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By C. G. Palagi, S. S. Stillar

The C. E. Weed concentrator treats 51,000 tons per day of 0.5% to 0.7% copper ore received from the Berkeley Pit, the Continental East Pit and the Butte underground mines. Improved operating techniques and conversion from semi-autogenous secondary grinding to ball milling have increased tonnage from an original design of 42,000 tpd. Separate treatment of sands and slimes, with recovery of soluble copper from the slimes, has increased total copper recovery. Concentrator tailings are pumped 600 vertical feet and 20,000 horizontal feet for disposal.

Jan 1, 1976

By M. E. Wadsworth, R. D. Groves, B. W. Madsen

Experimental results obtained from large-scale (7 ton), long-term (500 days) leaching of low-tenor copper sulfide ores were interpreted by a geometric model involving the movement of a reaction zone through the ore fragments. The postulated leaching mechanism involved mixed kinetics and included diffusion of the reacting species through the host rock and a chemical reaction at the surface of the mineral particles. Ore properties which were considered were Ore particle size and shape, grade of ore, and mineral content. Excellent agreement between the mixed kinetic model and the laboratory leaching results was obtained when -1/2-in. ore particles were not included in the leach. Also, a satisfactory prediction of copper recovery from +1/2-in. ore with a different particle size distribution was made; however, it was necessary to modify the shape factor in the model. Prediction of copper recovery from an ore sample which included the -1/2-in. fine fraction and leaching for 460 days was 56.5%, and the recovery from leaching was 47.0%. The presence of fines caused solution channeling and a deficiency of oxygen which inhibited the leaching rate. Also, compaction of fines around coarser particles interfered with circulation around the ore particles, and bulk solution transport probably was a rate controlling factor.

Jan 1, 1976

By Paul T. Allsman, E. W. Newman

Trenching, sampling, and core drilling in Stillwater and Sweetgrass Counties, Mont., by the Bureau of Mines have delimited over 5,000,000 tons of chromite ore containing more than 20 per cent chromic oxide. The Benbow and Mouat-Sampson mines have been developed and are fully equipped for mining and milling 500 tons and 2000 tons a day, respectively. Introduction The Montana chromite deposits were the first to be explored under the Strategic Minerals Act of 1939. In June of that year, the Bureau of Mines started exploration by trenching, test pitting, sampling and diamond drilling, and completed the project in March 1943. The U. S. Geological Survey cooperated by mapping the geology and logging the cores. The project was to determine the extent and grade of the chromite ore and to indicate sufficient reserves to justify development and exploitation of the deposits for the national emergency. Exploration has indicated that the district contains the largest and most important reserve of chromite ore in the United States. The Benbow and Mouat-Sampson mines have been developed and a 500-ton concentrating mill has been constructed on the Benhow property and a 2000-ton mill on the Mouat-Sampson property. Concentrates were produced from the Benbow mill three months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, when the nation's major chromite supplies from foreign sources were cut off. History It has been known for 50 to 60 years that some chromite deposits existed in an east-west belt along the north escarpment of the Beartooth Mountains about 25 miles north of Yellowstone Park, but nothing was known of their size and extent until the war demand of 1917 and 1918 stimulated the search. In those years two properties in the Stillwater region were actively developed, but no shipments were made. The Benbow property was located in 1918 by a local group. The property comprised seven claims along the strike at the east end of the belt. An adit was driven several hundred feet on the Eclipse claim. The seven claims were sold to the Chromium Products Corporation of Livingston, Mont., and were subsequently patented. In 1929, an eastern group obtained an option, installed some equipment, and erected several log cabins. The "crash" in the market in 1929 caused the operators to drop their lease, and the property remained inactive until 1939, when the Bureau of Mines began its exploration. Fourteen claims were located on the Boulder River in 1918 and subsequently patented by the U. S. Chrome Corporation.

