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By Alten F. Grandt

What is prime farmland? Can such land, once it has been surface mined for coal, be restored so that it will produce corn, soybeans, wheat, and alfalfa? What methods or practices are necessary to bring about restoration within a reasonable time so that crop yields will be equivalent to or higher than those of unmined prime farmland under high levels of management? These questions concerned land use researchers in Illinois as early as 1948 when the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station experimented with growing cultivated crops on surface mined land in St. Clair County (Grandt, 1949). This research was done almost thirty years before requirements of Public Law 95-87 were passed by the US Congress and signed August 3, 1977.

Jan 1, 1982

By J. B. Newsom

IN the Indiana limestone district, some 50 or 60 per, cent of the merchantable stone in a quarry opening is waste, and only about 40 or 50 per cent of the stone from the opening is finally sold. So long as the present system of quarrying is used, the wastes measured and reported in this paper will continue. Comprehensive development of an entirely different method of quarrying, using wire saws for cutting, promises great improvement. Some of the savings to be expected are pointed out in the following pages. No attempt has been made to measure losses due to variations and natural flaws in the stone, since these vary greatly in different quarries, and accurate measurement would be difficult. The wastes that have been measured account for about 30 per cent of the total ledge, which leaves 20 or 30 per cent chargeable to unmeasured sources of loss.

Jan 1, 1932

By James R. Aggson, John C. Curran

In a cooperative research effort, the US Bureau of Mines Denver Mining Research Center and the Pittston Co. investigated floor heave ground control problems that have plagued underground coal mining of the Beckley coalbed in southern West Virginia. Floor heave is accompanied by a redistribution of stresses and loads that are associated with underground openings, causing roof and pillar problems. The floor and roof analysis techniques that were used in the USBM/Pittston investigation may have a wide range of applicability in the mining industry. Recommended orientations and geometries for mining operations are directed at floor problems, but may also enhance roof stability.

Jan 1, 1980

By Robert L. Wilson

Computation of reserve tonnages, stripping ratios, and grade of ore has long been a revolting aspect of the young mining engineer's job. Weeks at the desk calculator may turn into months before a single job is completed. Then many additional hours are necessary to check the calculations. During the last decade, computing machines have been widely publicized as instruments which will accomplish fantastic feats. Tales of their magical qualities have overshadowed their most basic characteristics-that of being a labor-saving device. Prior to a discussion of the electronic calculator's use on a mining problem, it may be well to point out that these machines are neither magic nor will they replace the judgment of an experienced engineer. In short, the "mighty morons," as the computors are sometimes called, are excellent labor savers but must be used correctly. They are not a substitute for thinking.

Jan 6, 1961

By T. P. Meloy

Recently, Gilvarry1 has criticized the Gaudin-Meloy2 derivation of the size distribution equation for impact grinding. The criticism states that as the derivation stands it is good for only a long, thin wire being fractured. This paper contains a second derivation in reply to the criticism. Consider a homogeneous solid particle. This particle is broken into fragments by impact. It is assumed that the material resembles galena and that the particles were broken into chunky parallelepipedes which may be treated as cubes. The fragments are now reassembled — as seen in Fig. 1 — and a line is passed through the fractured solid perpendicular to one of its faces. For simplicity, the length of the line segment in the cube is considered to be 1. Fig. 2 represents the line segment in the cube showing the locations of the crack surfaces cutting the line and one point, P, chosen at random on it. The question arises as to what is the probability of the point, P,

Jan 1, 1963

THE Directors of the Institute at the May meeting voted to take a referendum of our members on the subject of licensing engineers. At the June meeting, this action was rescinded, it being felt that the proportion of the members of this Society who would respond to such a referendum at the present time would not be large enough to give the data for which the referendum was intended. It was deemed advisable in its place to publish in this issue of Mining and Metallurgy arguments in favor of and against licensing. Two arguments by proponents of the movement follow. Many articles against licensing have appeared in these columns, in the last two years, covering most of the arguments on the negative side so that the sole contribution herewith is a summary of a referendum taken by the Mining and Metallurgical Society in 1920-21.-EDITOR.

