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By J. WILLIAM WETTER

WHEN the privilege was extended to me to address this meeting I could not help but make a mental review of my own activities and experiences in connection with association work. After having spent about 16 years in the mining engineering field, I entered into the operating branch of coal mining which afforded, about 12 years ago, my first opportunity of attending a meeting of our local Association and sitting in with the "big boys" of the industry. This was quite a thrilling experience because I had heard a great deal about the various operators who belonged to the Association and knew, or at least thought I knew, that a certain group dominated its affairs and that a "clique" was in control of a sizable "roller" which could be "steamed up" at will to flatten out any opposition which might appear upon the horizon or under it, too, for that matter. Now, I was to have the privilege of observing this "clique" at first hand, of seeing a small group making the policies and shaping the destinies of a great industry and planning the activities of an important Association while a large majority of the members would sit by either complacently or otherwise with the full knowledge that the "roller" was in waiting to reduce them to ribbons at the first sign of resistance.

Jan 1, 1930

By Stanley Arnot

THE Mother Lode district in California is probably better known as the land of Bret Harte and Mark Twain than as a gold-producing district, although in this respect it holds an important place. The history of . quartz mining on the Mother Lode dates back to the '50s, when, after the first fever of the gold rush, men began to look for something more permanent, if not more lucrative, than the placers. Since that time,: the discoveries, shutdowns, and reopenings of the many mines, together, with the varying fortunes of their numerous operators, constitute an: interesting chapter in California history, but one too long to include in a description of mining methods. The district is well situated, so far as physical conditions are concerned. The Mother Lode extends along the western slope of the Sierra . Nevada Mountains, about half way between the crest and the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys, the country traversed consisting of low rolling hills-typical foot-hills. The elevation varies from 1000 to 1800 ft. and the climate is most desirable. There is an abundance of water, timber is easily obtained from the higher foot-hills a few miles east, and: cheap hydro-electric power is generated practically on the Lode. These natural conditions are conducive to low costs in mining and have been the deciding factor in allowing profitable exploitation of the comparatively low-grade orebodies. Transportation facilities are, not bad. Five branch railroads, from the main trunk lines in the valley, tap the district at intervals of from 10 to 30 miles, the roads connecting these are fairly good for trucking purposes. Labor is made up of several nationalities, the principal ones being American, Spanish, Jugo-Slav, Italian, and Mexican. There were few Mexicans on the Lode prior to 1919, but the shortage of labor, experienced generally by the mining camps of the country in the years following the war, made necessary the hiring of some. The percentage of Mexican labor rapidly increased in 1920 and for a year or so thereafter, but it has now diminished until at most of the mines only a few Mexicans are working. Of the different nationalities, Americans are the most efficient and Mexicans the least.

Jan 9, 1925

By Layson, W. C.

ACCORDING to the records, Phelps Dodge made its original entry into the production of copper in the oldest copper mines of Arizona at Morenci in 1881. The ore body now being mined as the Morenci open-pit, as outlined by churn-drill holes, diamond-drill holes, and underground workings, is estimated to yield 230,000,000 tons of ore averaging 1.06 per cent copper. This development will add 2,500,000 tons of copper to the 900,000 tons already produced in the district. Some five years ago preliminary development of the ore body began, with big-scale production planned including the erection of a new treatment plant to be built near the mine. Inasmuch as the Morenci open-pit was an entirely new project this required the grading of roads, establishment of mining benches, construction of railroad grades, building of railroad tracks, erection of shops, as well as the purchase of the necessary equipment to satisfactorily and economically maintain the schedules of production forecast. Along with the preparation of the main ore body it was also desirable to mine and deliver to an experimental mill a relatively small daily tonnage of typical ore.

