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By G. L. Kehl, Emilo Jaraiz F., J. S. Brett

The transformation of eutectoid beryllium bronze has been quantitatively investigated at 550° and 592°C, the temperature region where the products of p decomposition are a fine lamellar eutectoid and a coarse lamellar aggregate which replaces the fine eutectoid with prolonged annealing. Metallographic evidence indicates that the coarse lamellar aggregate forms preferentially in the most densely lamellated regions of the fine eutectoid and favors the hypothesis that the development of the coarse lamellar aggregate in the fine eutectoid is due to the occurence of a cellular segregation reaction. WHEN eutectoid beryllium bronze (Cu-94 pct, Be-6 pct) is isothermally transformed at high temperatures in the and y region after quenching from the fl field, the principal initial decomposition process is G one of growth of approximately spherical nodules composed of a number of lamellar colonies of the a and y phases. After the initial reaction has proceeded substantially or completely, depending on the transformation temperature, a second reaction occurs wherein the fine lamellar eutectoid is replaced by a coarser lamellar aggregate composed of the same oand yphases.' This reaction is not simply a spheroidization of the initial fine eutectoid but the nucleation and growth of a coarser, structurally different, and more stable distribution of the @and yphases. Fig. 1 illustrates the replacement of the initial fine lamellar structure by a coarse lamellar aggregate. The a phase is the dark mottled constituent; the light constituent the y phase. The phase diagram for the copper-rich end of the Cu-Be system2 is shown in Fig. 2. The a phase has the face-centered cubic structure characteristic of copper-rich solid solutions. The B phase is a disordered body-centered cubic structure, while the y phase is body-centered cubic, ordered (CsC1, B2 type). A. viswanathanS investigating Debye patterns of Cu-6 pct Be discovered that a transitory phase appeared on very rapid quenching from the /3 region which was absent when the quenching velocity was moderate. The phase could be assigned a body-centtred cubic structure with a lattice parameter of 2.876. Tempering at 100°C for 2 hr after quenching resulted in complete disappearance of the phase. The work of Fillnow and Mack' is the only previously published study of the isothermal transformation of eutectoid beryllium bronze. Their study elucidated the nature of decomposition at various subcritical temperatures in an exploratory fashion. The purpose of the research reported in this paper was principally to obtain quantitative information on the isothermal decomposition of the fl phase and to clarify the relationships existing between the fine lamellar eutectoid and the coarse lamellar aggregate. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE The material used in this investigation was an almost eutectoid Cu-Be alloy bar furnished by D.J. Mack. The alloy had been melted under a protective carbon cover and centrigugally cast into a graphite mold preheated to 490 "C. Segregation was minimized by violent agitation during melting and pouring. The analysis of the casting was 93.85 pct Cu, 5.60 pet Be with traces of Si, Mg, Mn, Co, and Al. To determine the minimum soaking time necessary to insure specimen homogeneity, a number of specimens were held in the P region at 788OC for times fron 1 min to 12 hr and isothermally transformed at 550°C. Specimens betatized less than 12 min exhibited partial transformation at times shorter

Jan 1, 1961

By Edwin A. Rides

HISTORICAL ORIGIN OF THE EXPORT CREDIT AGENCIES Almost since the inception of international commerce sellers, having manufactured and/or sold and shipped goods to an overseas buyer, have been obliged to accept the risk that they will not be paid for one reason or another. There are many reasons why payment may not be forthcoming, for example, the goods may be lost at sea, or rejected by the buyer or the buyer nay simply not be creditworthy. These risks were brought into sharp relief as international trading became more sophisticated and the practice of giving credit to buyers gathered momentum. Inevitably enterprises sprang up which offered same mitigation of this exposure, accepting houses and later confirming houses and banks were prepared to assure acceptable credit risks an behalf of the seller, usually by discounting trade paper, and for many years the market ticked over reasonably satisfactorily. However, after the 1914-18 War international trade was at an extremely low ebb and its inherent risks were accentuated to a point where they were often commercially unacceptable. Yet a healthy and vigorous international market was indispensable to recovery of the world economy and a number of governments, led by the United Kingdom, perceived a need to offer their exporters a comprehensive form of insurance, particularly to facilitate the extension of credit to foreign buyers. In the United Kingdom the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) was set up to encourage trade through the provision of export credit insurance. Over the ensuing years others followed suit and now most of the developed trading nations and many developing nations have similar agencies. PRESENT DAY IDLE OF THE EXPORT CREDIT AGENCIES (ECAS ) Traditionally then the BA's role was to encourage trade through the provision to exporters of insurance against the risks of non-payment by overseas buyers of their goods and services. However, during the 1970's the manufacturing industries of most of the developed nations found themselves facing severe competition for business, particularly in the developing world. As a result the more aggressive ECA's began to introduce ancillary forms of cover designed to reduce exporters' risks outside of the credit field. For instance, most of the European agencies now have a form of cover against foreign exchange risks here contracts are denominated in currencies other than that of the exporter's country. Most of the agencies also provide cover to exporters against the risk of unfair calling of bid, advance payment, performance bonds etc and in certain countries, where high inflation rates were endemic, a form of cover against cost escalation. In certain circumstances it is also possible for an exporter to obtain cover against losses arising as a result of the involvency of a partner in a consortium or joint venture. These are all forms of insurance but, also during the 1970's, many of the national export credit programmes took a major step away from their original raison d'etre by facilitating the provision of preferential financing terns for the acquisition of capital equipment by an overseas buyer. This new line of business quickly became an important ingredient of major export financing packages and, as we shall see later, turned out to be extremely costly for the countries providing it.

Jan 1, 1985

By J. R. Hornaday, A. E. Morris, N. A. Parlee, D. C. Carmichael

Rates of absorption and effusion of hydrogen in solid iron were measurede by a Sieverts type of apparatus. With clean a iron these rates are diffusion controlled down to 420°C and are represented by the equation D = 6.70 x e-'100' crn2 sec-I Certain surface impurities can affect these rates at all temper-atuves. Thin oxide films lower, the apparent diffusivity of annealed iron markedly. Cold-worked iron (75 pct) annealed at 430°C has practically the same solubility and diffusivity as anealed iron. THE mechanism of absorption and evolution of hydrogen in solid iron alloys is not fully understood despite the large number of investigations on the subject. While there appear to be many instances of simple solid-state diffusion control of rate, there are many cases where investigators have either concluded that surface reactions are rate controlling or that some "nondiffusible" hydrogen resides in discontinuities. The purposes of this research were 1) to develop a sound method for studying this absorption and evolution behavior, 2) to examine it in pure annealed iron, and 3) to determine the effects of important variables, such as cold work, surface condition, and composition. This paper relates the progress toward these objectives. Much of the present knowledge of the movement of hydrogen through iron alloys comes from permeability studies which involve the measurement of the rate of passage (under steady state conditions) through membranes of the order of 1 mm in thickness. This method is open to question on various grounds. If surface reactions are involved, two different surfaces operating under two different conditions must be considered. The presence of defects in the membrane even of microscopic dimensions may lead to erroneous results. A few people have studied evolution of hydrogen into vacuum, under carefully controlled (unsteady state) conditions, and some of the best diffusivity data come from these sources. Most of these methods measure rates of evolution only and thus do not make a rigorous test for reversibility of behavior. It appeared that an "unsteady state" method that would permit the measurement of both rates of evolution and absorption under controlled temperature, pressure, and other conditions would offer several advantages. Accordingly the modified Sieverts apparatus described below was designed and built. APPARATUS This apparatus is shown in Fig. 1. The sample bulb is detailed in Fig. 2. Hydrogen of 99.5 pct purity and argon of 99.99 pct purity were used. The hydrogen was deoxidized and dried by means of a Deoxo unit followed by a "Dri-erite" tower. The argon was only dried. The gas burette was graduated in tenths of a cubic centimeter, and, with the aid of a travelling magnifier, readings could be estimated to the nearest 0.01 cc. The level of mercury in the burette was adjusted by means of a leveling bulb operated by a fine screw adjustment. An electrical system, consisting of two slightly separated platinum electrodes inserted in one leg of the manometer and a small light bulb was used to obtain rapid accurate adjustment of the pressure. The capillary tubing of the Vycor sample bulb was 3 mm bore as was all tubing back to the gas burette. The samples were discs made from vacuum-melted Ferrovac-E iron of greater than

