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By John W. Cobb

The attempts of British investigators to arrive at definite knowledge concerning the nature of the nitrogenous constituents of coal have been mainly made through studies of the behavior of coal on carbonization and gasification. There have been carried out numerous determinitions of the distribution of nitrogen in the products of carbonization under laboratory and large-scale conditions; and by a careful consideration of the extent to which nitrogen is liberated, say as ammonia,. at different temperatures and under different conditions of operation as regards atmosphere, it has been possible to form some general notions as to the nature of the nitrogenous compounds present in the coal; and at the same time to arrive at clearer ideas as to what are the important operative factors in determining the ammonia yield under working conditions. This work has been spread over many years and is summarized below. The difficulties of connecting the results in such a way as to allow of the nitrogenous constituents of the coal being described in terms of specific organic structure are great. They arise, for example, in the carbonization process, because the phenomena of decomposition observed at any one temperature can only refer to compounds decomposing at that temperature, each of them with a previous history of chemical transformations occurring at lower temperatures. To put it in &other way, the compounds occurring in the coke at any stage are not in the least likely to be those present in the original coal. The same difficulty, in a milder form, occurs when the method of differential solution is attempted. There is always the preliminary question, almost impossible to answer, as to how far the separation by the use of the solvent has involved some form of decomposition of the original compounds. In the following summary, an attempt has been made to bring together results obtained by British workers.

Jan 1, 1925

By Mazany, M. S.

THE Caletones copper smelter of the Braden Copper Co. is in the " Teniente" mining district about SO km. (49.7 mi.) southeast of Santiago, Chile. From the seaports of San Antonio and Tralparaiso, the property is reached via the Chilean State Railway (66-in. gage) to Rancagua, whence the Braden railroad (30-in. gage) leads to the smelting plant at Caletones, 60 km. away at 5100 ft. elevation, and continues on to the mine and concentrator at Sewell, at 7000 ft. elevation, 12 km. farther into the Andes. The smelting plant was completed and put into commission in February, 1922. At the start, it smelted daily 750 tons of concentrates produced at Sewell from 10,000 tons of ore; later, its capacity was increased to 900 tons of concentrates from 12,000 tons of ore per day; and it is now being increased to 1100 tons of concentrates from 15,000 tons of ore per day. The smelting plant production is governed chiefly by the

Jan 1, 1925

By Stanley L. Arnot

The Mother Lode district in California is probably better known as the land of Bret Harte and Mark Twain than as a gold-producing district, although in this respect it holds an important place. The history of quartz mining on the Mother Lode dates back to the '50s, when, after the first fever of the gold rush, men began to look for something more permanent, if not more lucrative, than the placers. Since that time, the discoveries, shutdowns, and reopenings of the many mines, together with the varying fortunes of their numerous operators, constitute an interesting chapter in California history, but one too long to include in a description of mining methods. The district is well situated, so far as physical conditions are concerned. The Mother Lode extends along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, about half way between the crest and the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys, the country traversed consisting of low rolling hills—typical foot-hills. The elevation varies from 1000 to 1800 ft. and the climate is most desirable. There is an abundance of water, timber is easily obtained from the higher foot-hills a few miles east, and cheap hydro-electric power is generated practically on the Lode. These natural conditions are conducive to low costs in mining and have been the deciding factor in allowing profitable exploitation of the comparatively low-grade orebodies. Transportation facilities are not bad. Five branch railroads, from the main trunk lines in the valley, tap the district at intervals of from 10 to 30 miles, and the roads connecting these are fairly good for trucking purposes. Labor is made up of several nationalities, the principal ones being American, Spanish, Jugo-Slav, Italian, and Mexican. There were few Mexicans on the Lode prior to 1919, but the shortage of labor, experienced generally by the mining camps of the country in the years following the war, made necessary the hiring of some. The percentage of Mexican labor rapidly increased in 1920 and for a year or so thereafter, but it has now diminished until at most of the mines only a few Mexicans are working. Of the different nationalities, Americans are the most efficient and Mexicans the least.

