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By B. J. Harlan

THE trying times experienced by the steel industry during the past four years have emphasized the necessity of producing pig iron at the lowest possible cost. The trend in both design and operation of blast furnaces has been toward this end rather than securing maximum production from a unit or group of units. In the following discussion the trend in design of stacks and auxiliary equipment will be taken up before operation is considered. Although few furnaces have been constructed in the past few years, the trend is definitely toward larger furnaces with a hearth diameter of 24 or 25 ft. Such a furnace is very flexible, being able to produce efficiently any desired daily tonnage between 500 and 1000 or more. The detail of the design of furnace stacks, with the exception of the top, has changed little in recent years.

Jan 1, 1934

By LEWIS F. THOMAS

MINING geologists and mining engineer, rarely give due thought to the geography of mining deposits. They realize, it is true that what may be ore in one place would be only worthless rock in another because f the in accessibility of a smelter r a market; and they may consider the lack of a supply of labor, or water, or power to carry on operations. But they do not think (of these things in terms of geography. Geography may be defined as the science of relationships between earth and man, so geographers are vitally interested in the how and why of mining as it is carried on at different place, having entirely different environment-. Such environments are geographic complexes or composites of natural and cultural elements, which are listed and briefly discussed in the following paragraphs.

Jan 1, 1941

By JAMES J. DOUGHERTY

THIS paper is a general discussion of developments in our reverberatory smelting practice during the past five years. It deals briefly kith changes in furnace types ; changes in furnace feed ; de- crease in the amount of slag produced; relation of slag assays to copper loss in the slag; increase in the grade of matte and furnace capacities. The reverberatory is but one unit in the copper plant ancl 'any discussion of it must be considered with reference to the other units and to the plant as a whole. A change in the grade of concentrates at the concentrator puts an entirely new aspect on reverberatory smelting and, likewise, a change in the grade of matte at the reverberatory affects the rate and cost of converting. The introduction of differential flotation in 1927 had a very marked influence on all smelting operations and its effect will be noted

Jan 1, 1930

By R. H. Sweetser

AT the Buffalo meeting in October, 1898 (Trans., xxviii., 865), our Secretary, Dr. Raymond, in speaking of the obstacles he had encountered in securing contributions to the Transactions from members in practice, said: "It is the disinclination of many members to communicate incomplete or partial or preliminary results. They are going to write, ' some day,' a thorough and monumental paper; and meanwhile they prefer to communicate nothing. . . . It is the difficulty to which I have just referred that I have encountered in a wide correspondence with members, undertaken for the purpose of securing contributions of fact and opinion concerning the special subject of this discussion. . . . Almost none of them seem to recognize the value of preliminary, incomplete and indecisive reports of practice, as laying the foundation for a thorough inquiry." This remark was made in immediate reference to a discussion concerning blast-furnace tuyeres ; but, notwithstanding this appeal from the Secretary, little has been recorded regarding the distribution, the penetration, and the pressure of the blast at the tuyeres and inside the iron blast-furnace. I am therefore encouraged to contribute the following incomplete and crude observations of the blast-pressure inside the hearth. At the suggestion of J. H. Frantz, the General Manager of the Columbus Iron & Steel Co., a test was made at the East furnace of the company to determine whether there was any difference in blast-pressure at the different tuyeres. The apparatus used for this test was not sensitive enough to give accurate results. It consisted of a small pressure-gauge mounted on a 3/8-in. gas-pipe. A hollow plug, fitting into the peep-hole of the tuyere-cap, prevented the blast from blowing-out during the test. The test-pipe was held in place by means of the handle on the outer end.

