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By W. B. Vietz, C. W. Hill, T. P. Thomas

FLUXES, in general, may be classified according to their use as soldering, foundry or casting, and metallurgical and the chemistry of their action follows quite closely this division. The term foundry or casting fluxes, as used here, refers to the substances added to molten metals, preparatory to casting into molds or ingots, with the object of removing small amounts of impurities that have been introduced in handling or melting the metal, which was placed in a fair state of purity by the previous refining or metallurgical processes. The sources of these impurities are the oxide coating on the surface of the ingots, material extracted or mechanically removed from the crucible or furnace wall, and those formed by the reaction of the molten metal with the heating gases or furnace atmosphere. As commonly used, the term fluxes is applied to such materials as ammonium chloride, zinc chloride, salt, borax, and boric oxide. A second class of materials, usually called deoxidizers, includes substances such as metallic phosphides, sub-oxides, carbides, and bo-rides, that reduce the metallic oxides present in the metal. A third class includes various compounds that arc molten and non-volatile at the temperature of the molten metal and are used primarily to protect the surface of the metal from the action of the furnace or exterior atmosphere; to this class belong such mixtures as lime and fluorspar, lime and soda ash, various minerals, etc. In some cases these protective layers may act in a manner similar to the metallurgical fluxes and dissolve or unite with the oxide impurities of the metal, but as generally employed this latter action is negligible since there is little opportunity for the coverings to come into contact with more than the surface of the metal, and hence they arc without action on the body of the molten mass. The use of fluxes is the result of factory experience and tradition, but an extensive study has not been made of the chemical and physical actions that occur or the effects of these actions on the properties of the metal. It would seem necessary in any successful study of metal fluxes to determine not only what impurities are present in metals melted under

Jan 1, 1921

By J. W. Spretnak, G. W. King

THE crystallography and morphology of 0-Al,Fe precipitates in an A1 + 0.5 wt pct Fe alloy have been studied by transmission electron microscopy. The alloy was cast in cylindrical ingots, 15 cm in diameter and 60 cm in length, and cooled slowly. The measured composition was 0.527 wt pct Fe, 0.001 wt pct Mg, and 0.003 wt pct Cu. Spectrographic analysis revealed no additional trace impurities. Thin slices were cut from the ingot and reduced by more than 95 pct by rolling to a thickness of 0.1 mm with no intermediate annealing treatments. These thin sheets were then vacuum-annealed for 1 hr at 612°C and air-cooled in their capsules. Thin foils for examination in the electron microscope were prepared by electropolishing. The precipitate is found in the form of oval platelets on the (110) planes of the matrix. The major axes of the platelets are parallel to the (110) directions of the matrix, and vary in length from 1/2 to 2 p. The thickness is about 1/10 p. Examples of platelets, both in the plane of the foil and normal to the foil, are shown in Figs. l(a) and l(b), respectively. lack' found that ?-A13Fe (more correctly All13Fe4) belongs to the monoclinic system. Using Black's structural data and simultaneous electron-diffraction patterns from the matrix and precipitates, the habit planes and directions were determined to be: (00l)? || (110)Al [100]? || [001]Al The orthogonal crystallographic axes of the precipitates are accurately in the habit plane, while the measured coincidences of the directions are only within 10 deg. The major axis of the platelet is parallel to [010] in the 0. This orientation corresponds to the direction of nearest registry of the lattices.

Jan 1, 1964

By D. N. Dietz

A method for determining average reservoir pressure is presented, which is simpler to apply than that devised by Matthews. Brons and Hazebroek. For bounded reservoirs, identical results are obtained if stabilized-flow conditions prevail. The present method yields inferior results in the transient state. The method can, with a slight modification, also be used for water-drive reservoirs. INTRODUCTION In the method proposed by Matthews, Brons and Haze-broek' for determining average reservoir pressure in a multi-well reservoir, the cumulative production (the production time of each well) enters twice: once when the buildup is plotted against In (t + t)/At to arrive at p*, and a second time when the correction, p*-p is determined with one of the several formulas for differently shaped drainage areas. Once a steady state has been attained, however, the previous production history should be immaterial. The same pressure distribution could have been arrived at after different cumulative productions of the individual wells. In principle, therefore, it should be possible to determine average pressures without referring to cumulative productions. In the following paragraphs an expression is presented for the difference between the pressure in a producing well and the average pressure of its drainage area. Then the build-up time needed to overcome this difference is indicated. CASE OF A CIRCULAR DRAINAGE AREA AND A CENTRAL WELL PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION BEFORE SHUT-IN The general differential equation of radial flow (see Muskat, Eq. 10.2) may be written In the steady state, the rate of production of the well is equal to the rate of expansion of the fluid contained in the the drainage area; thus