Jan 7, 1923

By Joseph P. Lyden

In the Picher field, structure made openings for the circulation of the mineralizing solutions by flexing, shearing, and fracturing the sedimentary beds. This structure is used with the spatial and genetic relationship of the ore minerals, sphalerite and galena, and the gangue minerals, dolomite and jasperoid, in prospecting for ore bodies.

Jan 12, 1950

What do you think are the major problems that the mining industry is facing? While I don't have any intensive knowledge of the various problems that plague our industry, I know that they are all part and parcel of a more complex and fundamental question: What must we do to make mineral extraction successful, safe, and profitable? Obviously, as mining people, we must continue to expand our technical know-how and to make better use of it. In today's context, however, that is not enough. We must also improve the "public image" of the mining industry. Why? Because the key word in the term "public image" is: the public. Many people in our country and in Congress, for instance, are against strip mining-and some are even against underground mining. Pressures from the public, from voters, have affected past, present, and new legislation. And government controls can be a major problem in any industry, let alone mining. At first, people ask government to intervene, act, or resolve problems, even in management and labor contract negotiations. But later, after Washington gets involved, there are clashes between departments and personalities, and eventually there is resentment against the interference with mining operations or our daily lives.

Jan 3, 1975

By A. G. Crocker

The positions of twin reflections in electron-dijjcraction patterns obtained from thin metal foils may he calculated for any twin in any crystal structure by means of an elementary application of vector algebra, General equations for the four classical orientation relationships are presented using the superscript and subscript notation of the tensor calculus, which is briefly described. As an example of the application of these expressions, the case of twinned rhomhohedral crystals, and hence as a special cased twinned cubic crystals, is examined. CONSIDERABLE interest has recently been shown in the interpretation of electron-diffraction patterns obtained from twinned regions of thin metal foils. In the present paper, it is shown that the necessary information may be obtained directly for all twins in any crystal structure by means of a very elementary application of vector algebra. The equations involved are most conveniently presented by making use of the very powerful superscript and subscript notation of the tensor calculus. The use of this notation will first be described and then applied to the problem of calculating diffraction patterns for any twinned crystal. Finally, as an example of the application of the method, the specific case of twinned rhombohedra1 crystals will be considered.

Jan 1, 1965

By Stanley Herold

AT THE present time five localities in the Argentine Republic are known to bear direct evidences of the presence, of petroleum. The segregation of these localities is more or less arbitrary inasmuch as minor indications may be found to extend from one locality to the other at no regular distance apart, especially in the northern and western part of the republic. These localities are listed as follows: North Argentine-Bolivian region, Salta-Jujuy district, provinces of Mendoza and Neuquen, Comodoro Rivadavia, and the Gallegos-Punta Arenas region. Economic conditions attract us to the possibilities of developing these and other regions of countries in the southern hemisphere. Development work will, naturally, be undertaken first in such localities as present direct manifestations of the presence of petroleum; "hidden fields" may exist, but, unless discovered by accident, their development will be left to the last. The problems to be solved in the development of the petroleum resources of the Argentine republic are mainly of stratigraphy, structure, and transportation. We are not here concerned with the unfavorable climate of the countries to the north in the tropics where, for us of the "far north," life hangs by a thread ready to be severed by a mosquito, gnat, or tropical germ.

Jan 2, 1920

By Michael B. Gross

A numerical study of the vulnerability of unlined tunnels in jointed rock has been performed with the STEALTH computer program, using the CAVS model for jointed rock. CAVS, for Cracking And Void Strain, is a constitutive model that can simulate the initiation/propagation of fractures and the slip along fracture planes in a jointed rock mass. The CAVS model is unique because it represents a spatially oriented approach to rock failure, rather than the traditional invariant formulation, and because the CAVS submodels for slip friction and slip-induced dilatancy are used to represent the weakening influence of joints, rather than applying ad hoc modifications to the elastic moduli of the host rock. The CAVS model, as embedded in the STEALTH computer program, has performed numerical simulations of tunnel collapse at high overstress levels. These calculations show that the ultimate strength of the tunnel depends strongly on the joint properties, and that the results of the calculations are in qualitative agreement with the observed data for collapse of a tunnel in tuff.

