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By E. P. Fleming

COMPARED to the situation abroad, the domestic industry continues to lag both as regards the production and consumption of newly mined lead. During 1938 we produced and consumed slightly over 20 per cent of the world output, whereas ten years ago the figure was nearly double this pro- portion. Labor difficulties and absence of demand were chiefly responsible for the general inactivity. In the foreign field, in spite of low metal prices, production and consumption of lead equaled or exceeded all previous records. Practically all the large companies, with the exception of those in Spain, increased operations, though it should be noted that the foreign lead mines have higher-grade ores than domestic mines. In view of the rapid expansion of the foreign industry, it is natural to expect greater progress abroad, particularly in process metallurgy.

Jan 1, 1939

ALTHOUGH it might seem more fitting to discuss this subject in the Ninth Book in connection with the smelting of iron where I had thought to treat of it in detail, this process of making steel appears to be almost a branch of the above chapter on iron itself; hence I did not wish to separate these two so far that they might seem to be [18v] different things. Therefore I wish to write of it here and to tell you that steel is nothing other than iron, well purified by means of art and given a more perfect elemental mixture and quality by the great decoction of the fire than it had before. By the attraction of some suitable substances in the things that are added to it, its natural dryness is mollified by a certain amount of moisture and it becomes whiter and more dense so that it seems almost to have been removed from its original nature. Finally, when its pores have been well dilated and softened by the strong fire and the heat has been driven out of them by the violence of the coldness of the

Jan 1, 1942

By D. R. THOMAS

GENERALLY speaking, the production of other metals in Mexico fluctuates with that of silver. The first commercial discovery of mineral was in Taxco, Guerrero, in 1552. Five years later, the patio process was introduced at Pachuca, by Bartolome de Medina. In 1884, the main line of the Mexican Central R. R. was completed and a few years later, the National railway. In 1907, the patio process, after 350 years of successful operation, was replaced by cyanidation. Soon after the completion of the railroads, smelters were built at various points and provided means of treating ores that could not be treated by any of the processes existing at that time, such as patio, lixiviation, or pan amalgamation. As a result, a number of mines were developed along the railroads and even far \ out in the mountains. In order to facilitate the shipment of this ore to the smelters, purchasing agencies were established, which for a time were very profitable; most of these agencies are now permanently closed.

Jan 1, 1921

(Members are urged to send in for this column any notes of interest concerning themselves or their. fellow-members.) Members and guests who registered at Institute headquarters during the period Nov. 10 to Dec. 10, 1914: H. F. Grondijs, Oruro, Bolivia. E. B. Kirby, St. Louis, Mo. R. W. Shumway, Denver, Colo. W. R. Webster, Philadelphia, Pa. J. N. Houser, Mascot, Tenn. F. S.. Titsworth, Denver, Colo. F. L. Clerc, Denver, Colo. Frank R. Wicks, Butte, Mont. Robert Sticht, Queenstown, Tasmania. C. Q. Schlereth, Denver, Colo. Francis C. Phillips, Pittsburgh, Pa. Robert Hallowell Richards was given a dinner on December 7 at Boston by the corporation, faculty and alumni of Massachusetts Institute of Technology in recognition of his 50 years as a devoted alumnus and teacher and as an expression of the respect and affection in which he is held.

Jan 1, 1915

By Cornelius F. Kelley

AT the Annual Meeting of the A.1.M.E. last February, Cornelius F. Kelley, chairman of the Anaconda Copper Mining Co., was presented with the Charles F. Rand Memorial Medal for "conspicuous success as administrative head of great enter- prises engaged in the production of nonferrous metals at home and abroad; for inspiring leadership of an organization that has trained able engineers for service wherever ores are mined and metals are recovered; and for enhancing the prestige of metal mining in the financial and industrial world." Mr. Kelley's acceptance speech follows: I am not unmindful of the fact that the distinction is not to be considered a personal one, but that by the language of the citation itself it is rather a recognition of the service that has been performed by the many trained men of an industrial organization that in the arts of mining and metallurgy and in the fabrication of metal products has performed a distinct service to the industry and to mankind. In that spirit, the award is accepted, and on behalf of the organization I represent and myself, I thank you and assure you that the honor is deeply appreciated.

