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By Knapp. Arthur

THE ORDINARY well log is subjected to a great deal of criticism, much of which is well founded. Sometimes, though, the difficulty in interpreting the log is due to the fact that the geologist or engineer using the logs does not know the limitations of the drilling method used. The rotary drill, especially, has inherent limitations that make it difficult, to secure .definite information at all times. The identification of well-defined key beds is about all that can be expected from the rotary log. The formation in a drilled hole, as reported by the driller; has a direct relation to the speed with which the drill makes the hole or to the reaction of the various strata on the bit, called the "feel of the bit." When this is not thoroughly understood by the geologist or engineer endeavoring to interpret the log, the result is an erroneous correlation with other wells or a discarding of the log as worthless. GENERAL TERMS Hard and Soft.-Hard and soft are relative terms. In the case of well logs, they are very misleading as they are used in connection with both resistance to abrasion and resistance to percussion. In technical rock classification, hardness is relative resistance to abrasion. The term brittleness is used in connection with resistance to blows. These terms are misleading to the geologist or engineer who is not familiar with both the cable-tool, or standard tool, method of drilling and the rotary method. In the case of the standard tools, the driller's report of the hardness of the formation is in terms of its resistance to blows. For instance, a cable-tool driller might be able to make from 30 to 50 ft. a tour in a brittle limestone, which he would call soft and at the same time he might call a relatively soft (from a purely mineralogical standpoint) gypsum hard, because it is somewhat elastic and is not readily broken by blows. The rotary driller would reverse the terms. The limestone is hard in that it resists the abrasive action of the bit, while the gypsum might be soft in that it is readily cut by the rotary bit. It is rare that wells drilled by the

Jan 2, 1920

By Clinton H. Crane

IN October, 1925, J. R. Finlay delivered an address entitled, "The Future Price of Lead." Lead was then selling at 8.85c. and Mr. Finlay and most of the rest of us were concerned about the shortage. Now, a little more than six years after, lead is selling for 3.55c., and nobody is worrying about the difficulty of getting plenty of it. For 1931 the U. S. G. S. reports United States produc¬tion as 390,000 tons of recoverable lead in ore. Our estimate is slightly higher than this; nearer 400,000 tons. This is the smallest production since 1911 and 1912, but in spite of this, stocks for the year-have increased nearly 50,000 tons. Our estimate for the production outside the United States is 1,120,000 tons, or more than double the production of either 1920 or 1921, and 30 per cent more than in 1913. Stocks abroad probably have not increased more than stocks in the United States. In other words, foreign consumption is double what it was in 1.920-21, whereas domestic consumption is substantially less. It looks as if Mr. Krueger, president of the Swedish match trust, was right when he said that "This country had better stop worrying about Europe and think a little bit more about its own affairs."

Jan 1, 1932

By Thomas T. Read

The purpose of the following research, as originally planned, was to investigate the influence of temperature upon the plate¬amalgamation process. In order to consider the amalgamation process intelligently, it was first necessary to learn the nature of an amalgam. In the performance of this task it was found necessary to consult a large volume of literature and to perform experimental investigations. The conceptions of the nature of amalgams thus obtained have so important a bearing on the amalgamation-process as a whole, as well as upon the possible influences of temperature, that it was advisable to include them in the treatment of the subject. The broader title is therefore used, even though some features of the amalgamation process have been treated very briefly and others entirely omitted, there being nothing new to present regarding them and their development not required for a clear presentation of the matter in hand. I. HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION. Gold was one of the earliest metals known to man. Occurring in the metallic state, it could be picked up in nuggets or washed, as gold dust, front the sand and gravel of streams. Interesting descriptions of the processes employed in early times for the recovery of gold may be found in Pliny's Natural History and in the treatise by Agricola on ores and minerals. But little progress in the treatment of the ores of gold was possible until efficient -crushing machines were devised. This want was supplied by the introduction, about the beginning of the sixteenth century, of the stamp mill to treat the ores of Saxony. Blanket strikes, or similar devices, were used to catch the

May 1, 1906

By J. E. Lamar

THAT Illinois is an important mineral producing state is well known. A value of over $237,000,000 for the mineral products in 1926 indicates the magnitude of the industries. Coal mining is the largest mineral industry, and the value of its product was about 63 per cent of the total mineral production of the state. Oil and gas constituted about 8 per cent and the non-metallic minerals about 29 per cent. This 29 per cent represents the production of a varied group of mineral industries of wide geographic distribution through the state.

