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By H. B. Menardi

The history, geology, ore deposits and current mining operations of the Huitzuco district have been described by C. W. Vaupelll and the current mill operations by David Segura.2 This paper completes the story of Huitzuco with a description of the reduction of the flotation concentrates. The predominant ore mineral in the Huitzuco deposit is livingstonite, a rare, mercury-antimony sulphide (HgS.2Sb2S3). Other associated minerals include cinnabar, stibnite and elemental sulphur. The gangue is largely limestone and gypsum. Former operators mined a selected grade of ore, from which the mercury was recovered by an expensive, inefficient operation. A considerable tonnage of rejects and fills, carrying mercury and antimony, was left in the mine. In order to recover both mercury and antimony from these fills and also from newly developed ore, a combination method has been developed, by means of which the livingstonite is concentrated by flotation and the flotation concentrates subsequently reduced to metallic mercury and antimony. An essential part of the flotation treatment, as developed by Segura, is the use of copper sulphate as an activating agent. A typical analysis of concentrates now being produced at the property is as follows: Hg, 7.73 per cent; Sb, 26.40; Fe, 1.20; S, 29.68; CaO, 11.50; MgO, 7.25; SiOz, 1.63; A1203, 0.65. PRocess foR Treatment op Concentrates In the development of a process for treatment of these concentrates, three different methods were investigated: (1) roasting in a Dwight-Lloyd sintering machine with an excess of air; (2) separation of mercury and antimony by distillation in a reducing atmosphere; (3) a third method, which ultimately developed into the present process. The third method involved a slow calcination at a closely regulated temperature with a limited admission of air, which separated the mercury and antimony, the raeroury passing out of the kiln with the furnace gases and the antimony remaining in the calcine or "sinter."

Jan 1, 1944

By C. L. Mantell

When considered from the viewpoint of world annual output, tin is one of the rarest metals. Its annual production is exceeded by that of iron, copper, lead, zinc. aluminum, magnesium; probably by that of the ferroalloys of manganese, chromium, and silicon, and possibly by the world production of sodium; while it exceeds only the output of such common metals as nickel, antimony, mercury, tungsten, molybdenum, silver, gold and the precious metals. Cassiterite, or tinstone, until the second World War was the only mineral that was an important source of tin. This mineral is frequently called "tin ore." The use of the term should be restricted to the ore containing the mineral, and not, in addition, to the concentrates of the mineral obtained from the ore or from stanniferous alluvial deposits. There is a general misuse of the term "tin ore" in the Malay Peninsula and adjacent localities, particularly where most of the mineral is obtained from secondary stanniferous deposits. The term "cassit-erite" is exclusively used in mineralogical, geological, and other scientific writings; it is unfortunate that it is not mole frequently used when referring to the occurrence of the mineral on an economic scale. Ores "Tinstone" js a very convenient old English term deserving a more frequent use. Tinstone is a dioxide of tin, or stannic oxide. When chemically Pure, as in the very rare transparent variety, it has a metallic content of 78.6 per cent tin. Frequently, however, the crystals and grains contain appreciable amounts of impurities, chiefly iron and tantalum. The impurities here referred to are those actually in the mineral itself. Tinstone usually has a deep brown or black color with an adamantine luster. Several other colored varieties are known, among them red ruby tin, yellow rosin tin, and yellow wax tin. the names jn each case being descriptive of the mineral's appearance. Ainalite is a variety of cassiterite con-taining almost g per cent of tantalum pentoxide. Sparable tin, tooth tin, and needle tin, as a result of their acute dite-tragonal pyramidal crystalline form, re-ceive their names from their crystallo-graphic appearance. Wood tin is a compact variety of cassiterite composed of radiating fibers resembling dry wood. Toad's-eye tin is a similar variety on a smaller scale in which the fibers appear to resemble the eye of a toad. Stream tin is water-worn tin-stone. Float tin is sometimes employed to describe the cassiterite occurring in soil derived from the weathered surface of a mineralized area. Stannite is an ore of tin of lesser impor-tance than cassiterite. It is a sulphide of tin, copper, and iron, sometimes known as tin pyrites or bell-metal ore. Its chemical com-position is sometimes expressed by the for-mula Cu,S.FeS.SnSz with zinc usually present in varying quantities. The tin con-tent varies from 22 to 27 per cent and there is about 29 per cent of copper, 13 per cent of iron, and 30 Per cent of sulphur.