Jan 1, 1944

By O&apos, R. G. Meara, B. W. Gandrud

In 1034 the Southern Experiment Station of the U.S. Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the University of Alabama began an investigation of the availability of kyanite ores as a source of raw material for the manufacture of refractories. Under this program, gravity concentration and flotation tests have been made on two varieties of Georgia kyariite ore, mica schist and massive. Most of the attention has been directed to the mica schist ores, as they are more widely distributed and seem to offer greater economic possibilities than the massive ores. It is evident that the preparation of kyanite for use as a refractory material involves other considerations than the mere elimination of impurities. A concentration process that eliminates impurities satisfactorily may have to be followed by some additional treatment, since the final product must be of a coarseness and size ratio that will make it suitable for refractories manufacture. So far in the investigation at the Southern Experiment Station of the U.S. Bureau of Mines only the concentration problem has been considered, and this paper is intended as an interim report. Ores The schist ores contain 1 to 9 per cent of kyanite crystals embedded in mica and quartz, with smaller amounts of graphite, garnet and iron oxide and minor amounts of other heavy minerals. The garnet content varies from a trace to a few per cent. The minerals are easily released by moderate grinding. The size of the kyanite ranges from fine needles to crystals 1 1/2 in. long, 1/2 in. wide and 1/4 in. thick. The garnet, quartz and iron oxide grains have a smaller mean mesh than most of the kyanite. The maximum size of the garnet crystals corresponds to about 14 mesh and that of the sand grains is considerably less. Most of the iron oxide is still finer, for the minus 100-mesh size is greatly enriched in Fe²O3. The massive ore consists of radiating masses of kyanite interlocked with quartz, mica, corundum and small amounts of other heavy minerals.

Jan 1, 1938

By B. W. Gandrud, R. G. Meara, O&apos

In 1034 the Southern Experiment Station of the U.S. Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the University of Alabama began an investigation of the availability of kyanite ores as a source of raw material for the manufacture of refractories. Under this program, gravity concentration and flotation tests have been made on two varieties of Georgia kyariite ore, mica schist and massive. Most of the attention has been directed to the mica schist ores, as they are more widely distributed and seem to offer greater economic possibilities than the massive ores. It is evident that the preparation of kyanite for use as a refractory material involves other considerations than the mere elimination of impurities. A concentration process that eliminates impurities satisfactorily may have to be followed by some additional treatment, since the final product must be of a coarseness and size ratio that will make it suitable for refractories manufacture. So far in the investigation at the Southern Experiment Station of the U.S. Bureau of Mines only the concentration problem has been considered, and this paper is intended as an interim report. Ores The schist ores contain 1 to 9 per cent of kyanite crystals embedded in mica and quartz, with smaller amounts of graphite, garnet and iron oxide and minor amounts of other heavy minerals. The garnet content varies from a trace to a few per cent. The minerals are easily released by moderate grinding. The size of the kyanite ranges from fine needles to crystals 1 1/2 in. long, 1/2 in. wide and 1/4 in. thick. The garnet, quartz and iron oxide grains have a smaller mean mesh than most of the kyanite. The maximum size of the garnet crystals corresponds to about 14 mesh and that of the sand grains is considerably less. Most of the iron oxide is still finer, for the minus 100-mesh size is greatly enriched in Fe²O3. The massive ore consists of radiating masses of kyanite interlocked with quartz, mica, corundum and small amounts of other heavy minerals.