Jan 1, 1949

By Paul T. Allsman, E. W. Newman

Trenching, sampling, and core drilling in Stillwater and Sweetgrass Counties, Mont., by the Bureau of Mines have delimited over 5,000,000 tons of chromite ore containing more than 20 per cent chromic oxide. The Benbow and Mouat-Sampson mines have been developed and are fully equipped for mining and milling 500 tons and 2000 tons a day, respectively. Introduction The Montana chromite deposits were the first to be explored under the Strategic Minerals Act of 1939. In June of that year, the Bureau of Mines started exploration by trenching, test pitting, sampling and diamond drilling, and completed the project in March 1943. The U. S. Geological Survey cooperated by mapping the geology and logging the cores. The project was to determine the extent and grade of the chromite ore and to indicate sufficient reserves to justify development and exploitation of the deposits for the national emergency. Exploration has indicated that the district contains the largest and most important reserve of chromite ore in the United States. The Benbow and Mouat-Sampson mines have been developed and a 500-ton concentrating mill has been constructed on the Benhow property and a 2000-ton mill on the Mouat-Sampson property. Concentrates were produced from the Benbow mill three months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, when the nation's major chromite supplies from foreign sources were cut off. History It has been known for 50 to 60 years that some chromite deposits existed in an east-west belt along the north escarpment of the Beartooth Mountains about 25 miles north of Yellowstone Park, but nothing was known of their size and extent until the war demand of 1917 and 1918 stimulated the search. In those years two properties in the Stillwater region were actively developed, but no shipments were made. The Benbow property was located in 1918 by a local group. The property comprised seven claims along the strike at the east end of the belt. An adit was driven several hundred feet on the Eclipse claim. The seven claims were sold to the Chromium Products Corporation of Livingston, Mont., and were subsequently patented. In 1929, an eastern group obtained an option, installed some equipment, and erected several log cabins. The "crash" in the market in 1929 caused the operators to drop their lease, and the property remained inactive until 1939, when the Bureau of Mines began its exploration. Fourteen claims were located on the Boulder River in 1918 and subsequently patented by the U. S. Chrome Corporation.

Jan 1, 1949

By C. S. Barrett, D. B. Masson

Martensitic transformations have been found in AgCd both upon cold-working at room temperature and cooling to lower temperatures. The crystal structures of the transformation products were found to be close-packed hexagonal in the first case and or-thorhombic in the latter. The transformation characteristics also were studied. Similar treatment of AuZn alloys failed to yield any transformation. THE literature on martensitic transformations of body-centered cubic metals and alloys indicates widespread instability of this structure at low temperatures, a tendency which merits further study. The body-centered cubic ß-phase of CuZn, for example, when it contained less than 42 wt pct Zn, was found by Greninger and Mooradian' and others' to transform on cooling to subzero temperatures to a phase that was tentatively considered to be tetragonal. Further work by Massalski and Barrett" demonstrated that cold work at low temperatures causes a partial transformation of ß CuZn of higher Zn content. The structures of the strain-induced transformation products were found to be different from those induced by simple cooling. Another well-known martensitic transformation among body-centered cubic phases is that of ß AuCd, first studied with X-rays by Olander,' then very thoroughly by Chang and Read.5,6 Here again transformation was found to occur both as a result of cooling and of strain. The alkali metals Li and Na, as well as certain Li-Mg alloys, also undergo transformation from their normal body-centered cubic structure, both on cooling and on cold-working. The phase AgCd, the subject of the present report, should be expected to behave quite similarly to CuZn for a number of reasons. It is the chemical analogue of CuZn, silver being directly below copper and cadmium directly below zinc in the periodic table. The size factors (percent difference in size) of the atoms, possibly a consideration in the stability of the ß-phases, are +3.1 in AgCd and + 4.2 in CuZn. Likewise the relative electronegativities of the two pairs of metals are about the same, CuZn possessing an electronegativity difference of 1.0 and AgCd one of 0.8. These values are from a table of electronegativities given by Darken and Gurry." The phase diagrams of the two systems around 50 atomic percent are similar, both possessing a disordered body-centered cubic phase, ß, at high temperatures and an ordered bcc phase, ß, at room temperature; however, the ß and ß' phases of AgCd are separated by a hexagonal phase, [, stable in the range 220-440oC, which has no analogue in CuZn. There has been confusion in the literature as to the structures of the ß' and [-phases. The phase diagram in the ASM handbook'" has the structures of the two phases interchanged; however, Hansen" reports the correct relative positions and Muldawer" verified that ß', the low-temperature phase, is body-centered cubic. Work by the present authors also

