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By S. H. Ash

lowest fatal injury rate in history conferences stress selling worker on safety international safety conference beneficial

Jan 2, 1951

By Simon D. Strauss

Production and consumption of nonferrous metals in the United States during 1950 were at peak levels for the postwar period, as is shown in Tables I, II, and III. The trend of production was upward through most of the year. At the year end, with the possible exception of the Tri-State zinc-lead district, the large mining operations in the country were running at capacity. The absence of serious labor interruptions during the year was an important contributing factor in the increased out-put of metals, since in each of the previous postwar years there had been a number of major strikes which affected production adversely.

Jan 2, 1951

By Leslie C. Richards

The competitive position of producers of industrial minerals depends upon the delivered price of their product. Freight charges are a major factor in the sales to consumers. A comparison of freight rates on movements of limestone and silica rock in the Pacific Northwest shows a wide variance in mills per ton mile for like hauls, thereby favoring some localities over others. Introduction: Sooner or later the potential miner of industrial minerals reaches the conclusion that of the various factors he must consider, the marketing of his product is. the most important. The sooner he realizes this the better, as successful industrial mineral producers .will confirm. Herein lies a difference between i.ndustria1 mineral mining and metal mining. Often in the latter, technical problems of mining or concentrating are equal to or even surpass those of marketing. This is not meant to imply that there are no problems in mining and beneficiation of industrial minerals, but these usually are outweighed by the problem of marketing. Recentlv. an official of a nationally known corporation :i the elecl.ro-metallurgical industry made an industrial mineral survey in the Pacific Northwest. In the course of his investigation he interviewed producers and potential producers of the various industrial minerals scheduled for use in the plant now being constructed in this area. He stated that he was interested in only three factors: namely, (1) Can your product meet our specifications? (2) Are you able to supply our tonnage requirements? and (3) What will be the delivered price? If there are several sources of supply of sufficient grade and tonnage, as is often the case in the Northwest, then the third factor becomes the important and deciding one. While industrial minerals are usually sold f.0.b. cars with the freight being paid by the buyer, it is the delivered and riot the f.0.b. price that determines the competitive position of the producer and his industrial mineral product. Unfortunately for both the consumers and producers of industrial minerals in the Northwest, the sources are generally a considerable distance from the markets. This necessitates long rail hauls, for which transportation charges make up the largest share of the delivered cost and the delivered price of the product. Is it any wonder then, that rail rates play such an important part in the marketing of industrial minerals? In order to sell his product, the producer must be able to deliver to the market at a competitive price. It must be remembered that his largest cost factor is rail transportation, and that he is limited to markets that he can reach competitively. Since the cost of rail transportation is so important, let us compare various freight rates in the Northwest and attempt to determine their influence on marketing. A study of all rates on all industrial minerals transported in this area, is beyond the scope of this paper. For the purposes of comparison, let us consider limestone (broken, crushed, or ground), and silica rock. These are widely used industrial minerals, and are carried by several different rail routes from.the sources of supply to the centers of consumption in the Pacific Northwest. Markets and Sources of Supply: Limestone has a number of uses in western Oregon and Washington. Among them are agricultural lime for the soils of the Willamette Valley and southwestern Washington; paper rock for the mills in such cities as West Linn, Oregon City, Newberg, St. Helens, and Salem, Oregon, and Camas and Everett, Wash.; chemical and metallurgical-grade limestone for the metallurgical plants centering around Portland, and the Tacoma-Seattle areas'; and sugar rock for the sugar refineries at Toppenish, Wash., and Nyssa, Oregon. Since limestone for cement manufacture is generally processed near the quarry, transportation

