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By J. E. Burke, C. W. Mason

In attempting to study precipitation from a tetragonal lattice, using solid solutione of bismuth in tin, it was found that although a Widmanstätten pattern is observed1,4 only a qualitative analysis of the orientation relationships is possible, because of the unusual structural changes that accompany the precipitation process. Microscopical Studies Alloys were made from Chempur tin (Standard samples 42b and 426, National Bureau of Standards), and bismuth (Kahl-baum C.P.) by melting weighed quantities together under palm oil, stirring well, and castilig in a heated graphite mold. The polishing and etching techniques employed largely govern the visibility of the structural changes. The preliminary surfacing operations were similar to those recommended by Villela and Bergekoff,5 through Behr-Manning 3/0 abrasive papers, lubricated by a solution of paraffin in kerosene. A rough metallographic polish was next given, using a thin cotton cloth charged with relevigated alumina (maximum particle size of about 4µ) and soap solution; repeated etching and polishing served to remove disturbed metal. For high-power examination better preparation was necessary. It was found that on such soft metals the threads of the fabric, rather than the abrasive, cause most of the scratching. Cotton outing flannel, which had been brushed so that the nap lay down, was fairly satisfactory, but a heavy grade of silk velvet (not the noncrushable kind) was found to be better, especially after some use. A better procedure was as follows: The metal lap was warmed slightly, and a 4-in. circle of woolen broadcloth was cemented to its center by a thin film of melted paraffin. The broadcloth was then moistened with water, and a 30 to 40 per cent solution of sodium hydroxide heated to about 50°C. was poured over it, allowed to stand for I to 2 min. and then washed off. It was neither necessary nor desirable to remove all the sodium hydroxide from the cloth, since its etching action aided in the removal of the flowed layer from the sample. The cloth was then charged with a paste of the relevigated alumina in water. Since this lap did not remove deep scratches, it was necessary previously to polish the specimen on some material such as the silk velvet. The sodium hydroxide softens and partly gelatinizes the woolen lap covering, permitting a scratch-free polish, but its action continues, and the cloth deterioratcs after about 24 hr. This is not serious, because a new lap can be prepared in about 5 min., and only small pieces of cloth are used. Etching with a strongly acid solution of ferric chloride was found satisfactory for removing the flowed layer. For the final etching, the most satisfactory reagent was that of Tafls,7 the formula for which is: FeC13.6H2O, 2 grams; HC1, 5 c.c.; H2O, 30 c.c.; C2H5OH (95 per cent), 60 C.C. This etchant reveals differences in com-

Jan 1, 1942

By J. E. Burke, C. W. Mason

In attempting to study precipitation from a tetragonal lattice, using solid solutione of bismuth in tin, it was found that although a Widmanstätten pattern is observed1,4 only a qualitative analysis of the orientation relationships is possible, because of the unusual structural changes that accompany the precipitation process. Microscopical Studies Alloys were made from Chempur tin (Standard samples 42b and 426, National Bureau of Standards), and bismuth (Kahl-baum C.P.) by melting weighed quantities together under palm oil, stirring well, and castilig in a heated graphite mold. The polishing and etching techniques employed largely govern the visibility of the structural changes. The preliminary surfacing operations were similar to those recommended by Villela and Bergekoff,5 through Behr-Manning 3/0 abrasive papers, lubricated by a solution of paraffin in kerosene. A rough metallographic polish was next given, using a thin cotton cloth charged with relevigated alumina (maximum particle size of about 4µ) and soap solution; repeated etching and polishing served to remove disturbed metal. For high-power examination better preparation was necessary. It was found that on such soft metals the threads of the fabric, rather than the abrasive, cause most of the scratching. Cotton outing flannel, which had been brushed so that the nap lay down, was fairly satisfactory, but a heavy grade of silk velvet (not the noncrushable kind) was found to be better, especially after some use. A better procedure was as follows: The metal lap was warmed slightly, and a 4-in. circle of woolen broadcloth was cemented to its center by a thin film of melted paraffin. The broadcloth was then moistened with water, and a 30 to 40 per cent solution of sodium hydroxide heated to about 50°C. was poured over it, allowed to stand for I to 2 min. and then washed off. It was neither necessary nor desirable to remove all the sodium hydroxide from the cloth, since its etching action aided in the removal of the flowed layer from the sample. The cloth was then charged with a paste of the relevigated alumina in water. Since this lap did not remove deep scratches, it was necessary previously to polish the specimen on some material such as the silk velvet. The sodium hydroxide softens and partly gelatinizes the woolen lap covering, permitting a scratch-free polish, but its action continues, and the cloth deterioratcs after about 24 hr. This is not serious, because a new lap can be prepared in about 5 min., and only small pieces of cloth are used. Etching with a strongly acid solution of ferric chloride was found satisfactory for removing the flowed layer. For the final etching, the most satisfactory reagent was that of Tafls,7 the formula for which is: FeC13.6H2O, 2 grams; HC1, 5 c.c.; H2O, 30 c.c.; C2H5OH (95 per cent), 60 C.C. This etchant reveals differences in com-

