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By H. A. Sawin, C.M. Romanowitz

Placer dredging as we know it today, especially gold dredging, is an industry about 40 years old, dating from the beginning of this century, when a few mining men in California saw the possibilities in adapting earlier dredging methods to California placer fields in and immediately adjacent to streams. At first it was thought that dredges must be operated in existing stream beds, but experience soon pointed the way to dredging alluvial deposits of old stream beds, operating on landlocked dredging ponds. Within the first five or six years of modern dredging, experience was gained so rapidly that dredges to dig 60 ft. below water level were *designed and built. This depth was believed by many operators to be the maximum at which successful dredging could be carried on. Alluvial deposits of gold, suitable for dredging, were readily handled by equipment available and developed early in the industry's history. Much of the gravel was easily dug and if deposits were cemented, contained large boulders, or for some other reason could not be handled by a dredge, the ground was abandoned in favor of other deposits that could be handled easily. Many failures, adversely affecting the dredging industry, resulted from attempts at that time to extend the scope of placer dredging with equipment not suited to the formation being dredged. Dredging ground suited to early equipment was exhausted eventually, but many supposedly undredgeable alluvial fields containing gold in commercial quantities were found and became known to dredgemen. Improved equipment was needed to work deposits known to exist at great depths or associated with unusual obstructions. Operating companies looked to dredge manufacturers and metallurgists, particularly manganese-steel foundries, for improved designs and materials. Experience developed in California has spread throughout the world, and dredges of improved types have been adapted to the mining of platinum and tin as well as gold. Space will not permit a description of all the improvements in dredging since the early days, but a few of the recent developments are worthy of note, because they make possible the dredging of placer deposits of great depth, those having hard, irregular bedrock or containing large boulders in great quantities, and compacted or cemented gravel deposits. Deep Dredging At Hammonton, calif., yuba consolidated Gold Fields has, within= the past two years, built its dredge No. 20. The company has operated continuously in that field since 1904, digging successively at maximum depths of 60 ft., 80 ft., 112 ft., and now 124 ft. below water level. The first dredges were equipped with buckets of 6 and 7½-cu. ft. capacity; six dredges operating in the field today have 18-cu. ft. buckets, digging now 65 to 124 ft. below water level. Some ground near Hammonton has been dug for the third time, owing to the devel-

Jan 1, 1943

By C. M. Romanowitz, H. A. Sawin

Placer dredging as we know it today, especially gold dredging, is an industry about 40 years old, dating from the beginning of this century, when a few mining men in California saw the possibilities in adapting earlier dredging methods to California placer fields in and immediately adjacent to streams. At first it was thought that dredges must be operated in existing stream beds, but experience soon pointed the way to dredging alluvial deposits of old stream beds, operating on landlocked dredging ponds. Within the first five or six years of modern dredging, experience was gained so rapidly that dredges to dig 60 ft. below water level were *designed and built. This depth was believed by many operators to be the maximum at which successful dredging could be carried on. Alluvial deposits of gold, suitable for dredging, were readily handled by equipment available and developed early in the industry's history. Much of the gravel was easily dug and if deposits were cemented, contained large boulders, or for some other reason could not be handled by a dredge, the ground was abandoned in favor of other deposits that could be handled easily. Many failures, adversely affecting the dredging industry, resulted from attempts at that time to extend the scope of placer dredging with equipment not suited to the formation being dredged. Dredging ground suited to early equipment was exhausted eventually, but many supposedly undredgeable alluvial fields containing gold in commercial quantities were found and became known to dredgemen. Improved equipment was needed to work deposits known to exist at great depths or associated with unusual obstructions. Operating companies looked to dredge manufacturers and metallurgists, particularly manganese-steel foundries, for improved designs and materials. Experience developed in California has spread throughout the world, and dredges of improved types have been adapted to the mining of platinum and tin as well as gold. Space will not permit a description of all the improvements in dredging since the early days, but a few of the recent developments are worthy of note, because they make possible the dredging of placer deposits of great depth, those having hard, irregular bedrock or containing large boulders in great quantities, and compacted or cemented gravel deposits. Deep Dredging At Hammonton, calif., yuba consolidated Gold Fields has, within= the past two years, built its dredge No. 20. The company has operated continuously in that field since 1904, digging successively at maximum depths of 60 ft., 80 ft., 112 ft., and now 124 ft. below water level. The first dredges were equipped with buckets of 6 and 7½-cu. ft. capacity; six dredges operating in the field today have 18-cu. ft. buckets, digging now 65 to 124 ft. below water level. Some ground near Hammonton has been dug for the third time, owing to the devel-

