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By Charles W. Huggins

Electron diffraction and electron microscopy were used to determine the unit cell parameters of garnierite [(Ni,Mg)3 Si2O5 (OH)4] and to examine its crystal habit. Bundles of ribbons, many less than 200 A. in cross section, make up the bulk specimen of the garnierite Electron diffraction revealed the unit cell to be monoclinic. Unit cell parameters were: a, 5.33 A,; b, 9.23 A.; c, 14.96 A.; and ß, 94°441.

Jan 1, 1961

By L. G. Trudell, J. W. Smith, K. E. Stanfield

Oil- yield data are presented for 40 sets of core samples and 83 sets of drill cuttings collected in 1952-62 from drilling operations in the Uinta basin of eastern Utah . This accumulated information on the location , extent , and richness of oil shales of the Green River formation is used to appraise the deposits as a source of oil and related products . Core samples used in the study were obtained specifically for evaluating oil shale , and they were satisfactory for this purpose , except they did not completely penetrate the formation . The drill- cutting samples were inferior to the core samples and yielded more erratic results . Consequently, oil yields based on cuttings should be regarded as indicative , rather than definite , until substantiated by other means . In general , the oil- yield data indicate Green River oil shale in Uinta basin is not as thick or as uniform as that in the Piceance Creek basin of western Colorado . However , it is an important potential source of oil . Estimates that beds 15 feet or more thick that average 25 gallons of oil per ton represent at least 120 billion barrels of oil in place are supported by the recent oil- yield data .

Jan 1, 1964

By E. Keskinkilic

Drying, calcination, prereduction, and smelting are the main steps in conventional crude ferronickel production. Industrially, these steps are conducted using the rotary kiln-electric arc furnace (RKEF) process. In this paper, calcination characteristics of Sivrihisar laterite ores from the Central Anatolia region are investigated. The extent of elimination of chemically bound water and other volatiles was studied by experiments conducted at various temperatures in the 250?800°C range. Phase changes were examined using X-ray diffractometry. For the particle size used in the study, 300°C was determined to be almost sufficient for complete transformation of goethite to haematite, and 700°C was required for effective elimination of all volatiles in the ore.

Jan 1, 2012

By T. J. Whalen, S. M. Kaufman

Surface-tension measurements for liquid Fe-C-Co and Fe-C-Ni alloys were performed by the sesszle-drop technique at 1350o and 1425°C. Cobalt was shown to he more effective than nickel in lowering the surface tension of Fe-C alloys A minimum value for surface tension of 1640 dynes per cm was found in the Fe-C-Co system at a concentration of 1.5 pet C and 12pet Co. Analysis of these measurements in terms of adsorption and desorption behavior indicated that cobalt and nickel lower surface tension in Fe-C alloys by replacing carbon at the liquid-vapor interface. Comparison of results to date for Fe-C liquid alloys has shown that most substitutional-type elements having about the same atomic diameter as iron also have relatively the same influence on surface tension when present in dilute amounts. It has been shown previously that surface-adsorption behavior in liquid Fe-C ternary alloys is related to the manner in which the ternary addition affects the activity of carbon in the bulk solution.' Certain ternary additions, such as chromium, tending to decrease carbon activity cause adsorption of carbon and chromium to the liquid-vapor interface. Additions, such as silicon, increase the carbon activity, resulting in a desorption of carbon and an adsorption of silicon. Both cases were shown to cause a decrease in surface tension due to adsorption. It is the object of this paper, as part of the writers' continuing interest in the effect of alloying additions on the surface tension of Fe-C alloys, to present and discuss surface-tension data on solutions in the ternary systems Fe-C-Co and Fe-C-Ni. Available activity measurements for these systems in the solid state indicate a strong increase in carbon activity when either nickel or cobalt is added to Fe-C alloys.2, 3 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE The alloy compositions used are shown in Table I. These alloys were prepared by vacuum melting in stabilized zirconia crucibles and then vacuum casting into cold-steel molds. The nominal analyses for the alloys used in this investigation are given in Table I. Surface tensions and densities were measured by the sessile-drop method4,5 in conjunction with the tables of Bashforth and bdams.' Specimens were prepared by slicing 1/4-in. cubes from the center of the vacuum-cast ingots and grinding the edges of these cubes until their shapes approximated spheres with flat bottoms. Proper handling techniques, including an acetone rinse immediately before use, assured minimum contamination from sources extraneous to the actual melting. For each experimental run a sample was placed on a BeO plaque and positioned and leveled inside a vacuum induction heating apparatus. The sample and plaque arrangement sat inside a molybdenum tube which acted as the susceptor. Diagrams of this apparatus may be found in the literature.= After heating to temperatures just above the liquidus at pressures of the order of 10-4 to 10- 5 mm Hg, photographs of the drop profile were made using its natural thermal radiation as a light source. Some measurements were made with partial pressures (-1 cm Hg) of a mixture of H2 and He gases. The H2-He atmospheres proved to be necessary at higher nickel contents to retard excessive vaporization losses. Chemical analysis for carbon and the ternary addition was performed for each alloy sample after completion of the experimental run.

