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State Mine Experiment Station, College of Engineering, University of Alabama, University, Ala Copies of two bulletins issued by the Mine Experiment Station may be had by writing to the Director of the School of Mmes at the above address: Bulletin 1, Coal losses in Alabama, 2, A specific gravity study of Alabama coals The Cooperative work of the Mine Experiment Station with the Southern Experiment Station of the U S Bureau of Mmes is covered by Bulletins of the U S Bureau of Mines

Jan 1, 1933

Jan 1, 1920

LIST OF THE MEETINGS OF THE INSTITUTE AND THEIR LOCALITIES FROM ITS ORGANIZATION Transactions Number Place Date Vol Page 1 Wilkes-Barre, Pa May, ?71 1 3 2 Bethlehem, Pa August, ?71 1 10 3 Troy, N Y November, ?71 1 13 4 Philadelphia, Pa February, ?72 1 17 5 New York, N Y May, ?72 1 20 6 Pittsburg, Pa October, ?72 1 25 7 Boston, Mass February, ?73 1 28 8 Philadelphia, Pa May, ?73 2 3 9 Easton, Pa October, ?73 2 7 10 New York, N Y February, ?74 211 11 St Louis, Mo May, ?74 3 3 12 Hazleton, Pa October, ?74 3 8 13 New Haven, Conn February, ?75 3 15 14 Dover, N J May, ?75 4 3 15 Cleveland, 0 October, ?75 4 9 16 Washington, D C February, ?76 4 18 17 Philadelphia, Pat June, ?76, 5 3 18 Philadelphia, Pa October, ?76 5 9 19 New York, N Y February, ?77 5 27 20 Wilkes-Barre, Pa May, ?77 6 3 21 Amenia, N Y October, ?77 6 10 22 Philadelphia, Pa. May, ?78 6 18 23 Chattanooga, Tenn May ?78 7 3 24 Lake George, N.Y. Oct. ?78 7 25 Baltimore, Md. Feb. ?79 7 26 Pittsburgh Pa, May ?79 8 27 Montreal, Canada Sept, ?79 8 28 New York, N.Y. Feb, ?80 9 29 Lake Superior, Mich Aug, ?80

Jan 1, 1923

By Rudolph G. Wuerker

MUCH descriptive matter has appeared on the subject of suspension roof supports, or roof bolting, as it is more commonly called. The widespread introduction of roof bolting into coal mines and metal mines is truly phenomenal. Mine operators were quick to recognize the advantages of supporting wide openings without hindrance to machine maneuverability and ventilation. Although suspension roof support has long been installed at St. Joseph Lead Co. mines in southeast Missouri,'" its application to coal mining presented new problems, such as proper anchorage and bearing for the bolts, bolt diameter, and spacing of bolts. After continuous testing and experimenting at the mines, standard roof-bolting materials were determined.'!' The study reported in this paper is not concerned with such details as bolt diameter, which may be considered already solved in practice. In the tests discussed here, small models patterned on actual bolts were found to function in the same way and as satisfactorily as their prototypes. The aim of these tests was rather to investigate the influence of roof-bolting systems on the stress distribution around mine openings and to study the fracture patterns obtained in actual testing. Little was found about this in the literature, as testing of suspension roof methods and quantitative measurements are only now coming to the fore. Several suggestions and actual measurements have been made to evaluate critically the functioning of roof bolting systems, single roof bolts, and parts thereof. Outstanding among them is Bucky's outline of structural model tests.'" Since none of the suggested testing equipment was available, however, for the experiments discussed below, a different approach was chosen. The response of a mine roof under stress has often been compared to that of a beam. The slow coming down and bending through of beam or plate-like banks of shale, sandstone, or top coal is a familiar occurrence, extensively cited in the literature." It was felt that testing of roof-bolt systems installed in a concrete beam which was loaded in bending would be a fair approximation of the behavior of a mine roof underground. Another school of thought considers the roof behavior over an underground opening in connection with the stress distribution all around a circular or rectangular opening. This is more accurate, and leads to the concept of a dome-shaped zone of material destroyed under tensile stress. This is likewise a common sight in unsupported roadways where the continuous fall of roof results in what has been called the natural outline of roof fracture. This theory could not be tested and is treated separately in Appendix B. It is important to note that according to both assumptions the immediate roof fails in tension; the use of a beam in these tests, therefore, should give information valid for either of the two theories. With the testing equipment at hand it was possible to load concrete beams 6xlx0.5 ft under two-point loading, giving an equal bending moment over the center part in which the model bolts were installed. A comparison was made of the ultimate loads needed to break plain beams and beams in which roof bolts were installed. Arrangements were made with: 1—plain beams; 2—bolts with plate washers, some with holes drilled at 90" angles and others with holes drilled at 45" angles; 3—bolts with channel irons underneath; 4—bolts in holes filled afterward with cement; and 5—bolts anchored in a stronger stratum. The foregoing arrangement is made in order of increasing strength, as assumed from the theory of reinforced concrete. Likewise, laminated beams with wooden model bolts and with combinations of the foregoing set-ups were tested. All in all, 21 experiments were made out of the much greater number of combinations possible. There were, too, some trial tests. Enough observations from this limited number were made to interpret the behavior of mine roof, supported by various types of suspension bolts, at fracture. In present-day concepts, which have been proved by mathematical derivations and stress analyses, any opening driven underground will change the distribution and magnitude of the stresses existing around it. It does not matter whether the stresses become visible, as in rocks whose strength is less than the forces acting upon them, or whether they are invisible, as in the gangways lacking evidence of rock pressure. In this latter case the rocks can withstand changes in stress-distribution. To consider the mine roof as a beam, there are, with transversal loading, tensile stresses in the lower fiber and compressive stresses in the upper layers above the neutral axis of the beam. Beams of brittle material such as rock and concrete fail exactly as shown in Fig. 1. Nearly all model beams showed the same fracture pattern as that of a tension crack. The influence of support, by roof bolting or conventional

