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By G. R. Gardner, D. H. Davis

Increasing realization of the importance of dust control, and the recommendations of various agencies, have led the mining industry to become actively concerned with this problem. The background and necessity for adequate dust-suppression measures have been discussed in a number of publications, including those of the U. S. Bureau of Mines, and the use of spray water to reduce dust at the face and on roadways has been recommended. The problem resolves itself into obtaining adequate dust reduction at a reasonable cost. Inasmuch as the term "adequate dust suppression" has never been clearly defined, nor have permissible limits of dustiness (in terms of dust count) been established, it is apparent that any method selected may be required to meet additional demands. Until the industry has been given some indication of permissible limits of dustiness, no permanent solution is possible. Progress will be somewhat handicapped until such information is available. In addition, dust reduction must be obtained without the addition of any excessive moisture to the coal, since consideration must often be given to: I. Quality standards, particularly reduction in heat value. 2. Handling characteristics, particularly in regard to unloading from railroad cars and bins. 3. Application of dry methods of coal cleaning. 4. Necessity for fine screening within specified limits of oversize and undersize. Little detailed information is available as to the advantages and disadvantages of the several methods of water distribution, the location and protection of sprays, operating data on pressure, quantity of water, and so forth, and results obtained. In 1940 an investigation was undertaken to determine and evaluate the principal factors involved. This paper constitutes a progress report on this work and cannot in any way be regarded as complete on any one of the several phases. Classification of Dust Sources The various sources of underground dust may be classified as primary or secondary. A primary source is one associated with appreciable degradation of size, that is, where the greater part of the actual fines capable of becoming air-borne dust are produced. A secondary source may be considered as one in which the greater part of the fines have been produced at some previous operation and are in such condition that they can be dispersed as air-borne dust. These conceptions appear to be of practical significance, as experience indicates that when dust is controlled at the primary sources the importance of secondary sources is minimized. For these reasons, investigations to date have been concerned principally with the primary sources of dust, and this paper is concerned particularly with one of these—namely, undercutting. In accord with the foregoing definitions, the sources to which the following opera-

Jan 1, 1942

By A. G. Roach

THIS paper deals with a plant built under joint agreement between the Canadian and United States Governments to supply the strategic mineral, corundum, at a time when African production was dwindling and war demands still increasing. The operation began in September 1944, retreating the tailings from a former mill by gravity methods, and is still in production (Sept. 1946). In 1942, when it became apparent that South African production would be insufficient to meet mounting wartime requirements of corundum, a survey was made of Canadian sources of the mineral, at the request of the Foreign Economic Administration of the U. S. Government. The investigation1 indicated that the quickest and cheapest supply would be obtained by reworking the tailings deposit at Craigmont, Ontario. Sampling of the dump by Canadian Government engineers revealed that 125,000 tons of tailings, averaging 2.96 pct corundum, was available for retreatment. Ore-dressing tests on representative samples of the deposit were conducted by the writer in the laboratories of the Industrial Minerals Section of the Department of Mines and Resources at Ottawa; and gravity concentration on tables was indicated as the most suitable method of treatment. Decision to proceed with the project was deferred until May 9, construction was begun on May 18, and tune-up operation of the plant begun on Sept. 15, 1944. CORUNDUM-ITS PROPERTIES AND USES Corundum is an oxide of aluminum having the formula A1203. Its outstanding characteristic is its great hardness; 9 in the Mohs scale. In this respect it is second only to the diamond. It usually occurs in barrel-shaped crystals in nepheline syenites and other feldspathic rocks deficient in silica. It has a specific gravity of 3.95 to 4.1 and is insoluble and infusible. In color it ranges from white, through red and green, to black. Ruby and sapphire are gem varieties of corundum. Corundum is supplied to industry as closely graded grain.2 The coarser products (10 to 24-mesh) are used largely for snagging wheels in the steel-castings industry, while the finer grades (from 70-mesh down to flours) find a wide application in the polishing of lenses and for other uses in the optical trade. All sizes of corundum grain are in close competition with synthetic abrasives such as carborundum and alundum. In some fields of application the artificial product is superior to the natural grain but not in all. The shape of the particle and its behavior under conditions of actual use determine its sphere of employment. The United States is the largest consumer of corundum, annual consumption in peacetime approaching 3000 tons; during the war this figure was roughly doubled. During the years 1902 to 1913, the bulk

Jan 1, 1946

By Walter E. Duncan

THE ores treated at the concentrating plant largely come from the blanket replacement deposits of the northeastern part of Hardin County, Illinois, and consist of complex mixtures of galena, sphalerite and fluorspar in a gangue of quartz, limestone and sandstone. The several minerals are so intimately intergrown that they are not liberated at the sizes usually treated by gravity concentration in the usual fluorspar plant. For this reason, an all-flotation method of concentration was developed in cooperation with the station of the U. S. Bureau of Mines at Rolla, Mo.1 This flotation separation made possible the commercial production of four concentrates: (I) lead concentrates, (2) zinc concentrates, (3) acid-grade fluorspar concentrates and (4) metallurgical-grade fluorspar concentrates.2,3 Although fluorspar had been floated in Canada in 1921 4 and a plant at Rosiclare had been floating fluorspar since March 1929, fluorspar flotation was given considerable impetus by the Mahoning developments, since some features of the separation were quickly adopted by other fluorspar companies. The Bureau of Mines5 reports that in the 10 years preceding 1938 only 50,552 tons of fluorspar flotation concentrates were produced in the United States. The rise from this almost nominal figure to 153,750 tons (largely acid grade) in one year (1944)6 is indicative of the activity in fluorspar flotation occasioned by the war. The industry thus proved to be in a position to expand and keep up reasonably well with the requirements imposed upon it by such developments as occurred in high octane aviation gasoline alkylation, in the use of Freon as a refrigerant and as carrier in the Aerosol "bug bomb," and in the atomic bomb project as well as in the expansion of other activities requiring hydrofluoric acid; such as, for example, the aluminum industry. Despite the fact that the greater portion of acid-grade fluorspar produced in the last few years went directly into war uses, the future of the acid-grade field still appears bright. As a result of the activity in fluorine chemistry during the war, it seems likely that in the relatively near future almost every phase of human endeavor will find some fluorine compound involved. The other three concentrates produced deserve some attention in these introductory remarks. The lead concentrates first produced contained both zinc and fluorspar but these did not interfere with their marketing. As will be pointed out later, the quality has steadily improved until today it is a relatively high-grade product. Although some zinc smelters accept concentrates containing limited quantities of fluorspar, it is a very objectionable impurity. Since flotation methods fail in the complete removal of the fluorspar, chemical methods were developed for

