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By Dorsey A. Lyon, Robert M. Keeney

The utilization of hydro-electriic power in electro-metallurgical industries, aside from purely mechanical operations, may be of two kinds. The electric energy may be used to supply the heat necessary for the performance of the chemical reactions of a metallurgical process, or the electrolytic action of a direct current may be employed for extraction of metals, either in a reduction process or a refining process. In discussing this subject, it is well to distinguish between established industries, which are producing metals and alloys at a, profit by use of the electric current, and the many processes which are either still in the experimental stage or have not even passed the paper stage of development of a patent. That is, we consider electro-metallurgical industries as commercial operations which are now consuming large blocks of electric energy, while processes which are not in commercial operation are only prospective consumers. Also, owing to the difliculty and risk of any attempt to foresee the effect of the European war upon electro-metallurgical industries, we have felt obliged to disregard the war entirely, and state our opinions regardless of its existence. Application of Electric Energy to Metallurgy Disregarding electrolytic refining processes, the applications of electric energy to metallurgy, when considered from a commercial viewpoint, may be classified as follows: Industries Experimental Processes Manufacture of aluminum Electric-furnace smelting of: Electric-furnace manufacture of: Ferro-alloys Copper ore Pig iron Zinc ore Steel In this paper only the above industries and experimental processes will be considered as possible consumers of hydro-electric power in large quan-

Jan 1, 1916

By W. B. Daly, A. S. Richardson

The application of artificial refrigeration, or air-conditioning, to the ventilation of deep, hot mines has long been a subject of interest to the operators of such properties. Artificial cooling of the air in theaters, railroad coaches, and various industrial plants has been so successful within recent years that it has been natural to assume that the adoption of similar methods would afford a ready solution to the difficult problem of mine ventilation. It should however, be obvious, that although there may be nothing technically impossible in the application of this process to mine ventilation there is a great economic distinction between the maintenance of a high standard of comfort for a large number of people in a relatively small space such as a theater and the cooling of air to improve working conditions for miners scattered throughout the extensive workings of a large mine. Many methods of air-conditioning have been considered by the management of the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. at various times, but until the development of the process to be described in this paper none has seemed economically practicable. The Ventilating Problem at Butte The main obstacle to satisfactory ventilation in the Butte mines is the normally high temperature of the granite country rock. In the present operating zone, rock temperatures as high as 120' F. have been noted, and in some parts of the district the rate of increase of temperature with depth has ranged as high as 3.5" F. per 100 ft. Other factors, such as the decay of mine timber and the oxidation of sulfide minerals in the ore bodies, contribute to raise the temperature of the air in the working places but, particularly in the development of the mines to greater depth, the naturally high temperature of the rock is of predominant importance. In few other places, probably, are the ordinary ventilating measures more hindered than at Butte. At an operating depth now exceeding 3000 ft., all of the air required for ventilation must pass through timbered shafts which, because of heavy ground, are of small size and offer great resistance to the flow of air. Shaft compartments are rarely more than 4.5 X 5 ft., and the shaft area open to the flow of air usually does not exceed 65 sq. ft.; in only two shafts is the area as great as 85 sq. feet.