Jan 1, 1943

By T. L. McCall

The late Walter Herd1 in 1929 gave a full description of past and present conditions in No. 2 mine, Springhill, Nova Scotia, developed theories regarding the cause of these bumps and made certain suggestions regarding possible methods of future development. Recapitulating briefly from Mr. Herd's paper, the seam is bituminous coal, averages 9 ft. in thickness and has a well defined parting containing fusain about 14 in. from the roof. This roof coal is somewhat stronger than the rest of the seam and has a tendency to cling to the roof. The pitch of the seam where it is now being worked is about 20". The first manifestations of bumps began when the room and pillar workings had reached a depth of cover of 1900 ft. and under continuously increasing depth of cover these bumps increased to such an extent, both in number and severity, that in the year 1924 it became apparent that some change in the system of extraction was necessary. After closely studying all the factors involved and benefiting largely by valuable outside advice obtained by the Provincial Department of Mines of Nova Scotia,2 the system of working was changed from room and pillar to longwall retreating. Mr. Herd's paper described in detail three remarkable bumps in the year 1928 in April, July and October that affected the 5700-ft. and 5900-ft. East levels, the last bump being so severe both in intensity and in extent of damage done that this district was abandoned. The longwall workings to the west of the slope had been stopped in the year 1926 owing to an inbreak of water, coming from the flooded waste of No. 3 seam lying some 400 ft. vertically overhead. This inflow was not excessive, but a large quantity of water being impounded in the old workings it was considered advisable to take the prudent course and not incur the risk of possibly increasing the flow by further working. This district has remained idle ever since.

Jan 1, 1934

By C. A. Heiland, Tripp R. M., Dart Wantland

This paper serves to illustrate the application of geophysics to a virtually abandoned mine properly, an application that led to the discovery of an ore body and thus afforded an Opportunity to cOmpare subsequent geologic findings with geophysical data. The work herein described represents, however: more than mere ''case history." It demonstrates that it is possible to obtain satisfactory results by simple means and relatively inexpericnced personnel. The geophysical surveys were made by students as a part of their field assignments in the course of their regular training, and were supervised by Dart Wantland, J. E. Hawkins and R. Maurice 'Tripp. In the course of several seasons an appreciable amount of material was accumulated, which gave graduate students an opportunity for special studies. In this connection, the contributions by L. Massé, R. C. Hyslop, and J. E. Hawkins deserve special mention. The property owners cooperated wholeheartedly in the work, and special thanks are due messrs. J. F. Johnson and S. E. Zelenkov, of the American Smelting and Refining Co., for their interest and for permission to utilize the results of their development work for this publication. Location and Geology The Malachite mine is situated on the northcrn slope of Bear Creek Canyon, 4 miles northeast of Evergreen, I½ miles northwest of Idledale, and 4% miles west northwest of Morrison, in Jefferson County, Colorado. The location (Fig. I) is north of the center of set. 30, T. 45, R. 70 W., at an elevation of about 7500 ft, above sea level, Near the mine the terrain slopes rather uniformly southward at an angle of about 180 pigs. 3 and 7). The geology of the Malachite mine area has been described by J, underhill,' W, Lindgren,2 and J. Boyd.3,4 A map showing surface outcrops and mine workings appears in Fig, 2. the Malachite mine is in an amphibolite belt enclosed in gneisses and schists of the Idaho-Springs formation (probably early Algonkian age). The highly contorted beds are nearly vertical and strike slightly north of west. A series of granite-pegmatite dikes have been intruded almost at right angles into the gneisses and schists and doubtedless are postmineral. While most of the formations are exposed at the surface, a part of the 'lope is covered by slide rock and float, and in the eastern portion by alluvium and creek fill. A quartz-diorite dike cuts through the amphibolite schists at a small angle with nearly vertical dip. The copper sulphides, developed in this dike by magmatic segregation, occur in lenticular form. As far as the mine workings have revealed, the ore lenses are often discontinuous in depth and

Jan 1, 1946

By Tripp R. M., C. A. Heiland, Dart Wantland

This paper serves to illustrate the application of geophysics to a virtually abandoned mine properly, an application that led to the discovery of an ore body and thus afforded an Opportunity to cOmpare subsequent geologic findings with geophysical data. The work herein described represents, however: more than mere ''case history." It demonstrates that it is possible to obtain satisfactory results by simple means and relatively inexpericnced personnel. The geophysical surveys were made by students as a part of their field assignments in the course of their regular training, and were supervised by Dart Wantland, J. E. Hawkins and R. Maurice 'Tripp. In the course of several seasons an appreciable amount of material was accumulated, which gave graduate students an opportunity for special studies. In this connection, the contributions by L. Massé, R. C. Hyslop, and J. E. Hawkins deserve special mention. The property owners cooperated wholeheartedly in the work, and special thanks are due messrs. J. F. Johnson and S. E. Zelenkov, of the American Smelting and Refining Co., for their interest and for permission to utilize the results of their development work for this publication. Location and Geology The Malachite mine is situated on the northcrn slope of Bear Creek Canyon, 4 miles northeast of Evergreen, I½ miles northwest of Idledale, and 4% miles west northwest of Morrison, in Jefferson County, Colorado. The location (Fig. I) is north of the center of set. 30, T. 45, R. 70 W., at an elevation of about 7500 ft, above sea level, Near the mine the terrain slopes rather uniformly southward at an angle of about 180 pigs. 3 and 7). The geology of the Malachite mine area has been described by J, underhill,' W, Lindgren,2 and J. Boyd.3,4 A map showing surface outcrops and mine workings appears in Fig, 2. the Malachite mine is in an amphibolite belt enclosed in gneisses and schists of the Idaho-Springs formation (probably early Algonkian age). The highly contorted beds are nearly vertical and strike slightly north of west. A series of granite-pegmatite dikes have been intruded almost at right angles into the gneisses and schists and doubtedless are postmineral. While most of the formations are exposed at the surface, a part of the 'lope is covered by slide rock and float, and in the eastern portion by alluvium and creek fill. A quartz-diorite dike cuts through the amphibolite schists at a small angle with nearly vertical dip. The copper sulphides, developed in this dike by magmatic segregation, occur in lenticular form. As far as the mine workings have revealed, the ore lenses are often discontinuous in depth and

