drill The new Acker "Teredo" core drill, is named after the "boringest little animal in the world" to underline its function as a light, compact, portable core drill capable of depths to 600 ft. While light enough to be truck or jeep-mounted, it offers the combination of a three-speed totally enclosed transmission with either hydraulic or screw feed drill heads. Full 24-in. travel gives maximum footage per shift, 360° rotation permits freedom of hole location, a transmission mounted cathead winch is used in pulling rods and casings, and a power take-off is provided for a pump. Circle No. 2 Plastic Pipe Planned production of both flexible and semi-rigid plastic pipe is announced by Triangle Conduit & Cable Co. Rigid and high-impact pipe will be added to the line later. Three types: non-toxic, industrial, and suction, are being made and in sizes from 1/2 to 6 in. Circle No. 3

Jan 1, 1952

By Freeman Bishop

Copper production has been under Government scrutiny for many years because it's known as a concentrated industry which in turn creates what many economists label administrative prices. Neither of these conditions is illegitimate, per se, the Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department have said time and again. But Justice spoke up once more. This time over a Puerto Rican copper development planned by American Metal Climax, Inc., and the Kennecott Copper Corp. Bureaucratic Dichotomy Creates Confusion and Conflict In the Copper Industry Ian MacGregor, chairman and chief executive officer of Amax, said Justice in a recent communique questioned the propriety of the proposal of a joint copper venture in Puerto Rico. At the same approximate time, Dr. Hendrik S. Houthakker, chairman of the President's Commission on Copper, was urging copper producers to expand production to help hold down prices by making more copper available to all consumers. This, Mr. MacGregor said, is creating confusion and conflict, since the Administration from one source is chastising the industry for doing what another branch requests.

Jan 1, 1970

The following petition for amendment of the constitutional provisions relating to qualifications for membership in the Institute, signed by 75 members, of whom 27 are members of the Committee on Increase of Membership, was received by the Board of Directors, was printed on the program of the New York Meeting sent to all members early in January, and is now being voted upon by the membership: In accordance with the terms f Article X, we hereby propose the following amendment to the Constitution, Article II, Section 2: Members shall comprise all those persons who on the third Monday of February, 1918, were members of the Institute, and in addition thereto, all those thereafter, elected or transferred into the, class of Members. A person to he eligible for election or transfer into the class of Members must he at least 27 years of age and must have had at least six years' employment in the practice of engineering, mining, geology, metallurgy or chemistry, during at least three years of which he must have held positions of responsibility in one or more of these fields. Graduation from the scientific course of a college, approved by the Committee on Membership, shall be considered equivalent to two years' employment, as required in the previous sentence.

Jan 2, 1918

Terminology Relating to Nonmetallic Elements in Metals. See IRON AND STEEL Ferromagnetism in Metallic Crystals. BY L W MCKEEHAN (Tech. Pub 554, Metals Tech , August; also Trans, vol 111. 20,500 words ) The directions for easiest magnetization of ferromagnetic single crystals are those of simple crystal- lographic forms and the extra energy needed for magnetization in other than these preferred directions depends upon the material selected for test The history of magnetic tests upon metallic single crystals, reviewed in detail, shows that crystals of one metal agree rather well as to the magnitude of such energy differences. This makes ~t probable that these differences are really charactenstic of the ferromagnetic

Jan 1, 1935

By Edward C. John, Wilbur H. Smith

At the Bingham Canyon pit operated by Kennecott's Utah Copper Division, the demand for geology has recently grown and diversified so rapidly that it has necessitated a revolution in geologic mapping techniques. The most significant changes in method have been in the preparation of the base map and in the computer application of collected data. Formerly maps were prepared by surveying with a transit or plane table. Now, however, a photogrammetric map with a scale of l in. to 200 ft is prepared semiannually and updated continuously to keep pace with the removal of more than 350,000 tons of material a day. Larger-scale bases of areas with specific problems such as un- stable slopes are prepared with aerial and terrestrial photography and photo-mosaics. Note sheets designed for computer application speed the processing of data. The multiplying applications of geology at the Bingham mine now include studies of the effect of structure, rock type, and alteration on slope stability, the relationship of sulfide mineral distribution to concentrating results, the effect of rock and mineral types on waste dump leaching, and the requirements of a reliable internal source of silica flux for smelting, as well as many others.

