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By H. W. Gillett

MAINTENANCE of membership by the technical so¬cieties and the activity of these societies in spite of the adverse business situation have been noteworthy. This forcibly brings home the fact that industry recognizes that sound technical guidance is well worth its cost. The numerous difficulties and losses due to defects of various kinds arising from gas-metal reactions are now generally recognized and interest in these problems is widespread. The forthcoming A. I. M. E. round-table discussion of gas-metal problems will do much to clarify the situation and will permit us to assay our present knowledge and to suggest the proper direction for profitable future research. "The Age Hardening of Metal" was the title of the annual I. M. D. lecture delivered by Dr. Paul D. Merica. A critical review of the known facts relating to age-hardening phenomena was first given, followed by the presentation of a theory correlating the detailed observations which have been made regarding the mechanism of the hardening.

Jan 1, 1933

By J. A. Morgan, R. E. Lund, D. E. Warnes

The design, operation, and performance of an integrated pilot plant for recovering zinc and copper from a complex sulfide ore are described. Metallurqical processing comprised selective sulfate roasting in a fluid bed, leaching in a weak sulfuric acid solution, recovering copper by cementation with scrap iron, air oxidation to remove soluble iron, more-or-less conventional Purification for removal of impurities deleterious to zinc electrolysis, recovering zinc by electrolyzing solutions, and recycling spent electrolyte to the sulfating roaster. The effects of several feed preparation and roasting variables on the sulfation response of zinc, copper, and iron are set forth, together with the electrolyzing characteristics of the zinc solutions. SEVERAL years ago, St. Joseph Lead Co. undertook a research program to develop procedures for winning values from a complex ore. The deposit was a massive sulfide ore body containing upwards of 65 pct pyrite. Gangue, composed principally of quartz, calcite, dolomite, and alumina, comprised only 10 to 20 pct of the mineralized zones. Zinc, lead, and copper values were variable, but averaged about 6.7 pct Zn, 2.6 pct Pb, and 0.4 pct Cu. Early in the exploratory test work, it was established that the intimate physical association of the minerals in the ore made beneficiation by conventional flotation procedures difficult. Accordingly, in addition to a comprehensive program to investigate physical methods of ore beneficiation, a research program was established to develop a direct metallurgical method for processing the ore. After surveying a number of potential methods for recovery of both metal and sulfur values, effort was concentrated on the development of a sulfate roasting process. It is the pilot-plant development of the sulfate roasting-solution purification—electrolyzing procedures which forms the subject of the present paper. PREPILOT PLANT INVESTIGATIONS From a thermodynamic viewpoint, it is feasible to sulfate selectively a host of metals, including Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Co, in an iron sulfide ore without sulfating iron. Of course, a number of conditions such as roasting temperature and gas composition must be controlled. In addition, as first disclosed by Hybinette,' an alkali metal salt is frequently beneficial in promoting the sulfation reactions. The application of fluid bed roasting to the sulfate roasting of nonferrous metals was pioneered by Stephens of Battelle Memorial Institute.' Subsequently, Falconbridge Nickel Mines, Ltd. developed an unique process for selectively sulfating and recovering nickel, copper, and cobalt from their nickeliferous pyrrhotite, which recently has been described in an excellent paper by Thornhill.3 One of the unique features of the Falconbridge process is that the feed is introduced into the fluidized roasting furnace in a manner such that the feed slurry is broken up into droplets and the droplets lose their moisture before contacting the surface of the fluidized bed. The dried droplets do not tend to cake or fuse, but rather remain as discrete agglomerates of concentrate particles and roast without significant degradation. St. Joseph, aware that Battelle Memorial Institute had participated in the development of the Falconbridge process, obtained permission from Falcon-

