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The word "engineering" should not be considered as all-inclusive. Perhaps it should be redefined at this time. Various fields of learning that are indispensable to the locating, beneficiating, processing and using of minerals cannot be classified properly as engineering. For example, in locating deposits, the sciences of paleontology, stratigraphy, mineralogy, petrology, petrography, geo- chemistry, economic geography, and mineral economics might be involved. Beneficiating, processing, and using go beyond the normal scope of engineering to include fuel technology, physical and organic chemistry, physical and atomic metallurgy, and ceramics. Fifty-eight institutions of higher learning in the United States offer curricula in one or more subject-matter fields of the mineral arts and sciences. Thirty-four curricula are offered in mining; 42 in metallurgy; 17 in petroleum and natural gas; 13 in ceramics; 1 in fuel technology; 23 in geological engineering; 8 in geology; 4 in geophysics; 2 in mineral preparation; and l in mineral economics.1 Under given conditions, some of these curricula probably could be eliminated without the slightest retardation in the rate of advancement of knowledge concerning the science of mineral discovery, extraction and utilization, but it is no credit to mineral industries colleges that five departments of mining per-

Jan 1, 1950

Estimation of operating costs in the nickel production industry requires a detailed analysis of material flows from mine to smelter to refinery. Despite the small number of nickel producers compared to other base metals, the existence of two very different ore types (sulphide and laterite) and a wide variety of mining and processing technologies make the identification of these flows of critical importance if an accurate global picture is to be obtained. Smelting and refining processes in nickel metallurgy have evolved with a high degree of adaptation to specific operating conditions in different locations. Overall costs are calculated by combining individual cost elements for each unit in production chains from mine to saleable metal product. The average cost of western world primary nickel production in 1995 was US$2.07/lb ($4560/tonne). Average operating costs remained virtually unchanged in the three years to 1995 after an 8.5 per cent fall in 1993, but a 3.9 per cent increase to $2.15/lb is expected for 1996. A major factor in this rise results from the lower prices of copper and cobalt this year, reducing the by-product credits available to major producers.

Jan 1, 1996

THOSE who dabble in m.ining are no exception to the general rule that persons who know a little of a subject are apt to think that they know all about it. Some colour may be lent to the belief that anyone may succeed in mining when we hear stories ofsuccessful diggers and others who have accidentally dropped on to something good through no foresight on their part; but we seldom hear the contra account of the far larger number who fail. Those who go more thoroughly into the subject, and take up mining as a profession, know very well that it is not one that can be carried out successfully by rule of thumb, but when they point this out to the public they are credited with trying to make it a closed profession; and outsiders are for ever trying to find out the 'trade secrets,' at the same time spurning the main one, which is hard study, experience, and the ability to apply their knowledge.The average mining man is not rich. When he amasses a fortune it is generally through speculation rather than professional work, thought no doubt his technical knowledge may have assisted him. However, making a fortune and running a mine are twodifferent things.

Jan 1, 1911

By L. M. English, Y. J. Wang

When plotted as head vs. volume, fan curves start high and decrease with increasing volume, while mine head curves start low and rise with increasing volume. Their intersection is the system operating point. However, as every ventilation instructor knows, the fact that head loss is a negative number (debit) and fan head is an energy addition (credit) is often a stumbling block to student or audience comprehension since the curves seem to reflect the opposite. It is possible to use the intuitively correct curves- pressure losses as negative values and energy additions as positive values - and still obtain the correct operating point. Adding the two curves produces a third curve that intersects the x-axis at the operating point, the point at which the fan energy input exactly matches air circulation energy loss. Using this technique also makes it easier to account for outside influences on the system, such as natural ventilating pressure. With the standard approach, it is quite easy to add or subtract such influences to the wrong curve. This approach can be extended to the graphical solution of any series/parallel ventilation network. The results are the same, and the approach is logically consistent and less confusing.

Jan 1, 1999

By William Hamilton Merritt

A brief paper on this subject (which might readily be made to, fill a volume) is suggested at this time by several considerations, among which may he named the meeting of the Institute on the borders of Ontario, not far from some of the mining undertakings which are hereafter mentioned ; the mineral developments made in the Province quite recently ; the highly creditable collection of most of the minerals of Ontario, for the first time got together, and exhibited this year at Cincinnati, in the Centennial Exhibition of the Ohio Valley ; and, finally, the recent appointment, by the Government of Ontario, of a Commiesion to inquire into, and report upon the mineral resources of the Province, and the best means to be adopted for their development. The Province of Ontario has no Department of Mines or official geologist, to take note, and keep record, of mining and mineralogical development and discovery. Within the last few years some valuable statistics have been collected by Mr. A. Blue, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture; but recently a desire has risen on the part of the people to obtain further knowledge of these subjects, and the government has appointed a Commission, the report of which is expected to be issued in part, if not in completed form, this winter.