Jan 1, 1946

By A. Gatti

A dispersion of AI2O3 was produced within chromium by the hydrogen reduction of a solid solution of Cr2U3-A1203. The yesulting powder. was compacted, extruded, and the material tested in tension at various temperatures and in creep at 1800°F. The material is ductile above 1200°F and is at least twice as strong as electrolytic chvomium at all temperatures. Its creep resistance, rupture strength, and ductility at 1800°F warrant further work to improve its Low -temperatutre properties. BECAUSE of its high melting point and excellent corrosion resistance, chromium has long been considered as a base for high-temperature alloys. Most chromium base alloys, however, are extremely brittle at low temperatures. Elements such as nickel and iron lower the melting point of chromium and thereby limit its high-temperature usefulness. Chromium-alumina materials made by othersl, 2 have shown good high-temperature creep resistance but poor ductility and thermal shock resistance. Pure ductile chromium3 is weak at high temperatures and reverts to a brittle state if exposed to nitrogenous atmospheres. In sintered aluminum powder (SAP)4 and internally oxidized alloys of silver, copper, and nickel, fine dispersions of oxide phases can control hardness, recrystallization, and yield stress. The possibility of formation of a ductile, high-strength material by precipitating dispersions of alumina in a chromium matrix appears worthy of investigation. MATERIAL Powder Production—Chromium oxide and alumina in amounts to produce a final alloy of Cr + 16 pct AI2O3 by weight were colloid milled, filtered, dried and high fired for 16 hr at 1600°C in air. The resulting solid solution of oxides was ball-milled to a fine powder and the chromium oxide reduced to chromium by heating in pure dry hydrogen for 64 hr at 1400°C. Final Materials Produced by Powder Metallurgy Techniques—-Chromium powder, containing a disper-sion of alumina, was pressed into 1 1/8-in. diam slugs at 25 tons per sq in. and sintered 16 hr at 1400° C in pure dry hydrogen. The sintered slugs were encased in a stainless steel can, 2 in. in diam, and extruded at 1200° C through a 1/2-in. die. The 16 to 1 extrusion ratio produced a final chromium-alumina rod 1/4 in. in diam about 30 in. long. Samples of the rod were plunge-ground to small rupture bars of 0.82-in. gage length with a 0.01-sq-in. cross section. RESULTS Microstructure Studies—Fig. 1 is the microstruc-ture of the material in the as-sintered condition while Fig. 2 is the microstructure of the material as-extruded. Comparison of the as-sintered and as-extruded micrographs show the redistribution and realignment of the alumina inclusions by the extrusion

Jan 1, 1961

By L. Kaufman

An equation is derived relating AF a", the difference in free energy between austenite and martensite, to temperature and composition in the iron-chrmnium and iron-chromium -nickel systems. This equation is used to calculate at M,for low-carbon stainless steels. A method for utilizing the energetic equations to calculate M, in stainless steels is suggested. In addition, an explanation is given for the anomalous effect of chromium in forming a y loop concurrent with the lowering of M, in iron-base alloys. It has been demonstrated that the effect of alloying elements on the Ms temperature is strongly dependent upon the influence of the alloying element on the thermodynamic properties of the y and a phases. Notwithstanding the fact that alloying elements affect the Ms temperature by changing the lattice parameters, elastic constants, and inter-facial energies of the a and y phases, their primary role is a thermodynamic one. Thermodynamic analyses have been presented for the iron-carbon'-4 and iron-nickele systems in which equations are derived for Fa and FY, the free energies of the b.c.c. (or b.c.t.) and f.c.c. phases. These equations, which can be obtained with the aid of the equilibrium diagrams, can be used to help predict the Ms vs composition curves. This paper deals with a calculation of the thermodynamic properties necessary to compute AFffLY for iron-chromium alloys. In view of the lack of direct information concerning the activity of chromium in the a and y phases of iron, the regular solution approximationa,g was utilized to bridge the gap. After the necessary equations were derived for the iron-chromium system they were used to calculate AFff— Y for stainless steels by combining them with the previous results obtained for iron-nickel alloys. The results of these calculations offer a means of rationalizing the anomalous behavior of chromium in iron-base alloys. The latter depends on the regular solution approximation in contrast to the explanation offered by zener , which is based upon the "magnetic specific heat effect." THERMODYNAMICS OF THE IRON-CHROMIUM SYSTEM If y represents the atomic fraction of chromium in an iron-chromium alloy, then the free energy of the b.c.c. phase Fa, the f.c.c. phase FY, and the difference in free energy between the f.c.c. and b.c.c. phases of the same composition are given through [3] and Fmy represent the free energies of mixing of the a and y phases; while @era -' and uFea 4Y represent the difference in free energy between f.c.c. and b.c.c. chromium and iron respectively. The values of AEFe0ff4Y in the temperature range between 0" and 900K ( .