Jan 1, 1959

By E. V. Daveler

THE milling plant of the Alaska-Gastineau Mining Co. is located at the town of Thane, Alaska, on Gastineau Channel, 4 mi. south of Juneau and directly across the channel from the Ready Bullion mine of the Treadwell mines on Douglas Island. Previous to the organization of the Alaska-Gastineau Mining Co., in 1912, the milling was done at the stamp mill of the Alaska Perseverance Co. located at the mine in Silver Bow Basin. But the contemplated increase in production made it necessary to locate the mill on Gastineau Channel, as not enough water was available at the mine during the winter months, nor was there room for taking care of the large tonnage of tailings that would ultimately be discarded from the mill. CHARACTER OF ORE The gold and silver values occur in quartz lenses associated with pyrrhotite, galena, arsenical pyrites, and zinc blende. These lenses occur in large bodies of slate, schist, and metagabbro, which also carry some valuable metallic contents. With the essential low cost of mining, it was necessary to mine large bodies of low-grade material containing the high-grade streaks. Of the minerals, pyrrhotite, the magnetic sulfide of iron, is predominant, and galena is the next sulfide present in quantity. The gold occurs free and coarse and associated with the iron sulfide in its finer state. The silver occurs with the lead or is alloyed with the gold. A chemical analysis of the ore shows Silver 0.10 oz. Magnesia 0.4 per cent. Silica 59.7 per cent. Sulfur 1.2 per cent. Iron 5.2 per cent. Lead 0.1 per cent. Alumina 21.4 per cent. Zinc 0.2 per cent. Lime 5.0 per cent.

Jan 1, 1920

By Arthur Phillips, E. S. Bunn

During the past few years considerable interest has been shown in the study of fiber, and its effect, in wrought metals. Fiber has recently been defined as a "condition of parallelism of important lines or details in the structure."' Briefly stated, two distinct types of fiber are commonly encountered. One results from the alignment in the direction of working of constituents, more or less segregated, such as slag, oxides, carbides and dendritic formations. The second, and least understood, type is produced by working the metal below the recrystallization temperature in such a way as to develop a parallelism of the grains. This condition is readily recognized by the pronounced elongation of the grains in the direction of working. Under certain deformational treatments the grain fragments produced by cold working tend to orient in certain definite directions with respect to the axis of extension. Furthermore, even in metals that have been annealed after cold working preferred orientations may be present. It is perhaps logical to assume that such marked parallelism of structural elements would be manifested by directional properties in the metal. As a matter of fact, tests on many kinds of materials have shown differences in varying degrees. In recognition of this condition, proper design, for many purposes, places the fiber axis in such a way as to present the direction of maximum strength to the greatest applied stress. Earlier Investigations Howe2 has written at considerable length regarding the causes and practical significance of fiber in steel and wrought iron. His studies showed that wrought iron and the puddled steel sheets (materials of plastic origin) were weaker transversely than longitudinally. The transverse deficit ranged from 5 to 29 per cent. The longitudinal tests