Jan 1, 1889

By Richard P. Rothwell

REVOLING slime-tables with stationary sprays and oscillating brushes have for many years been a favorite apparatus used for working slimes in German dressing-works, often displacing Rittinger tables and the many variations of Cornish buddles. The difficulty of building these tables larger than 5 1/2 meters (17 feet) in diameter, increasing the cost and making them unwieldy, rendered it necessary also to concentrate the slimes in several operations, because the travel over so short a length of hearth would not suffice for close concentration. A preliminary sizing is effected in a system of spitzkasten. Herr C. Linkenbach, general manager of the Ems Lead and Silver Works, Germany, devised a buddle, in 1878, which has since worked well and found much favor in Germany, and has been in one instance copied here, at Colorado Springs, without any credit having been given to the original inventor. Linkenbach's plan has been to reverse the functions of the table and the washing apparatus of the old German revolving table. He makes the tables stationary and rotates the washing apparatus,, thus enabling him to save in power, and, within certain limits, to increase the dimensions of the table, without in any way affecting its durability or materially increasing its cost. In its earlier form, the buddle was single, and that type is still

Jan 1, 1883

By James E. Hoffmann

This paper reviews the chemistry of selenium and its compounds as it applies to the recovery of selenium from electrolytic copper refinery slimes. Based on this chemistry various processes for the extraction and recovery of selenium from refinery slimes are explained and developed. The optimum selenium technology processes is dependent upon many factors including copper refinery location, environmental and regulatory conditions, local markets for selenium or selenium chemicals, and other plant processes. For this reason there is no one best process but rather a variety of useful processes for winning selenium. Those which have demonstrated consistent utility in both ease of recovery and reliability are discussed in more detail. Recovery of selenium by Doré furnacing of slimes is the topic of a separate paper. The companies that have developed selenium extraction technology are not being cited in this paper for the following reasons: o Their current technology may be different o The actual inventor of a process is difficult to credit since many different organizations have pursued parallel inquiries in developing better processes. Finally, some selenium extraction processes have been omitted; not because they are unworthy of consideration but rather due to limitations of space.

Jan 1, 1984

By David D. Spencer

As in many other areas of the Mexican economy, the legal rules applicable to mining in Mexico have been changing fast. Mexico's mining sector is opening up to levels of international participation that were unforeseeable just a few years ago. Over the last several years, Mexico has made dramatic changes in its trade and investment policies. Many of these changes have their roots in the administrations of Miguel de la Madrid and perhaps even Jose Lopez Portillo. However, the current administration of President Carlos Salinas must be given credit for articulating, advancing, promulgating and implementing these changes. Just a few short years ago, few people believed Mexico would repeal so many of its restrictions on foreign investment and lower its average tariff level from something around 100% to less than 10%, where it is today. NAFTA and mining The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is the most comprehensive international expression of Mexico's new policies. Except perhaps for the agreements establishing the European Union, NAFTA is the most detailed trade agreement ever written, consisting of about 2000 pages. The provisions of NAFTA with the greatest relevance to the mining industry include the chapters on investment and government procurement. Many mining companies may also find the temporary work provisions relevant. Finally, no discussion of NAFTA and the mining industry would be complete without some mention of the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation, the so-called Environmental Side Agreement.

Jan 1, 1994

RECENTLY, we were asked to name the greatest contribution to progress in mining technology during the past 25 years. Immediately, the introduction of the pneumatic hammer for making blastholes came to mind because it can be credited with speeding the excavation of rock and the elimination of hand drilling. Possibly this answer was so spontaneous because we were working on this "drilling issue" Of MINING ENGINEERING. Present drilling tools have devel¬oped so rapidly, that a great deal of engineering is. required in the selection of bits, steel, and machines for the drilling conditions at each mine. Formerly a modicum of engineering was utilized in selection of equipment for it was purchased from manufacturer preference. With the development of alloy drill steels, tungsten-carbide bits, throwaway bits, and the jackleg drill, mining companies began doing more experimental work before making selections. It is unfortunately true, that each operator must begin at the beginning by doing his own test work before choosing his drilling method, and tools. Some of this work has been done very well-under controlled conditions and obtaining proper data on the variables. Such data should be accumulated from the various mines, tabulated, and published. Such a volume would be of tremendous help to the small operator in selecting equipment and would permit the research departments of the larger companies to formulate some measure of rock drillability and to undertake more specialized research on the different phases of drilling.

