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By David C. Yang

INTRODUCTION Over the world, and especially in the United States, there is increasing dependence upon progressively lower grade ore deposits. These lower grade ores are frequently difficult or impossible to process due to complex mineral assemblages being very finely disseminated. Thus, many of the conventional mineral concentration methods are not applicable to these ores. For the last few decades, research in the more exotic mineral processing techniques has been conducted, both in universities and in governmental and industrial laboratories. Since its inception, the Institute of Mineral Research of Michigan Technological University (MTU) has devoted much of its attention to the problems of processing refractory, low grade ores. Recently a new flotation system was developed which shows promise of being applicable to a broad range of ore types. This process has been the subject of two allowed patent applications. This paper describes the details of such a flotation system which is potentially useful for treating ultrafine minerals. Some highlights of the testing program on a variety of iron ores and a group of lithium-bearing ores will be presented. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES Both iron and lithium ore flotation treatments followed the same general procedures, with minor differences in pH and in reagent dosages. The method is rather simple, efficient and economical from the standpoint of recovery and the cost of reagents consumed.

Jan 1, 1979

By H. D. Peterson, G. E. Butts, J. F. Spisak

In 1978, Anschutz Mining Corp. began efforts to develop the Madison Cobalt Project in southeast Missouri. Preliminary metallurgical studies indicated that intermediate grade cobalt products, suitable for shipment to existing refineries, could be recovered from the sulfide mineralization of the ore body. However, tolling and freight charges were significant, as the refineries were located outside the US. These refineries would not satisfy the goal of strategically insulated production of superalloy-grade cobalt. The acquisition of proven, readily available refinery technologies was then evaluated. However, licensing costs were substantial and the "proven" technologies were not directly applicable to the unique chemistry of Madison materials. Faced with these challenges, Anschutz, in conjunction with the Colorado School of Mines Research Institute, embarked on an effort to develop a sulfate-based separation and refining process. CSMRI performed bench-scale and continuous pilot experiments on solutions generated through other pilot campaigns conducted by Lurgi, Hazen Research, and Sherritt Gordon. The results indicated that cobalt could be selectively extracted from sulfate media using a new generation of organophosphates. The solvent extraction system produced a solution suitable for electrolysis of high-purity cobalt. Preliminary cost studies indicated the novel process was competitive with other refinery systems. Plans to develop the detailed engineering-design information required to commercialize the process were abandoned when the price of cobalt collapsed to less than $17.64/kg ($8.00 per lb).

Jan 1, 1985

By V. N. Antaki

ELEMENTAL phosphorus (referred to as P,) is a true mineral product that has developed, in the relatively brief span of a century, from a laboratory curiosity to a heavy chemical. Annual production now exceeds 300,000 short tons. Continued rise in production has been predicted, consistent with new applications for P, derivatives and the expected population increase. In itself elemental P, is valuable chiefly as an 'intermediate chemical. The principal end uses at present are in inorganic phosphates, both simple and complex, of sodium and potassium, used in water treatment and detergent compounds, leavening agents, food supplements, and dentifrices. Organic P, compounds are important as plasticizers, oil additives, flotation agents, and more recently as gasoline additives (TCP being the outstanding example). The increasing use of high-analysis water-soluble and liquid solution fertilizers, as well as the direct application of phosphoric acid to the soil, will probably be the most significant factors in P, production growth rate. Coke oven plants now using sulfuric acid to fix byproduct ammonia values will gradually switch to phosphoric acid in order to market a fertilizer with completely available values. Recently sponsored experiments show that phosphoric acid can be directly admixed with cattle and poultry feed to produce rapid growth. Both P, compounds and modifiers for oil well drilling mud show increasingly promising significance.

Jan 3, 1957

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 R. F. Pilgrim

A digital computer program to mathematically simulate the effect of limited changes in feed rate in the range of 80 to 95 tph on a plant-scale wet grinding circuit has been developed and tested. The circuit studied included an 8-ft-diam X 12-ft rod mill operating in open circuit and feeding two parallel 12-ft-diam x 10-ft pebble mills, each one operating in closed circuit with an 8 X 32-ft rake classifier. The simulation is an empirical one based on two sets of data collected manually from the operating circuit under what was said to be steady-state feed rates of 80 and 95 tph with all other operating variables also at steady state. The procedure is a combination of several published approaches to the modeling of grinding mills and classifiers and it is applicable to a wide range of circuits. The program permits the computing of the size distributions of all feeds and discharges of all grinding units and classifiers in the circuit for a specified feed rate. The data used in this report for demonstrating the program are unsatisfactory since the circuit was not operating under steady-state conditions when it was sampled. Consequently the circuit model parameters could not be accurately estimated. The predictive power would be greatly improved if new data were obtained under true steady-state conditions.

