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By Joseph Pogue

IN 1920, 531 million barrels of crude petroleum were consumed in the United States. As imposing as this figure is, the fact that the domestic consumption of crude petroleum has increased at an average rate of 10 per cent. a year for the past decade is more striking. Will this rate of increase in demand continue? If so, the year 1930 will call for 1260 million barrels of petroleum-a staggering volume. On the other hand, may we expect the demand for petroleum to grow as rapidly as it did when the automotive industry was having its most phenomenal expansion? If not, to what extent will the growth of oil requirements decrease? When and to what degree will the petroleum industry become affected by the economic law of diminishing returns? Obviously, this matter requires careful analysis, especially as both national and industrial planning must be predicated upon present estimates of the requirements of the future. The purpose of this paper, accordingly, is to project, as closely as present limitations of knowledge permit, the course of the demand for petroleum in the United States over the next ten years. At first, the problem of estimating the future of a demand as complex as that for petroleum might appear insoluble. Fortunately, however, there are several scientific methods of approaching the problem, centering around a study of rates of industrial growth, which lend considerable hope that the requirements of the immediate future in this field may be approximated with sufficient closeness to have practical value as a basis of action.

Jan 3, 1922

GENERAL GEOLOGIC DESCRIPTION The Escalante silver deposit located in southwestern Utah is an epithermal vein system consisting of a hanging wall and footwall vein, straight along strike and dipping about 1.2 rad (70°). The veins consist of banded quartz and calcite fissure fillings between volcanic wall rock that are silicified for some distance outward from the vein. The walls of the veins are sharp and the silver values are irratically distributed through the various bands within the vein. Only very low grade values are to be found in the wall rock on either side. The portion of the veins above the water table have been somewhat leached, with some secondary enrichment below. The mineralogical zonation is variable due to a fluctuating water table through geologic time. SAMPLE MANAGEMENT AND COMPOSITE ASSAYS Sample data for the deposit was obtained from over 50 diamond drill holes, from channel samples cut at intervals across a drift, and from scattered surface trenches along the out- crop of the hanging wall vein. Fig. 13-1 is a surface plan map showing the vein outcrop and some diamond drill locations. Two cross sections through the vein are shown in Figs. 1 3-2 and 13-3. Nearly all of the diamond drill core of vein material was assayed in 0.3-m (I-ft) lengths, from which weighted composite assays were manually calculated for the horizontal thickness of the vein. The centers of the composited samples were plotted in north and east coordinates and by elevation, and locations and assay

Jan 1, 1980

By Philip Bucky

THE general conception of a mine model is that of a three-dimensional object representing the mine workings, the orebody and the country rock of a particular property. Its chief uses have been to make it easier to understand the mine and to serve as a basis for the arguing of legal questions. Fayol endeavored to use mine models in a different way and to all students of subsidence "Fayol's dome theory" is of decided interest. We have more recently the suggestion of Young and Stoek of the University of Illinois, who1 suggest the use of models as a means of studying the problem. Prof. Henry Briggs, of the University of Edinburgh and Herriott Watt College, also makes use of models to determine the effects of bending at the edges of extensive workings.2 It is interesting to note that civil engineers are taking a decided interest in the application of models and the principles of dynamic similarity to the solution of their problems. The Proceedings of the American Society of Civil Engineers for 1930 contain an elaborate article by Benjamin F. Groat,3 who says, in his opening remarks: "Every engineer should know and understand that a model constructed in accordance with Newton's theory of similarity is not only the means for reproducing the complexities of flow, or other mechanical action, on a small scale, but that models may be made the best means of designing works of great magnitude. In the present state of knowledge, a properly constructed and properly tested model will answer the difficult questions of hydrodynamics much more quickly and accurately than the most profound mathematical analyses." A study of P. W. Bridgman's book on Dimensional Analyses leads one to arrive at the same conclusion.