Jan 1, 1952

FOR the benefit of those of our members who may be asked what they know about Mr. Hoover's connec-tion with the Kaiping coal mines in China and who will naturally wish to appear thoroughly well informed on the subject, we reprint below an authoritative state-ment, recently made to the Japan Advertiser, by Tang Shao-yi, former premier of China, now retired to his country home at Tang Chia. "Information has reached me at my retreat that persons in America and China insinuate that Herbert Hoover acted dishonorably in dealings involving the Chinese Engineering and Mining Company a quarter of a century ago. I be-lieve myself the only Chinese living who was closely iden-tified with that company during Mr. Hoover's connection. My uncle founded the company and my family always has been a large shareholder and, therefore, I possess direct knowledge of its history. "I am actuated in this statement by a sense of justice and also gratitude for Mr. Hoover's acts in rescuing my family during the Boxer uprising. Mr. Hoover's record in China is clean and honorable, highly creditable and in many ways remarkable. Legal action brought in London in 1905 occurred after Mr. Hoover left the company. There were not any charges against Mr. Hoover and he was not a de-fendant in the lawsuit, but an important witness whose testimony helped the Chinese shareholders to save their property.

Jan 5, 1928

The fifth convention of the National Foreign Trade Council was held in Cincinnati, Apr. 18, 19 and 20. More than one thousand accepted delegates were registered, the American Institute of Mining Engineers being represented by W. L. Saunders and W. N. Thayer. The convention was called to order Thursday morning, Apr. 18, in the convention hall of the Hotel Gibson; by the Chairman, Mr. James .A. Farrel, president of the U. S. Steel Corporation, and was in continuous session for two clays, several group sessions being held simultaneously. The convention adjourned Saturday morning after receiving the report of the central committee. The dominant themes of the convention were: First, "Win the War" and second, "Establish Foreign Trade on a. Firmer Basis." The discussions included textiles, lumber, chemicals, automobiles, finance, and agriculture, and also those things in which mining engineers are particularly interested, metals, oil, and coal. The report of the central committee, which was adopted, recommended the stimulation' of production of all materials required for war purposes; the subordination of all trade that will not impose new and heavy penalties on our adversaries; the maintenance of such foreign trade as will support national credit and supply materials required for military and naval purposes; the continued interchange so far as possible of merchandise and products between the United States and. Latin-America, Asia and Oceania; the immediate increase of tonnage in the north Atlantic; the cheerful and whole-hearted cooperation of importers

Jan 6, 1918

By H. R. Hanley

ONE of the most important contributions to the art of electrolytic zinc production-has been the aluminum cathode. This has been used in all major production: since its commercial development in 1916. The literature is replete with important contributions, some of which may have been replaced by better ones, but thus far there appears no other metal to take the place of aluminum as cathode material. Credit for this innovation goes to Sherard Cowper Coles, of England. When experi-menting on the extraction of-zinc from Broken Hill ore at Hayle, Cornwall, in 1893, he introduced the aluminum cathode, and in 1895 obtained British Patent-No. 20073. The reason for this dominant position of aluminum as cathode mate-rial in zinc sulphate electrolytes is its unique surface, to which electro-deposited metals usually do not tightly adhere. The metal must be of high purity for best results. It is possible to develop a starting-sheet method by which thin electro-deposited sheets of cathode zinc are made and stripped from a smooth aluminum plate. Such thin sheets of cathode zinc may be used as arc tine copper sheets in standard electrolytic copper-refinery practice. However, complications arise because of extreme warping of the zinc starting sheet after a .few hours of deposition, and thus special arrangements must be made to compensate for this abnormality.