Jan 1, 1942

By Fukuichi K, Matsukawa H, Nakagawa M

The Myojin Tunnel, located on the Shikoku Expressway being constructed by the Japan Highway Public Corporation, is 3,770 m long with a cross sectional area of 80 m2. Kajima Corporation, the contractor for the northern construction section of this tunnel, adopted here its newly developed "mini-bench" method of excavation. The objectives of this method were 1. to be able to perform all tunnelling operations using the whole cross sectional area of the tunnel under any ground conditions, and 2. to be able to vary the length of the mini-bench within the range of 0 to 7 m according to ground conditions. In order to achieve these objectives, original, sophisticated equipment was developed and employed in the work. One of the newly developed machines is a special jumbo, a hydraulic crawler jumbo with five rotary type booms. This machine is capable of accommodating variation in the length of the mini-bench accompanying changes in ground conditions and is equipped with a special mechanism by which the positions of the booms can be controlled by means of hydraulic cylinders. Also developed was a shotcrete robot for use with the mini-bench method which has the control board near the shotcrete nozzle for close control of application.

Jan 1, 1987

By J. L. Kohler

The final report for Phase II of Bureau of Hines Contract J0134025 concerns the research and development of sensitive ground-fault relays for dc utilization systems in mining. Sensitive relaying employs very low pickup levels such that, when used in conjunction with very high resistance grounding, the exposure of a human to ventricular fibrillation is significantly reduced. To delineate the desired relay characteristics, the report begins by reviewing previous research in this area. A theory for the saturable transformer used to sense the fault current is presented. The design of the ground fault relay is described in sufficient detail that it may be duplicated. Test procedures and results are given. Finally, conclusions and recommendations related to Phase II are presented.

Jan 1, 1986

By Qingguo Xue, Jingsong Wang, Siyang Long, Jun Zhao, Haibin Zuo

In order to effectively use of low rank coal, the thermally dissolve coal (TDC) was extracted from four kinds of low-rank coals by N-2-methyl-2-purrolidinone (NMP) at high temperature and high pressure. The structures of thermally dissolve coal and residues were characterized by element analysis, FT-IR spectra. The effects of temperatures, coal rank, solid-liquid ratio and extraction time on the extraction yields of TDC were studied, respectively. Moreover, the extraction mechanism of TDC at mild conditions is proposed. The results show that the ash contents of TDCs from four raw coals are significantly lower than that of raw coals, and the volatile contents and H/C are significantly improved. For KL coal, with the increase of temperature, the extraction yield of KL-TDC is improved evidently from 33.75% to 56.25% and the ash content is decreased from 0.57% to 0.49% at 350 °C.

Mar 1, 2018

By A. Morales Z.

La perforación es una etapa importante ya que permite descubrir nuevos yacimientos con producción comercial y aumentar la producción existente como sus reservas. En este sentido, el objetivo del texto radica en analizar el método y las técnicas empleadas para hacer perforaciones en la corteza terrestre del Nor Oeste de nuestro territorio y así remover a través de ellos el petróleo contenido en las diferentes formas atravesadas. La estructura del texto comprende la reseña histórica, el equipo, las etapas para la operación de un equipo de perforación, el programa hidráulico, las operaciones de completación y los costos de perforación.

