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By Fred W. Menzl, Raymond E. Sutton

GABBS, Nev., in Nye County, is 140 miles southeast of Reno and about 31 miles north of the Southern Pacific railroad at Luning. The townsite lies at the eastern edge of Gabbs Valley, and plant and quarry operations are in the foothills of the Paradise Range at elevations from 5000 to 5900 ft. Hard-surfaced roads connect with main U. S. high- ways on the north and south. Historical Background: Brucite, a magnesium hydroxide mineral, was discovered in the Gabbs area in 1927 and magnesite, the magnesium carbonate, was found later on claims originally staked and worked for the tungsten mineral scheelite. The brucite is on a granodiorite contact and the magnesite is usually some distance away from the granodiorite

Jan 7, 1957

IT is certainly fitting and proper that the shortage of engineers should be the topic of frequent editorials in the professional magazine of mining engineers, but many of you are directly concerned with another shortage; namely, the shortage of skilled miners. It is often said that the military organization is built around the noncommissioned officer and it is similarly true that the mining organization depends for its production on the skilled miner-the NCO of the mining industry.

Jan 10, 1951

By A. M. Strauss

This contribution illustrates the application of the theory of period doubling to the description of the formation of microcracks in rocks. The fundamental mathematics is described and a method of prediction is proposed. The invariance (universal constants) of a generic microfracturing (damage) process is described. Finally, the method is presented as a deterministic method of predicting the failure of an engineering material while keeping track of the amount of damage that has occured at any point.

Jan 1, 1984

By Harrison A. Schmitt

One of the great copper-producing areas of the world is comprised of five U. S. western states and northern Sonora, Mexico. The Southwest province of this area, covering southern Arizona, south- western New Mexico, and northern Sonora, produces some 55 pct of U. S. copper output and the equivalent of 15 pct of world production. In 1956 the area produced about 550,000 tons. Tucson is approximately the center of the oval- shaped province, which measures only 300 miles on its east-west axis and about 200 miles on its short axis. Northwest of the oval, and forming a tenuous connection with the Utah and Nevada copper fields, is an important operating mine, Bagdad, and also the now inactive United Verde. Along its north- south axis, running from Globe, through Tucson, to Nogales, ten moderate to major copper properties have been discovered or revived during the past 15 years, and five of these in only the past seven years. The latter five properties lie in an area 25 miles in diameter, centering 20 miles south of Tucson. In order of discovery, or revival, they are: Banner's Mineral Hill and Daisy; Cyprus et al's Pima; Duval's Esperanza; Asarco's East Pima (now called Mission mine) ; and Lewisohn's Peach. Total tonnage is estimated at about 250 million tons averaging some 0.90 pct Cu, but ultimate production may exceed this amount since some of the reserve is open ended.

Jan 6, 1959

Beyond the industrial suburbs of Melbourne to the southeast are brown coal deposits just under the fertile soil of the Latrobe Valley. These deposits rank as one of the wonders of the world. The manner in which this resource is put to use is one of the great engineering accomplishments of our time and also a prime example of Australian elan. The brown coal, with over 60% water content, occurs in beds from 200 to 400 ft thick, under 50 ft of cover. Fifty thousand tons of coal per day move in a nearly continuous stream from mining face to boilers. The power plants supply two thirds of the State of Victoria's requirements, about 800 megawatts. Surge capacity between mine and power plant is sufficient for 12 hr steaming time! Victorian brown coals have been known since the middle of the 19th century. However, it took a strike of bituminous coal miners in 1915 to bring brown coal permanently into the picture as a fuel for power generation. In Australia, power generation is a State function. The great development of brown coals has been under the State Electricity Commission of Victoria.

Jan 10, 1964

By James P. Kimball

In a paper which I had the honor to present to the Institute at the Montreal meeting, September 1879,I took occasion to refer incidentally to certain practical difficulties in the sampling of coal-seams {Trans. Vol. VIII., p. 181-3). This reference was particularly to the unequal distribution of sulphur in the form of pyrite, and to the necessity of discriminating between the several members or " benches " of a coal seam as to their relative proportion of visible sulphur. What is a practically truthful estimation of the sulphur of a coal seam, is not necessarily the estimation of an average of sulphur in any given line of cross-section of the seam. Cornparatively speaking, the range of sulphur in quantity is generally so low that errors in its determination, arising from neglectful sampling or from slips in the laboratory, fall chiefly upon this single ingredient. Not so,

Jan 1, 1884

By Fred C. Bond

This article is interesting because it deals with the fundamentals of grinding in a novel manner. However, it is somewhat reminiscent of Mark Twain's famous evaluation of science as the production of pounds of conjecture from ounces of fact. Extrapolations abound, and some cases they are treated with a seriousness that is undeserved. Tests should undoubtedly be made of wet grinding at supercritical speeds, using smooth mill lining and mill charges of large grinding balls as well as pebbles. However, the performance predicted in the article needs more qualification than it has received.

