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By R. P. Thomas

Secondary fertilizer minerals are the mineral materials used to supply directly and indirectly the secondary and trace plant food nutrient needs of a fertilizer. Since few soils contain sufficient availability of all plant nutrients for their proper growth, man has prepared mixtures of plant food materials to correct these nutrient deficiencies. These mixtures or fertilizers, when added correctly to a soil, make it possible for abundant and economic crop growth. Many kinds of materials are used as sources of these needed nutrients. They come from natural and synthetic materials and minerals including many beneficiated byproduct compounds. A fertilizer consists largely of carriers of one or more of the three major plant foods, namely nitrogen (N), phosphorus-phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) and potassium-potash (K2O). Many other nutrients are just as essential for plant growth as the three major plant foods. In fact, the efficient use of fertilizers today depends upon an adequate supply of all these other nutrients. Since these additional materials are usually removed from the soil by plants and supplied in fertilizer in less quantities than the major nutrients, they are called secondary and minor nutrients. In the early days these special nutrients were contained as impurities in the primary nutrient carriers. Today, fertilizers are made primarily from concentrated and synthetic materials which carry very few of these other essential nutrients. Consequently, many secondary and trace nutrient carriers, as salts, byproduct compounds and even minerals have to be added to fertilizers. Secondary Nutrient Carriers The secondary plant foods in fertilizer are next to the major nutrients in abundance. They are calcium, magnesium, sulfur, chlorine, silicon and sodium. Although many of these elements are added to a fertilizer as part of the major nutrient carriers, they are also added in special carriers. The large tonnage of these secondary nutrient carriers used in fertilizers represents only a small percentage of the total production of these materials. A fertilizer producer thinks in terms of materials which supply nutrients instead of minerals. Therefore, these materials will be discussed by elements. CALCIUM Soils need calcium to supply the nutrient needs of plants and maintain the desired physical and biological conditions in the soil. The available calcium is usually 40 to 80 pct of the exchangeable bases. (These bases are ones which can be displaced by other cations and determined quantitatively. They are then expressed as milliequivalents per hundred grams of soil-me.) Direct applications of lime materials such as burnt, ground or hydrated limes are the important sources of calcium for the soil. Most crops, especially legumes, have a high requirement for calcium. The average farmer does not use enough lime to maintain the proper level of available calcium. Hence, it is necessary for many fertilizers to contain soluble calcium materials for efficient use of the major nutrients. The following major nutrient carriers supply some calcium: calcium nitrate, ammonium nitrate mixtures and cyanamid, and many of the phosphates. Both synthetic and natural gypsum are used in fertilizer production. Some crops such as peanuts require a large amount of soluble calcium. Gypsum is the important supplier of this soluble calcium. It is not applied with the fertilizer

Jan 1, 1960

By G. H. Clevenger

Continuing the discussion of the paper of James Johnston, presented at the New York meeting, February, 1914. See Trans., xlviii, 3 to 32 (1914). This paper cannot fail of being of great interest and value to all who are interested in the cyanide process, on account of the important developzn~ents which it records. Mr. Johnston is to be commended for the large amount of detail which he gives, and the company and its management for permitting the publication of data of this character, which while of great value to others could well be considered private property. It might be discussed from a number of standpoints: First, as an example of recent practice in mill and cyanide plant construction; second, the mill practice; third, the cyanide practice; and fourth, the new features in cyanide treatment involved. Perhaps a more vivid way of expressing it would be: First, the equipment or tools with which the various operations are carried on, are they the best and most efficient which could have been selected for their respective uses; and, second, is the best use in every case made of these tools? It may be well inquired is the highest possible recovery of silver made at the lowest cost per ounce recovered? For after all, the making of the greatest ultimate profit is inseparably associated with successful metallurgical practice; there must therefore be at all limes a careful balance maintained between recovery and cost of obtaining it. I wish to call attention in a very general way to the equipment used and to an anticipation of questions which are bound to arise in this connection. However, the bulk of my discussion will be confined to the presentation Of certain additional data, together with a more or less general discussion showing the line of development which leads up to the present practice and the applicability of certain features of it to similar problems elsewhere. There are a number of vital points of broad general interest involved in Nipissing low-grade practice upon which metallurgists will by no means be agreed to which I wish to call particular attention in the hope that it will lead to the presentation by others of data of practice in other districts which will assist in reconciling this divergence of opinion.