Jan 1, 1929

By R. W. Ludt, C. C. DeWitt

The use of froth flotation for the separation of minerals has become one of the most important of ore dressing processes. Its particular adaptability to the enrichment of low grade ores has made the process an important factor in the national economy. The methods have been extended to the recovery of a great number of minerals. Among the few minerals which have resisted efforts toward industrial flotation is chrysocolla, a hydrated partly colloidal copper silicate. Chrysocolla, being a product of natural oxidation, has been found to occur in small quantities with many ores which are recovered by flotation methods. In present practice, these small quantities of copper silicate pass off with the tailings and are lost. The advantages to be gained by a satisfactory process for the recovery of chrysocolla is apparent. Any application of principles which points a way toward the satisfactory industrial flotation process for copper silicate would be of advantage. This paper presents an attack on this problem. Two methods for the recovery of chrysocolla have been developed by the United States Bureau of Mines.1,2 They have been successful on a laboratory scale but have been seriously restricted in industrial application by critical requirements in the procedure. In one of the Bureau of Mines methods,' the ore is activated with sodium or hydrogen sulphide in an aqueous solution at a pH of 4. Amy1 xanthate is then used as a collector with pine oil as a frother in the flotation process. An excess of sulphide acts as a depressant and the state of optimum conditions is difficult to control industrially. In the second Bureau of Mines method,2 soap is used as the collector at a pH of between 8 and 9. The diffi- culties with this process are that soap is not a specific collector, that heavy metal or alkaline earth ions cause the formation of insoluble soaps, and that a more acid solution causes the formation of a free acid which does not act as a collector for chrysocolla. The problem of recovering chrysocolla by flotation involves the selection of a suitable collector. The collector molecule must be composed of an active polar group that has an attraction for chrysocolla, and of a hydrocarbon chain. Certain dyes have been shown to have an attraction for certain minerals. Suida3 found that hydrated silicates are colored by basic dyes. Dittler4 showed that chrysocolla, among other colloidal minerals of acid reaction, preferentially takes up such basic dyes as fuchsin B, methylene blue, and methyl green. Endell5 gave information to show that the colloidal material in clay may be determined by its selective adsorption of fuchsin. A simple experiment, likewise, illustrates the difference in the adsorptive power of chrysocolla and of silica for the basic triphenyl methane dyes. When a mixture of chrysocolla and silica is immersed in a very dilute dye solution, less than 5 ppm, the chryso-colla is rapidly dyed and the silica is dyed more slowly. The difference is substantial but one of degree. Dean2 showed that the dyes, crystal violet and toluidine blue, are taken up by quartz in an adsorption type process. The difference in the adsorptive power, however, offers the means by which a new collector may act. To form such a collector, a hydrocarbon chain must be attached to the dye molecule. This involves a process of organic synthesis. Butyl, hexyl, and octyl hydrocarbon chains were selected for substitution in the malachite green molecule. For the purpose of identification, the alkyl-substituted dyes formed are called: butyl-malachite green; hexyl- malachite green; and octyl-malachite green. An outline of the procedure for their synthesis is given in the appendix. It is generally recognized in the preparation of this type of dye that the chemical structure of some of the dye molecules varies. However, a uniform formula is attributed to the dye. Such a procedure has been followed in specifying the structure of these alkyl-substi-tuted malachite green dyes. The structure is given on the basis of their properties as an homologous series of dyes, on their method of preparation, and on the purity of intermediates used. Structure of substituted alkyl malachite green is: C6H4 N(CH3)2 p-R C6H4 CH C6H4 N(CH)2 Procedure The flotation cell is a Bureau of Mines 100-g, batch unit provided with an air inlet at the bottom above which is a variable speed agitator. The agi-

