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By P. F. Allen

With capacity of 51,000 tpd, the Morenci concentrator produces approximately 49,000 tons of tailing for final deposition. Disposal involves distrlbutlon of thickened tailing to dams in such a manner that solids can be used for dam construction and water can be impounded for reclamation. During early operation, although tonnage treated was lower, it was necessary to use orthodox disposal practices in the areas available for tailing. Trestles mounted on a series of dams, constructed of borrow material, carried the pipelines from which tailing were spigoted behind the dams. When adequate disposal areas were finally established, it became desirable to look for more efficient methods. The idea of placing the distribution pipe or manifold directly on the crest of the dam was advanced in 1945. After a period of testing, that procedure in modified form replaced the older trestle arrangement. Marked economies resulted, and time required to prepare dams for succeeding storage cycles was greatly reduced.

Jul 1, 1956

By D. Cubicciotti

IT has long been known that some metals are capable of being dispersed or dissolved in certain of their fused salts.' Davy' and Bunsen³ were among the first to observe that in some fused salt electrolyses, a highly colored, strongly reducing salt phase appeared in the neighborhood of the cathode. Later workers found that the current efficiency of the electrolysis was markedly reduced when such a phase appeared. It was also found that the strongly reducing salt could be made by melting the metal and normal salt together. Chemical analysis showed that in such salts the metal ion to anion ratio was always larger than in the normal salt. From such observations arose two different explanations of the nature of metal in salt solutions. When a solution of this type is quenched, it is possible to find small globules of metal in the salt. From this and other observations, Lorenz' and co-workers assumed the metal in salt solution to be a colloidal dispersion of metal in the fused salt and called it "metallnebel" or metal fog formation. They made a number of experiments to substantiate this point of view. Another school felt that when the metal dissolved it reduced the salt partially to a mixture or solution of normal salt and subsalt. Both of these ideas could explain the strong reducing character of the salt formed and the low current efficiency of the electrolysis. If either a metal colloid or a subsalt were formed at the cathode and diffused to the anode, it would be oxidized to the normal salt. Thus a cyclic process of oxidation and reduction could be set up conducting the current without giving rise to a net change in the system. These facts led the author to investigate some of the properties of metal in salt solutions with the hope of elucidating their nature further. Among the metal-salt systems that form metal in salt solutions most markedly are the alkaline earth metal-halide systems and cerium, bismuth, and cadmium halides. Other systems of halides, oxides and sulphides form such solutions to a lesser degree. The first work undertaken was a study of the temperature-composition diagrams of some of the systems." From such diagrams it would be possible to distinguish between a subhalide formation or a colloid. A subhalide should give rise to characteristic changes in the phase diagram, while a colloidal dispersion of metal in salt would not alter the freezing point of the salt. The results obtained on a number of alkaline earth metal-halide systems were all quite similar. Fig. 1 shows the barium-barium chloride system. The other

Jan 1, 1954

By William H. Case

The Bertha zinc-mines of the Bertha Zinc and Mineral Company are in that part of the State of Virginia popularly known as Southwest Virginia, and are included in that division of the " Great Valley " named in recent years the " New River-Cripple Creek Mineral-Region of Virginia." The mines lie wholly in the southeast part of Wythe county, two miles from Pulaski county on the east, and three miles from Carroll county on the south. The only other zinc-mines that are opened in the region are those of Manning & Squier, which adjoin the Bertha zinc-mines on the northeast, and the mines of the Wythe Lend and Zinc Company, at Austinville, eight miles to the southwest. A little farther southwest of Austinville, near Ivanhoe, a new company is preparing to mine zinc-ores. The mining properties named are included within a distance of ten miles along a direct line, bearing north 55' east, on the south side of New river, which here flows northeastward in a tortuous course. The greatest distance of any of the mine-openings from the river is a little less than two miles. It is not the magnitude of the operations in zinc-mining in this particular region, as compared with that of other well-known districts, that merits especial notice. Aside from the exceptional purity of the spelter made directly from the Bertha ores, some peculiar features of the zinc-ore deposih, as shown at the Bertha mines, and

