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By M. S. Badollet, N. W. Edgerton

"A study of the physical properties of long grades of asbestos fibers imported into the United States during the past eight years has disclosed information that will contribute materially to effective selection and use of fibers for electrical products. The study embraced fiber lengths, volume resistivity under three different conditions, total iron by chemical analysis, magnetic rating, conductivity of an aqueous ex-tract and its sodium chloride equivalent.The fibers examined included chrysotiles from Rhodesia, British Columbia, and Barberton area; marlime from Bechuanaland and Province of Quebec; amosite and crocidolites from Africa and Australia; and anthophyllites from Mozambique and from Georgia in the United States. Volume resistivity values provide a relative basis for estimating the electrical performance of end products; magnetic rating -an estimate of the quantity of iron compounds present in excess of those in the asbestos structure; conductivity of an aqueous extract; and an estimate of the ionizable impurities in fibers.Tests of these factors yield in-formation, not heretofore generally known, which may serve as a guide in the evaluation of asbestos fibers for electrical products."

Jan 1, 1960

By Arthur B. Yates

"The nickel deposits of Sudbury, discovered in .1885, have probably commanded as much attention as any single group of orebodies in the world. They have been the major source of the world's nickel supply since 1903, when their production first surpassed that from the Pacific Island of New Caledonia. From 1903 to 1914 the production from New Caledonia remained essentially constant, whereas that from Sudbury increased from 13,000,000 to 50,000,000 pounds a year. After 1914 the production from New Caledonia gradually dropped to about 4,000,000 pounds in 1919, where it remained until 1923. During these years the Canadian production increased steadily and since 1923 has gone up at an amazing rate to a peak of over 280,000,000 pounds in 1941. Meanwhile the New Caledonia production increased to about 10,000,000 pounds until the pressure of war raised it to roughly 14,000,000 pounds a year.The Sudbury deposits, because they have been the source of 80 per cent of the world supply of nickel, because of their economic importance to the world of metals, and because they are geologically unique in their occurrence, structure, and genesis, have attracted foremost consideration and the literature relative to their geology is voluminous. This is particularly true in regard to genesis.There is a significant and interesting parallel in time between the advancement of the science of economic geology and the great expansion of the nickel industry. The controversies regarding the fundamental classification of orebodies into generalized types were in full swing during the height of the development and expansion of the great nickel mines, and the Sudbury deposits, being the most important and the only ones of the sulphide type extensively developed, have been the chief source of information in regard to this type. The observations and the conclusions drawn thereon from numerous studies of the various mines of the district have not only influenced, but are the essence of, this chapter of the science."

Jan 1, 1954

By W. L. Hill, W. H. Armiger, S. D. Gooch

The physical properties, chemical behavior under thermal treatment, and fertilizer value of fluorine-containing pseudowavellite (hydrous calcium aluminum phosphate) that occurs as phosphate clay admixed with quartz sand in an extensive deposit near Bartow, Fla., were determined by experiments in laboratory, pilot-plant, and greenhouse. When the mineral was heated at 500°C, 80 pct of the phosphorus became citrate soluble. The heated product, however, deteriorates markedly under moist conditions such as obtain in the soil.

Jan 1, 1950

By A. J. Kraemer

The properties of crude petroleum continue to interest the Bureau of Mines and constitute an important phase of its major studies on the mineral resources of the United States. The Bureau's interest in the subject has been intensified by frequent requests for information on the characteristics of crude petroleum from various producing fields. Since its inception the Bureau of Mines has collected and analyzed samples of typical oils and at present has surveyed and classified crude petroleums from nearly all the known oil fields of the Western Hemisphere. Results of these surveys have been presented in various Bureau of Mines publications. (See bibliography, appendix A, p. 145.) The nature and comparative value of crude oils from various countries and the extent to which these oils may be considered potential competitors for markets are of manifest importance to the petroleum industry in all lands, largely because all crude oils, wherever produced, are either actual or potential competitors for a market with all other crude oils. The numerous discussions of foreign production of oil that have appeared in the technical press in the past indicate the great interest of the United States in this subject.