Jan 1, 1960

Discussion of the paper of LAWRENCE ADDICKS, presented at the Salt Lake meet-ing, August, 1914, and printed in Bulletin No. 91, July, 1914, pp. 1671 to 1674. JAMES H. PAYNE, Baltimore, Md. (communication to the Secretary*). -Mr. Addicks's account of the behavior of the nodulizer at Chrome on blast-furnace flue dust leads me to outline what has been done so far upon the application .of the same apparatus to fine sulphide concentrates. As Mr. Addicks states in his paper, the conditions prevailing in the test kiln at Yorktown in the demonstration I made for him upon Chrome material were strongly oxidizing; so much so that the sulphur was roasted down to less than 1 per cent. It is therefore to be expected that the first test made upon sulphide ore a short time after this, in which Ducktown green ore fines were used, did not show very promising results. Although the Ducktown ore contained only 13.52 per cent. of sulphur its gangue was quite fusible, and the intense heat generated by the oxidation of. the extremely fine sulphide particles slagged the mass, bringing about a condition approximating that of a Brückner roaster in distress. During the spring and summer of 1912, the writer kept working upon different schemes to cut clown this slagging. Two successful methods were finally worked 'out embodying opposite principles, one promoting oxidation of the finer particles and the other retarding. their oxidation. In the early part of the present year the writer succeeded in interesting the Braden Copper Co. in nodulizing, with the result that an extensive series of tests were made at Yorktown upon oil-floated concentrates covering quite a wide range in analysis. These tests led to trials in the Chrome rotary on the part of the U. S. Metals Refining Co. of Minerals Separation concentrates which they had in stock, and later to test runs to check up the Yorktown runs on Braden concentrates. The large-scale tests checked up with the Yorktown tests in every way (except fuel consumption, which was, however, correctly predicted), and led to the Braden company's decision to adopt the process at Braden. The fuel consumption upon oil-floated concentrates is not over 6 gal. per ton and in many cases is less. The action in the furnace is independent of the sulphur content, and there is actually less tendency to form nose rings in the Chrome rotary than upon flue dust. It is believed that the improvements entering into the design of the Braden kilns will cut down the nose-ring trouble to where it will no longer be a drawback to the process.

Jan 11, 1914

By J. S. Kennedy, G. L. Simard, A. A. Lefrew, C. M. Judson, R. B. Booth

DITHIOPHOSPHATE collectors are commonly used in the flotation of sulphide minerals. Studies of the interaction of a typical dithiophosphate collector with galena surfaces have been previously reported from these laboratories.'* These fundamental studies were carried out by employing phosphorus labeled radioactive dithiophosphate. Radioactivity determinations then could be used to measure readily and accurately the small concentrations of dithiophosphate that are present under conditions of flotation processes. Measurements were made on ground mineral, determining the amount sorbed indirectly from the concentrations in solution; and studies were also made with single crystals, determining the amount sorbed directly by counting the crystal surface. The rates, isotherms and reversibility characteristics of dithiophosphate sorption, the competition between phosphate and dithiophosphate for the mineral surface, and the exchange of sorbed dithiophosphate with dissolved dithiophosphate were studied. These studies have now been extended by sorption measurements in flotations with a Fagergren machine. For this work, the selective flotation of galena and sphalerite from quartz was chosen, using ammonium di-(sec-butyl) dithiophosphate as the collector, sodium cyanide as depressant for sphalerite, and copper sulphate as an activator for sphalerite. While the selective flotation of galena and sphalerite using a single dithiophosphate collector is not typical of flotation practice (two different collectors are generally used), it was found that a reasonably good separation could be obtained by using zinc sulphate with the sodium cyanide in the galena flotation and by cleaning the sphalerite concentrate or by carrying out the sphalerite flotation in an alkaline medium. Data of practical importance on the distribution of collector between the concentrates, tailings, and solutions were obtained, particularly with regard to the effect of copper sulphate and sodium cyanide. In addition to the selective flotation of galena and sphalerite from quartz, single flotations of galena-quartz and sphalerite-quartz mixtures were carried out, along with blank flotations on quartz alone. The present paper describes the results of these experiments. As in previous papers, the term sorption is used to designate uptake of collector by the mineral, without implication as to the nature of the processes involved. Experimental Materials: The mineral system was a ground synthetic mixture of galena, sphalerite, and quartz. The galena was from Galena, Kans., and contained 75 pct lead (theoretical 85.6 pct Pb for PbS); the sphalerite, from Ottowa County, Okla., contained 63 pct zinc (theoretical 67.2 pct Zn for ZnS); and the quartz from Klondike, Mo., analyzed as 99.97 pct SiO,. Sulphur labeled radioactive di-(sec-butyl) dithiophosphate was prepared from SS supplied by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory on allocation from the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission. The synthesis consisted of precipitating barium sulphate, reducing the barium sulphate to barium sulphide, acidifying to form hydrogen sulphide, and oxidizing the hydrogen sulphide with iodine to elemental sulphur.