Jan 1, 1931

By A. L. Fentress, P. R. Bucky

The purpose of this paper is to present a scientific method for determining the proper span and shape of roof for safe and economical mining; at present, these two vital factors wherever pillars are left to support the roof are determined by local practice or general experience. To develop the method described here, experimental laboratory work was done. The arch adopted was a segment of a circle, a flat roof being considered an arch with an infinite radius. Hitherto, arches have been used underground without the background of stress analysis that generally precedes arch construction on the surface. In many cases results have not been as expected, because of the lack of knowledge of the factors affecting its strength and behavior. A theoretical and experimental study of arches should furnish information that will make it possible to design safe and economical surface structures as well as underground openings. For example, on the subject of mine drifts and tunnels, the present idea is that arching their backs increases their strength; this paper will indicate that this is not always true, and if it can be shown that under certain conditions arching becomes unnecessary an economic saving will result. In room-and-pillar work a question may arise as to whether arching the roof and gobbing the excavated material will result in timber saving, and a decrease in the dangers from falls of roof. It is to be distinctly understood that each mine must be treated as an individual problem, and that answers to these questions and many others can now be found after experimental laboratory data have been obtained. Mine-Arch Structure Fig. 1 shows the elements that affect the strength or behavior of the experimental arch. They are the span, crown thickness, radius of curvature, rise and restraint. The restraint in all cases was made sufficient to cause the arch to fail without displacing the restraining sides. Fig. 2a is a photograph of a model arch prepared for testing in the centri-

Jan 1, 1934

By H. F. McCullough

MECHANICAL loading and conveying equipment has been available for the coal-mining industry for more than twenty years. The earlier equip-ment-was admittedly crude and ill-fitted to perform its intended functions, but there are available today a variety of mechanical loaders and conveyors which may be said to be almost on a par with coal-cutting machines. Despite the fact that such equipment is available and that better and other types of equipment are continually being developed, mechanical loading of coal cannot yet be said to be economically successful, except in a few special cases. It is not an accomplished fact in the sense that machine cutting of coal and electric haulage are accomplished facts and a part of accepted practice. There are two general opinions why we have failed to obtain better results with mechanical loading and con-veying equipment. The equipment manufacturers will say that coal-mine operators have generally failed to establish and maintain the conditions required for suc-cess. The coal-mine operator says that the equipment is not adapted to cope with his specific conditions to the extent required for economically successful results. Just what is the objective of this movement toward mechanical loading? We speak of mechanical loading in such a way as to lead one to believe that we are mere-ly seeking a mechanical equivalent of the human loader and his shovel. Really, we are impressed with the fact that the coal-mining industry has not advanced toward greater productive efficiency to anything like the degree achieved by practically all of the other productive in-dustries, and we are seeking the means to remedy this. We have seen the advantages which follow the intro-duction of coal-cutters and electric haulage-locomotives. The loading of coal is the one major operation in coal mining which has not been mechanized. We believe that a satisfactory, mechanical substitute for the man with the shovel will help us increase our productive efficiency to the same degree as has been accomplished in the other productive industries.

Jan 3, 1927

By Chester Purington

PROBABLY no battleship of any great power save Japan could long remain in. the Pacific Ocean tinder present conditions, were it to depend for fuel supply on the hitherto developed coal or oil resources of any part of the adjoining lands in either hemisphere. This statement does not overlook the important but not inexhaustible oil fields of California, the bunker coals of British Columbia, nor the coals accessible and mined adjacent to Chinese water-ways. For both naval and merchant ships, however, modern practice seems to require high-grade Welsh or Pennsylvania bituminous even at great expense for transportation. Otherwise, we should not see British ships bunkering Welsh coal at Singapore nor the United States establishing a store of Pennsylvania coal at its naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Compared with Atlantic coals, the best Miike and Nagasaki (Japanese) bunker coal, the Kailan coal of China, and the Welling-ton and Nanaimo coals of British Columbia, are dis-tinctly inferior, as one can soon learn from the chief engineers on Pacific liners. In addition to the coal used for steaming and bunker purposes, it is of increasing importance that an adequate supply of coking coal for metallurgical purposes should be made available at reasonable prices at industrial centers on the west coast of America, and at Japanese and Chinese coastal cities. The use of Chinese coking coals for smelting the iron of the lower Yang-Tse deposits is by no means so satisfactory as could be desired, while the poor quality. of Japanese coals for coking purposes is well known. If Russia, as seems not improbable, is to become a power on the Pacific in the course of the next few decades, she will doubtless develop an iron and steel industry in the Maritime Province, where an adequate and accessible supply of iron ore will necessitate a supply of coking coal.