Jan 1, 1937

By R. S. Jr. Stronach

"IntroductionThe property of Campbell Red Lake Mines, Limited, is in Balmer township, Red Lake area, Patricia portion of Kenora district, Ontario. It consists of a group of twelve claims which had been staked and re-staked a number of times before George W. and Colin A. Campbell staked them in 1944. Messrs. Brewis and White incorporated Campbell Red Lake Mines, Limited, in July, 1944, to acquire these claims from the Campbell brothers, and in November of the same year re-assigned their option on the controlling interest of the treasury shares to the Dome Exploration Company (Quebec), Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dome Mines, Limited.A long known exposure of sulphides on the northeasterly portion of the property, which returned low gold assays, on sampling, was the only showing of interest at this time. However, Dr. H. C. Horwood's report and map of the district had recently been published and favourable structure W3.S indicated in Balmer township. It was on the strength of this showing and Dr. Horwood's report that Dome Exploration became interested in the property.Between. January, 1945, and April, 1946, a diamond drilling programme was carried out, with completion of sixty-one holes. Five holes proved the surface showing to hold no commercial interest, so routine cross-sectioning of the property from north to south was started. The fourth hole of the series returned excellent ore intersections and from that time on the programme changed to one of extending these values. The final results of the drilling showed that what is now known as the A zone has a continuous length of some 1,200 feet, a width of 4½ feet, and an overall grade of about 0.5 oz. gold per ton. There were many other intersections of ore grade outside this A zone which could not be successfully correlated .at that time, but underground work has opened many of them. It may be said here that practically all the work to date has been confined to the southeast claims of the property."

Jan 1, 1950

By R. E. MacDougall

Very few mineral properties spend their entire lifespans from discovery to depletion in the hands of one owner. More likely, properties will have several owners, and partial interests may change quite often. Similarly, mineral companies are bought and sold with frequency, in recent years at what appears to be an accelerating rate. The reasons for selling a property can be manifold -need for additional capital in other parts of the business, need for development capital, realization of a large gain at a perceived high point in the market, pessimistic commodity outlook, retirement of principals, or resolution of estate problems. Regardless of the reasons for a sale, there are specific steps that logically follow. Spruce up the business, package the information, market the property, negotiate the terms, close the sale, and make sure it stays sold. Adherence to certain very basic ground rules in property sales can maximize the profits and minimize the effort.

Jan 1, 1990

By G. B. Gould

THE softening temperature of coal ash, as determined in the labora-tory, has been used for years as an indication of the tendency of coal to form clinker and slag. It has not, however, provided an index of unfail-ing and complete reliability for forecasting the relative performance of different coals, even in the same plant and under the same conditions of operation. A large amount of investigation has been done in attempts to account for this, but practically all of this has been in the direction of studying the chemical constitution of coal ash. Much has been learned, but without much progress toward a better practical application of knowledge to the selection of coal. There has always seemed to be an important factor that eluded discovery. It has long been recognized that the ash-softening temperature as determined in the laboratory had one weakness, in that it represented the temperature at which a thorough mixture of the whole ash of the coal would melt, the mixing having taken place before the heat was applied. This does not, of course, simulate what takes place in practice. With certain exceptions, which will be noted later, almost all of the investiga-tions that have been made, especially the chemical studies of coal ash, have likewise dealt with a mixture of the whole ash in the coal. The present investigation differs from these fundamentally in its approach to the problem. It started from the observation that some clinkering and slagging obviously takes place in a boiler furnace at tem-peratures below the laboratory-determined ash-softening temperature of the coal. Knowing that coal as it is shipped to market is a hetero-geneous mixture of diverse mineral substances, each of which may act independently of the others in the initial stages of clinker and slag formation, it seemed logical to investigate separately the softening tem-perature of the ash in physically separable portions of the coal, and to determine the relative quantities of ash contributed by each portion.

