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By J B. Magee

Sheep Creek Mines Limited has developed several operating techniques that have greatly assisted in keeping unit costs at reasonable levels. Some of the techniques, as described in this paper, include organization, accounting, warehousing, bonus and contracts. INTRODUCTION THIS paper is a non-technical report on operating techniques developed by Sheep Creek Mines Limited at their Mineral King mine, located near lnvermere, B.C. Depressed metal prices and continually rising labour and materials costs have necessitated a continuous search for method to keep operating costs down. The newly developed techniques and practices have greatly assisted in maintaining unit costs. Sheep Creek Mines Limited is a mining company incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia. The Company's share capital is 3,500,000 common shares, witl1 a par value of 50 cents each, of which there are 1,875 000 shares is-sued. The Company has eight di-rectors. The administration, exploration and accounting offices are located in Nelson, B.C. The Company's working capital is approximately $1,500,000.

Jan 1, 1963

By S G. Bergdahl

Underground mining in Sweden is today characterized by mechanization and automation, owing to the rising cost of labour. Drilling in drifts and tunnels is still essentially done with jackleg drills, but rigs wh1ch make it possible for one man to operate two or more drills are now frequently used. Large jumbos for longhole drilling, with two drills operated by one man, are used, especially in sub-level caving. A special drill-rig for drilling through overburden and blasting without removing the overburden has been successfully used in canals and also in ports, where blasting is per-formed under water. The increased use of mining methods based upon long blastholes is a result of the development of equipment for drilling long straight holes. The most common mining method in Sweden is sub-level caving. Extensive research, with model tests, has been carried out in order to determine suit-able dimensions of drifts, sub-levels and drilling patterns. The results have been tried in practice and have given increased yield and less waste rock in hoisted ore.

Jan 1, 1963

By H. L. Riley

This report describes the methods and equipment used by the Watauga Stone Co. to drill und blast limestone in a two-level quarry, and to crush, screen, blend, and load this stone. Power requirements per ton of stone produced are reported. The personnel requirements for individual phases of the operation are tabulated in man-hours per ton of stone produced.

Jan 1, 1963

By L. G. Marshall

This report presents a cross section of the sand and gravel operations in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. The study covers individual operations, economic problems peculiar to the industry, glacial geology of the area and its effect upon the grades and types of products, and past, present, and future trends of the expanding population and its effect upon the industry.

Jan 1, 1963

By Merwin H. Howes

Gnome shaft, situated about 24 miles southeast of Carlsbad, N. Mex., was designed and sunk by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission for conducting a peace-time experimental nuclear explosion in the thick salt beds of the Permian Salado formation. Excavation was started July 1, 1960, and completed July 26, 1961. The 10-foot diameter shaft, lined with concrete through the rock section, was sunk 1,216 feet. A drift was driven approximately 1,140 feet on the 1,200-foot level terminating in a shot chamber. On completion of 100 feet of shaft, by means of a truck-mounted crane, facilities were installed for conventional sinking. About 709 feet of rock and 506 feet of salt were encountered in the shaft. Salt beds at this place are reported to be over 1,200 feet thick. The overlying rock section varies greatly in composition and thickness of beds and contains a 28-foot bed of water-bearing dolomite. The aquifer was sealed to facilitate shaft sinking and to prevent water-seepage damage in the salt section of the shaft. Sealing was accomplished by grout injection through holes drilled into the aquifer and by grouting behind the concrete liner.

Jan 1, 1963

By Ruth F. Brinkley

Principle activities of the Bureau of Mines Explosives Research Laboratory from July 1, 1960 to June 30, 1961 are reviewed briefly in Part 1. Part 1 also includes data obtained in connection with several minor investigations which are not sufficient to warrant separate publications. Part 2 gives brief abstracts of publications that appeared during fiscal year 1961; in general, the research reported in these publications antedates this period.

Jan 1, 1963

By J G. Brady

This paper discusses the ceramic products used in the construction industry in Canada, as well as the main raw materials used in their manufacture. The products include the! following: (1) clay prorlucts -such as facing brick (glazed and unglazed), common brick, facing tile (glazed and un-glazed), terra cotta, load-bearing tile, non-load-bearing tile, structural clay floor tile, quarry tile, drain tile, sew-er pipe, conduits .and flue liners -which are made mainly from domes-tic common clays and shales and from domestic or imported stoneware clays and low-grade fire clays; (2) floor and wall tiles of the whiteware type, which are produced from ingredients such as kaolin, ball clay, feldspar, nepheline syenite, talc, pvro-phyllite and wollastonite; (3) glass products -the major ones being sheet glass, plate glass and mineral wool (glass wool, and rock or slag wool) -which are made from such materials as silica sand, soda ash, salt cake, feldsspar, nepheline syenite, dolomitic limestone, high-calcium limestone. borax and (for rock and slag wool) various rocks or slags;

Jan 1, 1963

By W. R. Hardwick

This paper describing the mining methods of the Inspiration Consolidated Copper Co. is one of a series being prepared by the Bureau of Mines on mining methods and costs in various mining districts of the United States. The story of mining at Inspiration is of particular interest because, after 127,812,000 tons of low-grade copper ore were successfully mined, the mining method was changed from block caving to open-pit. As the open pit became deeper, many features of the former block-caving operation that were exposed elucidated concepts of the mechanics of caving that previously had been assumed but not observed. The conversion to open-pit mining was accomplished by unique combinations of equipment and the introduction of ingenious engineering and operating practices that have extended the expected life of the mine for many years.