Jan 1, 1938

(Butte Meeting, August, 1913.) IN metallurgical circle it is. known widely, but somewhat vaguely, that the ease of reduction of metallic .oxides. depends largely on the way they have been prepared. It is likewise known that. different forms of carbon have different and greatly varying reducing powers. It is the purpose of, this paper to show somewhat more definitely and scientifically these facts. Sonic years ago the writer published an account of pyrometric determinations of the reduction temperature of zinc oxides variously prepared and of several kinds.1 In said paper it was shown that the temperature at which zinc oxide evolves zinc according to the equation, ZnO+C? Zn+CO depends upon the nature of -the two reacting bodies. The determinations bad a range of accuracy of from 2°to 6°C.,whereas differences were found to, amount to an extreme of 90° C. So the differences are real ones and must have a definite cause. The equation of boiling water, (H2 O)4 = 4 (H20) has a fixed temperature for? equilibrium of 100° C. at 760 mm. pressure. In general, all equations reacting in the liquid or the gaseous phase have well-defined constant physical conditions which govern the equilibrium point and reaction velocities.

Jan 7, 1913

The engineering personnel shortage, present and impending, so well brought out in the article in Mining Engineering in the August, 1951 number, both in the editorial lead and the article by William B. Plank and Henry J. Petrie, has left untapped and has ignored a potential source of supply that would fill the need ably and with complete satisfaction. This source is comprised of the women engineers- and geologists, both presently, trained and able to handle work at all levels, and the many who would make splendid engineers and geologists if they could hope for even a modest taste of the square deal that should be theirs, but, as we all know, is not. I write from experience. It is not pleasant or sensible to have to urge borderline cases among men students to consider engineering and geology as careers to fill the need, when I have far more able, interested and suited young women students whom I must divert into other channels. It does not make sense to scrape the bottom and sides of the barrel to induce potentially second or third rate male engineers and geologists to enter the profession when we have superior material among the women, eager to do good work in these fields. It does not make sense for these men to become second or third rate in these fields when they might be first rate salesmen, musicians, advertising copywriters or policemen. Nor does it make any more sense to force potentially first rate female geologists and engineers to become second or third rate and very frustrated typists, kindergarten teachers, dress sales-women or clerks. At this point I am willing to admit that where superstitious -miners object to women in underground workings, men are available for the jobs. Moreover, it is not necessary for women to be sent into the most difficult country, if there is reluctance on either side of the contract. There may be fewer of them eager for the roughest assignments, in proportion to the men, but women are so accustomed to discrimination far more complete than that against any racial or religious group, that a reasonably tough assignment would seem like a heaven-descended joy. In my own experience, I have found that my girl students majoring in geology, could keep up with me in the field in the roughest terrain, but. the men, all but the best students and the most physically fit young men, complained that they could not keep up with me and that I always "walked their-legs off. The women, a few men and I always returned with bags heavy with well chosen specimens and proper notes. Most of the men carried no specimens and-but poor scraps of notes on loose bits of paper. Yet the men were urged to prepare for a career in engineering or geology if their examination marks were reasonably good. When we find that we still have a shortage of engineers and geologists, after putting all the qualified women to work, then we may begin to worry. Until then, we are simply fooling ourselves as we wander in, a forest of outmoded tradition and emotional habit reactions. MARY W. GARRETSON ASSOC. MEMBER, AIME SCARSDALE, N. Y.

Jan 1, 1952

AT the Non-ferrous Metallurgy session on Wednes-day afternoon, R. M. Roosevelt, vice-president of the Eagle-Picher Lead Co., presided. The paper "Sug-gested Improvements for Smelting Copper in the Rever-beratory Furnace," by G. L. Oldright and F. W. Schroeder, was presented by. Mr. Oldright. It was brought out that lessening of dusting of the charge would increase the life of the arch at present operating temperatures, but will not allow much higher tempera-tures to be used unless dusting can be entirely elim-inated. The best opportunity for improving rever-beratory practice lies in the use of still higher tempera-tures but this requires the development of refractories superior to those now used. There was an interesting discussion of the facts brought out. The paper. on the "Formation and Decomposition of Zinc Ferrite," by