Jan 1, 1964

By William F. Caley, A. MacKinnon, P. W. Kingston

"The purpose of this paper is to identify a number of currently available opportunities for exploration and/or mine development in the industrial minerals field in southeastern Ontario. The paper is not intended as a complete review of the industrial minerals industry in southeastern Ontario, but highlights what are seen by the authors as areas where there are immediate opportunities for investment and growth.Traditional exploration targets in the Grenville Supergroup in southeastern Ontario have been vein-hosted gold deposits, industrial minerals, and base metals. In recent years, emphasis has increasingly shifted to industrial minerals, in response to changing technologies in the minerals-consuming manufacturing industries, and to an increasing awareness of the industrial mineral potential in this area.This paper examines the resurgence of interest in exploring for and developing a wide variety of industrial minerals, and it examines the work the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines has done under the current Canada-Ontario Mineral Development Agreement. Specific development opportunities are identified in various commodity areas. Use oj the industrial minerals wollastonite and nepheline as substitutes for fluorspar in the formulation of synthetic steelmaking slags is also discussed."

Jan 1, 1990

By J. F. Smith

ELASTIC constants of yttrium and eleven of the rare earth elements have been measured. This has been accomplished by measuring the propagation velocities of ultrasonic pulses. The velocity measurements were made by noting the elapsed time between an applied pulse and the appearance of successive echoes. The pulse-echo technique has become relatively common, and the basis of the measurement is outlined in several standard tests, e.g., Heuter and Bolt.1 Two important assumptions are made when using this method for the determination of elastic moduli. First, the pulse is assumed to propagate as a plane wave. To justify this assumption, the cross section of the test specimen should be large compared to the wave length of the transmitted pulse. For these measurements on the rare earth elements the minimum cross section wave length ratio was about 20. A second assumption which must be made when using polycrystalline specimens is that the grains are sufficiently numerous and randomly oriented so that the specimen may be approximated as elasti-cally isotopic. The grain size in the as-cast specimens which were used is believed to be sufficiently fine for this approximation, and the degree of preferred orientation is believed to be small. Supporting this viewpoint is the fact that elasticity measurements by the pulse-echo technique on as-cast specimens of other metals give results which are in satisfactory agreement with values obtained by other techniques. Hence, it is believed that the measured elasticity values for the rare earth elements are not apt to be seriously in error due to the assumption of elastic isotopy. The apparatus used in this determination was a modified Sperry Reflectoscope with a precisely calibrated time base circuit. Piezoelectric transducers were used both to generate the pulse and to detect the echoes. X-cut quartz crystals were used for the longitudinal modes, and Y-cut quartz crystals were used for the shear modes. Frequencies of 2.25 and 5 megacycles per sec were employed. Most of the specimens were 2.5 to 5.0 cm in length. Results Table I is a tabulation of the measured propagation velocities of longitudinal waves and of shear waves, together with densities obtained by Sped- ding, Daane, and Herrmann2 from lattice parameter measurements. The shear modulus, Poisson's ratio, and Young's modulus were calculated from the data in Table I through use of the following relationships: µ = pv32 [1] s=2-(vb/vs)2/2[1-(vb/vs)2] [2] and Y= 2µ(l+s) [3] where s is the shear modulus, Y is the Young's modulus, s is Poisson's ratio, p is the density, V0 is the longitudinal wave velocity, and v, is the shear wave velocity. The calculated quantities are shown in Table 11. Compressibility values can be computed from the relationship and the computed values may be compared with measured values obtained by Bridgman.8 Table III lists the data for such a comparison. The agreement is satisfactory, being particularly good for neodymi- um and gadolinium, poor for samarium, and intermediate for the other elements. Some variation is expected since Bridgman's measurements are isothermal, whereas the present measurements are adiabatic. In addition there may be some effect due to small variations in purity. Though most of the rare earth metals measured by Bridgman and all of the metals used in the present measurements were prepared at this laboratory, minor purity variations might exist since the samples came from different lots. Also, any imperfections such as dislocations, vacancies, voids, grain boundaries, microcracks, etc., should contribute to the volume change of a com-

