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By J. Parke Channing

THE caving system of mining is that method of removing the ore from an underground body in which the top is first attacked and mined out and the capping, or roof, as the case may be, is allowed to fall in or "cave" and fill the space formerly occupied by the mined ore. It is applicable, generally, to large orebodies where the ore is relatively soft. We may say, within moderate limits, that when ore is removed the surrounding ground either caves in or remains open. For example, in mines like the Lake Superior amygda-loid copper mines, when the lode is removed there is left a void which remains open for many years; on the con-trary, mining a Lake Superior soft hematite ore, however carefully it may be done, always produces a caving of the surrounding rocks. We may say, with propriety, therefore, that the caving system is applicable to that type of ore deposit in which the surrounding rock readily caves. Another factor which governs the use of the caving system is the value of the ore itself. Admittedly, any form of caving will not extract 100 per cent. of the ore, and in the case of a very rich orebody it is often desirable to get out every pound of the ore with as little dilution as possible. Under these conditions, some other method of mining, such as that by square sets and filling, is indicated and should be followed. We may say, however, that, looking at it broadly, in the United States the caving system of mining is generally used for the removal of soft hematite and for the so-called "porphyry" coppers. In both cases this method is used where open-pit mining is not possible.

Jan 1, 1922

By Robert Yerkes

THE following is a brief account of the methods of measuring intelligence especially prepared for use in the U. S. Army, of typical results, and of some of their immediately practical applications. It has been prepared for the assistance of army examiners and for the information of all who are interested in the relations of scientific placement to military efficiency. PURPOSE OF THE INTELLIGENCE TESTS Under the direction of the Division of Psychology, Medical Department, and in accordance with provisions of War Department General Order No. 74, mental tests are given recruits during the 2-wk. detention period. These tests provide an immediate and reasonably dependable classification of the men according to general intelligence. Their specific purposes are to aid: 1. In the discovery of men whose superior intelligence suggests their consideration for advancement; 2. In the prompt selection and assignment to development battalions of men who are so inferior mentally that they are suited only for selected assignments; 3. In forming organizations of uniform mental strength where such uniformity is desired; 4. In forming organizations of superior mental strength where such superiority is demanded by the nature of the work to be performed; 5. In selecting suitable men for various army duties or for special training in colleges or technical schools; 6. In the early formation of training groups within regiment or battery in order that each man may receive instruction and drill according to his ability to profit thereby;

Jan 2, 1919

By I. L. Barker

ALTHOUGH valuable information has been pub-lished on the important problems of slag losses with which every copper metallurgist has to contend, a great deal of money is still being wasted in copper smelters all over the world, through metal being irretrievably lost in reverberatory slags. When smelting a relatively low-grade pyritic concentrate together with a proportion of direct-smelting oxi- dized ore, as is done in Oroya, slag volumes are of necessity high, and even a relatively clean slag, say of 0.5 pct Cu, means a loss of almost 4 pct of all the copper charged, or over $1,000,000 annually at present output and prices. While it is known that such losses can often be reduced by allowing the slag time to settle, with or without addition of a reducing agent such as coal or pyrite, the facilities for such treatment are not always available in a plant of old design working to capacity under severe space limitations. Nor is it easy under such conditions to run large scale tests which may endanger the smooth flow of production for considerable periods without yielding

Jan 1, 1958

By C. H. Wayman, D. W. Fuerstenau

THE gas phase is one of the indispensible ingredients in flotation operations. Flotation depends on the collision of an air bubble and a mineral particle in a pulp and their ability to remain in contact long enough for adherence to take place. Before it is possible to understand the mechanics of air bubble-mineral particle encounter, it is necessary to learn more about the nature of bubbles themselves before collision with a mineral particle has taken place. To date, little work has been done on air bubbles in flotation systems. In 1945 Fahrenwald1 presented a study of the role of frothers on air bubbles and on aeration in flotation, and recently Wark and Sutherland2 discussed the work of Rosenberg3 in relation to flotation. The research reported in this present article was undertaken to investigate systematically the effect of bubble size and the concentration of certain reagents on the terminal velocity, shape, path, and drag coefficient of single bubbles in distilled water. Most of the work is concerned with the effect of a-terpineol on bubble motion in water, but studies were made with potassium chloride, potassium hydroxide, potassium ethyl xanthate, and potassium amyl xanthate.