Nov 20, 1967

By C. W. Goodale

I. INTRODUCTION. In the summer of 1909 the Boston & Montana reduction department of the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. completed a new flue system, at a cost of about $1,100,000, and -is this includes the largest and highest chimney in the world, and some new features of flue construction, a description will be of interest. At the Spokane meeting of the Institute in September, 1909, a brief mention was made of this flue system, in discussing Mr. Brunton's presidential paper on the Progress of Metallurgy in the West, and a promise was given that when a long enough time had elapsed, so that operating results could be given, a paper would be offered. The smelting plant includes blast furnaces, MacDougall roasters, gas-fired reverberatories, and converters.

Jan 8, 1913

By B. J. Shaw, R. Kossowsky, W. C. Johnston

High purity (99,95) Ni-51 wt pct cr eutectic alloy was unidirectionalty solidified at rates of 0.1 to 8 in. per hr. The resulting material was characterized by large grains, approximately 0.5 mm in cross section and extending through almost the entire length of the specimen, parallel to the growth axis. The eutectic structure of specimens the growth at -1/3 The per hr consisted of a continuous nickel-rich phase and chrome -rich lamellae approximately 2 thick, spaced about apart. Specimens were tested in compression at temperatures ranging from —196 to 850"C over which range the 0.2 pet yield strength dp -creased from 160,000 p si to 35,000psi, respectively. Swaging to 40 pet reduction in area, followed by a 30-min anneal at 1000c to remove residual cold work, increased the 0.2 pet yield to 260,000 psi at -196°C, dropping to 35,000 psi at 850°C. The increase in strength was attributed to a residual cell structure. The strength of the alloy could be rationalized by the simple rule of mixtures if one assumed that additional strength is derived front a size effect characterized by is petch equation IN recent years there has been increasing interest in dispersion and second phase strengthening in materials needed for high-temperature applications. inm role of structure on the mechanical The of such alloys has been well established of such some extent accounted for theoretically. and to of how the strengthening mechanisms due to fibers and lamellae operate has been reduced to its fibers form by the fabrication of composites of strong rods unidirectionally aligned in a From work on tungsten-fiber-reinforced copper, for example, it was established that the "Rule of Mixtures" could explain the strengthening.12 " some what more sophisticated technique for introducing strong fibers into copper matrix was used by Hertzberg strong Kraft3 who unidirectionally solidified the copper-chromium eutectic. The use of unidirectionally fied eutectics has advantages in that there are no matrix-fiber wetting problems and fine fibers are automatically aligned and uniformly fiber However, one Is restricted to a specific volume fraction of the second phase. Nevertheless, even though the volume fraction is fixed, the rod or lamella thickness, , can be varied by controlling the freezing interface velocity. Alternatively, the grown material may be worked down by swaging or rolling. Embury and Fisher, " using this approach, drew down pear lite in iron and studied the mechanical properties iron and that the yield strength, oy, was properties.proportional They that d was the wire diameter. It could be inferred that was also proportional to but the work hardening had to be taken into consideration at the same time. By varying the growth rate of the cadmium-zinc lamellar eutectic, Shaw'1 showed that was proportional to without the introduction of work hardening and suggested that the lamellar interface itself contributed to the strengthening of the composite. In this investigation we have evaluated the mechanical properties of the unidirectionally solidified fec-bec eutectic Ni-Cr. This eutectic was selected because it presented the possibility was selected beca temperature, and high corrosion resistant alloy, and also represented a hard-soft phase combination with two completely different slip systems. Specimens were tested in compression and tension up to 850°C and a detailed study of the micro structure as a function of plastic strain and temperature was carried out by light and electron microscopy. It was shown that the composite strength tested in compression can be accounted for by the simple rule of mixtures if one allows for an additional term representing the effect of Intereprese EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE 1) Unidirectional Solidification. Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing of the apparatus used to produce 0.2 in. diam by 12 in. long alloy ingots. The crucible tube is alumina, containing the charge which has been is swaged, or machined to 0.195 in. diam. The lower end of the tube is immersed to 0 .195in in.d iam. The upper end is supported by a 10 mil nichrome wire which lowers the crucible mil nic hr the] wire at a prescribed rate. Surrounding the furnace is a graphite susceptor into which a control thermocouple is inserted. The furnace is insulated with fiberfrax and enclosed in a quartz tube. There is a sliding seal at the bottom around the crucible and one on the top so that an atmosphere may be used for the sample and suscep tor. The power for the furnace is supplied from a 10-kw, 450 kc generator. The skin depth (the skin depth at which the field falls to l/e of its value at the outer surface) for graphite (p = 10 (j-ohm-cm) is 0.1 in. at this fre-