Jan 1, 1953

By J. S. Kennedy, A. A. Lefrew, C. M. Judson, R. B. Booth, G. L. Simard

DITHIOPHOSPHATE collectors are commonly used in the flotation of sulphide minerals. Studies of the interaction of a typical dithiophosphate collector with galena surfaces have been previously reported from these laboratories.'* These fundamental studies were carried out by employing phosphorus labeled radioactive dithiophosphate. Radioactivity determinations then could be used to measure readily and accurately the small concentrations of dithiophosphate that are present under conditions of flotation processes. Measurements were made on ground mineral, determining the amount sorbed indirectly from the concentrations in solution; and studies were also made with single crystals, determining the amount sorbed directly by counting the crystal surface. The rates, isotherms and reversibility characteristics of dithiophosphate sorption, the competition between phosphate and dithiophosphate for the mineral surface, and the exchange of sorbed dithiophosphate with dissolved dithiophosphate were studied. These studies have now been extended by sorption measurements in flotations with a Fagergren machine. For this work, the selective flotation of galena and sphalerite from quartz was chosen, using ammonium di-(sec-butyl) dithiophosphate as the collector, sodium cyanide as depressant for sphalerite, and copper sulphate as an activator for sphalerite. While the selective flotation of galena and sphalerite using a single dithiophosphate collector is not typical of flotation practice (two different collectors are generally used), it was found that a reasonably good separation could be obtained by using zinc sulphate with the sodium cyanide in the galena flotation and by cleaning the sphalerite concentrate or by carrying out the sphalerite flotation in an alkaline medium. Data of practical importance on the distribution of collector between the concentrates, tailings, and solutions were obtained, particularly with regard to the effect of copper sulphate and sodium cyanide. In addition to the selective flotation of galena and sphalerite from quartz, single flotations of galena-quartz and sphalerite-quartz mixtures were carried out, along with blank flotations on quartz alone. The present paper describes the results of these experiments. As in previous papers, the term sorption is used to designate uptake of collector by the mineral, without implication as to the nature of the processes involved. Experimental Materials: The mineral system was a ground synthetic mixture of galena, sphalerite, and quartz. The galena was from Galena, Kans., and contained 75 pct lead (theoretical 85.6 pct Pb for PbS); the sphalerite, from Ottowa County, Okla., contained 63 pct zinc (theoretical 67.2 pct Zn for ZnS); and the quartz from Klondike, Mo., analyzed as 99.97 pct SiO,. Sulphur labeled radioactive di-(sec-butyl) dithiophosphate was prepared from SS supplied by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory on allocation from the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission. The synthesis consisted of precipitating barium sulphate, reducing the barium sulphate to barium sulphide, acidifying to form hydrogen sulphide, and oxidizing the hydrogen sulphide with iodine to elemental sulphur.

Jan 1, 1953

By John A. Emery, Frank G. Snyder

MINING geology has a threefold objective: to guide prospecting for new ore, to evaluate known orebodies as development risks, and to supply the detailed knowledge of ore structures necessary for more economical extraction. The role of geology in exploration is well established. This article will deal solely with orebody evaluation and the application of geology to development and mining problems as practiced by St. Joseph Lead Co. in the southeast Missouri district, which for many years has supplied approximately 30 pct of U. S. lead production. The primary concern of the present discussion is geology in the district, not geology of the district. The southeast Missouri district, locally called the Lead Belt, includes parts of St. Francois, Madison, and Washington counties. The first recorded mining was about 1720 at Mine La Motte in Madison County on surface showings of lead ore. Later discoveries near Bonne Terre, twenty-five miles to the north, led to extensive prospecting and underground mining. To date the district has yielded well over 8 million tons of pig lead, valued at more than $1 billion. By far the greater part of the lead production has come from an area of 50 sq miles, centering on the city of Flat River, as shown in Fig. 1. Role of Geology in Metal Mining The history of the use of geology in the older metal mining districts follows a simple consistent pattern that may be considered in terms of four distinct phases. Each geologic phase is a response to the economic status of the mining district; each has definite characteristics setting it apart from other phases; and each passes into the succeeding phase as the mining operation gradually exhausts the large, rich, easily discovered deposits and lives upon increasingly smaller, lower grade orebodies that are less easily found. The geologic phases and their major characteristics are as follows: Period of No Organized Geologic Program: During the early history of a great metal district ore is easily found by random prospecting and wildcat drilling. Many small operators are active, as profitable mining can be done with a relatively small capital outlay and a minimum of technical staff. Mining practice consists largely of sinking a shaft on an ore showing and following the ore in sight. When the ore is exhausted or becomes unprofitable to mine, the process is repeated on a new ore showing. The miners become familiar with certain ore habits and use this practical geologic knowledge to guide mining. The method is successful as long as large tracts of virgin mineralized area are available. This phase ends when small-scale mining methods are no longer profitable and the mines become consolidated into the hands of a few operators.

Jan 1, 1957

By A. T. Sweet, C. E. Plummer, H. W. St. Clair, S. F. Ravitz

The ammonium sulphate process for recovering alumina from clays was proposed by Rinman, Buchner, and others many years ago, and more recently various modifications have been investigated both here arid abroad.l-Is The process, as it is being investigated by the Bureau of Mines, involves the following essential steps: (I) sulphating the alumina in the clay by baking with ammonium sulphate at approximately 4m°C., (2) leaching with water to extract aluminum sulphate and ammonium sulphate, (3) crystallization of ammonium alum, (4) conversion of the alum to aluminum hydroxide by the ammonia gases given off during the baking, and (5) calcining the aluminum hydroxide to alumina. The over-all reaction between kaolinite (the most important alumina mineral in most clays) and ammonium sulphate during the baking step may be expressed as follows: Al2O8.2SiO2.2H2O + 4(NH4)2SO4 = (NH4)2SO4.A12(SO4)3 + 6NH3(g) + SH2O(g) + 2SiO2 [i] There is definite evidence. as is shown later. that the aluminum occurs in the baked product as anhydrous ammonium alum rather than as aluminum sulphate, provided the baking temperature is not much above 4o0°C. It is probable that the reaction takes place in the following steps: (NH4)2SO4 = NH3 -(- NH4HSO4 [2] Al2O3.2SiO2.2H2O + ;}NH4HSO4 = A12(SO4)3 + 3NH3 + 5H2O + 2SiO2 [3] A12(SO4)3 + (NH4)2SO4 = (NH4)2SO4.A12(SO4)3 [4] In onc modification of the process, the ammonium sulphate is first decomposed according to Eq. z, and the clay is treated with the resultant ammonium acid sulphate. Reaction I is highly endothermic. On the basis of the best available data, the following values have been estimated for the changes in heat content and free energy in calories per mol: -AH = 331,040 - 34T -AF = 331~040 - 78.3T log T - 671.8T The heat required' at 25OC is 320,900 cal. per mol, or 5650 B.t.u. per pound of alumina. The theoretical equilibcium pressure of NHa, based on the free-energy equation given above, increases very rapidly as the temperature rises above 3o0°C., and reaches one atmosphere at 43s°C. Ammonium alum solutions are almost ideal for crystallization. A saturated solution of ammonium alum contains 126. grams of AlzOa per 1000 grams of water at 90°C. and only 16.5 at 20 C. Hence most of the alum crystallizes out when the