Jan 1, 1966

By E. G. Leonardon, Sherwin F. Kelly

The first to appreciate and foresee the value of applying electrical measurements to structural studies was Prof. Conrad Schlumberger, Professor of Physics at the School of Mines in Paris. One of his earliest practical undertakings in this line was carried out, in the field, at Fierville-la-Campagne, Normandy, in 1912. His book, published in 1920, still stands as an authoritative, fundamental treatise on the use of the electric current in geological studies, in spite of the rapid evolution of geophysics during the last seven years. A remarkable feature of this book is that, even then, it stressed the role of electricity in structural investigations and made public the first successful results obtained therewith. Stratigraphic studies have been pursued continuously by Conrad Schlumberger and his associates since 1912, the only interruption being the World War. The results attained demonstrate the wide possibilities of electrical exploration in structural work. This field of activity is, at the least, as varied and valuable as the search for ore. It is curious that until very recently it has so slightly attracted the attention of geophysicists and geologists on this continent. The purpose of this paper is to present briefly some examples of the practical application of the potential methods to geological studies. These examples are chosen from a number of problems solved in the field by our firm, in the course of its consulting practice. Certain fundamental points are briefly stated before the field operstions and interpretations are described. Conductivities of the Rocks Compared with metallic substances, rocks are poor conductors. However, it would be a grave error to affirm that they are completely insulating and that no electrical current can flow through them. It is surprising to encounter, even now, in certain discussions about the applicability of the potential methods, deductions based on this assumption that rocks are absolutely nonconductive.

Jan 1, 1929

By Harold L. Bare, Frank R. Barnako

Coal mining historically has been a hazardous occupation but, in recent years, tremendous progress has been made in reducing accidental coal mine deaths and injuries. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the basic principles of accident prevention as they are related to coal mining. Accident prevention fundamentals are no different for coal mining than for any other type of work. The fundamentals apply to all industries. Construction workers may be struck by falling tools and materials, and miners may be struck by falling slate and coal. Sailors may be trapped by shipboard fires, and miners may be trapped by mine fires. Railroad brakemen may lose hands and fingers positioning couplers, and miners may lose hands and fingers positioning couplers. Many other examples could be cited, but the point is that accidents that happen in coal mines are basically similar to accidents that happen in other industries. Thus, the basic principles for preventing accidents apply in coal mining as they do in any other type of work. COAL MINE ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE The US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is the main source for accident experience data in coal mines. Coal mine operators are required, by law, to forward to MSHA monthly the number of fatal and disabling injuries, man-hours worked, and tons of coal mined. This information is compiled and published quarterly, with annual summaries, by MSHA. Trends in the number of fatalities and fatal injury rates are shown in Fig. 1. Major coal mine disasters, with number of miners killed, and dates of coal mine safety legislation are shown in Table 1. The fatal and disabling injury frequency rates for the coal industry are shown in Fig. 2.

Jan 1, 1981

By Goro Shimaoka, Kichizo Niwa

IN the past, the crystalline states of graphite in cast iron have been studied by many investigators. Recently several authors 1-4 have published interesting information on the crystal texture of the individual graphite grain, especially spherulites in nodular cast iron. In regard to the crystal structure of graphite, Lipson and Stokes0 howed by powder X-ray analysis that most of the crystals contain about 14 pct rhombohedra1 structure (ß-form) which differs from the hexagonal structure (a-form) in the sequence of layer stacking. Hoerni6 onfirmed the existence of the ß-form in a single crystal with electron diffraction by Kossel-Moellenstedt's method. Furthermore, Hoerni and Weigle7 found extra reflections in electron diffraction patterns, which are given by a unit cell twice as large as the usual one in the basal plane. Recently, Lukeshs observed graphite twinning and satellite reflections in his X-ray work and considered them as evidence for the existence of an orthorhombic superstructure. Owen and Street" and Matuyama" studied the structures of graphite crystals in several types of cast iron, using the X-ray powder method, and they showed that the graphite crystal contains a certain amount of the ß-form, an amount which varies with the sources of the cast iron used. The present study was made in order to secure structural information on graphitization in cast iron. Electron diffraction studies on the structure of single graphite flakes segregated from molten carbon or silicon-rich iron at 1200" to 1500°C are reported. Experimental Honkeiko pig iron (4.05 pct C, 1.59 pct Si, and 0.65 pct Mn) was used as the solvent of carbon or silicon. The pig iron was melted in an open furnace and a small quantity of metallic silicon was added to the melt at 1300°C. The melt was heated to 150O°C, and then retort black carbon or metallic silicon was added little by little. The components added to the bath contained approximately 5.0 pct C and 2.0 pct Si in the carbon-rich material, and 3.8 pct C and 5.4 pct Si in the silicon-rich iron. These two types were held at 1500°C and then cooled without graphitizing by cutting the heat sup-