Mar 1, 1909

By John T. Ryan

DEFINITE improvement in its accident fatality rate in the coal-mining industry was recorded during 1941, based on preliminary figures for the period from January through October. Total production during this ten-month period was approximately 91 percent of the total production in all of 1940. The ten-month accident rate for both bituminous and anthracite mining in 1941 was 2.15 killed per million tons of coal mined, compared with a rate of 2.66 for the full year of 1940. The bituminous rate decreased from 2.55 in 1940 to 1.99 in ten months of 1941, and the anthracite rate from 3.62 to 3.53 in similar periods. The decrease is more apparent for the bituminous branch of the industry, as the high figure in 1940 was due to seven major disasters which brought death to 276 men. The same number of major explosions during ten months of 1941 caused only 64 lives to be lost. The severity of the explosions has been lower this year but a definite need still exists for reduction in this type of accident.

Jan 1, 1942

By AIME AIME

This section contains announcements of general interest to the members of the Institute, but not always of sufficient permanent value to warrant republication in the volumes of the Transactions.

Sep 1, 1906

By R. E., Head

THE use of lime in flotation has become so general in recent years that its functions are familiar to plant operators. The conditions and phenomena described in this paper are of interest because they are directly associated with the use of lime as a reagent and the resulting formation of lime scale worth nearly $1 per pound for its gold content. It is not known to what extent lime scale is common in flotation plants where lime is used, but as several occurrences have been re- ported, its existence is not limited to one particular plant. In November, 1927, the author's attention was drawn to a lime scale that formed on the sides of Callow flotation cells in the Walker Mining Co. mill at Spring Gar- den, Cal. The scale was described as an accumulation of hard material that built up on the sides of both the rougher and cleaner cells and in some instances attained a thickness of 2 in. The lime scale builds up in the cleaner cell at the rate of about 1/10 in. per month, or slightly more than ?12 in. during six months' operation. The rate of growth in the rougher cells is slower, and about 3/s in. of scale forms in six months. Analyses' of typical lime scale samples are as follows:

Jan 1, 1928

By Fuller, T. S.

THE number of rare or uncommon elements in use in the electrical industry nowadays is large, their application having come about through investigational work in industrial search laboratories and ' educational institutions. Such elements, together with those whose properties are more generally known, constitute Nature's gift to mankind and make possible the intricate devices which further our modern civilization. The' quality of raiaity is one of degree, and obviously depends largely on one's point of view. From the standpoint of quantity measured in the customary units of weight and volume, the amounts of many of the elements required are extremely small, but from the of view of performing some particular function or .other in a manner more satisfactory or cheaply than can be accomplished by any other sub- stance, the use in question may be extremely important.

Jan 1, 1928

By W. O. Crosby

INTRODUCTION. THE crystalline belt of the Atlantic Seaboard, south of New York, attains its maximum breadth of 220 miles on the northern border of North Carolina; and in this State it is most widely characterized by the occurrence of gold in workable deposits. Half a dozen auriferous belts have been recognized by Nitze and Hanna.1 These are, in the main, coincident in position and trend with the NE.-SW. zones of metamorphic slates and schists, which, more than any other feature, give character to the geological map of North Carolina. The central gold-belts, accompanying the main zone of slates and associated igneous rocks, are much the more important and persistent, and may be regarded as continuous northward across Virginia and southward into South Carolina. Tile eastern belt, on the other band, is the shortest and, economically, one of the least important. Its extreme length does not exceed 25 miles, the narrow band of slaty rocks to which it belongs passing, both NE. and SW., beneath the coastal-plain formations. But, although limited in area and production, this belt is, perhaps, comparable with the central belts or any part of the sea-board crystallines in the variety of conditions under which the gold occurs. It lies chiefly in the NE. part of Franklin county and the NW. part of Nash county, on the watershed of Fishing creek and other tributaries of Tar river. The elevation is between 400 and 500 ft. ; and the Tertiary peneplain has here an exceptionally perfect development, the reliefs separating the slightly incised stream-courses consisting of broad, flat-topped peneplain remnants, bounded by gentle lateral slopes.

