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By John W. Rushton

What role does maintenance play in the design of a new mineral processing facility? Consider the fact that most new plants never reach design capacity the first year-or the second, third, or fourth years. The fact is, according to data collected from several plants which have started up in the last ten years, mill throughput and equipment availability doesn't peak, on the average, until the fifth year.

Jan 3, 1978

By T. S. Blair

I feel a certain sense of responsibility in bringing before you the subject of the direct process in iron manufacture. I am aware that, in such a body as I have now the honor of addressing, there are few who are not already so well informed upon its past history that it would be a weariness to them to listen to anything else than an account of practical success. Yet, to claim that success involves so much that, if I do not make good my claim, I deservedly expose myself to severe criticism. The whole literature of the art, so far as it relates to the direct process, is, up to this time, but a history of failure. It is safe to say that more money, time, and talent have been fruitlessly spent in the pursuit of this object than in all the other unsuccessful efforts in the whole line of iron metallurgy. A distinguished authority in patent law has remarked that " the invention records of the United States and of foreign countries are filled with the waifs and abandoned relics of these abortive struggles." Dr. Percy, whose great work may be taken as an epitome of all that was worth mention, whether useful or curious, in pig-iron metallurgy, up to the date of its publication (1864), after giving elaborate accounts of various attempts at the direct process, condenses his own opinion of all that had been then effected, into a brief but summary comment upon a pamphlet of one of the sanguine inventors who had said: "It is evident that the present mode of working iron

By Edgar C. Bain

In studying the structural characteristics of martensite it is desirable that a clear conception of the material from which martensite is produced should first be obtained. Any theory of its formation and structure incompatible with the facts of its parent substance, austenite, can be eliminated with little consideration. Austenite is the name applied to solid solutions of carbon and other elements in gamma iron. At temperatures above about 900" C. (1650" F.), pure iron exists in a system of crystallinity1 entirely different from the crystal structure below that temperature. This high-temperature allotrope of iron is of an atomic structure associated with great ductility, having very manifold symmetry and an abundance of easy slip planes. The exceptionally ductile and malleable metals (gold, silver, platinum, copper, aluminum, and nickel) have this same atomic arrangement— the face-centered cubic. The low-temperature allotrope of iron, alpha iron, the solid solutions of which are known as ferrite, has a body-centered cubic arrangement of atoms. Like it, in crystal structure, are the less ductile and malleable metals, molybdenum, tungsten, titanium and chromium. Fig. 1 shows the two atomic arrangements known in iron; the diagrams are drawn to scale. Either of these modifications of iron may dissolve other elements in the solid state; by so doing, the temperature of the transformation is changed. In general 2-7, it appears that a solid solvent metal dissolves a metal solute by substituting foreign atoms in its own space lattice. Thus, iron may dissolve nickel in either of its crystalline forms by permitting an atom of nickel here and there to occupy the normal position

Jan 1, 1924

By Edgar C. Bain

In studying the structural characteristics of martensite it is desirable that a clear conception of the material from which martensite is produced should first be obtained. Any theory of its formation and structure incompatible with the facts of its parent substance, austenite, can be eliminated with little consideration. Austenite is the name applied to solid solutions of carbon and other elements in gamma iron. At temperatures above about 900" C. (1650" F.), pure iron exists in a system of crystallinity1 entirely different from the crystal structure below that temperature. This high-temperature allotrope of iron is of an atomic structure associated with great ductility, having very manifold symmetry and an abundance of easy slip planes. The exceptionally ductile and malleable metals (gold, silver, platinum, copper, aluminum, and nickel) have this same atomic arrangement— the face-centered cubic. The low-temperature allotrope of iron, alpha iron, the solid solutions of which are known as ferrite, has a body-centered cubic arrangement of atoms. Like it, in crystal structure, are the less ductile and malleable metals, molybdenum, tungsten, titanium and chromium. Fig. 1 shows the two atomic arrangements known in iron; the diagrams are drawn to scale. Either of these modifications of iron may dissolve other elements in the solid state; by so doing, the temperature of the transformation is changed. In general 2-7, it appears that a solid solvent metal dissolves a metal solute by substituting foreign atoms in its own space lattice. Thus, iron may dissolve nickel in either of its crystalline forms by permitting an atom of nickel here and there to occupy the normal position