Jan 1, 1958

By C. A. Hartnagel

During- the past 10 years the annual production of petroleum in New York has averaged close to 5,000,000 bbl., the total for the period being 49,881,000 bbl. In 6 of the 10 years, the production was slightly in excess of the 5,000,000 mark. The 1944 production of 4,697,000 bbl. represents a 7 per cent decline from the previous year. Of the total 1944 output, the Allegany County district, which includes two small areas of Steuben County, contributcd 3,614,065 bbl., a decline of 5 per cent from 1943, and the contribution of Cattaraugus County, which represents the northern extension of the Bradford pool of Pennsylvania into New York was 1,082,935 bbl., a decline of more than 14 per cent. Since March 1942, the posted price of New York crude oil has remained at $3.00 per bbl. On lug. I, 1944, a Federal subsidy of 75¢ per bbl. was granted to oil producers, thus making the price actually $3.75 per bbl. Since all of the oil produced in New York comes under the designation "stripper well operations," it is entitled to the Federal subsidy. During the last few years there has been little change in the number of wells drilled annually. In the Allegany field, which accounts for three fourths of the oil produced in the state, 1240 wells, including water-intake wells, were drilled during 1944 as compared with 1223 in 1943. There was no marked increase in the number of wells drilled after granting the subsidy of 75¢ per bbl. of oil on Aug. I, the increase being but 14 wells during the last half of the year over the preceding six months. In flooding operations it is not to be expected that even a substantial increase in the price of crude oil will be reflected quickly in an increase of the number of wells drilled or in a marked increase in production of crude oil. In flooded areas, oil is obtained through a program extending over a number of years. This program involves the drilling of the water or input pressure wells, drilling of the oil wells, building up the oil flood to maximum production, and finally the watering out of the well when the amount of oil produced in proportion to the water becomes so small that pumping is no longer profitable. The various operations may extend over a period of 10 years or more, during which time the price of crude may have fluctuated greatly. Although the rate of production can be controlled to a limited extent, it is evident that a flood when once begun must be continued regardless of the price of crude. During the past seven years New York crude has had a price range from $1.68 per bbl. in 1938 to the present price of $3.75 per barrel The field pattern now in general use for wells in a flood project is the "five-spot." Under this arrangement, the lease is divided into squares with a water well at each corner and an oil well in the center. In the all-over pattern of the lease each oil well is acted upon by four water wells and each water well supplies part of the pressure to four oil wells. Spacing between the input water wells and the oil wells usually varies from zoo to 225 ft. or, on an acre basis, there is one oil well and one water well for each 2 1/2 acres. In recent years there has been a tendency to increase

Jan 1, 1945

By A. D. Schwope, L. R. Jackson, A. M. Hall

In the course of an extensive investigation of the comparative properties of several types of copper, data were obtained on the cold working and subsequent recovery and recrystallization of the copper. In this paper, relations between the degree of cold work and the course of re-crystallization are developed. In particular, it is shown that the course of recrystallization over long periods of time and at low temperatures can be predicted with reasonable accuracy from short-time high-temperature recrystallization data. Materials Used in The Investigation Three types of copper were used in this investigation; these were tough pitch, OFHC, and OFHC copper with 15 oz per ton of silver added identified herein as Lots C, D, and F, respectively. The material was supplied by the American Metal Co. Ltd., and processed by the Rome Cable Co. The analyses of the three types of copper are given in Table I. Originally, it started as wire bars 4 X 4 X 54 in. These bars were heated to 871° C in air and hot rolled to % in. rod. This rod was cold drawn to 0.204 in. rod (70 pct reduction) in three passes and annealed at 427°C for 4 hr. A portion of the 3/8 in. rod was saved for more detailed cold-drawing experiments. Starting with the annealed 0.204 in. rod, hard-drawn wires were produced by cold drawing to 0.081 in. wire in 7 passes (84.4 pct reduction in area). Half-hard wires were made by cold drawing the 0.204 in. rod to 0.102 in. wire, (75 pet reduction) in 6 passes and annealing at 427'C for 4 hr. This annealed wire was then drawn to 0.081 in. wire, (37.1 pet reduction) in 2 passes. Square rod was made by hot rolling wire bars to Re in. rod in 8 passes. This rod was then cold drawn to 0.445 in.-diam rod and annealed for 346 hr at 538°C. It was then cold drawn to 0.325 in. rod and again annealed at 538°Cf or 3 1/2 hr Hard square rods were then made by cold rolling this material to 0.257 X 0.257 in. rod, a reduction in area of 20.5 pct. Half-hard square rods were made by cold rolling to 0.268 x 0.268 in. square, annealing for 3 1/4 hr at 538°C and cold rolling to 0.257 x 0.257 in., a reduction of 8.5 pct. Soft wire or rod was made from all types of copper by annealing the hard-drawn material at 343°C for 3 hr in steam. The grain size of the annealed 0.081 in. wire varied slightly among the three lots: from o.o15+.oz5 mm in the silver-bearing OFHC to 0.035-0.045 mm in the OFHC copper. The annealed 0.257 in. wires were more uniform in grain size, averaging about 0.035-0.045 mm. Representative structures are shown in Fig I. Effect of Cold Drawing and Tensile Strain on Strength of Copper Conventional tensile tests were performed on the three types of copper in the various degrees of hardness described above. Results of these tests are tabulated in Table 2. The results in Table 2 are 6