Jan 1, 1973

By C. W. Sherman, J. Chipman, H. I. Elvander

THE pronounced and usually deleterious effects of sulphur on all ferrous metals and the resultant necessity for its control in metallurgical processes have stimulated many investigations of the system iron-sulphur. The data required for thermodynamic study of the behavior of sulphur in molten iron and steel include the activity and free energy of the dissolved sulphur and its heat of solution. Such data are also of theoretical interest since there is all too little information available concerning solutions of nonmetallic solutes in metallic solvents. It was the purpose of this investigation to attack the problem very directly by a study of equilibrium at several temperatures in the reaction H2 (gas) + S = H2S (gas) [1] K1 = PH2S /PH2 as where the sulphur is present in the liquid iron in amounts up to several percent by weight. Such a method of attack is not new since several careful studies have already been reported. It is planned, however, to extend the study to other metallic solvents and particularly to determine the effects of the various alloying elements on the activity of sulphur in liquid iron. This paper presents the results on molten iron-sulphur alloys containing up to 4 pct sulphur in the temperature range 1530°-1730°C. Literature Review The significant researches on dilute molten solutions of sulphur in iron include those of Chipman

Jan 1, 1951

By Charles Means

A THOROUGHLY modern coal-handling system has been installed at the Pittsburgh Terminal R. R. & Coal Co.'s new No. 8 shaft, or Coverdale mine, about 11 mi. (17.7 km.) from Pittsburgh on a spur f the Montour R. R. The Pittsburgh seam, which is the one worked, is reached at a depth of 342 ft. (104 m.). Power is delivered to the mine at 22,000 volts over a transmission line of the bow-arrow type of construction. A private telephone line connecting the various mines and the main office in Pittsburgh is carried on the same poles. The high-tension line is brought to an outdoor, step-down, transformer substation, where three 833-kv.-a., single-phase, 60-cycle, oil-insulated, self-cooled transformers reduce the potential to 2300 volts. The transformers are protected by electrolytic, aluminum-cell lightning arresters, horn gaps, and choke coils. High and low-tension busses, together with fuses, choke coils and air-break horn-gap switches with their remote-control operating mechanism are mounted on a substantial structural-steel tower 25 ft. (7.6 m.) in height. MINE SUBSTATION The transformer substation is adjacent to a pressed-brick building that houses direct-current substation equipment together with switchboards, etc., for the control and distribution of power. This building also contains the hoist for the men and supplies.

Jan 9, 1921

By John Reynders

Our entry into the World War suddenly brought home to us in a startling way the vital importance of manganese. Since the war, much has been written and said upon the subject of manganese and a great deal of time and money have been spent in attempts to find an adequate substitute for this metal in the manufacture of steel; none has been found. It is true that ways are known by which it is possible to make small amounts of good steel without manganese; but taking into consideration the diminishing quality of iron ores and fuels. as' well as the increasing exaction of specifications for finished products, it may safely be assumed that high-grade manganese ore will be more and. more a necessity in the production of steel as time goes on. Taking world resources as a whole it may be well to point out that the problem of obtaining needed supplies of manganese from a strictly commercial viewpoint is now less serious than it was before the war. Formerly it was feared that world resources of high-grade manganese ore might be exhausted in a relatively short time, but, largely as a result of the stress laid upon the importance of manganese during the war, the world's available supply of high-grade manganese ore has been greatly augmented by new discoveries and fuller development of previously known deposits.

Jan 5, 1927

By Holbrook Botset

EXPERIMENTS performed in this laboratory on the flow of gas-liquid mixtures through unconsolidated sands have been described and discussed in an earlier paper.4 In these earlier experiments a definite relationship was found between the liquid saturation of a sand and its permeability to the liquid or gas phase. Furthermore, the nature of the sand, the permeabilities of the sands over a range between 17 and 260 darcies, appeared to have a negligible effect upon the saturation-permeability relation. Likewise experiments indicated that the viscosity of the liquid, or the substitution of an immiscible liquid for the gas phase, had only a very slight effect on the permeability-saturation relation. This con-clusion has since been definitely confirmed by the experiments of M. C. Leverett3 on the flow of oil and water through unconsolidated sands. The sands used by Leverett were of very low permeability (between 6.8 and 1.04 darcies), while the oil-water viscosity ratio varied between 90 and 0.057. Since the sands that constitute petroleum reservoirs are largely con-solidated, although of widely varying degrees of consolidation, it was desirable to extend the experiments on gas-liquid mixtures to consolidated sand. In the study of consolidated sands additional variables are involved, but for the initial experiments the only new variable to be intro-duced was the cementing material.