Jan 1, 1961

By R. M. Rose, D. P. Ferriss, J. Wulff

Single crystals of tantalum were grown by multipass zone melting in an electron beam apparatus. Tension tests of these crystals at 4.2 x 10&apos;* per sec-gave a resolved louler yield stress of 7300 psi at with a chisel edge; total uniform deformation increased from 1 to 2 pct at 77°K to over 20 pct at 300°K. This, and slip traces, indicated that deformation is more inhomogeneous at lower temperatures. Deformation occurred exclusively by slip in <III> directions, on planes in the <111> zones. Cross slip was frequent, particularly for those orientations where the resolved shear stress on the cross system was comparable with that on the primary plane. The existence and magnitude of the upper yield point were found to be sensitive to orientation. This effect was related to the circumvention of dislocations which were "locked" by interstitial atoms, by double cross slip, or composite slip, of screw dislocations. Prestrainirg at 300°K did not remove the upper yield point in subsequent tension at 77°K. Also, this treatment was found to cause yield points, where none existed for the unprestrained material. This behavior was also rationalized in terms of the circumvention mechanism. The mechanical properties of polycrystalline tantalum have been investigated by several workers,1"4 and may be summarized by pointing out the following features: a) Sharp rise of yield stress with decreasing temperature below room temperature. b) Response to strain aging at 300" to 400"C. c) Yielding with upper and lower yield-point phenomenon at and below room temperature. d) Low strain hardening below room temperature. e) Reluctance to twin except at very high strain rate. Furthermore, tantalum is ductile at ordinary strain rates as low as 4.2"K.&apos; This feature, in particular, makes tantalum unique among the high melting point, bee transition metals of Groups V and VI in the periodic system. Therefore, a more fundamental and detailed knowledge of the low-tempera- ture deformation of tantalum is required. Since high purity and the absence of grain boundary effects make such a study most productive and unambiguous, the method of electron beam zone melting was selected for the preparation of test specimens. This technique has the further advantage that crystals may be seeded in order to obtain any desired orientation. EXPERIMENTAL The electron beam zone-melting equipment was constructed as a modification of that described by Calverley, Davis, and Lever? All crystals were made by three passes of the molten zone at 4 mm per min to achieve an optimum purity commensurate with economy of time and material. Table I reports the chemical analyses of the starting and refined metal. It will be noted that there remain some 50 to 70 wt ppm of interstitial elements, while all substi-tutional elements have been removed by evaporation. Tungsten is picked up by evaporation of the cathode filament wire. Crystal seeding was normally successful within 3 deg, and the orientation of all crystals are given in the standard stereographic triangle in Fig. 1. Tensile bars were prepared from the crystals by centerless grinding to the shape in Fig. 2. Specimens were then electropolished to remove 10 pct of the diameter in order to remove worked material and to prepare a metallographic surface for subsequent deformation trace observations. All specimens were held in the split bushing grips as indicated in the cross section view of Fig. 2. All tests were made at a strain rate of 2 112 pct per min in an Instron testing machine.

Jan 1, 1962

By M. W. Cox, V. F. Hollister

EXPLORATION for metallic mineral deposits is carried on by those special adaptations of methods which the explorer believes will yield most economically or satisfactorily the particular answer sought. In this project the usual methods of geologic observation, recording, and interpretation, when combined with magnetic geophysical methods and geochemical soil sampling, led to disclosures of appreciable zinc mineralization where none was visible in surface exposure. Since 1945 considerable work has been done with geochemical prospecting methods, chiefly in determining the presence and distribution of various elements existing in minor amounts in rocks, soil, vegetation or waters of mineralized areas. Such work, in which the U. S. Geological Survey has taken the lead, finds a ready place in the field repertoire of the exploration geologist as a supplement, not a substitute, for other methods. The Chollet project was carried out in 1951 by the American Smelting & Refining Co. near its Van Stone mine in northern Stevens County, Wash., in the area shown in Fig. 1. The Van Stone mine is located in the Onion Creek drainage of the Selkirk Mountains, midway between the towns of Colville and Northport, Wash., and some twenty airline miles west of the Metaline mining district. Its zinc-lead orebodies, currently yielding about 1000 tpd of ore, occur as bedding replacement deposits in the middle Cambrian Metaline formation near an intrusive granodiorite contact. The target of exploration at the Chollet prospect was a similar geologic environment along the intrusive contact about 5 miles west of the mine. Geographic Setting The Chollet ground covers a north-facing slope at 3000 to 4000-ft elevation. Second-growth jack pine and tamarack with some hemlock and yellow pine make a thick forest cover. A heavy under-forest of alder, willow, and lesser shrubs occupies the draws, see Fig. 2. Grassy slopes appear at higher elevations. The lower slopes are underlain by a thick blanket of glacial till and alluvium so that outcrops are scarce; however, perhaps 50 pct rock exposure prevails at higher elevations. This part of northern Washington annually receives about 25 in. of precipitation, which largely falls as snow in the winter months. Summers are dry with occasional rainy periods. General Geology The Van Stone mine and the Chollet prospect lie along the southern margin of a westerly extending lobe of the Kaniksu batholith, one of the series of granodioritic masses that are intrusive into Cretaceous and older rocks in northern Washington and southern British Columbia. The margin is composed of complexly deformed Paleozoic sediments ranging in age from the lower Cambrian Maitlen phyllite on the east, through middle Cambrian Metaline formation (limestone and dolomite), to Ordovician Ledbetter slate on the west. In general the formations strike N10 to 50E and dip steeply northwestward, although dip reversals and minor folding occur. This general rock distribution is shown on Fig. 3. In this area the Metaline formation, which is the host rock for mineralization, appears to be of about 4000-ft thickness that can be conveniently divided into the same three units defined by Park and Cannon&apos; for the Metaline area. The basal part consists of 1000 ft of interbedded white limestone, argillaceous limestone, and gray silty argillite. The middle part, approximately 1500 ft thick, consists of fine-grained black, gray, and white dolomite. This unit also contains minor interbedded limestone. The upper part is a gray massive limestone about 1500 ft thick that grades upward into slaty limestone and slate capped locally by a thin black jas-peroidal dolomite which is either the uppermost member of the Metaline formation or the basal member of the overlying Ledbetter (Ordovician)