Jan 1, 1950

By AIME AIME

MEXICO embraces one of the great metal and petroleum producing provinces of the world. In this respect its history dates back to the overthrow of the Aztec empire by a Spanish force under Hernando Cortes between 1519 and 1.521. Even before then, its richness in silver and other minerals was not unknown. But it was a treasure house for the Spanish conquerors until the country became independent in 1821. It has been computed that in the 400 years following 1521, Mexico yielded 1.55,000 metric tons of silver, worth $3,000,000,000, two-thirds of the entire world production. In 1935 the country accounted for 36 per cent of the world's silver output, 14 per cent of its antimony (in 1934), 13 per cent of its lead, 3 per cent of its zinc and copper, and 21/2 per cent of its petroleum. Contrary to the impression of some, its gold output is now comparatively small, though important in the past. Its oil, as well, formerly hulked much larger than now, in 1921 being one-fourth of the world output.

Jan 1, 1936

By Arthur L. Bishop

INTRODUCTION Purpose The in-situ leach method for uranium extraction is a relatively new and innovative method of uranium mining. In 1975, the first commercial in-situ facility began operation in south Texas. Since that time numerous other operations have been initiated as either pilot or commercial ventures. Considerable literature has been published that deals primarily with generalities of the process or environmental concerns. Several federal agencies have published documents which do not reflect the true operating or environmental nature of the in-situ leach method of uranium extraction. From an environmental standpoint, this is also evident in the promulgation of rules and regulations. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to present experience with an environmental concern--non- production zone excursions--such that the industry and the regulatory agencies will gain greater insight devoid of preconceived ideas and misconceptions. General Process Description In south Texas, in-situ leach mining is utilized to extract uranium from permeable sandstone ore deposits 61 to 213 meters (200 to 700 feet) below the surface. Uranium is present as an insoluble uranium oxide. In the in-situ or solution mining technique, anoxidizing lixiviant is injected into the formation through injection wells. The solution reacts with the insol uble carbonate complex. This soluble uranium complex is produced at recovery wells, each containing a submersible pump. During production there is a constant sweeping of lixiviant through the formation from the injection wells to the recovery wells. Injection and recovery wells can be arranged in any of a number of geometric patterns dependent upon ore body configuration, aquifer permeability, and operator preference. Submersible pumps in the recovery wells pump the uranium rich pregnant solution to the initial processing facility. Monitor wells surrcsund the pattern area and are screened in appropriate stratigraphic horizons (production and non-production zones) to detect any lixiviant migration that may occur (Fig. 1).

Jan 1, 1980

POSITIONS VACANT (Under this heading will be published notes sent to the Secretary of the Institute by members or other persons.) Superintendent for iron mine operated on the sub-level and caving system. Small output, moderate salary. Location, Southern State. No. 45. Chemist to sample and analyze iron ore. Experience in other branches not essential. Location, Southern State. No. 46. ENGINEERS AVAILABLE (Under this heading will be published notes sent to the Secretary of the Institute by members or other persons introducd by members.) Experienced mine superintendent desires position. Several years' experience in practical management of mining and development work. Has also practiced ass consulting engineer and is thoroughly experienced in the examination and development of mining properties. Mexican experience. Will go anywhere for reliable concern. Salary moderate. References. No. 254. Member, mechanical superintendent, wants position. Has had 12 years' experience as master mechanic of smelting plants in United States and Mexico. Also superintendent of shops doing marine, mining, and general contracting work. . Experienced in manufacture of mining tools and equipment. Up to the minute in copper, lead, and zinc smelting. Has learned a learned a great deal, can forget much, and has the inclination and ability to learn more. Best of references. No. 255.