Jan 1, 1944

By Tell Ertl

THE Piceance Creek Basin in northwestern Colorado is believed to contain the richest large deposit of oil shale in North America. The major portion, about 1650 sq miles, is bounded by the White River on the north, the Grand Hogback, which runs from Meeker to Rifle, on the east, the Colorado River to the south, and the drainage basin of Salt and Douglas Creeks on the west. The Basin is a plateau 7000 to 9000 ft high, composed of 3000 ft of the Green River series of Eocene age and surrounded by a steep escarpment of 1000 to 3000 ft. From the escarpment the beds dip gently toward the center. Although oil shale is found in all members of the Green River series, the rich thick beds are found chiefly in the Parachute Creek member. This is normally capped by 100 to 200 ft of the Evacuation Creek, the youngest member of the Green River series. Actually the Piceance Creek Basin oil shale is not a shale, nor does it contain oil. It is magnesium marlstone holding solid organic matter capable of being broken down by heat into gases, some of which can be condensed into oil. The marlstone is resilient nonporous rock, difficult to sample by pick or hammer and moil. Many companies and individuals prospected the Colorado oil shale shortly after the first World War,' see Fig. 1, but because of the discovery of large quantities of petroleum in the late 1920's in Cali- fornia, Oklahoma, and East Texas, interest in oil shale development waned and did not revive until World War 11. In 1944 the writer, employed by the Bureau of Mines, prospected the high grade oil shale in numerous places along the southern outcrop of the Piceance Creek Basin. Several channel samples about 100 ft in length were cut, see Fig. 2. An eight-man crew needed a week to cut a satisfactory channel 80 ft long in the cliff face. The Phillips Petroleum Co., the Union Oil Co. of California and others also prospected the oil shale outcrop. In 1945 the Bureau of Mines initiated a core drilling program for the purpose of obtaining accurate samples from the Piceance Creek Basin. The U. S. Geological Survey set up a program for the geological study of the Basin that is still going on." Until the end of 1951 a total of 31 holes was drilled for core with diamond drills, and, in addition, cuttings through the oil shale have been obtained from 4 gas wells drilled by standard rotary oil well rigs. The Bureau of Mines drilled 12 of the holes, the Union Oil Company of California 8, the Standard Oil Company of California 6, the Sun Oil Company 3,

Jan 1, 1953

By Tell Ertl

THE Piceance Creek Basin in northwestern Colorado is believed to contain the richest large deposit of oil shale in North America. The major portion, about 1650 sq miles, is bounded by the White River on the north, the Grand Hogback, which runs from Meeker to Rifle, on the east, the Colorado River to the south, and the drainage basin of Salt and Douglas Creeks on the west. The Basin is a plateau 7000 to 9000 ft high, composed of 3000 ft of the Green River series of Eocene age and surrounded by a steep escarpment of 1000 to 3000 ft. From the escarpment the beds dip gently toward the center. Although oil shale is found in all members of the Green River series, the rich thick beds are found chiefly in the Parachute Creek member. This is normally capped by 100 to 200 ft of the Evacuation Creek, the youngest member of the Green River series. Actually the Piceance Creek Basin oil shale is not a shale, nor does it contain oil. It is magnesium marlstone holding solid organic matter capable of being broken down by heat into gases, some of which can be condensed into oil. The marlstone is resilient nonporous rock, difficult to sample by pick or hammer and moil. Many companies and individuals prospected the Colorado oil shale shortly after the first World War,' see Fig. 1, but because of the discovery of large quantities of petroleum in the late 1920's in Cali- fornia, Oklahoma, and East Texas, interest in oil shale development waned and did not revive until World War 11. In 1944 the writer, employed by the Bureau of Mines, prospected the high grade oil shale in numerous places along the southern outcrop of the Piceance Creek Basin. Several channel samples about 100 ft in length were cut, see Fig. 2. An eight-man crew needed a week to cut a satisfactory channel 80 ft long in the cliff face. The Phillips Petroleum Co., the Union Oil Co. of California and others also prospected the oil shale outcrop. In 1945 the Bureau of Mines initiated a core drilling program for the purpose of obtaining accurate samples from the Piceance Creek Basin. The U. S. Geological Survey set up a program for the geological study of the Basin that is still going on." Until the end of 1951 a total of 31 holes was drilled for core with diamond drills, and, in addition, cuttings through the oil shale have been obtained from 4 gas wells drilled by standard rotary oil well rigs. The Bureau of Mines drilled 12 of the holes, the Union Oil Company of California 8, the Standard Oil Company of California 6, the Sun Oil Company 3,