Jan 1, 1954

By Benjamin N. Webber

The peninsula of Nicoya contains virtually all of the known manganese deposits of Costa Rica. These are south and west of the Tempisque River, which flows across the peninsula near its juncture with the mainland. This peninsula forms the westernmost part of the province of Guana-caste, which is the northern. of the two Pacific Coast provinces of Costa Rica. The larger villages are connected by ox-cart roads and trails. The area may be covered on horseback without difficulty except during the rainy season, when rivers are in flood and difficult to ford. This is particularly true of the Rio Seco-Guay-jiniquil area, where there are no inhabitants and few open trails through the tropical jungle. Santa Cruz and Sardinal are served by the Taca Airlines, two planes a week from San Jose and Puntarenas. The port of Puntarenas has excellent loading facilities but none are available nearer the manganese districts; there ore must be lightered to vessels standing offshore. Physiography In Costa Rica there are three physiographic divisions: (I) the central plateau (Mesa Central), a somewhat dissected lava platform upon which are superimposed volcanic peaks, some of which are still active; (2) the Atlantic lowlands and (3) the Pacific lowlands. The peninsula of Nicoya and the larger part of the province of Guanacaste lie within the Pacific low- lands. The term "lowland" indicates relation to the central plateau, as the peninsula of Nicoya is largely mountainous. The mountains of Nicoya form the southern extremity of a range of low hills, which are almost continuous along the Costa Rican coast to the Nicaraguan border. The coast line shows evidence of subsidence. The Gulf of Nicoya obviously is the drowned valley of the Tempisque River. The west coast of Nicoya shows many rocks, shoals, bays, inlets and small islands as evidence of a sea encroachment. The altitude of the manganese deposits ranges from 0 to 800 ft. Topography is of the mature type of wide valleys and low hills, often with abrupt slopes. The climate is tropical and humid; rainfall of 125 in. falls largely between Sept. I and Jan. I. Vegetation often is very dense, the Rio Seco-Guayjiniquil area being truly tropical jungle, containing many hardwoods. History and Production The production of manganese ore in Costa Rica apparently dates from the first World War. It reached a peak of about 10,000 tons in the year 1919, then declined rapidly. Evidence of this period of prospecting has rotted away or been swallowed by the jungle. The war now in progress apparently revived the interest in Costa Rican manganese and has encouraged further prospecting. Deposits long known have been redenounced and trails have been cut through the jungle to them. Many new deposits have been discovered in the last