Jan 10, 1915

By Augustus Locke

San Francisco Meeting, October, 1911.) Two Opposed Interpretations of the Tonopah Structure.-The important geological publications concerning the Tonopah mining-district are those of Spurr 1 and of Burgess.2 In these publications are presented fundamental differences of interpretation, which are the more interesting because both authorities have had ample opportunity for observation, and because both are geologists of proved ability. I was vastly puzzled to know which had the better of it, and in order that I might reach a conclusion in my own mind, I recently spent some time in the district going over the physical evidence. Surprising as it may seem, this evidence looks agreeably conclusive. A review of it will, I believe, be of interest to those who are familiar with the previous publications. The general geological features of Tonopah are shown in Fig. 1, and the differences of interpretation referred to are outlined in the accompanying notes. Briefly, Burgess regards the various rocks as flows, lying in the order of their deposition. Spurr regards them in part as flows, and in part as flat-lying intrusives. The disagreement, then, concerns the rocks regarded on the one hand as intrusives, and, on the other hand, as flows. These rocks are chiefly the so-called calcitic andesite, the upper rhyolite, and the lower rhyolite. Economic Importance of the Question of Interpretation.-The economic importance of the question of interpretation is, of course, limited to its bearing on the probable distribution of 1 Geology of the Tonopah Mining District, Nevada, Professional Paper No. 42, U. S. Geological Survey (1905). Report on the Geology of the Property of the Montana-Tonopah Mining Co. (1910). An abstract of this report is given in the Mining and Scientific Press, vol. cii., No. 16,p. 560 (Apr. 22, 1911). 2 The Geology of the Producing Part of the Tonopah Mining District, Economic Geology, vol. iv., No. 8, pp. 681 to 712 (Dec., 1909).

Feb 1, 1912

By AIME AIME

THE first meeting" of the Iron and Steel Division was held Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 17, with nearly 100 men present and C. B. Murray as chairman. This was a round table discussion of iron ore beneficiation and of its relation to blast-furnace operations, and only one paper was presented, by Clyde E. Williams. Mr. Williams discussed the future of the Lake Superior district in its relation to the iron and steel industry. He stated that although estimates had shown that the total life of the present known iron ore reserves of the Lake Superior district was 20 to 30 years and that many believed that as a result of this depletion foreign ores would be brought to the Atlantic Seaboard, thus causing a displacement of the steel industry to the East, he believed that the Lake Superior district would continue to be the important producer of iron ore used in this country for decades beyond the predicted time before the exhaustion of the present known reserves. He described the three general types of ores that required concentration and pointed out the needs for research and the proper methods to be used in processes for the beneficiation of these low-grade materials. He discussed the effects of fine concentrates and the use of agglomerated ores in the blast furnace. This general summary led to interesting and valuable discussion on the various economic, ore-dressing, and blast-furnace problems in large-scale development of beneficiation. Perry Harrison described recent developments in sintering and the properties of iron ore sinter. T. B. Counselman and W. H. Coghill discussed the merits of classification of iron ore previous to tabling. Robert Faulkner and J. E. Little described the beneficiation plant of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation.

Jan 1, 1931

By J. A. Bartnik, Gerald D. Rose, William H. Benson

New techniques in the magnetite and heavy media beneficiation industries demand more efficient magnetic dispersion and flocculation of the finely ground particles. Demagnetizing coils must produce several major effects, such as improving classification and screening efficiency, decreasing moisture content in filter cake and improving separation selectivity and green pellet properties. Likewise, magnetic flocculators must increase filtering rates and the settling rates of solids, improve magnetite recovery and produce cleaner water. To improve the design of equipment and to conduct tests leading to the optimization of such dispersion and flocculation, a program was initiated at Eriez Magnetics. The major conclusions reached are: 1. Laboratory and plant scale tests conducted on magnetite products show that a demagnetizing force of 450 rms oersteds at 60 cycles for 1/20- second duration will depolarize natural magnetite particles coarser than approximately 10 microns. This has been found satisfactory for most applications. 2. Effective flocculation of magnetite was obtained when a slurry with more than one percent magnetite was exposed for a period of approximately 1/15 second to a 600-gauss field. 3. The cost of demagnetizers (or flocculators) increases rapidly for larger diameter pipes. In order to reduce the cost, narrow rectangular sections are recommended for magnetic flocculators. 4. For minimum operating cost, permanent magnetic flocculators are ideal, chiefly because they do not require any maintenance and have no operating cost. 5. A newly designed electro-demagnetizing coil with high heat dissipation and a nonmetallic core provides high efficiency and long life. 6. To select the correct magnetic flocculator (or demagnetizing coil) the following information is necessary: a. Magnetic product susceptibility b. Magnetic product coercive force c. Percent of magnetic product d. Flow rate e. Viscosity f. Structure of magnetic product