Jan 1, 1931

By F. E. Buch

The smelter is designed for a production capacity of 10,000 short tons of blister copper per month, when operating on the present concentrate grade. The :smelter lay-out is shown in Fig I. The major units of equipment comprise two reverberatory furnaces, three 13 by 30 ft Peirce-Smith converters, two straight line casting machines, one being served by a 13 by 30 ft holding furnace and the other by a ladle tilting quadrant, two converter aisle cranes and two converter blowers. The plant is compact and the general arrangement of standard gauge railway tracks and conveyor belts provides for a smooth flow of incoming materials and metallurgical products. Concentrate is received by conveyor belts and fluxes in standard railway trucks. The local track system is covered by an electric trolley locomotive. The Smelter treats a wet (10 pet moisture) flotation concentrate containing approximately 53 pct total copper and 0.9 pet oxide copper. The predominating minerals are chalco-cite, chalcopyrite and bornite accompanied by small quantities of malachite and cuprite. The gangue is highly siliceous and requires limerock as a flux. Metallurgy would be straightforward were it not for the necessity for eliminating bismuth which occurs as an impurity in the ore along with the copper. Directly or indirectly most of the Smelter problems can be traced to the necessity for bismuth removal. Copper recovery, based on new copper treated, averages 97.5 pct. General Description Flotation concentrate, containing 10 Pet moisture, is conveyed from the filter plant to the smelter storage bins by conveyor belts, the material being weighed in transit by a revolving drum type of weigh-hopper manufactured by Samuel Denison and Son, Ltd. The weigher consists of a steel drum with dished ends carried on a horizontal shaft and rotated by an 8 hp squirrel-cage motor through a worm and Spur reduction gear. A feed mouth in the drum permits of filling and discharging. The whole unit is supported on a framework resting on weighing levers, which in turn connect to transfer levers, thence to an indicator of the steelyard type situated 16 ft from the centre line of the drum. The indicator is of the "Denison" patent equilibrium controlled ticket stamping type, insuring mistake-proof records by a combination of electrical and mechanical movements which Prevent the operator from printing until the cover enclosing the steelyard is closed and until the poise-weights have been Set correctly to the weight of the hopper and contents. The machine is capable of weighing 30 short tons at a time but the usual load is 28 tons. After obtaining the gross weight the drum is rotated and discharged into a receiving bin situated below it. The empty drum is weighed and the net weight re-

Jan 1, 1949

By J. H. Yang, K. E. Gray

Results of single-blow bit-tooth impact tests on saturated rocks under elevated confining pressures and zero pore pressure were reported in a previous publication.1 This paper presents an extension of the earlier work to include a study of crater formation during tooth impact on both gas- and liquid-saturated Berea and Bandera sandstones at elevated confining and pore pressures. The basic data obtained were force-time, displacement-time, velocity-time and force-displacement curves during crater formation. Crater volume was also measured and the mode of crater formation determined. Bit tooth geometry, depth of penetration and velocity of impact were held constant. Results indicate that, with pore fluid present in the rock, failure trends from brittle to ductile as pore pressure is increased at constant confining pressure (pore pressure and borehole pressure were equal) For a given rock type, the mode of crater formation was dependent not only upon the nominal effective stress, but also upon the fluid which saturated the rock pore space. When confining pressure and pore pressure were equal (zero nominal effective stress), bit-tooth impact resulted in brittle failure for nitrogen-saturated Berea, and brittle to transitional failure for nitrogen-saturated Bandera; when saturated with liquid both rocks failed in a ductile manner at zero nominal effective stress. INTRODUCTION Dynamic wedge penetration tests have been conducted by investigators in several fields, but the failure mechanism of rock under dynamic stresses is not understood completely. The complex action of drilling bits, even considering the action of a single tooth, may be considered as a combination of drag bit and rolling cutter action. Thus, as a first step in understanding rock breakage in oil well drilling, single chisel impact and rock planing are of fundamental importance. For example, Gray 2 and Crisp3 studied drag bit cutting action at brittle stress states. Simon4 and Hartman5 studied the reaction of rocks to vertical impact by means of drop tests. The depth of penetration, crater volume and force-vs-time curves during crater formation were observed. The significance of indexing single-bit impacts has been noted.4,6-8 Gamer et al,9 reported impact tests on impermeable Leuders limestone at atmospheric and elevated confining pressures. In all cases the tests were accomplished on dry rock and pore pressure was considered to be zero. The importance of both confining pressure and pore pressure on the failure characteristics of rock was described. 10-12 It was found that the yield strength and ductility of porous rock depend on the state of stress under which the sample is tested. The importance of pore pressure on drilling rate in microbit experiments was noted by Cumingham and Eenink. l3 Robinson 12 also pointed out that in drilling the most important parameter in rock failure is the effective stress, where effective suess is defined as confining pressure pc minus pore pressure pp. The effect of pore pressure and confining pressure on rock strength was also noted by Serdengecti and Boozer 14 in strain rate tests, and by Gardner, Wyllie and Droschackl5 in elastic wave studies. Until recently all reported wedge impact studies under simulated wellbore stress states have been conducted on dry rock. Maurer 16 reported impact tests on samples saturated with deaerated water. Borehole and formation fluid pressures were equal in these tests except when mud was used in the borehole. With mud in the borehole and a high borehole-to-formation fluid pressure differential. Maurer observed "pseudoplastic" crater formation. Podio and Grayl reported impact tests on Berea and Bandera sandstone saturated with pore fluids having wide ranges in viscosities. In Podio and Gray's tests, confining pressure was elevated, but pore pressure and borehole pressure were held fixed at atmospheric pressure. The presence of