Jan 6, 1958

By W. H. Adams

Inasmuch as] the mining of phosphate rock and its transportation has so general a bearing on the great industries of this continent, entering as well into the problem of our trade with foreign countries, it may be useful to place on record the following list of localities from which certain products of a like nature are received by us in a business way, or in which we are interested more or less either by ownership or by competition. As a ready means of comparison, the percentages of the mine products and the deteriorating constituents are given : Coprolite (Cambridge).—This material is obtained from the Upper Greensand formation in Cambridgeshire. The phosphate runs from 50 to 60 per cent., and averages 64 per cent. It contains much carbonate of calcium, but little iron, in the ferric condition. The superphosphates manufactured from the material are permanent and little liable to a revert." They contain from 28 to 35 per cent. of soluble phosphate. Coprolite (Buckingham).—From the same formation as the Cambridge variety, and very similar in composition.. It averages 60 per cent. phosphate. Coprolite (Suffolk).—These coprolites are not so valuable for the manufacture of superphosphate as the two previous varieties, as the iron they contain is in the ferric state, and liable to "revert" the soluble phosphate. The phosphate varies from 48 to 60 per cent., but averages 54 per cent. They are of Tertiary formation. Coprolite (Potton or Bedford).—The average amount of phosphate in these coprolites is about 50 per cent. In some cases they may, however, run up to 60 per cent., and in others may not exceed 45 per cent. They belong to the Lower Greensand formation. The ferric iron frequently is as high as 4 per cent., and the alumina as much. Russian phosphate comes from the chalk, and occurs in carious rounded masses. It contains from 28 to 35 per cent. of phosphate, but may run up to 69 or 70 per cent. Curacoa phosphate is also of very high class quality, giving 80

Jan 1, 1890

By Percy Gillie

THE Tralee preparation plant, owned and operated by the Semet-Solvay division of Allied Chemical and Dye Corp., is located on the Virginian railway, near Mullens, Wyoming County, W. Va., and the mine, which is in the Winding Gulf district, produces coal exclusively from Pocahontas No. 3 seam. The property, comprising 4900 acres, is leased from the Pocahontas Land Corp. Prior to 1930 four separate mines were operated in this tract, some having been started about 1916. Plans for the preparation plant were formulated soon after World War 11. Construction began in the spring of 1948, operation early in 1950. The plant was designed to be operated with minimum labor. It was equipped for production of first quality graded sizes of coal for house heating and 3/8x0-in. slack suitable for high-standard metallurgical coke. In the beginning, a thorough investigation was made of the property by means of core drilling, prospect openings, and sections from shallow mines on the property, as well as sections and analyses from mines in the immediate vicinity. After the extent of desirable coal had been established and the average seam section and nature of overlying and underlying strata had been determined, it was decided to install a system of mining which would load the full seam and would clean the product mechanically. Pocahontas No. 3 seam is characterized by draw slate and bone and rock partings. It was not known what the washing difficulties and cleaning plant requirements would be for processing the raw product of full mechanical mining. Arrangements were made, therefore, through the courtesy of the property owner, to obtain a large sample from a section of the mine along the adjoining property line. The

Jan 1, 1954

By Christopher Haycocks, Michael Karmis, David G. Lundy

Roof bolting is the most common means of support in under- ground coal mines. The main advantages of this support system are the relative ease of installation and the ability to provide a stable and unobstructed work area. Roof bolts can be broadly classified into two categories, mechanical and resin bolts. Currently, about 20% of all bolts used are the resin types, and trends show an increasing popularity of these kinds. Although the reinforcing effects of resin bolts have been well demonstrated, there is, nevertheless, a considerable lack of knowledge of their interaction with the surrounding strata. To study this interaction and to further investigate the mechanisms involved in resin bolting, an instrumentation system was designed and tested in a southwestern Virginia coal mine. The instrumentation system was composed of straingaged resin bolts, convergence and differential sag stations, and a borescope. Strain gages mounted on the bolt determined axial, bending, and shear strain at several levels along the axis of the bolt. The roof movement, as measured by the convergence and differential sag readings and as observed by the borescope, correlated well with the strains registered on the bolts.