Jan 1, 1940

By G. Récoché, A. Chamaret, M. O’Connor

Building indicators that respond to all stakeholders' needs is a time-consuming and complex exercise, with certain questions still unsolved. The aim of the current three-year research project, carried out in partnership between BRGM’s Mineral Resources Division and C3ED, is to propose a top-down / bottom-up indicators building methodology that combines conception and coordination methods and a participative approach. The tool-design phase is based partly on a comparative analysis of existing international initiatives according to different criteria (objective, observation scale, framework, etc.). The study of two African mining projects will provide the opportunity to confront the conceptual aspects with reality in the field. Careful consideration of the participants’ suggestions will result in a set of indicators that can be easily understood and adopted by all stakeholders. The final objective is to measure the impact of a mining site on a local, regional and national sustainable development frame, throughout the full life cycle of a mine.

Jan 1, 2005

By AIME AIME

IN accordance with the provisions of Art. XII, See. 3, of the By-laws of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers, the Board of Directors hereby give notice of their intention to amend the By-laws as follows : Art. V, Sec. 2. Amend by substituting the word "senior" for ('first" before the words "Vice-president" in line two of the third paragraph of said section which relates to the calling of special meetings of the Board in the absence or disability of the President.

Jan 1, 1930

By Williams J. A.

"Changes proposed in 1969 to modernize legislation governing the exploitation of mineral deposits in the United Kingdom serve as the basis for a discussion of what is considered to be a desirable framework for future legislative proposals.Proposals with regard to prospecting and exploration, evaluation, and acquisition and exploitation are considered, as are suggestions relating, inter alia, to aerial surveys and land restoration.It is concluded that without legislation along the lines proposed there can be no significant revival of metal mining in Britain."

Dec 30, 1971

By S. Bhattacharya, M. M. Singh

The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA) requires under-ground coal mine operations to prevent "material damage" to renewable resource lands caused by subsidence. However, what constitutes material damage is not defined. This paper discusses the applicable criteria for agricultural lands, forests and grazing lands, surface water bodies, and ground water aquifers. Although data on the subject are limited, an attempt is made to present quantitative guidelines to distinguish between moderate and severe damage due to subsidence.

Jan 1, 1988

By Madan M. Singh

Section 516 of Public Law (PL) 95-87, commonly known as the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA), requires that underground coal mine operators must "adopt measures consistent with known technology in order to prevent subsidence causing material damage to the extent technologically and economically feasible, maximize mine stability, and maintain the value and reasonable foreseeable use of such surface lands, except in those instances where the mining technology used requires planned subsidence in a predictable and controlled manner..." Implied in the constraints of Section 516(b)(1) of SMCRA is a determination of what constitutes "material damage" to surface structures, renewable resource lands, and the capacity for sequential land use following underground mining. The authors have already briefly addressed the subject of damage criteria in relation to surface structures (Bhattacharya et al, 1984). In this paper, an attempt is made to provide quantitative guidelines to ascertain material damage to renewable resource lands, although the data available to establish these criteria are considerably more limited than is the case for surface structures. Besides, many more variables influence the severity of the impact at a given site, making the task of assigning stringent ground movement limits even more complex. This often necessitated use of professional judgement and occasional reverting to a qualitative approach. Hence the reader is cautioned at the very outset that the quantitative limits presented herein are approximate and are primarily intended to serve as rough guides for ascertaining the extent of damage to the renewable resource lands under consideration, and that depending on site-specific conditions the actual damage incurred may differ significantly from that predicted by the proposed criteria. The authors, however, feel that the criteria suggested are somewhat conservative, but realistic. The actual damage observed should generally be less severe than predicted by these criteria. It may also be clarified here that the term "subsidence", as used in this paper, implies the total phenomenon of surface and subsurface effects associated with the mining of minerals and not only the vertical displacement of the surface as is sometimes inferred in the literature.