Jan 1, 1915

By Craig E. Saporito

INTRODUCTION Freeport-McMoRan Inc. has been very active recently with two major discoveries and its restructuring activities. This paper describes Freeport-McMoRan's businesses, the two major mineral discoveries, and exciting opportunities within the oil and gas operations. BUSINESS ACTIVITIES Freeport-McMoRan is the largest and one of the lowest cost fully integrated U.S. phosphate fertilizer producers. It is the second largest domestic Frasch sulphur producer. Freeport- McMoRan will become the largest domestic producer of Frasch sulphur when its Main Pass Block 299 sulphur deposit reaches full production in 1993. Furthermore, it is the largest transporter of sulphur produced by others. Its oil and gas activities rank among the largest U.S. independents in terms of production and proved reserves. The copper/gold operations in Indonesia are among the world's lowest cost. When expansion operations reach full capacity levels in 1992, the Indonesian copper/gold complex will be the fifth largest copper operation in the world. Operations are divided into three business segments that include: 1. Agricultural minerals, incorporating sulphur, phosphate rock and phosphate fertilizer activities; 2. Energy, including oil and gas activities; and 3. Metals, incorporating copper, gold and silver operations in Indonesia. In early 1989, Freeport-McMoRan announced the discovery of two world-class ore bodies; a sulphur deposit off the coast of Louisiana on Main Pass Block 299, and a copper/gold deposit -- the Grasberg in Indonesia -- approximately two miles away from the existing Ertsberg East operations. As a result of these major discoveries, Freeport- McMoRan decided to carry out a restructuring program. Its purpose was to sell $1.2 to $1.5 billion of non-strategic assets. Debt levels and associated interest expenses will be significantly reduced, and general and administrative expenses will be reduced, which will place Freeport- McMoRan in an excellent position to fund the development of the Main Pass Block 299 sulphur discovery, the Grasberg discovery, and oil and gas discoveries. This restructuring program also will allow Freeport-McMoRan to achieve the greatest future value for shareholders by focusing on its principal businesses (Figure 1). Strategic Restructuring • Sell $1.2 - $1.5 Billion Of Non-Strategic Assets • Significantly Reduce Debt • Significantly Reduce G&A • Fund Development Of Main Pass & Grasberg • Stronger Company; Positioned For Future Growth • Focus Is On Principal Businesses: - Sulphur/Phosphate Fertilizers - Indonesian Copper/Gold - Oil And Natural Gas Figure 1 - Strategic Restructuring AGRICULTURAL MINERALS Main Pass Block 299 Discovery The Main Pass Block 299 discovery has a proven reserve of 67 million long tons of recoverable sulphur. This is the largest known Frasch sulphur deposit in North America. The discovery increased Freeport-McMoRan's sulphur reserves more than five-fold, and is synergistic with the company's phosphate fertilizer assets. The

Jan 1, 1990

By Robert B. Fulton

It is a pleasure to talk to you about the world economics of industrial minerals on this occasion of AIME's 100th anniversary. In order to fit this topic into the time and tenor of such a session as this where you are hearing subjects equally broad in scope one after the other, I will deal with the subject through the medium of eight minerals selected to illustrate import- ant economic factors. I must admit to some bias in the selection, since I picked personally familiar ones to elucidate facts of life in the industrial minerals business. It is a very interesting field, different in many respects from metals and certainly far different from petroleum. The minerals chosen are celestite, diamond, fluorspar, salt, sulfur, ilmenite, rutile and zircon. Celestite The market for celestite is mainly in the U. S. where it is consumed in the manufacture of strontium compounds for red-colored flares and other pyrotechnics, for the production of electrolytic zinc, for glass manufacture, and for the manufacture of ceramic ferrites. Smaller markets exist in Europe and Japan. Production comes from England, Mexico and Spain, and a new mining operation is being started in Nova Scotia. There is no significant production in the U. S. nor in the other principal consuming countries, except England; so it is mainly an international commodity. Celestite illustrates many of the factors important in the economics of industrial minerals. To have a marketable product, grade and freedom from deleterious elements are important for materials used by the chemical industry. In the celestite used to make strontium nitrate, calcium is the most objectionable of the commonly associated cations. Selling price is adversely affected because nitrate manufacturing costs are greatly increased if calcium is pre sent, hence less can be paid for the raw material. Meeting specifications can add significantly to the vendor's cost; hence a balance must be struck between the producer's capability and the consumer's requirements, permitting a reasonable profit for both. Sizing of industrial mineral products is often important to the consum-

