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By GEORGE ROBERT DE BEQUE

WHAT is wrong with oil shale? The answer is of interest to the public, to the oil refiner, and to the engineer. Many people have invested in shale land or shale securities, and others would invest if early development of the industry were certain. In the face of increasing demands for oil products, oil refiners are threatened with inability to maintain present output unless the supply of domestic petroleum is supplemented. Development of the oil shale industry would open a new field for engineering services. The object of this paper is to suggest reasons why there is but one shale plant in operation in the United States, and to discuss the probable time when the business will be firmly established in Colorado. As the Colorado deposits are the richest and largest in the world, ample supply of material is assured, consequently, this discussion will be confined principally to technical problems and economic problems affecting shale development.

Jan 1, 1924

By J. V. W. REYNDERS

FIRST of all let me express my affectionate gratitude for the cordiality and good will of your reception. On the part of the men I venture to interpret the character of your greeting, not only as a recognition of the position to which you have been good enough to elect me, but also as an expression of your friendly attitude. However, I cannot pass over the tribute of the ladies so casually: Nor does it seem possible to do justice to my sentiments in addressing them collectively. I would feel more equal to the task if I could have the opportunity to talk to them singly, in doing which I know I may count upon their good sportsmanship not to compare notes. There has been some discussion between Mr. Kelly and myself as to our respective duties on this occasion: The precedents are not clear as to whether the retiring or the incoming president is expected to speak at length. Mr. Kelly's argument was that as the incoming president confines himself to promises for the future his field is a broad one and his opportunities for extending his remarks correspondingly unlimited.

Jan 1, 1925

The evident need to improve the reliability of fluid power systems in underground coal mining equipment prompted the U.S. Bureau of Mines, and later the Department of Energy, to contract with the Fluid Power Research Center at Oklahoma State University for a research project to develop methods for achieving this end. Since the work of the contract was completed at about the time DOE was relinquishing its underground coal mining projects to BOM it was decided to issue the final report under 80M cover. The contract revealed that the major causes of poor reliability were: (1) poor overall system design, (2) poor component contamination toleranace, (3) poor system filtration, and 4) poor maintenance practices stemming from a lack of defined maintenance procedures and enforcement of same. This report demonstrates the variability of the reliabilities of components of similar performance description when subjected to standard tests. Improved design procedures are recommended and the information needed to specify and select components whose reliability is predictable and optimum without sacrifice in performance or significant increase in envelope size.

Jan 1, 1983

By E. H. Hamilton

THE furnace on which the following investigation was based had dimensions 48 by 160 in., and was in continuous operation during the three days of the test. The average charge consisted of PER CENT. LB. PER HOUR Bed ore?14.5?2,980 Roast from Dwight-Lloyds?44.5?9,160 Siliceous ore?3.5?720 Iron flux?2.1?430 Battery plates?0.5?103 Lime rock?23.9?4,925 Briquettes?4.0?825 Scrap iron?2.1?430 M. P. slag?4.2?865 L. P.speiss?0.7?142 Total 100.0 THE furnace on which the following investigation was based had dimensions 48 by 160 in., and was in continuous operation during the three days of the test. The average charge consisted of PER CENT. LB. PER HOUR Bed ore?14.5?2,980 Roast from Dwight-Lloyds?44.5?9,160 Siliceous ore?3.5?720 Iron flux?2.1?430 Battery plates?0.5?103 Lime rock?23.9?4,925 Briquettes?4.0?825 Scrap iron?2.1?430 M. P. slag?4.2?865 L. P.speiss?0.7?142 Total?100.0?20,580

Jan 1, 1924

By AIME AIME

In the present number of Mining and Metallurgy, issued on the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Institute, it appears appropriate to chronicle a few of the interesting incidents respecting its early life. We are fortunate in being able to cull the following notes from unpublished manuscripts of Doctor Raymond and Doctor Drinker, than whom no other members could have written with greater exactness and fidelity. THE seventh decade of the 19th century may be said to have marked an. era in the history of the world. Industrially and .commercially it was marked by the wide application and utilization of discoveries already made, which came to their full effect at this period in steamships, railways, telegraph and cable lines; the standardization of parts in machines, from watches to locomotives; the use of 'dynamite, antiseptic surgery, the open-hearth steel process, the compressed-air rock-drill, the electric generator, and the Gatling gun. Through the opening of the Suez canal in 1870 the maritime trade of the world was revolutionized, sailing vessels were supplanted by steamers, while ocean cables and ocean "tramps" brought about far more rapid movement of commerce than had before been experienced. Politically, this period was marked by the sudden birth of the German empire and the beginning of that intensive internal development of the national resources of that empire in preparation for colonial extension and war, the amazing result of which has been made evident by the recent world conflict. In the United States, the significance of this decade was peculiarly important. The re-admission to the union of Virginia, Mississippi, Texas and Georgia in