Jan 1, 1984

By Swapan Bhattacharya

Section 516 of Public Law (PL) 95-87, commonly known as the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA), requires that underground coal mine operators must 'adopt measures consistent with known technology in order to prevent subsidence causing material damage to the ex- tent technologically and economically feasible, maximize mine stability, and maintain the value and reasonable foreseeable use of such surface lands, except in those instances where the mining technology used requires planned subsidence in a predict- able and controlled manner..." Implied in the constraints of Section 516 (b) (1 of SMCRA is a determination of what constitutes "material damage" to surface structures and renewable resource lands, and the capacity for sequential land use following underground mining. This Study was undertaken in an attempt to provide quantitative guidelines for estimating material damage to a wide variety of surface structures and renewable resource lands. Surface structures studied included buildings, bridges, railroads, highways. pipe- lines, d~, embankments, and water reservoirs. Damage criteria for buildings developed in this study along with details of the adopted methodology have been presented elsewhere (Bhattacharya et al.) (1). and will not be repeated here. Similar guidelines for renewable resource lands have also been discussed (Singh and Bhattacharya) (2)

Jan 1, 1984

By M. Piard

The scarcity of literature referring to mines in the Rockies has compelled the writer to co-ordinate information and advice taken at the very source. Help was gladly given by active inspectors and mine bosses. Although the field is unimportant at the present time, due to its distance from markets for raw coal, it is quite worthy of the attention it is receiving from two continents; for, with the commercial synthesis of liquid fuels, it would become the largest fuel laboratory in the world, provided, of course, that freight cost drops to a low comparative level. As explained below, there are no obstacles to economical and safe operation under anything like the typical outcrop shown in Figure 1. Although coal dust is probably more dangerous in the Rockies than anywhere else, the damp outcrops afford means of control. The abundant gas may be bled to the open air, and the rigid roof will settle gradually under a wide span of opened outcropping. The Panel Retreating Wall The Measures: Coal measures having an attitude similar to that shown in cross-section in Figure x are characteristic of the active coalfield on the Alberta side of the Rockies, and they are also found on large tracts of undeveloped land west of the divide. The small anticlines, not shown in the cross-section, do not affect the progress of a pillar line, provided their crests are connected to the atmosphere by drainage bore-holes.

Jan 1, 1928

By George Kellock

In presenting this paper for discussion at the Western Annual Meeting to be held in Edmonton, it is with the idea of creating a full and general discussion by the mining men in the Province as to the best way to eliminate, or at least hold down to a minimum, the dangerous coal-dust which is made in mining pitching seams in our Alberta mines by the chute method. Also, an alternative method is outlined, whereby the percentage of lump-coal mined can be increased, and the mining costs reduced-although the paper does not go into any detailed consideration of costs. The general trend of mining practice and lay-outs is at present towards mechanization, and the results being accomplished by the substitution of machines for manual labour are fully justifying the changes. In the technical mining journals, there are published from time to time papers dealing with a variety of methods of mining, which are descriptions of actual operations, and a great deal of interesting and valuable data is given as to the comparative values of the different methods, insofar as the percentage of grades of coal produced, the cost of production, etc., are concerned; but the mechanical methods described in these papers are nearly always suitable only for flat seams, or seams with a very low inclination.

Jan 1, 1929

By Staff

Introduction As the Sherritt Gordon property is still in the development stage, . it is rather difficult to write a proper account of the mining methods and milling practice that will be used. While the general scheme of operation will remain the same, there will undoubtedly be many minor changes to meet special conditions which we cannot forsee at the present time. Most of the work accomplished to date has followed the usual routine of preliminary development in the Canadian North. However, we have learned a few things which might be of use to others operating under similar conditions. The most important of these is the saving in power cost made possible by the use of Diesels as against steam power when using wood fuel, and the movement of freight by tractors when rail transportation is not available. Location The property i6 located about 90 miles north of The Pas, or 40 miles northeast of the Flin Flon mine. A branch line from Cranberry Portage, on the?C. N. railway, between Flin Flon and The Pas, connects the property with the outside.