Jan 1, 1894

An "international gold conference" was held at Spokane, Wash., on Sept. 5, 1918, under the auspices of the Northwest Mining Association, which was attended by a large number of engineers, mine operators, and bankers, representing the northwestern states, as well as Alaska and British Columbia. The principal subject under consideration was the doleful condition of the gold-mining industry, gripped between the diminished purchasing value of its product, and the increased cost of its operation. Two resolutions were adopted by the meeting. The first approved the resolution adopted Aug. 12 by the American Gold Conference, a permanent organization formed at Reno, Nev., in which it is stated that relief by the United States to the gold producers of this country should he made to correspond with the increased cost of production, the extent of the relief to be fixed from time to time to Meet changing conditions. The second resolution, adopted after serious and long-continued discussion, was introduced by F. A. Ross, mining engineer, of Spokane, and a member of the Institute, and was as follows: WHEREAS, it is now clearly understood and agreed by the allied nations that national gold reserves must be augmented without delay if rapidly expanding credits are to be secured; and WHEREAS, at this time, the production of gold is daily decreasing to an alarming extent because of well known conditions that, render the mining of gold-bearing ores unprofitable; and WHEREAS there is no way by which the mining of gold-bearing ores may be made profitable except by the direct' aid and influence of the government; and WHEREAS the government has appealed to the mining industry for practical information and practicable suggestions upon this subject; therefore, be it

Jan 10, 1918

By William Allen

For the past six years gravity surveys have been used for underground prospecting in the copper mines at Bisbee, Ariz. The primary purpose of the surveys has been to reduce the diamond drilling and crosscutting necessary for exploration. Since many of the orebodies are small, and geologic control is not always apparent, any information that will direct the drilling and crosscutting is highly desirable. Because of extensive development and exploration work in the copper mines at Bisbee, it has been possible to cover more than 630,000 ft of crosscuts on 30 levels with the gravity surveys. In the process the gravity procedures have been refined to a high degree.

Mar 1, 1956

By Henry C. Freeman

During the early period of the construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, about 1838, in excavating for the canal, where the present town of Utica stands, hydraulic limestone was discovered, and its value was recognized. A kiln for calcining and a mill for grinding were erected, and the cement was used in the construction of the locks of the canal. This property was subsequently bought by the present owner, Mr. James Clark, and the work has been continued to the present time in much the same primitive manner as it was begun. The bed is exposed in the Illinois River valley by stripping off a few feet of the covering rock. It is from 4 feet to 6 feet 9 inches thick, and nearly level, dipping gently to the northeast. The Utica Cement Company's establishment, which is two miles west of Utica and two miles east of La Salle, was an outgrowth of the Illinois geological survey. The writer was in charge of the district which included La Salle county, and, in working out the details of the geology of that county, discovered, below the Utica bed, another workable hydraulic limestone, which makes its appearance in the northern bluff of the Illinois River valley, rising above the water level at the point where the company's works are established. This cement group, of which there are several thin beds, lies just below the St. Peter's sandstone, with a few feet intermediate of transition-rock, which appears to represent the Calciferous, and is exhibited in place, in concretionary form, at the top of the bluff. The hydraulic beds are very regular, and the one worked by the company is 10 feet thick; or, speaking more definitely, there are two beds, separated by 18 inches of sandstone, lying about two feet above the bottom, and the two beds are worked as one, the sandstone being first cut out and removed, to prevent mixture. In 1869 I was invited to join with a company, and to take charge

Jan 1, 1885

By S. A. Allison, N. P. Finkelstein

After a brief consideration of the properties of zinc sulfide minerals, their flotation characteristics, and their reactions with thiol collectors, the literature on the activation of the minerals by cupric ion, their deactivation by cyanide, and their depression is reviewed in detail. The distinction between deactivation and depression is stressed. The contradictions in the published results and theories are discussed and attempts are made to resolve them. It is concluded that, whereas all aspects of the subject require further investigation, the study of depression is most likely to yield benefits in practice.