Jan 1, 1983

By Samuel D. Warriner

The dealings between concentrated capital invested in the conduct of our various industries and the combinations of labor known as "trade union organizations," have produced not only in the United States, but abroad, many novel methods of negotiation between employers and wage-workers. The size and strength of these organizations have destroyed the personal elements formerly governing the dealings between employer and employee, and have produced various forms of trade-agreements now in more or less successful operation. The difficulty, however, has been to secure consent of both parties to an equitable agreement. For this purpose there have been devised various forms of arbitration, either compulsory under the shadow of governmental legislation, or voluntary by mutual agreement. But these have not been altogether successful from a technical stand-point, for the reason that a compromise has generally been necessary, and in an effort to reach an agreement, terms have been made which have been neither fair nor satisfactory to either of the contending parties. The Anthracite Board of Conciliation represents one of the few thoroughly successful courts for the settlement of trade-disputes, if not the only one which has yet been evolved. The prestige of this board rests upon its successful treatment of the labor-troubles of the anthracite region for a period of more than eight years, and upon the fact that it has been able

Jan 1, 1912

By A. J. Weinig

The method described is a modification of Schutzenberger's whereby the solution in titrations and the standards are protected from the atmosphere by a layer of kerosene. Indigo-disulfonate is the indicator and sodium hydrosulfite the standard. The method is rapid and delicate. It has been tried on a variety of mill solutions and mill men have found the method of value. THE important part that dissolved oxygen plays in the cyanide treat-ment of gold and silver ores is commonly recognized by most metallurgists and mill men.. But heretofore there has been no simple method on which the mill man could rely for determining the amount of oxygen in the various mill solutions. A few methods are adaptable to the, laboratory, such as the gasometric1 determination by actually measuring the oxygen. Winkler's2 iodometric method, and Schutzenberger's3 method, which depends on the reducing action of sodium hyposulfite on a blue solution of indigo carmine; but these are not readily adaptable to the needs of the mill man and cannot be applied to cyanide solutions without modification. The gasometric method is the most accurate but it takes too long to complete a determination. White's' method (a colorimetric method that depends on the degree of coloration imparted to a solution of pyrogallic acid in the presence of caustic soda) although much more rapid than any of the methods named, often gives misleading results on account of grading of colors of different solutions, which nearly always contain various kinds of salts. The method herein described was devised for the use of the mill man, the aim being to develop a simple, practical, accurate method. It is a modification of the Schutzenberger method and depends on the reducing

Jan 8, 1924

By C. Y. Wen, H. O. Hofman

In casting a thermal balance of the heat generated and absorbed in a blast-furnace treating lead-, copper- and similar non-ferrous ores, assumptions have always to be made for the values of the heat of formation of slag. Considering that the larger part of the charge introduced into the furnace comes out in the form of slag, the significance becomes apparent of a lack of heat-values for the singulo-silicate, which is the type of slag commonly made. The aim of the present investigation is to supply these heat-values as far as possible with the apparatus and the time available. The heats of formation of the ferrous and manganous bi-silicates have been determined by Le Chatelier;1 those of some silicates other than iron and manganese by Tschernobaeff;' finally Richards3 gives a figure for a copper blast-furnace slag of known composition. The existing data and those resulting from the present investigation are assembled in Table VI. 11. Materials Used. The materials used in the experiments mere silica, ferrous oxide, and calcium carbonate. Silica.—The silica sold in the market as chemically pure usually contains small amounts of magnesia, lime, and alumina, and is therefore not suited for the work. The pure material was obtained from clear quartz crystals from Arkansas, broken in a diamond mortar and ground in an agate mortar to pass

Jan 1, 1911

By H. A. Schwartz, W. Kenneth Bock

IN this paper it is shown that when the tensile strength of a given steel in various states of heat-treatment is plotted against its elongation, a straight line results. The equation of this straight line can be computed with considerable accuracy from its chemical composition. The appropriate equations are given. The logarithm of the slope of the tensile-strength locus is shown to be proportional to the cumulative effect of the total alloy addition and the position of the line to be directly proportional to the cumulative effect of the alloy content. It is further pointed out that heat-treatment is more effective than composition in determining yield ratio. The latter enters mainly by its effect on hardenability, which is briefly discussed. Reduction of area and Brinell number are given some incidental attention. The data are applicable only to steels that have been normalized and/or quenched. The steels, if normalized, may or may not have been tempered. If quenched they must have been tempered at or above 400°C. (750°F.).