Jan 1, 1942

By R. W. Rausch

BELT-CONVEYOR 'history in this country dates back to the end of the eighteenth century. Up to 1896 they were crude in design and application. The second era, dating from 1896 to about 1920, saw special study given to belt construction and idler design. The latter part of this era saw the beginning of the present-day antifriction idler. The third era followed World War I, when industry began to expand rapidly. Mines and quarries, steel mills, and power-generating plants became larger and greater quantities of ore, stone, and coal were being handled. It became vital that belts handle larger capacities, that they be longer, and that they be dependable for 24 hours per day. In this third era a radical change in belt conveyor design and application occurred. The design has became more scientific. Studies have been made to find out what factors influenced the power required for a belt conveyor and it was found that the sag of the belt between idlers and the flattening of the load between idlers had considerable effect on power requirements. So definite initial tension was put into the belt at the loading end and idler spacing was reduced at the foot end to limit this sag. Belt manufacturers made tougher and stronger belts.

Jan 1, 1947

Boiler-Room Economy "Establishing and Maintaining Boiler-room Economy" is the title of a paper presented before the Ohio Society of Mechanical Electrical and Steam Engineers by Geo. H. Gibson, of which the following is an excerpt: Boiler-room economy depends less upon equipment than upon operation, i.e., it depends largely upon the condition in which the apparatus is maintained and how it is used. A given boiler may operate this week with an efficiency of 78 per cent., and next week with an efficiency of 65 per cent., while using the same fuel and developing the same rating. If there are variations ii; character of fuel and in load and other factors, the falling-off may be even greater, possibly to less than 60 per cent. The steam produced may cost twice as much per 1,000 lb. at one time as at another. Most steam plant managers know from their own experience that these statements are not exaggerated. It does not take much of a plant to run up a coal bill of $5,000 per year, many "spend $10,000 for coal, and fuel bills of $50,000, $100,000, or $200,000 per annum are not uncommon. As it call be shown in the majority of these plants that 10 per cent. of this amount may be saved, and in large numbers of them 25 per cent., while in some the expenditure can be cut in half, there is no disputing that we have here a subject worthy of attention. In the production of steam the greatest variable is the human factor. Before we can pass judgment, however, we must first have standards. This implies accurate quantitative knowledge of fuel consumption and steam production. We must measure the output and know how much the steam costs per thousand pounds, and how many pounds of steam are obtained from a pound of coal. We can then begin to analyze the problem, and find where and how methods and conditions can be improved, and how much. Many favor buying coal on a B. t. u. basis. This is advisable where the amount purchased warrants the considerable expense involved in systematically gathering samples that: are. truly representative and in having analyses made, of every carload. Coal analyses, combined with. an honest endeavor on the part of the miner to ship good coal, should insure the receipt of the heat units paid for. , It often happens, however, that the coal which is cheapest on a B.t.u. basis is not the cheapest or most suitable for producing steam, because of peculiarities of the plant in which it is to be burned, or conversely, the fuel which furnishes cheap B.t.u. may require special methods or equipment for its economic utilization.

Jan 2, 1916

By J. A. Hutcheson

NO one questions that it is technically possible to achieve the controlled release of atomic energy in a form that can be converted into heat or electricity. However, before this is actually an accomplished fact a great amount of work must .be done. This work falls into two general classifications: research and engineering development. At present a research program is under way in this country, co-ordinated and directed by the Atomic Energy Commission, which, as time goes on, will uncover fundamental knowledge of this new science that is essential before industrial applications of atomic energy are practical. Undoubtedly therefore, as the store of available knowledge increases, a time will come when answers to the many questions relating to practicality of atomic energy in industry can be determined with reasonable certainty. That the application of atomic energy in industry will eventually be proved practical is assumed. What then are the engineering problems that must be solved before the first practical electric power generating station can be built?