Jan 1, 1946

By E. R. Borcherdt

Methods and equipment are subject to study in the Butte district at all times in order that advantage may be taken of any new developments that might serve to increase efficiency and lower costs. Detailed time studies of each operation involved in the entire mining process have been of invaluable assistance in analyzing the individual operation for possible improvement. In other words, the fact that a practice has been in vogue for many years does not exempt it from change provided an easier and cheaper method can be found. Exploration Ore occurs in the Butte district in such manner that structures must be drifted on, no matter how small or unimportant they appear when intersected by a crosscut. Parallel structures also add to the crosscut requirements. This prospecting work, which formerly was done entirely by drifting and crosscutting, is now being supplemented by diamond drilling, to aid in greatly decreasing the amount of waste. In long-shot prospecting, or in second or third class prospecting, where the chances of developing commercial ore are not very great, diamond drilling is of particular value. In prospecting where chances of encountering commercial ore are certain or where crosscuts can be used later for haulage or ventilation, drilling obviously is not applicable. Improvement in drilling machines and bits has contributed greatly to the present success of diamond drilling. For many Years square-set filled stoping was the principal mining method used in the Butte district. Later timbered and untimbered rill stopes were used, also some horizontal cut-and-fill stoping where both Ore and walls were particularly strong. Because of the amount of timber required for square-set stoping, and the relatively low production per stope unit, experiments with horizontal cut-and-fill stopes were begun in Ore bodies of which many had fairly weak walls. It was felt that increase in the speed of the stoping operation, followed closely by filling, to avoid weight being produced by permitting ore and walls to remain insufficiently supported over comparatively long periods, would maintain the walls and backs in safe condition without the use of timber and without ore dilution from wall slough. Cycles of drilling, scraping ore, and filling were devised, which have materially increased stope production and decreased timber consumption, so that both stope labor and supply costs were lowered appreciably without materially affecting grade control. In the larger mines of the district, where wide veins favor this stoping method, half of the total production is now being mined by horizontal cut-and-fill stopes (Fig. I). The increase of the filling rate demanded by the increased stoping rate was the greatest obstacle encountered in the accelerated stoping operations. Finally this problem was solved by replacing the time-honored method of transferring filling waste by small cars, which were hoisted or lowered in the auxiliary shaft, by a transfer

Jan 1, 1943

By E. R. Borcherdt

Methods and equipment are subject to study in the Butte district at all times in order that advantage may be taken of any new developments that might serve to increase efficiency and lower costs. Detailed time studies of each operation involved in the entire mining process have been of invaluable assistance in analyzing the individual operation for possible improvement. In other words, the fact that a practice has been in vogue for many years does not exempt it from change provided an easier and cheaper method can be found. Exploration Ore occurs in the Butte district in such manner that structures must be drifted on, no matter how small or unimportant they appear when intersected by a crosscut. Parallel structures also add to the crosscut requirements. This prospecting work, which formerly was done entirely by drifting and crosscutting, is now being supplemented by diamond drilling, to aid in greatly decreasing the amount of waste. In long-shot prospecting, or in second or third class prospecting, where the chances of developing commercial ore are not very great, diamond drilling is of particular value. In prospecting where chances of encountering commercial ore are certain or where crosscuts can be used later for haulage or ventilation, drilling obviously is not applicable. Improvement in drilling machines and bits has contributed greatly to the present success of diamond drilling. For many Years square-set filled stoping was the principal mining method used in the Butte district. Later timbered and untimbered rill stopes were used, also some horizontal cut-and-fill stoping where both Ore and walls were particularly strong. Because of the amount of timber required for square-set stoping, and the relatively low production per stope unit, experiments with horizontal cut-and-fill stopes were begun in Ore bodies of which many had fairly weak walls. It was felt that increase in the speed of the stoping operation, followed closely by filling, to avoid weight being produced by permitting ore and walls to remain insufficiently supported over comparatively long periods, would maintain the walls and backs in safe condition without the use of timber and without ore dilution from wall slough. Cycles of drilling, scraping ore, and filling were devised, which have materially increased stope production and decreased timber consumption, so that both stope labor and supply costs were lowered appreciably without materially affecting grade control. In the larger mines of the district, where wide veins favor this stoping method, half of the total production is now being mined by horizontal cut-and-fill stopes (Fig. I). The increase of the filling rate demanded by the increased stoping rate was the greatest obstacle encountered in the accelerated stoping operations. Finally this problem was solved by replacing the time-honored method of transferring filling waste by small cars, which were hoisted or lowered in the auxiliary shaft, by a transfer

