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By B. Barlin, G. A. L. Smith, I. J. I. Delaney

A method was developed to quantify the three mineral species, sphalerite, galena, and pyrite in seven concentrator products. Intermineral effects were studied and a statistical analysis was undertaken to assess the accuracy and reproducibility of the method. The method is both rapid and suitable for plant control purposes. Furthermore, it requires only semiskilled laboratory personnel to carry out all the analyses.

Jan 1, 1976

By Jed H. Mosgrave

One of the most interesting of all the subjects required of persons studying the different facets of coal mining is coal mine gases. Some mine gases have been a real problem since the very beginning of underground mining and in the early days there was insufficient knowledge to really cope with them. The history of mining shows that until the last 50 years, work was done primarily by the hand methods which are primitive by today's standards. Miners had to contend with gases without the aid of enclosed lighting, permissible mine machinery, sophisticated testing devices, and high pressure ventilating fans. In early days the miners were not educated as to the different mine gases nor did they have the technical equipment to determine the actual composition of the deadly atmospheres they encountered. They simply applied a descriptive term to each gas or mixture of gases depending on its effect on a person or the surrounding atmosphere. The gases or mixtures of gases were then referred to as "damps" which was probably derived from the German word "dampf," meaning vapors or gases. The more common damps encountered were as follows: Blackdamp A condition of the atmosphere where a miner's light would be extinguished and in which breathing would be difficult, sometimes even resulting in suffocation. An atmosphere deficient in oxygen and which could contain a combination of any of the mine gases. Firedamp Flammable mixtures of methane and air which would either burn or explode when ignited. White Damp A mixture of gases containing carbon monoxide.

Jan 1, 1973

By Kichizo Niwa, Toshio Yokokawa, Mitsuo Shimoji, Yoshihiko Watanabe, Satoshi Kado

A LTHOUGH a systematic research on diffusion in liquid metals has not been carried out, partial studies have been developed by various workers in several systems. A few recent papers among them have shown that this line of approach is quite useful for understanding the structure of the liquid state. Furthermore, it has been found in kinetic

Jan 1, 1958

By H. M. Callaway

There are key words common to Government and the minerals industry, the use of which immediately spark interest, argument and confusion. Among these is productivity, a term ranking for widespread misunderstanding with mineral self-sufficiency and mineral conservation. Each interpretation of these words tends to emphasize a single aspect and either minimize or ignore the complex dynamic system of things that influence the Nations mineral productiveness. This paper1, abstracted from a monograph on lead now being prepared for publication by the Bureau of Mines, not only sheds light on the trend of productivity in the lead-zinc mining industry but it presents the basis for forming a common general notion of what the term productivity implies.

Jan 11, 1961

By Galen Clevenger

TELLURIUM has had the rare and unpleasant distinction of having fewer uses than any of the other common elements; indeed, it has had no regular or important uses. It is not only a useless and disagreeable element, but to the metallurgist it has been a nightmare. The interference of tellurium with the recovery of gold and silver from certain ores, as well as the difficulties it occasions in the electrolytic refining of copper, lead, and silver, are too well known to require enumeration here. In fact, the potential producers of the element have been quite willing to throw the crude products from which it might be recovered into the sewer. First isolated from a gold ore in 1782, although remaining a practically unknown element to the general public, it has long been a guiding star to the Western prospector in his quest for the "golden fleece." On the burning sands of the desert, in the frigid North, and in the mountain fastnesses of the more temperate regions of this and other continents, he has endured all manner of hardships in his search for tellurides; for where he found indications of tellurium, there he expected also to find rich deposits of gold and silver. This peculiar superstition, that tellurium, associates itself in nature with the precious metals, is not with-out reason, for witness the fabulously rich gold tellu-ride deposits of Cripple Creek and Western Australia. Selenium, the sister element of tellurium, which it resembles in many of its properties, was first isolated in 1817. It is found in small amounts in certain native sulfur deposits, and in many copper and silver ores from all parts of the world. Until a few years ago, selenium, like tellurium, was practically useless. The, unusual property of having its electrical conductivity influenced by light has long been known. Selenium cells, which for many years have been a scientific curios-ity, in the future may come to be of more commercial importance, but this use could scarcely absorb any large amount of the element.

Jan 1, 1923

By Kelvin K. Wu, Daniel S. Mazzei

As a result of the 1972 Buffalo Creek disaster, the Mining Enforcement and Safety Administration (MESA), now the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) initiated the draft of new federal regulations to deal with the mine waste impoundment and refuse pile problems. Public hearings were held and finally promulgated in October, 1976. As stated in 30 Code of Federal Regulations 77.214-216, the complete engineering design plan which is mandated by the regulations has to be approved by a coal mine health and safety district manager. During the past 18 months MSHA has gained considerable experience through the submission, review, and approval process. This report indicates the procedures, general design criteria and inspection requirements for submission of engineering plans to be approved. In particular, problem areas encountered most frequently by both operators and MSHA will be discussed. Only through diligent efforts by the operators, consultants and government, can we hope to accomplish the common goal to improve the safety of operations.