Jan 8, 1968

E. E. Olcott, New York City: Prof. Kemp's valuable description of the Lancaster Gap mine is in line with many other able contributions on the origin of mineral deposits that the Institute has lately brought forward. The splendid contribution that Prof.

Jan 1, 1895

By Oliver Bowles, Carl A. Gnam

THE construction industry normally contributes extensively to the general economic welfare of all sections of the country. Billions of dollars are spent for materials and labor, and the success or failure of many business enterprises depends upon the volume of construction. The steel, aluminum, copper, cement, brick and tile, lime, gypsum, stone, sand and gravel, and several of the less prominent mineral industries are vitally concerned. Of great interest, therefore, is the accumulation of needed construction following the relative inactivity of the past five years, the recent moderate revival in building, and the prospect of a broader and more definite upturn. One may judge the magnitude of possible expenditure for construction by what has occurred in the past. The peak years were 1925 to 1928, inclusive, when the annual values of con- tracts awarded amounted to over six billion dollars. In marked contrast was the 1933 total of about 1% billion, the lowest level shown in the Federal Reserve Board Index, which goes back to 1919, and the more favorable 1935 figure of about 1.7 billion. An increase of nearly four billion over the 1935 volume would be necessary to equal the peak year 1928.

Jan 1, 1936

By Clint L. Milliken

The smelter is often considered the flywheel of the copper industry. No other unit can produce such a uniform product from so many starting materials. Direct-smelting ore, concentrate, precipitate, refinery slag, and scrap in almost any combination can be processed into blister or anode copper. Copper smelting practice has advanced little in the last century. It is still basically matte smelting, although the source of matte has changed from the blast furnace to the reverberatory furnace because of changes in smelter feed, and the Great Falls converter has been replaced by the Peirce-Smith converter. This lack of progress has continued because the economic forces required to produce change have not been of sufficient magnitude. Traditionally, the smelting, operation has required only about 10% of the total cost of producing copper from its ores and this minor cost item has not warranted change until recently.

Jan 1, 1971

By AIME AIME

THE petroleum engineers have the conference habit. They drop in, thresh things over, and drop out. No time is wasted. So it was at the Fort Worth meeting of the Petroleum Division, Thursday and Friday, Oct. 8 and 9; headquarters, Blackstone Hotel. Associate Chairman Albertson arrived the morning of the 7th, to tie in any loose ends of the technical program. S. M. Greenidge, chairman of the local committee, checked the arrangements with his committeemen at a luncheon that noon. By mid-afternoon the next day's attendance was anybody's guess-there were no noses to count. But when the gavel sounded Thursday morning 175 members and guests were present, also the official A.I.M.E. party consisting of President Lovejoy, Secretary Parsons, and George Otis Smith. Shortly after adjournment Friday afternoon all but a handful had vamoosed, lit out, disap¬peared. But, in the meantime, it was a grand conference, attendance maximum every session, and the discussion fast and furious. The discussion came from all over the floor, sometimes as good-natured sniping, sometimes in long volleys that were almost fatal to the reporter. Everyone knew his subject and few there were who had nothing to say.