Jan 1, 1984

By W. F. Laverty

Two recent papers in this journal1,2 contain experimental evidence for an anomaly in the concentration gradient for tracer diffusion. In both papers, the authors suggest that this anomaly is due to a Gibbs' absorption effect. Their hypothesis is that surface active tracer elements tend to remain in or near the surface adsorption layer, thereby altering the diffusion flux and concentration gradient. It is not clear how the anomaly can be explained in terms of an adsorption effect. Surface tension forces act parallel rather than perpendicular to a surface and therefore should affect only the rate of spreading of surface active agents tangentially across a surface. Frenkel3 has given a short treatment of surface tension as a driving force for surface diffusion. While the equilibrium concentration of a surface active agent at the surface of a solution is known to be higher than in the bulk, its chemical potential is necessarily the same. It is difficult to see how adsorption can result in an anomaly in the chemical potential gradient, which is the driving force for diffusion. A more detailed explanation by the authors of the adsorption mechanism is in order. A similar anomaly does not seem to arise where

Jan 1, 1970

By William C. Cooley

INTRODUCTION Considerable research has been conducted on the use of steady and pulsed jets of water at high pressures to produce slots or holes in rock, and to fracture rock. The primary objectives of prior research have generally been to determine the feasibility of excavating or drilling rock or minerals and to determine the optimum jet parameters for this purpose. The present study was undertaken in order to identify the pertinent dimensionless parameters involving jet and rock properties which characterize the liquid jet penetration process and to develop empirical correlations of the existing test data which would permit engineering prediction by means of scaling relationships. The present paper is in the nature of a progress report, because not all the existing test data have been processed. Also effort has been concentrated on correlation of data on the specific energy (jet kinetic energy per unit volume of rock removed or broken), rather than correlation of jet penetration depth, hole diameter, kerf depth or kerf width. However, it is clear that this method of correlating data on specific energy in terms of dimensionless parameters shows great promise and provides insight into the nature of the physical processes of jet erosion and fracture. It therefore can help to avoid drawing incorrect conclusions from limited experimental data. DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS The method of dimensional analysis is particularly valuable where the mathematical relationships controlling a physical process are unknown or complex. The grouping

Jan 1, 1971

By R. W. Ph. D. Raymond

PROFESSOR W. P. BLAKE, in a note to his Catalogue of California Minerals, pointed out that the mining districts of the Pacific slope are arranged in parallel zones, following the prevailing direction of the mountain ranges. This interesting generalization has been more fully illustrated and connected with the geological history of the country by Mr. Clarence King, who sums tip the observed phenomena as follows: "The Pacific coast ranges upon the west carry quicksilver, tin, and chromic iron. The next belt is that of the Sierra Nevada and Oregon Cascades, which, upon their west slope, bear two zones, a foot-hill chain of copper mines, and a middle line of gold deposits. These gold veins and the resultant placer mines extend far into Alaska, characterized by the occurrence of gold in quartz, by a small amount of that metal which is entangled in iron sulphurets, and by occupying splits in the upturned metamorphic strata of the Jurassic age. Lying to the east of this zone, along the east base of the Sierras, and stretching southward into Mexico, is a chain of silver mines, containing comparatively little base metal, and frequently included in volcanic rocks. Through Middle Mexico, Arizona, Middle Nevada, and Central Idaho is another line of silver mines, mineralized with complicated association of the base metals, and more often occurring in older rocks. Through New Mexico, Utah, and Western Montana lies another zone of argentiferous galena lodes. To the east, again, the New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana gold belt is an extremely well-defined and continuous chain of deposits." These seven longitudinal zones or chains of mineral deposits must