Jan 1, 1982

By W. R. Boehme

The laboratory test work compares various 6 x 16 mesh activated coconut carbons using a gold standard solution of 4 ppm dissolved in sodium cyanide. The carbon adsorption rate and maximum loading are measured for different feed solution ionic contaminates: silver, copper, thiocyanate, and ferrocyanide. Conclusions are drawn that among the activated coconut carbons tested, maximum loading and the effects of specific ions varied significantly. The work presented can be applied to 6 x 16 mesh carbon selection tests and specific ion monitoring for industrial carbon adsorption systems.

Jan 1, 1984

By D. Harrington

ALTHOUGH statistical data are not at hand to justify definite statements as to progress in health, and safety in the mining and allied industries during 1935, it now appears probable that in both coal mining and in metal- mining the rate of accident occurrence as well as the absolute number of accidents will show slight increases for the year. Much: of the responsibility for this increase lies with the large number of relatively. small mines that have more or less recently come into existence, partly because of 'the lack of opportunity for work in the larger mines for large numbers of unemployed miners, and partly due to increased prices for some of the mineral products, especially gold. In general, the larger long-established nines show downward accident trends and this is decidedly encouraging as it shows that where mines are operated with real efficiency, mining can be done in relative safety.

Jan 1, 1936

By S. Suphi Yavasca, A. M. Gaudin

This paper is intended as a contribution to our knowledge of the mechanism of comminution and of the work of crushing. In a previous paper1 it was shown that with quartz comminution proceeds as follows: 1. The size distribution of broken fragments made by a single fracture is such that the new surface on each grade is the same. 2. Multiple fracturing results in a size distribution such that in the he sizes the surface per grade is the same in every grade; in coarse sizes the surface per grade decreases gradually with increasing size. In that paper it was mentioned that determinations on minerals other than quartz were in course of completion in order to establish the generality of these observations. In this paper, condensed data1 are presented for galena, pyrite and glass. Galena and pyrite are crystalline materials and glass is noncrystalline. Galena has excellent cubic cleavage. Pyrite, although cubical, does not have marked cleavage. Quartz, on which the original determinations were made, does not cleave and although crystalline (hexagonal) breaks conchoidally. Glass breaks much like quartz. It is apparent, therefore, that the minerals selected represent some range in character of the solid without covering all possible types. Glass Fifteen glass marbles were crushed individually in the pendulum crusher described in the preceding paper,' then subjected to careful screening for 30 min. Six sized fractions were selected and cleaned in a hot 0.12 N solution of hydrochloric acid, washed with distilled water and dried on a hot plate. This was followed by an examination with a binocular microscope, to remove foreign matters not eliminated in cleaning as well as to eliminate "compacts" of fine particles. These compacts are groups of he irag-ments that seem to be mechanically stuck together as a result of localized compacting during the comminution operation. The presence and the abundance of these compacts may be related to the amount and direction of the forces applied in different crushing devices. Since, properly, such compacts should be entirely eliminated in the sizing analyses, it is necessary to remove them to the last before making surface determinations on sized fractions. For example, with a — 28 + 35-mesh glass the surface areas of two samples, one cleaned with acid and under the binocular, the other only washed, were 102 and 172. cm' per gram, respectively. Examination of the samples under an Ultropak microscope showed that washing alone failed to remove the compacts and also that it fails to remove certain fine dusts attached to the particles. Cleaning with acid loosens the fine dusts and