Jan 1, 1956

By Anna H. Connard

SUMMARY The discussion focusses on developments in the debt/equity swap market since the Marte project was negotiated in early 1988. It emphasises carrying forward the recent market trends to anticipate the breadth and scope of debt/equity conversions for mine development in the 1990s. Secondary market prices of LDC paper, conversion values and political influences in the host countries and the use of near debt and commodity-based instruments as components of mine financing in debt/equity deals will be placed in the perspective of recent trends and expectations for the future. THE MARTE PROJECT The Marte mine is a gold porphyry deposit in Chile&apos;s high Atacama, for which financing was put together at the beginning of 1988. The Marte project was financed by a combination of common equity and loans. It was unusual that the equity infusions were made under different programs. Some of the international equity was infused with fresh funds via DL 600. Other common foreign equity was provided through the conversion of Chilean bank debt under Chapter XIX. On the loan side,. export credits for the import component of machinery and equipment were sought. Local bank financing was negotiated for the remainder of &apos; the project&apos;s anticipated cost. The debt conversion market in Chile was at its apex in terms of interest, activity and government support when the mine financing was arranged. The price of Chilean paper in the secondary market hovered about 62 to 66 cents per U.S. dollar of face value. Meanwhile, the Chilean government was negotiating conversion redemptions significantly closer to full face value. The government differentiated between debt paper exchanged for corporate investors who had sourced that paper in the secondary market, and debt paper held by bank investors who would incur a transaction loss in the conversion. The use of a combined DL 600lChapter XIX equity financing created different yield calculation bases for the various investors. Chapter XIX prevents remittance of profits before year 5 and capital repatriation before year 11. Investors choosing this vehicle have either for a corporate policy in the target project not to declare dividends until repatriation is allowed, or they have to seek uses for the peso liquidity that would be generated through dividend declarations in the early years. However, DL 600 investors face no such waiting period on dividends, nor do they have restrictions imposed on cashing out of the investment before the 11th year. Therefore, any equity structure with components of both investment mechanisms will have inherent differences in cost basis and future income flows for the various participants. This equity imbalance is defensible if the investment motivations of the parties are analyzed: a mining investor using fresh funds looks for a hurdle return on equity calculated at conservative commodity prices, with as much flexibility to reap upside benefits as possible; a mining investor choosing to invest through a debt conversion mechanism will realize a modest short term gain on the conversion, reducing his effective cost basis, but sacrificing some return because of the waiting period on repatriation of dividends. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES A bank investor exchanging his own paper for an equity participation in a mining project realizes a conversion loss on the transaction. He seeks a risk adjusted acceptable hurdle rate of return to recoup that loss over time. Motivation for the bank investor to take that loss may be derived partly from a strategy to diversify its existing portfolio by internal policy and externally regulated guidelines. The bank will compare yields on its loan portfolio to that country with anticipated dividend flows discounted back at a risk adjusted rate. It will analyze the project with return objectives of yield enhancement over time and with

Jan 1, 1990

By Richard Franchot

DISCUSSION of a paper is sometimes more in-teresting in what has not been said than in what is said. In the present case the paper is mainly directed to certain thermo-dynamic relation-ships in the blast furnace. Careful reading of the dis-cussion fails to show a single use of the term, heat unit, or its equivalent. If we wish to know very-much about the furnace action it is necessary to count calories or B.t.u. Nothing much is. said about the availability of heat at high temperatures, although it will be generally admitted that in seeking underlying limiting factors in the furnace economy the hearth heat relations offer-the most promising clues. Those discussing the paper, with exceptions of course, apparently have failed to recognize an outstand-ing fact. It is a fact that the heat actually generated by the air oxygen in CO formation (including the blast heat) is in excess, after charging off radiation, etc., by from 70 to .90 per cent over the heat absorbed in melting the iron and slag and calcining the stone reduction by CO absorbing no heat. The fact stands out as plainly as does the fact that the furnace functions largely as a gas producer. The surplus heat is there. It is in the picture. Why not take a look at it, face the fact? That the surplus heat is necessitated by the hearth conditions admits of very little if any doubt. The furnace is really two separate pieces of apparatus: the hearth, doing certain work, and the superimposed shaft, doing certain other work. The combustion of fuel in the hearth, primarily serving the hearth pur-poses, generates much more heat and gas than the shaft requires, or can use, in smelting work. The result is surplus heat makes still more gas in the heat-absorbing reaction between CO, and coke; what is left of the surplus going to top heat. Here we have a simple yet adequate sketch of the furnace action. Having obtained a fairly comprehensive view of the existing heat relations of both hearth and shaft, the way to improvement seems quite plain. Either do more of the work above the hearth or put more heat into the hearth. Since there is already a great surplus of heat above the hearth, probably little needs to be done by way of increasing the proportion of the work done in the shaft. The shaft can, however, probably do much more work than it is now doing provided that a way, can be found to get more work, done in the hearth. The hearth heat is nicely balanced. Losses by radiation and water cooling and other losses are already taken care of. Any increase of hearth heat development could be utilized in taking care of increased smelting work. Aside from the possibility of increased blast heat, there is one sure way of putting more heat into the hearth, and this is to blow more air. And since the shaft already has more gas than it needs, the increased gas resulting from the greater blast volume can be withdrawn from the bosh after it has done its work in the hearth. Now an increase of burden will cool the shaft, cut down solution loss and thereby supply addi-tional coke in the hearth to burn with the additional air blown. The hearth heat per pound of coke charged will be proportionately increased. The balance between hearth and shaft will be better. Gruener&apos;s ideal will be more nearly attained, if not exceeded. Most inter-esting of all perhaps, the more the burden is increased, the more coke will reach the hearth and the more burden can be added. The effect is to be cumulative.

Jan 3, 1927

By B. F. Buie

For over 200 years meerschaum has been a significant item of trade between the Near East and countries to the west. Best-known for its use in making smoking pipes and cigar and cigarette holders, it is also used in making a variety of decorative and ornamental items. It is easily carved, and is given an attractive, lustrous finish by rubbing. No published specifications are known, but compact form, purity, uniform whiteness or light color, and uniform, porous texture appear to be requisites. Fig. I a shows the appearance of a piece of crude meerschaum from Turkey; Fig. lb a carved item; and Fig. lc, d, and e show the fibrous and porous texture as revealed by the scanning electron microscope. Neither a major industrial mineral nor a precious stone, meerschaum nevertheless holds a record of long-and continuing-association with art and personal affairs of man. It is also a mineral to which modem methods of exploration and production probably could be profitably applied. An interesting account of the preparation and use of meerschaum in the early part of this century is given by Sterrett (1907). Geology and Mining Mineralogy Meerschaum is recognized now to be the compact variety of sepiolite, the claylike variety of which is one of the minerals included in the chapter on clays. The word meerschaum, from the German meaning "sea foam," was in earlier times used synonymously with sepiolite, a word of Greek origin suggestive of the resemblance of the compact variety-then the only variety known-to cuttlefish bone. At one time meerschaum was used as the commercial name, and sepiolite for the scientific name. However, to think of meerschaum as the name by which sepiolite is known commercially is no longer valid, in view of the recent emergence of the earthy variety as a competitor of bentonite and other clay materials. Present tendency is to restrict the term meerschaum to the compact variety, and to use the term sepiolite as a more general name to include both the compact and earthy varieties. This is the terminology followed in this publication. Meerschaum typically is white to light gray, has a hardness of 2 to 2 ½ , conchoidal to irregular fracture, and specific gravity varying with porosity from about 2 to less than 1. The composition is somewhat variable,- but is near that determined by Schaller (1936) for sepiolite as 2MgO.3SiO2.4H2O. A more modern for mula based on X-ray determination of the crystal structure is given by Caillére and Henin (1961) as (Site) (Mg9)030(OH)6(0H2)46H20. The reason for the firm, compact nature of meerschaum, in contrast with the earthy variety of sepiolite, is not fully understood. It may be due to the presence of a very minor amount of some bonding material such as silica. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) photographs of a specimen from Turkey (Figs. lc-le) indicate that the meerschaum is composed predominantly, if not entirely, of crystalline fibers which merge into sheetlike forms in a complex, intertwined mass. Detailed X-ray and crystal structure data, as well as some data on thermal stability range, are given by Caillère and Hénin (1961) for the sepiolite family of minerals. Mode of Occurrence and Origin Most authors have attributed the origin of meerschaum to alteration of serpentine or other magnesian minerals. The occurrence in alluvium and other surficial deposits does not necessarily indicate that the alteration was supergene. In fact, hydrothermal origin appears more likely for some deposits, though not for all.