Jan 1, 1944

By Arnold M. Lansche

Domestic Production.-Domestic production of white arsenic, AS,03, was derived entirely as a byproduct of smelting arsenic-containing copper ores by The Anaconda Company at Anaconda, Mont., and American Smelting and Refining Company at Tacoma, Wash. The Anaconda Company discontinued production of white arsenic in 1965. Arsenic metal was not produced. Consumption and Uses.-Most of the white arsenic produced in 1965 was consumed in manufacturing lead and calcium arsenate insecticides.

Jan 1, 1966

Legislation and Government Programs.-On February 4, 1977, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued its final environmental impact statement on the occupational use of inorganic arsenic.2 The statement examined the ramifications of the original proposed standard published in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).3 The DEIS proposed to limit the exposure of employees to no more than 4 micrograms of arsenic per cubic meter of air as determined on an 8-hour-time-weighted average basis; or a ceiling limit of 10 micrograms of arsenic per cubic meter of air based on a 15 minute sampling period. The purpose of the proposed regulation is to reduce the risk of smelter workers developing lung and skin cancer as a result of exposure. A comprehensive study compiled by the Committee on Medical and Biologic Effects of Environmental Pollutants concluded that "there is strong epidemiologic evidence that inorganic arsenic is a skin and lung carcinogen in man."' In April 1977, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) served notice to ASARCO Incorporated that its Tacoma copper smelter and associated arsenic-producing facilities were in violation of State laws which limit sulfur dioxide and particulate matter emissions. This notice followed the Washington State Pollution Control Hearing Board overturning a prior ruling by the Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Agency (PSAPCA) which had permitted a 5-year variance from the State of Washington air quality standards. In December 1977, ASARCO appealed in court the decision of the Hearing Board.

Jan 1, 1980

By J. Roger Loebenstein

Demand for arsenic exceeded supply in 1980, and the major domestic and foreign producers allocated available supplies to customers. Major demand was about evenly divided between industrial chemicals and agricultural chemicals. Legislation and Government Programs.-In June 1980, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listed inorganic arsenic as a hazardous air pollutant.2 Proposed regulations on arsenic emissions were to be announced on an industry-by-industry basis at a future date, and public comment on the listing and on specific regulations was to be heard.

Jan 1, 1981

By J. Roger Loebenstein

Demand for arsenic trioxide exceeded supply in 1978 and 1979, and the major domestic and foreign producers allocated available supplies to customers. Major demand has been from the cotton-growing and wood-preserving industries. Ample supplies of arsenic metal produced in the United States and Sweden were available in 1978 and 1979. Major demand for metal was from the automobile battery industry in Japan, Europe, and the United States. Legislation and Government Programs.-The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), promulgated the final standard on the occupational exposure to inorganic arsenic, effective August 1, 1978.2 The need for the standard was a result of OSHA's conclusion that inorganic arsenic is a human carcinogen. The purpose of the standard was to minimize the incidence of lung cancer among workers exposed to inorganic arsenic. The maximum exposure to arsenic was lowered from the previous ceiling of 500 micrograms per cubic meter of air to 10 micrograms per cubic meter over an 8-hour time period. OSHA had originally recommended a ceiling limit of 4 micrograms per cubic meter in January 1975. Provisions of the new standard require exposed employees to wear respirators and undergo continuous medical monitoring. Other provisions establish regulated areas limited to authorized employees and require the construction of special lunch-room and worker hygiene facilities and the posting of signs and labels warning of the presence of arsenic. The new arsenic standard will have a significant economic impact on copper, zinc, gold, and lead smelters as well as consumers of arsenic trioxide. A number of copper companies have joined together to contest the standard in court. However, measures to comply with the standard have been initiated by ASARCO Incorporated at its Tacoma, Wash. plant.

Jan 1, 1980

By Arnold M. Lansche

DOMESTIC OUTPUT of white arsenic, As2O3, was derived entirely as a byproduct of smelting arsenic-containing copper ores by The Anaconda Company at Anaconda, Mont., and American Smelting and Refining Company at Tacoma, Wash. Arsenic metal was not produced. Consumption, and Uses.-Most of the white arsenic produced in 1964 was consumed in manufacturing lead and calcium arsenate insecticides. In the 12 year period since 1951 the production of lead arsenate insecticide has varied between 7,800 tons and 4,900 tons, indicating that lead arsenate has maintained its position in competition with organic insecticides.

