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By Harold A. Krueger

FACILITIES and mining operations of the National Lead Co., St. Louis Smelting and Refining Division, near Fredericktown, Mo., are situated in a famous mining area. Copper, lead, nickel, and cobalt have been mined here for more than 100 years, work having been started on a high sulphide copper outcrop in 1847.

Jan 8, 1953

By Ralph W. M. Lai, D. W. Fuerstenau

In aqueous solution, an oxide surface is considered to consist of positively charged surface sites, MOH, neutral surface sites MOH, and negatively charged surface sites MO-. From the mass action law, equations for the distribution of these sites have been derived in terms of the hydrogen ion concentration in solution and the point of zero charge of the oxide. Experiments on the flotation of futile were carried out with sulfonates and amines which are collectors that physisorb, and with oleate, which is a collector that chemisorbs. Flotation response was found to correlate with the site distribution model. A similar correlation was found with published data on iron oxide potation.

Jan 1, 1977

By R. E. Zimmerman, Shiou-Chuan Sun

An evaluation of the mechanism surrounding the froth flotation of coarse coal and mineral particles as a result of experiments conducted at The Pennsylvania State College. Maximum size ranges for both bituminous and anthracite coals were established as well as the factors affecting the floating of coarse particles.

Jan 5, 1950

By John D. Erickson, Thomas R. Carlson, Milton T. Pana, Daniel T. O’Brian

Computer use in mine planning has evolved from theory to practical application at the Bingham mine of Kennecott Copper Corp.’s Utah Copper Division. Traditional mine planning methods have been combined with computer technology to produce a more realistic calculation of ore reserves and mining plans. The techniques used are not revolutionary but are an expansion of previous mine planning methods using the calculating power of the computer. These methods can readily be adapted for planning use by practical mining men.

Jan 5, 1966

By Agustin S. Segura, Luis G. Gutierrez

Foreign investment in Mexico, particularly of American capital, has increased steadily since 1940. At present, however, these investments are less important to the Mexican economy than in earlier periods. In the last few years, local or Mexican capital has participated in most American investments in Mexico with the encouragement of the Mexican Government. Foreign investment in a wide variety of industrial activities has gone up in the last decade, placing mining investments in second place. This growth is the result of the Mexican Government's favorable attitude toward industrial expansion. The process has been encouraged through tax exemption on infant industry, through customs protection, and through other incentives.

Jan 11, 1959

By Edgar A. Scholz, Attilio G. Spat

The rapid worldwide increase in labor costs, prices of goods and services, and the rising tide of economic nationalism do not bode well for the future of mineral exploration and the mining industry. The increasing complexity and difficulty involved in finding economic mineral deposits makes these trends particularly significant. A comparative cost analysis of domestic and foreign exploration projects which developed into mines during the period 1960-74 may be useful in indicating the general nature of exploration expenditures as these trends continue. This analysis is based on a survey of 18 US and Canadian mining companies. Due to the inexact nature of exploration expenditure data, plus the fact that no two mining companies follow the same system of cost allocation, the results of the survey must be considered quite general in character.

Jan 6, 1977

By K. E. Beu

THE integrated intensity X-ray method of meas-uring retained austenite concentrations in hardened plain carbon or low alloy steels as proposed by Averbach and Cohen1,2 has the advantages of being a highly sensitive and precise quantitative method. The various phases of this method have been studied and several modifications have been developed which aid not only in reducing the time required per determination, but which also increase the possible accuracy of the method. A fundamental step in the original calculation procedure is to plot V.A(?) curves for austenite and martensite and to obtain VM/VA ratios from these curves.' In taking this ratio the absorption factor A (8) drops out since it is constant for a. given diffraction angle 8. The reason for eliminating A(?) in this manner is because it is apparently assumed

Jan 1, 1953

By Robert L. Thoms, Joseph D. Martinez

The development of Gulf Coast salt domes thus far, although enormously successful and productive, has proceeded in an unscheduled fashion governed by events rather than by a comprehensive plan. Motivation for the sequential progress of exploitation has included mineral discoveries, inventions, technological improvements, new needs, and a dynamic economy. Although it is too late to implement a plan for the entire cycle of exploitation of this resource, it would seem advisable to introduce now a system concept for further development. Viewed from this perspective, general determinative parameters should include economic, environmental, logistical, technical, and resource considerations, and more fundamentally, basic societal goals. Experience gained from planning in the Gulf Coast should provide guidelines for use elsewhere in the world.