Jan 1, 1951

By A. W. White

Introduction To discuss all the technical details of incorporation laws, security laws, underwriting procedures, codes, and ethics-as laid down by varous associations -would be impossible in the time which has been allotted to me. My remarks, therefore, will be made in a very general way and will naturally be coloured with experiences which my firm and I have had. There is a common expression that "money makes the mare go". I hardly have to mention here that the best prospect in the country is of very little value unless its prospects can be developed-and this requires large capital expenditures. The art and problems surrounding the raising of this money is a long and interesting story. Since by its very nature mining is risky, the appraising of its risks in the many phases of its development programme is continuous. Very few men-if any-and very few corporations -if any -can afford to take all the risk of mining. Because of taxation policies-and the very scheme of present-day living -the truth of this statement can be seen throughout the whole industry by a close examination of the records. Since this is so, it is essential that the mechanics of distributing risk on a sound, and equitable basis be known to those engaged in the business and to the investor or spectator who proposes to risk his funds in the industry. Perhaps the greatest stimulant to modern business activities has been the creation of corporate bodies. It is evident, from the number of charters being granted by various jurisdictions, that this method of doing business is becoming more and more important. A limited company -or corporation-can be defined as a fictitious person existing solely in contemplation of the law.

Jan 1, 1951

By A. C. Hnatyshyn

INTRODUCTION THOSE concerned with coal mining operations in Alberta have been asked repeatedly the same question, "Why is mechanization in Alberta proceeding so slowly as to lag far behind the mines in the United States?" This question is often asked in such a manner as to indicate that a severe reprimand is overdue to the mining engineers of this Province for their apparent indifference to the problem of improving their mining operations by increased mechanization. To the average person, unacquainted with mining conditions and problems, mechanization appears to be simply a matter of introducing equipment to load coal underground and, once this is done, substantial economies in operating costs will automatically follow. Invariably, those who have followed this simple reasoning have found, to their regret, that such is not the case and that effective mechanization involves something more than the mere process of introducing loading equipment into a mine. To be effective, any programme of mechanization must take into consideration all operations incidental to the mining, transportation, and handling of the coal from the working face to the tipple, and must utilize equipment which can be best adapted to any peculiar condition or circumstance prevailing in the mine concerned. In the use of such equipment, the net and final result should be an improvement in operating costs of sufficient magnitude to at least return to the operator, over a specific period of years or during the expected life of that equipment, all his investment plus a fair return on that investment.

Jan 1, 1951

The teaching of geophysics in Canada at the present time presents a variety of approaches to the subject, and the different paths adopted imply, in turn, an uncertainty in the minds of some educators as to the role this science is to play in the future progress of geology, and a hesitancy to commit themselves to foster its development. The pedagogical attitudes vary from a whole-hearted acknowledgment that the science of geophysics is fundamental to the understanding of terrestrial phenomena (including, of course, geological processes) to a hesitant immersion of the toe to test the water's temperature (which is, of course, essentially a geophysical experiment) before deciding whether or not the time is ripe for total immersion. The present discussion has been organized in the hope that it will help to clarify the roads to geophysics and assist educators in making a more understanding choice of the best paths for them to follow, according to their particular requirements and objectives. Before proceeding further, however, it is necessary to define the term geophysics and circumscribe the field it covers. In the first place, it should be emphasized that geophysics is NOT confined to the art of geophysical prospecting. The popularization of geophysics has unfortunately engendered a general misconception of the word, and consequently a tendency to ignore the wider meaning of the term. Etymologically, geophysics means the physics of the earth. It is so understood by the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics and the various geophysical societies which adhere thereto. To them, geophysical prospecting is but a very small field indeed, which they consider had best be left to engineering and prospecting organizations.

Jan 1, 1951

By G. M. Humphrey

It is a great honour and privilege to be here in this distinguished company of the outstanding men in the mining industry and the political life of Canada. I fully recognize that I am so honoured as a symbol of the combination of American and Canadian leaders in industry who are partners in the sponsor-ship of the Quebec-Labrador iron-ore mining development which we are undertaking, and as such I want to express our great appreciation of the co-operation and assistance we have met on every hand in Canada, and the genuine friendliness and never-failing courtesy which we are always accorded. We are quite aware that it springs primarily from the very high regard in which our partner and sponsor, Jules Timmins, and our other Canadian associates are held. Their high standing among you is well known and we quite naturally fall heir to the benefits of the great esteem in which you hold them. Jules Timmins and his long-time associate, John Knox, were the original inspiration for our participation in this venture. It was their enthusiasm and vision which caught our interest and led to our joining with them in the years of exploration and search which have brought us to the threshold of this great development where we stand today. So much has been written of the details of our exploration and plans for future development that it would bore you for me to review them further here, but there is a phase of this development, and an extremely important phase of it, which I think has passed almost unnoticed and which it may be well worth while for me to bring to your attention this evening.