Jan 9, 1923

By Joseph E. Pogue

In 1920, 531 million barrels of crude petroleum were coi~sumed in the United States. As imposing as this figure is, the fact that the domestic consumption of crude petroleum has increased at an average rate of 10 per cent. a year for the past decade is more striking. Will this rate of increase in demand continue? If so, the year 1930 will call for 1260 million barrels of petroleum—a staggering volume. On the other hand, may we expect the demand for petroleum to grow as rapidly as it did when the automotive industry was having its most phenomenal expansion? If not, to what extent will the growth of oil requirements decrease? When and to what degree will the petroleum industry become affected by the economic law of diminishing returns? Obviously, this matter requires careful analysis, especially as both national and industrial planning must be predicated upon present estimates of the requirements of the future. The purpose of this paper, accordingly, is to project, as closely as present limitations of knowledge permit, the course of the demand for petroleum in the United States over the next ten years. At first, the problem of estimating the future of a demand as complex as that for petroleum might appear insoluble. Fortunately, hon~ever, therc are several scientific methods of approaching the problem, centering around a study of rates of industrial growth, which lend considerable hope that the requirements of the immediate future in this field may be approximated with sufficient closeness to have practical value as a basis of action. Growth oF Petroleum Demand The demand for crude petroleum is the resultant of the demands for the products made jointly from this substance—gasoline, kerosene, gas and fuel oil, and lubricating oils. The demands for these have grown at

Jan 1, 1923

By Joseph E. Pogue

In 1920, 531 million barrels of crude petroleum were coi~sumed in the United States. As imposing as this figure is, the fact that the domestic consumption of crude petroleum has increased at an average rate of 10 per cent. a year for the past decade is more striking. Will this rate of increase in demand continue? If so, the year 1930 will call for 1260 million barrels of petroleum—a staggering volume. On the other hand, may we expect the demand for petroleum to grow as rapidly as it did when the automotive industry was having its most phenomenal expansion? If not, to what extent will the growth of oil requirements decrease? When and to what degree will the petroleum industry become affected by the economic law of diminishing returns? Obviously, this matter requires careful analysis, especially as both national and industrial planning must be predicated upon present estimates of the requirements of the future. The purpose of this paper, accordingly, is to project, as closely as present limitations of knowledge permit, the course of the demand for petroleum in the United States over the next ten years. At first, the problem of estimating the future of a demand as complex as that for petroleum might appear insoluble. Fortunately, hon~ever, therc are several scientific methods of approaching the problem, centering around a study of rates of industrial growth, which lend considerable hope that the requirements of the immediate future in this field may be approximated with sufficient closeness to have practical value as a basis of action. Growth oF Petroleum Demand The demand for crude petroleum is the resultant of the demands for the products made jointly from this substance—gasoline, kerosene, gas and fuel oil, and lubricating oils. The demands for these have grown at

Jan 1, 1923

By E. J. Quinn, M. F. Fogler

In a recent paper, Rawdon and Mutchlerl gave some exceptionally interesting results on the Brinell and scratch hardness of severely cold-worked metals. In their work, they found that, on continued cold rolling, the metal hardened up to a particular point and then reversed and became softer; this was true for both Brinell and scratch hardness values. The generally reported behavior2 of metals, with respect to Brinell tests on cold-worked material, is that the metals harden up to a certain point and then, on further cold rolling, no change in Brinell hardness occurs. Jeffries and Archer3 state that there is little difference between the scratch hardness of annealed and cold-worked metals; the work of Faust and Tammann4 also indicated no difference between the hardness of annealed and cold-worked copper. Rawdon and Mutchler found, when they plotted the reduction ratio (initial thickness divided by thickness after rolling) against the hardness value for the cold-rolled material, that the hardness number increased up to a reduction ratio of about 3 and then decreased and became even smaller than that for the annealed metal. This behavior was reported for both scratch and Brinell hardness; Figs. 1 and 2 show their results for Brinell hardness on the metals for which they published data. This is an exceptionally interesting phenomenon, if it occurs under all conditions of rolling, and would have an important bearing on the practice of cold