Jan 1, 1934

By Research Staff ? Verde Copper Mines

FLOTATION is now commonly practiced in alkaline ore pulps, yet little is known regarding the action of the alkaline solutions on the ore particles beyond the fact that films of oxidized material form. We wish to chronicle our discovery of the presence of soluble reducing agents in alkaline ore pulps of the United Verde, and present some data on lime consumption. During the grinding and flotation of a pyritic ore containing small amounts of ferrous sulfate and other soluble salts, an excess of lime was added to precipitate the salts, and filtered samples of the solution were titrated with standard permanganate solution. Even in pulps of high causticity an appreciable permanganate titration was always obtained, in spite of the fact that the solutions were shown to contain little iron. Investigation of the cause brought about the discovery of several previously unsuspected compounds in flotation pulps made from pyritic ore. Not only the reducing agents present had to be identified, but also the amount of dissolved oxygen, and a survey was finally made of the free oxygen content and reducing agents of the mill pulp in the concentrating mill at Clarkdale. A great many. compounds might form, caused by oxidation of pyrite or other metal sulfides or by reaction between a lime solution and pyrite. The most probable compounds considered were calcium sulfides, polysulfides, thiosulfates, and polythionates. Later it was discovered in the literature that in alkaline pulp polythionates do not exist and if introduced are decomposed into sulfites and thiosulfates.1 Any precipitated sulfur is changed by alkali into thiosulfate and polysulfide. Sulfites and sulfides react to form thiosulfate, so that in the end it is possible to have in an alkaline solution only thiosulfate and an excess either of sulfide or sulfite. Confirmatory tests were made and it was finally established that the alkaline mill pulps made from the United Verde ore contained

Jan 1, 1929

By George W. Neumann

The mines and concentrator of Brunswick Mining and Smelting Corporation are located in the northern part of the province of New Brunswick, approximately 20 miles distant from the City of Bathurst. Discovery of the No. 6 orebody by diamond drilling in 1952 was followed by the finding in March 1953, of the larger and higher- grade No. 12 orebody, approximately six miles to the north of the No. 6 deposit. Original development was financed by St. Joseph Lead Co., and included a small open-pit operation with a 10C ton per day pilot mill at No. 6 orebody, shaft sinking and underground development at No. 1; orebody, and an extensive program of laboratory and pilot plant metallurgical research on No. 12 ore. These operations were suspended in May 1958, and remained in standby condition until June 1961, when the equity of St. Joseph Lead Co. was purchased by a group headed by M. J. Boylen, K. C. Irving, Maritime Mining Corporation, and the Patino Corporation. Construction of a mine plant and concentrator at the No. 12 mine commenced in October 1962 and the concentrator was placed in operation in March, 1961b. Preparation of the open pit mine for production, construction of the No. 6 Concentrator to produce bulk Pb-Zn-Cu-Ag concentrate from No. 6 ore, and construction of an Imperial Smelting Process smelter at Belledune were started in 1964 and placed in operation in September 1966.

Jan 1, 1970

By J. J. Thomas, J. H. Nead

This investigation was undertaken to determine, if possible, the relation between static and dynamic tensile tests as measured by the work required to break test specimens slowly, in a tensile testing machine, and rapidly, by means of a falling weight. It was hoped that the investigation would throw some light on the role played by ductility under different rates of application of load. In problems of design, it is usually assumed that the moduli of elasticity of all steels are equal; viz., about 30,000,000. The stress-strain diagram within the elastic limit is a straight line, as shown in Fig. 1, where OA is the curve of a hard steel and OB that of a soft steel. If the modulus of elasticity is constant, as assumed, the slope of the line OC

Jan 1, 1922

By N. J. Keys, B. Barlin

Operating properties of Bancroft Mines Ltd. are in the Western Province of Northern Rhodesia, just south of the Katanga border and at the north- western end of the Rhodesian Copperbelt. The concentrator, above, was commissioned in January 1957 to treat 150,000 tons per month of ore derived from the nearby Kirila Bomwe South orebody, and the Konkola orebody eight miles away. The Konkola orebody is comparatively low grade and mining was discontinued there in early 1958. Development work on the new mine at the Kirila Bomwe North orebody commenced in 1959. Today, the plant treats approximately 150,000 tons of ore per month from the Kirila Bomwe South orebody and development ore from the north orebody. Ultimately, 100,000 tons of ore per month will be produced from the north orebody.