Jan 1, 1951

By John V. Beall

BROMO Seltzer blue has gone to war. The blue of the Bromo Seltzer bottle is a product of cobalt, the Nation's No. 1 strategic metal. When the National Production Authority, on Nov. 21, 1950, ordered a 70 pct cutback in domestic use of cobalt, a stab of pain was felt in the hearts of the glass, porcelain enamel, steel, paint, pottery, and electrical and electronic equipment industries. The reason: A full-scale wartime economy with astronomical requirements for jet engines, high velocity projectiles, armor plate, electronic equipment, and the many products needed to win a war. There is little potential comfort for cobalt users in nonessential manufacturing, and the military will be pinched for optimum supplies of the metal. However, if proper measures are taken immediately and current plans are completed, in two years there will be far more cobalt available than ever before. When normal times return, cobalt supplies should be sufficient to meet peacetime military requirements, and greatly expanded domestic requirements that will result from new technological development for wartime but adaptable to peacetime products. The pres-

Jan 1, 1951

By T. G. Ewart

INTRODUCTION FOR THE purpose of this paper, western bituminous coal is defined as steam coal produced in Alberta and southeastern British Columbia for sale primarily to railways and industries. Before examining present and future markets of this industry, it is proper to review briefly financial and operating conditions within the industry. The report of the Royal Commission on Coal, 1946, supplies financial data from which some conclusions may be drawn. In 1944, the industry as defined above had share capital of $24,886,696. In the fifteen years 1930 to 1944, inclusive, the industry produced: 44,364,211 tons of coal. The profit on this tonnage amounted to $4,678,382.58, which represented 10.6 cents per ton of production. Miscellaneous earnings increased the amount available for dividends to shareholders to a total of $8,487,952.41, which is equal to, 19.1 cents per ton of production. Dividends actually paid in this fifteen-year period amounted to $12,332,040.64, which represented an annual average rate of 3.40 per cent on share capital. It is worthy of note that, in 1944, the net current position of the industry, including investments, was $8,753,874.51. The writer believes that the financial position of the industry with respect to capital, current financial position, and net earnings, has not significantly changed from the fifteen-year period out-lined above. The figures quoted indicate the following situation: (1) The western bituminous coal industry is adequately financed. (2) The industry has followed a conservative dividend policy and has accrued funds for contingencies. (3) The industry has sold its production at very reasonable prices as evidenced by its moderate earnings per ton of production.

Jan 1, 1951

By Almon F. Robertson

This is one of a series of reports describing investigations made within the Missouri River Basin in Montana by mining engineers of the Bureau of Mines, Minerals Division, Region II. The primary purpose of these investigations is to provide basic information to agencies of the Department of the Interior and other agencies concerned with the planning of power and other water developments in the Missouri River Basin. This report contains only such factual data as have been authorized for public distribution. Special precautions have been taken not to reveal any information or data considered to be confidential. The field investigations for this report were made during the fall of 1948 and the summer of 1949. Virtually all of the known metallic mineral deposits and some nonmetallic (industrial) mineral deposits within Judith Basin County were investigated. Most of the mines and prospects have been inactive for many years; most of the old underground mine workings now are inaccessible or only partly accessible. Consequently, much of the information on many of the mines and prospects necessarily has been obtained from available U. S. Government and State publications and from owners and local residents.

Jan 1, 1951

By S. J. Pearce

The Bureau of Mines has prepared, as circumstances have dictated, a series of Schedules setting forth the minimum requirements that various types of equipment should meet to be considered safe and satisfactory for use in certain hazardous or unhealthful conditions. These Schedules cover a wide variety of devices ranging from explosives to electrically operated mine locomotives. This paper deals with those Bureau of Mines Schedules under which respiratory protective devices are tested and approved, and its purpose is to explain the function and operation of these Schedules. Provisions have been made for testing and approval of the following types of respiratory protective devices: Self-contained breathing apparatus,2/ supplied-air respirators,3/ gas masks,4/ dispersoid respirators,5/ and chemical cartridge respirators.6 These devices are tested at the Central Experiment Station of the Bureau of Mines in Pittsburgh, Pa. Self-contained breathing apparatus is tested by the Safety Branch, and the other types of respirators are tested by the Health Branch.