Jan 1, 1965

PRODUCTION of cesium, cesium salts, and rubidium salts in the United States declined somewhat from 1961 levels; rubidium production was virtually unchanged. Imports of pollucite declined because consumption was supplied partially out of inventory. Domestic Production.-About 50 tons of pollucite was reported mined at the Tin Mountain mine in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich., MSA Research Corp., Callery, Pa., and Penn Rare Metals, Inc., Revere, Pa., produced a total of 159 pounds of cesium. Rubidium production remained essentially the same as in 1961. Shipments of the two metals by these companies and by American Potash & Chemical Corp., Trona, Calif., totaled 279 pounds. Production of cesium and rubidium salts by American Potash & Chemical Corp., Penn Rare Metals, Inc., and Rocky Mountain Research, Inc., Denver, Colo., declined substantially during 1962.

Jan 1, 1963

CESIUM metal production increased sharply in 1963. Domestic Production.--Cesium metal was produced by The Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich., MSA. Research Corp., Callery, Pa., and by Penn Rare Metals, Inc., Revere, Pa. American Potash & Chemical Corp., Trona, Calif., produced some combined cesium and rubidium. This company, Penn Rare Metals, Inc., and Rocky Mountain Research, Inc., Denver, Colo., produced various cesium compounds. Complete production data on cesium and rubidium and their compounds were not available for publication. Consumption and Uses.-Substantially more pollucite was consumed to produce cesium metal and compounds in 1963 than in 1962 but the overall consumption of pollucite continued to be small.

Jan 1, 1964

By D. O. Kennedy

THIS CHAPTER on minor nonmetals covers greensand, meerschaum, mineral wool, and wollastonite. Mineral wool was by far the most valuable material among these minor nonmetals reported in the United States in 1956. GREENSAND Output of greensand (glauconite) declined in 1956. The Kaylorite Corp., Dunkirk, Md., and the Inversand Co., Sewell, N. J., were the only firms that reported production of this commodity. Output came from open pits in Calvert County, Md., and Gloucester County, N.J.

Jan 1, 1958

By Albert E. Schreck

THIS CHAPTER concerns such minor nonmetals as greensand, meerschaum, mineral wool, staurolite, and wollastonite. GREENSAND Output of greensand (glauconite) was slightly higher than in 1958. Open pits of The Kaylorite Corp. (Calvert County, Md.), National Soil Conservation, Inc. (Burlington County, N.J.), and Inversand Co." (Gloucester County, N.J.) accounted for the entire production. Soil conditioning used about 72 percent of the greensand sold. The remainder was used as a water-softening agent. Prices for greensand, f.o.b. mine, ranged from $13 to $70 per short ton.

Jan 1, 1960

Native asphalt was produced in 1977 by six companies in four States. Leading States were Texas and Utah. Output declined 39% to 1,237,000 tons valued at $18,874,000. Bituminous limestone was produced by Whites Uvalde Mines and by Uvalde Rock Asphalt Co. in Uvalde County, Tex.; by Southern Stone Co. in Colbert. Ala.; and by Barton County Rock Asphalt Co. in Barton County, Mo. Gilsonite was produced by American Gilsanite Co. in Uinta County. Utah, and by Ziegler Chemical and Mineral Corp. in Weber County. Utah. The asphalt was used for streets and roads, and for other purposes.

Jan 1, 1980

By Richard H. Singleton

Native asphalt was produced in 1978-79 by six companies in four States. Leading States were Texas and Utah. Output in-creased 37% in 1978 to 1.7 million tons and decreased 5% in 1979 to 1.6 million tons while value increased 39% in 1978 to $19.3 million and 33% in 1979 to $25.6 million. Bituminous limestone was produced by Whites Uvalde Mines and by Uvalde Rock Asphalt Co. in Uvalde County, Tex.; by Southern Stone Co. in Colbert. Ala.; and by Barton County Rock Asphalt Co. in Barton County, Mo. The product was used mainly in street and road repair. Gilsonite was produced by American Gilsonite Co. in Uinta County, Utah, and by Ziegler Chemical and Mineral Corp. in Weber County, Utah. This material was used for purposes other than road repair.