Jan 1, 1944

By Raymond Mancha

The use of blower fans and tubina- for auxiliary face ventilation is a somewhat controversial subject. Most authorities agree upon the advantages of this system over the maintenance of line brattice for dead-end ventilation. They also recognize the system's disadvantages. However, there is considerable disagreement as to the proper relation of the advantages to the disadvantages. It is the purpose of this report to present the opinions of four authorities of diversified occupation and permit the reader to form his own opinions on the subject. ORsErvers Carel Robinson is a mining engineer consultant of wide repute, who has a background of operating experience. Thomas G. Fear is a mine operator whose present position is that of chief engineer for the Hanna Coal Co. at St. Clairsville, Ohio. E. H. Denny is chief of the Coal Mine Inspection Division of the U. S. Bureau of Mines, and is a very able engineer whose past experience well qualifies him to appraise this problem. Cloyd M. Smith, editor of the periodical Mechanization, is a ventilation consultant. For a number of years he was a member of the Mining Department of the University of Illinois and has studied mine ventilation for many years. It is Mr. Robinson,s opinion that closely spaced breakthroughs, although conducive to low gas accumulation past the last open crosscut during the driving of entries, are difficult to maintain and are constant Sources of fugitive air. Jute or canvas brattice is suitable for entry driving with

Jan 1, 1944

By A. B. Boghani, R. H. Trent

A computer program has been developed to simulate evacuation of a mine in various configurations. The simulation input variables include characteristics of the mine, expressed in the form of a network of passages, properties of hoists and hoisting strategies, initial miner positions, ventilation and compressed air velocities, stench warning system and self rescuer capabilities. The simulation can be carried out for cases in which there is no fire, i.e., fire drill simulation, or for cases in which there is a fire at any arbitrary location. The fire is assumed to generate gases which impede movement of miners in the gaseous region. However, the thermal effects of the fire are not considered. The simulation output include the evacuation time for each miner, movement of the hoists, propagation of smoke through the mine passages and smoke exposure of the miners. Several illustrative simulations have been carried out to verify validity of the program and to demonstrate its capabilities. The computer program has been able to predict evacuation time, within 5 percent, for an actual fire drill. It is believed that this program can be used to evaluate evacuation performance of a mine, identify problem areas and demonstrate improvements due to the recommended corrective actions.

Jan 1, 1977

By F. C. Blickensderfer

DURING 1914 and 1915 extensive experiments were conducted at the concentrator of The Detroit Copper Mining Co. of Arizona, at Morenci, Ariz., in order to test the relative grinding efficiencies of the Marathon, the Chilean and the Hardinge Mills. The Marathon mill used in the experiments was the first one ever built by the manufacturers; and since this was the first time that it was given a thorough tryout, with such remarkable results, the data have been, assembled in the following paper and submitted in the interests of the milling profession.

Jan 8, 1916

By H. M. Chance

The iron-ore deposits of the Hartville district are located near the new town of Guernsey, about 100 miles north of Cheyenne. The writer has been familiar with them since 1887, having visited the district several times for different clients— his last examination having been made in November and December, 1897. The deposits extend in a general N.E.-S.W. direction from a point in Section 33, Range 65 W., Township 28 N., on the west side of Whalen cañon, through Sections 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of Township 27 N. in the same Range, and over into Sections 1 and 12 of Township 27 N., Range 66 W. General Characteristics. The ore is a remarkably pure red hematite, extremely low in phosphorus, and carrying a small percentage of silica, as shown by analyses given below, and similar in many respects

Jan 1, 1901

By Charles M. Cooley

In these troubled times free enterprise is maintaining vital molybdenum output, while expanding plant, and bringing in new low grade ore reserves, at Climax, the world's largest known molybdenum deposit. Climax Molybdenum Co. is putting $25 million into additional surface plant facilities and other millions into underground development. The expansion program to be operating by 1954 includes a new mining level, crushing plant, 4000-ft conveyor, milling units, by-products plant, and housing for 198 families. Completion of this program and low grade plant will add 10,000 tons per day to present capacity and several million tons to ore reserves.