By M. T. Erickson, C. A. Rowland

Ball mills 5.5 m (18 ft) in diameter and larger tend to use energy delivered to the mill less efficiently than smaller diameter mills, particularly when the large mills carry 40% by volume ball charges. This paper will explore factors used in scaling up ball mills, showing where the advantages of one factor can possibly be negated by another factor. The paper will propose possible operating limits and areas for further study to establish selection and design limits.

Jan 1, 1985

By Nicholas J. Grant, William H. Ferguson, Bill C. Giessen

Ta-lr alloys have been examined over the complete range of compositions using metallographic and X-ray techniques. The terminal solid-solubility limits, solidus temperatures, and intermediate phases were determined. There are four inter-mediate phases: o, tetragonal, analogous to a (Fe-Cr); 0,. orthorhombic; az, tetragonal; and a TaZr,, cubic, AuCu, structure. Of these, o and a, melt peritecticaLly, a, decomposes peritectoidally, and a TaIrs has a congruent melting point. Three peri-tectic and one eutectic reactions occur. 1 HE Ta-Ir phase diagram has not been treated in the literature. Intermetallic phases and terminal solid solubilities have been described and estimated.'-4 The previous findings have been confirmed in this work. A complete diagram with additional phases and solidus curves is presented. EXPERIMENTAL METHODS Starting materials were tantalum powder of 99.8 pct purity, supplied by the National Research Corp., Cambridge, Mass., and iridium powder of 99.9 pct purity, supplied by the Bishop Co., Malvern, Pa. Both powders were -200 mesh. Table I lists the analyses as given by the suppliers. A standard procedure was employed in making the alloy buttons, which was described in detail in Refs. 5 and 6, and which included repeated arc-melting of powder compacts and determination of the composition by the weight-balance method. This is especially justifiable due to the similar vapor pressures of tantalum and iridium. In the critical parts of the diagram, a spacing of 1/2 at. pct was used, based on premelted master alloy material. The observed structures and X-ray spectra were consistent with the composition sequence of the alloys. Table II lists the final alloy atomic percentages with the calculated percent error of composition. Cross sections representative in grain size and composition were selected for the study, as described in Ref. 5. Based on prior experience, no contamination from the tungsten electrode was considered. Temperature measurements were obtained using a Leeds and Northrup optical pyrometer and have been described extensively in Refs. 5 and 6. All heat treatments were made in the high-vacuum tantalum tube furnace mentioned in Ref. 5. Samples annealed in tantalum containers cooled from 1800" to 1000"~ in 5 sec; those annealed in ceramic crucibles cooled over the same range in 15 to 30 sec. The thermal treatments are listed in Table 111. All specimens were homogenized at 1735°C for 24 hr. Tantalum-rich compositions were treated in tantalum buckets. Iridium-rich compositions were annealed in tantalum buckets below the eutectic temperature of 1950°C; up to 2200°C, tungsten-lined tantalum baskets were used; and above 2200°C thoria crucibles were used. It was found that refractory oxides (in early stages of the investigation alumina crucibles were used up to 1800°C and thoria crucibles were used to 2400"~) give off minute amounts of oxygen and thereby influence the microstructure considerably, or react directly with the alloys.