Jan 1, 1951

By H. Kenworthy

Small batches of fluorspar flotation concentrates were made into nodules and pellets on a laboratory scale. Several of these were rated acceptable by laboratory evaluation methods. The most satisfactory pellets were produced by mixing fluorspar with about 12.5 percent of water, by weight, and 4 percent of organic binders. These binders) for the most part) originated from petroleum and wood-pulp industries. They were generally difficult to handle and were not easily incorporated with the fluorspars tested. Most of them seemed to have an aversion for damp fluorspar and had to be forcibly mixed with the fluorspar; which was then formed into pellets by pressure. Substitution of fuel oil in varying amounts in the binders enhanced the mixing and penetrating qualities of these binders but at the same tire tended to make the pellets more porous. Tall oils performed the same function to a lesser degree and usually decreased the water absorbency of the finished pellets. Heat-treating temperatures to set up these binders were moderate -about 5000 F. for 30 to 50 minutes was usually enough for both drying and heat treating. Nodules made with 1-1/2 to 2 percent of bentonite as a binder were easily mixed and formed. They required a high degree of heat (about 1,500° F.) to develop their strength and were quite water-absorbent when finished. Two fluorspars were examined for weight and fluorite loss after heat treatment at similar temperatures. Both showed a definite wej.ght and analytical loss of fluorite. Bentonite was used also as a binder to successfully nodulize finely ground oxides of iron, manganese, and nickel.

Jan 1, 1951

By Boyd Guthrie

As the American petroleum industry surveyed its position in early 1937, it had many reasons to be optimistic concerning its future. The industry had emerged successfully from the depression, and for the first time since 1929 it had produced over one billion barrels of crude oil in a single year. The demand for gasoline and fuel oils was up, and reserves of crude petroleum and production capacity seemed adequate for the future. Although production of crude oil dropped slightly in 1938, the oil industry was still in a good position with respect to its supply of raw material, which improved economically in 1939 with the decrease of crude-oil stocks in storage above ground. However, by 1940 a threatening cloud (the invasion of France and its rapid surrender) had appeared on the horizon. This aroused Somme fears as to the industry's immediate future, and these fears were intensified the following year when the United States entered World War II. As the war progressed, more and more ships, planes, and vehicles were produced, and the problem of obtaining enough liquid fuels to supply them intensified. Hearings were held in August 1943 before a subcommittee of the Committee on Public Lands and Surveys of the 78th Congress to determine the advisability of passing legislation to promote the development of synthetic liquid fuels.

Jan 1, 1951

By S. H. Ash

NO MORE important question has come before the coal-mining industry in many places, especially in the anthracite region of Pennsylvania, than prevention of stream pollution by mine drainage. Available information on acid mine drainage in the anthracite region of Pennsylvania indicates that a pollution problem must be solved in any program of anthracite mine drainage. The major problem concerns satisfactory disposal of the daily average mine-water discharge of 327,000 gallons per minute (g. p. m.), or 472 million gallons per day (g. p. d.), containing a free-acid load of 431 tons or a total acid load of 934 tons a clay as H2S04. This report indicates the scope of the problem and gives some suggestions concerning its solution.

Jan 1, 1951

By L. C. Brichta

The Melrose zinc-lead. deposit is in an area of structural disturbance of sedimentary rocks in the Melrose mining district in Cherokee County, Kans., 25 miles west of Joplin, Mo., adjacent to the northwest limits of the Tri-State district. Mining and milling in the Melrose district has been sporadic and. very limited, largely due to the high cost of exploration through great thicknesses of barren rock, 350 to 440 feet overlying the ore deposits. No mining has ever been done on the Melrose zinc-lead tract, but it has been drilled extensively. The drill-hole logy indicate extensive structural deformation, silicification, and zinc-lead deposits in the Boone limestone-chert formations of the Mississippian series, which is overlain by thick-bedded Pennsylvanian shale and sandstone. Analyses of samples from Bureau of Mines drilling indicate the ore minerals are sphalerite and galena with no evident oxidation. During the period from November 2, 1949, to March 13, 1950, the Bureau of Mines investigated the deposit by churn drilling and sampling 23 holes aggregating 10,405 feet of bore. Factual data on the investigation and logs of holes drilled by private parties and the Bureau of Mines are presented in this report.