Jan 1, 1958

By Richard E. Chism

I have thought it well to lay before the Institute some account of the Vallecillo Mines, now, I believe, the only paying ones in American hands in northeastern Mexico, including the States of Nuevo Leon, Coahuila and Tamaulipas. The authentic history of these mines dates from their ownership by an American Company in the year 1851, when they were bought by the Vallecillo Silver Mining Company of New York. They had been worked before by the Spaniards, but had been abandoned for many years, on account of the heavy expense of drainage and the constant incursions of the Indians. The company commenced work with several well-known New York capitalists among its stockholders, and had a large fund of both money and enthusiasm. The first point of attack was at a shaft on a mine known as the Jesus Maria, which had the most favorable traditions. Extensive buildings were put up, and two sets of pumps were successively tried. After the second pump, with a steam-cylinder 5 feet in diameter and 10 feet stroke and a plunger 20 inches in diameter, had failed to do more than hold the water, with infinite labor, at the 250 feet level, and after a thorough exploitation of the whole mine above that level had failed to yield more than some $30,000 worth of ore, it was resolved to abandon the effort. Operations were accordingly transferred to the old Dolores shaft, at a point about 21/2 miles to the

Jan 1, 1885

By T. M. Chance

The first bituminous coal cleaning-plant to use the sand-flotation process1 was placed in operation on Oct. 1, 1925, at the tipple of the East Broad Top Railroad & Coal Co., at Mt. Union, Pa. The general principles governing the design of plants of this type and typical operating results of anthracite sand-flotation units have been previously outlined.2 I will, therefore, confine myself to a description of this particular plant and to some of the elements of design it incorporates. The Original Mt. Union Tipple The plant was installed to transfer coal.from steel narrow-gage cars of 60,000 and 70,000 lb. capacity to standard-gage equipment. The coal was hauled about 30 miles from the East Broad Top field. This coa1, mined by the Rockhill Coal & Iron Co. and other operators, is a low-volatile slow-coking coal with ash of high-fusion point. It is normally a high-grade coal that does not contain an excessive amount of free impurities, but it requires careful handling to secure a fair domestic yield, and, naturally, the need for narrow-gage transshipment increases the difficulty of the problem. The narrow-gage cars were discharged into an 8-car track hopper equipped with two feeders passing the coal to two 42-in. apron intake conveyors. Twin units were installed throughout the original plant, two lump-and-egg shaking screens, two lump picking-tables, two egg picking-tables and two stoker conveyors. The stoker coal was loaded without cleaning. The loading tracks and booms were in duplicate and, with the layout as originally installed, either unit could be run independently, each unit shipping a different class of coal or both units making the same product.

Jan 1, 1927

By L. E. Welch, C. W. MacGregor

THE past 20 years has seen a revolutionary change in the testing of materials at elevated temperatures. This has largely been brought about by the practical importance of the creep problem in the design of equipment for operation at high temperatures. The short-time tension test carried out at elevated temperatures has consequently assumed in many cases only a secondary role compared to the long-time creep test. In many problems, however, a knowledge of the short-time high-temperature properties of a metal is essential. To mention a few cases in which this is so, we might include all hot-forming operations such as rolling, forging, etc., the welding problem if residual stresses are to be computed, the development of new alloys for high-temperature service where, in the initial stages, time does not permit of long duration creep tests, and others. Usually a knowledge of the short-time properties is desired, if only to serve as a background against which to compare creep behavior. In conducting short-time high-temperature tests, it has been almost the universal practice to determine stresses based on the original area and strains referred to the original gauge length which is usually chosen as 2 in. It has been pointed out 1,2 that one of the reasons that the true significance of certain tensile properties is not understood, which perhaps curtails their usefulness, especially when the material is applied [ ] under conditions differing considerably from the test conditions, is that true physical stresses and strains are not determined. It is essential to have a knowledge of true stresses and strains in order to correlate the values present in the tension test with those existing, for example, in hot metal-forming operations and in the general problem of the yielding and failure of metals under combined stress conditions. Stress and strain values based on the original dimensions of the test piece do not exist physically except in the early stages of the test. Since at the present time there is very little information in the literature on true stress-strain relations in the short-time high-temperature tension test it is proposed in the following pages to describe a