Jan 1, 1963

By Robert Y. Grant

This study outlines the history of metal mining in Japan and the characteristics of the industry as they existed from 1925 to 1945. Mining and milling operations are described together with the role of the Japanese Government. A description of post-hostilities conditions and the present state of the industry is included.

Jan 11, 1951

By H. H. Evinger, M. Muskat

A methoD of calculating productivity factors for oil, gas, and water systems in the steady state is presented as an illustration of the quantitative application of the fundamental data on the flow properties of heterogeneous fluid systems. While the numerical results of the calculations cannot be applied directly to field conditions, because they are based on permea-bility data for unconsolidated sands and involve specific assumptions regarding the nature of the reservoir fluids, the methods of analysis and interpretation should havc significance in considering certain specific field situations when the necessary field and laboratory data become available. Moreover, it is felt that even under the idealized conditions to which the numerical calculations refer they should serve to give at least the orders of magnitude of the effects of gas-oil ratio and connate water on observed productivity factors. Within the indicated limitations, the computations imply that the foregoing factors can explain only a part of the apparent discrepancy between the homogeneous fluid productivity factors and those obtained recently in field measurements on the West Coast. IntroductioN Sufficient laboratory research has been carried out in the last several years on the fundamental features of the flow of heterogeneous fluids through porous media to call for consideration of what can be done with this type of information. It has, of course, already led to a, much clearer general understanding of the mechanics of oil production. However, examples of the quantitative application of the results of such laboratory studies are few in the literature. part of the explanation for this fact lies undoubtedly in the lack of sufficient laboratory data relating to practical fluids and sand systems such as would occur ill actual oil reservoirs. However, unless it can be shown that if such data were obtained quantitative applications could be made, serious doubt may be cast upon the desirability of carrying on further extensive experimental research work on fluid flow. The purpose of this paper is to present one approach to the problem of quantitative application of laboratory data to practical field problems. Because the published results on the basic experiments with three-phase fluid systems in porous media are limited entirely to uncon-solidated sands, the numerical applications made here will not pertain directly to any actual field situation. However, they should serve to illustrate what could be done with fundamental laboratory data if they were extended to cover the field of consolidated sands. From this point of view, it is hoped it will serve to encourage further laboratory research on this problem. The particular application to be treated here relates to the calculation of the productivity factors for oil-gas-water systems in the steady state. This specific problem seems especially appropriate for discussion in view of the recent publication by Johnston1 of the results of produc-

Jan 1, 1942

By M. Muskat, H. H. Evinger

A methoD of calculating productivity factors for oil, gas, and water systems in the steady state is presented as an illustration of the quantitative application of the fundamental data on the flow properties of heterogeneous fluid systems. While the numerical results of the calculations cannot be applied directly to field conditions, because they are based on permea-bility data for unconsolidated sands and involve specific assumptions regarding the nature of the reservoir fluids, the methods of analysis and interpretation should havc significance in considering certain specific field situations when the necessary field and laboratory data become available. Moreover, it is felt that even under the idealized conditions to which the numerical calculations refer they should serve to give at least the orders of magnitude of the effects of gas-oil ratio and connate water on observed productivity factors. Within the indicated limitations, the computations imply that the foregoing factors can explain only a part of the apparent discrepancy between the homogeneous fluid productivity factors and those obtained recently in field measurements on the West Coast. IntroductioN Sufficient laboratory research has been carried out in the last several years on the fundamental features of the flow of heterogeneous fluids through porous media to call for consideration of what can be done with this type of information. It has, of course, already led to a, much clearer general understanding of the mechanics of oil production. However, examples of the quantitative application of the results of such laboratory studies are few in the literature. part of the explanation for this fact lies undoubtedly in the lack of sufficient laboratory data relating to practical fluids and sand systems such as would occur ill actual oil reservoirs. However, unless it can be shown that if such data were obtained quantitative applications could be made, serious doubt may be cast upon the desirability of carrying on further extensive experimental research work on fluid flow. The purpose of this paper is to present one approach to the problem of quantitative application of laboratory data to practical field problems. Because the published results on the basic experiments with three-phase fluid systems in porous media are limited entirely to uncon-solidated sands, the numerical applications made here will not pertain directly to any actual field situation. However, they should serve to illustrate what could be done with fundamental laboratory data if they were extended to cover the field of consolidated sands. From this point of view, it is hoped it will serve to encourage further laboratory research on this problem. The particular application to be treated here relates to the calculation of the productivity factors for oil-gas-water systems in the steady state. This specific problem seems especially appropriate for discussion in view of the recent publication by Johnston1 of the results of produc-