Jan 9, 1963

By J. H. Nead, J. J. Thomas

This investigation was undertaken to determine, if possible, the relation between static and dynamic tensile tests as measured by the work required to break test specimens slowly, in a tensile testing machine, and rapidly, by means of a falling weight. It was hoped that the investigation would throw some light on the role played by ductility under different rates of application of load. In problems of design, it is usually assumed that the moduli of elasticity of all steels are equal; viz., about 30,000,000. The stress-strain diagram within the elastic limit is a straight line, as shown in Fig. 1, where OA is the curve of a hard steel and OB that of a soft steel. If the modulus of elasticity is constant, as assumed, the slope of the line OC

Jan 1, 1922

By John H. Hearding

Induction heating, together with automatically controlled tempering and hardening is giving Oliver faster and more accurate bit sharpening, while experiments with bit taper promise to offer increased footage per bit.

Jan 10, 1953

By C. A. Heiland

Measurements of gravity with gravimeters have come into increased use in this country and abroad in the past five years. Probably 100 to 125 gravimeter parties are working in the United States alone. In oil exploration, gravimeter methods have relegated the gravity pendulum definitely to second place, if not third, and now closely rival and possibly surpass the torsion balance in many applications. Gravimeters have lately been applied in mining, although it is doubtful whether they will ever replace electrical or magnetic methods in this work. Notwithstanding the widespread application of gravimeters, there has been no article covering the entire field in the domestic or foreign literature. The purpose of this paper is to meet the demand for comprehensive engineering information on the subject. The working principles of a number of gravimeters will be illustrated and treated in relation to the action of corresponding seismometers and astatization methods. The mathematical discussion of theory has been confined to the most necessary fundamentals and been given in as elementary form as possible. A description of calibration methods constitutes the last part of the paper. The symbols shown at the top of page 197 will be used in equations throughout the paper. Dynamic and Static Gravity Methods Methods of measuring gravity fall into two groups: dynamic and static methods. The first group involves the measurement of time. Examples are: determinations of the period of oscillation of a pendulum, measurements involving the free fall of a body, and comparisons of gravity with the centrifugal force of a rotating body. Measurements in the second group of gravity methods are concerned with deflections of certain indicators when the force of gravity is in equilibrium with another comparison force.

Jan 1, 1940

By C. A. Heiland

Measurements of gravity with gravimeters have come into increased use in this country and abroad in the past five years. Probably 100 to 125 gravimeter parties are working in the United States alone. In oil exploration, gravimeter methods have relegated the gravity pendulum definitely to second place, if not third, and now closely rival and possibly surpass the torsion balance in many applications. Gravimeters have lately been applied in mining, although it is doubtful whether they will ever replace electrical or magnetic methods in this work. Notwithstanding the widespread application of gravimeters, there has been no article covering the entire field in the domestic or foreign literature. The purpose of this paper is to meet the demand for comprehensive engineering information on the subject. The working principles of a number of gravimeters will be illustrated and treated in relation to the action of corresponding seismometers and astatization methods. The mathematical discussion of theory has been confined to the most necessary fundamentals and been given in as elementary form as possible. A description of calibration methods constitutes the last part of the paper. The symbols shown at the top of page 197 will be used in equations throughout the paper. Dynamic and Static Gravity Methods Methods of measuring gravity fall into two groups: dynamic and static methods. The first group involves the measurement of time. Examples are: determinations of the period of oscillation of a pendulum, measurements involving the free fall of a body, and comparisons of gravity with the centrifugal force of a rotating body. Measurements in the second group of gravity methods are concerned with deflections of certain indicators when the force of gravity is in equilibrium with another comparison force.

Jan 1, 1940

By D. C. Bard

THESE notes are based on the megascopic study of a suite of 2,400 specimens of minerals and ores from the Butte mines, combined with field observations at intervals over a period of several years. The estimate of average vein composition is based on field acquaintance with the veins. It is probably correct in its broader proportions, and should be of use for comparison. Chemical and Mineral Composition of Butte Sulphide Vein. Matter. Per Cent. Oxygen 43.00-Quartz, rhodonite, rhodochrosite, barite, calcite, and hübnerite. Silicon 36.00-Quartz, rhodonite, and willemite (very rare). Sulphur 5.00-Sulphides of. iron, zinc, copper, lead,. and sulphates of barium and rarely calcium. Iron 5.00-Ferric sulphides (pyrite, bornite, chalcopyrite), also in sphalerite, tetrahedrite, and rarely hematite and siderite. Manganese, . . . . 2.00-Rhodonite, rhodochrosite, and hübnerite. Zinc, . . . . 1.00-Spha erite, very rare wurtzite and willemite, and tetrahedrite and tennantite.