Jan 5, 1958

By J. A. Eisele, D. J. Bauer, L. E. Schultze

Approximately 100 million mt of magnetic reject tailings, which contain apatite and about 1% yttrium and rare-earth elements, exist in the eastern U.S. as a result of iron ore mining operations. At the present time, no economic process is available for recovering yttrium from this material. The U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) studied the problem to determine if an effective low-cost method could be found, thereby increasing our domestic yttrium reserves. [Fig. 1] is a line drawing of a photograph taken during microprobe analysis of a sample of the tailings, and shows the distribution of yttrium. Typical analysis of this material is 0.14% yttrium and 1.1% rare-earth elements (mainly lanthanum through neodymium). Over half of the yttrium is present as a hydrated Ca-Y silicate deposited along interfaces in the grain structure; whereas, the remainder of the rare-earth elements occur as Ca-Fe-RE silicates. The remaining yttrium and rare-earth elements are in solid solution with the

Jan 1, 1977

By M. T. Melvin, N. P. Kripakov

The practical application of a post-processing modeling procedure to simulate progressive rock failure around the periphery of coal mine entries is presented. This numerical scheme utilizes a simple rock model that incorporates easily obtainable input parameters consistent with basic rock mechanics principles. These parameters include the cohesion, angle of internal friction, modulus of elasticity, and Poisson's ratio of the bedded deposits that comprise the imediate roof, coal seam, and immediate floor. The geometry of the entry, along with the in situ stresses existing at a mine site prior to mining, are also considered in the analysis. The potential of this procedure as a predictive tool in determining the extent of pillar rib fracturing and yielding of the immediate roof and floor is evaluated assuming a Mohr- Coulomb failure criterion. The procedure is designed to be user oriented and is adaptable to any finite element code with linear elastic capability, making it particularly attractive to users with limited budgets and computer size.

Jan 1, 1983

By Charles E. Glass

A steadily growing body of evidence indicates that earthquake ground motions can cause failure of rock slopes that are otherwise stable under static loading conditions. As a result, the economic optimum working slope angle is reduced when earthquake shaking is considered in surface mine design, especially in regions of high seismicity. When designing surface mine slopes to withstand seismic motion it is as important to consider the probability of experiencing various levels of ground shaking as it is to consider the characteristics of the ground motion. For most slope designs, simple probabilistic techniques such as extreme value or maximum likelihood techniques are appropriate. These techniques, however, should be applied in such a way that a probability value is assigned to characteristic ground motion parameters at the mine rather than to nearby earthquake magnitudes. Several techniques have been developed to analyze rock slopes subjected to dynamic loads. Most of these techniques do not adequately account for the ground motion parameters of concern. The best technique appears to be one that utilizes actual earthquake time histories. A simple technique that calculates block displacement for any input accelerogram, using a linear acceleration approximation between time steps, has been developed that accurately accounts for rock block response. Results using this technique indicate that the following factors are important for assessing rock slope stability in earthquake regions:

Jan 1, 1983

By H. Herbert Hughes

THE trend in modern building construction is definitely toward the use of weight-reducing materials. The basic advantage of lighter structural weight is obvious; reduction of dead load with retention of equivalent strength affords the possibility of increasing the live load, or if this is not desirable or necessary it makes feasible a reduction in size of structural steel members and corresponding savings in other phases of construction. Among the weight-reducing materials and practices rapidly gaining favor are the use of light-weight patented insulating board to replace back-up tile or units, particularly in home construction; introduction of aluminum alloys to replace steel for many purposes; manufacture of porous brick, the use of which materially reduces the weight of masonry walls and partitions; and the use of self-rising vesicular concrete, diatomite and sawdust tile, porous gypsum, or gypsum tile for nonload-bearing partitions and walls. Even building accessories are being designed to save weight and space; one of the most striking examples of this is improved radiator construction. Concrete technique is keeping pace with the rest of the industry. Burned shale aggregates now available in many sections of the country will make concrete weighing only 100 lb. per cubic foot, saving roughly 35 per cent. in weight and sacrificing none of the strength of a rock-sand mix. It may be more expensive, but actual experience has shown that the saving in dead load will effect a reduction in structural steel which in many instances will more than offset the increased cost of the aggregate. The vesicular nature of most light-weight aggregates gives the concrete especially good insulating, fireproofing and soundproofing properties; yet absorption is comparatively low. Strangely enough, however, the increased use of light-weight aggregates appears to have augmented the demand for ordinary aggregates in concrete construction rather than to have decreased it. Light-weight aggregates have widened the field for concrete structures and, since the producers do not attempt to recommend the use of their material except where weight or other special properties are important factors, impetus- has been given to sales of other aggregates.