Jan 1, 1971

Dr. Healy's paper presents a concise state-of-the-art description of mechanistic, thermodynamic models available today for design, interpretation, and trouble-shooting flocculation processes and problems. Coagulation by manipulation of inorganic electrolyte concentrations is controlled largely by adjustment of electrostatic repulsive forces, guided by well understood theory. For simple solids in simple electrolytes, existing models are capable of predicting the influence of potential determining ion and one dominant, non-reacting, symmetrical electrolyte concentration on floc stability quantitatively. Concentration changes required to coagulate and disperse can be estimated. Convenient, easily understood means are available for summarizing the effects of key variables, (e.g., pH, ionic strength) on dispersion stability, and estimating tolerance to unintentional changes (Matijevic coagulation domain diagrams). These models have not been developed to the point that mixed unsymmetrical electrolytes can be easily handled. They are capable of describing two- solid heterocoagulation, but not “n-solid” heterocoagulation. In combination with recently developed computer codes for simultaneous computation of solution equilibria, ion exchange and electrical double layer properties (1,2), these models .should be capable of describing simple clay coagulation systems. This has not been done. Models developed for polymer flocculation are valuable interpretive tools, have some qualitative predictive value, but are less potent in quantitative needs. Most real systems probably involve more than one mechanism of floc stabilization. Little has been done toward developing combined models, even in the simplest systems.

Jan 1, 1979

By L. S. Panyity

The question of natural-gas supply is receiving careful consideration in many parts of the country, as in the winter months it is quite a problem to have on hand sufficient gas to satisfy the demand. Increasing the output of wells by the application of vacuum has been tried with various results and large companies have attempted to keep up the supply with gas compressors. The possibility of storing natural gas in the sands of exhausted gas pools has been 'tried in a few instances with satisfactory results. This method may prove of practical value in solving the problem, especially in the case of towns that formerly obtained gas from their immediate vicinity but now must search for new pools. In all cases, only part of the available supply is utilized during the warm weather, so that many wells are shut-in, yet during the winter months, the supply is not sufficient even with all the wells on the line; in such cases it would be of great value if a large volume of stored gas were on hand, obtained through wells that would have been standing idle during the summer. Idle producing wells having considerable "rock pressure" will force gas into the exhausted, or storage wells, and this gas will be used only when the regular supply falls short (Fig. I). If two gas wells of different