Jan 1, 1942

By N. A. Elmslie

This subject covers much ground, therefore it must be treated in a general way rather than in detail in this paper. Personnel To approach the measure of a mine, it is, of course, essential that the personnel be measured, and this measuring must be done in a circumspect manner and conclusions must be reached slowly. There may be one unit in the personnel of an organization that may be out of step with the remainder of the organization, not always because of lack of ability, but because of misplacement or lack of proper measurement of his capabilities. Too much time can scarcely be spent in the study or measure of the personnel ; in fact, a manager or a superintendent of a mine never completes his work along this line. Mine or Plant Just as no two men are alike, so no two mines or plants are alike; and yet there are many similarities. Find out what the similarities are, and this will help to make clear the dissimilarities. Try to visualize details of the difficulties, not because you will have to deal with them yourself, but to consider them in later studies of general problems. To outline all the steps to be taken in familiarizing oneself with a plant or operation would be impossible, but the following points may be of interest in any investigation. The study of a mine is generally made backwards-—that is to say, one sees the finished product first-—-but this is immaterial, because each step must be considered separately in any event. As a rule, there are certain heads under which the different features of mining can be placed, as follows: Ventilation.—Ventilation is usually the most important item in power cost and safety, especially in gassy mines. Quantity of air, water gage and power consumption, and finally analysis of the return air in full return and separate splits should be considered. Type of fan and type of power unit should enter into this study because it is important to view expenditures which are going on 24 hr. a day and 36.5 days in the

Jan 1, 1931

By Bernard Moore

THE last few decades have witnessed the introduction of many new nonmetallic mineral products and changes in the use of many of those already well known. Among these is diatomite, formerly employed as a mild abrasive and, at one time, as the absorbent material in dynamite. Now nearly 100,000 tons a year are mined and milled into such things as filter aids, cement admixtures, insulants, fillers, absorbents, cosmetics, cleansers, etc. Pumice, commonly regarded as only an abrasive, is now also employed as an insulant, as light-weight aggregate and as a concrete admixture. With increasing use of insulants, light-weight aggregates, and acoustic stuccos and plasters in the building trades, both these mate-rials should find increased application. Very large deposits occur in eastern Oregon and have been studied by the U. S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Oregon State Mining Board.

Jan 1, 1934

By R. C. Schmidt, B. E. Kennedy

The Mont Klahoyo magnetite deposit is located about 600 km (373 miles) northwest of Abidjan, Ivory Coast. During an exploration period ending in 1977 an international joint venture group investigated the deposit and proved reserves of 670 Mt (739 million short tons) grading 36% iron. The deposit occurs at the northeast end of the Baoubly-Kiriao chain of Precambrian iron formations with associated amphibolites, pyroxenites, and gneisses of the Liberian Shield. The ore body is represented by a highly metamorphosed banded quartz-magnetite iron formation with alternating beds of iron silicates and quartz-magnetite. Amphibolite-pyroxenites and sillimanite-cordierite-garnet gneisses form hanging and footwall rocks. The iron formation has been folded into an elongated, overturned 2-shaped major drag fold with axes trending and plunging approximately northeast. Beds are vertical or dip steeply to the southeast. The ore zone has an average thickness of 130 m (427 ft) and outcrops intermittently over a distance of approximately 5.5 km (3.4 miles). Based upon detailed studies of drill cores and the results of ore dressing test work, eight stratigraphic units, identified as K- 1 to K-8, are recognizable in the iron formation. Four interbedded units are low grade silicate zones (silicate facies) while the remaining quartz-magnetite units are oxide facies, representing the important Mont Klahoyo deposit ores. Ore-bearing "K" units are subdivided further into 11 ore types, based upon their specific lithologies, iron content, and concentration characteristics. Identification of these ore types proved particularly useful to mine planning and flowsheet design. A cap of oxidized material overlies the primary quartz- magnetite iron formation, but no enrichment has occurred. It is thought that the Mont Klahoyo iron formations were deposited chemically in a volcanic environment as a siliceous iron formation with volcanism the primary source of iron and silica. Metamorphism converted the siliceous iron formation to a coarse-grained, quartz-magnetite-silicate iron formation.

