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By James V. Thompson

ENGINEERS from industrialized countries are frequently called upon to examine mining operations in primitive areas and make recommendations regarding mechanization and modernization. They often set forth with self-confidence, knowing full well that all that is needed is their experience and several shiploads of mining machinery, and at times they mentally provide the answers before the problems have been clearly stated. In primitive areas it is absolutely essential that the examining engineer spend enough time at the site to acquire a thorough understanding of what is being done now and why it is done the way it is. The objective here is to state in simple terms some of the problems that may be encountered, in- as much as solutions, if they can be found at all, will differ with each experience.

Jan 8, 1958

By J. T. Ryan

IN making a comparison of mine inspection methods in Europe and the United States, it is necessary to have some basis to start from, which makes this subject rather difficult, as such methods are governed largely by the authority given the inspector by the mining laws. In the United States there are 31 coal producing states and territories and 32 different mining laws under which inspectors operate, as one state-Pennsylvania-has both a bituminous and an anthracite code. Some of these codes are distinctly coal mining codes; others are essentially coal mining but apply also to other mines; several codes are sub-divided referring partly to coal mines and partly to other mines, and a few codes are mainly metal mining but apply in part to coal mining. Having all these different codes in the United States and the departments organized in a variety of different ways, there is of necessity a great difference in inspection methods in this country.

Jan 1, 1926

By J. F. Ednie

SCRAP metals to the value of more than a billion and a half dollars were recovered in the United States in 1939 for further use in industry. Few people have any true conception of the magnitude of the secondary-metal industry as related to that engaged in the production of the primary, or virgin, metals; of its importance, particularly when a shortage of primary metals exists, as at present; or of the advance that has been made in standardizing and improving the quality of its products. Of the iron and steel produced in the United States in 1939 (the data used in this article are largely taken from Bureau of Mines reports for that year) just over 50 per cent came from scrap and slightly less than 50 per cent from ore. Of the principal nonferrous metals-aluminum, anti-mony, copper, lead, nickel, tin, and zinc-63 per cent came from domestic ores and 37 per cent from scrap. Fig. 1 presents graphically the relative tonnage and value of primary and secondary production of ferrous and nonferrous metals. In this chart only purchased secondary metals are considered, the figures being exclusive of "home" or "plant" scrap which amounts to rather large figures in the iron and steel industry. Incidentally, the chart shows that from the tonnage standpoint the iron and steel industry is some twenty times larger than the nonferrous industry, though with regard to the value of the product the ratio drops to about two to one.

Jan 1, 1941

By T. T. Read

In discussing the taxation of mining enterprises, it is desirable to place limits of both time and space on the field of discussion. For our present purposes it seems best to limit consideration to taxation of mining enterprises in the United States, and to further limit the subject to taxation under approximately current conditions. Even with such limitations the field is large enough, since in this country we have, in most regions, a number of taxing powers; so that state, county and village tax systems must ordinarily be considered, in addition to our national or federal taxes. Nor is it possible, in discussing United States mineral taxes of today, altogether to pass by similar taxation in earlier periods, or related systems in other countries. It is perhaps hardly necessary to remind you, at the outset, that each age in the history of the world displays its own system of public revenues, and that the taxation systems of today are everywhere different from those of older times. Theories as to taxation have varied according to the economic basis of the society in which they were formulated, and our ideas as to justice in taxation fluctuate with changes in social conditions. The word taxation is used in a fairly definite sense today, but you have only to glance into the history of taxation to find that the paragenesis of ore deposits is a fairly simple subject as compared to the paragenesis of taxation systems.

Jan 1, 1932

By HILLARY W.

THAT colleges and technical schools constitute a vital factor in our industrial system is being realized more and more of late years. Consequently it is desirable that there should be a constant interchange of ideas between the 'school and the industries and that there should be a more intimate contact between the student and his future employer. Business and industry demand certain proficiencies and qualifications of the student and he, in turn, sees certain rewards and advantages in the industry. . In a meeting of this kind, whose primary purpose is to promote a greater intimacy between the students and those men who are active in the mining profession, it is quite fitting that each state his demnds upon the other in order to establish a common understanding. It is probable that a student, not being conversant with actual conditions in the industry, may be unfair in what he asks of his employer. Therefore criticism, constructive or other- wise, is not only accepted, but is invited.