Jan 1, 1976

By Jeffrey N. Schuyler

In order to implement the most efficient and cost-effective hydraulic fracturing stimulation treatment within a particular region, a thorough understanding of the in-situ stress state and rock properties is paramount (Smith et al., 1978; Warpinski et al., 1982). Several studies conducted in order to "characterize" formations have provided invaluable insight into the relationship between lithologic properties, depth, in-situ stress magnitude and hydraulic fracture orientation. These studies have substantiated that at shallow depths, rock properties such as tensile strength and permeability can exert a substantial influence on the geometry of an induced hydraulic fracture. In turn, these "directional properties" can be related to existing geologic conditions during the time of deposition or major diagenetic alteration of the rock body. As the depth of the "payzone" increases, the role of the in-situ stresses and therefore the prevailing tectonic conditions becomes the dominant factor in determining fracture geometry. However, reservoir properties cannot be ignored. The porosity, permeability, pervasive fabric element and directional elastic properties can have a significant influence on the success of those tests conducted to measure the in-situ stresses either directly or through secondary observations... for instance, pore-pressure effects on measurements of in-situ stress. The purpose of this paper is to provide, through the use of appropriate field and laboratory examples, a more thorough understanding of in-situ stresses, rock properties and their integrated effect on hydraulic fracture properties. In addition to highlighting and expanding the wide body of existing literature, the case studies cited are designed to encourage mutual transfer of technology from petroleum-related, rock-mechanics efforts to other disciplines.

Jan 1, 1984

By Carl Thieme

INDUSTRIAL specialization has rapidly created a demand for new and better alloys. A more thorough understanding of the requirements of specific industries and the discovery of processes by which it has been made possible to utilize certain metallic elements in larger quantities, together with greater purity in most virgin metals, has resulted in a great increase in the number and variety of alloys. This increase in the number of elements entering into non-ferrous alloy manufacture has increased the contamination in secondary metals, as received by the smelter. In order to successfully refine scrap of a much more complex nature it has been necessary for the smelter to install new equipment and to constantly search for new methods of refining as well as to improve the methods already in use. In some instances it is largely responsible for specialization in the secondary metal industry. It is usually necessary to remove the contaminating impurities in scrap or eliminate to a degree not objectionable, no matter how introduced. In order to know what metals or elements are of an objectionable nature, the smelter must make a study of the effect of single elements and combinations of elements on many of the physical and mechanical properties, such as strength, ductility, color, hardness, casting soundness, etc. The smelter of secondary metals must be able to utilize scrap materials of all kinds, for, sooner or later, most fabricated metal parts and the waste products formed during the process of manufacture find their way to the smelter. In addition, the smelter, in contracting for salvaged material from the producer, gets some undesirable and unusual materials. The value of secondary metals and the importance of their recovery has increased in recent years and it is no longer sufficient to recover the base metal only, such as copper from copper-bearing material, but it inessential that other elements present be recovered and converted into useful form.

Jan 1, 1928

By Reno H. Sales

Jan 1, 1914

By N. S. Keith

This question is suggested by a statement made by Dr. Siemens, widely printed in the journals of the day, that a continuous rod of copper, thirty miles in length and three inches in diameter, is capable of conveying that distance, electrically, energy equal to 1000 horse-power. It is not attempted to advance the statement that the source of power shall be zinc, nor even coal, but waterfalls, which from their situation are not practically available for manufacturing establishments in their immediate vicinity. In order to fully consider this subject,, we must understand the doctrine, I may say the science, of the correlation of the forces, so called. We must understand that all matter is endowed with an amount of force, and that each atom and molecule, simple and compound, has its specific portion of the whole. This force, at rest, is called latent heat, intrinsic energy, or potential. In motion it is called heat, light, electricity, chemical affinity, attraction, magnetism, power, etc., according to its sensible manifestations. These are the effects of the one force active in different substances, or in different assemblages of matter. Force put in motion comes to rest by reason of the resistance to motion which it eucounters; in overcoming