Jan 9, 1969

By Frank A. Crossley

The work described has one serious shortcoming: grain size was not monitored during heat up to the temperature (1675°F) of isothermal anneal. The chief obstacles to p grain growth in titanium a-ß structures are the a grains. Heating a structure such as that shown in Fig. 1 to a temperature close to ß transus causes dissolution of a grains in order to adjust the a/ß ratio, compare Figs. 1 and 2. During this process there is a concomitant growth of the ß grains—otherwise ß grains would have to be nucleated in order to adjust the a/ß ratio. When the annealing temperature is reached the a/ß ratio stabilizes and this initial phase of ß grain growth ceases. After an incubation period growth resumes as described. Some 0 grain boundaries can be clearly seen in Fig. 1. (Skilled metallography commonly produces photomicrographs which show more structural detail than direct observation.) These boundaries suggest that the average ß grain size is approximately 0.002

Jan 1, 1970

By Bertrand Robinson

Epitomized, there have been no innovations recently in crushing, but in grinding the trend has been towards larger units under more automatic control with an increased use of autogenous grinding. Crushing Portability of primary crushers to "follow the face" reduces material handling costs. The top size of crusher feed still establishes the size of the crusher; the feed opening should be 1 1/2 times the size of the largest feed. The maximum size of crusher product is 1 ½ times the open scale setting of a jaw or gyratory crusher. Practice dictates use of scalping screens ahead of any type of crusher when the feed contains 25% or more of product size. If required capacity is under 600-700 tph economics favor a double toggle crusher or an impactor. For larger capacities the gyratory crusher is favored.

Jan 1, 1970

(Under this heading will be published notes sent to the Secretary of the Institute by members or other persons introduced by members.) Mining Geologist. Age, 34; wide experience in all Lake Superior iron-ore districts and Arkansas bauxite district. Examinations, tonnage estimates, reports, direction of prospecting, geologic mapping, churn and diamond drilling. Excellent references. A-2681. Mine Superintendent or Manager. Graduate mining engineer, age 31, married, 10 years' experience, now in government employ as metal-lurgist, desires employment with reputable mining company. New York interview if desired. A-4219. Research Engineer, now in Chile on erection of 50-ton mill with modern machinery for treatment of Chilean nitrate, desires connection, from the first of next year, with firm operating in South or Central America. A-4915. Mining Engineer. Young graduate of Michigan College of Mines; capable of handling men, conscientious worker; desires a position that will lead to assistant superintendency. Any place in the United States. Initial salary relatively unimportant. A-5195. Metallurgist, married, age 25; technical graduate; 3 years' experience in blast and open-hearth furnaces, blooming mills, metallographic, and heat treatment work; desires position as sales engineer in the Pittsburgh district. A-5196.

Jan 12, 1919

By H. I. Aaronson

THE TTT-curve for the beginning of transformation in hypoeutectoid steels containing appreciable amounts of relatively strong carbide-forming alloying elements often exhibits a "bay" at intermediate temperatures. In many of these steels, proeutectoid ferrite is the initial product of the decomposition of austenite not only at temperatures above the bay but also in an appreciable temperature range below the region of the bay. Hultgren has postulated that ferrite formed above the bay, termed "orthoferrite", contains the equilibrium concentration of alloying element at temperatures above the eutectoid range, and the extrapolated metastable equilibrium concentration at lower temperatures. The ferrite formed below the bay, on the other hand, termed "paraferrite", was assumed to inherit completely the bulk alloy content of the austenite without regard for the compositional requirements of equilibrium. As shown schematically in Fig. 1, the two types of ferrite were taken to have different Ae3 temperatures and different C-curves on a TTT-diagram. Their different kinetic behaviors were thus considered responsible for the bay in the TTT-curve for the proeutectoid ferrite reaction in this type of alloy steel.

Jan 1, 1962