Jan 1, 1949

By A. J. Griest, P. D. Frost, H. A. Robinson

The flow characteristics and uniform elongation of alpha-beta titanium alloys in the solution-treated condition were shown to be markedly affected by the solution temperature. Two classes of alpha-beta alloys were distinguished, based on the effect of solution temperature on the uniform elongation. Martensitic alpha-beta alloys, which are relatively weakly beta-stabilized, showed decreasing values of uniform elongation as the solution temperature was initially increased. However, after solution-treatment at still higher temperatures in the alpha-beta field, the uniform elongation of these alloys was again high, and often attained its maximum value. Nonmartensitic alpha-beta alloys, which are more heavily beta-stabilized, showed a continuous decrease of uniform elongation with increasing solution temperature. The behavior was rationalized in terms of the alpha-beta ratio and the alloy content of the beta existing at the solution temperature. The data indicate that in commercial practice close temperature control may be required to get maximum uniform elongotion, and hence, maximum potential formability, in solution-treated sheet. Bend-test data also were obtained for the solution-treated conditions. A MOST important objective of current titanium research is the development of age-hardenable alloys with superior formability in the solution -treated condition. Alpha-beta titanium alloys have been shown to be amenable to high-strength aging treatments after solution-treatment in the alpha-beta field.' However, heat-treatment data on the properties of solution-treated sheet, such as uniform elongation, minimum bend radius, and flow properties, which have a bearing on the potential formability, have not been widely available. This paper presents only the most significant results of a research program conducted at Battelle for the Air Force in an effort to develop sheet alloys that can be formed readily as solution-treated and subsequently aged to very high strengths. Data for 10 compositions representative of the more than 25 alloys studied in this program are presented. A primary objective of the paper is to demonstrate the pronounced dependence of the flow characteristics and uniform elongation on solution-treatment temperature. This effect is believed to be vitally important in the commercial heat-treatment of age-hardenable titanium sheet alloys. Experimental Procedures Melting and Fabrication—The nominal and actual compositions, beta transi temperatures, and rolling temperatures of 10 of the 30 alloys studied are presented in Table I. Stock :€or two of the alloys, E (Ti- 8Mn) and J (Ti-6A1-4V) was obtained from commercial heats. The remaining heats, except D and I, were double melted as 10-lb heats in a consumable-electrode furnace. Melting stock was 120 Brine11 hardness sponge. The oxygen and hydrogen analyses spotted throughout the heats indicate the range of interstitial levels resulting from the melting practice used. Heats D and I were melted as 20-lb ingots with the same grade of sponge. These ingots were cut in half and one portion used in the present evaluation. The ingots, which were about 4 in. diam and 4 in. in height, were upset forged and drawn at 1750°F to sheet bar 5/8 in. thick by 2 1/2 in. wide in such a manner that the top of the ingot corresponded to the top of the sheet bar. Slabs of the sheet bar, 5 1/2 in. in length were scalped to 1/2 in. thickness and rolled at the temperatures indicated in Table I to approximately 0.055 in. sheet. Elongation during rolling took place at 90" to the original forged length. The fabrication procedure used is described in some detail since the experimental heats showed considerable directionality in mechanical properties. The rolling procedures for the commercial heats were unknown, but were such as to produce essentially isotropic properties. All heats, as rolled, showed microstructures typical of alpha-beta alloys worked in the alpha-beta field; that is, the structures consisted of equiaxed alpha particles in a beta matrix. Heat Treatment— The effects of solution and aging heat-treatments on the properties of the alloys were evaluated uSing longitudinal and transverse tensile and bend coupons sheared from the sheet. Two or three solution-treated conditions were evaluated for each alloy. In addition, the alloys were also tested after annealing at 1200°F for 4 hr and furnace cooling. The solution-treated and annealed conditions were those in which the alloys might be expected to