Jan 1, 1963

By Ruth F. Brinkley

Principle activities of the Bureau of Mines Explosives Research Laboratory from July 1, 1960 to June 30, 1961 are reviewed briefly in Part 1. Part 1 also includes data obtained in connect ion with several minor investigations which are not sufficient to warrant separate publications. Part 2 gives brief abstracts of publications that appeared during fiscal year 1961; in general, the research reported in these publications antedates this period.

Jan 1, 1963

By D. L. King, C. D. Rubert, R. W. Christy, B. A. Schepman

R. W. Christy (Manager of Sales, Sanitary Engineering Equipment, Link-Belt Co.) and C.D. Rubert (Barrett, Haentjens & Co.) — Messrs. King and Schepman have presented an excellent paper which outlines the general practice in the design of thickener mechanisms. Lifting devices, controls, special applications and underflow pumping arrangements have been reviewed in detail. Pumping arrangements were illustrated which eliminate the need for an expensive tunnel beneath the thickener floor. Most of those illustrated have the common feature of a relatively long underflow suction line extending from the hopper floor to the pump located on the bridge at the periphery of the tank. The authors limit these arrangements to comparatively dilute or thin slurrys. It is implied that dense and coarse concentrates, which are difficult to pump, cannot be handled unless a tunnel is constructed. Fig. 1 shows an underflow pump arrangement which negates the need for a tunnel but which permits the operator to convey a heavy dense slurry. The pump is mounted directly on the fixed hoist platform and the impeller is located at the base of the steel center column. Priming water is not needed. The column

Jan 1, 1963

By J E. Gordon

For many years, it has been known that certain loud noises may, with prolonged exposure, temporarily or permanently damage a person's hearing ability. Pneumatic rock drills, al-though among the offenders, have, until recently, remained unaltered and unrestricted as to noise output. Now, there are drills available with higher rates of penetration and yet with noise levels reduced to those of previous models or less. Use of such drills, when proved to be superior in noise attenuation and of acceptable performance, should be encouraged in order to reduce future hearing losses to a minimum. People Have the Right to Hear P ERHAPS the earliest recognized indication of hearing loss due to industrial noise was the deaf-ness developed by the workmen in boiler factories. Here, the vibration set up in the shells by the riveting hammers gradually deteriorated the workmen's hearing, especially those whose job it was to hold the dollies inside the drum, where the sound is greatly intensified by reflection

Jan 1, 1963

This report, 27th in a continuing series1, describes Bureau of Mines research and technologic work on coal and related investigations during 1962. While the brief discussion in each section of the report presents only the highlights of Bureau work during the year, details of many investigations can be found in publications cited in this text. Other work, reported here for the first time, will be covered in greater detail in later publications. Recent trends in coal research and technology both at home and abroad were reviewed in several publications2. Bureau research, as in the past3, continued to stress improved methods of mining, preparing, processing, and using coal. The program included a wide variety of applied and basic studies for developing information useful to the coal mining industry and the coal consumer while promoting wise conservation and utilization of our coal resources.

Jan 1, 1963

By John P. Capp

After World War II the Bureau of Mines studied methods of producing synthesis gas including a plan to gasify coal in place. Consequently, under a cooperative agreement with the Alabama Power Co., Bureau engineers directed a series of experiments that were carried out on the property of the Alabama Power Co. at Gorgas, Ala. The purpose of underground gasification of coal, regardless of method used, is to obtain the energy contained in the fuel for use on the surface, without mining in the usual sense of the term. Underground gasification can be described as (1) a process where coal, in place, is consumed by partial combustion with air, oxygen, steam, or any combination of these to produce a low calorific value gas (80 to 300 Btu per cu ft) or (2) a complete combustion process in which air is used to produce a gas containing carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and considerable thermal energy.

Jan 1, 1963

By John P. Capp

After World War II the Bureau of Mines studied methods of producing synthesis gas including a plan to gasify coal in place. Consequently, under a cooperative agreement with the Alabama Power Co., Bureau engineers directed a series of experiments that were carried out on the property of the Alabama Power Co. at Gorgas, Ala. The purpose of underground gasification of coal, regardless of method used, is to obtain the energy contained in the fuel for use on the surface, without mining in the usual sense of the term. Underground gasification can be described as (1) a process where coal, in place, is consumed by partial combustion with air, oxygen, steam, or any combination of these to produce a low calorific value gas (80 to 300 Btu per cu ft) or (2) a complete combustion process in which air is used to produce a gas containing carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and considerable thermal energy.