Jan 1, 1873

By Charles Baskerville

SHALES containing,"kerogen,," or bituminous matter, which on destructive distillation yield oily and tarry matters resembling petroleum are here designated as oil-shales. They differ from oil-bearing shales from which petroleum may be obtained by so-called mechanical means. The educts obtained by the destructive distillation resemble some or all the varieties of petroleum, depending on the character of the shale and the mode of treatment. Some shale oils have e a paraffin base, some an asphaltic base, or a combination; some run high in sulfur compounds, The methods of refining and cracking, therefore, are essentially the Sam as are used in refining petroleums. In 1860, in this country, over fifty companies were successfully distilling various bituminous natural materials for the production of "coal oil," used for illuminating purposes. The discovery of petroleum and the failure of these companies to save and utilize the valuable byproduct, ammonia, brought about their inevitable doom. Prior to that time, more or less successful efforts were made to produce from the shales of Scotland oils for illuminating and heating purposes. Competition of native petroleum from the United States early eliminated some of these companies and with the entrance of oil from the Russian and other fields into the world's markets, the Scottish oil-shale industry underwent serious and trying experiences until, in 1916, only four (Scottish) were paying concerns.. These survived only through energy and the application of skill in saving valuable byproducts. A few companies have successfully operated in France and New Zealand. The Canadian Government showed active interest in the New Brunswick shales, which exist in quantity and are more valuable than the Scottish shales. The retarded development of that very valuable asset of the Province of New Brunswick involves a pathetic history, which is lamentable. This was especially true when the product was so much needed in the prosecution of the war. The economic success of a shale-oil industry depends on the following factors:

Jan 6, 1919

By G. G. Gunther, C. L. Boeke

THE zinc deleading processes at the Parral and Santa Barbara mills are described separately to provide a basis for comparison. Although the two procedures are fundamentally alike, there are some differences in application to meet specific conditions. The Asarco mill at Parral in the State of Chihuahua is a flotation plant treating 1450 metric tons per day of complex sulphide copper-lead-zinc ores. In general, the procedure used for selective separation of the minerals into a copper, a lead, and a zinc concentrate follows the usual practice. First, a bulk copper-lead concentrate is floated and then separated into a final copper and a final lead concentrate by the sulphurous acid process. A small tonnage of high grade gravity lead concentrate is tabled from the bulk copper-lead cleaner tailing before it is reground so as to avoid undesirable over-grinding and sliming of this portion of the lead mineral. Next, a zinc concentrate is floated from the lead rougher tailing and, as described later, is separated into a final lead product and a final zinc concentrate. Finally, the zinc rougher tailing receives a strong scavenger float to remove all recoverable middling values for regrinding and return to the flotation circuits. The slime is separated from the scavenger flotation product, and only the sand portion goes to the regrind section. The minerals in the separated slime are extremely resistant to all methods of selective separation and pose one of the major problems awaiting solution. Nevertheless, the slime shows a profit when mixed with either the lead or the zinc concentrate, except when metal prices are very low, so it is accepted as a final product for lack of a more profitable method of handling it. In contrast, the minerals in the reground sands of the

Jan 1, 1953

By C. L. Colburn

Discovery is the first step in the location of the claim. The provision of the Revised Statutes (2320) is, " No location of a mining claim shall be made until the discovery of the vein or lode within the limits of the claim located." Strictly speaking, discovery may be defined as the finding of ore or metalliferous rock in place in a well-defined vein. This definition was too strict, so discovery extended later to cover such indications of the pregence of ore, within rock in place, as would justify an experienced miner in spending his time and money with a reasonable expectation of finding ore in paying quantities. According to Colorado statutes a discovery must show a well-defined crevice; in Arizona, a lode, deposit, or mineral in place; in Montana, a well-defined crevice or valuable depositi; in Nevada, a lode or deposit of mineral in place. It is wrong to require a discovery. An honest prospector, wishing to obey the law, finds himself compelled, in most cases, to evade this point. In Clear Creek district, Colorado, a quartz seam will constitute a discovery; in Butte, a red capping; in Leadville or Ely, it is any place where a man can find a piece of vacant ground big enough upon which to sink a . 10-ft. hole. If the vein or deposit outcrops a man can show a discovery, but if it does not outcrop it is foolish to compel him to show one; and this point has been gently side-stepped. Any hole 10 ft. deep now constitutes a discovery. It is no use having laws that the people cannot consistently ob_ey. No sane man will dig unless he expects to find mineral, and he should be protected while digging. He should be required to show that he has mineral ground only when he comes to patent.