Jan 1, 1920

By William Sellers

tested without knowing anything of their chemical composition. I had these pieces separately placed upon 10-inch bearings under a 7-gross ton lianlrner, a piece of 2½-inch round iron laid upon them as a fuller, and the hammer allotved to fall from 20 inches above the fuller, which, according to Haswell, gave a ldow of 67.75 gross tons. The pieces were then turned orcr, the fuller placed upon the convex surface, and the harnnler allowed to fall from 13 inches above the fuller, giving a blow of 58.46 gross tons. You will see that the rails do aot show ally bigrls of ruptnre, and their color at the points of torture prove them to have been absolutely cold when the test was made. I thirk these rails ought to be reasonably safe in the track. As you see by this piece of the head of one of these rails, I had it plarred, and then some teeth cut in it by a cold clrisel, and one-half of them pounded down with a hammer. The teeth of my rack did not break off. The analyses of these rails substquently made are: I. 11. Carbon,... 0.110 0.880 Silicon,..0.050 0.058 Phosphorus ,..0.086 0.082 Manganese,.. 0.042 0 840 In conclusion, I will say that Dr. Dudley's paper as a contribu tion to our knowledge of steel rails is valuable and interesting, but I protest against his conclusions king reoeived as manufacturing or comtnercial axioms. From its being presented in the form-of a report to the leading railroad of the country from one of its trusted officers, as well as from the tone of the concluding deductions, it is liable to be so received by railroad men. If any railroad com pany desires rails made under either of Dr. Dudley's formulas, and are willing to pay a price large enough to cover the loss in making them, dl and good; but so long as the rail makers are compelled to gwrrantee the wear of their rails for a given number of years, justice reqnires that. the composition of the steel from which these rails are made should be left to them. WILLIAM SELLERS, PHILADELPHIA: The very interesting paper upon the wear of steel rails that has just been read preseak the record of a series of investigations that are extreniely valuable, and the deduction that bas been drawn from the results noted seems to be unavoidable; the tests, however, to which it is proposed steel rails shall be subjected hereafter, with a view to determine their quality, sllould

Jan 1, 1881

By Edgar Shepard

THE interest of the Federal Government in improvement of water-ways dates from 1820, when Congress appropriated $5000 for making a survey of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers and assigned this work to the Corps of Engineers of the Army. Since that time the Government has gradually assumed increasing jurisdiction in the matter of improvement and control of inland waterways until, by the River and Harbor Act of Jan. 21, 1927, Congress assigned to the Secretary of War and to the Chief of Engineers the duty of making surveys, in accordance with House Document No. 308, 69th Congress, to formulate plans for the most effective improvement of the navigable streams of the United States and their tributaries, for navigation, development of water power, control of floods, and the needs of irrigation. Virtually all the preliminary investi-gations and surveys required by this act have been completed. The reports made to Congress have been published and often are referred to as "308 Reports." The map shown in Fig. 1 is merely a skeleton distribution of the projects covered by these reports, but it serves to indicate the magnitude of the proposed undertaking. In many instances, a single character on the map stands for a major development involving several dams and reservoirs or many miles of canals or levees. The devastating floods of 1936, and the need for worthy public works to take up the slack in employment, gave further impetus to this program and in 1936 led to the enactment of a bill authorizing a large number of these projects.

Jan 1, 1940

By R. V. Whetsel, Valentin R. Garfias

Mexican petroleum production for 1928 was approximately 50,000,-000 bbl., the lowest in 12 years, showing a decrease from 1927 of over 14,000,000 bbl. The steady downward trend for the past 7 years has allowed Russia to outrank Mexico by a wide margin for third position and if the expected decline continues during 1929 it should place Persia ahead of Mexico as fourth in rank. The year 1928 was characterized by a continuation of the reentrench-ment previously begun by the oil industry in Mexico in an attempt to adjust itself to the adverse conditions caused by the steady depletion of the fields, the rapidly increasing competition from Venezuela and the United States and the as yet unsettled petroleum legislation and taxation situation. With the exception of the Isthmus of Tehuantepee, drilling in proved fields was considerably curtailed and although the number of wildcats completed exceeded those of the previous year, no extensive drilling programs were undertaken. Practically without exception, the major companies reduced personnel and operations to a point where they could meet existing conditions and mark time while awaiting a more stable basis for the future testing of unexploited regions. Many terminal and transportation facilities were abandoned during the year. Development Only 371 wells were completed during 1928, as against 583 in the previous year and 808 during 1926, and although the percentage of producers in 1928 was 34 per cent., compared to 26 per cent. in 1927, the initial production of -wells was considerably lower than during the previous year, a great number of the wells showing salt water and becoming "strippers" from the time they started to flow. Development is summarized in Table 1. Drilling in the Northern fields did not prove any new pools of importance, the most successful wells being located in the old producing areas of Cacalilao, Panuco and Topila. (Fig. 1 Very few of the producers made more than 1000 bbl. daily, and a great many less than 300 bbl. a day.