Jan 1, 1949

By A. E. J. Engel

INDUSTRIAL talcs and ground soapstones both include earth materials of different chemical and mineral compositions. In general, the industrial talcs are composed of silicates that contain appreciable amounts of magnesia. Generally talc, the mineral, is a predominant or at least common constituent. Talc, the mineral, is a hydrous magnesium silicate, with a suggested theoretical formula H2Mg3 (SiO3)4 or H2O.3MgO.4SiO2, which postulates 63.5 pct SiO2, 31.7 pct MgO, and 4.8 pct H20.11 Actually different single grains or leaves of pure talc have variations in water content ranging from 3.5 pct to more than 7 pct, as well as slight differences in the proportions of MgO and Si02.16 Only a very small percentage of the ground industrial talcs produced in the United States approaches the composition given above (see Table 1). The purer talcs invariably occur as alteration products of magnesium carbonate rocks. Some of these relatively pure talcs include compact, massive types largely mined in California, which are designated as steatite.38,58 In general, steatites cannot contain in excess of 1.5 pct CaO, 1.5 pct combined FeO and Fe203, and 4 pct A1203. The less pure varieties of massive talc and mixtures of magnesian silicates are commonly called soapstones, or merely talc. Many industrial earth products classified as talc or as soapstone contain a variety of minerals, especially serpentine (H4Mg,Si2O9), chlorites (hydrous magnesium, iron, aluminum silicates), tremolite (Ca2Mg5H2[SiO3]8), anthophyllite ([MgCa]SiO3), diopside (CaMg[SiO3]2), and quartz (SiO2). The carbonates calcite (CaC03), dolomite (CaMg[CO3]2), and magnesite (MgCO3) are also present in some industrial talcs and soapstones. Some of these minerals, as well as sulphides, sulphates, and iron and manganese oxides, if present at all or in excess of minute amounts, may alter the composition of the industrial talc sufficiently to restrict materially its use or to lower or destroy its value. These factors are discussed in a subsequent section of this chapter.

Jan 1, 1949

By S. F. Ravitz

IN his excellent book on the Principles of Flotation, Wark1 makes the following sig-nificant statement concerning the theory of flotation: Two questions of first-rate importance must be considered . . . First, it must be decided whether the sulfide minerals require a collector in order that they may float, or whether as has been claimed, they possess an inherent float-ability and need no collector. Second, it must be decided whether the xanthate type of col-lector can react with or be adsorbed by the unchanged sulfide minerals themselves, or whether, as many claim, reaction with the collector is dependent upon initial oxidation of the mineral surface. In the theory of flotation there are no two questions of greater impor-tance than these. Ravitz and Porter2 presented evidence that galena can be floated without a col-lector, and even without any reagent, pro-vided oxidation products are thoroughly removed from its surface. They found also that thoroughly cleaned galena floated faster when xanthate was used than when a frother alone or no reagent was used, and that, without a collector, the recovery decreased gradually upon exposure of the mineral to air. Their work, however, has met with considerable criticism. 1(127),3-6 This paper is presented to answer the objections that have been raised, and to present additional data that confirm their results.

Jan 1, 1940

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA University, Ala. MINING AND METALLURGICAL SOCIETY James W Stewart UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA College, Alaska MINING SOCIETY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA Guinn Metzger UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA Tucson, Ariz. MINERS, SOCIETY H. Krumlauf

Jan 1, 1951

By T. C. Mendenhall

All persons, actively engaged in your profession, must have a natural interest in the subject of weights and measures. All members of the engineering profession have to do with operations of weighing and measuring—some with measuring more than weighing, and some with weighing more than measuring—but all with both of these processes to a greater or less degree. Methods of weighing and measuring have improved constantly from the earliest times and have kept pace with the advance of other technical processes. It is, therefore, believed that you will be interested in a few remarks concerning some of the more recent advances in relation to the establishment of decimal standards of length and mass in this country. Before speaking of this, I will refer very briefly to some facts which may not be very generally known regarding our customary system of weights and measures. Although the yard is universally accepted as the unit of length, and the pound as the unit of mass, it is not generally understood, I believe, just in what respect the yard is the unit of length, or the pound the unit of mass. That is to say, it is not generally known in what degree these units have been legalized by Acts of congress. Doubtless, many of you are familiar with the facts which I will briefly recapitulate. The Constitution of the United States authorizes Congress to establish a system of weights, measures and coinage. The establishment of a system of coinage, as you know, was one of the first acts of the government, and the system then adopted is certainly one of the most perfect, if not the most perfect, that the world has yet seen. But, although Congress had the power to establish a system of weights and measures, it has never yet seen fit to exercise this power; that is to say, Congress has never yet