Jan 1, 1959

By E. T. Turkdogan, W. L. Worrell

The rate of reaction of hydrogen sulfide with ferrous sulfide was studied by measuring the initial rates of sulfidation of iron strips in hydrogen sulfide-hydrogen-argon mixtures at 670°, 800°, and 900" C. The time-dependent surface sulfur activity is derived from the instantaneous rate of sulfidation with the assumption that diffusion in the sulfide layer is in a pseudo-steady state with the gas-sulfide chemical reaction. The rate of sulfur transfer from hydrogen sulfide to the surface of iron sulfide is proportional to the partial pressure of hydrogen sulfide and inversely proportional to the activity of sulfur at the surface of the sulfide layer. The derived rate equation is based on the assumption that most of the surface sites on the chemisorbed layer of iron sulfide are occupied by sulfur atoms and that the slow rate-controlling reaction is the dissociation of hydrogen sulfide on the chemisorbed layer. The experimental results are in reasonable accord with this reaction model. 1 HE slow approach to parabolic growth rate in the sulfidation of iron in hydrogen sulfide-hydrogen mixtures is a manifestation of slow approach to surface equilibrium between the gas and the surface of the sulfide layer. For example, at 800°C and Fig. 7 in Part I, the parabolic growth rate begins after approximately 1 day of sulfidation time. With decreasing temperature and decreasing partial pressure of hydrogen sulfide, the time necessary to reach gas-sulfide surface equilibrium is much longer. These observations are similar to those reported previously by Turkdogan et al.' on the oxidation of iron to wustite in hydrogen-water vapor mixtures. The slow approach to gas-sulfide equilibrium is well-demonstrated by the results in Fig. 1 where the square of the weight gain per unit area, ( g S per sq cmI2, is plotted against time for gas mixtures having PH g//>H = 1.0 with 0, 25, 50, and 67 pct Ar at 800°C. The value of 1.5 X lo-' (g S per sq cm)' corresponds to almost complete sulfidation of the iron strip (- 0.05 cm thick) to iron sulfide. The points fall on S-shaped curves. If the inflection parts of the curves are considered to be linear, thus indicating parabolic growth rate and the establishment of gas-sulfide equilibrium, their slopes would have to be the same for a fixed ratio in the gas mixture. Such is not the case, and the slopes for the "linear" parts of the S-shaped curves are lower than the value when gas-sulfide surface equilibrium is established. The subject matter of this paper is the kinetics of the surface reaction of hydrogen sulfide with iron sulfide during the early stages of sulfidation of an iron strip. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS The apparatus and materials used were the same as those discussed in Part I. In the present experiments of relatively short duration, a purified iron strip, 5 by 2 by 0.05 cm, which was suspended in the uniform hot zone of a vertical zircon tube, reacted with a flowing gas mixture of hydrogen sulfide-hydrogen-argon. The sample was suspended from a gold chain attached to a calibrated silica spring. The amount of sulfur picked up by the iron, which formed a layer of iron sulfide, was determined by measuring the displacement of a reference point on the silica spring, using a cathetom-eter. In all cases, the degreased sample was first annealed in a stream of oxygen-free dry hydrogen for several hours to remove any impurities such as oxygen, nitrogen, or carbon which might have been present on the surface of the sample.' The rate measurements were carried out at 670°, 800°, and 900° C in hydrogen sulfide-hydrogen-argon mixtures with pH2 s/Ph2 ratios from 4 to 0.1. In a few experiments of short duration no sulfur deposition was observed in gas mixtures with (comments concerning sulfur deposition at high pH s/ph ratios were made in Part I.) Typical examples of the results obtained are shown in Fig. 2 for two temperatures and two gas compositions. With the present experimental technique, reproducible rate data could be obtained only after a uniform

Jan 1, 1969

On the recent trip from Vancouver to Calgary with the President, Mr. C. C. Huston, and yourself, I had the opportunity of outlining a plan based on the following: Among the aims of the Institute are, obviously, the fostering of the confraternity of those engaged in the technical and management fields of the mining and petroleum industries. This may be achieved in a number of ways, of which, to me, the interchange of ideas and experience between different parts of Canada and different sections and divisions of the Institute appears to be one of the most important. I think you and the membership as a whole are, and have been, well aware of this. The annual tour of the President .and Secretary, particularly their visits to Branches, shows this to be true. The interchange of ideas through the medium of the BULLETIN also illustrates the point; indeed, most Institute activities are directed along these lines. I am convinced that much more could be accomplished if it became financially possible to do so. Many able and fine men are, I think, willing and anxious to give their time and energy to furthering these phases of Institute activity, but it is unfair to expect them to assume as well the financial obligations involved. Specifically, I would suggest that the following could be done if sufficient funds were available:

Jan 1, 1952

PORPHYRY mining in the Bisbee district in Arizona did not begin until 1923, though Bisbee had been the scene of profitable copper-mining operations since 1880, and during the interval had contributed roughly 2,000,000,000 lb. of copper to the world's supply. At that time it ranked third among the copper districts of the United States, first place for total production going to Butte, Montana, and second to the district centering around Calumet, Michigan. Bisbee's production had come from the so-called "limestone" mines operated principally by the Phelps Dodge Corporation and the Calumet & Arizona Mining Co. Each of these companies had a large smelting plant at Douglas, 25 miles southeast of Bisbee on the Mexican border. The town of Douglas owed its existence primarily to the copper mines of Bisbee, the particular location having been determined, first, by the fact that water in adequate supply could be obtained by sinking wells; and, second, by its position about equally distant from Bisbee and the mines in Sonora, Mexico, of the Moctezuma Copper Co., a Phelps Dodge subsidiary. Three partners, Martin, Reilly, and Ballard, conducted the first operations of consequence at Bisbee about 1880; and in 1881 a smelting plant consisting of two 36 in. water-jacketed blast furnaces was erected near by. The ore came from open-cut workings on the later-to-be-famous Queen orebody. The furnace charge is said to have averaged 23 per cent copper-twice as rich as the concentrates from the mills and four times as rich as the smelting ore shipped from Bisbee in recent years. As early as 1881, disputes arose among owners of various claims, and groups of claims, over the ownership of orebodies under the law of apex and extra-lateral rights. This law gives a miner the right to follow his vein downward on its dip, even

Jan 1, 1933

By A. G. Scobie

A spectrographic method for the determination of small amounts of gold and the platinum metals in ores has been developed. By means of this method, an assay of 0.001 ounce per ton on one assay ton samples is possible, and by seecrrographic adjustments the sensitivity may be increased to 0.0001 ounce per ton. All the prec10us metals may be determined from one spectrographic arcing with an accuracy of about 5 per cent average deviation from absolute values, and the complete analysis of an ore or similar product may be reported five or six hours after receipt of sample.

Jan 1, 1945

By H. H. Evinger, M. Muskat

Although the shooting of oil wells for the purpose of increasing production has been practiced since 1866, present-day shooting technique has been arrived at almost wholly by a process of trial and error. The difficulties attending either a theoretical analysis of the problem or an experimental attack become apparent when one actually embarks on a theoretical investigation or attempts to formulate an intelligent experimental program. The literature on the subject consists mainly of descriptions of current practice, scattered eye-witness accounts of events following the shooting of a well, and vague speculations on the mechanical processes involved. In contrast to quarry blasting, the results of oil-well shooting cannot be determined by means of visual inspection, and it is perhaps for this reason that only one attempt at what approaches a direct experimental attack has been reported in the literature.' In these experiments, charges of liquid nitroglycerin were exploded in holes drilled in a sandstone outcrop. In order to observe the character and extent of the resulting fractures, the rock was blasted away so as to expose the original shot holes. After all this had been done it was found impossible to distinguish the fracturing due to the original shots from that due to the subsequent blasting. The enlargement of the holes due to the pulverizing action of the shots was measured and an attempt was made to determine the effectiveness if sand tamping. Only five shots were made and few definite conclusions could be drawn. Some small-scale experiments to deter-mine the effect of tamping were performed by Snelling and IIalL2 Small charges (zo grams) of dynamite were detonated at the bottom of a cylindrical hole in a lead block and the resulting enlargement of the hole was taken as a measure of the effectiveness of the explosion. It was found that when the shot was tamped with a sufficient amount of sand or clay, the volume enlargement was approximately double that found when no stemming had been used. The properties of the explosives have been the subject of much study by the manufacturers, the U. S. Bureau of Mines, and various other agencies. For example, velocities of detonation for many commercial explosives are to be found in the Blasters' Handbook, issued by the Du Pont company. Many other properties are given in a treatise on the subject by Naoum.~ The shock wave that accompanies the detonation of high explosives has been studied photographically by Payman4 and others. The hydrodynamical theory of the shock wave has received much attention, and an extended theoretical treatment is given by Bateman.6 Two aspects of the well-shooting problem will be considered in this paper; namely, the fracturing of subsurface strata, and possible damage to casing. With respect to the former of these, several calculations have been made giving the stresses in the rocks surrounding the shot. In order to arrive at numerical results at all, however, it is necessary to introduce a great many simplifying