Jan 1, 1879

By Albert Sauveur

As director of the Division of Metallurgy of the Technical Section of the Air Service, American Expeditionary Forces, from August, 1917, to January, 1919, I devoted much time to the study of the steels best suited to the construction of aircraft. It became apparent at a very early stage of my investigation that the practice of builders varied greatly in regard to the number of different steels to be used, to the kinds of steels, and to their treatment. Some manufacturers employed as many as fifteen steels while the builder of one of the newest motors, favorably passed upon in the United States, assured me that two or, at the most, three kinds of steel was all he needed to produce satisfactory results. In the matter of treatment, the manufacturers were also greatly at variance.. Some treated their steel with considerable refinement, while others paid but scant attention to this feature. Some manufacturers case-hardened many parts, while others used the case-hardening process sparingly, if at all. Nickel-chromium steels were used at some works for case-hardening while at other plants this treatment was applied exclusively to carbon steels. Air-hardening nickel-chromium steel was used extensively by some and not at all by others. Considerable variance existed likewise in regard to the steels used for admission and exhaust valves. The conclusion was obvious, that no two manufacturers of airplane motors held like opinions as to the steels to be used or as to the treatment they should receive. Was it to be inferred from this that the many committees and associations that had been created, in part at least, for the standardization of aircraft steels had failed to make proper recommendations or that the manufacturers had ignored their recommendations? Confining our inquiry to the committees and associations that had dealt with this question in England, France, and the United States, it was found that in Great Britain the British Engineering Standards Committee, now the British Engineering Standards Association, had devoted much time to the problem of satisfactory standards for aircraft steels. In April, 1918, this Association presented a set of specifications

Jan 9, 1919

By J. B. Warriner

Introduction STRIPPING is the name given to the process of removing clay, rock, or other cover from deposits of coal or ore. In this paper it is intended to cover the methods used in carrying on this operation in the anthracite coal regions of Pennsylvania. In doing this, attention will be chiefly devoted to those methods wherein practice in different sections of the region differs, or is susceptible to change or improvement, though it is intended to give as complete data as possible concerning all stages of the operation. The data from which this paper has been prepared have been collected and submitted by a committee representing the larger users of stripping methods, of which committee the writer has acted as chairman. Data and assistance have also been obtained from various mining men, engineers, contractors and manufacturers of stripping equipment, to all of whom our appreciation is clue.

Jan 1, 1917

By I. C. Runge

This paper outlines in a step-by-step approach all of the major tasks to be undertaken for the design of a complex multi-seam open pit coal mine. Examples are drawn from three such projects in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia, where computer techniques for equipment production rate estimation, mining block layout, and mine scheduling were used extensively. The paper is divided into two sections - Conceptual Planning and Detailed Planning; and the various tasks associated with these sections are discussed in detail, with examples of typical problems to be overcome.

Jan 1, 1983

To Americans, Alaska occupies a unique position, both geographically and historically. The only integral portion of the United States lying in the sub-Arctic and Arctic regions of the Earth, the early remoteness and climatic conditions effectively combined to impede the economic development of this area. Although Alaska has been a part of our Nation since 1867, its mining industry is still at that stage of development which characterized the West 100 years ago when miners concentrated on high-grade lodes and rich placer deposits. Since World War II, however, there has been a noticeable increase of interest in the raw materials of the North. This concern has been most noticeable in Canada, Scandinavia and Russia, but it has been, and is being shown in Alaska. To the American mining industry, the potential importance of this State can be summed up by the question, "Can Alaskan mining compete successfully with those of other states and countries?" The answer revolves about the vital factors of geography, economics, and the political turmoil of the World. These aspects are among those discussed on the following pages in a series of articles by Alaskans and non-Alaskans alike. We invite you to read "Alaska: Regional Report."

