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Jan 1, 1951

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

LOCAL SECTIONS (There are 60 Local Sections in the United States, 4 Foreign ) ADIRONDACK Established June 18, 1952 Paul W Allen, Chairman William Webb, Vice-Chairman Edwin Briggs, Secretary-Treasurer National Lead Company Mac Intyre Development Tahawus, New York Paul W Allen, Section Delegate R G Fleck, Alternate Section Delegate

Jan 1, 1954

By Gerald Schroeder

The flow of gases, particularly radon and methane, into the mine atmosphere is a problem traditionally controlled by ventilation-dilution techniques. More recently, a preventative approach has been to seal underground surfaces with a polymeric coating to act as a barrier against the influx of dangerous gases. H However, a study by the Israel Government Research Station indicates that unless the rock surface is perfectly sealed, much of the labor to reduce interstitial gas flow is lost to the effects of barometric "breathing" from the rock pores. Previous research has reported the increased frequency of coal mine explosions during periods of barometric pressure minima,1 and the phenomena has been explained through correlation of the observed increase in mine gas concentrations during periods of low barometric pressure with the connective flow of interstitial gases from rock pores into the arsine atmosphere when pressure was actually falling.234 While changes ill barometric pressure arc rapidly transmitted to the mine atmosphere, response in the rock interstices is sluggish, momentarily creating a pressure differential between the mine atmosphere and the interstitial gases. Responding to the pressure gradient, this interstitial gas flows until pressures are equalized.

Jan 6, 1977

By Leon O. Hart

The nickel-chromium alloys of importance are those containing iron and those free from iron. The most important alloys containing iron, with regard to high tonnage, are the nickel-chromium steels. Straight nickel steel was introduced about the year 1889, but it was not until 1895, when it was found that the addition of chromium greatly increased the strength and resistance to shock, that nickel-chromium steels came into use. The three types of nickel-chromium steels developed at this time were: Type 1, containing 3.,50 per cent. nickel and 1.50 per cent. chromium; type 2, containing 2.00 per cent. nickel and 1.00 per cent. chromium; and type 3, containing 1.50 per cent. nickel and 0.50 per cent. chromium.

Jan 1, 1921

By E. B. Ekren, F. C. Frischknecht

Recently released results of surveys employing the slingram and turam methods show the applicability of electrornagnetics in mapping new areas containing both oxidized and unoxidized iron in the Lake Superior region.

Jan 10, 1961

By M. J. Greaves, Alan English

Pelletizing on a commercial scale is only 10 years old; yet in this period more than 150 million tons of pellets have been produced. Instrumentation and controls have played an important part in the development of an entirely new industry in almost unprecedented time. Initially, most control circuits used in the pelletizing industry were manually operated, since the confidence factor in instruments and controls was quite low at that time. This changed considerably in recent years and improvements in the use of instruments and controls have probably developed more rapidly in pelletizing than in any other metallurgical process. Now, within a decade of the start of commercial operations, the use of manually operated controls has changed and consideration is being given to the utilization of computers for data logging and control purposes.

Jan 7, 1965

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 Arno C. Fieldner

PROBABLY no large industry in the United States is in greater need of technologic research leading to economic improvement than the coal industry. It has suffered severely from increasing substitution of petroleum and natural gas for coal and its products in the fuel markets. Part of this substitution is due to the greater convenience and suitability of liquid and gaseous fuels for special purposes, and part of it has been due to the extensive research programs conducted or sponsored by the petroleum and allied industries in the past 2 decades. A recent estimate1 places these expenditures at $100,000,000 a year.

Jan 7, 1951

(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 P. J. Conners, H. Colijn

Belt conveyors have proven themselves for many years as a dependable and low cost method of moving bulk materials at high flow rates. The success of a belt conveyor system greatly depends on the initial loading of the material on the belt. If the material is loaded on the belt at the center, at the same speed and without impact, then about 90% of all belt conveyor problems would disappear. Proper belt loading is primarily determined by the engineering and design of the conveyor transfer point. Some general design criteria required for proper transfer of materials from one conveyor to another are established and discussed. Specific attention is given to loading chutes and skirting.

Jan 1, 1973

By W. C. Krumbein

GEOLOGICAL problems are approached from a geometrical (space relations) viewpoint, a kinematical (time sequence) viewpoint, or a dynamical viewpoint. The first two require sound training in conventional geology and in field methods. The third approach requires a solid foundation of chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Modern training for geologists should include close integration of basic sciences with geological principles.