Jan 1, 1939

By J. C. Mertz

ACCURATE knowledge of the solid solubilities of the elements that dissolve in the important base metals is needed for guidance in the preparation and heat-treatment of the alloys derived from these compo-nents. While there is still difference of opinion concerning the merits of the X-ray and microscopic methods of determining such solubilities, it is certainly true that the recent extensive use of X-ray diffraction to review the existing constitutional data has revealed many glaring inaccu-racies and has brought about a much improved knowledge of phase-boundary locations, which will inevitably come to include all of the important alloy systems. When the work is done with all necessary precautions it appears that in the majority of cases where the solubilities extend beyond a few tenths of a per cent the X-ray back-reflection technique is capable of furnishing the best of information in this field. For the most prolonged and thorough studies it is obviously advisable to combine the results of several methods, in particular, to obtain an agreement between X-ray and microscopic data. This paper reviews the work previously done on the solubilities of phosphorus, arsenic, antimony and bismuth in copper and, in considera-tion of the uncertainties thus made apparent, presents, new X-ray data obtained with the first three members of this group.

Jan 1, 1936

By H. R. Wuthrich

The Metallgesellschaft AG decided in late 1965 to build an Electrolytic Zinc Plant at Datteln (W. Germany). Lurgi-Chemie was entrusted with the engineering and erection of the entire plant. Ground was broken in February 1967 and the operation was started on August 1st, 1968. The new Electrolytic Zinc Plant was designed to produce a minimum of 100,000 metric tons of special high grade zinc and 200,000 metric tons of sulphuric acid. Concentrates from Meggen (W. Germany) and mainly Timmins (Canada) are roasted in two turbulent layer roasters. The sulfur dioxide containing gases are converted in a "Bayer double catalysis unit" to sulfuric acid. The calcine is leached batch wise, the leach residue separated from the pregnant solution by counter-current thickeners and drum filters. For maintaining the sulfate balance a modified jarosite leach is being used. After a two step purification the neutral solution is mixed with spent electrolyte and cooled in unpacked atmospheric cooling towers. Three electrical circuits are supplying the power to the tankhouse, each rated at 30,000 amperes. With a maximum current density of 750 amperes per square meter and a stripping cycle of 24 hours, an average current efficiency of 90 percent is obtained. Cathodes are melted in one induction furnace and cast into shapes, or alloyed with aluminum and copper for die-cast metal.

Jan 1, 1970

Application of Kutter's Formula to Gases Discussion of paper by F. ERNEST BRACKETT, presented at the Pittsburgh Meeting and issued, as Pamphlet No. 1578-A-F, with MINING AND METALLURGY, June. 1926. C. S. WITHERELL, New York, N. Y. (written discussion).-There is no reason to doubt that the relationship between the rate of flow and the impelling force of all fluids can be expressed by a general typical equation . that takes cognizance of all relevant factors such as density, viscosity (or its reciprocal mobility) and nature of channel-walls. Most fluids that are commonly conveyed by flow in confined channels are so highly mobile that they may be considered non-viscous, hence for these fluids the factor of viscosity does not need to appear in the equation. Water is the outstanding example of this class of fluids and its dynamic behavior has been so thoroughly investigated that proven formulas pertaining thereto, be they rational or empirical, would naturally serve as prototypes for the other non-viscous fluids. As non-viscous fluids can be classed all gases and vapors, most unsaturated aqueous solutions, gasoline, alcohol, etc. Viscous fluids comprise those that have a sluggish flow such as most. oils, tar, molasses, etc., the high viscosity of which is due to shearing resistance between molecules; a force that must be taken into account in figuring the flow of fluids of this class.

Jan 10, 1926

Application of Kutter's Formula to Gases Discussion of paper by F.-ERNEST BRACKETT, presented at the Pittsburgh Meeting and issued, as Pamphlet No. 1578-A-F, with MINING AND METALLURGY, June. 1926. C. S. WITHERELL, New York, N. Y..(written discussion).-There is no reason to doubt that the relationship between the rate of, flow and. the impelling force of all fluids can be expressed by a general typical equation that takes cognizance of all relevant factors such as density, viscosity (or its reciprocal, mobility) and nature of channel-walls. Most fluids that are commonly conveyed by flow in confined channels are so highly mobile that they may be considered non-viscous, hence for these fluids the factor of viscosity does not need to appear in the equation. Water is the outstanding example of this class of fluids and its dynamic behavior has been so thoroughly investigated that proven formulas pertaining thereto, be they rational or empirical, would naturally serve as prototypes for the other non-viscous fluids. As non-viscous fluids can be classed all gases and vapors, most unsaturated aqueous solutions, gasoline, alcohol, etc. Viscous fluids comprise those that have a sluggish flow such as most oils, tar, molasses, etc., the' high viscosity of which is due to shearing resistance between molecules, a force that must betaken into account in figuring the flow of fluids of this class.