Jan 1, 1925

By C. K. Leith

QUOTING from Dr. Richard T. Ely:1 "Conservation, narrowly and strictly considered, means the preservation in unimpaired efficiency of the resources of the earth; or in a condition so nearly unimpaired as the nature of the case, or Wise exhaustion, admits. And broadly considered, it means more than the word itself implies, for it naturally includes an examination of methods Whereby the natural inheritance of the human race may be improved; and still more broadly considered, and as used in popular discussion, it includes a treatment of the effects of productive conservation methods upon distribution. "Conservation means a sacrifice of the present generation to the future generations Whenever it is carried too far. There is a sharp limit to the economic sacrifice that we may reasonably ask the private person to make for even the present Welfare, and the limit is still sharper when we come to consider the interests of future generations." In a paper on the iron ores of America, presented to the Pan-American Scientific Congress at Washington, I have emphasized the fact that the reserves of iron ores in the two Americas are enormously in excess of the requirements of the present generation, in fact, so large that no shortage is to be anticipated for many generations in the future; that a large part of the value of iron ores is put into them by man's efforts to make them available. This fact is fundamental for the intelligent consideration of- policies of conservation as applied to iron ore. As I interpret it, this fact makes it practically unnecessary that the present generation should make any especial sacrifice for future generations in the way of conservation of its iron-ore resources. Even if we were disposed to look forward to a period of 100 or 200 years, with a view to insuring the welfare of the people living at that time, it is doubtful whether any procedure we could now formulate would materially help them in the matter of iron ores, so large are the reserves available. In order that an appeal for conservation may be effective it must obviously favor the welfare of the present or immediately following generations; it must promise benefits to general and individual welfare during a period within the range of comprehension of the average man.

Jan 2, 1916

By I. R. M. Chatson

Radial layout's guiding principle is the grouping under one roof of the operating processes which require continuous supervision. Separate treatment sections are isolated by outside stockpiles fed with radiating conveyors. Hence the name "radial" layout. Many plants are designed with "linear" layout where successive operating stages are dotted like beads along a string of conveyors.

Jan 11, 1978

By C. K. Leith

Conservation, narrowly and strictly considered, means the preservation in unimpaired efficiency of the resources of the earth; or in a condition so nearly unimpaired as the nature of the case, or wise exhaustion, admits. And broadly considered, it means more than the word itself implies, for it naturally includes an examination of methods whereby the natural inheritance of the human race may be improved; and still more broadly considered. and as used in popular discussion, it includes a treatment of the effects of productive conservation methods upon distribution. "Conservation means a sacrifice of the present generation to the future generations whenever it is carried too far. There is a sharp limit to the economic sacrifice that we may reasonably ask the private person to make for even the present welfare, and the limit is still sharper when we come to consider the interests of future generations." In a paper on the iron ores of America, presented to the Pan-American Scientific Congress at Washington, I have emphasized the fact that the reserves of iron ores in the two Americas are enormously in excess of the requirements of the present generation, in fact, so large that no shortage is to be anticipated for many generations in the future; that a large part of the value of iron ores is put into them by man's efforts to make them available. This fact is fundamental for the intelligent consideration of policies of conservation as applied to iron ore. As I interpret it, this fact makes it practically unnecessary that the present generation should make any especial sacrifice for future generations in the way of conservation of its iron-ore resources. Even if we were disposed to look forward to a period of 100 or 200 years, with a view to insuring the welfare of the people living at that time, it is doubtful whether any procedure we could now formulate would materially help them in the matter of iron ores, so large are the reserves available. In order that an appeal for conservation may be effective it must obviously favor the welfare of the present or immediately following generations; it must promise benefits to general and individual welfare during a period within the range of comprehension of the average man.

Jan 1, 1916

THE Bergbüchlein and Probierbüchlein occupy a unique position in the literature of mining and metallurgy, for, they are the first printed books on any aspect of the two related professions. The first printed book on any subject has an allure that may not be entirely warranted by the strict historical significance of its contents. Among the books of the first century of printing there are very few that contain information that was new at the time of publication. Much' of what they recorded had been previously circulated in manuscript form. Printed books are nevertheless of great value because they mark the time when the author's words, free from errors-or at least with the same errors-became available to large numbers, of readers, who thus could easily and cheaply acquire a common background for their future work. Moreover, though there is occasionally some doubt as to the exact year of publication'(as in the case of the present works), it is generally easier to date a printed work than a manuscript, and thus to provide a fixed coördinate in history. The Bergbüchlein, "The Little Book on Ores," is the first printed work in the field of mining. It is an introduction to mining geology, which means that it was not addressed to the practicing expert but was intended to rouse the interest of beginners in the various aspects of a future vocation. It touches on the theories of the generation of ores, introduces and defines some of the most frequently encountered technical terms of the profession, and indicates what knowledge and tools are required for successful prospecting and mining. It also describes the ores of the seven most important metals. For those parts that deal with theory the author accepted uncritically the traditional teachings of the alchemists and the astrologers; his hints on where to find promising ores are based partly on superstition; but, there is enough factual,