Jan 1, 1953

By N. P. Peterson

The Castle Dome copper deposit is of the porphyry type and occurs in a body of quartz monzonite intruded into the pre-Cambrian formations and possibly into the lower part of Paleozoic limestones. The hypogene sulphide minerals include pyrite, chalcopyrite, and a little molybdenite, sphalerite, and galena. Pyrite and chalcopyrite are disseminated or occur in small closely spaced veins. The hypogene mineralization shows distinct zoning in the distribution of pyrite and chalcopyrite, so that the mineralized area can be subdivided into pyritc and chalcopyrite zones. Supergene enrichment, though not extensive, played an important part in the formation of the ore body, the chalcopyritc zone being the pro-tore. Several thin, gently dipping, diabase sills occur in the mineralized area, and the copper content of the rock in and near these sills is substantially higher than average. The formation of the ore body was caused by the combined effects of three forces: I. Zoning of the hypogene mineralization, 2. Richer copper metallization associated with the diabase sills, and 3. Supergene enrichment. Introduction The Castle Dome copper deposit is about 5 miles west of Miami, Arizona, and about 3 miles west of the Miami-Inspiration ore body. The Castle Dome open-pit mine is on the south flank of Porphyry Mountain, a prominent landmark of the region. In 1941 the deposit was being explored by the Miami Copper Co., but the exploration program was cut short when the decision was made to develop the property as a war project. The Castle Dome Copper Co., Inc., was organized as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Miami Copper Co., and arrangements were made with Defense Plant Corp. for developing and equipping the mine and for construction of a concentrating plant. Construction and development work was begun in January 1942, and milling operations started June so, 1943. Since that date, the mine has been in continuous operation by the Castle Dome Copper Co, under a lease agreement with Defense Plant Corp. producing copper at an average rate of 4,000,000 lb per month. To January I, 1946 the total production amounted to 121,088,000 lb of copper,4,271 oz of gold, and 211,755 oz of silver. A detailed study of the copper deposit and the surrounding area was undertaken by the U. S. Geological Survey in June 1943. Other members of the Survey participating in the work were C. M. Gilbert, G. L. Quick, and J. P. Albers. The results of this work will be published as a comprehensive report by the Geological Survey. General Geology The Globe quadrangle, which includes the Castle Dome area, was studied by F. L. Ransome1 of the Geological Survey in 1901 and 1902. His maps and descriptions were

Jan 1, 1949

By N. P. Peterson

The Castle Dome copper deposit is of the porphyry type and occurs in a body of quartz monzonite intruded into the pre-Cambrian formations and possibly into the lower part of Paleozoic limestones. The hypogene sulphide minerals include pyrite, chalcopyrite, and a little molybdenite, sphalerite, and galena. Pyrite and chalcopyrite are disseminated or occur in small closely spaced veins. The hypogene mineralization shows distinct zoning in the distribution of pyrite and chalcopyrite, so that the mineralized area can be subdivided into pyritc and chalcopyrite zones. Supergene enrichment, though not extensive, played an important part in the formation of the ore body, the chalcopyritc zone being the pro-tore. Several thin, gently dipping, diabase sills occur in the mineralized area, and the copper content of the rock in and near these sills is substantially higher than average. The formation of the ore body was caused by the combined effects of three forces: I. Zoning of the hypogene mineralization, 2. Richer copper metallization associated with the diabase sills, and 3. Supergene enrichment. Introduction The Castle Dome copper deposit is about 5 miles west of Miami, Arizona, and about 3 miles west of the Miami-Inspiration ore body. The Castle Dome open-pit mine is on the south flank of Porphyry Mountain, a prominent landmark of the region. In 1941 the deposit was being explored by the Miami Copper Co., but the exploration program was cut short when the decision was made to develop the property as a war project. The Castle Dome Copper Co., Inc., was organized as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Miami Copper Co., and arrangements were made with Defense Plant Corp. for developing and equipping the mine and for construction of a concentrating plant. Construction and development work was begun in January 1942, and milling operations started June so, 1943. Since that date, the mine has been in continuous operation by the Castle Dome Copper Co, under a lease agreement with Defense Plant Corp. producing copper at an average rate of 4,000,000 lb per month. To January I, 1946 the total production amounted to 121,088,000 lb of copper,4,271 oz of gold, and 211,755 oz of silver. A detailed study of the copper deposit and the surrounding area was undertaken by the U. S. Geological Survey in June 1943. Other members of the Survey participating in the work were C. M. Gilbert, G. L. Quick, and J. P. Albers. The results of this work will be published as a comprehensive report by the Geological Survey. General Geology The Globe quadrangle, which includes the Castle Dome area, was studied by F. L. Ransome1 of the Geological Survey in 1901 and 1902. His maps and descriptions were

Jan 1, 1949

By Albert C. Harding

For several years barite (BaSO4) production has topped such better known minerals as feldspar and fluorspar in annual tonnage and is now well established among our foremost nonmetallic industries. Description Of widespread occurrence in the United States, barite is relatively soft (hardness, 2.5 to 3.5), inert, heavy (specific gravity, 4.5), and is also called "barytes" (sometimes pronounced "bear-i-tease"), "heavy spar" and "tiff." It occurs with granular and earthy structure but usually has coarse, orthorhombic crystallization. It is commonly white, and although occurring in various shades of red, yellow, and gray, barite always gives a white streak and can be scratched by the ordinary prospecting pick. Its softness and weight are usually sufficient to establish field identification. Another aid is the "rotten egg" odor of H2S which sometimes emanates from freshly fractured surfaces. Barite can be readily distinguished from two other minerals which have somewhat similar occurrences and characteristics. The relatively rare celestite, strontium sulphate, has a specific gravity slightly less than 4.00 and gives a distinctively crimson color in a flame test. The very rare wither-ite, barium carbonate, has a specific gravity of 4.3 but readily effervesces with dilute hydrochloric acid. Occurrence All known commercially important barite deposits in the United States occur as re- placements or cavity fillings in schists, shales, limestones, dolomites, and quart-zites, or as residual deposits from such formations. In Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Missouri, high-grade barite is recovered as fragments from residual clays covering quartzites and dolomites. In Arkansas, Nevada, and California, barite, usually of lower grade, is mined from replacement deposits. These seven states contributed the entire production reported by the U. S. Bureau of Mines for 1945 as given in Table I. Table i—Crude Berile Sold or used by Producers in 1945 State Short Tons Arkansas................... 260.660 Missouri.................... 225.467 Georgia..................... 110,393 Tennessee................... 32,812 Nevada..................... 28,919 Other States............... 37,811 Total..................... 696,062 ('other states,, included only california and North Carolina. Such a large part of this undistributed production came from California that that state probably outranked both Nevada and Tennessee. For the second consecutive year Arkansas was the leading producing state, particularly worthy of note because there was no commercial production of barite there prior to 1941 and because the entire production of Arkansas has come from one large deposit which is being operated by two companies. Consumption The 1945 consumption as reported by the Bureau of Mines was: 482,442 tons as ground barite 139,288 tons in making lithopone 99,173 tons in producing barium ------- chemicals Total 720,903 tons