Jan 1, 1930

By Palmer King

The increased emphasis on environmental protection, together with the exorbitant costs, or in many urban areas the complete unavailability of surface space, has resulted in a burgeoning demand for greater use of underground space. More and more, those considering new or expanded facilities are looking toward the possibility of utilizing underground space for communications installations, for transportation of people, industrial products, water, sewage and energy, and for industrial installations. Happily, this growing demand for use of underground space is accompanied by fast forward strides looking toward more efficient underground excavation techniques. The tunnel boring machine is already here and where ground conditions are suitable for its use it can greatly reduce the cost of underground excavations, savings of one-third or more often being realized. Research is underway involving excavation by use of laser beams, jetting, vibrations, improvement of tunnel boring machines to make possible the excavation of harder rock, and other advanced techniques. The Engineering Foundation estimated in 1973 that tunneling costs can be reduced as much as 30 percent by rapid excavation methods which are expected to be developed through ongoing research programs in the next few years. Your American Society of Civil Engineers reported in 1973 that $60 billion per year, or 15 percent of the gross national product, could be saved if facilities required to support life were located in the subsurface. Studies looking toward improved contracting practices are going on under the sponsorship of the National Academy of Sciences, and Mr. Al Mathews who is heading this program will address you during this session on the status of this project. I myself am a member of Mr. Mathews' study group and, considering the human element involved, it is too early to make predictions as to what can be accomplished in the way of savings in costs of

Jan 1, 1974

By E. E. AGGER, Arthur Notman

THE proposal has been made in a bill introduced into Congress at the last session by Representative Jones of Michigan that an import duty of 6 c. per lb. shall be placed on copper. This action is urged after eighty years of prosperity for the industry in this country; during most of which copper has been on the free list, and during all of which a tariff would have been without real effect. To comprehend the general situation upon which this action would be imposed, we must refer to the past history of the industry and its trends at the present time. The following table supplies us with a picture of the physical growth of the industry in this country and its relation to that of the world as a whole down to Jan. 1, 1921:

Jan 1, 1925

By N H. Jansen, H L. Bridgwater

Field portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and near infrared (NIR) instruments are proven technologies in the minerals industry. The in-field results of these instruments can add value early in the project life, leading to cost-effective decision-making compared to their equivalent laboratory based techniques. However, in order to add value to a project, it is crucial that the instruments are employed correctly.Orientation studies should be carried out prior to initiating a sampling program to achieve the highest level of quality assurance and control for the results. Hence, an appropriate sampling workflow begins with considering what outcomes are required, including level of precision, accuracy, reliability for elements and minerals of interest, and sampling errors. The workflows proposed include soil sampling and reverse circulation and diamond drilling sampling techniques, and laboratory based techniques. They are practical and flexible workflows using available portable XRF and NIR technologies that can be applied to current sampling and drilling methods.The combined technologies have the ability to create large, integrated geochemical and mineralogical data sets that can provide cost savings for every stage of the mining chain from exploration to prefeasibility, mineral processing and environmental remediation.CITATION:Jansen, N H and Bridgwater, H L, 2017. Proposed workflows for portable X-ray fluorescence and near infrared instruments for soil and drill hole sampling, in Proceedings Eighth World Conference on Sampling and Blending , pp 219–228 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2017

The development of research activities at Risdon and the implementing of a policy of instrumentation in plant processes have, in recent years, entailed a considerable increase in research staff and created an urgent need for more space and modern laboratory facilities. The existing laboratories have been in use for 25 years and are now inadequate. New buildings have been authorized.The new buildings will comprise, firstly, a laboratory building of three floors giving a totai .floor space of approximately 11,000 sq.ft., and a pilot plant building as an annexe to the laboratory building, of approximately 4,900 sq.ft. The laboratory building will accommodate from 20 to 22 research workers, and additional plant operatives will be used for the control of processes in the pilot plant building. The new buildings are designed to provide facilities for three principal functions; the investigation and improvementof existing processes, the development of new processes up to the pilot plant stage, and the control and maintenance of instruments.LOCALITY AND ORIENTATION OF BUILDINGSThe site of the buildings is elevated ground on the eastern side of the main plant, near the main entrance and general office building. There will be no obstruction to sunshine at any time of the day, and the laboratory building will command views of wide radius from wooded hills across the River Derwentto the open sea on the south-eastern quarter.The buildings are located to provide space for future extensions. The main laboratory building faces approx...

Jan 1, 1949