Jan 1, 1943

By Henry J. Joesting

During the past year and a half, the Territorial Department of Mines in Alaska has conducted a modest experimental program for the purpose of determining the extent to which magnetic and resistivity methods can be used in interior Alaska in connection with prospecting, mining and geological studies. Since little information is available concerning previous work,l,2 and since conditions differ considerably from those in most other regions, it was considered advisable to make a general study of the possibilities and limitations of the two methods, rather than a detailed study of any single problem. Problems One of the most serious handicaps to prospecting and geological study in interior Alaska, especially in the mature regions, is a cover of unconsolidated deposits ranging in thickness from a few feet to several hundred feet. These deposits, some of which are permanently frozen, consist of silt with varying proportions of vegetation and windblown material in the valleys and of residual deposits on the hills.3'4 The problems treated here are caused by the existence of this overburden: I. Location of buried placers. 2. Determination of depth and areal distribution of permanently frozen and of thawed unconsolidated deposits. 3. Location of water-bearing beds under unconsolidated deposits. Instruments and Methods Magnetic and direct-current resistivity methods were used because they are relatively simple, rapid and inexpensive and because generally they are well suited to the study of the problems indicated. The instruments used were a vertical Schmidt-type magnetometer and a direct-current resistivity instrument similar to those used by the Geophysical Branch of the U. S. Geological Survey. For placer surveys with the magnetometer, a sensitivity of about 25 gammas per scale division was found suitable. For resistivity studies of frozen and thawed overburden and of underground water, the Lee partitioning method6 was found to be most generally suitable. In the Lee method a central potential electrode is placed midway between the two potential electrodes of the Wenner four-electrode configuration.7 Nonpolarizable electrodes were made from unglazed porcelain pots about 10 cm. high and 5 cm. in diameter. In order to retard evaporation of the electrolyte the sides of the pots were glazed, inside and out, with clear Duco lacquer. For resistivity work in cold weather, a nonfreezing electrolyte consisting of equal parts of ethylene glycol and a saturated water solution of copper sulphate proved satisfactory. Stainless steel rods of 3/4-in. diameter made excellent current electrodes because their bright finish enabled good ground contacts to be made.

Jan 1, 1946

By Henry J. Joesting

During the past year and a half, the Territorial Department of Mines in Alaska has conducted a modest experimental program for the purpose of determining the extent to which magnetic and resistivity methods can be used in interior Alaska in connection with prospecting, mining and geological studies. Since little information is available concerning previous work,l,2 and since conditions differ considerably from those in most other regions, it was considered advisable to make a general study of the possibilities and limitations of the two methods, rather than a detailed study of any single problem. Problems One of the most serious handicaps to prospecting and geological study in interior Alaska, especially in the mature regions, is a cover of unconsolidated deposits ranging in thickness from a few feet to several hundred feet. These deposits, some of which are permanently frozen, consist of silt with varying proportions of vegetation and windblown material in the valleys and of residual deposits on the hills.3'4 The problems treated here are caused by the existence of this overburden: I. Location of buried placers. 2. Determination of depth and areal distribution of permanently frozen and of thawed unconsolidated deposits. 3. Location of water-bearing beds under unconsolidated deposits. Instruments and Methods Magnetic and direct-current resistivity methods were used because they are relatively simple, rapid and inexpensive and because generally they are well suited to the study of the problems indicated. The instruments used were a vertical Schmidt-type magnetometer and a direct-current resistivity instrument similar to those used by the Geophysical Branch of the U. S. Geological Survey. For placer surveys with the magnetometer, a sensitivity of about 25 gammas per scale division was found suitable. For resistivity studies of frozen and thawed overburden and of underground water, the Lee partitioning method6 was found to be most generally suitable. In the Lee method a central potential electrode is placed midway between the two potential electrodes of the Wenner four-electrode configuration.7 Nonpolarizable electrodes were made from unglazed porcelain pots about 10 cm. high and 5 cm. in diameter. In order to retard evaporation of the electrolyte the sides of the pots were glazed, inside and out, with clear Duco lacquer. For resistivity work in cold weather, a nonfreezing electrolyte consisting of equal parts of ethylene glycol and a saturated water solution of copper sulphate proved satisfactory. Stainless steel rods of 3/4-in. diameter made excellent current electrodes because their bright finish enabled good ground contacts to be made.

Jan 1, 1946

By W.W. Weigel

The mines of the St. Joseph Lead Co. in St. Francois County, Missouri, form a roughly triangular area of about 45 square miles. Locally this is known as the Lead Belt. The four operating mines in the area at present are the Federal, Leadwood, Desloge, and Bonne Terre, in decreasing order of mine area and daily production. Mining began in 1864 and has been carried on in the district continuously since that time. As a group, the Lead Belt mines now handle 20,000 gal. per min. of water, average head about 465 ft., against a normal daily ore tonnage of 21,200 tons. For a six-day operating week this gives a ratio of 6½ tons of water per ton of ore. Total average pumping in 1931 was about 15,000 gal. per min. Since that time a large area of virgin territory has been opened, much of which has had temporary flush flows. About 75 per cent of the water enters in certain restricted very wet areas. Production figures are given in Table I. The figures by divisions for 1931 and 1941 are not exactly comparable, as there were several transfers of pumping loads from one division to another during that period of time. Geology The, basement formation in 'the Lead Belt area consists of the pre-Cambrian rhyolite porphyry and granite. Overlying this is the La Motte sandstone, of Middle Cambrian age, which offers a good medium for circulation of water. It varies in thickness up to 400 ft. Above this is the Bonne Terre dolomite, approximately 375 fl. thick, which in turn is overlain by the 150-ft. Davis shale. The formations above this, present in the Lead Belt in small areas only, are of minor importance. The ore bodies occur as large, horizontal tabular masses or as long, narrow runs; they are found throughout the Bonne Terre but largely in the lower 150 ft. The rather indefinite contact with the La Motte is a favorite ore horizon. Milling is entirely by open stope and pillar breast systems. To the south, west, and north of the district, sandstone outcrops are few and limited. Heavy faulting bounds The district on those sides and probably there is little if any artesian circulation from those directions. To the east, the La Motte rises to an outcrop area of about 40 square