Mar 1, 1908

By AIME AIME

THE papers on geophysics were roughly divided into two groups*, those presented Monday morning being of a more technical and theoretical nature, whereas the afternoon session was principally taken up with discussions of a predominantly geological flavor. Thus it was made possible for those of a mathematical turn of mind to indulge their penchant for formula and differentials before lunch, leaving the field comparatively free, after lunch, for the geologists to learn of practical applications. The advantage of this classification is evident, and it is to be hoped that in some future meetings it will be possible to hold joint sessions of the geophysicists and mining geologists, to consider the overlap of the two fields.

Jan 1, 1931

By Albert Sauveur

(Cleveland Meeting, October, 1912.) ALTHOUGH many metallurgists know that some pearlitic special steels can be made troostitic, martensitic, and even austenitic, without quenching, and, therefore, without exposing them to the dangers of the quenching-bath, the practical significance of such possibility does not seem to have received the attention it deserves. Let us recall briefly the mechanism of the transformation alluded to. In Fig. 1 (after Guillet) is shown the constitutional diagram of nickel-steel that; is, of alloys of iron, carbon, and nickel. Any steel the composition of which falls within the area LPO is pearlitic after slow cooling; any steel the composition of which is represented by a point within the area MLO is martensitic, and any steel within the area MNO is austenitic. Starting with pearlitic steel, then by increasing the carbon-content or the nickel-content, or both, the metal becomes martensitic and eventually austenitic; that is, its composition crosses first the boundary-line LO and then the line M0-and it remains martensitic or austenitic after slow (air) cooling.1 We have inn this way imparted to the metal without quenching it the properties of hardened carbon-steel. In other words, the steel is now self-hardening. Nickel cannot be introduced into solid steel, but by the well-known process of case-hardening it * Professor of Metallurgy and Metalllography in Harvard University. + Assistant in Metallurgy and Metallography in Harvard University. 1 The boundaries between the various zones are not, as a matter of fact, as sharp as indicated in the diagram, because pearlite is not transformed abruptly and in its entirety into martensite when a certain critical composition is attained, nor is martensite suddenly and completely converted into austenite. Greater refinement in the construction of the diagram would undoubtedly result in the introduction of troosto-pearlitic, troostitic, and troosto-martensitic zones between the pearlitic and martensitic areas and-of a martenso-austenitic zone between the martensitic and austenitic areas. Fur the purpose of this note, however, the existence of these transition-conditions may be ignored.

Nov 1, 1912

By G. J. Benard

In the 1970’s, several plants have been built and others are in the design stage which use solvent extraction for recovery of copper from acid leach solutions. Other plants are presently being built for the recovery of nickel and cobalt from laterite ores by prereduction and ammonia leaching. A review will be given on the materials of construction for these leaching and solvent extraction processes. Many plants have factors in common which permit selection with a greater degree of accuracy. Based on pilot plant corrosion data, effective use of materials of construction includes proper selection of materials, substitution of lower cost plastics for alloys, and selection of materials resistant against chloride stress corrosion cracking.

Jan 1, 1974

By D. O. LIVINGTON

(Presented by invitation at a meeting of the Spokane Local Section of the institute, Feb. 17, 1912.) THE Pilares de Nacozari mine is located in Sonora, 75 miles south of Douglas, Ariz. The town of Douglas is on the International Boundary and is the place at which the ores from the Bisbee mines are smelted. The Moctezuma Copper Co. owns the mines at Nacozari, and the copper-concentrates shipped to the Copper Queen smelter, at Douglas, make a good smelting-mixture with the Bisbee ores. The Moctezuma Copper Co. and the Copper Queen smelter at Douglas, as well as the railroad from Douglas to Nacozari, are owned by the Phelps Dodge Co. The ore-deposit occurs in the form of a large ellipse with a major axis of approximately 2,000 ft. and a minor axis of about 600 ft., the major axis bearing about 90 W. of N. The whole of this ellipse is more or less mineralized; the surface being principally an iron gossan with some occasional copper-stains. Below the oxidized zone, which is not more than 50 ft. deep, the minerals are pyrite and chalcopyrite, with occasional seams of chalcocite, the latter being rare. There appears to be no well-marked zone of secondary enrichment, the oxidized gossan over the greater part of the deposit changing suddenly to what is apparently the original unaltered ore. The copper-values are concentrated around the perimeter of the ellipse, and it is principally around this perimeter that the mining is done. The ore mined averages a little more than 3 per cent. of copper, with a small amount of silver, less than an ounce per ton. Some ore of considerably higher grade than this has been shipped, however, but the above average is of the mill-run. The ore is wider near the two ends of the ellipse than along the sides, and is mined in some cases to a width exceeding 200 ft. The country-rock for the first vertical 500 ft is a volcanic acid breccia, probably rhyolitic; below