Jan 1, 1930

By H. C. Weed

THE Inspiration Consolidated Copper Co., located in the Globe-Miami district at Inspiration, Ariz., became a producer of copper in 1915. From 1915 until 1948, 116,278,000 tons of ore were produced from underground workings by the block-caving system of mining. In April 1948, open-pit ore production from portions of the ore body was started and earlier plans for block-caving in these areas were abandoned. The change was due to economic conditions.

Jan 8, 1950

By D. M. McFarland

IN mining, quarrying, and construction, drilling and blasting have an important influence on the operations that follow. If the fragmentation of material being disrupted is inadequate, loading and transportation equipment will not operate at or near full capacity. Any operator faced with this difficulty should not be satisfied until he is convinced by a careful study of his methods of drilling and blasting that no improvement can be made. Rock in a certain quarry in Ohio seemed to defy any grade of explosive or means of detonation that the explosives industry had to offer. The average result of a blast was that a great part of the burden would be pushed out from the face in a number of large sections that would jokingly be referred to as "boxcars." These were no credit to the explosives man and a costly problem for the quarry company. Such blocks retard shovel operation as they have to be uncovered and subjected to secondary drilling and blasting which, if extensive, is an expensive operation. It was an attempt to improve the fragmentation obtained in primary blasts that led to the development of milli-second-delay electric blasting caps. The reasoning that prompted the trial was that even with wide spacing of the drill holes it seemed that the burden was separated too quickly from the face by the cutting action of the explosives from hole to hole. If the time of firing of the holes could be regulated so that

Jan 1, 1948

By T. B. Counselman

WHEN one thinks of Minnesota iron ore, one thinks of big open pits, where high- grade ore is simply scooped up with a power shovel, loaded into cars, and hauled away for shipment to the blast furnace. On the western end of the Mesabi range, however, are large tonnages of iron ore which contain too much silica to be used directly in the blast furnace, and these ores must first be concentrated to a purer form. The Mesabi range is about 100 miles long and a maximum of 3 miles wide. The iron formation, which in its unaltered form is called taconite: consists of a banded iron- bearing chert. Where the high-grade ore bodies occur, these have resulted from folding and cracking with sub- sequent leaching out of the silica, leaving the iron oxide behind. The big open pits and the underground mines are situated in these concentrations.

Jan 1, 1941

By George Stern

THE purpose of this investigation has been to study one method for making ordinary carbon steel by the powder metallurgy technique. This method con- [ ] sists of pressing and subsequently sintering an intimate mixture of iron powder and graphite in a suitable atmosphere to produce a steel. Two types of iron powder have been studied, electrolytic and reduced. The sintering of mixtures of loose carbonyl iron and carbon black for several hours at 1000° to 1100°C. (1830° to 2010°F.), followed by forging of the resultant ingots to bars, has been studied by Offermann.1 Trail' has reported on the properties of hydrogen-reduced and electrolytic iron powders, both containing 0.5 per cent carbon. Methods for making steel bodies by powder metallurgy have also been sug- [ ] gested by Goetzel,3 who recommends the addition of steel powder of well-defined carbon content to pure iron powder, and Volterra,4 who suggests compaction and subsequent sintering of a mixture of steel powder, iron oxide and iron powder. Additional methods for making steel bodies by powder metallurgy have been reported in the literature by Koehring,5 Allen,6 Balke,7 Wulff,8 Boegehold,9 and others. 10,11,12 It is felt that the method of pressing iron powder and graphite, as described herein, lends itself best to production because of the lubricating action of the

Jan 1, 1946

By George Stern

The purpose of this investigation has been to study one method for making ordinary carbon steel by the powder metallurgy technique. This method con- sists of pressing and subsequently sintering an intimate mixture of iron powder and gaphite in a suitable atmosphere to Produce a steel. Two types of iron Powder have been studied, electrolytic and reduced. The sinkring of mixtures of loose Car-bonyf iron and carbon black for several hours at I000 to 1100 C. (1830' to 2010°F.), followed by forging of the resultant ingots to bars, has been studied by Offermann.' TrailZ has reported on the properties of hydrogen-reduced and electrolytic iron powders, both containing 0.5 per cent carbon. Methods for making steel bodies by powder metallurgy have also been sug- gested by Goetzel13 who recommends the addition of steel powder of well-defined carbon content to pure iron powder, and Volterra,~ who suggests compaction and subsequent sintering of a mixture of steel powder, iron oxide and iron powder. Additional methods for making steel bodies by powder metallurgy have been reported in the literature by Kohering Allen,6 Balke,7 Wulff,8 Boegehold,9 and others.,0,11,12 It is felt that the method of pressing iron powder and graphite, as described herein, lends itself best to production be-Cause of the lubricating action of the