Jan 1, 1941

By M. Muskat, H. H. Evinger

Although the shooting of oil wells for the purpose of increasing production has been practiced since 1866, present-day shooting technique has been arrived at almost wholly by a process of trial and error. The difficulties attending either a theoretical analysis of the problem or an experimental attack become apparent when one actually embarks on a theoretical investigation or attempts to formulate an intelligent experimental program. The literature on the subject consists mainly of descriptions of current practice, scattered eye-witness accounts of events following the shooting of a well, and vague speculations on the mechanical processes involved. In contrast to quarry blasting, the results of oil-well shooting cannot be determined by means of visual inspection, and it is perhaps for this reason that only one attempt at what approaches a direct experimental attack has been reported in the literature.' In these experiments, charges of liquid nitroglycerin were exploded in holes drilled in a sandstone outcrop. In order to observe the character and extent of the resulting fractures, the rock was blasted away so as to expose the original shot holes. After all this had been done it was found impossible to distinguish the fracturing due to the original shots from that due to the subsequent blasting. The enlargement of the holes due to the pulverizing action of the shots was measured and an attempt was made to determine the effectiveness if sand tamping. Only five shots were made and few definite conclusions could be drawn. Some small-scale experiments to deter-mine the effect of tamping were performed by Snelling and IIalL2 Small charges (zo grams) of dynamite were detonated at the bottom of a cylindrical hole in a lead block and the resulting enlargement of the hole was taken as a measure of the effectiveness of the explosion. It was found that when the shot was tamped with a sufficient amount of sand or clay, the volume enlargement was approximately double that found when no stemming had been used. The properties of the explosives have been the subject of much study by the manufacturers, the U. S. Bureau of Mines, and various other agencies. For example, velocities of detonation for many commercial explosives are to be found in the Blasters' Handbook, issued by the Du Pont company. Many other properties are given in a treatise on the subject by Naoum.~ The shock wave that accompanies the detonation of high explosives has been studied photographically by Payman4 and others. The hydrodynamical theory of the shock wave has received much attention, and an extended theoretical treatment is given by Bateman.6 Two aspects of the well-shooting problem will be considered in this paper; namely, the fracturing of subsurface strata, and possible damage to casing. With respect to the former of these, several calculations have been made giving the stresses in the rocks surrounding the shot. In order to arrive at numerical results at all, however, it is necessary to introduce a great many simplifying

Jan 1, 1941

By Richard J. Mahany, Terry S. Cory

This report describes the results of a measurement and analysis program to characterize wireless radio transmission in metal/non-metal mines over a wide frequency range from 0.2 - 1000 MHz and over a variety of mine environments. Six mines were chosen based on the relative economic significance of their product to the U.S. economy. Mine types include oil shale, uranium, potash, lead/zinc, copper, and silver. Particular mines were chosen so that the group would embody the most important mining techniques. The results show that transmission at medium frequencies are optimum for wireless mine communications, in agreement with extensive testing previously performed by the authors in coal mines, and that mine-wide wireless systems are feasible with a minimum requirement for new dedicated wiring. At least one need for such a wireless system was identified in each mine visited.

Jan 8, 1981

By John A. Thorpe, Gary R. Maxwell, Kirk M. Schall, Kenneth A. Brunk

"Gold ores containing oxide and some sulfide copper minerals incur significant cost penalties when leached with cyanide, because 4-5 moles of cyanide are consumed for each mole of leached copper. This equates to ~4 kg of NaCN per kg of leached copper. Total cost of excess NaCN consumption plus CN destruction can exceed $4.00 per tonne of ore. AuGMENT Technologies has patents pending on a process that can 1) economically recover 70-80% of the cyanide that is fed to a mill, 2) produce salable copper cathodes, and 3) reduce the need for a cyanide destruction facility. Standard equipment for resin processing and electrowinning are used to recover the cyanide and produce the copper cathodes. Steps have been taken to determine: 1) how to develop the resin kinetics, 2) how much savings are incurred at a mill site, 3) how the novel 'electro-elution' circuit achieves efficient operation.IntroductionWhen gold ores containing nuisance copper are leached with cyanide, a significant cost penalty is incurred because 4-5 moles of cyanide are consumed for each mole of copper that leaches. This is equivalent to the use of -4 kg of NaCN per kg of copper that leaches. The total cost of excess NaCN consumption plus cyanide destruction can exceed $4.00 per tonne of ore.AuGMENT Technologies has a patent pending on a process that can 1) economically recover 70-80% of the cyanide that is fed to a mill, 2) produce salable copper cathodes, and 3) reduce the need for a cyanide destruction facility. This ACCS (Au-.C.u-.C.N Solution) Process Technology involves the novel application of copper cyanide chemistry. Standard resin processing and electrowinning equipment are used to recover the cyanide and produce the copper cathodes."

Jan 1, 1997

By Javier Illanes Pizarro, Gustavo Huerta Valer, Jorge Cárdenas Miranda

Bench stability is the basis of sustainability in an open pit mining operation. Taking care of the pit walls while maintaining fragmentation results can prove a challenge. In this study, technical proposals have been developed for extra hard rock mass (UCS>175MPa) with presence of unfavorable structural planes in high copper grade zones. The base case shows low compliance of fragmentation results and a significant loss in berm width, with over size boulders causing low primary crushing rates. Paradigms in current drill and blast design were overcome to improve fragmentation results and achieve objectives.