Jan 1, 1929

Dr. Rossiter W. Raymond, Past President, Honorary Member, and Secretary Emeritus, died suddenly of heart failure at his home, 123 Henry St., Brooklyn, N. Y., on the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 31, 1918. -He is survived by his' wife and daughter. He was one of the founders of the Institute and its second President, his genius was the Institute's guiding spirit for 47 years. Dr. Raymond was one of the most versatile men of the day; an able mining engineer; brilliant professional writer; an editor of the first rank and an acknowledged authority on matters of literary style; a creator in the fields of fiction, children's stories, poetry and music; for more than 50 years the superintendent of Plymouth Church Sunday School. He will be revered by thousands as a loyal friend, generous giver, and admired colleague. His passing marks an epoch in mining and metallurgical literature. A memorial service will he held in the Auditorium of the-Institute Headquarters on Monday, Feb. 17, 1919, at 4.30 P.M.

Jan 2, 1919

By Andy B. Wallace

Veins in the Pyramid district of northwestern Nevada occur along steep fractures in Oligocene and Miocene quartz latite tuffs. The vein mineralization is zoned from a central enargite-pyrite zone outward through a complex polymetallic pyrite-tetrahedrite-sphalerite-galena-chalcopyrite-bornite-chalcocite zone, and finally to an outer zone of pyrite and galena. Wall rock alteration includes advanced argillic and sericitic envelopes along veins superimposed on district-wide propylitization. The ore distribution and alteration patterns were probably produced by an increase in pH, a decrease in sulfur fugacity, along with cooling of the migrating hydrothermal fluid.

Jan 1, 1981

This excellent, concise paper by Dr. Iwasaki on the principles of selective flocculation for iron ores discusses many of the principles and problems which have occurred in our bench and pilot plant test-work. The use of sodium tripolyphosphate in combination with sodium silicate as a dispersant is very effective. However, this may cause a problem with the environmental groups as phosphorous is a nutrient. We have also established that the lower the Ca level in the pulp solutions the greater the dispersion. We have found that ores from the same geological strata, having the same general mineralogy and iron content will sometimes have widely different degrees of dispersion. There was-no difference in the gross mineralogy but the solubility of the Ca and SO ions was much less in the ores most easily dispersed. Research efforts should be directed towards a more practical means which would more easily enable one to predict the amount of dispersant required for the various ores. With regard to water quality we have found that waters having higher contents of SO4 and C1 ions hinder dispersion. This could be a method of controlling too much dispersion by the addition of sulfate or chloride ions. This would require further investigation. We have had no trouble with agitation speeds of up to 925 rpm in conditioning starch with the dispersed pulp prior to selective flocculation. We have found about 0.3Lb/LT of starch to be sufficient for selective flocculation on our ores. The increasing of the starch to 1.25Lb/LT has had no effect on the metallurgy of the selective floccula-

Jan 1, 1979

By R. A. Burmeister, P. E. Greene

Two methods for the synthesis and growth of single crystals of B6 P are described: a solution-growth process employing nickel as the solvent, and a vapor-growth process employing BBr3 and pH3 as the reac-tants. Relevant portions of the Ni-B-P phase diagram have been examined and liquidus data are presented for an isobaric section at an equivalent P2 pressure of 3.8 Torr, and an isothertnal section at 1300°C. Solution-growth techniques are described and the purity and crystalline perfection of the resulting material is discussed. Epitaxial growth of BeP on &P substrates has been obtained using the vapor-phase system. Evidence is presented which supports the assignment of the stoichioknetry B6P to boron sub-plwsphide. THE B-P system differs from other III-V systems in that it contains two distinct compounds. The existence of the monophosphide (BP) has been known for some time,' whereas the subphosphide (B6P) was reported only recently.' Both of these compounds are large bandgap semiconductors (Eg = 2.0 ev for BP~ and 3.3 ev for B6P4), and are therefore of interest for optoelectronic applications. The crystal structure of B6P is quite different from those of most semiconductors, being derived from that of a-rhombohedral boron by the incorporation of the two phosphorus atoms in the intericosahedral sites of the a-boron unit cell?76 B6P also exhibits a number of unusual characteristics, including a high degree of chemical inertness, hardness, and high-temperature stability. No information concerning other physical properties is available in the literature. The present study is part of a broader investigation of the preparation and properties of B6P. This paper considers methods of growing single crystals of B6P of suitable size and quality for physical-property measurements. A detailed discussion of the electrical and optical properties of B6P will be given elsewhere.' GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS The method first used to synthesize B6P was the disproportionation of BP' according to the reaction The equilibrium P2 pressures corresponding to this reaction were also determined .'" It is therefore possible, in principle, to apply several of the reactions reported for the synthesis of BP to the synthesis of B6P merely by selecting lower phosphorus pressures or higher temperatures, in accordance with the equilibrium data. Other techniques for the direct synthesis of microcry stalline B8P have also been reported.1°