Sep 1, 1912

By D. Jenkins

THE Franklin Laboratory was designed mainly for the analysis of the products from the two concentrating mills situated at Franklin and Sterling Hill, the most important determinations being the zinc, iron, manganese, lime, moisture and silica contents of the ores. Within the last 4 years, however, it has been found advisable to examine most of our supplies, and therefore additional space and equipment was allotted for the examination of such substances as oils, greases, soaps, alloys, fuels, paints, explosives and water. The building as shown in elevation (Fig. 1) and plan (Fig. 2) consists of a main or routine laboratory, an experimental laboratory, a water FIG. 1.-WEST ELEVATION. analysis room and the other accessories such as stock room, library, sampling and drying rooms and office. The main laboratory is further divided into a balance room and zinc analysis room. As the greater part of our determinations are volumetric, good light is a very important factor and with this in view the interior walls of the building were constructed of white enameled brick laid in Keene cement. These also have the additional advantage that they give a clean and attractive appearance to the room. The windows are large, being 76 by 44 in. and even on very dark days the light is good throughout the whole laboratory. Our zinc titration requires a constant light and as, on many days, especially in winter, the light is variable, we installed two Artificial

Jan 8, 1917

By STEPHEN L. GOODALE

THE question indicated in this title was put by letter to a number of my friends working in various industries, who have charge of young metallurgical graduates. The replies were almost unanimous in stating that the college training should cover in the most .thorough manner possible those sciences which are the fundamentals - of engineering. Mathematics, physics, mechanics, electricity, chemistry, physical chemistry, and their applications to actual problems of life were mentioned in most of the letters I received. Some writers added also business law, economics,. and finance. One reply expressed it: "These subjects, well founded, mixed with good judgment, well applied, should enable the .young man to carry on the art of life successfully." One answer stated frankly what is really wanted: "As much as possible.' ' This writer mentioned .the sciences as being very important, but he wishes men ' to be trained in metallurgy also, and he concedes the omission of some advanced chemistry and physic's to secure the metallurgy. He emphasized particularly. the a we. desirability of work in college to development' He concludes his letter with a repetition of his slogan that what is wanted is as much as is possible.

Jan 1, 1930

By Harold V. Pearce

(Chattanooga Meeting, October, 1908.) THE fire which occurred in the fall of 1906, at the works of the Boston & Colorado Smelting Co., Argo, Colo., destroyed entirely the gold- and silver-refinery of the plant; and in view of the development of modern practice in the refining of copper-mattes, etc., the management decided that it would be inadvisable to rebuild that part of the works for the continued use of the process which had been conducted therein for so many years as a metallurgical secret. This decision probably removes altogether from the sphere of practice the " Pearce " method for the separation of gold. At all events, it removes the business reasons which have prevented hitherto the publication of the principles involved. At the suggestion of Dr. Raymond, Secretary of the Institute, my father, Richard Pearce, the former manager of these works, has requested me to prepare a brief description of this process for the benefit of our members. Since I severed my connection with the Boston & Colorado Smelting Co. some time ago, I am indebted for some practical details to the present superintendent, Charles Rees, whose friendly assistance I would gratefully acknowledge. With regard to the history of the inception and development of this process by its inventor, Richard Pearce, I cannot do better than quote freely from his own notes and papers. HISTORY OF THE PEARCE PROCESS.' "In 1874 my entire time was directed to the improvements and additions to the plant at Black Hawk. The changes which I had made in the construction of the furnaces at Black Hawk proved so beneficial that I was requested to introduce the improvements at the branch works at Alma. These changes were carried out as speedily as possible, and proved of great advantage as compared with the old system. "The separation and refining of the gold from the matte now engaged my attention, and since previous experience in the treatment of gold-bearing matte and