Jan 1, 1948

By C. W. Stratford

[During the last few years, the necessity for development work has been generally recognized by executives throughout the oil industry, resulting in greatly accelerated progress and the adoption of many noteworthy improvements in refining methods and equipment. Several years ago, the Associated Oil Co. decided to improve distillation methods with the object of reducing refining costs. This extremely interesting work was entrusted to the writer, and W. S. James, now Chief of Research for Studebaker Corpn. of America, was selected as the principal collaborator. The latter contributed much during his two years with the Associated Oil Co., to the development work that has followed. The writer extends to the Associated Oil Co. his appreciation for permission to disclose the details of distilling equipment. In petroleum refining the principal requisites of good economics are the separation of high-priced distillates from those of lower price; maxi-mum yield of any desired distillate; lowest capital investment in refining equipment; lowest cost of operation and maintenance, and the best adaptability and flexibility of the same refinery equipment for handling crudes of widely varying characteristics. The first two items mentioned, separation and yields of distillates are determined by efficiency of fractionating equipment,. Discussion in this paper is chiefly concerned with oil-heating equipment, combustion and furl economy. It has long been well known that velocity plays a very important part in all heat transfer systems. Any betterment in specific transfer. rates in such systems must. always involve velocity. Realizing this fact, IV decided to adopt as a basic principle, the employment of energy to impart velocity required for high transfer rates through a heating diaphragm, and our method of modernizing obsolete shell stills is founded on this principle. Mechanical energy is usually cheap and its rational rspcntliture is returned in the form of greatly increased heat transfer rates, on both oil and gas sides of the sheet. Certainly there is nothing new in this principle, the only novelty being that of our peculiar method of application On the oil side (Fig. I) use is made of a centrifugal pump to jet the oil against the heated sheet thereby creating a high velocity sheet flow over the entire fired area. Such a pump is one of the most efficient machines, so far developed, for moving fluids. 'I'he oil, under pressure impinging

Jan 1, 1928

By R. G. Fleck, W. R. Webb

Iron ore mining in the Adirondack region of northern New York dates back to the Revolutionary War. It is recorded that Benedict Arnold in his campaigns in the Lake Champlain area during the American Revolution utilized the local ores to produce armament and cannon balls. Through the efforts of early pioneers, the iron mining industry in northern New York gained impetus so that in the 1880's mines in the area accounted for nearly one fourth of the iron ore produced in the United States. Both magnetite and red hematite ores were mined during this period. With the discovery of the Lake Superior ores, the iron ore industry in New York started to decline and remained relatively unimportant until 1938. Modern day methods of mining and beneficiating sufficiently high tonnages of low-grade ores to justify the large expenditures for plant and equipment prompted a resurgence in northern New York mining. During the past several years, the production of iron ore from the Adirondack magnetites has greatly increased, and production which amounted to .6%, of the United States total during the 1918-1928 period (Mining and Metallurgy, November 1943) has been increased to 2.85% of the total in 1948. Today, Republic Steel is mining in the Port Henry-Mineville and Lyon Mountain areas; the

Jan 4, 1950

By Willard L. Cumings, Benjamin L. Miller

(Glen Summit Meeting, June, 1911.) I. THE CAMAGUEY DEPOSITS. 1. Location. THE Camaguey brown iron-ore deposit covers the top of San Felipe hill, the nearest point of which lies 14 miles NW. of the city of Camaguey. While there are several low flat-topped hills in the vicinity covered with a more or less continuous mantle of brown iron-ore, the deposit of San Felipe hill is the only one of any size and importance, and the name "San Felipe district " is proposed for the region. The deposit extends in a NW-SE. direction for a distance of about 10 miles, with an average width of 5 miles. The location is shown in Fig. 1, a sketch-map of the eastern part of Cuba. Fig. 2 is a map of the San Felipe district. 2. Description. The district is mentioned by Spencer,1 who says: "The Cubitas iron-ore fields are situated from 12 to 15 miles north of Camaguey City, in the province of Camaguey Within an area measuring roughly 10 miles east and west and 4 miles north and south, there are several flat-topped mesas rising 300 to 400 ft. above the level of an almost featureless plain which extends for many miles in all directions except toward the north." With the exception of the discrepancy in his statements as to the distance from Camaguey and the area of the hill, which is over 50 sq. miles, his description is a very good one. Kemp 2 has the following to say of ores in Carnaguey Province * Geologist, Bethlehem Steel Co. + Professor of Geology, Lehigh University. 1 Bulletin No. 540, U. S. Geological Survey, p. 324 (1908). 2 The Iron Ore Resources of the World, printed by the Eleventh International Geological Congress, vol. ii., p. 795 (1910).