Jan 1, 1942

By W. A. Cole, E. L. Derby, J. F. Wolff

Exploration of Lake Superior iron ores is done principally by drilling. The soft iron ores are churn drilled and the harder ores are diamond drilled. The churn drill used is the Mesabi type and its operation should be described as "water jetting." The drill rods are washed down by the combination action of the water jetting from the bit at the lower end of the rods and the churning motion given the line of rods. The water, which is forced down through the rods, comes up between the wash rods and the casing, bringing the choppings to the surface. It is caught in three or more barrels, each of which has a stoppered hole 8-10 in. from the bottom. These barrels are successively filled, allowed to settle, and drained to the hole, until the desired depth is drilled. The sediment from each barrel is transferred to a settling tub in which it is allowed to settle; the water is then drawn off and the wet sample is collected and dried. The number of barrels used depends on the character of the ore. For example, when drilling sandy ores, all the wash water is caught and settled for the proper length of time without refilling any of the barrels. Thus, the sediment held below the stoppered hole in any one barrel is not disturbed. The casing is kept as near the bottom of the hole as practicable to prevent the caving of the hole from jeopardizing the sample. While the casing is being driven down and the hole is being washed clean after casing, the return water is not run into the sample barrels. In exploratory work in the harder formations, where the diamond drill is used, the sample comprises both core and cuttings. The care given in handling and preserving the core depends on the importance that may be attached to certain characteristic strata in different formations. The following instructions for the care of core samples are issued by the Ogle-bay Norton Co. for diamond drill work done for them on the Gogebic Range of Michigan:

Jan 1, 1925

By B. M. Bird

DURING the past four years the experimental work in coal washing carried on by the U. S. Bureau of Mines and the University of Washington has been devoted mainly to the development of special methods for the tabling of fine sizes of coals that are difficult to wash. One important outgrowth of this investigation has been the application of hindered-settling classification to coal tabling. Although used for many years in ore dressing, the term "classification" as used here may be new to many readers. It may be defined as the separation obtained when a bed of particles is held in a uniform state of suspension in an upward current of water, either continuous or pulsating, just sufficiently strong to keep the bed in a mobile condition. A common example of this type of separation is a jig in which there is no suction stroke. When the hindered-settling classifier is used with the coal-washing table, the fine-size raw coal, instead of being fed direct to tables, as is the prevailing practice, is first fed to the classifier and grouped, according to the rate of settling against the upward current of water, into perhaps six separate products. After dewatering, each of these except the sixth, a refuse product, is elevated to a seperate feed bin and washed on a separate table. This paper gives a brief discussion of the basis for the use of hindered-settling classification of a table feed; a description of the experimental work; a comparison of the results obtained with and without classification; and a discussion of the application of the classifier in commercial coal washing.

Jan 1, 1928

By Samuel L. Hoyt

THE present report represents that part of the work that has been done by the War Minerals Investigation, Manganese Section, of the Bureau of Mines, on the use of manganese alloys in open-hearth practice. The magnitude of the work and the number of people participating in one way or another make it difficult to acknowledge adequately the services of all who have contributed to the success of the work. It would, be amiss, however, to pass to the body of the report without mentioning the hearty coöperation and willingness to assist of the various manufacturing interests. With such a sympathetic attitude toward this investigation, our work was assured of success. Inasmuch as the unhappy circumstances that rendered this investigation necessary have now passed, this report is made in 'the hope that the results may prove of some permanent value to the peace-tine operation of our open-hearth industry. Broadly speaking, the purpose of the manganese investigation was to consider the most suitable means of utilizing our domestic supply of manganese and thus relieve, to the maximum extent possible, our shipping of the burden of importing manganese ores. It was not held that any decided shortage of manganese 'was imminent but rather that every legitimate means should be utilized for making our ship tonnage available to European service. While we have considerable metallic manganese in this country, it occurs largely as a low-grade mixture with iron or silica or with both. The open-hearth investigations, therefore, were carried on to determine the extent to which domestic or low-grade alloys could properly be substituted for high-grade alloys without materially impairing the steel production as to either quality or quantity. Also, it was held that such an investigation would yield valuable results to the steel industry as well as contribute, in no small way, toward