Jan 1, 1946

By George Stern

The purpose of this investigation has been to study one method for making ordinary carbon steel by the powder metallurgy technique. This method con- sists of pressing and subsequently sintering an intimate mixture of iron powder and gaphite in a suitable atmosphere to Produce a steel. Two types of iron Powder have been studied, electrolytic and reduced. The sinkring of mixtures of loose Car-bonyf iron and carbon black for several hours at I000 to 1100 C. (1830' to 2010°F.), followed by forging of the resultant ingots to bars, has been studied by Offermann.' TrailZ has reported on the properties of hydrogen-reduced and electrolytic iron powders, both containing 0.5 per cent carbon. Methods for making steel bodies by powder metallurgy have also been sug- gested by Goetzel13 who recommends the addition of steel powder of well-defined carbon content to pure iron powder, and Volterra,~ who suggests compaction and subsequent sintering of a mixture of steel powder, iron oxide and iron powder. Additional methods for making steel bodies by powder metallurgy have been reported in the literature by Kohering Allen,6 Balke,7 Wulff,8 Boegehold,9 and others.,0,11,12 It is felt that the method of pressing iron powder and graphite, as described herein, lends itself best to production be-Cause of the lubricating action of the

Jan 1, 1946

By Philip S. Mathews

THE tremendous stimulus given to the mining industry by the gold and silver policy of the present administration has found the capital market for mines ill prepared to afford practical means of financing. Particularly has this been true of the host of abandoned high-cost producers and prospects which increased gold and silver prices have made potentially profitable. In a comparatively short time, experience has demonstrated abundantly that valuable properties have frequently failed to secure capital, while questionable properties have drawn to themselves and their promoters more of the public moneys than their prospects justify. Singularly enough the fault is usually attributable to faulty financing. Discussion and study of this problem are vital to the industry.

Jan 1, 1936

By F. L. Bosqui

NO metallurgical process developed in the last half century has been more widely advertised to both technologists and lay- men, or has done more to promote efficiency and economy in the extraction of the valuable portions of ores than has the flotation process. Practically everybody has heard of this strange procedure whereby the heavy portions of an ore are made to float while the light parts sink. Some- times it is called froth flotation, the mineral-bearing froth being from the first a distinguishing characteristic. Many times it is called oil flotation, because a thin film of oil was commonly applied to the particles to be floated to make them adhere to the bubbles that rise through the pulp to form the surface froth. Oil, though commonly used, is not, however, necessary for this purpose, which is one of the facts that has been learned as the process has been developed.