Jan 1, 1947

By S. Suphi Yavasca, A. M. Gaudin

This paper is intended as a contribution to our knowledge of the mechanism of comminution and of the work of crushing. In a previous paper1 it was shown that with quartz comminution proceeds as follows: 1. The size distribution of broken fragments made by a single fracture is such that the new surface on each grade is the same. 2. Multiple fracturing results in a size distribution such that in the he sizes the surface per grade is the same in every grade; in coarse sizes the surface per grade decreases gradually with increasing size. In that paper it was mentioned that determinations on minerals other than quartz were in course of completion in order to establish the generality of these observations. In this paper, condensed data1 are presented for galena, pyrite and glass. Galena and pyrite are crystalline materials and glass is noncrystalline. Galena has excellent cubic cleavage. Pyrite, although cubical, does not have marked cleavage. Quartz, on which the original determinations were made, does not cleave and although crystalline (hexagonal) breaks conchoidally. Glass breaks much like quartz. It is apparent, therefore, that the minerals selected represent some range in character of the solid without covering all possible types. Glass Fifteen glass marbles were crushed individually in the pendulum crusher described in the preceding paper,' then subjected to careful screening for 30 min. Six sized fractions were selected and cleaned in a hot 0.12 N solution of hydrochloric acid, washed with distilled water and dried on a hot plate. This was followed by an examination with a binocular microscope, to remove foreign matters not eliminated in cleaning as well as to eliminate "compacts" of fine particles. These compacts are groups of he irag-ments that seem to be mechanically stuck together as a result of localized compacting during the comminution operation. The presence and the abundance of these compacts may be related to the amount and direction of the forces applied in different crushing devices. Since, properly, such compacts should be entirely eliminated in the sizing analyses, it is necessary to remove them to the last before making surface determinations on sized fractions. For example, with a — 28 + 35-mesh glass the surface areas of two samples, one cleaned with acid and under the binocular, the other only washed, were 102 and 172. cm' per gram, respectively. Examination of the samples under an Ultropak microscope showed that washing alone failed to remove the compacts and also that it fails to remove certain fine dusts attached to the particles. Cleaning with acid loosens the fine dusts and

Jan 1, 1947

By F. D. Waltman

Under the hot, baking sun, engineers at the AEC's Nevada Test Site have been busy for several years in the sinking of 48-in. diam shafts to depths varying anywhere from 1800 to 4800 ft below the surface. In so doing these men have evolved several new techniques which should be of interest to the mining industry. Surface Facilities Designed For Speed: "Expediency plus efficiency" is a key phrase at the Site. Because of the relatively short duration of actual mining operations, all equipment has been packaged to decrease time and cost of "set up" and "take down". The headframe, designed specifically for use over 48-in. cased shafts, can be erected or dismantled within 48 hours. The back legs are pinned and hinged to the front legs for ease of installation and, when dismantled, for movement to another site with a minimum of delay.

Jan 6, 1966

By Robert W. Hunt

In 1888 the writer had the honor of submitting to the Institute a paper on " Steel Rails and Specifications for their Manufacture."* In his judgment the specifications were sufficient for "that day and generation." In that paper I said: '' The first duty falls upon the railroad engineer in designing his section. If that is bad, the steel-maker will be heavily handicapped in trying to furnish a satisfactory rail. I suppose it is hopeless to expect the adoption of standard sections."

Jan 1, 1896

By J. M. Armstrong

Jan 1, 1934

By R. C. Mahon

THE importance of ground water control in glacial drift overlying mines is widely recognized. Adequate handling of the problem results in consider- able saving in overall pumping costs, as the cost of pumping the larger quantity of water under low heads from surface wells is more than offset by the decrease in the quantity of water to be pumped from the mine under high heads. Eliminating or partly reducing seepage of water through the ledge reduces moisture content of the ore, a factor especially important in iron ore mines, where a reduction of 1 pct in moisture effects a very material saving. An important though indeterminate saving is also brought about by the elimination of water in the working places underground. The Homer and Wauseca mines of Hanna Coal & Iron Co. at Iron River, Mich., cover 480 acres. When these mines were started it was possible to operate on only one 40-acre tract, as the depth of water over the remainder of the property was too great to permit operation. Although the average depth of the ground water over the area being mined at that time was less than 50 ft it was necessary to pump 1200 gpm from the mine, the greater part from a depth of 750 ft. The slate footwall and graywacke hanging wall are almost impervious, and it was apparent that seepage into the mine was mainly through the iron formation in which the orebodies were located. Analysis of the water in the iron formation showed it to be of the same character as that in the glacial drift, while the water in both walls was heavily mineralized, also indicating that the water passed much more freely through the iron formation.

Jan 6, 1954

By James E. Lawver

A SURVEY of Minerals Beneficiation Div. membership indicated genuine interest in automatic process control, but revealed that the average mill is operating with a minimum of self-regulating devices. Apparently, the mill operators are content to continue without controls until the practicality of self-regulating devices is more generally accepted, or, in the opinion of the writer, until automatic controls become a necessity to meet economic demands of product quality and cost. Both to stimulate interest in control, and to solicit publication of technical know-how by members and equipment manufacturers, this paper presents a cross section of control problems in two general categories: (a) Control problems that can usually be solved by reference to the literature, i.e. controls that have proven successful in the mineral or chemical industries; (b) Problems that are troublesome and frequently unsolved due to unavoidable adverse conditions in the mill circuit to be controlled.