Jan 1, 1931

By Herbert Hughes

The trend in modern building construction is definitely toward the use of weight-reducing materials. The basic advantage of lighter structural weight is obvious; reduction of dead load with retention of equivalent strength affords the possibility of increasing the live load, or if this is not desirable or necessary it makes feasible a reduction in size of structural steel members and corresponding savings in other phases of construction. Among the weight-reducing materials and practices rapidly gaining favor are the use of light-weight patented insulating board to replace back-up tile or units, particularly in home construction; introduction of aluminum alloys to replace steel for many purposes; manufacture of porous brick, the use of which materially reduces the weight of masonry walls and partitions; and the use of self-rising vesicular concrete, dia-tomite and sawdust tile, porous gypsum, or gypsum tile for nonload-bear-ing partitions and walls. Even building accessories are being designed to save weight and space; one of the most striking examples of this is improved radiator construction. Concrete technique is keeping pace with the rest of the industry. Burned shale aggregates now available in many sections of the country will make concrete weighing only 100 Ib. per cubic foot, saving roughly 35 per cent. in weight and sacrificing none of the strength of a rock-sand mix. It may be more expensive, but actual experience has shown that the saving in dead load will effect a reduction in structural steel which in many instances will more than offset the increased cost of the aggregate. The vesicular nature of most light-weight aggregates gives the concrete especially good insulating, fireproofing and soundproofing properties; yet absorption is compara.tively low. Strangely enough, however, the increased use of light-weight aggregates appears to have augmented the demand for ordinary aggregates in concrete construction rather than to have decreased it. Light-weight aggregates have widened the field for concrete structures and, since the producers do not attempt to recommend the use of their material except where weight or other special properties are important factors, impetus has been given to sales of other aggregates.

Jan 1, 1931

Under the joint auspices of the Illuminating Engineering Society and the University of Pennsylvania there will be given about 20 lectures covering the general principles of illumination and the aspects of lighting practice. They will be held at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, from Sept. 21 to 28, 1916, inclusive. The subject of illumination of mines will be included in this series, which will be delivered by men selected on account of their qualifications to deal authoritatively with the several phases of the subject. In connection with the lectures there will be an exhibition of the latest developments in illuminating appliances, including lamps, accessories, photometers, together with novel applications of light. There will also be an inspection tour which will include visits to manufacturing establishments, laboratories, lighting companies and notable lighting installations. For further particulars apply to the Illuminating Engineering Society, 29 West 39th Street, New York City.

Jan 6, 1916

A rotary chambered blasthole technique has initially indicated a 30% overall improvement in drill and blast department productivity. The method, developed at several open pit copper mines in Arizona, centers around a chambering tool that can be used with existing high-speed rotary drills. The "Chamber Maker," manufactured by the Servco Div. of Smith International, Inc., produces an enlarged section or chamber near the bottom of a large diameter blasthole (Fig. 1). This enlarged cavity permits a greater concentration of explosives at the bottom of the blasthole, resulting in better fragmentation and reduced hard toe problems, and also lowers the number of blastholes required to break a bench area, says Servco's Gerald W. Laswell. Cost savings can therefore be achieved in reduced secondary blasting requirements, increased shovel efficiency, and subsequently, less shovel maintenance. All these factors would serve to lower the overall mine cost per ton figure

Jan 3, 1975

By Wilder D. Bancroft

It is eight years since I have been connected actively with metallography, but in this time I have been learning something about colloid chemistry, which may be considered as the chemistry of bubbles, drops, grains, filaments, and films, all things in which at least one dimension is very small or in which the surface is large relatively to the mass. Films, of course, suggest to the metallographist Beilby's amorphous film theory, about which I am going to speak for a while, though probably not in the way you expect. I come to bury Beilby, not to praise him. So far as I can judge from looking over the literature hastily, there are two schools in the United States, those who accept Beilby's theory willingly and those who accept it unwillingly. Hoytl says that: At present there seem to be two schools in metallography, one which has adopted the amorphous-phase theory for the explanation of the effect of cold work, mechanical deformation, etc., and one which is not ready at present to adopt this theory. It seems to me that this theory can at least be used as a convenient means of explaining various facts that are demonstrable in the laboratory but the presence of this amorphous material, through our lack of experimental means, we are unable to prove. That we have failed in this direction should not necessarily hinder us from using a theory as workable as this. Mathewson2 says: I have come reluctantly to believe in the amorphous theory, or some theory admitting a modification of the ordinary crystalline phase so as to permit differential properties with temperature, etc. If Mathewson represents one extreme, with Hoyt perhaps occupying a middle ground, H. M. Howe3 may be cited as one of the enthusiastic supporters of Beilby's amorphous theory. It is, says Howe:

Jan 1, 1923

By Wilder D. Bancroft

It is eight years since I have been connected actively with metallography, but in this time I have been learning something about colloid chemistry, which may be considered as the chemistry of bubbles, drops, grains, filaments, and films, all things in which at least one dimension is very small or in which the surface is large relatively to the mass. Films, of course, suggest to the metallographist Beilby's amorphous film theory, about which I am going to speak for a while, though probably not in the way you expect. I come to bury Beilby, not to praise him. So far as I can judge from looking over the literature hastily, there are two schools in the United States, those who accept Beilby's theory willingly and those who accept it unwillingly. Hoytl says that: At present there seem to be two schools in metallography, one which has adopted the amorphous-phase theory for the explanation of the effect of cold work, mechanical deformation, etc., and one which is not ready at present to adopt this theory. It seems to me that this theory can at least be used as a convenient means of explaining various facts that are demonstrable in the laboratory but the presence of this amorphous material, through our lack of experimental means, we are unable to prove. That we have failed in this direction should not necessarily hinder us from using a theory as workable as this. Mathewson2 says: I have come reluctantly to believe in the amorphous theory, or some theory admitting a modification of the ordinary crystalline phase so as to permit differential properties with temperature, etc. If Mathewson represents one extreme, with Hoyt perhaps occupying a middle ground, H. M. Howe3 may be cited as one of the enthusiastic supporters of Beilby's amorphous theory. It is, says Howe:

Jan 1, 1923

By John V. Beall

New York was bathed in pale winter sunshine and, surprisingly, coatless weather. The time was the AIME Centennial and 100th Annual Meeting. From advance peeks into the fabulous schedule of events we were well aware that the Centennial Committee, New York Host Section and AIME staff' had pulled out all the stops, laying on the best of everything, but the weather gimmick was the frosting on the cake. The Formal Greetings Session on the first morning, Joe Alford confided, was the greatest AIME experience of his life. Without doubt the honor bestowed on AIME by the greetings and felicitations of the presidents of the world's leading professional engineering societies was the greatest moment in AIME history-save one. That one exception was in 1928, when 1920 AIME President Herbert C. Hoover was elected President of the United States.

Jan 1, 1971

By Charles M. Bayer

Reading in the AIME annual reports that certain activities have been financed by the Rocky Mountain Club Fund, less senior members of the Institute may wonder. "What's the Rocky Mountain Club?" Less youthful members will not have to wonder. They will recall the Club as an intriguing, almost fantastic organization, largely of western mining men, that flared across the New York horizon, flamed brilliantly for a little more than two decades, then sputtered out of existence- glorious even in its last flash. It was the only product of its mold, a fabulous group of magnanimous men who unhesitatingly sacrificed a cherished dream for which they had raised millions of dollars so that the money, instead of creating a magnificent club house, could be used instead to save the lives of starving Belgian children in World War I.

Jan 12, 1964

The members of the Institute living in the lower Mississippi Valley, I extend a hearty and cordial invitation to their fellow-members to meet with them nest October, in St. Louis. They believe that it will be a meeting of singular interest, inasmuch as the district in question can show in active production almost all of the more useful metals and non-metals. Perhaps too few know that the Southeast Missouri District, about 80 miles south of St,. Louis, and to which a special trip is planned, is the largest lead district in the world. It was that before-the European war, and, now that the production of lead has greatly increased abroad, and has correspondingly increased in the United States, this is one of the most interesting of all lend districts. In 1913, the production of the world was 1,270,000 tons, the last world figures obtainable. In that same year the production of the United States

Jan 5, 1917

By Comfort Adams

WHEN this country went into the war, but two concerns, The Bethlehem Steel Co. and The Midvale Steel and Ordnance Co., knew how to make steel fit for great cannons and at these concerns there were relatively few men who knew the whole art. Fortunately, certain of these men put their knowledge at the service of the Government, and proceeded to instruct the metallurgists at the arsenals and at various steel works. The then chairman of the Engineering Division of the National Research Council, Doctor Howe, suggested that this work might be facilitated, and the number of effective gun-steel makers thereby increased, if a detailed description of the best practice could be written, giving the reasons for the various steps, and issued with the endorsement of a committee composed of those who were evidently the most competent authorities. It was thought that something would be gained by clarification of the subject, and something by the eminent authority' of the members of the committee. To that end, the Engineering Division appointed-a committee, consisting of the gentlemen whose names follow, to mention only those who retained their connection with it. At, this time there were serious difficulties in the manufacture for the Government, of aircraft and high-speed engine crankshafts, of certain ordnance forgings, and of shells for both the Army and Navy. This Committee was asked to study and report upon these, with a view to betterment of practice. There were indications that the source of some of the difficulties went back to the melting of the steel and the production of the ingot. Hence, the committee first studied steel melting and ingot production, in order to guide the wartime manufacturers to an even larger percentage of useful production from the steel initially melted.

Jan 1, 1922