Jan 1, 1970

Part 1. Coal Part 2. Industrial Minerals

Jan 3, 1977

By Martin Schrier

This paper is an overview of a granite quarry cleanup near Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada. A combination of local geology and previous subpar blasting techniques led to the quarry needing significant rehabilitation before it could proceed with general operation. Advanced technologies were implemented into the blasting process, including laser profiling, bore-hole tracking, and geometric timing. The contract consisted of two floor shots and two 25,000 tonne (27,558 US ton) production shots.

Jan 1, 2018

By D Macfarlane, T McMorran

  This paper describes the design and construction of the upper section of the Pike River Mine Access Road. The road extends 11 km from Logburn Road alongside Big River on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand up Pike Stream to the new mine portal on White Knight Stream (Figure 1). This new road starts on alluvial terraces, then partially follows an old logging road before entering virgin bush and traversing the true left bank of a steep sided gorge on Pike Stream some 50 - 100 m above the stream before dropping down to the mine entrance. Its development has been an extended process from route selection, consenting through to design and construction.   The paper focuses on the 1 km section of road between the Amenities Area (Figure 1) and the portal. This section of road is a steep section through the gorge, principally on Conservation estate, and has presented the most challenges and required the greatest effort to obtain the regulatory approvals, prepare the design and to construct. This paper outlines the history of the challenges faced and how the road was successfully developed.

Jan 1, 2007

By Ira Joralemon

THE Ajo copper district is in the heart of the Arizona desert, near the western boundary of Pima county. Gila Bend, the nearest railroad point, is 43 miles north of the camp, and the little Mexican border town of Sonoita is 30 miles south. Between Gila Bend and Sonoita, Ajo is the only settlement save for one or two small cattle ranches and the uncertain villages of nomadic Papago families. The Little Ajo mountains rise a few hundred feet above wide desert valleys, beyond which are lava mesas. The camp itself lies at an elevation of about 1,900 ft. above sea level, in a little basin on the east side of the range, separated from the open desert by low hills. In the center of the basin the brilliantly iron and copper stained rocks of Copper mountain rise 150 ft. above -the village. Many varieties of cactus and low desert bushes cover the hills, while in the large valleys there are clusters of mesquite paloverde, and ironwood trees which furnish limited amounts of fairly good fuel. A scanty supply of water is obtained from wells in the desert and from prospect pits in the camp. The nearest abundant source of water is the Gila river, 50 miles north of Ajo. (See Fig. 1.) HISTORY OF THE AJO DISTRICT The Ajo, next to Santa Rita, New Mexico, is claimed to have been the first copper district in the Southwest worked by Americans. In the '60's or even earlier high-grade native copper and cuprite Ore was mined from shallow surface workings and hauled by bull team 400 miles across the desert to San Diego. From there it was carried in sailing ships to Swansea, Wales. Later, the ore was hauled to Yuma, floated down the Colorado river to the Gulf Of California, and shipped to Swansea. Bat-infested old workings and the massive axles of the bull carts are shown to prove the truth of the stories.