Jan 2, 1919

By T. L. Joseph

Sulfur balances calculated from operating data covering thirty-five blast furnaces indicate that approximately 92 per cent. of the total sulfur charged enters with the coke, 7 per cent. with the ore, and 1 per cent. with the stone.. Most of the sulfur is carried from the furnace by means of the slag, the total amount eliminated being the product of the slag volume and the percentage of sulfur it contains. Additional sulfur in the charge must be eliminated either by increasing the percentage of sulfur in the slag or the quantity of slag. From relations found between slag volume and coke consumption and sulfur in the coke and slag volume, curves have been prepared showing the relative value of blast-furnace coke as its sulfur varies from 1 per cent. CHARCOAL was the predominant blast-furnace fuel until 1838, when it was found, by the operation of a 2-ton experimental furnace, that anthracite could also be used. This information was a stimulus to the iron industry, particularly in eastern Pennsylvania where anthracite was available at low cost. The production of anthracite pig iron increased steadily and, in 1855, its tonnage exceeded that of charcoal iron. Of the 680 furnaces in operation in 1874, the 226 using anthracite produced nearly one-half the total tonnage. In 1869, the production of coke furnaces exceeded that of charcoal furnaces and, in 1875, coke surpassed anthracite as a metallurgical fuel. In 1907, the output of anthracite pig dropped well below a million tons and its present significance is largely historical. In recent years, the production of coke has gone hand in hand with the production of pig iron and it has gradually attained the position it now occupies as a universal blast-furnace fuel. Charcoal, however, has great merit as a blast-furnace fuel chiefly because of its freedom from ash and sulfur. The harmful effect of the latter and the necessity of keeping the percentage of this element in pig iron at a minimum are well recognized. Other contaminating elements can be reduced to specified limits in the steelmaking process, but the control of sulfur belongs essentially to the blast furnace. The purpose of this paper is to point out the distribution of this impurity in blast-furnace

Jan 9, 1924

By N. H. MacMillan, O. C. Dias

Recent work by Westwood et al. (reviewed in Refs. 1-6) has established that many rocks, minerals, ceramics, and glasses exhibit phenomenologically similar chemomechanical (Rebinder) effects when deformed in different liquid environments, apparently as the result of chemisorption-induced variations in their near-surface flow and flow-dependent fracture behavior. In particular, it appears that there exists an empirical, but apparently general, correlation between the near-surface flow stress of an inorganic nonmetal and its surface charge- namely, that such a solid is hardest at its zero point of charge (i.e., when its zeta potential [ ] = 0) and softens as [ ] increases, regardless of the sign of zeta. Moreover, because near-surface flow and fracture phenomena are two of the important determinants of the rates of machining and comminution processes, both Westwood et al. and others7 have been able to use this so-called "[ ]-correlation" to develop cutting fluids and grinding aids that in many instances have given rise to several fold increases in performance. In addition, Westwood et al. have demonstrated that both aqueous and organic environments can give rise to similar improvements in cutting rate for a given combination of tool and workpiece, provided that both impart the same surface charge to the work- piece (i.e., transfer the same number of electrons to or from its surface). This last finding implies that in any application it should always be possible to find some cutting fluid that is at once effective, cheap, nontoxic, and nonpolluting. Thus, reports of apparently similar environmental influences on the mechanical behavior of diamond,8 certain organic crystals and polymers,9-14 and coa1-15-21 suggest that it is pertinent to ask: (a) whether the [ ]-correlation (or any analogous relationship) extends to coal; and (b), if so, whether this relationship can be used to guide the development of superior aids for grinding coal. Accordingly, correlations have been sought between (1) the zeta potentials, (2) the hardnesses, and (3 and 4) the drilling and grinding characteristics of coals of different rank in different aqueous and organic environments. This paper reports the results of that search.