Jan 1, 1941

Institute of Metals Division Iron and Steel Division Extractive Metallurgy Division Council J H Scaff (IMD) Chairman, Robert W Shearman, Secretary, J S Smart, (IMD), P T Stroup, (EMD), A W Schlechten, (EMD), J S Marsh, (ISD), A W Thornton, (ISD), M E Violin, (MED), D S Eppelsheimer, (MIED) Journal of Metals Editorial Advisory Committee J S Smart, Jr, Chairman, W A Dean, J C Kinnear, Jr, T D Jones, Evan Just, John Marsh, M Tenenbaum Pacific Northwest Regional Conference A Y Bethune, General Chairman, Frank N Marr, Chairman, General Arrangements, R J Lapee, Chairman, C P Love, (EMD Program), W M Armstrong, Chairman, Physical Metallurgy Program, L W Heinzinger, Chairman (ISD Program), J P Spielman, Chairman, (MIED Program) New England Regional Conference K H Mairs, Chairman, W A Backofen, Vice-Chair¬man, Delmar E Trout, Secretary, G W Coleman, Treasurer, F H Wilson, Past Chairman, Members at Large Sidney Siegel, Boston, G F Donahue, Connecti¬cut Representatives from Connecticut Frank Chudy, J E Chafey Representa¬tives from Boston N L Reed, E Gordon

Jan 1, 1955

By C. Le Neve Foster

The object of this paper is to offer a few suggestions for improving the mining and mineral statistics presented by the governments of various nations on both sides of the Atlantic. At the present time one may fairly complain of' two evils—lack of uniformity in some cases and want of completeness in others. The consequence is that the statistics are either less plain than they might be, or are useless for comparisons, or fail to present a faithful picture of the state of the mining industries of a country. The principal subjects upon which information is desirable are: the amount and value of the mineral products raised and the number of the mining population. With these data it is possible to form an estimate of the importance of the mining industries of any given

Jan 1, 1894

By John B. Farish

This brief paper is designed to place on record some interesting occurrences, recently observed during an examination of the Golden Age Mine, in Boulder county, Colorado. Leaving the little village of Jamestown—or Jimtown, as it is more generally called—located in the canon of James creek, the road winds up a steep mountain composed of the coarse gray granite, with occasional belts of gneiss, common to all the mineral-bearing sections of Boulder county, to the summit of the front range of the Continental Divide. Here are located the mines known as the Golden Age and the Sentinel, the relative locations of which are shown in Fig. 1. The Golden Age location covers the outcrop of a quartz-porphyry dike, which cuts through the granite country-rock with a strike of about N. 70' E. This dike varies in width from a few feet, as at a point between the main shaft and the Hill shaft, to about 50 feet,

Jan 1, 1891

By J. E. Lawver, W. D. Carrier

During the past 20 years, millions of dollars in research effort have been spent to improve methods of phosphate clay dewatering and disposal. Although to date no proven large-scale system has been developed that will result in ultimate below ground storage without the use of at least temporary dams, considerable progress has been made and a variety of techniques are being tested, some on a large scale. This paper summarizes the use of mathematical and centrifuge (physical) models that can analyze and evaluate various systems for the consolidation of phosphatic clays. These provide a powerful tool for engineers responsible for land management and mining waste disposal.

Jan 1, 1985

By George L. Lyle

WITH the advent of World War II, the need for agricultural products rose phenomenally and caused a similar increase in demand for plant foods of which phosphate rock is one of the more important raw materials. By the close of the war or shortly thereafter, all of the operating companies were expanding their production facilities. Many companies installed modern bulk material handling facilities. Designs varied, but were generally of the overhead trestle type of storing conveyors. American Cyanamid studied these various installations but was not satisfied with the conventional system because of high initial cost, increased maintenance problems in the way of painting structural steel that might be submerged in stored materials, and because of slightly increased operating costs. As a consequence of these economic analyses, conferences were held with the various conveyor manufacturers to develop a better method of storing and reclaiming. After considerable engineering study, one conveyor manufacturer suggested the unique system which was installed in 1950.

Jan 8, 1954

By M. N. Nabighian, J. R. Odekirk, D. M. Hausen

Preliminary investigations based on the concept of cross-power indicate that quantitative volume percentages of minerals, including quartz, orthoclase, plagioclase, fluorite, and chalcopyrite can be obtained by X-ray diffraction analysis. Pulverized samples are scanned from 4° to 65°, 2e, using a Norelco diffractometer, with the output recorded on a punched tape at 40 intervals per degree, 29. Errors from crystal orientation are minimized by (1) gridded surface packing, (2) sample spinning, and (3) quantitative measurement of all major diffraction peaks. Computer programming enables rapid quantitative evaluation of X-ray diffraction data. Results to date indicate that most minerals analyses can be performed within an accuracy of ±2%. Metallurgical applications include analysis of various flotation concentrates and tailings.

Jan 1, 1973

By Gary E. McIntosh

This paper will discuss a US Bureau of Mines project designed to assess and predict the impacts which surface coal mining will have on the regional shallow groundwater systems in the Powder River Basin. The primary objective will be met through the accomplishment of the following: (1) The design and establishment of a regional network for monitoring shallow groundwater systems in the basin; (2) monitoring the direction and rate of flow, water quality, and aquifer characteristics of the shallow groundwater systems; and (3) development of a regional groundwater simulation model, with appurtenant subroutines to determine local effects.

Jan 1, 1980

By H. L. Teichman, E. M. Sipprelle

ENACTMENT of Public Law 290 by the 78th Congress authorized the U. S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, to conduct an experimental program to develop the technology for obtaining oil from oil shale. In adopting and later extending this legislation, the Congress recognized the impending necessity of supplementing ground petroleum reserves with synthetic fuels. Under the provisions of this legislation, the Bureau of Mines, among other things, was charged with the responsibility of developing mining techniques, methods, and equipment for mining the oil shales of the Green River formation of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming.

Jan 10, 1950