Jan 12, 1961

AVING started to tell you of working potter's clay for making crucibles and shells, the wish came to me to tell you of the practice of this art also. Although it may seem at first glance to be outside the order and purpose of my writing, he who considers well will see that it is not unrelated to it but proper, since it is wholly dependent on the agency and power of fire if it is to be brought to its perfection. Moreover, the potter's glazes and colors are all substances of various metals or impure minerals and therefore belong to fire. Since it is my intention to treat of fire, minerals, and metals for you, I surely should not have omitted this, particularly because it is a necessary art which enriches and is greatly praised both for its ingenuity and its beauty. The art of the potter has two sources as its principal basis. One comes from the art of design, the other from various alchemical secrets and elemental mixtures. In regard to these, I find that, in my opinion, all this art depends in the last analysis on four things: on good judgment in general, and on the art of design so as to be able to make the vessels beautiful and of good shape, as well as to ornament them with painting; after baking them well the first and second times, the next thing is to know how to make and apply the glaze well and to paint them with varied and appropriate colors. The fourth is to see that you have good, fine clay without small stones or lumps-indeed this is to be considered as the first thing. Now this that I have called clay is what many call cretaceous earth and some call argil. It is found and dug up when the masters wish to make use of it and is put in a container to be moistened. When it is moistened, it is beaten on a bench with an iron rod and very well prepared. Mixing it carefully, every small stone, lump, or other hardness that it contains is removed and cleaned away. Then a shaft [145V] of iron is fitted as the journal in a large wheel. On the other end of the journal a small wheel is made which forms an instrument for working that is called a lathe. Having put some clay on this, it is made to rotate by pushing with one foot, and, by rotating it, vessels are worked into a pleasing shape and size. Then they are taken off and put on a board to dry. After drying artificially or naturally they are painted red,

Jan 1, 1942

By Matthew J. Hrebar

SINCE the first installation in 1936, the use of rubber-tired equipment for secondary mine haulage has increased rapidly. From August 1936 to January 1944, approximately 750 rubber-tired units were placed in operation. Of these, 650 units were installed after January 1940. During the year 1941, it per cent of the mobile loaded bituminous tonnage was hauled by rubber-tired equipment. This percentage increased to about 20 per cent during 1943. The first rubber-tired units were battery-powered tractor-trailer types. In the year 1938 the battery-powered self-contained car was introduced. In 1939, the cable-powered self-contained car made its appearance. These self-contained units are our modern "shuttle cars." By the end of 1941, approximately 15 per cent of the shuttle cars in operation were cable-powered. Installations made during 1942 and 1943 increased the proportion of cable-powered cars to about 40 per cent of the total number of shuttle cars in use. There is a marked trend toward cable-powered cars, although one need not make many trips to mines where both types are used to discover that opinions are highly controversial as to the relative advantages and field of use of each type. It is natural for mining engineers in the coal-mining industry to have diversified opinions regarding the use and application of coal-mining machinery. Coal mining is not a standardized industry; natural conditions vary from mine to mine. However, it is surprising how many operations in scattered fields arrive at the same conclusions and adopt similar methods. This happens not so much through cooperation and exchange of ideas as through hard, costly experimentation, involving months of low production and relatively high costs. What then, are the reasons for increased use of cable cars? Could it be that present scarcity of materials is forcing their use? True, battery cars require considerably more auxiliary equipment, but during 1942 it was no more difficult to obtain than shuttle-car cable. Furthermore, the trend toward cable cars started before curtailments on mining equipment took effect. Undoubtedly, cable-reel shuttle cars were introduced to produce coal at a lower cost by simplifying trackless mining through the elimination of auxiliary equipment, and by reducing the first cost on equipment. The theory of cable-powered shuttle cars is well based, as can be proved by successful operations. Many operators have weighed the advantages and disadvantages of each type carefully before choosing the type most suitable to their operation. Others have taken much for granted and accepted one or the other without much thought. At many small operations, low first cost is apt to be the deciding factor. One large company, with considerable experience in the use of battery locomotives, preferred to use cable cars even though it was neces¬sary to reduce the section voltage from