Jan 1, 1980

By Walter Renton Ingalls

Vague references to tin-deposits in Mexico are scattered throughout technical literature, and that country has been looked to as a likely source of a part of the world's supply of till at no very distant date; but thus far nothing but occasional small lots have come forward, so that the notion has arisen that these mines are either mythical or unworkable. So far as I am aware, there has not yet been published any description of the tin-deposits of Mexico except a few brief references; and this paper, based on a study of them made in 1892, is therefore offered.

Jan 1, 1896

These pages may be used as order sheets. Mark the number desired opposite title of pamphlet wanted, add your name and address, tear out the sheets and mail them to us. Single orders 25 c. Pamphlets 10 c. each in lots of three or more. Pamphlets 5 c. each in lots of fifty or more. These prices prevail for orders for pamphlets of the same or different titles, when cash accompanies order. The pamphlets listed on the following sheets are advance copies printed to facilitate discussion at the meetings of the Institute. They are offered for sale at the reduced prices given above as long, as the supply lasts. This list is published in the Bulletin in order that members may have the first opportunity to secure pamphlets, which sometimes are in such great demand that the supply is exhausted before the wants of members can be supplied. The following list includes only a fraction of the pamphlets-that have been published by the Institute. Any other paper published by. the Institute may be obtained for the price of $1, except those published in Volume XXXI, which are rare. The, Institute is still selling back volumes of Transactions at reduced prices, but some of these volumes are becoming rare. and members who desire to complete their sets of these very important books on mining and metallurgy are advised to send in their orders as soon as convenient. The attention of members is also called to the bibliographical index of the science of ore deposits contained in the Emmons Volume which is selling at $3 in paper and $4 in half morocco. The Posepny Volume is already exhausted and members who do not get in their orders for the Emmons Volume at the present reduced price may soon find themselves unable to obtain it on such favorable terms.

Jan 7, 1917

By John Gross

The group of claims, comprising over 1,100 acres, located at Maitland (formerly known as Garden City), in the Ida Gray mining district, Lawrence county, South Dakota, are now being developed and operated by Alexander Maitland, the owner. Prior to the acquisition of this property two years ago by Mr. Maitland, but little work had been done in this district, and little was known of the extent of the ore-deposits. Recent development, however, has opened up some very promising ore-shoots. The ores so far encountered are the so-called " Potsdam siliceous ores," occurring in the flat formation lying immediately above the Cambrian quartzite, which dips at this locality about 12º. Both oxidized and blue ores are found, and the latter have proven particularly refractory to treat. No prospecting in the underlying slates of the Archean period has so far been attempted; but this work is one of the future considerations in the development of the property. Small quantities of blue ores are unavoidably sent to the mill, but special care is taken to send only the oxidized ores for the cyanide treatment. The ores, being close-grained and hard, have given considerable trouble in their treatment. Pyrrhotite arid pyrite exist in about equal proportions; arsenic, copper, and traces of antimony and tellurium are encountered, and considerable quantities of bismuth have been found in the zinc-box precipitates. The silver in the low-grade ores is slightly greater than the gold, while in the high-grade ores the reverse is generally true. Table I., showing the variations in the analyses of these ores, gives a fair idea of their general character. Early in 1902, the building of a 40-stamp wet-crushing cyanide-mill was begun, and it was finally placed in commission

Jan 1, 1905

By Donald J. Worth

INTRODUCTION Minera Real de Angeles makes a very interesting case study in more ways than one. To begin with, it represents the first time a bulk silver deposit has been put into production in Mexico. Second, the feasibility and financing stage spanned a period when the silver price ranged from $4 to $40 per ounce. Third, there was a major devaluation of the peso and a financial crisis in Mexico at completion of the project. Fourth, the composition of the partnership (a major Canadian mining company, a major Mexican mining company and the host government's own mining entity) is worthy of note. This paper gives considerable background on the project and how it came to fruition. The political risk aspects and how the major provider of funds perceived Mexican risk at the time of decision to participate and afterwards are highlighted. LOCATION AND HISTORY The Real de Angeles deposit is located at an elevation of 2300 meters in Central Mexico in the State of Zacatecas (Figure 1). The closest village is Noria de Angeles, three kilometers to the north. The closest cities are Aguascalientes, Zacatecas and San Luis Potosi. The first-mentioned is one hour to the southwest by automobile over good roads. Exploitation of the vein outcrops probably began towards the end of the sixteenth century by the Spanish. Evidence of past mining activity is shown by numerous shafts, manways, dumps and ruins. Also, there were remnants of two rudimentary concentrating mills now obliterated by pit development and in the nearby town of Noria de Angeles the ruins of a small smelter still exist. Compania Minera Gamma, an affiliate of a major international mining company, investigated Real de Angeles from 1969 to 1971. Its evaluation program included 20 drill holes and comprehensive geological engineering and metallurgical studies. The results were not encouraging and the option on the property was dropped. In late August 1973 geologists representing Placer Mexicana which was later renamed Explomin were advised of the availability of the property and liked the prospects sufficiently to make an option payment soon due and to agree to outright purchase by year-end. A series of 34 holes were drilled by Explomin and a preliminary study indicated that the prospect had mine-making potential if the silver price was right. [ ] DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT Real de Angeles is best described as a large, low grade open pit silver mine because at today's prices approximately 70% of the realizable revenue is derived from that metal. One must also keep in mind that the operation produces two concentrates - a lead concentrate with high silver content and