Jan 1, 1951

By Arno C. Fieldner

From July 1, 1949, to July 1, 1950, the Bureau of Mines conducted the research and technologic work on coal and coal products that is summarized in this report. The research, described in this fifteenth of a series of resumes, is presented in more detail in publications (see footnote references) that appeared during the fiscal year, though in some cases research data are given that have not been published elsewhere. Results of research in the experimental coal mine, on explosives, and on gas and dust explosions will be found in Bureau of Mines Report of Investigations 4228, Annual Report of Research and Technologic Work on Explosives, Explosions, and Flames, Fiscal Year 1950. An over-all view of our coal, oil, end natural-gas reserves was presented, and the future possibilities for the, production of synthetic liquid fuels from coal were delineated.3/

Jan 1, 1951

By Cecil Q. Cupps

Results are presented of a comprehensive study of the characteristics of the original oil in the Weber sandstone reservoir, Rangely oil field, Colorado. Through the medium of subsurface sampling, adequately representative samples of the original reservoir oil were obtained from many parts of the reservoir over a period of 5 years concurrent with active development of the reservoir. Data of differential gas liberation, pressure-viscosity, and. pressure-volume-temperature relationships are shown for 12 subsurface oil samples. Data also are given of reservoir pressure and. temperature, composition of liberated or solution Gas, composition of 22 produced-gas samples, and Hempel analyses of crude-oil samples from 18 wells. The characteristics or physical properties of the 12 subsurface oil samples, as determined by laboratory analyses, were correlated with elevation of the top of the Weber sandstone. These relationships of oil characteristics to elevation in the reservoir show that only the oil in contact with the initial gas cap was gas-saturated at the existing pressure and temperature. The characteristics of the original reservoir oil were marked by an appreciable decrease of saturation pressure and solution gas-oil ratio and increase of viscosity and density with depth below the gas-oil contact. The composition of solution gas and of' produced was also was found to vary with elevation of the oil in the reservoir.

Jan 1, 1951

By James L. Elder

The Bureau of Mines and the Alabama. Power Co. jointly conducted a first experiment in underground gasification of coal at Gorgas, Ala., during the fall and winter of 1946-47. This preliminary experiment showed that it was not difficult to maintain combustion of coal underground, and that coal in place could be completely gasified. It was noted that the high temperature developed by the gasification of coal in place brought about changes in overlying strata that appeared to be favorable to the process. The high temperatures caused the roof rock to become plastic, to expand, and to settle down on the mine floor directly behind the reacting coke face. These results were promising enough to warrant further investigation of the process. It was believed that if this action could be controlled properly with roofs of similar composition, it would tend to force the gas-making fluids underground against the coal faces. Plans for the second experiment were based in part on this favor-able roof action, and the successful operation of the planned initial straightline passages depended on this fact. Gorgas was chosen as the site for the second experiment for the following reasons: A tract of coal land of sufficient size was available and isolated from the main body of coal; the roof rock was similar in composition to that encountered in the first experiment; and the overlying strata were thick enough to eliminate some of the operating difficulties that had been encountered, In addition, power, water, and machine-shop facilities as well as an adequate supply of labor were available in this area, and the friendly cooperation of the Alabama Power Co. further recommended this site for the planned experiment.