Jan 1, 1949

By Lyall Zickrick

NUMEROUS brands of virgin pig lead are used in the manufacture of lead and lead-alloy cable sheath for commercial cables. In changing from one brand of pig lead to another a readjustment of press operating conditions is nearly always necessary. This is due largely to different flow characteristics, and some brands extrude at a much lower pressure than others; for example, copper-bearing lead requires much more pressure than a low-bismuth lead under the same operating conditions. With the modern type of lead press the extrusion practice in general differs very little. Molten lead at a temperature of 375° to 400° C. (710° to 750° F.) is cast in a water-cooled cylinder and allowed to cool or solidify into a slug for six to nine minutes. . This slug is forced into the die block and around the core tube through which the cable runs. The die block is held at an optimum temperature by means of gas flames, usually 175° to 225° C. (350° to 4.35° F.). Measurements of the tem¬perature of the cable sheath taken at the time of extrusion have covered a range of 190° to 225° C. (375° to 435° F.). According to Tammann, the rate of extrusion for a metal under constant pressure through a simple orifice is almost doubled for each 10° C. rise in temperature. Because of the irregularity of die-block construction, such a great increase is not obtained in lead-cable extrusion practice. To obtain more" definite information about the effect of small per¬centages of metals usually present as impurities in virgin pig lead, a series of compression tests were made covering several different brands of lead and various alloys. Since the usual temperature of the sheath is approxi¬mately 200.° C. as it emerges from the die block, these compression tests were all performed at 200° C. Five different brands of virgin pig lead were selected, as follows: Brand A: A desilverized western lead of very high purity. This lead contains neither copper nor bismuth. Brand B: A bismuth-free southeastern Missouri lead, usually con¬taining 0.05 to 0.08 per cent copper. Brand C: A copper-free mid-western desilverized lead of very good grade, usually containing around 0.06 to 0.10 per cent bismuth.

Jan 1, 1932

By Richard Moldenke

One of the little-known characteristics of cast iron, which nevertheless has an important bearing on results where accuracy in machining is essential, is the ability of this material to ease up internal strains when allowed to remain quiescent for a more or less extended period of time. It seems as if the molecules in such a casting, by virtueof their "mobility," can adjust their relative positions to an extent sufficient to overcome some of the existing stresses. The following instance will perhaps give a fair idea of the condition a casting may be in when just shaken out of the sand. A very large sheave-wheel, after shaking out, was taken outdoors to be cleaned and made ready for turning up. It was leaned against the side of the building, but before much could be done an arm tore apart with a loud report. Investigation showed that the sun had been shining on the upper rim, thus adding a slight strain to those already existing within the arm and thus overbalancing the strength of the metal in tension. Had this sheave been kept under cover for a while, or at least until machined, the strains would have eased off sufficiently to allow the sun to look upon it without disaster. It will not be necessary to multiply examples. Every engineer knows the danger of water-hammer in pipe lines, particularly if the latter are of cast iron. Every mechanic knows, or should know, that it is not good to strike a fitting that is under steam pressure. It will be necessary to say a few words on the "internal strains" in castings—the so-called "casting strains" we hear so much about. We all know that to get a casting reasonably true to the dimensions wanted requires a slightly larger pattern. The usual allowance for gray iron is 1/8 in. to the foot (1 cm. per meter) and 1/4 in. to the foot (2 cm. per meter) for white iron (all dimensions). This reduction in length, breadth and thickness in a casting is erroneously called "shrinkage." It should be called "contraction," as for practical purposes it is simply the difference in dimensions of the casting red-hot and cold. The real "shrinkage" covers an entirely different situation. When a