Jan 8, 1913

By Charles F. Brush

THE compression of gases to a very high degree, for purposes of scientific research, has long presented serious difficulties to the physicist. Great advances have been made of late years in the construction of ordinary air or exhaust pumps, while very little has been done towards the improvement of compression pumps. The principal difficulties encountered in the construction of such apparatus are the existence of the so-called "dead space" in the pump barrels, leakage of the piston packings under high pressure, and the trouble arising from the unequal expansion of parts caused by the development of the latent heat of the gas during compression. Of these obstacles to success, the "dead space" is far the most serious, as it fixes a limit to the performance of the pump beyond which it is impossible to carry the compression. The writer having occasion, some time since, to make a series of investigations on gases very highly compressed, and finding no apparatus, or description of apparatus, adequate to produce the required

Jan 1, 1876

By Charles F. Brush

The compression of gases to a very high degree, for purposes of scientific research, has long presented serious difficulties to the physicist. Great advances have been made of late years in the construction of ordinary air or exhaust pumps, while very little has been done towards the improvement of compression pumps. The principal difficulties encountered in the construction of such apparatus are the existence of the so-called "dead space" in the pump barrels, leakage of the piston packings under high pressure, and the trouble arising from the unequal expansion of parts caused by the development of the latent heat of the gas during compression. Of these obstacles to success, the "dead space" is far the most serious, as it fixes a limit to the performance of the pump beyond which it is impossible to carry the compression. The writer having occasion, some time since, to make a series of investigations on gases very highly compressed, and finding no apparatus, or description of apparatus, adequate to produce the required

By S. R. Gilbert, B. W. Burdett, L. B. Hales

A brief review of grinding control systems is given with a review of the most popularly reported control loops. The trend toward more sophisticated control systems in terms of control strategies and control equipment is discussed, and the reasons for the popularity of distributed control equipment are outlined. The evolution of the interface between the operator and the process and its importance in plant control is described. Finally, the authors' view is given as to the future of grinding control.

Jan 1, 1984

By A. M. Gaudin

IN flotation lime is used to depress pyrite. For this purpose it is preferred to caustic soda. The low cost of lime and the widespread availability largely account for this preference. However, there is some evidence1 that pyrite is more readily depressed by calcium than by sodium ions at the same pH. To measure the difference in adsorption of calcium and sodium, which is thought to lie at the basis of the differences in depressing action, radionuclides of

Jan 2, 1953

By M. S. Klima, P. T. Luckie

Interfacing new or improved unit operations SUBMODULES with the EXECUTIVE of a macro analysis simulator usually requires modification of the input data. For example, particle processing SUBMODULES that are sufficiently general in nature to provide useful predictions require input data for rather narrow size fractions. Such data is not always available for the EXECUTIVE and must therefore be generated by the SUBMODULE. A successful interface to allow incorporation of a new SUBMODULE for comminution and one for classification in a general stream state flowsheet simulator is presented. The general nature of the SUBMODULES, as well as the logic of expanding and contracting the required data input is discussed.

Jan 1, 1983

By Hu Weibei

This paper describes the development and implementation of the control system in the flotation plants of China. The control system can be categorized as: Control in the crushing circuits: Automatic control of the flow rate of the crusher. Control in the grinding circuits: Control of the feed rate of the grinding mill and circulating load. PSM-200, an indigenous particle size monitor, and gamma-ray density gauges are utilized. Control in the flotation circuits: pH control, flotation reagent dosage estimation and control, pulp level control, aeration control, etc. Complete grinding-flotation circuits control is based on minicomputer operations. Some typical control systems which have been applied in copper flotation plants are summarized and specific problems discussed.