Jan 1, 1924

By Harry A. Roe

THE power drag scrapers and the slackline cableway excavator have been called "long-range excavators." Broadly, their field of usefulness is restricted to work in which their long range of action permits them to operate economically, and which other, possibly more conventional, excavating units cannot do. Both of these machines dig or lift material and transport it to a remote dumping point. They combine these two functions in a single machine, nearly always in a single straight-line motion. [ ] The purpose of this paper is to examine the important features that distinguish the machines in this group from each other, as well as from other groups. The Machines The "power drag scraper" is a long-range excavating machine that employs a bottomless drag scraper operated back and forth between digging and dumping points by two haulage cables. The typical arrangement is that of Fig. 1. This is the "slusher" of the underground mine, as well as the "dragline scraper" of the sand and gravel industry, and other open-pit mining operations.

Jan 1, 1937

By William B. Potter

We have come together on this occasion, as so often before the members of the Institute have met in friendly council, to hear and discuss whatever investigation, observation, and experience during the past months may have developed of value or interest to the many departments of knowledge and practice represented in this association. The member, possessed of the true scientific spirit which this Institute is especially intended to foster, brings here the results of his experience and study unrestrained by fear of giving undue advantage to competitor or rival. He appreciates, moreover, the responsibilities of membership and his duty to the cause, and how much is to be gained by himself from the keen but friendly criticism of his fellow-workers and even by the suggestions that may come of shrewd question or chance remark from those who labor in other but related fields.

Jan 1, 1889

By E. M. MacKevett

The only source of uranium ore in Alaska that has been mined commercially is the Ross-Adams de- posit, a gently inclined, fusiform orebody in alkali granite in which uranothorite and uranoan thorianlte are the chief ore minerals. In mode of occurrence, apparent genetic association with the granite, and to a lesser extent in mineralogy, this type of deposit is uncommon. The mine is in the southern part of Prince of Wales Island (Fig. 1) at an altitude of about 950 ft on the southeast flank of Bokan Mountain. A steep unpaved road 1 ¾ miles long leads to the dock on the West Arm of Kendrick Bay, which can be reached by boat or seaplane from Ketchikan, some 35 miles to the northeast.

Jan 9, 1959

By C. R. Boyd

It would be a quite congenial task to attempt to describe all that extraordinary mineral wealth which is now giving such prominence to the region from the James River to the Tennessee line: adjacent to the great lines of the Shenandoah Valley and the Norfolk and Western railways; but such a task would be impossible within the limits of any ordinary paper. Hence, in advance of the fifth edition of my book and map on the Resources of Southwest Virginia, I must restrict myself to a limited but most interesting subdivision of this remarkable mineral belt.

Jan 1, 1884

By T. A. Boyden

The Free World uranium market is now characterized by production nearly twice that of consumption result- ing in a rapid build-up of uranium inventories. Low- cost production from high-grade deposits in Australia and Western Canada will gradually add another 10 to 15 million pounds U308 annually into Free World production throughout the 1980's. This latter material cannot be absorbed in further inventory build-up and can only displace higher cost production. The result is a restructuring of the Free World producer industry. United States and Eastern Canadian producers have the higher cost production which gradually will be displaced from the market during this decade. As United States production declines, United States utilities must increase their reliance on foreign supplies in order to meet their needs. This paper reviews the elements that will cause the restructuring of the Free World producer industry and the expected response of the United States utility industry to that developing situation.

Jan 1, 1982

By Brian W. Mackenzie

Since mineral economics is often coupled with mining engineering in the solution of mineral industry problems, it is important that the principles of this science be a part of the mining engineer's education. Essentially, mineral economics is the application of economic principles to analysis of the multistage process by which minerals are converted from geologic resources to marketable products. In some instances, it may require only the analysis of case studies from a well- developed economics core. In others, however, it requires special skills, because some aspects of the mineral conversion process--such as mineral occurrence, exploration investment and depletion-have no complete parallel in general economics. The mining engineer has been an important contributor to the analysis of mineral economics problems because of his special knowledge of the mineral industry.