Jan 1, 1949

By H. L. James

This paper presents the results and analysis of field trials of various magnetic instruments over anomalies ranging from 20 to 5000 gammas of vertical intensity. The following instruments were used: Askania vertical magnetometer, Wolfson vertical magnetometer (model M-I), Hotchkiss Superdips (used both parallel to and normal to the magnetic meridian, with several settings of the "sigma" angle), Lake Superior dip needle, and the dipping circle for measurements of inclination. The change in inclination over the measured anomalies ranged up to 4"; this caused pronounced changes in sensitivity of the Hotchkiss Superdip oriented parallel to the magnetic meridian. The variable sensitivity not only gives apparent displacement of crests of anomalies, particularly at high sensitivities, but also makes the data difficult or impossible to use in preparation of iso-anomaly maps. This weakness in field performance of the Superdip is shown to be eliminated by orienting the instrument normal to the magnetic meridian and measuring vertical intensity only, which in the latitude of upper Michigan is equal to 97 pct of the total intensity. The dip needle is seen to be relatively ineffectual for location of anomalies of less than 400 gammas. Introduction The U.S- Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Geological Survey Division of Michigan Department of Conservation, has for the past three years been engaged in a restudy of the Iron River-Crystal Falls iron mining district of upper Michigan. The bedrock in a large part of this area is covered with glacial deposits as much as 500-ft thick, and, inasmuch as some of the rocks have moderate to high magnetic permeability, extensive magnetic mapping has been done to assist in unraveling the complicated structure of the area. Several types of instruments have been used, and the major purpose of this paper is to present comparative data on the field performances of some of these instruments so as to aid others who face similar problems elsewhere to evaluate and choose the instruments best suited for the work. The paper is directed primarily to geologists and engineers rather than to geophysicists, although some familiarity with the instruments is presumed. The geology of the area consists of a complexly folded series of weakly metamorphosed sedimentary rocks, including the iron formation, which rests on older greenstones. Although the iron formation itself is only locally magnetic, some of the beds stratigraphically above the iron formation are rather strongly so. By tracing these hanging wall magnetic anomalies valuable information is obtained from which the structure and distribution of the iron formation can be inferred. Critical anomalies range from 25 to 6000 gammas of vertical intensity. Many anomalies can be traced in part with the common dip needle, but detection of others requires more sensitive instruments.

Jan 1, 1949

By H. L. James

This paper presents the results and analysis of field trials of various magnetic instruments over anomalies ranging from 20 to 5000 gammas of vertical intensity. The following instruments were used: Askania vertical magnetometer, Wolfson vertical magnetometer (model M-I), Hotchkiss Superdips (used both parallel to and normal to the magnetic meridian, with several settings of the "sigma" angle), Lake Superior dip needle, and the dipping circle for measurements of inclination. The change in inclination over the measured anomalies ranged up to 4"; this caused pronounced changes in sensitivity of the Hotchkiss Superdip oriented parallel to the magnetic meridian. The variable sensitivity not only gives apparent displacement of crests of anomalies, particularly at high sensitivities, but also makes the data difficult or impossible to use in preparation of iso-anomaly maps. This weakness in field performance of the Superdip is shown to be eliminated by orienting the instrument normal to the magnetic meridian and measuring vertical intensity only, which in the latitude of upper Michigan is equal to 97 pct of the total intensity. The dip needle is seen to be relatively ineffectual for location of anomalies of less than 400 gammas. Introduction The U.S- Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Geological Survey Division of Michigan Department of Conservation, has for the past three years been engaged in a restudy of the Iron River-Crystal Falls iron mining district of upper Michigan. The bedrock in a large part of this area is covered with glacial deposits as much as 500-ft thick, and, inasmuch as some of the rocks have moderate to high magnetic permeability, extensive magnetic mapping has been done to assist in unraveling the complicated structure of the area. Several types of instruments have been used, and the major purpose of this paper is to present comparative data on the field performances of some of these instruments so as to aid others who face similar problems elsewhere to evaluate and choose the instruments best suited for the work. The paper is directed primarily to geologists and engineers rather than to geophysicists, although some familiarity with the instruments is presumed. The geology of the area consists of a complexly folded series of weakly metamorphosed sedimentary rocks, including the iron formation, which rests on older greenstones. Although the iron formation itself is only locally magnetic, some of the beds stratigraphically above the iron formation are rather strongly so. By tracing these hanging wall magnetic anomalies valuable information is obtained from which the structure and distribution of the iron formation can be inferred. Critical anomalies range from 25 to 6000 gammas of vertical intensity. Many anomalies can be traced in part with the common dip needle, but detection of others requires more sensitive instruments.