Mar 1, 1911

Jan 1, 1967

By T. F. Witherbee

THE Fletcherville Furnace was built in 1864 and 1865, making its first blast from August until October of the latter year, when it was blown out to prevent its "bunging-up." Repairs were made in time to enable it to be blown in again December 12th, 1865, the blast ending October 7th, 1866. Total product 1921.15 tons iron, an average of 6.8.2.5 tons per day, from ores yielding 44.8 per cent. Consumption of charcoal 223.2 bushels per ton of iron. The furnace journal up to this time shows no record of furnace dimen¬sions, or temperature of the blast, but as near as can be ascertained, they were as follows, viz. Height of stack, 42 feet. Diameter of bosh, 11 feet. Angle of bosh, 7 1/2 inches to 12 inches rise, about 58°. Diameter of open tunnel head, 42 inches. Number of tuyeres 3; each 3 inches in diameter. Dam 15 inches high. Tuyeres 24 inches high. Tymp 22 1/2 inches high. Diameter of steam cylinder, 20 1/4 inches. Stroke 5 feet. Diameter of blast cylinder, 64 inches. The engine is direct-acting horizontal non-condensing. December 26th, 1.866, the furnace was again put in blast, having been considerably altered in the crucible; the height of stack, bosh, and tunnel head remaining as before. Six tuyeres were put in, three in each of the side arches. The hearth or crucible was rectangular in form, 3 feet wide x 32 feet long x 62 feet high. Inclination of bosh 58°. Height of tuyeres 26 inches ; nozzles 2 1/4 inches diameter. Temperature of blast estimated to be about 500°.

Jan 1, 1874

By L. Adler

Two basic cases involved in the design of an opening in bedded rock are: 1) where the beds deflect from each other so as to be separated; and 2) where the beds deflect onto their lower neighbor, loading the latter while reducing their own load. Analysis of case 1 is relatively simple, while the interference of the original deflection curves in case 2 complicates analysis of the latter. Figures and formulae are presented for determination of interference loading in this situation. The design of an opening in bedded rock involves two basic alternatives.1'2 In one case the beds deflect away from each other, so as to be separated from their neighbors; in the other case the beds deflect onto their lower neighbor, loading it, while reducing their own load. This is shown in Fig. 1. The first case lends itself to a simple analysis, since the upper and lower boundaries of each beam remain a free surface. In the latter case, however, due to the interference of original deflection curves, the analysis is more complex. Earlier investigators of this interference problem solved it by making the tacit assumption that this type of loading was uniformly distributed along the beam's length. While there is no intuitive justification for this assumption, its use does lead to an approximate solution. Still, a more exact solution does not require this apparently unrealistic restriction. To achieve initial simplicity, the analysis will at first be limited to a two-bedded sequence, as in Fig. 2. Since both beams have identical end conditions and spans, the original deflections of their center lines are members of the same family of curves, as shown in Fig. 3. Therefore, if interference occurs at one point along their center lines, it will occur at every point. For convenience, the midspan point is that usually examined. Deflection at midspan for a uniformly loaded beam regardless of end conditions is: where c is a constant depending on end conditions; w is the body load and equals yh, lb per ft; y is the specific weight of rock, lb per ft'; L is the span, ft; E is Young's Modulus, lb per ft2; I is moment of inertia (for a rectangular section), I = bh3/12 = h3/12, (ft4); b is the width of beam and equals one; and h is the thickness of beam, ft; or 3U > yB an Substituting the appropriate values into Eq. lb, interference between the two beds can be predicted. Should it occur, the additional loads along the lower boundary of the upper bed and the upper boundary of the lower bed must be determined. From the principle of action and reaction, these added loads are known to be equal and opposite, as indicated in Fig. 4. Since the final deflection curves for both beds are identical (Fig. 3), their successive derivatives of y with respect tox must also be identical. That is:

Jan 1, 1961

By D. N. Witman

One of the special uses to which the electric furnace has been put recently is the melting of an alloy of nickel and cast iron for the production of electrical-resistance grids. The metal sections of these grids, Fig. 1, are quite uniform for each pattern, but there is, among the various patterns, a variety of thicknesses. The cross-sections vary from 1/2 by 3/16 in. to as small as 1/8 by 1/8 in. The electrical resistance of a perfect casting lies within 10 per cent. above or below the fixed listed resistance for each pattern. Good molding is essential to success in the making of these grids, for with absolutely correct metal, a variation of 0.01 in. in width and thickness of section on some of the patterns may mean as much as 12 or 14 per cent. variation in resistance. The service for which these castings are intended demands that the metal, even in the smallest castings, be very soft, showing an open, gray, highly graphitic structure, in order that they may be resistant to shock, and stand up well under rough usage. The metal used for this purpose is a gray iron alloyed with 4 to 5 per cent. of nickel, which element, when the composition of the alloy is correct, imparts toughness and pliability to the metal and helps to overcome the tendency of metal to run white and become brittle because of the rapid cooling action of the sand mold. When cold, these castings can be twisted into various shapes, taking a permanent set without breaking. The alloy has approximately double the e1etrical resistance of ordinary cast iron. The metal specification is as follows: Per Cent. Silicon............................................. 2.40 to 2.60 Sulfur............................................. Under 0.05 Phosphorus......................................... Under 0.08 Manganese......................................... Under 0.40 Total carbon....................................... 3.60 to 4.00 Nickel............................................. 4.00 to 5.00 Copper............................................ 0.50 to 0.70

Jan 1, 1922

By D. N. Witman

ONE of the special uses to which the electric furnace has been put recently is the melting of an alloy of nickel and cast iron for the production of electrical-resistance grids. The metal sections of these grids, Fig. 1, are quite uniform for each pattern, but there is, among the various patterns, a variety of thicknesses. The cross sections vary from 1/2 by 3/16 in. to as small as 1/8 by 1/8 in. The electrical resistance f a perfect casting lies within 10 per cent. above or below the fixed listed resistance for each pattern. Good molding is essential to success in the making of these grids, for with absolutely correct metal, a variation of 0.01 in. in width and thickness of section on some of the patterns may mean as much as 12 or 14 per cent. variation in resistance. The service for which these castings are intended demands that the metal, even in the smallest castings, be very soft, showing an open, gray, highly graphitic structure in order that they may be resistant to shock, and stand up well under rough usage. The metal used for this purpose is a gray iron alloyed with 4 to 5 per cent. of nickel, which element, when the composition of the alloy is correct, imparts toughness and pliability to the metal and helps to overcome the tendency of metal to run white and become brittle because of the rapid cooling action of the sand mold. When cold, these castings can be twisted into various shapes, taking a permanent set without breaking. The alloy has approximately double the electrical resistance of ordinary cast iron. The metal specification is as follows: PER CENT. Silicon 2.40 to 2.60 Sulfur Under 0.05 Phosphorus Under 0.08 Manganese Under 0.40 Total carbon 3.60 to 4.00 Nickel 4.00 to 5.00 Copper 0.50 to 0.70

Jan 8, 1921

By D. N. Witman

One of the special uses to which the electric furnace has been put recently is the melting of an alloy of nickel and cast iron for the production of electrical-resistance grids. The metal sections of these grids, Fig. 1, are quite uniform for each pattern, but there is, among the various patterns, a variety of thicknesses. The cross-sections vary from 1/2 by 3/16 in. to as small as 1/8 by 1/8 in. The electrical resistance of a perfect casting lies within 10 per cent. above or below the fixed listed resistance for each pattern. Good molding is essential to success in the making of these grids, for with absolutely correct metal, a variation of 0.01 in. in width and thickness of section on some of the patterns may mean as much as 12 or 14 per cent. variation in resistance. The service for which these castings are intended demands that the metal, even in the smallest castings, be very soft, showing an open, gray, highly graphitic structure, in order that they may be resistant to shock, and stand up well under rough usage. The metal used for this purpose is a gray iron alloyed with 4 to 5 per cent. of nickel, which element, when the composition of the alloy is correct, imparts toughness and pliability to the metal and helps to overcome the tendency of metal to run white and become brittle because of the rapid cooling action of the sand mold. When cold, these castings can be twisted into various shapes, taking a permanent set without breaking. The alloy has approximately double the e1etrical resistance of ordinary cast iron. The metal specification is as follows: Per Cent. Silicon............................................. 2.40 to 2.60 Sulfur............................................. Under 0.05 Phosphorus......................................... Under 0.08 Manganese......................................... Under 0.40 Total carbon....................................... 3.60 to 4.00 Nickel............................................. 4.00 to 5.00 Copper............................................ 0.50 to 0.70