Jan 1, 1890

THE great development of the mines and metallurgical works of this country during the last few years, accompanied as it has been by the investment of enormous sums of money in purchasing lands, and in the erection of improvements, requires that advantage should be taken of the accumulated knowledge of engineers, superintendents, and' others, in mastering &he problems which are constantly presenting themselves for our action. Among those may be mentioned the consideration of more economical systems of mining in our coal and metal-liferous mines, improved methods of transportation above and below ground, unwatering and ventilating mines, the mechanical preparation of coal and other minerals, the various metallurgical processes, and, in fact, every question tending to the attainment of two great objects : 1st. The more economical production of the useful minerals and metals. 2d. The greater safety and welfare of those employed in these industries. In European countries, where the arts of mining and metallurgy have long been the subject of the most careful study, no means have been found so effectual in attaining the end above proposed as the free interchange of experience among those actually engaged in these industries, and this object has been accomplished, mainly, through the medium of institutes, associations or societies, composed of those engaged in these occupations, and by the periodical publication of essays or papers, communicated to such societies by their members. I t must be evident to all practical men that the interchange of the varied experience of those engaged in such occupation in this country could not fail to advance very materially the desired objects; it is, therefore, proposed to establish an American Institute of Mining Engineers, which will hold its meetings periodically in the great mining and metallurgical centers, where works of interest, such as mines, machine shops, furnaces, and other metallurgical works, can be inspected, and the members exchange their views, and consult for mutual advantage upon the difficulties encountered by each; these transactions or proceedings, when published, would form a most valuable and greatly-needed addition to our professional literature. I t is proposed that a meeting of those sympathizing with the object above mentioned shall be called for the purpose of organizing such an association, the place and time of meeting being Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and the month of April or May. Communications indicating the opinion and wishes of all, both as to these points, and also as to the organization and objects of the Institute, will be gladly received by any of the undersigned, and a notice of the date of meeting, which will be arranged to suit the greater number, will be duly communicated. Any

By J. Hoover Mackin

The iron ore bodies of the Iron Springs district are replacement deposits of magnetite and hematite in Jurassic limestone around the borders of three intrusions of quartz-monzonite porphyry. Production in the period 1923-1965 was about 72,000,000 tons, nearly all of which was direct-shipping ore from open pits. The intrusions are laccolithic in form; all three were emplaced at the same stratigraphic horizon, which had been a zone of decollement gliding during the Laramide orogeny. The intrusions and associated volcanic rocks are post-orogenic. There was no change in the thickness of the limestone during the metallization. Comparison of the composition of the limestone and stratigraphically equivalent replacement ore indicates that, with every million tons of iron, there were additions of 40,000 tons of silicon, 20,000 tons of magnesium, and 10,000 tons of aluminum. The ore-forming fluid was derived from the exposed porphyry. The iron was first incorporated in hydroxyl-bearing mafics, which crystallized in depth and were carried upward in the magma that formed the hypabyssal intrusions. The mafic phenocrysts decayed deuterically in the new environment, releasing iron into the interstitial fluid of a consolidating crystal mush in the interior of the intrusions. Primary tension joints, which opened in areas of late intrusive distention, served as roots through which the ore-forming fluid was drawn from the crystal mush.

Jan 1, 1968

By Paul Wilkinson

From the earliest times, the principal component of mallplaster has been ordinary lime. Plaster-of-Paris has also been known from early times, but never used to any extent in the actual base-work of plastering-materials; it is generally used for finishing over the brown coat and for ornamental work. As an illustration of the antiquity of the use of gypsum-plaster for mortar, I find that the analysis of the exterior covering of the pyramid of Cheops, as made by Dr. Wallace, is almost identical

Jan 1, 1898

By Thomas E. Howard

Recipient of the 1975 D. C. Jackling Award - "For his vision and initiative in defining, planning, directing, and accomplishing mining research programs; for his leadership in focusing worldwide attention on the need for research to improve underground excavation for mining and civil applications; and for his lecture. . ."