Jan 1, 1971

W: 0. HOTCHKISS, Madison, Wis. (written discussion*).-Mr. George's paper on. "The Wisconsin Zinc District" is a very complete and clear description, which it is a pleasure to read. His discussion of the origin of the ores is the least satisfactory part, and Mr. George correctly states present knowledge when he begins his paragraph on a origin with the words "the general supposition is, etc." There is still much to be learned regarding the details of the processes by which the ores have reached their present situation. In this the Wisconsin district differs not at all from other mining districts. It is my hope that Mr. George and others, equally clear-thinking, who are in close touch with these operations will be able at an early date to give us more information on this subject.

Jan 3, 1918

By F. F. Aplan, G. Simkovich

Zinc oxide, an n-type semiconductor, and nickel oxide, a p-type semiconductor, were studied in electrostatic separation experiments in pure and doped forms. In addition, pure potassium chloride and potassium chloride containing one volume per cent silver were also investigated. It was found, in agreement with theory, that the presence of dopants in the oxides could either increase or decrease the electrical conductivity of the base compounds and, thus, control the response of these particles to electrostatic separation. Further, it was shown that the same dopant in the n- and p-type semiconductors produced opposite conductivity effects; again in accord with theory. Finally, it was found that the presence of dispersed silver particles in the normally insulator phase potassium chloride produced sufficient electronic conductivity to cause the silver containing particles to respond as would materials possessing "medium-type" conductivities.

Jan 1, 1980

By P. K. Lucke

ONE of the interesting features connected with the great continental uplift, which formed the table land of Mexico, is the great depth to which oxidation and secondary enrichment of orebOdies occurred. This table land lies at altitudes ranging from 4000 to. 7000 ft. (1219 to 2133 m.) above sea level. Several cases could be cited of oxidized zones in copper and lead mines which reached depths of upward of 1500 ft. (457 m.) below the surface, and it is universally admitted that the oxidized zone in a mine is limited by the permanent water level. FIG. 1. Mexico, however, like many other countries in which deserts occur, is visited at rare intervals by tremendous floods, which sometimes cause variable water levels over long periods. The following cases bear out the idea, and lead to interesting conclusions of commercial value. My paper demonstrates that carbonates of ores may occur below water level and sulphides above, and I will endeavor to explain the causes of the phenomena in certain specific instances.

Jan 6, 1918

By C. C. Hatch, A. L. Mular

The methodology employed to develop a digital simulation of the Brenda Mines Ltd., Peachland, B. C., secondary crushing plant is described. Methodology includes data acquisition, data adjustment, model building, and the construction of a simulator structure. The simulator was utilized to study the effects of secondary and tertiary crusher close side settings, secondary screen opening, plant feed rate, and percent + 1 in. in the feed on the following responses: percent - 1/2 in. in the final product, plant reduction ratio, circulating load ratio, and screen efficiency. Results are presented in graphical form.

Jan 1, 1983

By G. S. Brooks

(New York Meeting, February, 1913.) THE tendency of the oxides of such metals as aluminum, zinc, chromium, and calcium to form compounds at high temperatures with iron oxide is well established by past investigation. Data of this reaction, as developed in laboratory research, have been contributed by Burleigh, Hofman, and Wells, in America, and by many others abroad. A partial bibliography of the subject is appended. From these authorities we learn that the ferric oxide here has the function of an acid, giving in the case of ZnO a zinc ferrite, with a normal composition of ZnOFe2O3. This formation of zinc ferrite particularly affects the success of such processes as leaching or magnetic separation, and thus becomes practically important to the metallurgist. But the meager existing data do not entirely agree; and quantitative results from muffle-practice are conspicuously absent. Furthermore, it being of some general importance to the zinc smelter in both roasting and reduction, the following few notes of operations on a commercial scale are contributed