Jan 8, 1914

By M Wen, J Gerit, C A. Pelletier, D Muggli

On-land waste rock dumps at BHP Billiton Base MetalsÆ Island Copper Mine (ICM) near the northern end of Vancouver Island, B.C. continue to discharge ARD. These waters, which amount to approximately five million cubic metres each year, are injected into a three-layer, meromictic pit lake for treatment. The top layer is brackish water, replenished by each yearÆs rainfall (amounting to nearly 2 m/year). This top layer of water must meet effluent permit limits for heavy metals. This water eventually exfiltrates through a æbeachÆ waste rock dump, which is 93 per cent submerged along the north shore of Rupert Inlet. The middle and bottom layers of the Pit Lake are saline and currently oxic (2 mg/L dissolved oxygen) and anoxic (0.03 mg/L dissolved oxygen), respectively. Spreading of a liquid fertilizer every ten days throughout the top layer results in plankton and bacterial blooms that scavenge zinc, copper and cadmium out of this layer eventually to become mineral sediment in the bottom of the pit lake. Adsorption on planktonic skeletons and mineral precipitates also scavenges these dissolved metals from the middle and bottom layers to form bottom sediment. Sulfate reduction has recently begun in the bottom sediments. Diagenetic processes in the bottom sediments will eventually transform most of the dissolved heavy metals into insoluble sulfides. Cycling of ferric iron between the sediment and the water column and back seems to contribute dramatically to the biogeochemical metal removal processes. This biogeochemical system serves to maintain the top-layer water well within permit limits for discharge to the environment.

Jan 1, 2003

By M. Fiset, D. Belley

"To better understand the wear process of various materials that may be used as blades on snow removal equipment, the first step is to evaluate the influence of the load applied and the moving speed on road wear rates of one type of steel and three types of polymers. While the behavior of steel conforms to Archard's law, wear rates of polymers increase to a power of ex of the load applied according to a model implying that the wear of these materials is due to fatigue. The wear rate of some of the polymers varies considerably in terms of speed, unlike the steel. The wear resistance of some of these polymers outclasses the steel tested as long as the speed is not too great. They, therefore, present interesting alternatives for snow removal on more fragile surfaces such as sidewalks and zone made of inter-block slabs.IntroductionSince the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, the massive use of machines has brought with it a number of different problems regarding wear. Snowplowing roads, parking lots and sidewalks is an activity that generates enormous expense in a country such as Canada. To better understand these wear processes and in the hope of stimulating new approaches designed to reduce the costs related to this sector of activity, this paper presents the behaviour of several materials (steel, polymer and rubber) as they wear on an asphalt-fines matrix surface lubricated with water. Also discussed is the effect of various parameters such as the load applied and speed."

Jan 1, 1990

By Frank C. Greene

The principal event in the development of oil and gas in Missouri in 1942 was the drilling of the Cities Service Oil Company's No. I Jim Cook, in the northwest corner, NW. 1/4 sec. 32, T. 65 N., R. 39 W., Atchison County, in the northwest corner of Missouri. This well, not yet completed, bailed several barrels of free oil in about 27° Baume from a sand called the Bartlesville by those in charge, at a depth of 1450 ft. The well is on a block of leases obtained after the area, which is covered by several hundred feet of glacial drift, had been prospected by core drilling. Earlier in the year the same company drilled a well on the Glen Gray farm in the southwest corner, SW. 1/4 sec. 29, T. 65 N., R. 39 w., to a depth of 2427 ft. in the Hunton lime with a rotary drill. Oil stains in this hole led to the drilling of the second well. Table i .—-Wells Drilled for Oil and Gas in Missouri in 1942 Country Number of Number of County Oil Wells Gas Wells Dry Andrew.......... Atchison.......... I Bates............ 2 6 Caldwell.......... I 3 Cass............. I Clinton........... I Holt............. I Jackson.......... I I Knox............ I Nodaway......... I Platte............ 4 4 Ray.............. 5 Sullivan.......... I Totals.......... I 7 28 Otherwise drilling in Missouri was uneventful, with a total of only 36 Completions, of which one was a very small oil well, Seven were small gas wells and 28 were dry holes. The total footage drilled was 24,7541/2 ft., of which 14,0281/2 was by cable tools and 10,726 ft. by rotary. Twelve of the dry holes were drilled into Mississip-pian or older beds. Table I gives a summary of activities by counties.