Jan 1, 1922

By E. A. Gulbransen, J. W. Hickman

DURING the past two decades considerable progress has been made in the art of manufacturing heater alloys. The conventional iron-chromium-nickel alloys have been improved by the addition of small quantities of other elements. Up to the present time, to our knowledge, there has not appeared a systematic study of these alloys where the newer tools of investigation have been brought to bear on the problem. It is not yet clear what roles the additional elements play in increasing life time in usage. As a first approximation one might guess that elements such as manganese, silicon, zirconium, calcium and aluminum would aid in the formation of a protective film on the alloy surface, thus retarding the oxidation rate and increasing lifetime. If these additional elements do form protective oxides in the outer surface of the oxide film, it may be possible to identify them by means of reflection electron diffraction. It is also possible that the additional elements may not diffuse to the surface but may remain at the interface between the oxide and the metal. Then, too, the major elements in the alloys undoubtedly form oxides which are stratified on the surface. If the minor elements concentrate in a layer in contact with the substrate where they undergo oxidation and if this oxide film offers resistance to the diffusion of iron, chromium and nickel ions, then the lifetime of the heater element might be expected to increase. It is also possible that preferential reduction in the diffusion rates of the several ions may Occur to such a degree that oxides may form in the body Of the film and On the outer surface which are different from those that would normally form if the additional elements were not present. The use Of transmisson electron diffraction may aid us in jnterpreting these phenomena. UP to the Present time all Of the factors which influence the lifetime of a given heater element are not definitely known. Among these are: (I) The rate of oxidation of the alloy. This may be dependent upon the composition and the physica1 state of the "alloy. (2) The stability of the structure of the coating which forms. Transitions from one structure to another or solid phase reactions resulting in a change of composition may occur. The tendency of the film to adhere to the substrate when heated and cooled successively will be important. (3) The evaporation of various constituents from the alloy such as the remova1 of carbon by Oxygen in a decar-burization reaction. With these possibilities in view, an electron diffraction study of the oxides occurring on six different nickel-chromium alloys was undertaken with the hope that the results of this study could be correlated with oxidation rate studies as determined by means of the vacuum microbalance method1 and with lifetime tests carried

Jan 1, 1949

By G. D. Van, Arsdale

IT IS particularly appropriate that a paper on this subject should be presented in Spanish, before a Spanish speaking audience, and in a South American country, first because of the facts that these countries today have not only the largest copper leaching plant in existence but also present great opportunities for future extension of hydrometallurgy; and second, because of the fact that the first copper made by any wet method was doubtless produced before existing records at the Rio Tinto deposits in present day Spain.