Jan 1, 1917

By R. I. Jaffee, H. R. Ogden, D. J. Maykuth

Phase diagrams for the Ti-W and Ti-Ta systems were determined. The Ti-W system is characterized by a wide, two-phase region of ß plus tungsten which is derived from a peritectic reaction between the liquid and tungsten solid solutions. The ß field terminates in a eutectoid reaction between a titanium and tungsten terminal solid solution. Tantalum and ß titanium form a complete series of solid solutions. Other features of this system are the extensive a-ß field at low temperatures and an appreciable solubility of tantalum in a titanium. BOTH tungsten and tantalum were first thought to form ß-isomorphous systems with titanium as a result of early work' using powder-metallurgical techniques. Later work2 on arc-melted Ti-Ta alloys, made using a commercial titanium base, showed that, in the range of 0 to 10 pct, tantalum was soluble in ß titanium and that the a solubility extended to between 2 and 5 pct Ta at 790 °C. The present investigation covered the entire alloy range in both systems and was chiefly concerned with high-purity alloys at the titanium-rich end. The constitution of titanium-rich alloys made with a commercial titanium base was reported by Holla-day, Kura, and Jackson.3, 4 As will be shown in detail later, the early prediction of a isomorphism was true for the case of the Ti-Ta system, but not for the Ti-W system. The results of this investigation will be presented first. The experimental methods used are described in the Appendix. Ti-W System The entire Ti-W phase diagram is shown in Fig. 1. Details of the titanium-rich side are shown in Fig. 2. The chief features of the system are a ß eutectoid and a high-temperature peritectic between liquid and tungsten solid solution. Melting Range: Examination of cast structures of low and medium-tungsten-content ingots showed cored ß phase as the primary constituent. Fig. 3a illustrates a typical cast structure for alloys in the range of 20 to 30 pct W. From 30 to 72 pct W, coring was very severe. Alloys containing 72 through 88 pct W, however, showed definite evidence of a peritectic reaction between the liquid and a terminal solid solution of titanium in tungsten. Fig. 3b shows the cast structure for an 80 pct W alloy. A 95 pct W alloy, shown in Fig. 4, consisted primarily of primary tungsten solid solution plus a small quantity of ß probably rejected during cooling. Incipient-melting experiments located the peritectic temperature between 1850" and 1900°C and indicated that the reacting phases are liquid containing about 25 pct W and tungsten terminal solid solution containing about 8 pct Ti. Figs. 5 and 6

Jan 1, 1954

INTRODUCTION Mineral explorationists range throughout the world looking for mineral deposits which can subsequently be made into mines. Mines are not found! Mines are made, usually at great cost and not often without significant risk. The process of making a mineral deposit into a mine involves a great deal more than a complete appraisal of the deposit. The making of a mine demands detailed feasibility studies of many factors, any one of which, if shown to be negative, could prevent the deposit from becoming a successful mine. Total feasibility analysis involves at least three major fields of study: (1) economic analysis, (2) financial analysis, and (3) political and environmental analysis. Economic analysis is essential for proper decision making at many stages in the evaluation of a mineral deposit. It is the yardstick by which the proposed mining project and alter- native investment opportunities are measured. Economic analysis is concerned with costs and potential profits and can be applied at various stages in the evaluation of a mineral deposit to determine if the project merits the additional funds necessary to bring about each succeeding stage. The nearer any deposit approaches to becoming a mine, the more carefully the economic analysis should be made. Financial analysis has reference to how, where, and at what cost the investment funds can be obtained to finance the proposed mine project. Political and environmental analysis has reference to the many intangible factors that can affect the making of a successful mine. These factors loom larger today than ever before, due to the profusion of government regulations and various environmental constraints now imposed upon the mineral industry both by law and by the weight of public opinion. Ultimately, many of these intangible factors can be resolved back into the economic analysis as an added cost to mine development, but more and more often they have become insurmountable obstacles to any development of certain deposits. The role of financial analysis and the analysis of intangible factors must never be underestimated when making a feasibility study upon which to base investment decisions; however, the emphasis of this text will be upon economic factors. THE PARAMETERS OF MINERAL ECONOMIC ANALYSIS The two major elements of economic analysis are: 1) The potential earnings or annual generated cash flow of the project. 2) The investment costs necessary to realize such earnings. If the difference between the two elements is large enough, i.e., if the return on investment from the cash flow is high enough to attract investors, the project can be said to be financially feasible. The mineral economic analysis must take into consideration many parameters, some of which are known or knowable within certain limits, and others of which are unknown or unpredictable within certain limits and for which estimates must be made. Because both known and estimated parameters enter into the same analytical computations, it is important for the analyst to realize the nature of each when considering the results of an analysis. Some parameters such as the grade of mining block, although estimated, are said to be known within mathematically defined limits. Other parameters, such as the future price for minerals produced, etc., can only be estimated or "guestimated" within reasonable limits for which no precision can be assigned. Known or Knowable Mineral Economic Parameters Known or knowable parameters are: 1) Tonnage and grade of valuable minerals for the total mineral body and for individual mining blocks. 2) Metallurgical recovery of valuable mineral. 3) Minimum operating life of mineral de- posit at any specified production rate. 4) Royalty schedule, property payments, etc. 5) Sales-purchasing agreements, smelter schedules, marketing contracts, etc.

