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By Donald C. Violetta

LIMITATIONS of the sintering process as applied to the agglomeration of fine iron-ore concentrates are related directly to the sizes and aggregating properties of the ore particles. A normal sintering mixture is composed predominantly of material which ranges in size from 5/8 in. to 100 mesh, whereas concentrate is composed of material which ranges in size from 100 mesh to less than 10µ. Unless the concentrate has high aggregating properties, it is quite impervious to a gas stream and, as such, inhibits the capacity and operability of the conventional sintering process. Material has Poor Aggregating Properties Aggregating properties, in this case, may be defined as the ability to form small agglomerated fragments or accreated masses by a normal mixing action, and the ability to maintain these shapes during drying and firing. Coarse-screened ores are a natural aggregate, and fine, slimey ores have good aggregating properties. However, specular-hematite flotation concentrate has a very low tendency to aggregate, due to its particle sizes, shapes, and surface chemistry and, as such, is readily air borne in a gas stream when dry.

Jan 3, 1958

By W. C. Lacy

The last crop of graduates from our colleges and universities who sought employment in the mineral industries found that they needed to hustle to find a job. There was no longer a list of waiting employers to choose from. Some of them became discouraged and drifted into other fields; many are still looking for employment. Word has gotten around that there are no jobs available in the mineral industries, and enrollment in the various colleges of mines and mineral industries has started to drop. Even established professional men are finding themselves suddenly out of work because of unstable metal prices and rising costs. All these people-students beginning to search for a career, young engineers not yet established-face the same problem: "What is the future of the mineral industries, and what type of training will best qualify the scientist or engineer for this changing field?" This question was posed to a number of leaders in different phases of the industry. Their comments are summarized as a guide to those considering a career in the finding, extraction, or beneficiation of mineral products.

Jan 1, 1960

By A. L. Senkayi, L. R. Hossner, J. B. Dixon, J. S. Ahlrichs

Chemical and physical properties of soils and overburden materials must be evaluated prior to strip mining activities. This information can be used to assess whether subsurface overburden can be equal in quality to the native soils, especially when these soils are classed as prime farm lands. In northeast Texas, lignite primarily occurs in the Calvert Bluff formation which is underlain by the Simboro and Hooper formations. These formations are in the Wilcox group (early Eocene). The Carrizo formation, that unconformably overlies the Calvert Bluff formation, consists of thick layers of sand with poor water and nutrient retention capabilities. These materials are least suited for placement on the surface of reclaimed land. The oxidized, medium textured overburden of the Culvert Bluff and Simboro formations possess adequate water and nutrient retention properties and are better suited for sustained plant growth when compared to the existing native soils. Non-oxidized Calvert Bluff and Hooper sediments generally have acceptable properties for reclamation although acid forming sulfides occasionally occur. Materials high in sulfides must be buried during mining or appropriately treated prior to reclamation.

Jan 1, 1984

By A. H. Tousley

The cement industry is on the horns of an economic dilemma. Within the last ten years, its over- capacity in the United States has varied from 139- 127% of demand (Fig. 1). The most direct effect of this is seen in cement prices, which reached a peak in 1960, retreated steadily through 1966 and only recently climbed back to the 1960 level again. With prices in a slump and production costs estimated to be up almost 30%, there has been a steady drain on cement profits. Since 1960, labor costs have increased 86% while fuel costs have risen 18%. Meanwhile, customer service costs have also soared owing to the competition for cement customers and the wider variety of available cement products. This search for sales advantage has in turn led to a higher Blaine number, which means more grinding and hence bigger mills, more power, and, once again, higher costs. New plants as well as expansions and revisions to existing plants are also costing more owing to higher

Jan 1, 1971

THE Pacific Northwest's joint meeting of the Industrial Minerals and Metals Branch in Spokane, Wash., drew 260 members, 72 students, and 30 ladies. Theme of the meeting was to acquaint men in the industry with students and younger men. The special appeal to the students was coupled with an attempt to attract young technical men from the companies located in the northwestern area. The activities of the meeting were available without charge to students. Contributions were made by the industries in the area to assist student attendance. Following the special student and faculty trip to the Trentwood rolling mills and research laboratory on Friday afternoon everyone enjoyed a complimentary dinner. A. Y. Bethune of the Sullivan Mining Co., spoke to the group on the operations of Kellogg, Idaho electrolytic zinc plant. The Industrial Minerals Div. session was opened on Saturday morning by R. G. Vervaeke, Conference Chairman who introduced A. O. Bartell of the Raw Materials Survey, Portland, Ore. Mr. Bartell in turn introduced C. W. Sweetwood who discussed Open-Pit Phosphate Mining.