Jan 1, 1980

By Richard H. Singleton

Native asphalt was produced in 1980 by six companies in four States. Leading States were Texas and Utah. Output decreased 22% in 1980 to 1.25 million tons while value decreased 2% to $25.0 million. Bituminous limestone was produced by Whites Uvalde Mines and by Uvalde Rock Asphalt Co. in Uvalde County, Tex.; by Southern Stone Co. in Colbert, Ala.; and by Barton County Rock Asphalt Co. in Barton County, Mo. The product was used mainly in street and road repair. Gilsonite was produced by American Gilsonite Co. in Uinta County, Utah, and by Ziegler Chemical and Mineral Corp. in Weber County, Utah. This material was used for purposes other than road repair.

Jan 1, 1981

By Richard W. Lewis

Domestic production of greensand (glauconite) increased 15 percent in quantity and 13 percent in value compared with that of 1964. Since only two firms were in operation, statistics on production and sales for the year are not reported in order to avoid disclosure of individual company confidental data. The average annual production for the 5-year period 1961-65 was 4,306 tons valued at $200,200. The material was marketed for use as a soil conditioner and a water softener. An article of mineralogical interest was published concerning the New Zealand glauconites.2

Jan 1, 1966

By William F. Keyes

Greensand, which is widely distributed in the Eastern United States, was produced in 1975 only by Inversand Co., a subsidiary of Hungerford & Terry, Inc., near Clayton, N.J. Production and sales information are not available for publication. Raw greensand produced by the company was sold for agricultural use as a soil conditioner. Processed greensand was used by manufacturers as filter media in equipment for the removal of manganese, iron and other elements from water. The University of Delaware received a grant of $17,051 from the Bureau of Mines early in 1976 to continue its studies of the effectiveness of greensand in removing metallic contaminants from waste waters.

Jan 1, 1977

By Richard H. Singleton

Greensand, which is widely distributed in the Eastern United States, was produced in 1976 only by the Inversand Co., a subsidiary of Hungerford & Terry Inc., near Clayton, N. J. Production and sales information is withheld by the Bureau of Mines. Raw greensand produced by the company was sold for agricultural use as a soil conditioner. Processed greensand was sold for use as a filter medium for the removal of manganese, iron, sulfide, and other elements from water.

Jan 1, 1978

The occurrence of molybdenite in a small shaft in the western margin of the Wuuluman Granite in central western New South Wales is noted. Full petrographic and mineragraphic descriptions are given of a mineralized contact zone between the granite and a basic hornfels.Mineralogical data .indicate a similarity between this mineral occurrence and other occurrences in larger mines remote from the granite.

Jan 1, 1968

By Joseph R. Hatch

During the past ten years detailed elemental analyses of approximately 8,000 well-documented samples of coils in the United States (including Alaska) have been produced by the U.S. Geological Survey and the various State geological surveys. Examples of data listings include Swanson and others (1976) Gluskoter and others (1977) Hatch, Affolter, and Davis (1979), and Wedge and Hatch (1980). These analyses serve as a basis for evaluating elemental abundances in coals from the various coal province, regions, and fields. When combined with additional geological and geochemical data, some of these analyses give insight into when certain elements were introduced into coals, and which physical and geochemical parameters are most important in determining coal elemental composition.

Jan 1, 1982

By James C. Cobb

Middle Pennsylvanian (Desmoinesian) coals of certain areas of the Illinois and Forest City Basins contain epigenetic sphalerite and associated minerals in veins, clastic dikes, cleat, and other small-scale structural features. The presence of sphalerite in these coals records information about the geology of coals and coal basins, and represents a potential source for zinc as a byproduct of coal production. Origin of Sphalerite in Coal The origin of sphalerite in coal suggested by Cobb (1) involves sphalerite precipitation from zinc-bearing ?Na-Ca-Cl brines upon contact with sources of sulfur in the coal bed, e.g., pyrite, H2S, and organic sulfur. These brines were essentially at the temperature of the host coals as determined by fluid-inclusion thermometry and vitrinite-reflectance studies. The migration of these brines into coal beds may have been caused by compaction of sediments due to continued sediment loading of the coal basins. Zones of high permeability such as sandstones and the coals themselves presumably acted as conduits for the movement of the brines. The open spaces where sphalerite was deposited resulted from minor deformation associated with differential compaction and cleat formation enhanced by volume shrinkage during coalification.

Jan 1, 1982