Jan 1, 1983

The papers discussed in the following pages were presented during two sessions of the Geophysics Education Committee of the Mineral Industry Education Division on Feb. 17 and 18, 1941. At the first meeting, to consider the "Influence of Geophysics upon Geology Curricula," this Committee was joined by the Geophysics and Mining Geology Committees of the A.I.M.E., the Society of Economic Geologists, representatives of the American Geophysical Union, and delegates from the Committees on College Curricula and on Applications of Geology of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. Quentin D. Singewald and Sherwin F. Kelly presided. At the ensuing session, especially emphasizing the integration of geology, physics and chemistry for the solution of earth problems, the joint participants with the Geophysics Education Committee were the Geophysics Committee, and representatives of the American Geophysical Union and of the Committee on College Curricula of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. Richard M. Field and W. R. Chedsey presided. In the following summary of the discussion at the two meetings, written discussion submitted subsequently is not differentiated from that offered orally at the session. A provisional report of the Geophysics Education Committee was presented at the second session, and some of the following discussion refers to it. This report has not been printed (it is anticipated that a more comprehensive, final one will be rendered at the 1942 annual meeting), but a few mimeographed copies of this provisional report are at the A.I.M.E. headquarters and will be mailed on request. . Dr. W. P. HAYNES presented some notes prepared by Dr. F. H. LAHEE, Chairman of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists&apos; Committee on College Curricula. This Committee&apos;s inquiries reveal the general opinion that a four-year academic preparation is inadequate, five or six being advisable. The fundamentals, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and English composition, should be stressed in the first three years, with specialization in the last two or three years. Some companies provide an apprenticeship period, and themselves give additional training.. During academic years more attention needs to be given to engineering training, to field mapping, and in geology to stratigraphy and sedimentation. The amount of mere memory work should be cut, and men trained to observe and reason. Dr. Lahee emphasized the need of more adequate preparation in English composition, because of the inability of many graduates to compose acceptable reports. SHERWIN F. KELLY pointed out that much time in university training, which ought to be devoted to technical subjects, was taken up with English courses. He emphasized that it is the part of the universities to demand of the high schools that the students they send to the university be properly trained to speak and write English. Prof. W. T. THOM protested against the crowding of high-school material into already overcrowded college curricula. C. E. DOBBIN, chairman of the Committee on Applications of Geology of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, described briefly the work of his committee in publicizing geology, and said that it found a widespread popular interest in the subject but a lack of appreciation of its importance. He recommended that attempts to coordinate the works of geologists and geophysicists be expanded somewhat, toward the further developing and encouraging of a "species of geopolitician" capable of assisting the progress of geology and geophysics by more vigorous advertising of

Jan 1, 1941

By William H. Spice

For the year 1943, exploratory drilling in South Central Texas continued on the sharp decline that started during 1942. Of the 3 counties comprising this district, as now revised to include the same area as is covered by District No. I, Oil and Gas Division, Railroad Commission of Texas, I5 counties are producing oil or gas. Only 29 exploratory wells were drilled during 1943, as compared with 51 exploratory wells in 1942, or a decrease of over 40 per cent. One new oil field and one new gas field were discovered during the year and a new horizon was discovered in an existing oil field. This cornpares with two new oil fields and an extension to an existing gas field in 1942. The one new oil field, South Washburn, in southeastern La Salle County, was discovered by Quintana Petroleum Corporation&apos;s No. I-D South Texas indicate in April 1943, flowing 4 bbl. per day, 48" A.P.I. gravity oil with an estimated 4 million cubic feet of gas from Wilcox sand at 6030 ft. This well i&apos;s the result of an extensive seismograph survey of the area. It is about 434 miles southwest of the same company&apos;s Green Branch field and by the end of the year one dry hole had been drilled to the southwest of this discovery. The one new gas field, which was not named, was located in eastern McMullen County by Edwin M. Jones&apos; No. 102 Ezzell, in November 1943, for an estimated 8 million cubic feet of gas from shallow Jackson sand at 1222 ft. NO addi- tional wells have been drilled in this area, which may also be considered as an extension to the South Calliham field. The one new producing horizon was discovered in the South Campana field in southeastern McMullen County, by Argo Oil Corporation&apos;s No. 2-G Edrington, in January 1943, flowing 55 bbl. per day, 21&apos; A.P.I. gravity oil with 40 per cent water from Government wells sand at 2609 feet. None of these discoveries were of major importance and subsequent development in these new areas has proved to be disappointing. Produc&apos;tion for the district during 1943 totaled approximately 6,985,000 bbl. from about 3430 producing wells. This is an increase in production of about 5 per cent over 1942, but a decrease in producing wells of about 10 per cent under the number of wells producing in 1942 for the same district. Average production per well was 5.4 bbl. during 1943 as against 4.8 bbl. during 1942. Approximately 5,320,000 hhl. of this total production, or 76 per cent, was produced by the four Edwards lime fields, Luling, Branyon, Salt Flat, and Darst Creek, which are from 22 to 14 years old. The remaining production came from the 43 other active oil fields in the district. Drilling in the proven fields maintained approximately the same level as for 1942, with a total of 36 wells drilled. Of these operations, 21 were oil wells, one was a gas well and 14 were dry holes. This is a slightly better proportion of producers than for 1942. Washburn field had the greatest number of new producing wells drilled during the year, with a total of 10.