Jan 1, 1981

By Roy E. Gilbert

IN what ways can conventional geophysical methods be used in the search for quartz-sulphide veins covered by several feet of overburden? The New Park Mining Co., in search of an answer to this question, empirically tested simple geochemical, electrical, and magnetic methods over known ore bodies and geologic structures. Geochemical methods were the only ones found to be applicable to direct ore search. Indirect uses were found for electrical and magnetic tests. Experiments were conducted in the southeastern part of the Park City mining district. Ore in this part of the district is found principally in steeply dipping veins which are localized along faults and fractures that cut Paleozoic sediments and quartz diorite intrusives. Extensive soil cover effiectively hides both veins and country rock. The type of vein most likely to

Jan 1, 1953

By S. K. Ghosh

This paper discusses how the information on ash composition, ash-fusion temperatures, and ash-slag viscosity can be used to predict slagging and fouling potentials of a particular coal. A review of several empirical parameters that are commonly used for determining such potentials is given. Also, some guideline values for interpreting the relative propensity of slagging and fouling of various types of coal are provided.

Jan 1, 1986

By G. F. Moulton

Extraction of minerals from Searles Lake brines has taken place since 1873. Early operations for borax and raw trona found on the surface were expanded after 1914 to include potash, salt cake, and soda ash. A new soda ash plant now in operation will double area production. The evaporite beds were formed by desiccation of eastern Sierra runoff. The resulting series of brine-bearing salt beds supply the fluids necessary to feed the area chemical plants. Production methods include evaporation and crystallization for potash, borax, and salt cake; carbonation of brine to recover soda ash; and organic extraction of borax.

Jan 1, 1982

By Kenneth W. Kolthammer

Fundamentals of drying and the equipment used are reviewed. Dryers employed in the mineral industry include rotary dryers, fluid bed dryers, spray dryers, hearth dryers and rotary tray dryers. Concentrate characteristics, corresponding problems and handling methods are likewise discussed. Important factors include weighing and sampling, moisture content, market timetables, transportation availability and climatic conditions.

Jan 1, 1978

By N. J. Themelis, R. V. Flint

In a four-year period between 1973-76, the Metal Mining Division of Kennecott Copper Corp. conducted a company-wide program of operations improvement which involved line and staff personnel from all company functions. Specialist teams performed detailed studies of all operational aspects at Kennecott's four copper mines and concentrators, four smelters, and two electrore-fineries. The specific recommendations that resulted may transform the Metal Mining Division into the country's lowest cost producer of copper by the mid-1980s. In this article, N. J. Themelis and R. V. Flint describe the mechanics of MMD's integrated approach to operations improvement.

Jan 6, 1979

By J. H. Berryman

THE use of oxygen as a bath reagent in hearth furnaces during the refining period is a familiar story. Investigations and tests in which oxygen was substituted for iron ore to reduce carbon date back 25 years and include the work of Bigge,1 Browne,2 and Chelius.3 During this past year the majority of the experimental work in the use of oxygen was carried on mainly in open-hearth shops, since it was felt that the greater field for application lay in this type of furnace. Much constructive work was done in evaluating the carbon-oxygen relationships, as reported by Slottman and Lounsberry4 and by Hughes.5 Steelmakers using the electric furnace have been actively engaged meanwhile in an experimental program of their own, with such success that the oxygen injection pipe has become a tool in the day to day production of low-carbon and stainless steels.

Jan 1, 1947

By Oscar Glaeser

THE purpose of this paper is to present specific applications of the fundamental principles of mine ventilation and the means that are at our disposal to accomplish the task of maintaining a healthful atmosphere in small mines and prospect openings.