Jan 1, 1962

By Norman Braly

THE following is not offered as an extended paper on the subject of shaft sinking, but more as a description of the present practice of shaft sinking in the Butte district. The Anaconda company is sinking at present the following shafts: Badger State, Moose, Mountain Consolidated, Mountain View, Pennsyl-ania and Tropic. At the High Ore and Leonard mines the shafts are being deepened by sinking two compartments and will subsequently be enlarged to the full working size by raising alongside the compartments which are now being sunk. The following other companies are also sinking shafts: Butte-Alex Scott, Butte and Zenith City, Boston and Corbin, North Butte Mining Co. (at the Granite Mountain shaft), East Butte Co. (at the Pittsmont shaft), and the Rainbow Lode Development Co. Shaft Timbering. The shafts of the Butte district, generally speaking, are of three compartments arranged in a straight line, and the pump compartment is usually arranged for the use of an auxiliary hoisting cage, as well as for carrying pipe lines and electric wires. The Rainbow shaft is practically square, and of three compartments. The length of the shafts outside of timber will vary from 17 to 22 ft., and the width from 6 ft. 6 in. to 7 ft. Fir timber is used in all shaft work. This may be obtained from the Coast, when it is known as Coast fir, or from Idaho or Montana, when it is known as native fir. The native fir seems to be the tougher wood, but it is hard to obtain clear lumber in the lengths and sizes necessary for shaft work. Some of the shaft timber of the Anaconda company has been treated with creosote as a preservative, but this practice has not come into general use, as the ground of the camp is so heavy that the timbers usually crush before they rot. The size of timber most .used for shaft work is 12 by 12 in., while 10 by 12 in., 10 by 14 in. and 12 by 14 in. are used for some of the special pieces around the shaft. The new Leonard shaft is timbered with 14 by 14 in. wall plates throughout.

Jan 8, 1913

By P. Bandopadhyay, T. C. Rao

Geologically the Indian coals belong to Gondwana formations. Being of drift origin, these coals contain high percentage of mineral matter distributed in finely disseminated form. Indian coal-preparation plants process prime coking and medium coking coals for use in steel plants. Limited resources of good quality coking coals (Table 1) could not keep pace with the rapid developments of the iron and steel industry in India. This resulted in the introduction of coal-preparation technology and the establishment of washeries in India in the last 30 years or so. The first four washeries were set up during the early fifties at West-Bokaro, Jamadoba, Lodna and Kargali. Next came the first non-coking coal washery at Nowrozabad set up by the Associated Cement Company. In 1961, following the recommendation of Central Coal Washeries Committee (1953-54), Hindustan Steel Ltd. had set up five central washeries at appropriate locations, viz Durgapur, Dugda (2 washeries), Patherdih and Bhojudih, so that the raw coal feed having similar washability characteristics can conveniently come from a number of collieries to a particular washery. Subsequently, to meet the increasing demand of metallurgical coal by steel plants, two more central washeries (at Durgapur and Chasnala) and three pit-head washeries (at Kathara, Swang and Gidi) were installed by 1970. The prime objective of washing Indian coking coal is essentially to reduce the ash content. All the washeries in India, taken together have an installed capacity of about 26 million tons of raw coal input per annum. Details of these washeries in respect of their annual capacity, main washing systems adopted and the nature and size of the products are given in Table 2. It can be observed from this table that (1) bulk of the coal is processed in units like jigs HM baths and HM cyclones; (2) only two of the washeries have cleaning circuits for treatment of fines.

Jan 1, 1980

By A. Faber du Faur

At the request of some of the members to whom I have shown a collection of specimens of sulphur from southern Utah, I herewith present some notes relating to the mines and the method of extracting the sulphur from the ore. In preparing these notes I have borrowed from a paper by Prof. G. vom Rath, published in the Neue Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, vol. i., 1884, dated Salt Lake City, December, 1883. The Cove Creek sulphur-bed, now worked by the Dickert & Myers Sulphur Co., is in Beaver county, near the line of Millard county. It was first discovered by Mr. Ferdinand Dickert in 1869 ; other beds in the same neighborhood mere found by him from 1872 to 1875, making altogether 22 mining claims. The want of railroad communication prevented the early development of these claims; but in 1883 Mr. F. Dickert put up a plant for extracting sulphur from the ore, which proved a perfect success; and in 1885 the property was transferred to a stock company organized under the laws of Utah. The railroad station nearest to the Cove Creek mines is Black Rock, on the Utah Central Railroad, 204 miles south from Salt Lake City, and about 26 miles west of the mines. The road from Black Rock to the mines passes through desert and lava-bed, to the road leading from Kanosh to Beaver, which latter road it joins near Cove Creek fort, a square stone enclosure, erected by the Mormons for protection against the Indians. Cove Creek fort is situated near the eastern limit of a plain bounded on the west at a distance of about 12 miles by the Mineral range, and on the east by the Sulphur mountains, forming part of the Tushar mountains. To the northwest the plain runs into the Sandy desert. About 3 miles from the fort rises a solitary hill about 1000 feet above the