Jan 1, 1938

By George Hope, Edward H. Smith

In late 1989, LAC Minerals purchased 65% of Bond International Gold and as a result became controlling shareholder of the El Indio Mine through Bond and San Jose. El Indio is a world class, complex sulphide gold deposit located in the hydrothermal alteration belt of the Andes mountains in the 4th Region of Chile. The mine is located in the high Andes about 185 km east of La Serena at an elevation of 4000 meters. The 1450 workers at El Indio live in the mine camp at 3200 m and on days off are bussed to La Serena. The El Indio mine was started in 1979 by St. Joe Minerals Corp., bought by Bond in 1987 and subsequently by LAC in 1989. The mine has produced 2.7 million oz. of gold, 9. 5 million oz. of silver and 170,000 t of copper since start of operation. The mill is currently operating at a rate of 2850 t/d and producing a copper/gold concentrate which is roasted to produce a copper/gold calcine and high quality, saleable crude As203• A small proportion of the precious metals are also produced as bullion from the leach circuit. Total production during 1989 was 224,197 ounces of gold, 1,309,342 ounces of silver and 26,968 tonnes of copper. The average cash cost of production for the period was U.S. $96 per ounce of gold, net of by-product credits. The average realized price was $5.30 per ounce of silver and $1.14 per pound of copper.

Jan 1, 1990

Discussion of the paper of H. H. STOEK, presented at the St. Louis meeting, October, 1917, and printed in Bulletin 129, September, 1917, pp. 1385 to 1419. J. B. WARRINER, Lansford, Pa. (written discussion*).-The figures on costs given at the end of this paper. are of particular interest and it is unfortunate that they necessarily cover such limited periods, as figures giving the costs over a period of at least a year would be of much greater value; for instance, it seems hardly probable that the performances credited to the various shovels for the months for which the costs are given would represent the average of the performances of these machines over a longer period. It would seem to me that the maximum of 4000 cu. yd. (3058 cu. m.) per clay given for the 225 B shovel is much greater than could be maintained for an entire year's operation. On the other hand, the 1500-yd. figure for the 150 B shovel would seem a low average for this type of shovel. In connection with the drag-line excavators, it will be interesting to know that the Lehigh Coal, and Navigation Co. is about to install one of these machines on a clay stripping at their Nesquehoning colliery to excavate an average depth of. overburden of 65 ft. (19 m.), which, due to local conditions, will require that part of the excavated material be handled a second time and a lesser quantity a third time. The results of this operation will undoubtedly be watched with great interest.

Jan 1, 1918

By S. E. Bretherton

Mr. AllaW Gibb, of Mount Perry, Queensland, Australia, in an interesting and instructive paper,* describes fully the great difficulties metallurgists encounter in seeking to produce marketable copper by smelting refractory ores containing arsenic, antimony and bismuth. After reading this description, I prepared a paper for the Institute, which was, however, through a misunderstanding on my part, published in the San Francisco Mining and S'cie~ztiJic Press of April 4, 1903, after its acceptance by the Council, and without credit to the Institute. Consequently, it cannot be reprinted for the Transactions of the Institute; and I can only here summarize its contents and conclusions, referring the reader to the article above named for further particulars. In that article I omitted the col~sideration of bismuth, which we do not encounter in our smelting at Val Verde, and added lead and zinc, which Mr. Gibb had not discussed; and I undertook to shorn, by the record of a year's practice of the Val Verde Copper Co., Arizona, that copper-ores containing arsenic, antimony, lead and zinc may be successfully smelted, without preliminary roasting, in an ordinary blast-furnace with hotblast, making a normal slag, such as one would aim to make under ordinary conditions with cold-blast, so as to produce a marketable matte, containing not less than 45 per cent. of copper, free from arsenic and antimony, and below the limit in lead and zinc penalized by the refineries.

Jan 1, 1904

By John W. Pack

At present the manufacture of metallic zinc, or spelter, in Missouri, is carried on only at the establishments located at Carondelet, or South St. Louis. Although the development of the industry has not yet reached that fulness which it has attained elsewhere in the United States, still the commanding advantages of position of these establishments are so evident that the prospective importance and magnitude of spelter manufacture in this State, and especially at this locality, can hardly be doubted. A study of the chemical and technical aspects of the business of these points cannot be without interest to the metallurgist as well as to the capitalist. I have endeavored to investigate, as far as was practicable, within the limits of a paper of this character, some of the problems connected with this industry, at the same time making a few comparisons of the results attained at some of the Carondelet works with those of other establishments with regard to which information could be obtained. In the prosecution of these studies I have been kindly aided by the managers of Carondelet establishments, and by Prof. Charles P. Williams, Director of Rolla School of Mines. To the latter I am especially indebted for assistance in regard to methods of analysis. To all these gentlemen I return my thanks for their valuable aid. Other sources of information will be duly credited in their proper places.