Jan 1, 1951

By Leslie C. Richards

Sooner or later the potential miner of industrial minerals reaches the conclusion that of the various factors he must consider, the marketing of his product is. the most important. The sooner he realizes this the better, as successful industrial mineral producers .will confirm. Herein lies a difference between i.ndustria1 mineral mining and metal mining. Often in the latter, technical problems of mining or concentrating are equal to or even surpass those of marketing. This is not meant to imply that there are no problems in mining and beneficiation of industrial minerals, but these usually are outweighed by the problem of marketing. Recentlv. an official of a nationally known corporation :i the elecl.ro-metallurgical industry made an industrial mineral survey in the Pacific Northwest. In the course of his investigation he interviewed producers and potential producers of the various industrial minerals scheduled for use in the plant now being constructed in this area. He stated that he was interested in only three factors: namely, (1) Can your product meet our specifications? (2) Are you able to supply our tonnage requirements? and (3) What will be the delivered price? If there are several sources of supply of sufficient grade and tonnage, as is often the case in the Northwest, then the third factor becomes the important and deciding one. While industrial minerals are usually sold f.0.b. cars with the freight being paid by the buyer, it is the delivered and riot the f.0.b. price that determines the competitive position of the producer and his industrial mineral product. Unfortunately for both the consumers and producers of industrial minerals in the Northwest, the sources are generally a considerable distance from the markets. This necessitates long rail hauls, for which transportation charges make up the largest share of the delivered cost and the delivered price of the product. Is it any wonder then, that rail rates play such an important part in the marketing of industrial minerals? In order to sell his product, the producer must be able to deliver to the market at a competitive price. It must be remembered that his largest cost factor is rail transportation, and that he is limited to markets that he can reach competitively. Since the cost of rail transportation is so important, let us compare various freight rates in the Northwest and attempt to determine their influence on marketing. A study of all rates on all industrial minerals transported in this area, is beyond the scope of this paper. For the purposes of comparison, let us consider limestone (broken, crushed, or ground), and silica rock. These are widely used industrial minerals, and are carried by several different rail routes from.the sources of supply to the centers of consumption in the Pacific Northwest. Markets and Sources of Supply: Limestone has a number of uses in western Oregon and Washington. Among them are agricultural lime for the soils of the Willamette Valley and southwestern Washington; paper rock for the mills in such cities as West Linn, Oregon City, Newberg, St. Helens, and Salem, Oregon, and Camas and Everett, Wash.; chemical and metallurgical-grade limestone for the metallurgical plants centering around Portland, and the Tacoma-Seattle areas'; and sugar rock for the sugar refineries at Toppenish, Wash., and Nyssa, Oregon. Since limestone for cement manufacture is generally processed near the quarry, transportation

Jan 1, 1951

By H. C. Brunaugh, James Westfield, R. W. Whittaker

"INTRODUCTION The purpose of this circular is to describe the sealing off of a mine fire and subsequent use of carbon dioxide gas to extinguish it.A fire of electrical origin occurred in the Valier mine of the Valier Coal Co., Valier, Franklin County, I11., on March 29, 1949, at about 1:35 p.m. It was discovered about 3:35 p.m. in 5 south west intake airway inby 1 and 2 west panels. The No. 5 southwest airway had caved, and the fire was in the top coal beneath a large fall of rock. All men, except officials, were ordered from the mine. The mine officials decided to seal the fire, and four temporary seals were erected, which isolated approximately 200 feet of 5 south west entry. The seals were completed on March 30 at 2:45 a.m., but on March 31, at 3;40 a.m,, two of them were blown out by an explosion of gas that was produced by the fire. The two seals were rebuilt, the work being completed on March 31 at 12:00 noon, but they were blown out by another gas explosion at 12:10 a.m. on April 1. It was then decided to extinguish the fire with water if possible.To accomplish this, concrete-block dams were constructed. On April 1, about 4:25 a.m., when the dams were about half completed, water was introduced into the fire area through a 2-inch pipe.On April 4, J. G, Crawford, general manager of the Valier Coal Co., notified James Westfield, chief of the Vincennes (Ind.) Branch, U. S. Bureau of Mines, by telephone of the fire in Valier mine and requested assistance to combat it. Westfield, accompanied by F. J. Smith and H. C. Brumbaugh, Federal coal-mine inspectors, went underground and inspected the seals and dams. Later, during a conference with company officials, it was decided that the concrete-block dams were not strong enough to withstand the hydrostatic pressure that would be produced by flooding the fire area. It was then decided to use carbon dioxide gas to extinguish the fire. Four seals were completed, and 5 tons of carbon dioxide gas was introduced into the fire area, which extinguished the fire."

Apr 1, 1950