Jan 1, 1888

By Wilfred Walker

With the advent of the New Global Tectonics a coherent pattern of geology is emerging. To the economic geologist this is of vital concern because the type of mineralization in particular environments is predictable. Developments in geological reasoning now take their place beside developments in geochemistry and geophysics. Much is known of the worldwide geography of the Alpine orogenic period because it is now ending its 200 million years of existence, starting with the Jurassic, and we can see the mid-ocean rises and the down flow zones, and between them the stable oceanic and continental platforms. The concepts of mantle cells, the spreading sea floor, and continental drift have gained general acceptance. The oceanographers have demonstrated the uprises like that in the mid-Atlantic. In this paper it is suggested that down flows in the oceans are marked by island arcs, like the West Indies; and down flows in the continents are marked by orogens like the American Cordillera. The number and position of mantle cells is controversial: a total of about 16 cells is suggested in this paper. Certain cells expand, and as they carry continents with them give rise to concepts of plate tectonics. Specific types of mineral deposits are associated with the uprises, oceanic and continental platforms, and down flows. The uprises are accompanied by the currently described Red Sea and Salton Sea deposits, the oceanic parts of the platform have the nodular deposits, and the continental platforms have the post-tectonic deposits. However, most economic metal deposits are associated with the down flow zones in which the stage of geosynclinal development controls the type of deposit: (1) In the initial development stage the simatic upper mantle may be tapped and give rise to the volcanogenic massive base metal sulfide deposits and to the ophiolite suite which characteristically carries nickel, chrome, and cupreous pyrite. (2) In the early geosynclinal stage sialic crust is driven down into the simatic magma of the upper mantle and basic to acidic differentiates give rise to stocks accompanied by skarn and hydrothermal deposits. (3) The intermediate stage of geosynclinal development gives rise to tin-tungsten, lithium, and beryllium deposits as the magma chamber rises above the level of the upper mantle and there is no simatic component. (4) The late stage is one of regenerated deposits. The porphyry deposits are not restricted to stages but only by the time of generation of acid magma. As the geosynclinal system dies, the mantle is again the source of magma, giving rise to gabbro and diabase dykes and sills: in this last, post-tectonic, continental platform environment are found the Mississippi Valley type lead-zinc deposits, the Blind River and Witwatersrand type of sedimentary uranium and gold deposits, and also Sudbury's nickel. The key relationship of major ore deposits generated by downflows is depicted herein on a framework of uprises, platforms, and downflows in the Alpine orogenic period. There is evidence for nine orogenic periods, of which the Alpine period is the latest, having taken place from 3500 million years ago to the present. Each period was characterized by its own worldwide mantle cell system and associated uprises, platforms, and down flows. The cycle of geosynclinal development, including corresponding cycles of mineralization, can be precisely defined in relation to each of these orogenic periods. The development of the Alpine orogenic period therefore can be used as a guide to the study of the earlier orogenic periods which comprise well known periods: Kenoran, Hudsonian, Grenville, and Paleozoic; and less well known: Konkian, Aulian, Belomorian, and Elsonian [(Table 1)]. Each name is used for the period as a whole, and not for the main orogenic event.

Jan 1, 1973

By J. J. Calaman, D. H. Fleming

DURING 1950 the jet-piercing process was used commercially in the piercing of primary blast-holes in magnetic taconite at the preliminary taconite plant of .the Erie Mining Co., Aurora, Minn. The Erie Mining Co. purchased a jet-piercing machine and associated equipment in 1949, and the machine has been in operation since its installation in the summer of that year. An overall view of the pit with the JPM-1 jet-piercing machine in operation is shown in Fig. 1. During three months of 1949 and continuously since February 1950, production piercing took place under all pit conditions. By the end of October 1950, a total of 15,000 linear ft of hole had been pierced in an open pit handling an average of 1200 to 1800 tons of crude a day in one 8-hr shift. While it is recognized that this output does not approach the millions of tons a year planned for the developing Minnesota taconite projects, the machine as a unit has been operating under conditions probably more adverse than those that eventually will be encountered in the large operations. This pilot operation has permitted evaluation of the piercing problem in the full-scale taconite plant. This paper describes jet-piercing process funda- mentals, important features of the latest jet-piercing burners and machine, actual piercing results obtained, and new developments that give promise of materially increasing overall process efficiency. To produce the blasthole, jet-piercing utilizes thermal energy, as contrasted with the application of mechanical energy in churn drills and jackham-mers. The heart of the process may be termed a tailored flame produced by a rocket-type burner, thermodynamically similar in every respect to that of the giant rockets being developed for military purposes. The heat release in the combustion chamber of the burner is about 50x10' Btu per cu ft per hr as compared with 5x10' for most modern steam generators.* Combustion of liquid petroleum fuels (kerosine, diesel oil, or No. 2 fuel oil) with gaseous oxygen in the burner chamber at pressures of 100 to 200 psi results in temperatures of about 4300°F. Expansion of the hot combustion gases through divergent nozzles produces high-temperature supersonic jets having measured velocities of about 6000 fps. Impinging the flame jets on rock causes a thin surface layer to expand and break away from the base as a result of the thermally induced stresses. This spalling action is aided further in chert and quartzite by the 0.82 pct volume change resulting from the 6 to p quartz inversion at 1066"F.t The dynamic action of the jets whisks the spalled rock