Jan 1, 1952

By David R. Maneval

At the turn of the century, 90% of the energy output in the United States was generated by coal, and Pennsylvania was the ranking producer of this fuel. With the huge resources of easily accessible coal found by its early settlers, the Commonwealth was the nation's chief powerhouse for nearly 100 years. In 1928 alone, Pennsylvania mined a billion dollars' worth of coal-or enough to fill a train reaching more than twice around the world at the State's latitude. Coal constituted nearly 67% of the freight of Pennsylvania and was responsible for the State's $4-billion iron and steel industry. Pennsylvania was slow to take up its position as the greatest coal-producing state in the union, but the knowledge of its coal assets was not slow in accumulating. In fact, long before the white man arrived, the Indians were aware that many of the hills were underlain by black stones that would burn. But awareness was not enough. The early Pennsylvania settlers confined themselves to the southeastern corner of the State and had little need or concern for resources further inland.

Jan 1, 1971

By Nicklaus Heil, L. D. Clark

As political tensions in African and Asian mineral producing regions increase, the orientation of Latin America's economic development assumes importance not only in the U.S. hemispheric policy but also in our mineral-based economy. Latin America as a mineral supply source has been confronted with regional, political and economic problems which may, at best, have limited further investment and, at worst, have suggested possible repudiation of existing investments. Historically, the mining industry has provided a basis for the national economies of Bolivia, Chile and Peru, and recently the governments of these countries have sought to force increased development of the industry through new and somewhat revolutionary mineral legislation. The extent to which the mineral industries are intended to finance economic development is uncertain and the influence of this legislation on economic freedom and incentive for foreign and domestic investment is a matter for some thought. Two facts are outstanding: first, mining, at present, provides approximately 80% of the foreign exchange in Chile and Bolivia and 42% of that in Peru and, second, existing tax revenues are insufficient to finance a developing economy.

Jan 5, 1967

By Albert F. J. Bordeaux

The following general survey of the character and present condition of the silver-mines of Mexico, though not offered as a detailed treatise, has been prepared with care, is believed to be generally up-to-date, and is offered as a summary which may be found useful by mining engineers. For several centuries Mexico has ranked first anlong the silver-producing countries. It is now second as a copper-producer, and seventh as a gold-producer, with a fast-increasing output every year. The total amount of capital invested in its mining- and smelting-works exceeds $250,000,000, while the value of the yearly metallic production is $160,000,000. There are more than 20,000 recorded mining properties. The silver-mines of Mexico represent deposits of three principal classes: (1) veins and stock-works in eruptive rocks; (2) fissure-veins crossing the crystalline schists, granite, diorite, etc.; and (3) veins and replacement-deposits in limestone. The true fissure-veins in some districts contain (in value) vol. xxr1x.—22

Jan 1, 1909

By R. H. King

The Automatic Extraction System (AES) was designed and built under a US Department of Energy Contract by the National Mine Service Co. in cooperation with the Lee Engineering Division of Consolidation Coal Co. The Pennsylvania State University, Mining Engineering Section, was contracted as an independent auditor of the AES performance. The AES had a rotating cutter drum like a continuous mining machine. But two hydraulically powered roof supports, four roof-bolting drills, a dust scrubber, a ventilation fan and ducting in the roof supports, semi-automatic control, an extensible chain conveyor, and other innovations led to the distinction "extraction system" as opposed to "miner-bolter" or continuous mining" machine. After design and assembly, the AES was field tested experimentally in an underground coal mine. The in-mine performance audit was preceded by a computer simulation of the potential production for a later comparison with the actual tonnage mined by the AES. This paper describes the results of an in-mine trial and assesses the production potential of the AES.

Jan 1, 1983

By Gill Montgomery

The strong upward curve of fluorspar consumption continued through 1968, with domestic producers unable to furnish more than 30% of U.S. requirements. Stocks of all grades were quite short at all points during most of 1968. This resulted in price increases as both domestic and foreign producers sought to cover spiralling labor costs. Further increases are probable for 1969. All Illinois mines were closed by strikes in January and February. The strong trend in metallurgical imports reflects the increased use of fluorspar in steelmaking, as new oxygen process steel plants come into production. The growth of use of all fluorocarbon chemicals continues to require additional acid grade fluorspar, with military uses a major factor. Several new aluminum smelting facilities coming into production are adding to the aluminum fluoride needs, bringing further pressure upon the world supply of acid grade fluorspar. The world-wide consumption pressure on all grades of fluorspar is pushing prices up, and no end to the tight supply is in sight, even assuming that all the new projects cited here are finished on schedule.