Jan 1, 1944

By William H. Spice

For the year 1943, exploratory drilling in South Central Texas continued on the sharp decline that started during 1942. Of the 3 counties comprising this district, as now revised to include the same area as is covered by District No. I, Oil and Gas Division, Railroad Commission of Texas, I5 counties are producing oil or gas. Only 29 exploratory wells were drilled during 1943, as compared with 51 exploratory wells in 1942, or a decrease of over 40 per cent. One new oil field and one new gas field were discovered during the year and a new horizon was discovered in an existing oil field. This cornpares with two new oil fields and an extension to an existing gas field in 1942. The one new oil field, South Washburn, in southeastern La Salle County, was discovered by Quintana Petroleum Corporation&apos;s No. I-D South Texas indicate in April 1943, flowing 4 bbl. per day, 48" A.P.I. gravity oil with an estimated 4 million cubic feet of gas from Wilcox sand at 6030 ft. This well i&apos;s the result of an extensive seismograph survey of the area. It is about 434 miles southwest of the same company&apos;s Green Branch field and by the end of the year one dry hole had been drilled to the southwest of this discovery. The one new gas field, which was not named, was located in eastern McMullen County by Edwin M. Jones&apos; No. 102 Ezzell, in November 1943, for an estimated 8 million cubic feet of gas from shallow Jackson sand at 1222 ft. NO addi- tional wells have been drilled in this area, which may also be considered as an extension to the South Calliham field. The one new producing horizon was discovered in the South Campana field in southeastern McMullen County, by Argo Oil Corporation&apos;s No. 2-G Edrington, in January 1943, flowing 55 bbl. per day, 21&apos; A.P.I. gravity oil with 40 per cent water from Government wells sand at 2609 feet. None of these discoveries were of major importance and subsequent development in these new areas has proved to be disappointing. Produc&apos;tion for the district during 1943 totaled approximately 6,985,000 bbl. from about 3430 producing wells. This is an increase in production of about 5 per cent over 1942, but a decrease in producing wells of about 10 per cent under the number of wells producing in 1942 for the same district. Average production per well was 5.4 bbl. during 1943 as against 4.8 bbl. during 1942. Approximately 5,320,000 hhl. of this total production, or 76 per cent, was produced by the four Edwards lime fields, Luling, Branyon, Salt Flat, and Darst Creek, which are from 22 to 14 years old. The remaining production came from the 43 other active oil fields in the district. Drilling in the proven fields maintained approximately the same level as for 1942, with a total of 36 wells drilled. Of these operations, 21 were oil wells, one was a gas well and 14 were dry holes. This is a slightly better proportion of producers than for 1942. Washburn field had the greatest number of new producing wells drilled during the year, with a total of 10.

Jan 1, 1944

By R. G. Charles, E. A. Gulbransen, S. Barnartt

KINETICS of the reaction of zirconium with pure oxygen at elevated temperatures have been studied by several workers for periods of time up to 6 hr.1-1 In two cases,3-4 . the experimental values of oxygen uptake, w, as a function of time, t, were best fitted to the parabolic rate law w2 = kPt + constant. In others,3,4 the cubic rate law w3 = kot + constant, showed better agreement. The most recent data of Gulbransen and Andrew4 indicate that the choice between the parabolic and cubic laws for empirical representation of the data will often be arbitrary. This is particularly true if the first few minutes of the reaction with a clean zirconium surface is attributed to a different oxidation mechanism, for deviations from either rate law were found primarily during the initial period. Thus, the kinetics of this reaction have been too uncertain to permit safe extrapolation to oxidation periods of practical interest (many hundreds of hours). The data to be described are of interest, for they indicate that the cubic rate law applies over long oxidation times. The reaction of zirconium with oxygen at 1 atm pressure was followed at 350" and 450°C for 500 and 200 hr, respectively. Abraded test specimens of pure zirconium sheet&apos; 3.0 X 2.0 X 0.012 cm in size were oxidized by the procedure previously described,3 which included periodic cooling to room temperature for weighing. The surfaces were polished to a 4/0 finish using polishing paper wet with kerosene, then wiped with petroleum ether and washed in redistilled acetone. Fig. 1 shows plots of log ? vs log t. Each curve represents the average of duplicate measurements, and deviations from the average were generally less than 3 pet. The cubic rate law (slope = 1/3) is closely followed. The rate constants, 5.2, x 10 -6 and 2.4, X 10- (mg cm-2)3 per hr at 350" and 450 oC, respectively, are plotted as log k, vs 1/T in Fig. 2, together with cubic constants calculated from the data of Gulbransen and Andrew4 for abraded specimens from the same lot of zirconium. Their data refer to runs of 6-hr duration at a pressure of 0.1 atm 0 and under conditions of uninterrupted heating. In spite of these differences, the latter data yield a straight line which appears to apply equally well to the new extended time data. The energy of activation for the oxidation process, calculated from the slope of this line, i.s 38 keal per mole. This may be compared with the value of 47 keal per mole found by Belle and Mallett3 at higher temperatures. It may be concluded tentatively that extrapolation of short-term oxidation data for zirconium to obtain the long-term behavior is best done through the cubic equation ?3 = kpt + constant. References &apos; E. A. Gulbransen and K. F. Andrew: AIME Trans., 1949, vol. 185, p. A.515; JouRNal OF Metals, August 1949. &apos;D.p. Cubicciotti Journal Amer Chemical August1949.Soc., 1950, Vol. 72, P. 3 V. Belle and M. W. Mallett: Joulnal Electro chemical Soc., 1954, &apos; E. A. Gulbransen 339.and K. F. Andrew: Oxidation of Zirconium Between 400" Gulbransenand 800&apos;C.and AIME Trarzs.. 1957, vol. 209, p. 394; JOUR-Nal of Metals, April 1957. IS Barnartt, B G. Charles, and E. A. Gulbransen: Oxidation of 50 weight pet uranium-zirconium alloy, Journul Electrochemical SOC., 1957, vol. 104, p. 218.

Jan 1, 1959

GENERAL GEOLOGIC DESCRIPTION The mineral deposit of this case study can be described as a "typical" porphyry copper deposit of the southwestern USA and northern Mexico mineral province. The copper mineralization is related to Laramide age intrusives of intermediate composition which have been intruded into older, mostly crystalline, host rocks. Post Laramide deformation and faulting have subjected the deposit to erosion, leaching, and enrichment processes, which have created a secondarily enriched chalcocite zone. Later basin and range faulting down dropped the ore zone, resulting in deep burial beneath late Tertiary conglomerates and gravels, thus preserving the deposit from further erosion and oxidation. Lower grade chalcopyrite mineralization constitutes the primary zone underlying the enriched blanket. MANAGEMENT OF SAMPLE DATA Sample data were obtained from exploration diamond drill holes that were collared vertically and drilled with surface rigs. Most of the holes were surveyed downhole and found to deviate significantly from the vertical. The data were keypunched from original drill hole logs to formats as described in Chapter 6. Three types of cards were prepared: 1) A heading card containing the following information: [Project Name Coordi-in_ Hole Collarnates Bear-clina-Total ID Northing Easting Elevinglion Depth] 2) Individual record cards following each heading card with the following information: [SampleMin. Zone interval Assay Fields Leached (enriched ID From-ToTotal Cu Oxide Cu primary)] 3) Where downhole survey data were available, a card was punched for each downhole survey point. The card image looked very much like the heading card, followed immediately after the heading card, and contained the following information: [Hole Sur Point Sur Point Sur Point ID Bearing Inclination Depth] The keypunched data were then processed by the drill hole survey program producing a record file which contained information as follows: [Line 1. Project Name Date Assay Field Identifiers Line 2. Hole ID Northing Easting Elevation Bearing Inclination Number of Samples Line 3 through N+ 2 (where N equals the number of samples in the hole) Top Min. of Min. Zone Zone Sample Sample Coordinates Sample Assays Leach InterLength Northing Fasting Elev Total Cu Oxide Cu (etc) face] MINERAL BOUNDARY PROBLEM AND TREATMENT According to the geologic description, at least three mineral zones are present within the ore limits, as well as fault boundaries and a buried topographic surface, each of which have to be considered. The interfaces of the various mineralogical and geological boundaries were identified as accurately as possible in each drill hole by the project geologist, the location of the interface was surveyed in the computer program in association with the nearest sample intercept to the interface (note last field of line 3). Thus, the boundary is represented as a point in 3D space at each intersecting drill hole. The linear interpolation (LINTERP) program then searched the last field of the surveyed record to find the top of each mineral zone, or geologic boundary, and read the coordinates associated with that sample point. The program then used the coordinates to compute an interpolated surface between all existing data points as described in Chapter 11. A contour map was plotted for each of the computed surfaces and reviewed by the project geologist. Where the surfaces were poorly defined due to lack of real drill hole information, the geologist, at times, inserted a "pseudo" drill hole intercept according to his best judgment and feeling for the configuration of the surface, and such points were entered into the data stream for LINTERP. When the project geologists were satisfied that they had obtained