Jan 10, 1926

By George Burgess

THE Pyrometer Committee was. formed Sept. 20, 1918, at the suggestion of Dr. H. M. Howe, Chairman of the Engineering Division of the Research Council, for the purpose of developing a pyrometric method suitable for open-hearth steel practice so that the effects of temperature in the various stages of the processes of steel making might be correlated quantitatively with the other factors influencing the production of sound .steel. As finally constituted the Committee consists of Dr. George K. Burgess, Chief Division of Metallurgy, Bureau of Standards, Chairman. Dr. Paul D. Foote, Chief of Pyrometry Section, Bureau of Standards, Secretary. Dr. H. M. Howe, Chairman Engineering Division, National Research Council, ex officio. Prof. G. H. Clevenger, Chairman Metallurgical Section, National Research Council, ex officio. Mr. F. E. Bash, Leeds & Northrup Co., Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. R. P. Brown, The Brown Instrument Co., Philadelphia, Pa. Prof. G. H. Brown, Rutgers College, New Brunswick, N. J. Mr. R. C. Drinker, metallurgical engineer, Boston, Mass., Dr. W. E. Forsythe, Nela Research Laboratory, Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. J. T. Hall, Taylor-Wharton Iron & Steel Co., High Bridge, N. J. Mr. J. S. McDowell, Harbison-Walker Refractories Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. Mr. Malcolm McNaughton, Joseph Dixon Crucible Co., Jersey City, N. J. Mr. A.' H. Miller, Midvale Steel Co., Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. F. E. Walduck (since deceased), The Norton Co., Worcester, Mass.

Jan 9, 1919

By E. D. Gardner

The tide of increasing demand for metals turned during early 1949, with resultant lower prices. The production of the principal metals was less than in 1948. The problem of high unit costs, however, was held over from 1948. With the lower prices for metals, greater efforts are being made to reduce operating costs. The labor supply was adequate during the latter half of the year in most districts. The force has been reduced at most mines; some mines were idle during part of the year because of strikes, and others ceased operations on their own account. In the main, labor efficiency increased during the year in underground metal mines. Efforts are being made generally to improve labor relations. Green men hired in the time of the scarcity of skilled miners are becoming better trained. The supervisory personnel of most mines is cost conscious, and the planning of operations has been improved. Overhead costs are being scrutinized. The trend toward mechanization underground continued strong. Mining technology rapidly is becoming a problem of handling materials. Surface miners, underground miners and miners of metals, nonmetallics, and coal can learn much Gardner from each other. A mine, however, may become overmechanized. The capital charges against new equipment may exceed the saving in labor costs where sufficient daily tonnage is not handled.

Jan 1, 1950

By Stanley Lefond

Industrial Minerals, often called the Cinderella Minerals or the Building Blocks of industry continued their growth patterns through 1973, although profits were slightly lower due to the cost-price squeeze. Most of the individual reports which follow indicate growth rates of 3-15%. Surprisingly such commodities as sulfur held firm in spite of the over supply in the Canadian gas fields; cement was in short supply while the asbestos industry reported a worldwide shortage of group 4 and 5 fibers. Talc and perlite production set new records. In synopsis, 1973 was a productive year for industrial minerals. However 1974 onward appears to be one of contradiction. The unsettled conditions of world economics, the energy shortage, compounded by the Arabs oil embargo have created great problems for all industries. The high energy consuming segments of the Industrial Minerals field will be under intense pressures. On the other hand limestone, lime and perhaps trona, nahcolite might be consumed in ever increasing tonnages in SO2 removal systems connected with smelters and coal-fired power stations. The effects of the proposed changes in the staking, claiming and exploitation of federal lands by the BLM may also have serious repercussions not only to the industrial minerals field but to the entire mining industry. 1974-1975 will certainly be ear-marked as a year of frustrations and difficult decisions.