Jan 1, 1985

By Robert H. Richards

The object of this paper is to enlarge the field of settling velocities treated by me in my former papers, Close Sizing Before Jigging, and Sorting Before Sizing.' There seemed need of work both on coarser and on finer sizes. Messrs. A. Sidney Warren and M. L. Nagel undertook the investigation for the coarser sizes, from 12.85 mm. down to 2.05 mm. diameter. Their work, because of the closer spacing and because of the increased number of observations and consequent stronger averages, called for a revision of the former work. Messrs. G. A. Barnaby and Ralph Hayden undertook this part of the work, from 2.49 mm. down to 0.28 mm., which is near the limit of sifting. Their work covers the ground much more minutely and comprehensively than the former papers. There remained to be covered the portion of the field too fine for investigation with the sieves. This part, covering the range of grains from 0.48 to 0.03 mm., was undertaken by Mr. E. S. Bardwell. For it he used the elutriation method. 11. The First, or Coarsest, Section of the Field. The first desideratum in this investigation was a series of sieves for sizing the sands preparatory to making the tests. It became necessary, therefore, to decide on a sieve-scale for this purpose. A sieve-scale is a series of sieves in which the dimensions of the holes of the successive members form a series increasing by a definite ratio. There are three natural sieve-scales: 1, progressing by doubling the width of the hole for each suc-

Jan 1, 1908

By Thomas Clagett

THE Pocahontas coal field comprises the area in Tazewell County, Va., and Mercer and McDowell Counties, W. Va., in which Nos. 3 and 4 Pocahontas seams of bituminous coal are mined. It is a mountainous region with ridges rising 300 to 1000 ft. (91 to 305m.) above the very narrow valleys and, except for some poorly kept farms along the tops of the ridges and the area occupied by the mining and coking plants and villages, is wooded throughout. First shipments were made from Pocahontas in 1883. There are now, about 100 mines, 95 per cent. of which are drift mines. At the end of 1920, approximately 298,000,000 gross tons of coal had been produced and 35,000 acres of coal mined. No. 3 seam is from 4 to 10 ft. (1.2 to 3 m.) thick, but the change is gradual and the thickness fairly uniform in any particular locality. It has a streak of bone, about 2 in. (5 cm.) thick, io which the coal adheres on both sides. In parts of the field this bone is replaced by hard slate, usually from 2 to 4 in. thick. The seam has a slate or fireclay bottom and a draw-slate top. No. 4 seam is from 65 to 80 ft. (19.8 to 24 m.) above No. 3 seam, and of minable section only in the western part of the field. It is from 3 to 8 ft. thick and has two streaks off bone, each from 1 to 2 in. thick. It has a fireclay or slate bottom and is overlaid by from 4 to 24 in. of a laminated coal and slate, locally termed "black rash," which is separated from the coal seam by about 3 in. of slate. This "black rash" averages about 25 per cent. ash, but contains some clean coal. The coal in both seams is quite soft. Cleavage sufficiently well defined to exert an influence on the mining is rare. Overlying strata are slates, shales, and sandstones, the sandstones predominating, extending from .30 to 1000 ft. above No. 3 seam. The strata directly above the. draw slate of No. 3 seam, or "black rash" of No., 4 seam, and up to the first sandstone are usually slates or shales, about 10 ft. thick over the

Jan 5, 1922