Jan 3, 1969

By R. J. Caro

The Anaconda phosphate plant was put into operation in the fall of 1923. Its present daily operating capacity is approximately 170 tons of treble superphosphate and 16 tons of phosphoric acid analyzing 42 pct P2 O5 and 52 pct P2 Os, respectively. As a result of the continued increased demand for phosphates, Anaconda decided in 1947 to expand the plant's daily output to 270 tons of treble superphosphate and 54 tons of phosphoric acid. The present daily plant intake is 335 tons of wet (footwall) phosphate rock analyzing 31.7 pct P² O5 and 0.28 pct V² O5. The rock is shipped from Anaconda's mine at Conda, Idaho, in open railroad cars, having been crushed to pass 3/8 in. mesh at the mine.' The expansion program will require an increased intake of 300 tons of rock per day. The hanging-wall rock anaIj-ses approximately 30.5 pct P2 O5 and 0.11 pct V² O5, and will be beneficiated in a new washing plant under construction

Jan 1, 1950

By John Gross

THE deductions drawn in crushing and grinding operations have heretofore been based on a separation of the products into various sizes. A crushed product may be sized by sieving, by elutriation, and by aid of the microscope. To estimate the surface of each size the relation of the surface to the estimated average diameter must be assumed. Such a relation, owing to the irregularity of the particles, may involve two assumptions: First, a factor to convert average diameter to surface for one particular size; and second, a variation in the factor as the diameter of the particle changes. Obviously a surface measurement in which such assumptions and estimates are involved is questionable. In the first paper of this series1 a method has been given by which an accurate measure of surface of quartz can be obtained from its dissolution rate. By the use of this method, surface measurements have been made on a series of sieve sizes of crushed quartz, the results of which are given and discussed in this paper.

Jan 1, 1928

By Rollyn P. Jacobson

The town of Pacific, in Jefferson County, Mo., is 27 miles west of St. Louis. Since the area lies entirely on the flood plain of a cut-off meander of the Meramac River, it was considered a likely environment for accumulation of commercial quantities of sand and gravel. Excellent transportation facilities are afforded by two major railways to St. Louis, and ample water supply for washing and separation is assured by the proximity of the river. As a large washing and separation plant was planned, the property was evaluated in detail to justify the high initial expenditure. An intensive testing program using both geophysical and drilling methods was designed and carried out. The prospect was surveyed topographically and a 200-ft grid staked on which electrical resistivity depth profiles were observed at 130 points. The Wenner 4-electrode configuration and earth resistivity apparatus* were used. In all but a few cases, the electrode spacing, A, was increased in increments of 1% ft to a spread of 30 ft and in increments of 3 ft thereafter.

Jan 2, 1955

By Forbes K. Wilson

"For his vision, determination, dedication, and leadership in the conquest of the remote and rugged Ertsberg and the technical and human barriers to its development and for his lecture ..." It is a great honor for me to be included among the Jackling Award recipients, many of whom have been close friends and associates. My subject is the development of the Ertsberg, a copper mine located 4' south of the equator, 70 miles (113 km) from the south coast of Irian Jaya---the easternmost province of the republic of Indonesia at an elevation of 12,000 ft (3658 m) in an area which was inhabited by a few "stone age" people when I first arrived there in 1960. Persistence, tenacity, immagination and innovation were all required to bring the Ertsberg into production. The technical, financial and political problems that have been faced over the past 16 years were unique in many respects. I hope that my paper will give some encouragement and help to future developers of mines in difficult and inhospitable surroundings.

Jan 1, 1978

By J. C. Irvine

Meramec Mining Co., a joint venture of Bethlehem Steel Corp. and St. Joe Minerals Corp., mines and pelletizes iron ore at the Pea Ridge mine. The Pea Ridge property is located near Sullivan, Miss., about 113 km (70 miles) southwest of St. Louis. The ore body was delineated in the mid-1950's by St. Joe during a lead exploration program. The first test holes drilled on the Pea Ridge magnetic anomaly revealed the presence of a large magnetite deposit; further drilling in 1956 and 1957 confirmed that the ore body was mineable. Meramec Mining Co. was incorporated in 1957 and shaft sinking began late in the year. Production began in April 1964. The ore body is overlain by about 400 m (1300 ft) of flat-bedded sediments. It is tabular, about 800 m (2600 ft) long and up to 180 m (1600 ft) thick. It dips about 80° and is of unknown depth. The ore is mainly high-grade magnetite with small zones of specular hematite. The wall rock is a Precambrian rhyolite porphyry.