Jan 3, 1928

Meeting, of Jan. 22, 1915.-Dr. Albert R. Ledoux was unanimously nominated-by the Board as one of the representatives of this Institute upon the Engineering Foundation Board. The following Tellers to count the votes for officers and directors on Feb. 16, 1915, were appointed: David H. Browne; Arthur S. Dwight, and Bradley Stoughton; and the following Tellers to count the ballots, on the amendments to the Constitution: Arthur L. Walker, Max Roesler, and Burr A. Robinson. Karl Eilers was appointed a member of the Library Board of the United, Engineering Society, representing this Institute in place of C. R. Corning, ;resigned. The Pick and Hammer Club of the University of Oklahoma was established as an Affiliated Student Society. The sum of $150 was appropriated to the Columbia Local Section. The sum of $29.50 was appropriated to the Chicago Local Section.

Jan 3, 1915

MONTANA LOCAL SECTION Executive Committee F. M. SMITH, Chairman J. L. BRUCE, Vice-Chairman . D. C. BARD, Secretary, Box 267, Butte, Mont. FREDERICK LAIST W. C. SIDERFIN The semi-annual meeting of the Montana Section was held at the Silver Bow Block, Butte, Mont., on Friday evening, Oct. 8, 1915. An informal, subscription dinner, at $1.50 a plate, was enjoyed inn' the early evening, by 62 members and guests. After dinner a technical session was held, and a paper entitled Preliminary Outline of Paper on Mines in the Boulder Batholith was presented by J. A. Grimes, who is joint author of the paper, with Paul Billingsley. The paper elicited a lively and interesting discussion, in which a score of members took part. After the reading of the paper the rest of the evening was spent socially. D. C. BARD, Secretary.

Jan 12, 1915

By Richard E. Chism

Is my paper on Mexican weights and measures, presented at the Bethlehem meeting, I gave a formula for the reduction of Mexican ounces per carga to American ounces per ton, which may prove misleading. I wish therefore to substitute the following rule: To reduce Mexican ounces per carga of 300 Mexican pounds to Troy ounces per ton of 2000 pounds avoirdupois, multiply the number of ounces per carga by 6.078. Or, to reduce Troy ounces per ton of 2000 pounds avoirdupois to Mexican ounces per carga of 300 Mexican pounds, multiply the number of Troy ounces per ton by 0.165.

Jan 1, 1887

By R. W. Raymond

The immense commercial value of the Gayley dry-blast process has been established beyond controversy. The testimony of practical blast-furnace managers, on both sides of the Atlantic, agrees that it reduces the cost of pig-iron about $1 per ton; but from the same testimony it appears that this direct economy does not by any means cover its commercial advantages—in fact, that under conditions frequently encountered in practice, it presents other benefits of even greater immediate financial importance. To this point I shall recur in a later part of the present paper. The history of the reception given to this invention, especially on the other side of the Atlantic, has repeated an experience familiar to American engineers. First, the reports of our practice were rejected as theoretically impossible, according to generally accepted notions and formulas; then the figures were reluctantly accepted; and finally the attempt has been made to explain how they could have been obtained. As to the Gayley dry blast, me Americans have been for several years in the last stage of the discussion, and the rest of the professional world is rapidly coming to it. Meanwhile, the remark has been repeatedly made that, whatever Mr. Gayley's process may turn out to be worth, it was not an invention on his part, but simply the energetic and persevering execution of a procedure already proposed by others. This question I wish to discuss first in the present paper. I. What Did Mr. Gayley Invent? Realizing that this is not the place for detailed argument on an issue of patent law, I shall not undertake to quote and criticise the publications prior to Mr. Gayley'a first patents. It may be admitted, without such critical analysis, that the possible advantages of removing moisture from the air forced into an iron blast-furnace were recognized and talked about a hun-