Jan 1, 1940

By W. Lawrence Austin

Jan 1, 1884

By M. E. Nicholson

IN order to understand how alloying elements influence hardenability through their effect on the rate of pearlite nucleation, it is advantageous to use a model to describe the mechanism of pearlite nucleation. The model which currently is most widely accepted has been described, among others, by Mehl et a1.1-3 and by Hultgren.4 Pearlite nucleation involves both the nucleation of ferrite and cementite.4,5 Cementite nucleates first, followed rapidly by the formation of ferrite at the cementite-austenite interface. The conclusion that cementite is the first phase to form during the process of pearlite nucleation is based, in part, on the observation that proeutectoid cementite is continuous with pearlitic cementite and that the orientation relationship between proeutectoid ferrite and austenite is not the same as that between pearlitic: ferrite and austenite.6,7 Recently, Smith" has suggested that the dissimilarity in orientation relations, instead of indicating the pearlite nucleation sequence, may be evidence that pearlite is nucleated in a grain adjacent to the one in which it is growing. Also, Modin9 as shown that ferrite in pearlite may be continuous with proeutectoid ferrite, and he has also shown that proeutectoid cementite is not always continuous with pearlitic cementite. Thus, it appears that the conclusion that cementite always initiates the pearlite nucleation process is open to serious question. The author believes that important evidence on the question of how pearlite is nucleated exists in the rates of pearlite nucleation of different steels. The following is a review and analysis of this evidence. If the nucleation of pearlite is considered as requiring the nucleation of both cementite and ferrite, then the time to nucleate pearlite consists of the time to nucleate the first phase to form, plus the time to nucleate the second phase at the advancing interface of the first. In the absence of a visible proeutectoid constituent, the second phase must be nucleated very soon after the first. If cementite is the first phase to form, the time to nucleate pearlite will be approximately equal to the time to nucleate cementite. Since the nucleation rate of a phase precipitating from solid solution increases with the degree of supersaturation, it would be expected that the rate of pearlite nucleation should increase with increasing carbon content. Digges10 has shown that the reverse is true. He determined the quenching velocity necessary to suppress pearlite formation in plain carbon steels as a function of carbon content. His results showed that pearlite formation could be suppressed with lower quenching velocities as the carbon content of the steel increased, at least up to 1.25 pct C, the highest carbon content he studied. Thus, it would appear that in plain carbon steels, in which pearlite is formed at the nose of the C-curve, the hypothesis that cementite nucleates first does not predict the observed change in nucleation rate. The validity of the current model of pearlite nucleation may be tested also by determining whether or not it predicts the relative influence of alloying elements on the nucleation of ferrite and pearlite. This can be done best by a consideration of the changes in a TTT diagram produced by a change in alloy content. Hultgren4 suggests that the general shape of a TTT diagram, as well as what constituents will form from austenite, can be predicted from the relative nucleation rates of ferrite and cementite. This is illustrated in the schematic diagram for a hypoeutectoid low alloy or plain carbon steel shown in Fig. 1. The C-curves for ferrite nucleation and for cementite nucleation are represented by AA' and CC', respectively, and the start of ferrite formation and pearlite formation are represented by AX and BC respectively. Adopting the current theory, Hultgren suggests that between X and C pearlite forms directly from austenite, since cementite nucleates more rapidly than ferrite in this temperature range. Conversely, at temperatures above Tx, ferrite is the first to nucleate and proeutectoid ferrite is formed. As proeutectoid ferrite grows, austenite becomes enriched in carbon, so that the cementite nucleation rate is increased. As a result, pearlite nucleation above temperature Tx is accelerated, beginning along BX and not along C'X. Temperature T, represents the temperature at which the nucleation rate of ferrite equals that of cementite. By extending this type of reasoning, using the principle that the nucleation rates of ferrite and cementite increase with increasing supersaturation of austenite with respect to these phases, it should be possible to predict the influence of carbon content on the shape of the isothermal transformation diagram. For a slightly higher carbon content than that of Fig. 1, the curve A A' representing the beginning of ferrite formation should be moved to the right, whereas the curve CC' representing the beginning of cementite formation should be moved to the left. For hypoeutectoid plain carbon and low alloy steels, this prediction does not agree with existing data. Instead, as the carbon content is increased, the pearlite curve moves to the right along with the ferrite curve and always appears to join it tangen-tially. This behavior is demonstrated by the TTT-curves of a series of manganese steels" shown in Fig. 2. In this figure, TTT-curves for four alloys containing 0.20, 0.40, 0.60, and 1.20 pct C are superimposed. The curves are identified in the figure legend. The letters F, P, and C are used to indicate the start of ferrite, pearlite, and cementite formation, respectively. In these steels, it appears that the nucleation of ferrite and of pearlite are related processes. As a result of the foregoing evidence, it is proposed that the formation of pearlite be considered as follows: Either ferrite or cementite may nucleate from austenite, then grow until the remaining phase is nucleated at the interface between the growing phase and austenite. (The growth of the first phase to form is assumed to be accompanied by a composition change in the adjoining austenite.) According to this model there are two modes of nucleating pearlite: 1—where cementite initiates the succession

Jan 1, 1955

By R. W. Waterfill

MANY existing ore deposits of valuable metals have been worked out in their upper surface levels and the continued productivity of these mines is dependent on their extension to greater depths in the earth. The maximum depths at present reached are about 6000 to 8000 ft. below the surface, with no evidence of an impoverished ore vein. These mines are widely distributed; some of the best known are in South Africa, Brazil, India and in the western sections of the United States. Among the factors which increase the difficulty of working these mines at increasing depths are hoisting, rock pressure and temperature. The manner and effectiveness with which these problems are met will, no doubt, determine in a large measure the ultimate depths to which any mine can be profitably worked. The most critical of these three factors at present is the increase in temperature with depth. The high temperature and humidity in many of these mines at present is severely detrimental to the health of the workers and greatly hampers their efficiency. Some have almost reached a condition in which the human system cannot survive. The problems involved in the cooling and ventilation of mines have all been ably analyzed and presented in previous articles. For this reason, only a resume of conditions affecting the cooling and conditioning of deep and hot mines will be given in this paper before attention is directed to possible methods of improving atmospheric conditions in the working levels.