Jan 1, 1983

By R. M. Sellwood

The No. 4 I.S.F. Smelter Complex at the Avonmouth Works of Imperial Smelting Corporation (N.S.C.) Limited commenced operation at the beginning of 1968. The furnace rating is 120,000 tons zinc and 40,000 tons lead per annum. Zinc and lead concentrates are unloaded onto a 1,000 tons per hour capacity conveyor belt and automatically weighed and sampled before receipt into a 48,000 ton capacity raw material store. Distribution is by a reversible boom stacker into 16 x 3,000 ton bays and recovery is by a front end loader. Materials are fed to 16 proportioning bins for feeding via continuous weigh feeders to a 132 square metre effective updraught area sinter machine with a material flow rate of 240 tons per hour over the machine. The required quantity of output lump sinter at up to 800ºC is fed to 2 x 600 ton storage bins on the I.S.F. plant. By-product SO2 rich gas is fed to a conventional wet gas single stream acid plant rated at 600 tons per day utilizing a dry N.T.P. gas volume of 100,000 cubic metres per hour. The hot sinter and preheated coke (800ºC) are automatically neighed and charged to a 27.3m2 shaft area I.S.F. fitted with 2 x 5.5 m. wide lead splash condensers. Grade 4 zinc is tapped and transferred to the zinc refinery. Conventional type lead bullion and slag are tapped from the bottom of the furnace through a separation forehearth. The refinery consists of 6 lead and 3 cadmium columns to produce some 52,000 tons per annum of S.H.G. metal. S.H.G. metal and Grade 4 metal is cast into various shapes as required.

Jan 1, 1970

By R. B. Toombs

The national and international importance of Canada's minerals and metals producing industry is reported. The growth of the Canadian industry is traced from 1945, through the period of rapid development of the early 1950's, to the consolidation and expansion activities of the late 1950's and early 1960's. Mineral production in Canada during 1963-including steel, nonferrous metals, and fuels -is reported. It is estimated that by 1970 the Canadian industry will produce $3.9 billion worth of metals, nonmetals, and fuels.

Jan 8, 1964

By D. C. Bard

THESE notes are based on the megascopic study of a suite of 2,400 specimens of minerals and ores from the Butte mines, combined with field observations at intervals over a period of several years. The estimate of average vein composition is based on field acquaintance with the veins. It is probably correct in its broader proportions, and should be of use for comparison. Chemical and Mineral Composition of Butte Sulphide Vein. Matter. Per Cent. Oxygen 43.00-Quartz, rhodonite, rhodochrosite, barite, calcite, and hübnerite. Silicon 36.00-Quartz, rhodonite, and willemite (very rare). Sulphur 5.00-Sulphides of. iron, zinc, copper, lead,. and sulphates of barium and rarely calcium. Iron 5.00-Ferric sulphides (pyrite, bornite, chalcopyrite), also in sphalerite, tetrahedrite, and rarely hematite and siderite. Manganese, . . . . 2.00-Rhodonite, rhodochrosite, and hübnerite. Zinc, . . . . 1.00-Spha erite, very rare wurtzite and willemite, and tetrahedrite and tennantite.

Jan 8, 1913