Jan 1, 1980

By Joseph G. Franzone, Alan K. Kuhn, Jerry J. Oliver

INTRODUCTION Tailings produced by many uranium milling operations consist of fine sands with some silt and slimes. When fine sandy materials are placed by hydraulic methods behind an impermeable dam, they are deposited in a loose state and some portion remains saturated. These saturated, loose fine sands are highly susceptible to liquefaction, the phenomenon in which a monotonic or cyclic disturbance causes excess pore water pressure and, concurrently, a total loss of strength in the sand. Once liquefied, the fine sand flows, causing collapse of supported structures. The potential for such a liquefaction failure was identified and successfully treated at Sohio Western Mining Company&apos;s L-Bar Uranium Operations near Seboyeta, New Mexico. The Sohio tailings dam is an earthfill starter dam with tailings raises constructed upstream of the starter dam crest. Beginning with the start of mill operations in 1976, tailings were deposited hydraulically in the impoundment behind the starter dam. As the tailings level approached the crest of the starter dam, beached tailings were excavated and placed in lifts by a dozer to form two raises above the crest of the starter dam. As the impoundment has gradually filled with tailings, the decant water pond level has risen. Correspondingly, the water level in the tailings dam, upstream of the chimney drain, has also risen. By August 1980, the phreatic surface was above the crest of the starter dam and stability analyses indicated that the tailings dam did not have the safety factor of 1.0, under static loading with liquefaction, implicit in the 1980 New Mexico State Engineer&apos;s requirements. The problem related directly to the high phreatic surface in the loose sandy tailings behind a dam structure that was not capable of resisting failure which might develop in liquefied tailings. Two methods of stability enhancement were considered for the Sohio dam. One method was reinforcement of the dam using a clay buttress placed against the downstream slope. The other method was installation of horizontal drains through the starter dam to drain decant water and lower the phreatic surface. Either method would increase the stability of the dam. However, the comparative analysis of the methods indicated that horizontal drainage offered significant advantages in cost and could provide a more direct remedy of the source of the problem, the saturated section of tailings. In addition, a drainage system would be more amenable to modification and more quickly installed than a buttress. On the other hand, a clay buttress could be more directly controlled, would involve routine earthwork, and has successful precedent. Therefore, the buttress approach would involve less risk. After weighing the advantages of both methods and the costs versus risks, the horizontal drainage approach was selected. Consequently, a horizontal pipe drain system was recommended and designed (D’Appolonia, 1981a). This paper describes the design and installation of the drainage system and its initial performance. PIPE DRAIN SYSTEM DESIGN Design Criteria and Parameters To increase the stability of the dam to acceptable levels, the drainage system had to lower the phreatic surface behind the dam to the level calculated to give a minimum safety factor of 1.0 under conditions of liquefaction. In addition, the system needed to be essentially self-operating, easy to maintain, and economical. To accomplish these objectives, the following design criteria were established: 1. The pipe drains must lower the phreatic surface at least 4.3 m (14 ft.) at the midpoint along the dam (the deepest section) and by proportionately smaller amounts toward the abutments to satisfy safety factor requirements.

Jan 1, 1982

By W. W. Krysko

In order to calculate the critical particle size of lead oxide entrapped in lead, Stoke&apos;s Formula may be applied. All data were available except figures for the density of lead oxide at elevated temperatwes. The density of lead oxide was determined by means of dilatometmetrc and volumetric methods up to 1010°C. Graphs of the density of lead and lead oxide as well as the viscosity of lead are given and discussed, with the conclusion that the most unfavorable region for the separation of lead oxide from molten lead lies just above the melting point of lead. DURING previous investigations, particularly on the dedrossing of lead with aluminum1 and the oxygen solubility in lead,&apos; the critical particle size of lead oxide which could be entrapped in solidifying lead was estimated by calculation, and it was shown that high values found for the oxygen content of lead may be due to the method of sampling and the entrapped particles of dross. Unfortunately, due to lack of data, an exact mathematical solution was not possible. The particle size which will separate under a given condition can be estimated from Stoke&apos;s Law, which states that where: d = diameter of the critical particle size ¦q = viscosity of lead in Poise V = constant velocity in cm sec-I g = 981 cm sec-2 61= specific gravity of lead 62= specific gravity of lead oxide The depth of the lead bath and the time before solidifying define the velocity. The viscosity of molten lead is known from earlier work by Krysko and is given in Table I. The specific gravity of lead is also known, see Table II. These values are according to Hofmann. A careful survey of literature revealed no values for the density of lead oxide at elevated temperatures. The present investigation was therefore conducted to provide this information. RESEARCH INVESTIGATIONS The density of lead oxide was determined from the following experiments: 1) Determination of the density of lead oxide at room temperature. 2) Dilatometric investigations on the same samples. 3) Determination of the shrinkage at the liquid-solid trans£ormation. 4) Density determinations on liquid lead oxide. 5) Time temperature curves during cooling. 1) The samples for the determination of the density of lead oxide in the solid state were prepared in the following manner. Molten lead oxide was cast into I hot mold which could be opened along the longitudinal (vertical) axis. The cast samples were cylinders of approximately 10 mm diam and approximately 80 mm length. The cylindrical hot mold was open at both ends and was placed on a large copper chill plate shortly before casting. The solidification of the lead oxides proceeded upwards without any formation of internal cavities. The sample was carefully checked with respect to density and crystalline appearance, and only the lower portions which were crystalline and free from porosity were used. The density was determined in a specially made pyknometer-like container, where the surplus liquid was squeezed out through an orifice approximately 1/10 mm in diameter. Mercury or water was used as the liquid. The densities of the samples were calculated from the weight, volume, and mean specific gravity of eight samples was 9.62 * 0.05 g cm"3 at 22"~. 2) The samples were machined to approximately 1 1/2 in. in length and fitted into a dilatometer. A