Jan 1, 1915

By G. G. Gunther, C. L. Boeke

THE zinc deleading processes at the Parral and Santa Barbara mills are described separately to provide a basis for comparison. Although the two procedures are fundamentally alike, there are some differences in application to meet specific conditions. The Asarco mill at Parral in the State of Chihuahua is a flotation plant treating 1450 metric tons per day of complex sulphide copper-lead-zinc ores. In general, the procedure used for selective separation of the minerals into a copper, a lead, and a zinc concentrate follows the usual practice. First, a bulk copper-lead concentrate is floated and then separated into a final copper and a final lead concentrate by the sulphurous acid process. A small tonnage of high grade gravity lead concentrate is tabled from the bulk copper-lead cleaner tailing before it is reground so as to avoid undesirable over-grinding and sliming of this portion of the lead mineral. Next, a zinc concentrate is floated from the lead rougher tailing and, as described later, is separated into a final lead product and a final zinc concentrate. Finally, the zinc rougher tailing receives a strong scavenger float to remove all recoverable middling values for regrinding and return to the flotation circuits. The slime is separated from the scavenger flotation product, and only the sand portion goes to the regrind section. The minerals in the separated slime are extremely resistant to all methods of selective separation and pose one of the major problems awaiting solution. Nevertheless, the slime shows a profit when mixed with either the lead or the zinc concentrate, except when metal prices are very low, so it is accepted as a final product for lack of a more profitable method of handling it. In contrast, the minerals in the reground sands of the

Jan 1, 1953

By Joseph H. Taylor

The Ducktown district is in the extreme southeastern corner of Tennessee, its principal railroad point being Copperhill, on the Blue Ridge division of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, midway between Knoxville, Tenn., and Atlanta, Ga. The ore deposits were discovered about 1849 and development work was begun in the early fifties. Only the "black copper" ores, products of secondary enrichment, from beneath the gossan outcrops and overlying the massive sulphide deposits, were then mined and smelted for their copper content. Upon their exhaustion, attention was directed to the treatment of the pyritic ore remaining, resulting in the devising of a process consisting of open-heap roasting, followed by blast-furnace smelting, which was practised until 1903, when semi-pyritic smelting was adopted. In 1908, the companies operating in the district, on account of litigation brought about by alleged smoke damage to forests and vegetation in the adjoining counties of Georgia, were compelled to erect enormous acid plants to prevent the escape of the sulphur dioxide produced in the smelting operations. The utilization of this sulphur dioxide in the manufacture of sulphuric acid as a byproduct has added to the revenues of the companies, and at the same time has furnished a valuable source of supply of sulphuric acid to the fertilizer trade of the South, and more recently to the manufacturers of eyplosives for use in the production of war munitions. The steadily increasing demand for sulphuric acid for the manufacture of fertilizers and explosives, together with the decreasing imports of pyrites, from which the acid is generally produced, now makes it imperative that greatly extended resources of pyrite be developed. While the Ducktown deposits do not predominate in pyrite, they do contain an inexhaustible supply of pyrrhotite, admixed with pyrite, which can be satisfactorily employed to supplement or substitute for pyrite in acid making.

Jan 1, 1918

By G. M. Ellis

When developing a mineral processing facility, the mining company management and engineering staff should have some knowledge of the construction industry in order to work with the contractors involved as a team. Of course, the situation varies with the nature of the project and its size, but relations among owners, engineers, and contractors always will be enhanced if the mining company has a knowledge of three construction industry facets: (1) the makeup of a construction company, (2) the functions performed by its staff, and (3) the various types of contracts and tendering procedures available. There are several options open to a company wishing to bring a new mine into production from the grass roots, depending upon corporate structure, capabilities, and financial strength. A company that already employs a substantial engineering staff may elect to manage and perform the design requirements itself, and may handle some or even all of the actual construction work. But in cases where bank financing is required, the loan is often dependent upon adequate professional construction help being used.

Jan 1, 1978