Jan 1, 1943

By Frank C. Greene

The principal event in the development of oil and gas in Missouri in 1942 was the drilling of the Cities Service Oil Company's No. I Jim Cook, in the northwest corner, NW. 1/4 sec. 32, T. 65 N., R. 39 W., Atchison County, in the northwest corner of Missouri. This well, not yet completed, bailed several barrels of free oil in about 27° Baume from a sand called the Bartlesville by those in charge, at a depth of 1450 ft. The well is on a block of leases obtained after the area, which is covered by several hundred feet of glacial drift, had been prospected by core drilling. Earlier in the year the same company drilled a well on the Glen Gray farm in the southwest corner, SW. 1/4 sec. 29, T. 65 N., R. 39 w., to a depth of 2427 ft. in the Hunton lime with a rotary drill. Oil stains in this hole led to the drilling of the second well. Table i .—-Wells Drilled for Oil and Gas in Missouri in 1942 Country Number of Number of County Oil Wells Gas Wells Dry Andrew.......... Atchison.......... I Bates............ 2 6 Caldwell.......... I 3 Cass............. I Clinton........... I Holt............. I Jackson.......... I I Knox............ I Nodaway......... I Platte............ 4 4 Ray.............. 5 Sullivan.......... I Totals.......... I 7 28 Otherwise drilling in Missouri was uneventful, with a total of only 36 Completions, of which one was a very small oil well, Seven were small gas wells and 28 were dry holes. The total footage drilled was 24,7541/2 ft., of which 14,0281/2 was by cable tools and 10,726 ft. by rotary. Twelve of the dry holes were drilled into Mississip-pian or older beds. Table I gives a summary of activities by counties.

Jan 1, 1943

SLAG composition, slag constitution, reactions in slag, and reactions between slag and metal-in other words, the physical chemistry of slags-are matters of great importance to the open-hearth operator, whether or not he makes use of any detailed knowledge of them. Although this is a relatively young branch of the science of steel- making, much progress has been made; however, much remains to be learned, and many of the statements that can be made at present are probably--or even certainly-subject to future change. Nevertheless, the physical chemistry of slags is sufficiently developed to provide a reasonably secure basis for real understanding of steelmaking reactions. FUNDAMENTALS OF SLAG CONTROL By way of introduction, some time is spent in this chapter on effecting an easy transition from some of the more "practical" manifestations of slag to discussions couched in the more formal language of physical chemistry. This necessitates a certain amount of repetition, but it is felt that the purpose of the chapter is best served in this way. Reactions in the metal phase have products that find their way into the slag and are important components thereof; they are discussed in detail in the preceding chapter. Some substances distribute themselves Between slag and metal in definite fashion, and others are found only in the slag. Their reactions are a large reason for this chapter. Limitations of Slag Control. The open-hearth process is essentially oxidizing and cannot be otherwise operated. (Oxygen gradients in the furnace, the mechanism of oxygen inflow, and similar subjects are discussed in Chapter XIX.) As shown in the calculations of material and heat balances for the charge (see Chapter XV), from 25 to 50 lb. of oxygen will flow from air or combustion gases into the charge or molten bath during the heat for each ton of liquid steel