By John W. Pack

AT present the manufacture of metallic zinc, or spelter, in Missouri, is carried on only at the establishments located at Carondelet, or South St. Louis. Although the development of the industry has not yet reached that fulness which it has attained elsewhere in the United States, still the commanding advantages of position of these establishments are so evident that the prospective importance and magnitude of spelter manufacture in this State, and especially at this locality, can hardly be doubted. A study of the chemical and technical aspects of the business of these points cannot be without interest to the metallurgist as well as to the capitalist. I have endeavored to investigate, as far as was practicable, within the limits of a paper of this character, some of the problems connected with this industry, at the same time making a few comparisons of the results attained at some of the Carondelet works with those of other establishments with regard to which information could be obtained. In the prosecution of these studies I have been kindly aided by the managers of Carondelet establishments, and by Prof. Charles P. Williams, Director of Rolla School of Mines. To the latter I am especially indebted for assistance in regard to methods of analysis. To all these gentlemen I return my thanks for their valuable aid. Other sources of information will be duly credited in their proper places.

Jan 1, 1875

By Mark L. Requa

During the past two years California has developed a new and important oil-field: I refer to Midway. This field produced the famous Lake View gusher, which is credited with a total production in excess of 8,000,000 barrels. Fortunately for the oil industry of the State, this well is now a thing of the past, and nothing, save a great crater-like opening marks its location. The pipe is entirely worn away and gone; and it is a matter of serious doubt if there can be anything done that will cause the well to produce again. Fortunately, also, there have been no other wells in that field or elsewhere throughout the State that in any may compared with the Lake View. Midway is noted for large wells, of from 500 to 2,000 barrels production; but the decline is rapid, and a few months serve to bring the output down to a few hundred barrels. In the oil-territory heretofore blocked out as proved and probable, there have been, during the year, many changes. Some areas which were expected to be fairly productive have apparently failed; others, more strictly "wild-cat," have come in; while in some of the older fields there are properties which are beginning to shorn evident signs of exhaustion. The total area of proved territory will therefore probably suffer but small

Jan 1, 1912

By P. H. Royster

On the Continent, ferromanganese has been produced in the blast furnace almost continuously since 1876, but little definite information concerning the practice is to be found in technical literature, and almost nothing in the way of a theory of the manganese furnace. In this country, prior to 1904, but one company had attempted its production in a serious way, and none of the operating data or other information from this company has been, or is, available to the public..In the last 5 years, as a result of the restriction of imports, a number of furnaces have been blown in on this alloy, with the result that in 1918 as many as 18 furnaces were in blast. The majority of the men in charge of these furnaces had had little previous experience in such operations; so the Bureau of Mines, in the summer of 1918, undertook the collection of data from ferromanganese furnaces. Operating data were collected by the Bureau from eleven ferromangahese furnaces, which will be referred to throughout this paper as furnaces A, B, C, F, G, I, J, K, L, M, and P; the dimensions of seven of the furnaces are given in Table 1. The companies from whom this information was obtained, and to whom should go the credit for whatever value this information may possess, are the Bethlehem Steel CO.,

Jan 1, 1920

By D. L. Gardner, H. L. Barr

THE following report covers the history of the development of the mine, present equipment, methods and costs of mining and milling. In addition, a description of the ore deposit is given with emphasis on the origin of the fractures, mode and types of ore occurrence, and mechanics of granite emplacement. An endeavor has been made to present a complete and accurate statement of the San Mauricio mine, the highest grade gold mine in the Philippine Islands. Credit is gratefully acknowledged to the mine staff for descriptions and details regarding their particular field of work. All analyses were made by Mr. T. A. DeVore, head chemist, San Mauricio Mining Co. Messrs. Edward Wisser, J. E. Fyfe, A. F. Skerl and W. B. Meek, geologists, have contributed geologic information and ideas, for which thanks are extended. The Executive Committee of Marsman and Co., Inc., Managers of the Company, has kindly given permission for publication. Mr. J. B. Stapler, Division Manager, Marsman and Co., has had the courtesy to read the manuscript and to give critical and helpful suggestions. LOCATION OF AREA AND SCOPE OF WORK San Mauricio Mining Co. controls a group of 113 claims that lie immediately north of the town of Jose Pañganiban (formerly Mambulao), Camarines Norte, Luzon, P. I. (Fig. 1). Exploration work commenced in the spring of 1934; active development began in the fall of that year and has continued to the present date. Mill construction was begun Oct. 15, 1935, and production started March 10, 1936. Total production to June 1, 1939, is P10,499,105.15 ($5,249,552.57). [+]

Jan 1, 1940