Jan 1, 1943

By W. W. Weigel

The mines of the St. Joseph Lead Co. in St. Francois County, Missouri, form a roughly triangular area of about 45 square miles. Locally this is known as the Lead Belt. The four operating mines in the area at present are the Federal, Leadwood, Desloge, and Bonne Terre, in decreasing order of mine area and daily production. Mining began in 1864 and has been carried on in the district continuously since that time. As a group, the Lead Belt mines now handle 20,000 gal. per min. of water, average head about 465 ft., against a normal daily ore tonnage of 21,200 tons. For a six-day operating week this gives a ratio of 6½ tons of water per ton of ore. Total average pumping in 1931 was about 15,000 gal. per min. Since that time a large area of virgin territory has been opened, much of which has had temporary flush flows. About 75 per cent of the water enters in certain restricted very wet areas. Production figures are given in Table I. The figures by divisions for 1931 and 1941 are not exactly comparable, as there were several transfers of pumping loads from one division to another during that period of time. Geology The, basement formation in 'the Lead Belt area consists of the pre-Cambrian rhyolite porphyry and granite. Overlying this is the La Motte sandstone, of Middle Cambrian age, which offers a good medium for circulation of water. It varies in thickness up to 400 ft. Above this is the Bonne Terre dolomite, approximately 375 fl. thick, which in turn is overlain by the 150-ft. Davis shale. The formations above this, present in the Lead Belt in small areas only, are of minor importance. The ore bodies occur as large, horizontal tabular masses or as long, narrow runs; they are found throughout the Bonne Terre but largely in the lower 150 ft. The rather indefinite contact with the La Motte is a favorite ore horizon. Milling is entirely by open stope and pillar breast systems. To the south, west, and north of the district, sandstone outcrops are few and limited. Heavy faulting bounds The district on those sides and probably there is little if any artesian circulation from those directions. To the east, the La Motte rises to an outcrop area of about 40 square

Jan 1, 1943

By Grover J. Holt

A detailed description of the many variations in iron mining and transportation practice in Minnesota would require much space. Since a fairly detailed description of the practices then in use was published in the guidebook issued in connection with the meeting of the Institute on the iron ranges in 1920, and subsequent developments have been described by E. E. Hunner, M. H. Barber,2 and A. E. Anderson, J. M. Riddell and G. J. Holt,³ it will not be necessary here to do more than review the highlights of current practice. Details on any points of interest can be obtained through correspondence with the operators involved. † The iron ores of Minnesota, which have been formed through enrichment of the iron formation in which they occur, largely by the removal of silica, are usually covered by a blanket of glacial drift known locally as "surface." Surface material, including sand, clay, hardpan and boulders, makes up the greater portion of the stripping in open-pit operations. In some instances, stripping also includes taconite and paint rock," directly below the surface material and overlying the ore. Tacenite is the iron formation, a ferruginous chert with inter-bedded slate layers. :'paint rock" is a local term for oxidized slate layers inter- bedded in the iron formation, high in phosphorus, alumina and moisture. The iron ores fall into two classes: (I) direct shipping (merchantable ores or ores requiring no treatment except possibly crushing or screening to make an acceptable sized product), and (2) ores requiring beneficiation (such as sintering, drying, washing, jigging, high-density treatment, or magnetic separation in the case of magnetite). The Mesabi Range produces chiefly soft Bessemer and non-Bessemer ores. The Cuyuna Range produces mainly low-manganese brown ore and high-manganese black ores, with some iron ore. The Vermilion Range yields mainly Bessemer and non-Bessemer iron ore, with some hard or lump ore that finds use in the open hearth. Open-pit mining is limited to the Mesabi and Cuyuna Ranges but underground mining is done on all three. The choice of mining methods is determined by the relative economics of overburden-removal and shaft-mining costs. Stripping Practice Common practice has been to remove the bulk of the overburden during the winter season and to mine during the summer, In- the present emergency many operators are forced to forego the economies attained by year-round utilization of paper. and to equip for, and carry on, stripping and mining simultaneously. In the normal years or lean years to come, most properties probably will be overequipped and high depreciation charges Will have to be absorbed.