Jan 1, 1952

By W. M. Small

From the one producing well in Austria, 7000 bbl. of heavy oil was produced and sold in 1933. This well, owned by the Raky-Danubia, was completed late in 1932 in the formation called Flysch (Upper Cretaceous or lower Eocene) near Zistersdorf north of Vienna. Two wildcats drilling in the vicinity have not yet reached the producing beds. Near Vienna, the European Gas and Electric Co. drilled five shallow wells for gas, three of which were failures. One gas well was completed for 8 million cu. ft. capacity at 260 meters depth and with a pressure of 570 lb. Another is being tested following blowouts. One gas well and one dry hole were completed in the pool in 1932. In Upper Austria, the same company abandoned one wildcat at 679 m. and is drilling at 280 m. on a second. No gas was sold during the year, but a line is being completed to supply fuel to boilers of the Vienna Electric Works. Hungary No deep drilling was done in 1933. Oil and gas concession was granted by Parliament to the European Gas and Electric Co. on Trans-danubia. Active geological and geophysical investigation is in progress. Czechoslovakia In the Gbely and Hodonin shallow fields, some 26 wells were drilled of which three were reported as failures. The total production of the fields was 111,736 bbl. of oil and 40 million cu. ft. of gas used as fuel in the field. At Vacenovice, where there were already two small gas wells, a third producer was completed at 420 m. This pool markets a small amount of gas, which is compressed and used to light railway carriages. Wildcat wells were reported drilling at about 300 m. depth at both Jasina and Telnice. One 700-ni. wildcat near the Hodonin field was abandoned. Another failure was reported completed and abandoned at 820 m. near Holic.

Jan 1, 1934

By George B. Harrington

This paper is a brief description of the design and equipment of a new coal mine in southern Illinois, which has many features not common practice in shaft coal mining and which is laid out and equipped for such unusually large capacity that it promises soon to become one of the largest mining operations of its kind. Shaft sinking for the mine, New Orient, was commenced in May, 1921, by the Chicago, Wilmington & Franklin Coal Co. In October, 1924, the plant was practically completed and was producing over 6000 tons of coal per day. There is good prospect that within a few years, when the mine is fully developed and manned, the output will attain a daily rate of 12,000 tons. The coal seam at New Orient lies approximately horizontal, about 500 ft. below the surface, and may be said to run from 9 to 12 ft. in thickness. The tendency in Franklin County has been toward large mining units (5000 to 6000 tons per day) with great care being given to protection against fire and explosion hazards, and usually with quite elaborate surface plants permitting careful preparation of the coal into graded sizes comparable with those made in the anthracite region. The field is unionized, with uniform conditions of wages for various classes of work, hours, etc., and the Illinois mining laws are quite specific with regard to fireproofing and safety measures. These conditions make it difficult for any hut well-equipped and well-operated mines to meet the competition of the numerous fine properties of which this county can justly be proud. The coal company's property was already developed on the western side by the Orient mine—a much visited and written about operation (with which many of you are possibly familiar through the Department of Mines' film "The Story of Coal") which until recently held the 8-hr, production record with 8218 tons and usually ran quite consistently with production of slightly over 6000 tons per day. Experience at Orient wat naturally one of the greatest influences in determining the location and character of the New Orient.

Jan 1, 1925

By W. H. C. SIMMONDS

The mining, metallurgical, and petroleum industries can be viewed as financial or as social institutions or both. The differences between these two conceptions of their businesses will influence their environmental 'and social actions. During the next 10-20 years western industry will be subject to a drop in the growth of a more highly educated labour force and to the emergence of holistic economics, new national goals, and a new ecological perspective. The profitability of the mining industry may therefore be influenced by the human side of its business to a greater degree. The increasing human, social, and environmental responsibilities can be discharged by improving the miner's equipment; by learning to look at situations through the eyes of all those involved; by developing common 'languages' which governments and the public can understand; and by mediating where feasible on the international scene.