Jan 1, 1980

By L. Douglass Anderson

For some years past the annual reviews of the metallurgy of lead have almost uniformly stated that there have been no great changes, such as there were being more particularly noticeable in the refinement of details. While this is quite true, nevertheless these changes in details are gradually bringing about a condition that, taken as a whole, constitutes a considerable advance in the art. Local circumstances have often compelled metallurgists to adopt certain peculiarities of practice which upon trial have been found advantageously applicable to more than the restricted district of origin. This paper will deal with some of the more novel features developed in recent years at the United States smelter, Midvale, Utah, particularly with reference to the influence of the bag house. The plant is equipped with six blast furnaces, 48 by 160 in., mechanically fed; four Wedge furnaces for roasting matte and sulphide ores; four Dwight-Lloyd sintering machines; 20 converter boxes for blast roasting; storage bins for ore, fuel, and fluxes; "oxide" and "sulphide" sampling mills; bag house taking all the gases of the plant; arsenic plant for treating the dust gathered there; laboratory, shops, etc. The most marked feature of the plant is its complete bag-house system. Of the many schemes thus far tried for preventing damage to surrounding agricultural interests the writer is aware of none as yet quite as efficient as the bag house. A common remark of visitors upon approaching the plant and viewing the clear stacks is that it appears to be shut down, whereas once inside all the evidences of industry are found. Bag-housing blast-furnace gases presents no peculiar difficulties. The gases from properly run furnaces are comparatively cool, contain scarcely a trace of acid and do not burn the filtering medium. All that is required is a proper mechanical design of the bag house and its accessories, the provision of ample filtering area, and of convenient means for handling and treating the product. While cotton or duck bags have been used, on the whole woolen bags woven of the raw wool appear to give sufficiently longer life to warrant their heavier expense. As for the filtering

Jan 1, 1915

By E. M. Wise

The practice of adding moderate quantities of nickel to a variety of bronzes has been employed by foundrymen for many years with several objects in view. In some instances it was desired to harden the alloy; in others it was to increase the fluidity or to improve the solidity of the castings, or to refine their grain. These important matters have been considered in detail by Pilling and Kihlgrenl and by numerous other workers cited by them, and with the exception of the first will not be considered in the present communication. The possibility of reducing the cost of bronze by replacing a portion of the tin with nickel received attention some years ago by Burgess and Woodward12 and, as will be shown later, offers attractive savings in cost under present conditions. The age-hardening characteristics of the nickel bronzes of appropriate compositions have been known for some time and were mentioned by Price, Grant and Phillips3 and discussed by Wise4 in connection with their paper. These matters are further considered in recent patents15 and are becoming of commercial importance in the production of high-strength castings. The equilibrium relations existing in the high-copper region of the copper-nickel-tin system have been carefully studied by Eash and Upthegrove,6 and in somewhat less detail by Veszelka.7 The observa-

Jan 1, 1934

By C. M. Boss

Throughout the Lake Superior Basin each of the great ironranges, from which vast quantities of iron-ore have been, and are now being mined, presents characteristics differing from each and all of the others. One of the most peculiar of these varying features is found in the dikes of the Gogebic range. From an economical standpoint this feature of the dikes has been studied by our practical mining men more than any other geological phenomena in connection with the deposits of merchantable iron-ore. In the greater portion of our mines these dikes appear to form the riffles in the sluice of the ore formation, against which the particles of iron oxide are deposited in the process of concentration out of the quartzose matrix which is termed the ironbearing formation. In composition these dikes are apparently of a dioritic formation, more or less altered and decomposed, comparatively soft, and sometimes almost steatitic. While frequently showing something of a cleavage in the direction of their pitch, they are devoid of parallel laminæ, and when broken assume the form of irregular angular fragments. They are generally of nil ashy grey color, but sometimes at great depth are found to be quite dark, almost black, and of a very hard massive nature, showing radial or fibrous crystallization. Practically all of the dikes thus far discovered in the iron formation are approximately at right-angles with the dip of the formation, and the greater number of them have an average easterly dip of from fifteen to eighteen degrees. Sometimes, however, they are folded in such a manner as to form long synclinal basins; but while their western or initial extremity is fre-

Jan 1, 1898