Feb 6, 2023

By R. D. H. Bedd

GEOLOGICAL NOTES The area under discussion is situated approximately 150 m north of Loraine No. 3 shaft at ± 1500 m below surface. The block being mined extends from about halfway between 50 and 52 levels to just below 48 level (see Fig. 1). The EB reefs form the lower portion of the EB zone of the Elsburg series and in the 81 line area the various conglomerate bands show the best development. Up to 18 separate reef bands are developed and the distance from the bottom conglomerate band to the top is ± 26 m. The thickness of the quartzite which forms the middling between the various reef bands varies from 0.1 to 2 m. The strike is roughly north-¬south. The reef bands are payable individually. However, owing to the steepness of the reefs and their close prox¬imity, conventional mining would prove very difficult. The nonpayable reef bands all carry varying amounts of gold and the whole area is a massive payable reef body approximately 26 m wide and 60 m high at 300 to 400 m on strike. The major structure of the area consists of a north¬-south trending syncline. The western flank of the syncline has a steep easterly dip, in places approaching the vertical. This flank cuts out against the overlying rocks of the EA zone. The latter forms a noncon¬formity with the underlying EB zone. The eastern flank of the syncline dips to the west at an average dip of 0.17 rad (10°). The 0.1 rad (6°) north-plunging syncline was sub¬jected to severe faulting. The most important are the Nos. 4 and 10 faults, both of which have a roughly north-south strike. The No. 4 fault dips to the west at an angle of 1.04 rad (60°) with a downthrow of approximately 150 m to the west. The dip of the No. 10 fault is 0.69 to 0.81 rad (40° to 50°) west, with the western block having moved 150 m updip relative to the eastern block. The EB reefs are being mined by the sublevel stoping method down from the sub-outcrop position to the cutoff against the No. 4 fault. On the downthrow side of the No. 10 fault, that is just above the 54 level, two reef bands are payable and will be mined conven¬tionally. ROCK MECHANICS From the section in Fig. 1, it can be seen that the area under consideration is surrounded by stoped-out areas. This will naturally change the stress distribution extensively. The only way to calculate the stress field for such a geometry is to use the finite element method. It was established that this method worked for the present geometry and so the method was applied to predict the stress behavior of the final geometry. From the results, it appeared that the effect of the old stopes was to destress the area. There are, however, some areas-such as the 50 and 48 north footwall haulages-which will require continuous attention. In these two footwall haulages, deterioration can take place due to tensile stress which

Jan 1, 1982

By Derek E. McBride

"Exploration work in the Beardmore - Tashota area has led to a reinterpretation of relationships between gold mineralization and the geologicalevolution ofthe area. The host volcanic rocks form two parallel volcanic belts connected by a much smaller cross-cutting band, which trends northeast from Beardmore to Tashota. This connecting band consists of mafic and felsic volcanic, plus clastic sedimentary rocks in a sequence conformable with the contact of the Onaman Lake Batholith to the east. A metamorphic aureole or incorporated xenoliths are lacking along this major contact and the only intrusive relationship observed is chilling between mafic dikes and a cold host granite in proximity to it. Granite dikes are totally lacking in the volcanic succession, or the overlying sedimentary sequence. A major part of this sequence consists of a polymict basal conglomerate with granite boulders and volcanic clasts in a fine-grained chloritic matrix. The nearest source for these boulders is the Onaman Lake batholith.Gold mineralization in significant economic quantities (+ 50 000 ounces) occurs at the top or above the mafic volcanic succession as quartz bands. In the Northern Empire Mine, the band is conformable, folded, boudinaged and the mineral zoning shows a relationship to variations in the host rock, not structural overprinting. In general, where the host mafic tuff is medium-grained, the quartz band is thicker, up to a metre wide, and carries economic grade; where the tuff is finer-grained and bedded, the band is very thin and low grade.Stratigraphic control and metal zoning shows that the mineralization formed as part of the development of the volcano- sedimentary succession. The other major deposits in the area (Leitch and Sturgeon River) have a similar structural history suggesting that they are also syngenetic in terms of the stratigraphic development. Regionally, these deposits were emplaced prior to any significant tectonic deformation but at the end of the mafic volcanic event.The mafic activity was related 10 a period ofextension which caused the volcanic troughs to develop along centres of rifting. The hiatus at the end of this event permitted extensive hydrothermal systems to form and deposit siliceous exhalite bands within sedimentary or terminal mafic volcanic environments in promixity to major thermal sources. Subsequently, the Kenoran Orogeny deformed the entire succession into upright folds with a sub-vertical schistosity. Evidence shows that the deposits have remained intact since deposition."

Jan 1, 1987