Jan 1, 1978

By Nestor Torres-Acuña, Fathi Habashi

Metallic copper of purity equal to commercial electrolytic copper is deposited during the anodic dissolution of technically available white metal, Cu2S, in m acidic solution of' copper(II) sulfate as electrolyte and copper sheets as cathodes. The process may be applied on commercial scale since it has the advantage of by passing the converting and poling steps, decreasing pollution problems due to SO, and recovering the sulfur of the white metal in the elemental form. The anodic dissolution is believed to take place in three steps: The working conditions that lead to 98 pct cathodic current efficiency are: 30 gpl Cu2+ and 100 gpl H2SO4 in electrolyte, current density 1.0 amp per sq dm, and tetnperature of bath 40°C'. DURING the smelting of copper, nickel, lead, and zinc sulfide ores, large amounts of sulfur dioxide are produced. Because the release of this gas in the atmosphere causes pollution problems, many attempts were made in the past for its recovery either in liquified form or processed to sulfuric acid. Although these two forms of sulfur are the usual forms that are consumed by the chemical and metallurgical industries, their storage and transport usually raise economic problems. It was realized, long ago, that a process by which sulfur can be recovered directly in the elemental form would be most attractive. Elemental sulfur is easily stored and transported, and is readily converted to SO2, H2S, or H2SO4 when needed. Processes aimed to recover the metals from their sulfide ores, and at the same time by-product sulfur in the elemental form, were recently reviewed.' As early as 1882, Marchese2 patented a process in which a matte having the composition: Cu 15, Pb 14, Fe 41, and S 25 pct was electrolyzed. According to cohen3 the process was applied on a pilot scale by the Aktiengesellschaft fur Bergbau-, Blei-, und Zinkhiitten-betriebe at Stolberg, Rheinland, Germany. The process was unsuccessful, however, owing to the contamination of the electrolyte during electrolysis. Studies in this field were reported by Bernfeld4 and Egli.5 Borchers et a1.6-8 developed the process further by using white metal (Cu 78.2 pct, S 19.6 pct) instead of the matte, and a pilot plant was operated by the Mansfeldschen Kupferschiefer Co. at Eisleben, German~.~ It appears, however, that the process never went into commercial operation. Further studies in this direction were carried out by Russian workers.10-23 The International Nickel Co. of Canada erected a pilot plant at Port Colborne in 1951 to apply the process to nickel matte which is essentially pure nickel sulfide."'- 26 Full-scale plant went into operation at the Thompson Refinery in Manitoba in 1964.27 In this method nickel sulfide matte is melted and cast into anodes analyzing 76 pct Ni and 20 pct S with small amounts of copper, cobalt, and iron. These anodes are then electrolyzed in an aqueous solution of NiS04 at pH 4. Further work on this method was reported in the literature.28-31 In this paper, experiments on the anodic dissolution of white metal in aqueous copper sulfate solution are reported. EXPERIMENTAL White metal, Table I, obtained from The Anaconda Co., was cast in form of anodes 10 by 7.5 by 1 cm, Fig. 1. The anodes are mechanically strong and do not break easily; when polished they gave a shiny gray metallic appearance. From the chemical composition shown in Table I, it can be seen that the atomic ratio Cu:S corresponds approximately to the formula CU2.06S. The copper in excess to the formula Cu2S is most probably present as a separate phase since metallic copper could be seen under the microscope, Fig. 2. Fig. 3 shows the X-ray diffraction pattern of white metal which matches fairly well with that of reagent-grade Cu2S.

Jan 1, 1969

By J. E. Berg

THE geology of the Coeur d'Alene mining district is so familiar to every one interested in mining that I will only note as an introduction that the main producers are mines whose orebodies lie in the Revett or Burke quartzites ; that the known orebodies in the eastern part of the district all lie north of the Osburn fault; that the Prichard formation is quite generally looked upon as being unfavorable for lead deposits ; that the monzonite intrusive mass extending north from Gem to Sunset Peak, and over into Cedar Creek divide, is considered to have been the prime agent in the crea-tion of our orebodies, and that diabase dikes are a quite common feature at most of the properties with which I am familiar. Some of the exceptions to these statements may be mentioned. The Interstate-Callahan mine is considered the exception disproving the alleged relation between large ore-deposits and the Prichard formation, but this property was primarily a zinc producer, with lead secondary, though of sufficient tonnage to be a valuable product. A second interesting occurrence in the Prichard worth calling to your attention is the Jack Waite property, on Tributary Creek, north of Murray. This vein lies at a low horizon in the Prichard forma-tion, and the ore differs essentially from others in the same horizon elsewhere in that it is a clean, medium to coarsely crystalline, lead ore carrying very little zinc, about one ounce silver to ten units lead, and is accom-panied by a clean quartz gangue or vein filling. I believe that quartz was the primary mineral in the fissure, and that the lead ore was deposited in the vein as a replacement of the quartz.