Jan 1, 1943

By Grover J. Holt

A detailed description of the many variations in iron mining and transportation practice in Minnesota would require much space. Since a fairly detailed description of the practices then in use was published in the guidebook issued in connection with the meeting of the Institute on the iron ranges in 1920, and subsequent developments have been described by E. E. Hunner, M. H. Barber,2 and A. E. Anderson, J. M. Riddell and G. J. Holt,³ it will not be necessary here to do more than review the highlights of current practice. Details on any points of interest can be obtained through correspondence with the operators involved. † The iron ores of Minnesota, which have been formed through enrichment of the iron formation in which they occur, largely by the removal of silica, are usually covered by a blanket of glacial drift known locally as "surface." Surface material, including sand, clay, hardpan and boulders, makes up the greater portion of the stripping in open-pit operations. In some instances, stripping also includes taconite and paint rock," directly below the surface material and overlying the ore. Tacenite is the iron formation, a ferruginous chert with inter-bedded slate layers. :'paint rock" is a local term for oxidized slate layers inter- bedded in the iron formation, high in phosphorus, alumina and moisture. The iron ores fall into two classes: (I) direct shipping (merchantable ores or ores requiring no treatment except possibly crushing or screening to make an acceptable sized product), and (2) ores requiring beneficiation (such as sintering, drying, washing, jigging, high-density treatment, or magnetic separation in the case of magnetite). The Mesabi Range produces chiefly soft Bessemer and non-Bessemer ores. The Cuyuna Range produces mainly low-manganese brown ore and high-manganese black ores, with some iron ore. The Vermilion Range yields mainly Bessemer and non-Bessemer iron ore, with some hard or lump ore that finds use in the open hearth. Open-pit mining is limited to the Mesabi and Cuyuna Ranges but underground mining is done on all three. The choice of mining methods is determined by the relative economics of overburden-removal and shaft-mining costs. Stripping Practice Common practice has been to remove the bulk of the overburden during the winter season and to mine during the summer, In- the present emergency many operators are forced to forego the economies attained by year-round utilization of paper. and to equip for, and carry on, stripping and mining simultaneously. In the normal years or lean years to come, most properties probably will be overequipped and high depreciation charges Will have to be absorbed.

Jan 1, 1943

By N. A. Stockett

Southeast Missouri is the largest and oldest lead-producing district in the United States. For the year 1941, the statistical picture of pig-lead production, stated in short tons (partly estimated by the Engineering and Mining Journal) is as follows. Tons World production................. 2,000,000 United States Production .........- 460,000 Southeast Missouri production..... 142,000 The consumption of primary lead in the United States in 1941 was approximately 900,000 tons, or almost double the country's production. The largest previous year's in in the United States was 718,000 tons, in 1926. The largest quantities of lead are used for cable sheathing, storage batteries and white lead. During 1941 tetraethyl lead for auto and aviation gasoline consumed 50,000 tons of lead. The entire lead production of Southeast Missouri is now mined by the St. Joseph Lead Co., whose dominant position as the largest producer in the United States of lead directly from ores is best shown by the fact that in 1941 it produced approximately 31 per cent of the lead production of the United States from its mines in southeast Missouri, where 22,000 tons of ore, averaging over 3.00 per cent lead, is mined per working day. It is known that lead was mined at Mine La Motte, Madison County, Missouri, by Renault in 1723. Other white men and Indians probably did some mining prior to that time. Since 1865, the recorded production to Jan. I, 1942, shows that the St. Joseph Lead Co. and the various other companies that have operated in St. Francois County mined lead ore, which, after milling and smelting losses produced 5,980,000 short tons of pig lead. • About 95 per cent of the present lead production of Southeast Missouri is mined in St. Francois County. The northern part of this area is 60 miles south of st. Louis. The remainder of the lead is obtained at Mine La Motte, about 25 miles southeast from the center of the producing area in st.Francois county, Prospecting In this district, most of the ore is discovered by surface and underground diamond drills and by prospect drilling underground with rock drills. Each 2-ft. length of the cuttings from these Jack-hamer prospect holes is assayed for lead. These holes are marked and the records are entered on maps. It has been found that close drilling—100-ft. centers of holes, and sometimes less—is necessary in order to locate most of the smaller commercial ore bodies, many of which previously had been missed by drilling the areas with holes spaced 200-ft. centers or more. To date, geophysical and other methods of prospecting, apart from diamond and Mining Practices of the St. Joseph Lead Company in Southeast Missouri