Jan 1, 1925

By R. S. Handy

Does hand-sorting of mill feed pay? The fact that the practice is so general would seem to indicate that there must be good reasons for following it; yet, to my mind, the advantage in many cases is doubtful enough to invite a thorough discussion of the subject, in an effort to determine under what conditions hand-sorting does pay. A typical sorting plant in the Cœur d'Alene district handles about 800 tons of mine-run ore per day. The material is run over a grizzly with about 4-in. opening; the oversize is crushed to about 4-in. size and joins the undersize, and the whole product is washed and screened on trommels with about 11/2-in. openings. The oversize from these trommels is spread on a belt and the waste and first-class ore are sorted out by hand, the residue being further crushed, and passes, together with the trommel undersize, into the mill feed bins. About 50 tons of shipping ore and 150 tons of waste are sorted out per day, leaving about 600 tons of mill feed. To sort out this material requires 20 ore sorters and five bosses and repairmen. The normal cost of hand-sorting is about 16 c. per ton of run-of-mine ore, or 65 c. per ton of material sorted out. I believe that straight crushing and milling of the run-of-mine ore, in this case, is not only cheaper, but is metallurgi-cally more economical and efficient than hand-sorting followed by milling of the residue. At one of the Bunker Hill rock-houses, 1250 tons of run-of-mine ore are reduced to pass 30-mm., or about 11/4-in., opening in six hours, requiring five men. The equipment and the power consumed are not greatly different from that required in a sorting plant of the same capacity, and the normal cost of thus preparing the feed for milling is under 3 c. per ton of mine product. The relative cheapness of this method as against hand-sorting is thus clearly established, the saving being about 13 c. per ton. If there is any virtue in, hand-sorting, then, it must lie in the metallurgical results achieved. Possibly the favor that hand-sorting has found is due to a misconception as to what happens to the clean shipping ore if it is sent to the mill. If a mill makes, say, an 80 per cent. recovery on its feed, the hand-sorting advocate may assume that if the hand-sorted product be sent to the mill, 20 per cent. of the metals contained in it will be lost. This, I believe,

Jan 1, 1920

The Pinto Valley, Arizona, plant of Cities Service Company is one of the newest copper producers in the United States, having started production in 1975. It is located a few miles west of Miami, Arizona, on the site of the Castle Dome Mine, a World War II operation which was shut down and its mill later moved and renamed the Copper Cities plant. The Pinto Valley concentrator uses six 18 ft (5. 5 m) diameter by 21 ft (6.4 m) long, 4000 hp, single-stage ball mills, taking crushed ore from four 7 ft (2. 13 m) standard and eight 7 ft shorthead crushers. It has a design capacity of 40,000 stpd but has higher tonnage capability for an expanded concentrator. The copper porphyry-ore is mined by two 15 yd and one 20 yd shovels (11.5 and 15.3 cu m) and is transported to the primary crusher by 150-ton trucks. The dump pocket is relatively shallow (14 ft or 4. 27 m deep); and because of the width necessary for the 150-ton trucks, it was designed to use the ore itself instead of manganese steel as an abrasion- resistant lining, although a heavy steel cap protects the dump pocket top edge. The pocket has a capacity of 300 tons of ore. Water sprays under the dumping positions direct a fog toward the truck being dumped for excellent dust control. Breaking of oversize is done by a hydraulic impact breaker mounted on a hydraulically operated articulated arm situated at the side of the dump pocket. Again because of the shallow pocket, no splitter is used to protect the spider of the 60 in. by 89 in. Traylor gyratory crusher, which is equipped with a hydroset mechanism. Crushed ore at 8 in. (203 mm) drops into the 360 st surge chamber lined with AR plate and then is fed directly to the 60 in. (1.52 m) stock- pile conveyor by an 84 in. by 20 ft (2. 13 m by 6.1 m) four-speed apron feeder at a rate of up to 4000 stph. Early in 1977, Cities Service will replace the four -speed electric drive with a hydraulic pump and motor with infinitely variable speed. They are also studying the replacement of the apron feeder with an 8 ft wide (2.44 m) belt feeder similar to those at Similkameen and Palabora. Peak crushing capacity would then be increased to 5000 stph. The AR plate in the crushed ore pocket was installed in large, rectangular sheets which required much less embedded metal to hold it in place than would the more conventional, smaller arid square pieces of cast manganese steel. For duty in the crushed ore pocket, where wear is not severe, the AR plate is a satisfactory material. The new Palabora Figure-8 crusher also uses this design.

Jan 1, 1978

By Alan M. Bateman

Before World War II we proudly considered that we were the nation of all the world most richly endowed in mineral resources. We knew it was no accident that those countries abundantly supplied with mineral resources became the great manufacturing nations, and the politically and militarily strong ones; and that our own great industrial cities sprang up where coal and iron met. We all reallized, especially we of the mining profession, that the energy of fuels and the solidity of metals spelled industrial growth and in turn industrial might and that other nations came to regard mineral self-sufficiency as one of the chief goalsof economic nationalism.

Jan 1, 1949