Jan 1, 1909

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE NEW YORK SECTION - The annual meeting of the New York Section was held at the Machinery Club, May 7. While the dinner, at which fifty attended, was in progress, the names of the nominees for next year's officers were posted. The result of the election was as follows: Chairman, E. P. Mathewson; vice-chairmen, William Y. Westervelt, R. M. Atwater, Jr.; treasurer, Wilber Judson; executive committeemen, Lucius W. Mayer, Edwin S. Berry. The subject for the evening was "Organization and Campaign in France of the 27th Engineers." Colonel O. B. Perry described the many difficulties surmounted, for it was necessary to work with untrained men ALLEN H. ROGERS WALTER S. DICKSON CHAIRMAN OF NEW YORK SECTION SECRETARY OF NEW YORK SECTION and shortage in supplies. He described the unusually fine character and physique of his officers, which made it possible to make the untrained men most efficient. He described in some detail the work of building bridges over the Meuse River and the bringing up of supplies to the first army base, in particular at the Argonne-Meuse sector; General Pershing gave a personal commendation of the work undertaken by this regiment. The Colonel described the methods of operating the transportation of ammunition and supplies to the "army dumps," by which at the time of signing the armistice there had been brought up 600,000 tons of equipment for use in the projected campaigns. An interesting item was that 3,600,000 sand bags had been provided, in case the Germans should be able to turn the line of the American troops. Captain Edwin S. Berry described the methods of sending materials to the front lines and gave figures to indicate the huge quantities required, adding that the order of preference was troops, ammunition, food, and engineers' supplies. The speakers then answered several questions given by the members present. WALTER S. DICKSON, Secretary.

Jan 6, 1919

By F. W. DeVries

The subject article is an excellent comparison between two potential oxidants, molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide, as used in the Palangana field at the time of the trials. The tests showed no advantage to using hydrogen peroxide; however, it would be unwise to generalize that the experience in these trials was universally true. During the time of the work cited, extremely high levels of an unusual impurity were recycling in the lixiviant, which substance was a catastrophically destructive catalyst for peroxide. Since this material was not removed before recycle, it was not surprising that much of the peroxide fed was decomposing in the feed piping and never made contact with the uranium mineralization. Under these conditions, indeed, peroxide showed no improvement over oxygen. This is, however, perhaps the most adverse environment encountered to date in US in-situ uranium leaching. In other operations, peroxide has proved advantageous where two factors have been exploited: 1.Despite the tendency for Hz02 to decompose to water and oxygen in the in-situ leach environment, its higher redox potential before decomposition has provided higher leach rates. In some formulations, overloading beyond the O2 saturation equivalent with peroxide has allowed higher oxidant levels, and higher leaching rates, when overloading with molecular O2, led to vapor-locking.

Jan 1, 1983

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

AlfreD H. Cowles, Cleveland, Ohio (commuaication to the Secretary*):—Mr.Gillette's paper and his deductions seem to me of the very greatest importance, if the validity of his conclusions and figures can be confirmed. His work seems to solve an unfinished problem that I attempted to solve on the same lines about two years ago, at a time when I was preparing a paper' on another subject for the American Electrochemical Society. The following paragraph is quoted from the paper referred to: "I feel convinced that a further study of the heats of combination now known for so many compounds, which merely express in other terms their voltages of disruption, will show us the allowance that must be made as a departure from unity in the case of each element, for the intrinsic charge of its elementary molecule, and thereby render possible the creation of a table of apparent relative atomic capacities for electricity, similar to the table of atomic weights. With the numerals of this table known, thermal reaction or energy-transformations will be read with the same ease that we now read and trace the shifting of mass

Jan 1, 1904

By J. Blodget Britton

To the question, "Do the Pennsylvania anthracites contain phosphorus ?" asked at the last meeting of the Institute during the discussion on the metallurgical value of Western lignites, I can now give a definite answer. Through the kindness of a gentleman connected with the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, and another connected with one of the principal ironworks on the Lehigh, there was sent to the Iron-masters' Laboratory a number of samples of the coals now largely shipped from the Schuylkill and Lehigh regions. Seventeen of these I examined for their contents of ash and phosphorus, and obtained results as follows

Jan 1, 1873