Jan 7, 1927

By Dudley L. Davis, E. C. Peterson

Introduction The Darwin District is 30 miles east of Olancha which is 220 miles north from Los z4ngeles via U. S. Highway No. 6. The ore deposits occur in the Darwin hills that have been elevated above the Darwin plateau by typical basin and range-type faults. Some of these faults have been active quite recently as shown by the displacemerit of Quaternary (?) basalt flows and the rejuvenation of erosion in Darwin wash. The ore bodies occur as fissure fillings and replacement of favorable beddings in a thick series of Paleozoic limestones, dolomites, shales and quartzites. Rich oxidized lead-silver ores were dis'Overed in the early seventies. BY 1875, Darwin had a population Of about 5000, and by 1880 several small mills and smelters had been built. Early exhaustion of surface ores, the isolated location of the district, and fluctuation Of metal prices caused intermittent operations until World War 11. The district production is estimated at about $3,000,000 prior to 1900 and perhaps $4,000,000 between 1900 and 1945 when Anaconda purchased the major producing mines. 'or the Past two Years, daily production has averaged 75 tons of direct shipping and 150 tons of milling-grade ore. At present, 300 tons of mixed oxide and sulphide ore are treated by flotation, the oxidized lead minerals being activated by addition of sodium sulphide after galena and sphalerite have been recovered from the circuit. Extraction averages 85 pct of the lead, 80 pct of the silver, and about 33 Pct Of the zinc in a bulk concentrate. The mill is designed so that minor changes permit selective flotation of pyritic lead-zinc ores encountered at depth. General Geology The oldest rocks in the Darwin hills are a series of Paleozoic limestones, dolomites, shales and quartzites probably pennsyl-vanian in age. These rocks have been intruded on the Rest by the Coso granite batholith and on the east by a granodiorite stock. Numerous sills and dikes grading from orthoclase granite to gabbro are exposed in the underground workings. The sedimentary rocks have been considerably folded and faulted, the most prominent structure being a northwest pitching anticlinal fold, the crest of which lies just west of the ridge line of the Darwin hills, The east limb of this fold has been intruded by the granodiorite stock and east of the stock the sediments show several closely spaced anticlines and synclines. The minor flexures on the west flank of the major fold are structurally important in localizing the ore in the Defiance and Essex mines of the Darwin group. There are three principal systems of faulting and fissuring, most of which are post-intrusive and premineral in age, with minor amounts of postmineral movement. The Darwin tear fault is the largest, most persistent fault in the district. It strikes N 60 to 75°W, dips steeply south and is traceable for about 10 miles. It is a normal

Jan 1, 1949

By AIME AIME

THAT the copper industry is in serious straits is admitted. So are the lead and zinc industries, and both lead and zinc are tariff protected. Conditions in the Western lead, zinc and silver mining districts are desperate. These are illustrated by the present disastrously low prices of these metals compared with the levels of two and three years ago and by the comparative rates of metal production and the present activity of the western mining camps. The January production of copper was 32.2 per cent of the 1929 average rate, of steel was 32.3 per cent of the 1929 average, while January production of pig iron was only 27.6 per cent of the monthly average of 1929. The copper industry is only one of many industries that are suffering in this tragic depression. It has been exceedingly prosperous and will be prosperous again when business recovers. Its difficulties are not unique and it does not deserve the tariff equivalent of a dole. The burden of subsidizing through an effective tax or tariff the minority group of high-cost mines would be a heavy one on the consuming public of the United States. On the basis of 1929 consumption figures, an effective 5c. tariff would result in an increased copper bill to the country of over $109,000,000, of which the electric manufacturers would contribute $26,000,000, the telephone and telegraph companies $16,000,000, and the automobile manufacturers $14,000,000. And of this total bill, only $33,000,000 would go to those who are urging a tariff and the balance of $76,000,000 would be paid to those who do not admit either its necessity or usefulness under present conditions.