Jan 5, 1913

By Robert H. Carpenter

Major trends in exploration geochemistry during the past year included an increased level of geochemical exploration by both government and private industry: greater sophistication in sampling, analytical and interpretive techniques: and increased activity on the part of universities and state geological surveys. The evolution of applied geochemistry in North America from a useful prospecting tool to an invaluable exploration method is largely due to efforts of the mining industry, the USGS and the Geological Survey of Canada. In the U.S., there has been a distinct reluctance on the part of universities to conduct research or to offer courses dealing principally with applied geochemistry. Most university geochemists have not been responsive to industry needs because government sponsorship of geochemical research in universities has been overwhelmingly in favor of theoretical, rather than applied research: and, because of the mistaken notion that exploration geochemistry is not sufficiently academic. A critical shortage of specialists in this field has resulted. Specialists in Exploration Geochemistry Needed Based on the response to a brief questionnaire sent to universities in the U.S. and Canada, there is some evidence suggesting a reversal in this trend. Graduate courses devoted to exploration geochemistry are currently being offered in geology departments at the following universities: University of British Columbia, Colorado School of Mines, University of Idaho, McGill University, University of New Mexico, Pennsylvania State University and the University of Utah. Other departments report that applied geochemistry is included in general geochemistry courses. A survey of recent publications suggests increased research interest in exploration geochemistry by university geologists.

Jan 1, 1970

By S. P. Rothwell

ABOUT thirty miles north of, the city of Belleville (which is situated on a branch of Lake Ontario), and in the township of Marmora, Ontario,: there is found a. belt of gold-bearing quartz veins, which present geological, mineralogical, and economic features of great interest to the profession. The district in which these veins are found is characterized as a rolling country, with low rounded bills of syenitic granite, overlain on the flanks of the hills by Silurian limestones, which lie in nearly horizontal beds, and in some places are so fine in texture as to afford lithographic stone of a fair quality. The gold-bearing veins run north and south through this belt of syenitic granite, and are quartz-filled true fissures, with micaccous or talcoid slates forming the walls of and horses in the veins. This

Jan 1, 1881

By J. Blodget Britton

During the last three or four years I have had occasion to examine, chemically, various samples of matter commonly called flue-dust or cinder, found deposited in the flues and hot-blast chambers and under the boilers of blast furnaces, and also in the flues and under the boilers of puddling and boiling furnaces. Recently several of these examinations mere made quite in detail, and as the results reveal, I believe, information of no inconsiderable importance, I am induced to communicate them to this Institute. A sample of deposit obtained from the flues of one of the blast furnaces at the works of the Phœix Iron Company, at Phœnixville, Pa., was found to have the composition given in Column I of the following table: I. 11. 111. Composition of Dust from Dust from Dust from Deposits. Blast Furnace. Puddling Furnace. Boiling Furnace. Protoxide of iron,... 1.51 3 08 1.18 Peroxide of iron,... 20.21 33.29 41.00 Alumina,....6.57 12.89 7.54 Lime,.....3.98 .48 .61 Magnesia,.....69 .09 .19 Protoxide of manganese,. . 1.66 .39 .12 Oxide of zinc,....2.84 ........ Oxide of copper,. .. ..06 ........ Silicic acid,....36.00 40.69 38.99 Sulphuric acid,... 7.55 .43 Phosphoric acid,..94 ..94 Arsenious acid,. .. .38 Antimoniousacid,... trace.......... Chlorine,....03 ..03 Cyanogen,.....09 ........ Ammonia,.... trace......... Pottlsh with some sodn,. .. 16.61 ........ Carbonic acid,. .. .. .59 ........ Alkalies, undetermined matter, and loss,.......29 4.49 6.96 100.00 100 00 100.00 Metallic iron,. 16.31 25.70 29.64 Phosphorus,. .. .. .41* 1.55† 1.30†

By R. W. Raymond

THE specimen of anthracite which I exhibit is from the Ortiz Mine Grant, about fifteen miles southwest of Santa Fe. The beds belong to the lignitic formation of the Galisteo, which Hayden and

Jan 1, 1874

By Raymond E. Zimmerman

ROBERT E. HOCHSCHEID (Krebs Engineers, Cyclone Div.)--The subject article appears in the February, 1978, edition of Mining Engineering, and on page 190 carries the statement, "As most operators know, in a Water-Only cyclone, ability to adjust the vortex finder is quite important due to the sensitivity of this type of operations to variance in feed conditions and having to take them apart to make this adjustment is always a nuisance." Our experience as a manufacturer and supplier of Water Only cyclones does not agree with the above statement, and we offer the following brief discussion.

Jan 5, 1978