Jan 1, 1944

By W. Wanjokow, H. O. Hofman

In the metallurgical treatment of most metallic sulphides it is usually necessary to carry on a roasting-operation. In some cases the raw ore will have to be roasted; in others the intermediary product, matte, produced in smelting the ore; again, both ore and matte may have to be subjected to oxidation at elevated temperatures. Most metallic sulphides, when given an oxidizing-roast, pass through the state of sulphate before they are converted into oxides. All metallic sulphates are completely decomposed by heat, with the exception of those of lead and bismuth, but the temperatures at which decompositions take place vary with the metals. Some metallic sulphates are converted directly into oxides, others first form basic salts. Alkali-earth sulphates show a behavior similar to that of metallic sulphates, while alkali sulphates do not part with their sulphur trioxide even at elevated roasting-temperatures. The older data on the decomposition of metallic sulphates by heat are only approximations. Thus Kerl' gives the order in which metallic sulphates are decomposed with increasing temperatures as (Ag2, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, Mn, Pb) SO,. More recent statenlents give definite temperatures and modify the formerly accepted order of decomposition. But the temperatures given by various observers do not agree. The reasons for this are to be found mainly in the method and manner of carrying out experiments. Four methods have been used: 1. Heating in an evacuated tube; 2, heating in a tube closed at one end, without air-cur-

Jan 1, 1913

By Enrique Monge

"El presente texto describe las funciones y objetivos del Instituto de Investigaciones de la Siderurgia (TRSI ). Dicho instituto fue creado en 1944 por el Comité de Organización de la Siderurgia de Francia e inició sus actividades en 1946. Su objetivo fundamental es efectuar investigaciones, tanto científicas como de aplicación industrial, sobre los problemas que afectan a la Siderurgia Francesa. Asimismo, este instituto dispone de un laboratorio de mineralogía en París para sus estudios minerales y de instalaciones en Thionville y Lonwy, para sus estudios sobre fundiciones y coque. "

Nov 1, 1960

By John H. Soule

"Although known since 1902, the Capitan iron deposits have not been mined, mainly because of the low grade of the ore. Only a small amount of exploratory work has been done since the discovery. C. H. Johnson, district engineer of the Bureau of Mines in New Mexico in 1942-45, visited the property; as a result, preliminary sampling of the property was done in 1943.3/ Owing to the results of this preliminary work, an extensive development program by wagon drilling was planned and executed early in 1944.4/ Equipment available at that time was limited in the depths that could be reached; and, as geologic studies indicated the possibility that other limestone beds below the surface might have been replaced by iron minerals, a supplementary development program by churn drilling to reach greater depths was prosecuted in late 1947 and early 1948, with the author as project engineer.The following sections note the location and accessibility of the deposits and mention the physical features, climate, labor and living conditions. Property and ownership are outlined, the history and production of the property stated briefly, and the ore deposits are described. The work done by the Bureau of Mines is explained and supported with maps, sections, and assay logs.From March 1, 1944, to June 1, 1944, 179 wagon-drill holes totaling 3,490 feet and 4 test pits totaling 75 feet were completed, and from November 1947 to February 1948 seven churn-drill holes totaling 2,488 feet were drilled and sampled. Metallurgical tests are summarized and referenced.With respect to this report, special acknowledgment is due to J. H. Hedges, chief, Tuscon, Ariz., Branch, Mining Division, and to W. R. Storms, engineer in-charge of the Silver City, N. Mex., field office. Acknowledgment also is due to J. Bruce Clemmer, chief, Tuscon Branch, Metallurgical Division, for analyses done in the last phase of this project, and to Dr. Vincent Kelley of the Federal Geological Survey for his cooperation during this work.The Capitan iron deposits are in secs. 10, 11, 13, 14, and 15, T. 8 S., R. 14 E., central Lincoln County, N. Mex., as shown on figures 1 and 2. The only known large deposit upon which the Bureau did development work lies around the common corner of secs. 10, 11, 14, and 15, as shown in figures 2 and 3, and just southwest of and in the foothills of the Capitan Mountains. This range of mountains trends east and west. The elevation of the highest peak is 10,205 feet.The deposits are reached by traveling on State Highway 48 from Capitan north for 4 miles, to a point just inside the Lincoln National Forest fence and thence due east over a poor dirt road for 1.2 miles. Just over a small wooden bridge, the left-fork is taken, and the poor road is followed to the deposits, a further distance of 1.1 miles (see fig. 1). This road follows the fence to and through the Davis ranch. All the roads from Capitan to the deposits are dirt roads but are impassable only for short periods during and after heavy rain or snow."

Aug 1, 1949