Jan 10, 1953

By J. Parke Channing

IT, HAS been my privilege to be Chairman of Engineering Council for very nearly three years, during which time Mr. A. D. Flinn, the. Secretary, and myself, have seen the organization develop until it is functioning smoothly and accomplishing what it can with the money at its disposal. The earliest attempt at what may be called an Engi¬neering Council, of which. I have any knowledge, was made six or seven years ago when the four Founder Societies each appointed two men, who occasionally met to discuss matters submitted to them which were of importance to, the, profession as a whole. I was one of the representatives of the American Institute of Mining Engineers.

Jan 1, 1920

By H. H. Clark

ELECTRICITY must be safeguarded everywhere that it is used. The conditions that exist underground make the use of safeguards more essential there than almost anywhere else. Electric Shock Electric shock is the greatest danger in connection with the use of electricity in mines, because conditions existing underground are so favorable to its occurrence. Men are often obliged to work in more or less uncertain light near bare wires that are carrying dangerous potentials. The fact that the men are standing on the earth practically connects them to one terminal of the electric generator. The most dangerous piece of electrical equipment underground is the trolley wire. It is necessarily bare and extends for long distances throughout a mine, often less than a man's height from the track rail. Sometimes the making up of trips of cars must be done near low-hanging trolley wires. All bare wires offer the same danger that trolley wires do, although not to the same extent. Apparatus that has accidentally come in contact with the ungrounded side of an electric circuit is almost as dangerous as the trolley wire. A severe and even fatal shock may be obtained by coming in contact with the frame of a motor or a switch box that has become charged with electricity, or "alive," as it is usually termed. It is also possible to obtain shocks from the frames of locomotives and cars if track. sanding, poor bonding or a similar cause has put a high resistance to earth in the path of the current.

Jan 4, 1914

By R. T. Murrill

BLOCK-SIGNAL and dispatching systems have been in use on surface railways for years, but only recently have they been applied to underground mining conditions. Formerly, all ore was moved underground by hand tramming; the surface openings were numerous and fairly close to the ore being mined. As the tramming distances increased, animals were brought into service. Then came the locomotive, and since its introduction, haulage lines have gradually been reduced to fewer levels and to fewer surface openings until more than 20,000 tons are being handled daily on one level in some of the larger mines. Under the, se conditions many trains must use the same-tracks, and signal systems have become necessary. In some cases it has been found more advantageous to use train dispatchers than to install signal devices. The dispatcher may be simply a flagman at a busy point or he may have mechanical signals to operate at more distant points. At the inspiration mine, Inspira-tion, Ariz., the station is equipped with a switch-con-trol board, whereby the dispatcher throws electrically all track switches in a certain block, which gives him complete control over all trains passing through that block. In a few cases, dispatcher stations are established in connection with a signal system.

Jan 2, 1922

By John Suman

DURING the past few years the taking of cores in drilling with rotary equipment has been perfected to a remarkable degree in the Gulf Coast fields of Texas and Louisiana. Taking of cores is becoming quite a common thing, especially in the newer fields, and drillers are becoming expert in this work. The writer has seen cores 5 to 8 ft. long taken with great ease in wells as deep as 4500 ft. Coring is doing much to remove the prejudice which so many petroleum engineers seem to have against .the use of rotary drilling equipment for exploratory work. Some operators .are now claiming that when used with a reasonable amount of coring the rotary system is even more satis-factory than cable tools for exploring in certain territory. A case has recently been pointed out in the South Electra field of North Texas, where producing oil sands, passed over by cable-tool drillers, are being brought in with rotary equipment. It seems that in this particular territory the sands are rather thin. Cable-tool drilling was carried on for the most part in a wet hole and the red mud encountered in drilling caved into the hole very badly, so that the cuttings showed mostly red mud and the driller, thinking that the sand did not amount to anything, carried his water string through the sand. The later .operators, drilling into the sand with rotary equipment and coring it, found that it was well worth testing.

Jan 10, 1922

By Bernard Amadei, Richard E. Goodman

A medium is anisotropic if its properties vary with direction. This is the general characteristic of many rocks, for example, schists, slates, gneisses, phyllites and other metamorphic rocks. Bedded and regularly jointed rocks also display anisotropic behavior. This paper is concerned with the influence of rock anisotropy on in-situ stress measurements. It is limited to stress measurements by overcoring techniques for which strains and displacements are recorded either on the walls of a pilot hole at the end of one or several boreholes or within instrumented solid or hollow inclusions perfectly bonded to the surface of the pilot hole. The rock is described as homogeneous, continuous, anisotropic and linearly elastic. The following questions are answered with special emphasis on rocks that can be classed as transversely isotropic or orthotropic: the number of independent measurements obtainable in a single borehole; the number of boreholes required to determine the in-situ stress field; the influence of rock anisotropy on these numbers; the influence of the anisotropy type and the error involved by neglecting rock anisotropy.

Jan 1, 1982