Jan 9, 1976

U.S. Steel Uncovers Massive Iron Ore Deposits in Nevada United States Steel Corporation has confirmed that mineral investigation in Lyon County, Nevada. has been under way since 1960. Confirmation followed press reports of a statement attributed to a Nevada State inspector of mines to the effect that the Corporation has found a major iron ore deposit that may also contain copper ill West Central Nevada. Drillings over the years in a number of locations have indicated extensive iron ore bodie containing a possible quarter of a billion tons of ore of a basically magnetite composition. analyzing less than 40% iron, which would require beneficiation for commercial use. Some of these deposits are deep- lying while others would permit open pit mining. These bodies contain copper in quantities of approxiimately 0.3%. More recent drilling in another area has disclosed evidence of additional deeply-lying deposits of a lower fe content but with more promising indications of copper. A realistic estimate of fe and cu ore reserves cannot be made until more drilling is completed.

Jan 1, 1970

By Lyall Zickrick

EXPERIMENTS of previous investigations have indicated that calcium-copper alloy, when used as a deoxidizer for molten copper, results in a sound copper casting of good physical and electrical properties. Bradenberg and Wiens1 have obtained successful results in casting sound copper using calcium for deoxidizing. Masing2 has obtained deoxidized copper of high density and high conductivity by use of calcium. Pratt,3 in 1907, patented the use of calcium for the deoxidation and degasification of, copper. Schumacher, Ellis and Eckel 4 in 1929, conducted a series of experiments on deoxidizing copper with calcium. They concluded that so long as there is only a small percentage of residual calcium the mechanical and electrical properties of the copper deoxidized are not impaired; and the deoxidation is thorough. For this investigation, a, copper-calcium alloy high in calcium and 10 variously deoxidized copper ingots were prepared. The investigation concerns itself with the casting properties and structure of these variously deoxidized ingots, their working and annealing characteristics, and the resulting physical and electrical properties of the worked materials.

Jan 1, 1932

By Henry Logan

THE purpose of mine-hoist safety con-trollers is to prevent hoists from being operated at speeds above those considered safe and expedient, to ensure proper accel-eration and retardation near the ends of travel, and to prevent overwinding. In other words, they are to safeguard the normal speeds and movements of the hoist-ing drums and cages. The object of this paper is to explain the fundamental principles of hoist controllers, and to aid in their selection, installation, and maintenance. There have been many designs of me-chanical hoist controllers, the basic ele-ments of which as ultimately developed consisted of a flyball governor and another movable member supported by a frame and arranged to move in a vertical, horizontal, or rotary direction, depending upon the particular design, the whole mechanism arranged to be driven in synchronism with the hoist drum. In case of overspeeding, inadequate retardation, or overwinding, a pawl or catch controlled by the governor would engage teeth or dogs on the moving member, which through mechanical con-nections would cut off the power and set the brakes.

Jan 1, 1940

By Donald M. Hausen

Microscopic evaluation of trace quantities of metalliferous phases in flotation products requires counting large numbers of particles. Particle counts of many thousands may be required for precision, but cannot be obtained practically by conventional microscopic techniques. A less tedious microscopic method for evaluating trace sulfides in mill tailings was developed for the O'okiep Mining Co. in South Africa. Hundreds of thousands of particles were evaluated by this method called "gross-counting." Gross-counting consists of counting microscopic fields rather than point-counting individual particles. Total counts are calculated by multiplying the average number of particles per field by the total number of fields examined over the entire mount. Total gross-counts range from about 20,000 particles for +200 to 100,000 or more for -400 mesh size material in lucite mounts. Sulfides and metallic particles in each field are identified and tallied along with field counts. Totals for each type of metallic particle are divided by the total gross-count to give volume percent which is corrected to weight percent by specific gravity factors.

Jan 1, 1973

By Charles E. Johnston

By substituting photoelectric automatic car loading for mechanically induced hydraulic automatic loading and by protecting the process against operational failures, the engineering staff at International Minerals & Chemical Corp.'s Carlsbad potash mine has developed a reliable loading process that operates without an attendant. The photoelectric control, developed primarily because of frequent failures in the hydraulic control system, has not changed the basic loading operation and physical layout. Mine-run ore ranging in size from minus 200 mesh to 30-in. lumps is dumped onto a conveyor belt which discharges into a so-called "flop gate chute" which in turn, feeds the ore into six-ton capacity mine cars. Each car is filled progressively by moving the entire trip forward. When a car is filled 12 in. above its rim, the direction of flow into the car is reversed 180º and filling of the next car back is begun while the entire trip is moved forward again. Once the next car is properly spotted under the front chute, the flow is again directed to the forward position.

Jan 9, 1962