Jan 1, 1968

By C. V. O. Hughes

DIATOMACEOUS earth is probably the most widely used, and certainly the least well publicized, of the important non-metallics of the United States. The very multiplicity of the names by which this whitish earthy sediment is described has served to confuse its identity, and to dissipate a realization of its full importance.

Jan 3, 1953

By Louis Stott

IT is well known that the oxide of beryllium was identified as a new "earth" in 17971 and the metal first isolated in 18272. The history of the many difficulties encountered by early investigators, the laboratory achievements of Lebeau3, Fichter4 and Oesterheld5, and the eventual development of methods for commercial production are well covered in the literature, particularly in the authoritative published work of Siemens and Halske6 reviewing their comprehensive investigation of the element. Accordingly it has seemed desirable to restrict this paper to the properties and uses of beryllium and its alloys.

Jan 1, 1936

By Lewis M. Cook, Robert H. Morse

The use of portable radon detectors has become routine in reconnaissance uranium surveys where water and sediment samples are analyzed in field labs for radon and radium, and in detailed work where drill hole locations are pinpointed by field determinations of radon in soil gas from shallow holes. During the drilling program itself, however, very few operators are taking advantage of radon and radium analyses to decide whether a barren drill hole was a near miss or whether the immediate area can be written off. The technique is effective both above and below the water table.

Jan 6, 1979

By E. J. Haug, M. M. Fine

For several years work has been carried on by the U.S. Bureau of Mines at Rolla, Mo., to develop improved methods of concentrating the oxidized ores of lead and zinc. Various samples have been investigated, and results on some have been published. Details of the progress to date are given in a mineral dressing study now being conducted for an extensive oxidized lead-bearing tract in southeast Missouri, property of St. Joseph Lead Co. These oxidized ores present problems typical of many encountered in modern mineral dressing research in that recovery of very fine particles is of

Jan 4, 1955

By E. J. Haug, M. M. Fine

FOR several years work has been carried on by the U.S. Bureau of Mines at Rolla, Mo., to develop improved methods of concentrating the oxidized ores of lead and zinc. Various samples have been investigated, and results on some have been published 1,2 lished.l, 2 Details of the progress to date are given in a mineral dressing study now being conducted for an extensive oxidized lead-bearing tract in southeast Missouri, property of St. Joseph Lead Co. These oxidized ores present problems typical of many encountered in modern mineral dressing research in that recovery of very fine particles is of

Jan 1, 1956

By P. Barnes

The complete and uccurate filtration of water (if the word accurste map be thus Used) for the feeding of boilers, and for many similar industrial purposes, although somewhat practiced both at home and abroad, has heal by no means common. Even if the exact line cannot be defined at which filtration begins to be called for, ad will be found profitable, it is certain that in a large number of cases it may be employed with real advantage in the economy of fuel, and also in the greater durability of the boiler or other form of apparatus in

Jan 1, 1882

By E. T. Cox

The peninsula of Florida is remarkable for the uniform character and simplicity of its geological structure. Major Henry Whiting, of the U. S. Army, was one of the first to give an account of the physical features and rocks of Florida, in an article published in 1839, in the American Journal of Science (vol. xxxv., p. 47). He says: " The rocks found in situ are all calcareous, though siliceous boulders are occasionally seen, and nodules of hornstone are here and there mingled with the limestone, which elicit sparks and are sometimes used by the Indians for flints."

Jan 1, 1896