Jan 1, 1976

By H. S. Munroe

AN elaborate discussion under this heading formed a chapter in one of the reports made by Professor Raymond as Commissioner of Mining Statistics.* In a subsequent report- was printed a paper, by Mr. William Main, Jr., of Columbia, South Carolina, containing a theoretical investigation into the effect of the velocity of impact on the effective ditty of stamps. A visit to the Lake Superior copper region last summer suggested an inquiry into the relative efficiency and economy of the enormous steam stamps of the copper-mills, as compared with the results obtained with the cant and tappet stamps commonly used in the West. The atmospheric stamp used at the Phoenix Mill promised to add interest to the inquiry, as giving an example of unusually high speed, this stamp making 160 drops per minute. In introducing his subject Dr. Raymond makes the following remarks, which are quite apropos of the present investigation : "In considering the economical application of stamping machinery, we meet, at- the beginning, with serious difficulties in obtaining accurate data for comparison. The weight and fall of stamps vary as the shoes and dies wear out; and this may lead to a change of speed also. Moreover, defects in engines, boilers, or machinery for the transmission of power, may occasion serious losses, which cannot fairly be charged to the arrangements of the stamps proper. Again, the capacity of stamp-mills is directly dependent, in some degree, upon the nature and extent of discharge, fineness of screens, and other peculiarities of the battery. Finally the hardness and tenacity of the rock crushed varies so much that comparisons between different localities cannot be implicitly trusted. The safest experiments are those made in the same mill, by changing first one and then another condition of working; but this is seldom possible for such * Mineral Resources West of the Rocky Mountains, 1871, p. 380. †- Mineral Resources West of the Rocky Mountains,, 1873, p. 345.

Jan 1, 1881

By Edward H. Robie

IN many ways, the Annual Meeting of the Institute in February was the most successful yet held. Attendance surpassed even that of the 75th Anniversary Meeting in 1947 with its international flavor. The number of technical sessions and the number and quality of papers presented almost certainly set a new record. The banquet was the best attended of any yet held even though the price reached a new high. Despite the demand for almost 1700 tickets to the banquet, some felt that the price-$13.50-was higher than they could afford. There are two points of view: One is that this is the big social event of the year for members and that it is worth from three to five dollars more to have it at the Waldorf and to have a luxury menu, as we did this year, with turtle soup, a fish course, guinea hen for the entree, and wild rice (which we understand is $3.50 per lb) for a vegetable. The other point of view is that a seven or eight dollar banquet of more simple food at the Commodore Hotel would more than make up in appeal, especially to the younger and less well-heeled members, what it would lack in glamour.

Jan 1, 1952

By W. H. Fulweiler

The writer would define the term "Use Classification" as a discussion of the qualities that coal should possess to fulfill the requirements of the industry or process in which it is to be used. The general problem of the gas industry is to transform the maximum amount of the thermal energy in coal into a gas of specified quality. The qualifications that a coal should possess to be useful in the gas industry are complicated by probably a greater number of factors than in most industries. The most important of these is the delivered price of the coal. While the- general problem of the industry is as given above, yet the actual problem is the production of gas of a specified quality at the minimum cost. The relative cost of coal and the selling prices for the residuals which are influenced to a large extent by geographical locations are of determining importance as effecting the cost of the gas. It is unfortunate that we cannot disassociate cost figures from a discussion of the desirable characteristics and this results frequently in the use of coal in one location that will be looked upon as quite impossible in another location more favorably situated. Without going into any discussion of the freight rate problem we might merely point out that in general the freight on the coal is equal to or greater than the mine price. It must be evident, therefore, that price must always be considered in any discussion of the effect of the characteristics of a given coal. Two Classes of PRocesses In discussing the characteristics of coals for use in the industry, we must divide the processes in use into two classes: (1) where the coal is destructively distilled at high temperatures resulting in the formation of coke in the liberation of gas and by-products, and (2) where the coal is consumed by combustion in air or steam with a production of gas and by-products leaving only clinker as a residue. The Germans differentiate these two types of processes in their words"' entgasung'" and'" vergasung."' In the distillation processes, we have the effect of the coal on the yield of gas and its quality; the quantity and quality of coke; and the