Jan 1, 1949

By A. G. Roach

This paper deals with a plant built under joint agreement between the Canadian and United States Governments to supply the strategic mineral, corundum, at a time when African production was dwindling and war demands still increasing. The operation began in September 1944, retreating the tailings from a former mill by gravity methods, and is still in production (Sept. 1946). In 1942, when it became apparent that South African production would be insufficient to meet mounting wartime requirements of corundum, a survey was made of Canadian sources of the mineral, at the request of the Foreign Economic Administration of the U. S. Government. The investigation' indicated that the quickest and cheapest supply would be obtained by reworking the tailings deposit at Craig-mont, Ontario. Sampling of the dump by Canadian Government engineers revealed that 125,000 tons of tailings, averaging 2.96 pct corundum, was available for retreat-ment. Ore-dressing tests on representative samples of the deposit were conducted by the writer in the laboratories of the Industrial Minerals Section of the Department of Mines and Resources at Ottawa; and gravity concentration on tables was indicated as the most suitable method of treatment. Decision to proceed with the project was deferred until May 9, construction was begun on May 18, and tune-up operation of the plant begun on Sept. IS, 1944. Corundum—Its Properties and Uses Corundum is an oxide of aluminum having the formula Al2O3. Its outstanding characteristic is its great hardness; 9 in the Mohs scale. In this respect it is second only to the diamond. It usually occurs in barrel-shaped crystals in nepheline syenites and other feldspathic rocks deficient in silica. It has a specific gravity of 3.95 to 4.1 and is insoluble and infusible. In color it ranges from white, through red and green, to black. Ruby and sapphire are gem varieties of corundum. Corundum is supplied to industry as closely graded grain.= The coarser roducts (10 to 24-mesh) are used largely for snagging wheels in the steel-castings industry, while the finer grades (from 70-mesh down to flours) find a wide application in the polishing of lenses and for other uses in the optical trade. All sizes of corundum grain are in close competition with synthetic abrasives such as carborundum and alundum. In some fields of application the artificial product is superior to the natural grain but not in' all. The shape of the particle and its behavior under conditions of actual use determine its sphere of employment. The United States is the largest 'Onsumer of corundum, annual consumption in peacetime approaching 3000 tons; during the war this figure was roughly doubled. During the years 1902 to 1913, the bulk

Jan 1, 1948

By A. G. Roach

This paper deals with a plant built under joint agreement between the Canadian and United States Governments to supply the strategic mineral, corundum, at a time when African production was dwindling and war demands still increasing. The operation began in September 1944, retreating the tailings from a former mill by gravity methods, and is still in production (Sept. 1946). In 1942, when it became apparent that South African production would be insufficient to meet mounting wartime requirements of corundum, a survey was made of Canadian sources of the mineral, at the request of the Foreign Economic Administration of the U. S. Government. The investigation' indicated that the quickest and cheapest supply would be obtained by reworking the tailings deposit at Craig-mont, Ontario. Sampling of the dump by Canadian Government engineers revealed that 125,000 tons of tailings, averaging 2.96 pct corundum, was available for retreat-ment. Ore-dressing tests on representative samples of the deposit were conducted by the writer in the laboratories of the Industrial Minerals Section of the Department of Mines and Resources at Ottawa; and gravity concentration on tables was indicated as the most suitable method of treatment. Decision to proceed with the project was deferred until May 9, construction was begun on May 18, and tune-up operation of the plant begun on Sept. IS, 1944. Corundum—Its Properties and Uses Corundum is an oxide of aluminum having the formula Al2O3. Its outstanding characteristic is its great hardness; 9 in the Mohs scale. In this respect it is second only to the diamond. It usually occurs in barrel-shaped crystals in nepheline syenites and other feldspathic rocks deficient in silica. It has a specific gravity of 3.95 to 4.1 and is insoluble and infusible. In color it ranges from white, through red and green, to black. Ruby and sapphire are gem varieties of corundum. Corundum is supplied to industry as closely graded grain.= The coarser roducts (10 to 24-mesh) are used largely for snagging wheels in the steel-castings industry, while the finer grades (from 70-mesh down to flours) find a wide application in the polishing of lenses and for other uses in the optical trade. All sizes of corundum grain are in close competition with synthetic abrasives such as carborundum and alundum. In some fields of application the artificial product is superior to the natural grain but not in' all. The shape of the particle and its behavior under conditions of actual use determine its sphere of employment. The United States is the largest 'Onsumer of corundum, annual consumption in peacetime approaching 3000 tons; during the war this figure was roughly doubled. During the years 1902 to 1913, the bulk

Jan 1, 1948

By Alfred H. Hesse, Edwin T. Myskowski

The development by the U. S. Bureau of Mines of a process for purifying manganese by electrolysis has stimulated interest in manganese alloys. While recent publications have shown some alloys of manganese and copper to possess rather unusual properties, none have included information on tensile properties, which have an important bearing on the usefulness of the alloys. Manganese-copper alloys can be heat-treated, since the single phases that exist at high temperatures may be retained by quenching. According to Persson,1 when quenched alloys containing from about 30 to nearly IOO per cent manganese are reheated, alpha manganese is precipitated (Fig. I). Calculations based on Persson's X-ray data indicate that this decomposi-tion is accompanied by a change in volume of as much as ; per cent. The reason that this large volume change has not been noted probably is the slow rate at which equilibrium is reached by these alloys. In an investigation on hardening by cold-work and heat-treatment, Dean and Anderson3 found that quenched alloys increase in hardness with manganese content and that high-manganese alloys harden very slowly with cold-work, while high-copper alloys harden much more rapidly. Heat-treatment has little effect on manganese-copper alloys containing less than 40 per cent Mn, and affects those alloys containing more than 40 per cent in accordance with their manganese content and heat-treating temperature. Dean and Anderson4 also found that cold-work increased electrical resistance of alloys containing from 50 to 80 per cent Mn, and that heat-treatment of alloys containing from 40 to 96 per cent Mn altered the electrical resistance considerably. Dean, Anderson and Potter6 have shown that the high vibration damping capacity that characterizes manganese-copper alloys containing 40 to go per cent Mn is affected by cold-work and heat-treatments. Highest vibration damping capacity at low stresses was obtained by heating for 2 hr. at 450°C. (842°F.) after quenching from solution temperatures. Preparalion of Alloys.—The alloys for these tests were melted in a 17-lb. basic-lined high-frequency induction furnace using electrolytic manganese, grade A ingot copper and a 70-30 CU-Mn master alloy (69.80 per cent Cu, 0.12 Fe, 0.04 Si, 0.006 S, 0.07 C, balance Mn). The manganese was heated slowly to expel excess dissolved gases and melted before the addition of copper. No fluxes or covers were used. The melts were cast in tapered iron molds and the ingots were reduced go per cent when forged to 1/2-in. rounds. These rods were given 2-hr. solution treatments at temperatures that depended upon the composition (Table I). Tensile Tests.—The tensile specimens, 0.313-in. diameter (1.25-in. gauge length),

Jan 1, 1942