Jan 1, 1921

By AIME AIME

NEARLY two hundred 'engineers attended the dinner given at the Hotel Pennsylvania on Monday-evening, Oct. 10, to the delegation from the American l3nginiering Societies to Great Britain and France when the John Fritz Medal was presented to Sir Robert Hadfield and to Eugene Schneider. Representatives of the British and French Governments ' and of foreign engineering societies gave to the event an international aspect unique in gatherings of engineers. Messages from men distinguished in science, statesmanship and diplomacy were read. Medals struck by the French Government were presented to the general chairman of the deputation, to the chairman of each' individual delegation and to the president's of the four Founder Societies. The meeting was regarded by engineers as formally ushering in a definite movement for world unity in the engineering profession. J. Vipond Davies, president of the United Engineering Society, acted as toastmaster. The speakers ,were Ambrose Swasey, Charles F. Rand, F. B. Jewett, A. S. Dwight, John R. Freeman, all members of the deputa- tion; and M. Gaston Liebert, French Consul General; Captain G. H. Armstrong, British Counsel General; G. G. Clapperton, representing the British Institution bf Electrical Engineers, and Prof. Jacques Cavalier, spokesman for the French universities. Among the engineers from other cities was Governor. James Hartness of Vermont.

Jan 1, 1921

By AIME AIME

THE 131st meeting of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers was held in New York on Feb. 16 to 20, 1925, with the largest registration of any previous meeting, the total being 1320 compared to 1276 in 1924. The technical sessions were more largely attended and aroused more discussion than ever before. There were joint meetings with the Mining Section of the National Safety Council, under the auspices of the Industrial Relations Committee of the Institute and two very important lectures, the Howe Memorial Lecture, under the auspices of the Iron and Steel Committee, and the lecture by Dr. Carl Benedicks, of Sweden, on Corrosion, under the auspices of the Institute of Metals Division. The Petroleum Division conducted its annual Symposium on Oil which will be published later in book form. At the annual business meeting on Feb. 17, the following ticket was elected, and the reports of the President, Treasurer, and Secretary 'were presented:

Jan 1, 1925

By ROBERT H. BOOTH

THE happy intra-plant relationships of the Bridgeport Brass Co. are largely attributable to the interest of the management in this important business factor. In furtherance of this development Carl F. Dietz, President of the Company and a member of the Institute, has contributed the novel plan for the objective presentation of business economics, described herein. All of the officers of the corporation are active in its management and they together with many other workers filling both executive and subordinate positions have a substantial financial interest in the enterprise. The viewpoint of this organization is fairly reflected by the following quotation from Roosevelt's "The Foes of Our Own Household."

Jan 1, 1924

By Louis D. Huntoon

SHORTLY after publication of the article in the July, 1924, issue Of MINING AND METALLURGY, entitled "Canada as a Gold Producer," requests were received to determine the ownership of production. Advices have also been received that considerable discussion has taken place on the same questions both in Canada and Great Britain. The author is indebted to R. H. Coates, Dominion Statistician, and George C. Bateman, Secretary, Ontario Mining Association, for the following figures and takes this opportunity of expressing his appreciation. There have been no statistics compiled as to ownership of production. Statistics were compiled as of Dec. 31, 1921 relative to the distribution of stocks, bonds and "other securi¬ties" in industrials, agriculture excepted, throughout the Dominion, and "distribution of ownership of securities issued by mining companies incorporated and operating in Ontario" for the same year. Stock registration does not necessarily represent actual ownership' as large blocks may be endorsed and not transferred; neither does registration actually represent production. When the charts are studied individually and collectively one cannot help but be impressed with the fact .that in the mineral industry of Ontario and the Dominion at large, Canadian registration predominates, the United States registration is about half that of Canada, and Great Britain is about half that of the United States. When the nickel-copper industry is excepted the British registration falls to a very low percentage. Since Dec. 31, 1921, British capital has commenced to flow into mining enterprises in Ontario and it has been already rewarded by the discovery of valuable ore deposits.