Jan 1, 1932

By H. T. Shore, J. M. Schultz

A number of experimental rnethods—X-ray powder diffractometry, Laue photography, X-ray small-angle scattering, and transmission electron microscopy and dijfraction—have been utilized to examine the morphology associated with precipitation from the terminal, g, solid solution of a Zn-1 pct Cu alloy. A significant age hardening was observed in a 1 pct Cu alloy. X-ray and electron diffraction results showed that the structural inhomogeneities associated with the hardening were isotructural with the matrix. The average size and shape of the inhomogeneities were deduced from the electron microscopy and X-ray small-angle scattering. The preprecipitates are hexagonal platelets some 300? in diam. and some twelve unit cells thick. The orientation of the platelets was deduced from Laue photographs and electron diffraction. The platelet plane is (0001). When a large amount of pre-precipitation is present in a localized volume the new lattice is often disoriented by a rotation about (0001) of of the matrix. WhILE dilute Zn-Cu alloys have been commercially important for some 50 years, relatively very little is known metallographically about this material. The "Zilloys", zinc with about 1 wt pct Cu and sometimes a small addition of magnesium, are used to produce rolled zinc which is harder and stronger than that produced by other rollable zinc alloys.' According to the phase diagrams of the zinc-rich side of the Cu-Zn system, such dilute Zn-Cu alloys should age-harden;2-5 the solubility of copper in zinc, g-phase, at 424°C is 2.68 pct, while at 0°C it is only to 0.3 pct. However, the published literature on the aging of this system appears to be limited to a documentation of the contraction of 1, 2, and 3 pct Cu alloys aging at 95°c,6 and an attempt to measure changes in lattice parameters during aging.' In the latter work, no lattice parameter changes were detected, although a broadening of the highest-angle lines was detected and considerable diffuse scattering was observed. Micro-structural investigations have been limited to the latest stage of aging, wherein Widmanstatten precipitates are formed.3,47 These alloys are of interest for still another reason. The two most zinc-rich phases in the Cu-Zn system, 77 and E, are both hcp. Moreover, the change in a, between 17 and t for a 1 wt pct Cu alloy is onlv 3.64 -,~ct: the change in Co is 12.0 ict. It would be anticipated that precipitation in such a material might occur through metastable phases or G.P. zones with epitaxy along mutual 0001 planes. The goals of the present work are aimed at partially filling the void of knowledge concerning the early stages of precipitation from the g phase. In particular, we have attempted to document the magnitude of the age hardening of this system and to determine the size, shape, and orientation within the matrix of the elements of precipitation in an early stage of condensation. EXPERIMENTAL A) Specimen Preparation. Specimens were prepared In two somewhat different ways, one method being used for X-ray Laue and diffractometer measurements, optical microscopy, and Rockwell hardness measurements and the other used for electron microscopy and X-ray small-angle scattering. In the first case zinc and copper in the proper proportions to yield a 1 wt pct Cu alloy were melted together in a closed graphite crucible. Castings so made were free of apparent segregation or oxidation. The castings were then solution-annealed at 400°C for several days and then quenched in water to room temperature. Filings of portions of the specimens were made for use as X-ray powder diffractometry specimens. The electron microscope material was made as follows. Castings were made under vacuum with copper powder placed inside a hollow zinc cylinder to insure good contact of the materials. These 1 wt pct Cu pieces were then rolled to 0.1 mm with an intermediate anneal in vacuo. The rolled sheets so formed were then annealed for about 6 hr at 225°C. Finally the specimens were electropolished slowly until thin enough for transmission electron microscopy. The polishing is discussed in greater detail in the Results section. B) Measurements. X-ray measurements of three types were performed. A G.E. XRD-5 diffractometer was used to examine powders of the alloy for identification of second-phase material. A Kratky small-angle camera, also operating from a G.E. tube, was used to investigate the sizes of small precipitate particles. In both cases, nickel-filtered copper radiation was utilized. Finally, individual grains of the large-grained castings were examined in the back-reflection Laue geometry. Electron microscope studies were carried out with a J.E.O.L. Model 6A instrument. RESULTS A) Hardness Measurements. Hardness measurements performed at room temperature on the large-grained polycrystalline specimens showed a hardening which was essentially complete in 3 hr. Fig. 1 shows a typical plot of hardness vs aging time. The relative magnitude of the ultimate hardening varied from run to run between 150 and 200 pct of the value for the material immediately after quenching from the solution anneal. Most probably the variations reflect small changes in the time taken to remove the specimen from the vacuum furnace after the solution anneal.

Jan 1, 1969

By E. A. Cappelen Smith

FOR distinguished service in the art of hydrometallurgy, the Mining and Metallurgical Society of America presented its gold medal to E. A. Cappelen Smith, at a dinner held in the Hotel Commodore, New York, on Nov.' 10, 1920. Prof. Waldemar Lindgren, president of the society, in giving the medal, said: "By the advancement of the science of hydrometallurgy, by the construction of plants on a scale audacious in their conception, by the successful overcoming of all sorts of difficulties, you have placed your name among those who occupy the very front rank among the hydrometallurgists. In recognition of this distinguished contribution to the science of metallurgy, the Mining and Metallurgical Society of America now awards you its gold medal."