Jan 1, 1944

By Otto F. Pfordte

Although the subject has no practical bearing on the metallurgy of the present day, it may not be entirely uninteresting to note how the art of silver-lead smelting has been, and in a few remote districts of Peru is still practiced by an old method, and under conditions widely different from our own. The subject will be considered under the following subdivisions,. viz.: The general conditions; construction and plan of furnaces;, fuels and ores; method of working; furnace products and slags. The mineral region of Peru varies in altitude from 10,000 to 16,000 feet above sea-level, comparatively few mines being locatedh above or below these limits. The timber-line in the valleys is at about 12,000 feet altitude on the western slope of the mountains, and even there the supply of wood is not sufficient to be utilized as fuel for furnaces. The sides of the mountains are either bare or covered with a hard bushy grass, which is most luxuriant during the latter part of the rainy season, from February to April. Agriculture on the western slope rarely reaches above 12,000 feet, while on the eastern slope its limit is at 14,000 feet; and in either case the height named is reached only in sheltered places. Transportation is slow, being carried on mainly by llamas, donkeys and mules; the former (taking 100 pounds at a load) are almost

Jan 1, 1893

THE Geophysics Education Committee has devoted several years to a consideration of the problem of training geophysicists. Past reports have dealt largely with fact finding and with the discussion of particular aspects of geophysical education. In the present report it is proposed to review the subject more comprehensively. This involves the question of what educational qualifications the geophysicist of the highest professional standards should possess, and the related question of what changes must be effected in existing educational institutions in order that prospective professional geophysicists may obtain instruction of the desired quality. The type of geophysicist here contemplated is one familiar with what is known already in the several branches of earth physics, and capable not only of following contemporary progress in any of these branches, but of contributing to that progress in a research capacity. Geophysics in its broadest sense, as has been emphasized repeatedly by this Committee, is the study of the physics of the earth and of terrestrial processes. This includes both the static and the dynamic characteristics of the gaseous, the liquid, and the solid portions of the earth, as well as its gravitational, thermal, and magnetic and electrical manifestations. Some branches of earth physics have been cultivated but slightly; others have reached an advanced state of development. Those branches whose development is sufficient to warrant explicit recognition in the form of organized Sections of the American Geophysical Union are: geodesy, seismology, tectonophysics, and volcanology, dealing with the rock constituents of the earth; oceanography and hydrology with the aqueous constituents; meteorology with the atmospheric constituents; and terrestrial electricity and magnetism with the electromagnetic manifestations. At present, instruction on the professional level in any of these branches of earth physics can be obtained in but few universities in North America. In most institutions where such instruction is undertaken different subjects are given in different and independent departments. Geodesy and hydrology are taught, if at all, as a part of civil engineering. The nearest approach to volcanology and tectonophysics ordinarily is represented by petrology and structural geology given

Jan 1, 1944

By Freeman Bishop

Before Capitol Hill hearings, primary metal producers are often called "concentrated industries" because there are relatively few companies in each category and most of them are large corporations. Capitol Hill still looks on large companies as inherently wrong, but there are about as many arguments one way as the other. Encourage Imports? Now comes Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust Richard W. McLaren to say that imports of metals and other basic materials should be encouraged to create competition for the concentrated industries here at home. Cloakroom analysts are wondering how this ties in with President Nixon's cabinet task force studying the copper price structure. This is chaired by Dr. Hendrik Houthakker, a member of the White House Council of Economic Advisers who has also indicated that the use of imports to pull down prices may be one way to create less inflation.

Jan 1, 1970