Jan 1, 1925

By W. R. Ingalls

WHAT proportion of the national wealth is represented by' the producing mines of the country?' Or by the- mining and metallurgical industry-as a whole, for it is impossible to make-an economic distinction between the mines that produce the ore and the plant that is used to get the metals from it. The total national wealth in fixed property is about $270,000,000,000. How much for the mines? I do not know that any one 'else has ever tried to furnish answers to these questions. In making such an attempt I am conscious that the result can be nothing more than a rough approximation. Yet even that will give an idea of relative values. No separate valuation for the mines of the country has appeared in any inventory of the national wealth previous to that which I compiled and published for 1916. -In earlier census estimates mines were supposed to be included under the head of real estate. However, an examination of the laws and practices of the several states with respect to mine taxation will make it evident that no good idea of the value of the mines of the coun¬try is obtainable from the assessment rolls. In my previous estimate for 1916, I computed the value of the mines at $8,000,000,000, which was approxi¬mately 10 times their net income as reported to the Bureau of Internal Revenue. In making that estimate I fell grossly into error, for several reasons that it is unnecessary to explain, but chiefly because the net income of the mines of the country in that year was exceptionally large. The whole subject of valuing the mines of the country en bloc is extraordinarily difficult At the best, no one can hope to arrive at, anything more than a rough idea about it. However, elements of reason may be introduced and may be made to serve as chief bases.

Jan 1, 1921

By JOHN R. SUMAN

OVERWHELMING proof of the importance of oil in a modern national economy is afforded by the present European War. Treat¬ies and national boundaries have been cynically violated to secure greater supplies of the precious fuel. Petroleum substitutes have been desperately, and far from successfully, sought. The whole German military theory of the drang nach Osten, the drive to the East, is directed at cutting the British supply of oil and securing a supply for Germany. This is a war of machines, and the machines of war feed hungrily on oil. In view of this fact, it is surely comforting to know that we are living today in a nation which has surpassed all the rest of the world not merely in unearthing the raw supplies of petroleum which lie beneath its surface but also in every phase of the industry in mining, refining, processing, production, and distribution.

Jan 1, 1941

By AIME AIME

SCRIPTURE, statistics and imagination all were drawn upon by the speakers who acclaimed Daniel C. Jackling as recipient of the William Lawrence Saunders Gold Medal for 1930. The award was made at a special dinner at the Ritz-Carlton, in New York, on Oct. 31. Lafayette Hanchett, old friend and associate, said that if it were his task to compress the life story of Daniel Jackling into a single sentence, he could find noth¬ing so appropriate as these words from the 22nd Chapter of Proverbs, "See'st thou a man diligent in his business, he shall stand before Kings." Mr. Jackling's diligence, according to the speaker, his love for his task, have been outstanding in his career. W. S. Boyd, now ranking official in the Jackling organization, cited amazing statistics as to the quantity of copper supplied to industry by the four "porphyry". coppers that are under Mr. Jackling's immediate direc¬tion, as well as by those that, in a sense, owe their existence to the pioneer work at Utah Copper. In the aggregate- 16,000,000,000 lb. of copper having an approximate value of $2,700,000,000 have been produced from disseminated ores since 1905; and of this total 42 per cent came from Utah and the Nevada group. Newcomb Carlton, president of the Western Union Telegraph Co., long an admirer of Mr. Jackling, adroitly drew a picture of a similar occasion in some 'foreign country. He imagined Mr. Jackling being raised to the peerage and whimsically addressed him as Sir Daniel, the Right Honorable Earl of Bingham!

Jan 1, 1930

By AIME AIME

ALFRED WILLIAM GAUGER ??Al" or '?Doc" to his many friends in the coal and chemical industries- is known for his research talents and organizing ability. Appropriately the first public recognition of his technical ability was by the A.I.M.E. in the publishing of a paper by George A. Burrell and Alfred W. Gauger in the "Transactions" for the year 1916. "Al" Gauger was born at St. Paul, July 31, 1892. He graduated in chemistry at the University of Minnesota in 1914. A year later he began his initiation into the mysteries of coal mining when he joined the safety division of the U. S. Bureau of Mines at Pitts- burgh, serving from 1915 to 1917.

Jan 1, 1944

By Daniel C. Jackling

WHAT is written here features some of the things that I would say if I were to de- liver a Presidential address during the Annual Meeting to be held this month in New York. I am aware that custom favors written rather than vocal delivery of such a discourse; and, as this accords exactly with my own preference, I assure readers that they will never be called upon to hear these remarks spoken- anyhow, not by me. My year as President is drawing to a close. As I look back I like to classify and analyze the impressions that have been left with me. It has been a delightful and fascinating experience to me personally; I have appreciated the courtesies and aids, and have been deeply gratified at the honors accorded me. Perhaps the source of greatest satisfaction is the opportunity I have had to sense more about the provinces of this Institute and about the useful functions of the profession that it represents. For 38 years I have been a member. I served two terms as Director-one in 1914-'16 and again in 1927-'29. I have been honored by selection as a Saunders Medalist. I thought I was reasonably familiar with the functions, the ideals, and the activities of the Institute. But the things that I have discerned during the past year have dispelled that conceit. I still think that, a year ago, I was as well informed as most members; but since then I have had the rare privilege of executive service and insight. That has given me a perspective that I feel can be obtained in no other way-as I think the illustrious engineers who have preceded me in office will agree. I wish that I had the power to translate to every member somewhat of the feelings of pride in our organization that a year as President cannot help but instill.