Jan 1, 1930

By F. J. Tuck

THE Hayden mill of the Ray Mines Division, Kennecott Copper Corporation, is now equipped with two 9 by 12-ft. rod mills having a daily capacity of 6000 tons of coarse-crushing plant product from the mine. These two mills crush a 3/4-in. product to approximately 19 per cent on 14 mesh, with only one pass through the mills. Each rod mill has taken the place of four sets of 42-in. Garfield rolls with their attendant screens, and is making a product for the fine-grinding department comparable to that formerly made by rolls in closed circuit with screens. The rod mills are lined with wave-type liners of white iron, varying in thickness from 2 to 3 in. The shell and end liners last approximately 600 to 700 clays. Manganese-steel lifter bars, 3 5/8 in. thick, are used, spaced about 11 in. apart, and they give a life of 350 to 450 clays. Fig. 1 shows the general design and thickness of the wave-type liners and lifter bars; 1 1/2 -in. liner bolts are used to fasten the lifter bars to the shell. The shell liners are held in place by the tapered lifter bars. A ¾-in. wood hacking is used between the shell and the liners. The rod-mill scoop has removable manganese-steel lips, which last 250 to 300 days. The scoop proper has shown some wear in spots; and these spots have been protected by rubber bolted over them. Water and milk of lime are added to the elevator feeding the mill, but not enough water to cause a pounding of the rods against the shell. Roughly, the water added amounts to 2.5 to 33 per cent of the ore. Addi-tional water is added to the mill discharge to facilitate distribution to the classifier bowls in the fine-grinding department.

Jan 1, 1938

By James Douglas

American metallurgical inventions have not always been absolute metallurgical improvements, if accurate work be the standard of comparison; but when we review the new methods and machinery which have been generally accepted, we find that some have become essential to the metallurgist the world over, while all are so admirably adapted to the peculiar requirements of our local conditions that they have entirely supplanted foreign processes and appliances. The necessity of diminishing to the utmost the employment of labor (owing to its great cost), and the inexorable requirements of our modern joint-stock corporate system, which demands that large quantities be worked up in order to secure large returns, regardless betimes of waste, have been the impelling motives to invention, and indicate the special directions in which originality has been exercised. As might be anticipated, the West has been the most fertile field of inventions by miners and metallurgists, by reason of its great and varied mineral wealth, locked up in ores sometimes lean and often of intricate composition, which must be profitably handled, at a great distance from fuel and from building-materials, by workmen who are paid wages very much higher than those received by their fellow-workmen of like craft in Europe, and in some localities twice as high as those paid for like services even in the eastern States. Moreover, paradoxical as it may seem, the technical inexperience of many of those engaged in mining and metallurgy has helped rather than hindered the progress of invention; fop while there may have been ignorance, there has been radical freedom from

Jan 1, 1894

By A. T. Shurick

THE present economic crisis in bituminous coal is substantially the most insidious, and critical, in the modern history of the industry. The large consumption deficit that has gradually developed (almost unawares), has culminated in a situation that has forced home the urgent necessity for prompt and radical remedial measures, such as the various mergers now in course of negotiation. Conditions today are sufficiently comparable with those in the iron and steel industry, preceding the formation of the United States Steel Corpn., to suggest the possibility of a sweeping super-consolidation, that all but staggers the imagination. The important function of the banker in this, and lesser projects, is too well known to require comment, and it is important that we understand clearly just what these functions are. Certain features in banking practice came up for consideration in connection with a rather exhaustive economic study into the prospective future of the coal industry, upon which I was recently engaged for an Eastern bituminous interest. This survey was made for the purpose of effecting a decision on certain pressing questions of policy, involving considerable capital expenditures, that would be compatible with the flattening out in the curve of production in recent years. An examination of the TRANSACTIONS, and the coal literature generally, failed to disclose any pertinent, and authoritative data, on this subject. This was more or less characteristic of the whole survey, which had involved a large amount of original research, and measures were taken to procure the required information. The following notes have been compiled largely from the data thus collected, supplemented with material, suggestions and criticisms, by several of the larger banking houses active in coal, together with personal memoranda of my own.

Jan 1, 1928

By Lawrence Adler

A lag apparent in the mining engineering field. While mining will continue as an essential industry, a revitalized profession will be required for national well-being. Specific problems facing the profession include: - a conflict between its design, production and management components, which affect the engineers on a daily basis; - a credibility gap in public matters that is so extreme, government action approaches punitive in degree, and - historical decreases in the number of degree-offering departments in the face of an increasing demand for graduates. A turnaround in these areas could result in attracting into the industry, highly creative, capable, and socially concerned engineers. By improving the quality of undergraduate education, the effectiveness of each entering engineer would be multiplied. This is another way to combat the chronic shortage of trained mining engineers. At the same time, it would set a significant example for other professions in the throes of overspecialization. A revival of the mining profession can be accomplished only during the formative training years of its future practitioners. An educator's role would be pivotal in this effort.

Jan 3, 1975