Jan 1, 1984

Flexibility is the keynote in designing modern exploration drills that and mobility. Add to the flexibility of individual drills the wide range of models, and the man looking for a drill has ample choice today. Weight? Choose from models as light as 50 lb or as heavy as 10,000 lb. Hole capacity? From less than 1 in. for smallest core drills to 20 in. or more for auger types. Transportation? The lightest go by packsack (in fact, that is one trade name) ; others are designed to go by Jeep, truck, on skids or are built on light trailers. Power? Select air power, gasoline or diesel engine, electric motor, or use a power take-off from the vehicle on which the drill is mounted. Drill bits offer almost as much variety as the drilling machines themselves. Many drills are suitable for a variety of uses, and often adapt to several types of bits with ease. Some of the types available are: diamond core, diamond reaming, rotary, auger, shot, and special soil sampling tools.

Oct 1, 1955

By Ernst F. Eurich

Alexander Parkes patented in England in 1851-52-53 a process for desilvering lead by means of zinc, making use of the greater affinity of silver for zinc than for lead, discovered by Karsten in 1842. The efforts in England to develop it commercially were not particularly successful, nor was the attempted introduction into the United States. This last was not surprising, as it was about the beginning of our Civil War, and at that period there was very little lead-bullion produced in the United States and there was no field for the process here. There was at that time on Staten Island an establishment that pattisonized lead, probably from Rossie, N. Y., and Chester, Pa., and possibly some Spanish lead, but the production of lead-bullion in the Far West had not yet begun. In 1864, Edward Balbach, of Newark, N. J., patented in this country a process for desilvering lead by means of zinc, and in 1867 Edward Balbach, Jr., patented a " movable black-lead retort with a neck, placed in a furnace," for the purpose of distilling the alloy of zinc, lead, and the precious metals. A brief comparison of the Parkes and the Balbach processes is interesting. The Parkes process as practiced in England consisted in stirring into silver-bearing lead, melted in a kettle, from 1 to 2 per cent. of zinc, cooling, skimming the alloy of lead, zinc, and silver that rose to the surface, liquating it in an iron retort, distilling the residual rich alloy in fire-clay retorts, thus regaining the zinc, and refining the desilvered lead at a low heat in a shallow cast-iron pan that formed the hearth of a reverbera-tory furnace. If the lead was too impure, it was first softened

Jan 1, 1913

By R. F. Favreau, G. E. Larocque

The objective of the study is development of an analytic process based on rock and explosive properties which allows the prediction of the stress distributions and fracture zone around explosive charges. A computer program has been written for this purpose, using a finite difference approximation to the momentum equation, to describe the motion of the surrounding rock by step-wise integration. Its application provides ground motion data such as stress components, displacement and particle velocity as a function of position and time with respect to a spherical charge. The effect of tensile and shear failure on these ground motion parameters can be included. The analytic procedure contained within this program has been used to predict peak stress as a function of distance in rock for rock-explosive combinations for which field data exists to determine peak stress levels directly. Two methods have been used for the spherical charge which in the analysis replaces the actual cylindrical charges: instantaneous application of peak pressure to a charge having a radius equivalent in contained volume to a charge having a length to diameter ratio of 1, and gradual pressure build up to peak pressure with a charge radius equivalent in contained volume to the total charge used in the field test. The agreement with field data would appear best with the latter treatment. The peak stresses obtained are in closer agreement with field measured peak-stress and a better approximation to field stress wave duration exists in the case of gradual pressure build up. One of the assumptions made in the analysis is that, in the case of cylindrical charges, the explosion pressure rather than the detonation pressure of an explosive establishes the peak stresses in the

Jan 1, 1971