Jan 1, 1962

By Robert M. Lewis

Can wet-ground mica be produced from mica schist ores, and if so, would its properties be comparable with products now on the market? This was the problem which prompted the development of a flowsheet for the beneficiation of mica schist. The fine-ground mica industry relies on weathered pegmatites and alaskite ores as sources of raw material. The mica concentrates obtained from these ores are relatively clean and require moderate beneficiation to meet color and bulk-density specifications. Mica obtained from mica schist is iron-stained and decrepitated and requires additional beneficiation to produce a wet-ground mica product. Despite these adversities, there are several advantages to be gained by mining and processing mica schist ores. The mica content of these ores is considerably higher than that of the pegmatites and alaskite ores now being mined, often containing in excess of 40% mica. This higher-grade mica feed should promote a lower mining and milling cost. The mica schist ores with their higher mica content would mean less tailings to handle; however, there would have to be a means for disposing of acid and sulfate wastes. A flowsheet was developed whereby mica could be recovered from mica schist ores and beneficiated in a way that would result in a high-quality end product.&apos; The essential phase of the process involves using reducing reagents to increase the magnetic susceptibility of iron contaminants which then can be removed with a magnetic separator. General Treatment Procedure The mica is floated by either of two methods, an amine float in an acid circuit&apos; or the U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) amine-fatty acid float in an alkaline circuit&apos; The flotation mica is ground in a pebble mill to liberate contaminated particles and expose iron-stained surfaces. The concentrate is then conditioned with a reducing reagent and passed through a Frantz Ferrofilter for the removal of magnetic material. The nonmagnetic product is acid-leached to further reduce the iron contamination. The leached material is then ground to product size and checked for specifications. Discussion of Flowsheet and Its Development Flotation: The mica is concentrated by flotation using either of two methods: an amine float in an acid circuit, or the USBM amine-fatty acid float in an alkaline circuit.&apos; The writer does not wish to elaborate on the relative merits of the two flotation procedures; however, after investigating ores from various localities, it was felt that the amine float in an acid circuit was more consistent when using a standard procedure. Iron Reduction and Magnetic Separation: This phase of the flowsheet may be considered the key to the process. It was developed when it became apparent that hot acid leaching had just about reached its maximum effective¬ness for color improvement. S. C. Sun and William Hirsh in "Hydrochloric Acid Leaching of Iron From Pennsylvania Aluminous Clays,"` reported iron extraction for -20-mesh minerals of 82.20% for hematite and only 33.46% for magnetite. The test procedure employs a 19% hydrochloric acid solution, 104°C temperature, and 10% solids. It was felt that magnetic removal of some of the iron contaminants before leaching therefore would be advantageous. Since the iron minerals present as contaminants vary in magnetic susceptibility, it was decided to experiment with reducing reagents as a means of influencing their magnetic properties. Zinc hydrosulfite or sodium hydrosulfite were the reagents used throughout the tests. The procedure developed consists of conditioning the mica concentrate in a closed container at approximately 5% solids with a reducing reagent. Approximately 10.0 lb of zinc hydrosulfite per ton of mica concentrate is used. The ferric iron is reduced to the ferrous state (magnetic) and oxidation is retarded by isolation from the atmosphere in a closed container. After the desired conditioning time has elapsed, the material is passed through a Frantz Ferrofilter where the magnetic particles are retained and discarded as

Jan 1, 1972

R. Culver, Colorado School of Mines I appreciated Professor Starfield&apos;s presentation, because his approach to blasting research reflects my feelings that a lot of practical work can be done toward making short-term advances that can be used by the blasting industry. We should not forget this in our attempt to obtain solutions to such idealized problems as a mathematical theory of cratering. The blasting industry would like very much to have the efficiency of the basic blasting processes improved from the range of 20 percent up into the range of 50 percent. And many of these problems should be approached and attacked in the laboratories. Blasting research at the Colorado School of Mines for the past two or three years has been aimed at improving the pre-splitting process, because we feel it will become increasingly important to the construction industry. We have attempted to develop a unified theory of how pre-splitting works; and the more we investigate, the more variables we find. We may never obtain an entirely satisfactory theory of pre-splitting, but we have developed a tentative explanation. One of our first conclusions was that we are making very poor use of the explosive in current pre-splitting practice. But to appreciate this we must first consider how pre-splitting works. A series of parallel boreholes are loaded with low density charges which are detonated simultaneously. (Delayed detonation has been tried, but most people agree that simultaneous detonation is best, and this is what we found.) Stress waves traveling out from each borehole interact with the stress waves from the two adjacent boreholes influencing the direction of the fractures that occur and propagate from each borehole. It has been suggested in private communication with Mr. Wilbur Duvall of the U. S. Bureau of Mines, that the fracture between the adjacent boreholes is a result of the net particle velocities above and below the pre-split plane which tend to set up a net tension along the pre-split plane. Regardless of what the exact mechanism is that causes the fracture to propagate from one borehole to the next, we know that it, in general, relies upon an interaction of the stress waves. However, if there is a large compressive stress normal to the pre-split place, it can practically eliminate any possibility of obtaining the desired pre-split by preventing the desired fractures from getting started. Aside from obtaining a fracture along the pre-split plane, the other major aim of pre-splitting is to minimize the fracturing that occurs around the borehole. We do this by drilling a large hole and putting a small charge in the middle of it. This results in a badly decoupled charge which is very inefficient; most of the energy is used in compressing the air in the borehole. Out of discussions about how pre-splitting works, we decided that perhaps there was some other explosive geometry which would make more efficient use of the explosive, and result in optimizing the pre-splitting process. Starting in the laboratory with small plexiglas blocks, we found that a fully-coupled explosive charge of 5 grains/in. of PETN gave random fractures extending about I in. from the borehole. A 1/4 in. plexiglas plug fit into a 1/4 in. hole in a similar block with the same fully coupled charge gave random fractures extending out only about 1/2 in. due to the energy absorbed in fracturing the plug. If the plug was split longitudinally but otherwise using the same geometry, it was possible to drive a fracture about 2 in. in either direction from the borehole, with an even smaller amount of fracturing around the borehole.

Jan 1, 1967

By Peter A. Allen

INTRODUCTION Lac Minerals Ltd., a significant North American producer of gold and other metals for over three decades, recently completed the financing for its third discovery in an eight year period. From 1975 to 1982, three important gold deposits in Quebec and Ontario: namely Bousquet, Doyon and Hemlo, were located and tested by company geologists. When current development plans are complete, Lac will have injected $400 million into these deposits. A discussion of these projects and their financing reveals some extraordinary challenges faced by top mining management. Responses to these challenges developed by Lac management may interest executives planning to proceed with new North American gold or base metal mines. MINE DE BOUSQUET In 1976, we explored a property containing a large low grade surface gold deposit. The geologial setting was exciting and we tested recent rethinking about the volcanigenic genesis of gold and base metal occurrences. These ideas helped pus to persist in drilling a nearby conductor and 600,000 ton, 0.22 ounce/ton orebody was outlined. With gold at $Cdn.150 per ounce the feasibility was approved and work started February 1978. Availability of a company custom mill 35 miles away reduced our immediate capital needs to $8.5 million. First of all, understanding the geological significance of results at Bousquet was critical. Mine and surface exploration geologists at Lac are continually and closely working together to better understand the nature of gold deposits in the Shield. This management emphasis on both pure and mine geology meant that a much larger ore reserve could confidently be predicted. (A proposal to quickly develop and ship the ore to a nearby company mine was discarded.) Instead of designing just for the initial plan of 500 tons per day we therefore included headframe, shaft and hoisting capacity for 1,700 tons and provided a compartment for future shaft deepening. These prebuilt additions were welcomed within two years. The type of collaboration whereby surface and mine geologists make study and field projects of each other&apos;s problems sets the foundation for this predictive ability. At Lac, the traditional responsibility for and supervision of the mine geologist by the mine manager is modified by this collaboration. This adds interest and scope to the geologist&apos;s work and lets him think beyond production requirements. Besides such management considerations, dedicated, professional geologists with integrity and lots of practical experience are needed to plan successful developments like Bousquet. Second, projecting future bullion revenue was critical and our experience selling production for future delivery gave us a way to ensure that loan repayment at term would not be jeopardized by falling metal prices. Output from a single mine is often reduced or curtailed for numerous reasons, so "selling forward" is done best and with least risk by companies like Lac with more than one or two producing locations for that metal. At first, a forward marketing program was considered unwise, speculative and unorthodox by analysts and other producers. Declining markets in the early 1980s prolonged gold project capital recoveries however, and critics were better able to appreciate the usefulness of such a tool. The notion that gold miners shouldn&apos;t sell forward is rooted in the belief that long-run gold prices will rise as modern social theory implementation in democracies inevitably erodes currency values. Selling against this trend goes against this industry belief or "ethic" and is at odds with the company shareholder who expects the gold price to rise not fall. Nonetheless, an efficient tool is available to the gold producer (not to most other metal producers) to quickly disengage from adverse price trends or to lock in spot prices instantaneously for two years or more of profits. Gold had recently retreated from U.S.$200 to $104 and now had reversed to $150. Lac had been forced to close several of its producers during the late 1960s because central bank-controlled