Jan 1, 1936

By Robert E. Tally

A recorded in the account of the Annual Meeting, on another page, the report of the tellers showed that all men nominated by the committee, which included Messrs. Wilber Judson, E. DeGolyer, W. A. Weldin, J. A. Norden, J. D. MacKenzie, Wilfred Sykes and S. Skowronski, were duly elected to the offices for which they were nominated. Robert Tally, who was elected to the presidency for 1931-2, is well known to all our members not only because he has served on the Board of Directors since 1928, but through a brief outline of his great achieve¬ments in his chosen profession pub¬lished in our issue of December last. The vice-presidents, Howard N. Eavenson and H. A. Guess, are also well known to our members. Mr. Eavenson has not only been chairman of the Coal Division since its organization, but was also a Director during 1917, 1918 and 1919., Mr. Guess was Director in 1926, was elected a vice-president by the Board last year to fill the vacancy created by the election of Mr. Bassett to the presidency, and is now elected to the usual three-year term.

Jan 1, 1931

By L. W. WALLACE

IN an engineering fashion we have made an assay of the engineering profession, using as a. sample the engineers listed in "Who's Who in America" (1928-1929). We are aware that some will say it is an unfair sample; that it came from the best mine. This is readily admitted, with this qualification: that all engineers and architects by virtue of their training and experience have been freed of most of the dross to which mankind is heir. They are -a selected group to begin with, having all the potentialities those in the sample possess. We are also aware that some will say a part of those included in the sample are not engineers. Our answer to that criticism is this: An engineer is no less an engineer because for the time being he is president of a bank, a university, an opera company, or a hotel company. Moreover, he is no less an engineer because he is a governor of a commonwealth, a United States senator, a member of the Cabinet, or the President of the United States.

Jan 1, 1929

By W. Armstrong Price

INVESTIGATION by German chemists during the World War showed that particles of iron oxide form rapidly in iron pipes carrying hydrogen gas under pressure when the gas contains small amounts of water. Under these conditions, the gas frequently exploded when expanding into a dirigible. The explanation of the explosions lies in the building up of a charge of static electricity in the flow just beyond the orifice and the ignition of the gas by a spark accompanying discharge of the electricity. Friction between the moving particles and the pipe generated the electric charge, which was manifested by a pale blue glow formed in the flow at pressures above two atmospheres. In one experiment, this glow, at eighty atmospheres, extended for a distance of forty to fifty centimetres, but did not ignite hydrogen and air mixtures until the charge was col-lected by a conductor and discharged across a gap between electrodes placed at the side of the column of gas. Autoignition did not occur when this discharge was effected at a distance from the gas column, nor if the gas used was thoroughly dried and free from impurities. The electric charge has been studied by placing various wire and screen conductors in the outcoming stream of gas, Guest having summarized these experiments. The application of these conclusions to fires in petroleum and natural gas issuing uncontrolled from wells is made in the following paper, citing the ignition of a wild gas well in Texas.

Jan 1, 1936

By Philip E. LaMoreaux

Fluoride, generally less than 0.5 ppm, is present in ground water from rocks of Paleozoic age and older, in northern and eastern Alabama. Some of the water-bearing formations in the Coastal Plain area of the State yield water with as much as 6.8 ppm fluoride.

Jan 1, 1950

By Irving Hartmann, H. P. Greenwald

READERS of this journal are familiar with the danger of coal-dust explosions in mines and with recommended means for preventing them. The subject was treated in a paper by R. R. Sayers in the January 1943 issue, as well as in several previous articles. Similarly the danger of dust explosions is generally recognized in the handling of grain dust, flour, starch, sugar, and other carbonaceous products. However, until recently, few people realized that an analogous, real explosion hazard exists wherever dust suspensions of certain finely divided metal powders are formed. This lack of knowledge was in part due to the fact that until a few years ago only a small number of metal powders, such as aluminum, magnesium, zinc, iron, and tungsten, were produced, in comparatively small volume, and partly because information on the explosibility of metal powders was lacking.

Jan 1, 1945