Jan 1, 1939

By J. T. Ryan

SAFETY practice or the elimination of accidents in our coal mines is specifically a problem of management. It cannot be delegated to any governmental agency except that the various coal-producing states do and should have some minimum safety standard laws. However, the legislative method of attempting to control mine accidents is ineffective because of the delay between the necessity and the action. It will always be impossible to keep our various state mining laws up to date; and when the law says you must do a certain thin there is a tendency to do this and no more. Unless the scheme for setting up state regulations is so flexible that when a new hazard develops it can be immediately and adequately covered and the whole responsibility for accident elimination placed undivided on the

Jan 1, 1937

By Nilo Mayta

En la mayoría de las minas subterráneas en el Perú, casi en su totalidad por no decir, las voladuras de sus labores son iniciados mediante métodos convencionales, fulminante – Mecha de Seguridad – Conector o conocidas como mechas armadas, lo cual genera un alto nivel de riesgo a la seguridad por exposición al personal durante el chispeo manual, pudiendo ser impactados por voladuras adyacentes, explosión no planificada, ondas de choque, vibraciones, caída de rocas, gaseamiento, etc. En el año 2020, Volcan inicia con este proyecto de voladura centralizada, para luego en el año 2021 se inician las pruebas piloto de Voladura Electrónica Centralizada, iniciadas desde superficie. Logrando iniciar con éxito todas las voladuras de interior mina desde la oficina de Perforación y Voladura, demostrando la entrega de beneficios principalmente en materia de seguridad y productividad, las cuales se traducen en beneficios económicos.

Sep 30, 2022

By AIME AIME

THE John Fritz Medal Board of Award, at its annual meeting on Jan. 21, 1921, awarded its gold medal and diploma to Sir Robert Hadfield for the invention of manganese steel. On June 1, announcement was made that the Board of Award had awarded its gold medal and diploma to Charles Prosper Eughe Schneider for "achievement in metallurgy of iron and steel; for development of ordnance, especially the 75-mm. gun, and for notable patriotic contribution ' to the winning of the war." The award to Sir Robert Hadfield is for the year 1921; the award to Mr. Schneider is for 1922. The latter was made at this time in order that the medal might be presented by the group of American engineers now visiting England and France.*

Jan 1, 1921

By Charles H. Foreman

IN JUNE 1921, the Sullivan &lining Co., owned jointly by the Bunker Hill and Sullivan Mining & Concentrating Co. and the Hecla Mining Co, started work on the development of the Star Mine. The development work contemplated called for a crosscut from the Hecla workings on the 2000 level to the Star ledge. The length of crosscut necessary to encounter the Star ledge was approximately 8900 ft. from the Hecla shaft. By using workings formerly made by the Hecla Mining Co., only about 8100 ft. of actual crosscutting was necessary. This crosscut has a direction of S 20° W and would have a tendency to crosscut any ledges in the intervening ground.

Jan 1, 1924

By John Fritz

MEMBERS of the American engineering societies who were in London and Paris during the last days of. June and early July were present at many interesting gatherings. The official delegates of the Founder societies were the specially honored guests of the foreign engineering societies, but other American engineers took part in the meetings. The members of the delegation were: Arthur S. Dwight, Charles F. Rand, William Kelly, representing A. I. M. E.; Ambrose Swasey (general chairman of deputation), Ira N. Hollis, Jesse M. Smith, representing A. S. M. E.; F. B. Jewett, A. E. Kennelly, G. O. Squier, representing A. I. E. E.; Charles T. Main, Robert A. Cummings, John R. Freeman, D. C. Henny, representing A. S. C. E.

Jan 1, 1921

By B. B. Gottsberger

IT SEEMS strange that so many years after the pas¬sage of the first acts requiring registration or licensing of engineers, so few members of the mining branch of the profession are aware of what has taken place. Laws regulating the practice of engineering have now been passed in 19 states of this country, and in many others, such legislation has been proposed. That such laws are necessary for the protection of life, health and property, as is stated in most of them, is doubted by many. That the standing of the engineering profession will be improved by them is certainlyy open to question. That such laws are a welcome addition to the regulation of business by governmental agency, is not likely to be a general opinion. That once more, and in spite of appeals to engineers to interest themselves in affairs of government, an active minority has succeeded in imposing its will on a passive majority, seems but too true. However, the laws are there and information regarding them should be of use and interest to those most directly concerned.

Jan 1, 1921