Jan 1, 1985

By E. E. Thurlow

The Geology Div. of Northern Pacific Railway Co. has adapted to its exploration efforts field procedures for geochemical sampling and semi-quantitative analysis which have been developed through research by the U. S. Geological Survey. The sampling is done in conjunction with reconnaissance geologic mapping on aerial photographs or during field checking of maps which have been prepared largely by photo-geologic interpretation. Stream sediment or soil samples are taken and readily soluble combined heavy metals are extracted with ammonium citrate followed by colorimetric titration with dithizone at the sample site. The effectiveness of this approach has been demonstrated both in positive and negative results, thereby assisting in the elimination of large areas of land from further immediate attention and in providing targets for followup exploration. An occa sional sample is submitted for spectrographic analysis as a check on the possible presence of other elements of economic significance. Field laboratory procedures are also being implemented for determining molybdenum, mercury, and other metals which may be valuable in themselves or useful as pathfinder elements in outlining mineralized areas. A lead-zinc occurrence in Oregon and a copper deposit in Montana were readily detected and outlined by stream sediment and soil sampling and a heavy metal anomaly that lacks obvious interpretation has been found in northwestern Montana. Detailed mapping and additional sampling are followed by other exploration techniques if warranted. Northern Pacific&apos;s program of reconnaissance mineral evaluation of company-owned lands and adjoining areas was outlined in a paper presented at the American Mining Congress meeting in Las Vegas four years ago. That report included policies and procedures with respect to mineral development on Railway Co. lands and may be referred to for information on these matters.1 In a sense this paper is a progress report on the use of geochemical prospecting in Northern Pacific&apos;s continuing mineral evaluation program. At this time there are positive results but as yet there is no real success story in the form of a minable ore body. GEOCHEMICAL PROSPECTING PROCEDURES The decision to use geochemistry as a reconnaissance exploration tool must be followed by research into sampling and analytical methods and into the interpretation of results. Various analytical methods were tried and evaluated by the Geology Div., including hot and cold acid extraction with and without fusion of the sample, panning and magnetic separation followed by dithizone testing of the magnetite, and cold aqueous extraction of metallic ions followed by indicator tests. Samples were first sent to the laboratory for analysis; later field laboratories were established and now virtually all testing is done at the sample site. It was concluded that, where applicable, the quickest dependable methods for reconnaissance use are the dithizone field tests for readily extractable heavy metals. This involves the simultaneous treatment of a sample, usually of soil or stream sediment, with two immiscible liquids; one a cold aqueous extractant (ammonium citrate) and the other a solution of dithizone in toluene or xylene.2 Dithizone is a colorimetric indicator that reacts quantitatively with copper, lead, zinc, and several other metals to form colored complexes in organic solvents. Results may be expressed in ml of 0.001 pct dithizone that are required to reach the blue end point, or calibration of the test results can be carried out with standard solutions of zinc; conversion factors would then be expressed in ppm, zinc equivalent. Calibration of dithizone solution with zinc standards indicates that 1 ml of 0.001 pct dithizone is equivalent to approximately 0.25 ppm of zinc. An authoritative report on dithizone field tests authored by H. E. Hawkes in the June-July 1963 issue of Economic Geology* states "The appeal of these techniques has been the simplicity and speed of the determinations as compared with more tedious laboratory determinations of trace metals in weathered rocks, soils, or plant materials. This obvious appeal, however, has often been more than matched by misuse of the method in such a manner that the results are

Jan 1, 1964

By Cleland N. Conwell

APPLICATION of seismic methods to the location of buried channels in placer mining is fairly common knowledge, yet some of the facets of seismic refraction surveys have remained obscure in their application to mining. This description by a member of the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation team investigating bedrock at the Oso Dam site, may offer a lead to wider application of the method for bedrock determinations in engineering of mine and mill plants, tailing disposal, and water supply. It may also offer assistance in planning geological exploration in areas covered by overburden. Pertinent, and perhaps more than passingly significant, is that the seismic survey of the Oso dam site started at noon and was completed the afternoon of the next day. Location Oso dam site is on the Navajo River, Archuleta, County, Colo., 30 miles southeast of Pagosa Springs, Colo., 10 miles northwest of Chama, N. M. Bedrock at the proposed dam site is Mesa Verde Formation, Cretaceous age sandstone. The nearest good sandstone exposure is about 5/8 of a mile upstream from the location of the seismic determinations. The material above bedrock is sand and gravel with sandy loam soil covering benches above the river. The site appeared favorable, after a geologic and topographic reconnaissance, but overburden thickness was unknown. Exploratory drilling was not contemplated in the near future so a short seismic investigation was selected as the most suitable method of determining depth to bedrock. Field Procedure Geophysically, a seismic depth investigation is simply the measurement of depth from ground surface to the top of a layer which transmits seismic waves at a higher velocity. In this case the high-velocity seismic layer tentatively correlates with the Mesa Verde sandstone. Field procedure required a seismic explorationline or "spread" with 12 geophones set at measured intervals. Explosive charges were buried at few feet in the ground and detonated at shotpoints near the ends of the spread, and at intermediate points. The time of travel of the seismic waves from the shotpoints through the ground to each of the geophones along the spread was measured and recorded photographically with equipment housed in a field truck. The seismograph on each spread provided a time-travel graph. From it were computed the speed of seismic waves in various layers below the surface and depth to each different seismic layer below the shotpoint. In the case of the Oso dam site it was possible, in addition, to determine the depths below certain geophones, because there were only two seismic layers involved. Interpretation In seismic exploration waves are refracted from the top of layers which often correspond to divisions between subsurface formations. When drill holes are available the geologic logs offer a means of correlating stratigraphic breaks with seismic layers, improving reliability of seismic interpretation in terms of depth to bedrock or other geologic terms. There were no drill holes available in the case of the work at the Oso dam site. Geologic conditions appeared favorable for seismic technique because of excellent contrast in seismic wave velocity between the overburden and the Mesa Verde formation. The upper layer had a velocity of approximately 2500 fps and was interpreted as overburden, the lower layer had a velocity of approximately 9000 fps and was assumed to be the sandstone. These velocities are of the order expected in these materials. The seismographs obtained at the Oso dam site were excellent. The energy from the shot came in strongly at each geophone, giving an easily read record. Time-travel graphs plotted from wave arrival times were uniform and made interpretation comparatively easy. In Spreads 1 and 2 near the river the lower velocity layer was 12 to 15 ft deep. For the spreads on higher ground, or the bench south of the river, it was from 15 to 29 ft deep.

Jan 1, 1952