Feb 1, 1909

By Anthony Anable

HOOVER DAM, rapidly nearing completion in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River at Boulder City, Nev., taxes the superlatives of the vocabulary to describe. For by all odds, it is the largest construction project of its type ever essayed by man and the plants providing the essential materials of construction are also in a class by themselves not only in size but in advanced design, mechanization, and accurate control. Picture, if you will, the great aggregate plant, as it is called, situated about 4 mi. upstream from the site of

Jan 1, 1934

By T. H. Aldrich

(Chattanooga Meeting, October, 1908.) Tars paper is intended only to give a preliminary account of experiments made, and conclusions reached, concerning the treatment of certain refractory low-grade gold-ores, the profitable reduction of which may furnish a useful guide to the solution of similar mining and metallurgical problems, not only in the gold-bearing belt of the Southern United States, but perhaps in other regions also. It must be regarded as simply a ?report of progress," preceding a more elaborate and conclusive report of regular practice. The mines of the Hillabee Gold Mining Co. are located upon what is generally known locally as Hog Mountain, on the northern edge of Tallapoosa county, Ala., about 15 miles from Goodwater and 14 miles from Alexander City, stations on the Central of Georgia Railway. Gold has been known since 1839 to exist on this property, where it was discovered in that year by a man named Johnston. The property was worked for placer-gold by the old miners, and there are now the remains of four attempts to operate it by stamp-mill and plate-amalgamation. The present owners purchased it in 1896, and since that time they have experimented at frequent intervals, in order to devise a process that would satisfactorily recover the gold. In 1903 regular operations were begun. Geologically, the mountain consists of an intrusion of what has been pronounced true granite in altered sedimentary slates. The cooling of the granite produced shrinkage-cracks, which have become veins. There is considerable question as to the period of the slate formation; but it is undoubtedly, in my opinion, of Carboniferous age. The veins, about 50 in number, strike N. 60° to 80° E.; dip approximately 65° from the horizontal; vary from a few inches to 25 ft. (being in gen-

Nov 1, 1908

By AIME AIME

TECHNICAL achievement in mining will be rewarded at the forthcoming Annual Meeting of the Institute when the William Lawrence Saunders Gold Medal will be presented to Herman C. Bellinger. Mr, Bellinger was unanimously selected on the first ballot of the Medal Committee. Mr. Bellinger has had notable technical success as vice-president in charge of operations for the Chile Exploration Co., a position he has held since 1920.

Jan 1, 1941

By Albert F. J. Bordeaux

INTRODUCTION. THE following general survey of the character and present condition of the silver-mines of Mexico, though not offered as a detailed treatise, has been prepared with care, is believed to he generally up-to-date, and is offered as a summary which may be found useful by mining engineers. Mexico has ranked for several centuries first among the silver-producing countries. It is now second as copper-producer, and seventh as gold-producer, with a fast-increasing output every year. The total amount of capital invested in its mining- and smelting-works is more than $250,000,000, while the yearly metallic production is $160,000,000. There are more than 20,000 recorded mining properties. The silver-mines of Mexico represent deposits of three principal classes: (1) veins and stock-works in eruptive rocks; (2) fissure-veins crossing the crystalline schists, granite, diorite, etc. ; and (3) veins and replacement-deposits in limestone. The true fissure-veins in some districts contain (in value) more gold than silver. In other deposits, the silver is decreasing in depth, leaving galena and zinc-blende as the principal ores.

Jan 9, 1908