Jan 2, 1974

By C. T. Cox

W. A. Reich.*—I should like to ask Mr. Cox if he has any information on the change in

Jan 1, 1945

By E. G. Spilsbury

AS a fresh illustration of the advances made in the past few years in the overhead-cable systems of hoisting and conveying, as applied to open-cut deep mining and quarrying, I would call attention to a further development of this system of transportation which has lately been put in operation i-n this State. A few miles above Williamsport, on the Susquehanna river, the Glen Union Lumber Company, of Pottsville, Pa., owned a large tract of valuable timber-

Jan 1, 1892

By AIME AIME

THE Seventh International Petroleum Exposition and Congress to be held in Tulsa, Okla., Oct. 4 to 11, inclusive, in true western spirit promises to be bigger and better than ever. The Exposition has become an established institution. It gives opportunity to petroleum engineers, technologists, and operators to see each year at one place what the tool makers and machinery manufacturers have to offer which is new or better. It has truly become a place "where men, methods and machinery meet." It is also a convenient focus for technical meetings of various kinds devoted to petroleum and natural gas problems. 'The Petroleum Division of the A. I. M. E. has for several years held its chief fall meeting at Tulsa just preceding the opening of the Es- position. This year our meeting will be on Oct. 2 and 3 and it will be held as usual at Hotel Mayo. The Mid- Continent Oil and Gas Association will, as usual, hold a meeting during the Exposition and this year the Petroleum Division of the A. S. M. E. will hold a three- day session, Oct. 6-8, in the auditorium on the Esposition grounds. In all, six technical sessions are planned by this Society, and aside from reports of committees some 20 technical papers are to be presented. Members of the Institute should attend its own meeting and stay over for as many days as possible for the other meeting at which they will hear and see much of helpful interest.

Jan 1, 1930

By R. G. Schaal

The Magma Mine at Superior, Arizona had an unimpressive beginning as a. worked out silver mine that was purchased in 1910 for $130,000 and then incorporated into the Magma Copper Company which has been continuously mining the deposit since 1915. Copper is the principal metal produced. However, zinc, gold, silver and iron have also contributed to the total metal product. Prior to 1973, the production rate of 1500 tons per day was maintained by hoisting 4 and 5 ton pay-loads at speeds up to 1100 FPM through four small hoisting shafts. The hoists used included 8' and 7' diameter double drum, double clutched doc. and a.c. motor driven geared units built as early as 1917. One old timer that did yoeman's service for many years was an 8' Bollen Pulley with a.c. geared drive that utilized an endless rope system with mechanical grip and release mechanism built into the pulley's throat. Primary power for all of these old production hoists was 25 Hertz. Exploration that was completed in 1967 developed a reserve of 10 Million tons of 5 per cent copper which was sufficient to justify new capital expenditures for enlargement of productive facilities to 3300 tons per day. To reach the new reserves a 22' I.D. concrete lined vertical shaft was sunk to an initial depth of 48431. A 12 ½ diameter adit was bored from the mill side of the mountain to intercept the shaft at a point about 1100' below the collar. This 9200' long adit provides the right-of-way for the mine to mill railway and egress for heavy supplies from rail head as well as a conduit for potable water, electric power, compressed air and mine drainage. Mine operating levels begin 3582' below collar and thereafter have been cut at 100' vertical intervals. Skip loading stations have been installed 4282' and 46821 below collar with an in-shaft skip dump station located 800' below collar. This provides for 4500 tons of storage above the mine to mill train loading station located 1100' below collar. Ore and waste are moved horizontally from stope chutes and drift headings by rail haulage to transfer raises which channel all material to the two mentioned skip loading stations. The 22' diameter shaft crossection is arranged with the two skip compartments on the south side separated from the manway and utility compartments by the cage compartment. The cage counterweight operates in a portion of the southwest quadrant of the shaft. The hoisting plant consists of two conventional Nordberg double drum, single clutch, geared, d.c. motor driven units that are identical except for the drives and automatic controls. The drums are 15' diameter x 105" face with LeBus grooving for 2-1/8" diameter wire rope wound in three layers. Mechanical design emp1o::ed is the same as has been used for the past twenty- five years. One drum is attached to the main shaft by 2 large bolted integral shaft flenge. The loose drum is engaged by a 4-arm positive tooth clutch meshing with radially cut teeth of the clutch ring which is bolted to the drum. The drums are one-piece steel plate weldments having a finished weight of 60 tons each and are mounted upon a 36" diameter shaft that also weighs 60 tons. With the addition of brake rings, clutch, bull gear and rope, the total dead weight adds up to nearly 250 tons that is supported by just three double row spherical roller pillow block bearings. There is no bearing between the drums. All pinion shafts as veil as all head sheave journals are supported in the same type of antifriction bearings.

Jan 1, 1975