Jan 1, 1963

This report, 27th in a continuing series1, describes Bureau of Mines research and technologic work on coal and related investigations during 1962. While the brief discussion in each section of the report presents only the highlights of Bureau work during the year, details of many investigations can be found in publications cited in this text. Other work, reported here for the first time, will be covered in greater detail in later publications. Recent trends in coal research and technology both at home and abroad were reviewed in several publications2. Bureau research, as in the past3, continued to stress improved methods of mining, preparing, processing, and using coal. The program included a wide variety of applied and basic studies for developing information useful to the coal mining industry and the coal consumer while promoting wise conservation and utilization of our coal resources.

Jan 1, 1963

By David D. Walker

The purpose of the investigation was to describe and appraise tungsten deposits in Montana . The work supplements previous investigations made by Pattee ( 10 ) and Walker ( 17 ) in selected areas of the State . Scheelite deposits in tactite are the most numerous and most important economically , having accounted for nearly all of the State's tungsten production . Of the 64 deposits examined during the current study , 50 contained scheelite , 11 hubnerite , 2 wolframite , and 1 ferberite . The State's major tungsten production has been from scheelite deposits in Beaverhead County . The report lists , by counties , the type and grade of each deposit . The more important occurrences are accompanied by geological and assay maps .

Jan 1, 1963

By Henri Carrat

La prospección geofísica tiene por objeto la aplicación de leyes, teorías y técnicas de la Física para el descubrimiento de yacimientos minerales y petroleros, aguas subterráneas y el estudio del subsuelo, el cual es requisito indispensable para la construcción ciertas obras de ingeniería civil. En ese sentido, el presente texto describe el proceso de la prospección física y los métodos geofísicos utilizados en dicho proceso. Estos métodos geofísicos se clasifican de acuerdo a los parámetros físicos estudiados y son: los métodos gravimétricos, magnéticos, sísmicos, eléctricos, prospección radioactiva, magnético, polarización reducida y los métodos diversos.

Nov 1, 1962

By M. T. Smith

In a 2,000 square mile area of Polk, Hillsborough, Hardee and Manatee Counties in Central Florida is located one of the richest known deposits of the life-giving mineral, phosphorus. Under layers of sand and clay are found millions of tons of phosphate rock, best source of this element which is necessary to all forms of life - plant, animal and human. Phosphorus is an irreplaceable ingredient in all complete plant foods, and more than 90% of Florida's vast production goes to enrich the croplands of the United States and many other areas of a hungry world. In addition to this, it has wide industrial use in the manufacture of many products - detergents, baking powder, carbonated beverages, steel, matches, munitions, glass, insecticides, dyes, water softeners and innumerable others. Not only does phosphorus make life possible for us - it also helps us to live longer and better.

Jan 1, 1962

By O. J. Malacarne

The use of a series of thickeners for-washing of the slime fraction of a leached ore is not uncommon in the uranium industry; however, few ore processing mills have used a thickener circuit for washing leached total ore. The, common, practice is to wash the sand fraction in classifiers and, the slime fraction only in thickeners. At the Uravan mill of Union Carbide Nuclear, Company, a total ore' acid leach is employed to extract uranium values from sandstone ores. These leached ores are then washed at a nominal rate of from 1,000 to 1,300 tons per day in a series of washing thickeners. A typical screen. analysis of the ore being washed in these thickeners, is 25 percent -200 mesh, 3 percent +35 mesh and about, one' percent +l4 mesh., The amount of slimes (-200 mesh) will vary from 20 to 30 percent s the mill receives ore from 150 different mines The washing liquor is acidic, from a pH of about 2 in the first thickener to 0.6 pH in the last thickener and of course ally acid duty equipment must be used. The Uravan mill of Union Carbide Nuclear Company is located in Montrose County, Colorado and is physically located on a canyon wall along the San Miguel river. The thickeners referred to in this, paper are located on top of the mesa above the canyon. For purposes of identification, these thickeners are numbered 1 through 8 from south to north.

Jan 1, 1962

By Floyd G. Anderson

This report reviews and summarizes information on prevention and suppression of dust in mining, tunneling, and quarrying published in the United States during the years 1958 through 1960. Unpublished pertinent data developed or assembled by the Bureau of Mines during this period also are included. Silicosis statistics reported by the U.S. Public Health Service indicate a sizable silicotic population in the United States and suggest a need for greater dust-control effort. A joint medical-environmental survey was begun by the U.S. Public Health Service and the Bureau of Mines to evaluate the magnitude of the silicosis problem in the metal mining industry in the United States.

Jan 1, 1962