Jan 1, 1936

By Ballard H. Clemmons

THE future of the steelmaking industry of the Birmingham, Ala., district is closely related to and, in a large measure, dependent on the development of workable, economic processes of ore concentration. Operations thus far in the area have been possible only because of the fortuitous occurrence of iron ore, fluxing stone, and coking coal-all the primary iron-making materials- within a 25-mile radius of the blast furnaces. Commercial ore of the district consists mainly of a 10 to 20-ft hematite-calcite-silica bed locally known as the "Big Seam," a component of the Clinton formation of Silurian Age. At present mining rates, this ore will be available for a number of years. It is largely mined under 1000 to 2000 ft of cover and transported on 15 to 20" slopes that, in some instances, are as much as 10,000 ft long. Under these conditions, particularly with increasing distances from face to portal, mining costs are gradually becoming disproportionately high. Although not a major factor thus far, it should also be noted that the average annual ore output of the district is gradually be- coming more siliceous.

Jan 1, 1950

By H. C. Rickaby

BY August 1944 Canada expects to be shipping 56 percent hematite ore from its new Steep Rock iron mine, via Port Arthur on Lake Superior, to the steelmaking centers in Canada and the United States. This is indeed welcome news to steel men, especially if they operate open hearth furnaces, as the Steep Rock ore is a high-grade lump and will be valuable as charge and feed ore. But better news is the fact that this first big producer of high-grade hematite ore in Canada, since the exhaustion of the Helen mine in the Michipicoten area north of Lake Superior in 1918, has a proved ore body of 16,757,000 long tons and a probable ore body of 14,000,000 long tons, thus giving an over-all total of 30,757,000 long tons and assuring production for a number of years to come.

Jan 1, 1943

By E. C. Reed

Oil was discovered in Nebraska on Nov. I, 1939, when the Pawnee Royalty Company's Boice No. I well, about 3 miles west of Falls City (NE 1/4 NE 1/4, sec. 18, T.r N., R.16 E., Richardson County) was drilled into the Hunton formation but the develop-ment of the area took place during 1940. After a pumping test lasting 18 days, the Boice well stopped producing and failed to qualify for the State bonus of $ 15,000 offered for the first oil well to produce go bbl. per day for 60 consecutive days. On May 9, 1940, the Pawnee Royalty Company's Bucholz No. I well was completed about M mile southeast of the discovery well and flowed at the rate of about 330 bbl. per day, easily meeting the State bonus requirements. In addition to the discovery well, which later was reconditioned, and the bonus well, 28 producers were drilled in the Falls City field during 1940. Of these wells, 23 are in sec. 20, two are in the northern part 'of sec. 29, two in the southwestern part of sec. 17 and three in the eastern part of sec.

Jan 1, 1941

By Donald W. Gentry

In the mining industry, there are two widely accepted methods of determining the investment worth of a contemplated project. One of these is the payback method and the other is the more recent discounted cash flow (DCF) technique known as the internal rate of return. Both techniques can be useful, but it is important to know the assumptions and characteristics of each procedure and how these may affect an investment decision. The Payback Period-A Shortcut to Yes or No The payback period is simply the time it takes for the cash inflows from an investment to equal that investment. Understandably, projects with short payback periods are preferred to those with longer ones. The payback period may be measured either from the time the initial investment is made or from the time that it begins to yield positive cash flows, but the latter approach is more realistic because it permits more accurate allowance for lost interest on the invested capital.

Jan 1, 1971

By I. C. White

Only two factors appear to be directly responsible for the geographic distribution of sulfur in the coal fields of West Virginia: these are the stratigraphic position of the coals in question, and the eastward or westward location of the deposits. There appears to be a progressive increase in the sulfur content of West Virginia coals from the oldest Peqnsylvanian deposits in the Pocahontas, New River, and Kanawha Groups of the Pottsville Series up through the Allegheny, Conemaugh, and

Jan 1, 1920