Jan 1, 1943

By N. A. Stockett

Southeast Missouri is the largest and oldest lead-producing district in the United States. For the year 1941, the statistical picture of pig-lead production, stated in short tons (partly estimated by the Engineering and Mining Journal) is as follows. Tons World production................. 2,000,000 United States Production .........- 460,000 Southeast Missouri production..... 142,000 The consumption of primary lead in the United States in 1941 was approximately 900,000 tons, or almost double the country's production. The largest previous year's in in the United States was 718,000 tons, in 1926. The largest quantities of lead are used for cable sheathing, storage batteries and white lead. During 1941 tetraethyl lead for auto and aviation gasoline consumed 50,000 tons of lead. The entire lead production of Southeast Missouri is now mined by the St. Joseph Lead Co., whose dominant position as the largest producer in the United States of lead directly from ores is best shown by the fact that in 1941 it produced approximately 31 per cent of the lead production of the United States from its mines in southeast Missouri, where 22,000 tons of ore, averaging over 3.00 per cent lead, is mined per working day. It is known that lead was mined at Mine La Motte, Madison County, Missouri, by Renault in 1723. Other white men and Indians probably did some mining prior to that time. Since 1865, the recorded production to Jan. I, 1942, shows that the St. Joseph Lead Co. and the various other companies that have operated in St. Francois County mined lead ore, which, after milling and smelting losses produced 5,980,000 short tons of pig lead. • About 95 per cent of the present lead production of Southeast Missouri is mined in St. Francois County. The northern part of this area is 60 miles south of st. Louis. The remainder of the lead is obtained at Mine La Motte, about 25 miles southeast from the center of the producing area in st.Francois county, Prospecting In this district, most of the ore is discovered by surface and underground diamond drills and by prospect drilling underground with rock drills. Each 2-ft. length of the cuttings from these Jack-hamer prospect holes is assayed for lead. These holes are marked and the records are entered on maps. It has been found that close drilling—100-ft. centers of holes, and sometimes less—is necessary in order to locate most of the smaller commercial ore bodies, many of which previously had been missed by drilling the areas with holes spaced 200-ft. centers or more. To date, geophysical and other methods of prospecting, apart from diamond and Mining Practices of the St. Joseph Lead Company in Southeast Missouri

Jan 1, 1943

By T. D. Thomas

In this paper, major attention is given to misfires in mines where electric multiple shot-firing is the system used. Misfires are sometimes caused by one action or condition and at other times by a combination of two or more. They may be divided into two classes: (1) those caused by workers in the mines, (2) mechanical or manufacturer's causes. The second cause will be discussed first. Misfires Caused by Faulty Detonators The important part of an electric blasting cap, to the user where multiple shot-firing is done, as in the steep-pitch, thiek-vein, anthracite mines, is the bridge wire. In single shot-firing this factor is not apparent, but in mines where multiple firing is done any variation in the resistance of the bridge wire, where full or even rated battery capacity is required, will most likely cause a misfire. The reason for this is obvious. If the resistance in the bridge wires is not the same, some of the detonators will fire because of their greater comparative resistance. Variance in resistance of bridge wires is caused by a slight difference in the diameter of the bridge wire, also by a difference in the composition of the bridge wires. Again, where the bridge wires have become rusted, there will be a variance in resistance. About the year 1922, one of the large coal companies was greatly alarmed by the number of serious and fatal accidents caused by misfires. The general manager issued an order that these accidents must be greatly reduced, and if possible, entirely prevented. The officials at the mines had to determine the various causes of misfires and have them corrected. The rock contractors who use large quantities of 60 to 80 per cent. explosives and do all firing electrically were thoroughly instructed as to the proper methods of doing their work, and closer supervision was given to their work. The manufacturer's representatives stressed the importance of the use of galvanometers; accordingly these were purchased and used. Larger firing lines were installed under the supervision of a demonstrator of the company manufacturing the caps and explosives. However, misfires again occurred and it was evident that the source of the trouble was not wholly

Jan 1, 1930

By W. H. Forbes

As permissible explosives and electric detonators are now generally recognized as the only safe means of blasting in coal mines, this paper is limited to their use. Causes of Misfires There are many different causes of misfires, but the principal ones are as follows: 1. Explosives which have deteriorated through improper storage either at the storage magazine, the distributing magazine, or at the working face. This is not only true of the explosive itself, but also of its detonating agent. 2. Improper priming and charging at the working face. This commonly occurs when the explosives are handled by inexperienced persons. 3. Improper methods of tamping; the leg wires of the detonator may be abraded or broken by the tamping bar or stick, thereby causing a short or broken circuit. 4. Faulty leading wire, or electrical apparatus of insufficient strength to explode the detonator. Prevention of Misfires Storage is an important factor, especially with permissibles of a nitrate or ammonia base. Both explosives and detonators should be stored in substantially built, fire-resisting magazines and should be situated so that the minimum amount of moisture and heat is present. They should be so constructed that a constant supply of fresh air enters; the floor of the magazine should be raised to permit the circulation of air under the stored explosives. Boxes should be stored top side up and in such a manner that the old explosives are used before those of a later delivery. This eliminates chance of deterioration from lengthy storage. Detonators should be similarly handled and stored. The distributing magazine stock should be regulated so that not more than one day's supply is on hand.

Jan 1, 1930

By A. W. Worthington

It would be futile in this short discussion to attempt to cover the subject of misfires with the thoroughness which it deserves. No effort is made to set forth a list of the many causes of misfires, nor to analyze the various preventives and methods of treatment which are advocated by those who are most interested in promoting good practice. These details, as well as the fundamentals, have been rather fully covered in many published articles based on years of experience in the manufacture and use of explosives and on research covering specific problems. We shall assume the knowledge of and familiarity with those many facts which have been proved beyond reasonable argument, and will discuss the problem of misfires as it has actually been experienced in the operation of the limestone quarries and underground mines of the Pittsburgh Limestone co. and its associated companies, which produce fluxing stone for the furnaces of the United States Steel Corpn. in the Pittsburgh district. These opinions are based on data compiled from written records at each of our operations, and they are concurred in by our assistant general manager in charge of operations, our safety director, and the superintendents at each of our plants, to whom we are indebted for assistance in gathering many of the data. Each of these men is not only interested in the subject but is fully capable of analyzing results obtained under his supervision. The entire subject of the proper storage and use of explosives, of which the problem of misfires is only a part, has been given a great deal of study. In this we have been aided by having the advantage of the publications of the U. S. Bureau of Mines. A number of the states have also, more recently, given to quarrying and general mining methods the attention which they deserve. Their findings should prove of value to the operators. We feel, further, that operators particularly owe gratitude to the various manufacturers of explosives for their thorough and intelligent study of the many problems relating not only to the manufacture but to the use of explosives, and for their willingness and efforts to disseminate the results of their investigations.