Jan 1, 1953

By Terry Ramsey

INTRODUCTION The Cyprus Pima Mine is located 20 miles southwest of Tucson, Arizona and about fifty miles north of the Mexican border. The Cyprus Pima orebody was discovered in 1950. Feasibility studies were begun in 1952 employing underground development. Economic studies showed open pit operations to be feasible and stripping of overburden was begun in late 1955. The first ore was reached in October of 1956. A 3,000 tpd (tons per day) concentrator was completed and began operation January 1, 1957. From these beginnings, Cyprus Pima Mining Company has expanded into a plant processing approximately 54,000 to 56,000 tpd. Four expansions were required to bring the plant up to its present capacity. Each expansion incorporated what had been learned in previous operation of the plant. The first expansion was completed in August of 1963 doubling design capacity to 6,000 tpd. In reality, because of softer than average ore, capacity was closer to 8,000 tpd. Expansion II was completed in July 1966 bringing design capacity to 18,000 tpd. Expansion III followed immediately. Completed in the summer of 1967, this expansion increased the design capacity to 30,000 tpd. The actual dry tonnage of this portion of the operation in 1974 averaged 38,400 tpd, again, primarily as the result of treating softer than average ore. The latest expansion (Expansion IV), completed in December 1971 and utilizing a semi-autoge- nous grinding circuit, is located in a separate building (Mill II) approximately 200 yards southeast of the original mill (Mill I). Expansion IV was designed for 14,000 tpd, but after circuit modifications, averaged 16,500 tpd in 1974.

Jan 1, 1976

By H. R. Tunnell

EVERY ONE connected with a mine knows that it is hard to keep down the costs of moving ore from the place where it is broken to the shaft or portal. Considered broadly, the subject of handling would cover all work done in a mine, but here it has been limited to handling ore in stopes and drifts, through chutes, and on levels. Good Ventilation and a strict enforcement of rules for the prevention of dust safeguard the health of the men and lower transportation costs. HANDLING ORE IN STOPES AND DRIFTS The object of all stoping is to mine ore of good grade at low cost. In Butte, the major part of the ore is mined, from Veins dipping from 60° to the horizontal to those which are vertical, by means of, square-set, rill, -timbered-rill, and back-filling stopes. When blasted, a part of the rock is carried by gravity to the grizzlies over the chutes, the rest is shoveled. Rock, when broken in a stope, may be deflected by inclined floors or slides toward the top of a chute leading to the level below. Ore broken clean enough to ship should be carried, by the force of its fall, into a chute or as nearly into that chute as the safety of the stope and the men permits. Ore that requires sorting, about 80 per cent. of all ore mined, is caught on a grizzly and the waste picked out. Waste rock broken in a stope is used to fill that stope and should be blasted into the gob with as little handling as possible.

Jan 2, 1922

By Ronald F. Ayers

The basic research for this study was conducted by Battelle's Columbus Laboratories in 1974. The high-sulfur content of coal threatens to erode its competitive position in the future. The impact of sulfur removal on final costs of eastern interior coal lies at the very heart of this market analysis. An extensive market survey was conducted that considered both traditional coal markets as well as anticipated future markets. Competition for coal from this province considers low-sulfur Western coal, nu- clear power, international oil and coal trade, as well as Appalachian coal producers. Based on projections of future energy consumption under several scenarios, a comprehensive market forecast for eastern interior coal was made to 2040. The study upon which this paper is based was completed by Battelle's Columbus Laboratories for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1974. It is but part of an overall effort by the Corps to evaluate the costs and benefits to the nation of waterway improvements. This study is primarily concerned with future coal markets for production from those counties near the Wabash River in the heart of the Eastern Interior Province. An objective here is to consider a most pessimistic energy (and hence, coal) demand for planning purposes.

Jan 1, 1978

By P. H. Royster

For a number of years the Bureau of Mines has been investigating certain problems relating to the blast furnace. In the course of these investigations it was desirable to measure, with the optical pyrometer, the temperatures occurring in the hearth of the furnace. Since no systematic measurements of these temperatures have been published a statement of the results may be of interest. The data given in this paper were obtained it thirty-two blast furnaces operated by seventeen companies; twenty of these furnaces were making iron, eight ferromanganese, and five spiegeleisen. The collection of this information was made possible by the cooperation of the American Manganese Co., Bethlehem Steel Corpn., Brier Hill Steel Co., Buffalo Union Furnace Co., Clinton Iron & Steel Co., Donner Steel Co., John B. Guernsey & Co., Jones & Laughlin Steel Co., E. E. Marshall, the McKinney Steel Co., National Tube Co., New Jersey Zinc Co., Republic Iron & Steel Co., Seaboard Steel & Manganese Corpn., Southeastern Iron Corpn., the Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co., and the Wharton Steel Co.

Jan 9, 1919