Jan 1, 1920

By Samuel H. Dolbear

NOT WITHSTANDING the extremely low ebb of business activity, the nonmetallic industries have fared somewhat better than some other branches of mining. The average price level in nonmetallics, although far from satisfactory, has resisted any cataclysmic fall such as has been suffered by copper and other metals. Stocks, also, though too abundant, represent no corresponding overhang of the market, which should result, in some branches, in a more rapid recovery. Research work has continued in some industries with interesting developments.

Jan 1, 1933

By R. P. Rothwell

The milling of silver ores has arrived at a great degree of perfection in the mining districts of our Western States and Territories, and I hare thought the record of the practical results obtained at the present time, in a few of the principal districts, would prove of value arid interest to many of our members, both at home and abroad. An American silver mill is composed, in descending order from where the ore is dumped, of: 1st. A rock-breaker, usually of the Blake or Alden pattern; 2d. The battery of stamps, the number of which varies from 5 to 120, generally in batteries of 5 or 10 heads, so arranged that a single battery may stand while the others are running; 3d. The tanks where the crushed ore settles (if it is a met stamping-mill), or of a drying-floor if the crushing is done dry; 4th. Amalgamating pans ; 5th. Settling pans ; 6th. Agitators or pans in which mercury escaping in the tailings is caught; 7th. Blanket sluices, over which the tailings run, and where mercury and unamalgamated sulplides are saved. A reference to the engravings (see plate), which show one of the latest forms of an 80stamp silver-mill run by a turbine water-wheel, will show clearly the arrangement of the several parts. THE ONTARIO, UTAH, SILVER MILL. One of the best examples of a silver-mill, and at the same time one of the most successful concerns in the West, is the mill of the Ontario Silver Mining Company, near Salt Lake, in Utah. This mill treats the ore from the Ontario mine, ore which at present is very base, being composed of zinc, lead, and silver sulphides and silver chloride in a quartz gangue. This ore has become baser as the mine attained greater depth, though the vein holds its own, or rather increases, both in thickness and richness. The mill is managed in a skilful and economical manner, though the necessity for

Jan 1, 1880

By Leon Borgman, Michael P. Lipkewich

Orebodies at or near the surface are generally amenable to open pit mining. The development of a mining program involves designing an ultimate pit and a production schedule. This pit maximizes total profit while the production schedule maximize6 the present value of the property. Optimum pit limits can be approximated by two-and three-dimensional numerical techniques. These techniques presuppose that the mineralized area has been sufficiently sampled to allow a reasonably accurate prediction of grade at any spatial location.

Jan 1, 1969

By Donald Markle

ANTHRACOAL is a mixture of small particles of anthracite coal and a matrix of practically pure carbon, formed from the distillation of coal-tar pitch or other suitable bitumen. It is a hard, dense, homogeneous mass, with a silvery luster and in color varies from silvery to grayish black. When pushed from the oven, it develops only partly the fingerlike structure of coke; but, unlike coke, it has a tendency to remain in blocky masses. When struck with a hammer or passed through crushing rolls, it breaks with an irregular fracture, similar to anthracite, but with very little fines. Due to its density, anthracoal is harder, tougher, and stronger than coke. The results of a test made by the blast-furnace department, of the Bethlehem Steel Co., on two barrels of anthracoal are given in Table 1. TABLE I.-Results of Shatter Tests on Anthracoal and Coke Anthracoal Test Good Blast-furnace Coke First Second Barrel Barrel Moisture, per cent 0.77 0.76 Under 5, variation not over 3 points Sieve test Through 2-in. screen, per cent 7.71 7.29 Under 40 Through 1-in. screen, per cent 1.37 1.56 Through ½ -in. screen, percent 0.93 1.08 Under 8 Over 2-in. screen, per cent 92.29 92.71 Over 60 Shatter test Through 2-in. screen, per cent 10.06 ' 12.40 1 Under 16 Through 1-in. screen, per cent 2.66 2.06 Through ½ -in. screen, per cent 1.80 1.26 Over 2-in. screen, per cent Hardness number 86.40 86.10 Over 81 Analysis Ash, percent 16.64 16.48 Under 11 Sulfur, per cent 1.17 1.10 Under 0.95 Volatile matter, per cent 0.77 0.27 Fixed carbon, percent 82.59 83.25 Over 87

Jan 8, 1921