Jan 1, 1930

By J.B. Pullen

The United Verde mine is in the north central part of Arizona, on the northeasterly slope of the Black Hills, near the town of Jerome. Ore was first discovered in the district about 1875, and the first mining claims were located by M. A. Ruff-ner and associates in 1877. In 1888 the late Scnator William A. Clark secured control of the property and under his ownership it developed into one of the country's most important copper producers. The property was sold to the Phelps Dodge Corporation in 1935, and since then has been under this Corporation's management. Except for shutdowns caused by general world-market conditions, production has been continuous from 1890 to date. Geology The mineralized zone ranges in area from approximately 12 acres to less than 5 acres. All mineralization occurs in the pre--Cam-brian intrusives. The first intrusion, according to geologic records, was the quartz porphyry, which later was intruded by augite diorite. Following the diorite intrusion through a series of intrusions of lesser magnitude, a pipelike mass of massive sulphide, quartz and rock was formed. The diorite forms the hanging wall of this mass, and the porphyry the footwall. Between the footwall and the sulphide a band of chlorite schist was formed, probably owing to metamorphic conditions. Commercial ore occurs along the contact of the schist and sulphide extending into the sulphide, sometimes entirely through the schist, and fingering out into the porphyry. The ore deposit was formed by replacement similar to deposits formed in limestone areas. Faulting and deformation occurred in pre-Cambrian times and again in the Tertiary period, removing approximately 2000 ft. from the top of the main United Verde ore body, forming the United Verde Extension ore body, the only other major ore body in the district. Major development work has shown that the sulphide mass extends to the 3300-it. level, and diamond drilling below this level has indicated that the mass might extend below the 3700-ft. level, but in a diminished quantity. While many copper minerals exist in the mine, the chief commercial mineral is chalcopyrite. Aplan and vertical section of the mineralized zone showing the principal geological eatures is shown in Figs. I and 2. General Description and Physical Condition or Mine After over 50 years of active production, ore still exists on almost every level of the mine. This condition is due to many causes —-mine fires, which broke out as early as 1894, caused the abandonment of certain areas; subsidence and ground movements retarded the cleaning up of others. Furthermore, in the early days there was such an abundance of ore that when mining became dificult it was a simple matter to replace the production by going to a deeper level. Several attempts were made to recover the ore in the fire zone, both by glory-holing

Jan 1, 1943

By J. B. Pullen

The United Verde mine is in the north central part of Arizona, on the northeasterly slope of the Black Hills, near the town of Jerome. Ore was first discovered in the district about 1875, and the first mining claims were located by M. A. Ruff-ner and associates in 1877. In 1888 the late Scnator William A. Clark secured control of the property and under his ownership it developed into one of the country's most important copper producers. The property was sold to the Phelps Dodge Corporation in 1935, and since then has been under this Corporation's management. Except for shutdowns caused by general world-market conditions, production has been continuous from 1890 to date. Geology The mineralized zone ranges in area from approximately 12 acres to less than 5 acres. All mineralization occurs in the pre--Cam-brian intrusives. The first intrusion, according to geologic records, was the quartz porphyry, which later was intruded by augite diorite. Following the diorite intrusion through a series of intrusions of lesser magnitude, a pipelike mass of massive sulphide, quartz and rock was formed. The diorite forms the hanging wall of this mass, and the porphyry the footwall. Between the footwall and the sulphide a band of chlorite schist was formed, probably owing to metamorphic conditions. Commercial ore occurs along the contact of the schist and sulphide extending into the sulphide, sometimes entirely through the schist, and fingering out into the porphyry. The ore deposit was formed by replacement similar to deposits formed in limestone areas. Faulting and deformation occurred in pre-Cambrian times and again in the Tertiary period, removing approximately 2000 ft. from the top of the main United Verde ore body, forming the United Verde Extension ore body, the only other major ore body in the district. Major development work has shown that the sulphide mass extends to the 3300-it. level, and diamond drilling below this level has indicated that the mass might extend below the 3700-ft. level, but in a diminished quantity. While many copper minerals exist in the mine, the chief commercial mineral is chalcopyrite. Aplan and vertical section of the mineralized zone showing the principal geological eatures is shown in Figs. I and 2. General Description and Physical Condition or Mine After over 50 years of active production, ore still exists on almost every level of the mine. This condition is due to many causes —-mine fires, which broke out as early as 1894, caused the abandonment of certain areas; subsidence and ground movements retarded the cleaning up of others. Furthermore, in the early days there was such an abundance of ore that when mining became dificult it was a simple matter to replace the production by going to a deeper level. Several attempts were made to recover the ore in the fire zone, both by glory-holing

Jan 1, 1943