Jan 1, 1929

By R. W. Waterfill

MANY existing ore deposits of valuable metals have been worked out in their upper surface levels and the continued productivity of these mines is dependent on their extension to greater depths in the earth. The maximum depths at present reached are about 6000 to 8000 ft. below the surface, with no evidence of an impoverished ore vein. These mines are widely distributed; some of the best known are in South Africa, Brazil, India and in the western sections of the United States. Among the factors which increase the difficulty of working these mines at increasing depths are hoisting, rock pressure and temperature. The manner and effectiveness with which these problems are met will, no doubt, determine in a large measure the ultimate depths to which any mine can be profitably worked. The most critical of these three factors at present is the increase in temperature with depth. The high temperature and humidity in many of these mines at present is severely detrimental to the health of the workers and greatly hampers their efficiency. Some have almost reached a condition in which the human system cannot survive. The problems involved in the cooling and ventilation of mines have all been ably analyzed and presented in previous articles. For this reason, only a resume of conditions affecting the cooling and conditioning of deep and hot mines will be given in this paper before attention is directed to possible methods of improving atmospheric conditions in the working levels.

Jan 1, 1929

By A. Ross Rornmel

ABILITY to speak effectively is one of man's most longed for and coveted abilities. It is the ability to stand on one's feet, transfer knowledge and thoughts to others, to reach an objective professionally or otherwise by leading groups through a channel of planned thought. Each day group speaking plays an important part in making or marring success, and the engineering profession often provides this opportunity and requirement. An ability to speak effectively develops courage, poise, confidence, and prestige for the speaker. The technical man cannot be reluctant to face an audience. He is often called upon to do this in presence of employees, supervisors, and other groups. His ability to speak effectively is as much a requirement as the fundamentals of his profession. The three fundamentals of effective speaking are: (1) Enthusiasm and Confidence. These are joined because of their close relation. (2) Preparation. This includes knowledge of the subject. (3) Presentation. By this is meant the features of delivery.

Jan 1, 1946

By C. K. McArthur

THE subject of classification is so broad that this discussion is con-fined to what the author believes is of prime importance in connection with proper grinding and classification. The years passed have witnessed many noteworthy changes in fine grinding and classification, which have been accompanied by a readjust-ment of ore-dressing flowsheets for the preparation of better ground and/or sized products at an expenditure of less. power, steel and main-tenance than formerly. Nowhere in the industry is more being done in the way of experimental work to lower costs than in grinding circuits, because, at best, grinding costs are high. Recent years have indicated that, on the average, finer grinding has a real application. Without careful preparation of the process feed, no operation can be highly efficient or successful. In an earlier paper, the findings of an extensive survey at representa-tive concentrators were presented1. Also, in the year of 1935, a technical discussion was given by Dr. J. V. N. Dorr (Some Notes on Classification Trends in America) before the Chemical, Metallurgical and Mining Society of South Africa. In both papers mentioned, much has been said regarding flowsheets, grinding and classification. The author is very familiar with these papers, having had considerable to do with the actual operation of the flowsheets, as well as large mills and classifiers in the work described. Some data from the second paper have been included in the following discussion.

Jan 1, 1937

By Open-Hearth Steel

We have a very high-powered organization up here this morning, headed by Kenneth C. McCutcheon, general superintendent of the Ashland Division of the American Rolling Mill Company, and L. A. Lambing, superintendent of the open-hearth and Bessemer departments of Jones & Laughlin Steel .corporation of Aliquippa, Pa., representing the open-hearth men. Also, we have P. F. Dolan, assistant general manager of the Maryland plant of Bethlehem Steel Company, of Sparrows Point, and Harry E. McDonnell, superintendent of blast furnaces of Weirton Steel Company of Weirton, W. Va., representing the blast-furnace section.

Jan 1, 1940