Jan 1, 1925

By David White

Jan 1, 1925

Jan 1, 1925

By George C. Riley

While the general public has little knowledge or appreciation of either the mining or explosives industries, modern civilization could not exist without them. They are to-day the key industries of the world. In common with many other industries the demands of the war greatly stimulated the production of explosives and the research necessary for such increased production. Production, supplies of all kinds, munitions of all sorts and then again production, practically regardless of cost, were the first reactions to the imperative war demands of the governments of the world. Following the war there was a momentary lull, then first gradually but with quickening acceleration, particularly in a recent slump, the situation was reversed - cost and not production was the dominant factor. Some industries readjusted themselves very rapidly and completely. Others were but partially re-adjusted and others again only carried out the process of deflation in certain departments. The explosives industry in Canada has not only thoroughly deflated itself, but has learned to apply to commercial disruptive explosives, the best, most efficient and most economical methods of manufacturing developed during the war. As a consequence, miners have at their disposal to-day better and more different kinds of compressed energy than ever before in all the long history of mining.

Jan 1, 1925

By J. H. McMillan

Most of the recent papers read before the Institute have dealt with purely scientific matters, or with experiences in the various phases of mining operations. Very little, if anything, has been said concerning the part played by the human element in the industry. It is now opportune to consider this vital factor if we are to cope with the complex work of the present-day miner and, at the same time, meet the demands of the executive for greater efficiency. It is time we made an inventory of our knowledge to determine if we are absorbing the information so essential to modern mining practice. We must keep in close touch with all new ideas and developments in our chosen field and keep ourselves up-to-date in regard to everything pertaining to mining operations in general. The man who ceases to study ceases to advance. There are men who on attaining an executive chair give up all study, because they think they have reached the pinnacle of success. Modern industrial business, and coal-mining is no exception, demands that executive officers shall be 'live wires' -- men who are not only well-informed as to their immediate duties, but who are closely in touch with all matters of importance affecting the industry as a whole. We may be graduates of schools and colleges, but the training we receive in these institutions is only the foundation for our later work. Certainly no executive officer can know too much concerning the work he is engaged in, and the more he knows the more pleasure he will get out of his work.

Jan 1, 1925

By F. S. Sinnatt

This paper is the outcome of an extended investigation carried out in association with Dr. L. Slater. The inquiry had been continued in various directions and a number of results are quoted from an investigation recently completed by S. H. Jenkins. In projecting the work some five years ago, the author had in view a general attack on the problem of the spontaneous combustion of coal from an angle that had received little attention. The basic idea was to obtain a "slow motion study" of the active combustion of coal. This included an examination of the conditions prevailing in a mass of coal at the moment when active combustion ceases. It was thought that, if the factors governing the extinction of combustion in coal could be definitely established, it might offer an explanation of the manner in which the spontaneous combustion of coal originates. The inquiry arose from a detailed study of the properties of fusain that the author began in 1918. Fusain seemed to possess characteristics quite distinct from the coal with which it was associated, for if it were collected into a heap and one portion were heated by a small flame the combustion would traverse the whole mass. This combustion was not accompanied by smoke and passed slowly through the heap of material. Later, it was found that coals, including anthracites, would behave in a similar manner provided they were in the form of powder and that the particles were smaller than a certain size. The limiting size of particles is a definite characteristic of the coals investigated. In view of the fact that fusain exists with coal in a state that enables it to undergo this particular form of combustion, it must be assumed, sometimes, to play a definite part in the spontaneous combustion of coal in the goaf (waste). Tables 1 and 2 contain the analyses of samples of dust collected from a mine and from a dust collector. Some idea of the degree of fineness of the particles of fusain may be obtained from a study of the analyses of the dust from the dust collector; 80 per cent. of the dust would pass through a 200-mesh screen while the fusain was concentrated in the finest dust. The material that passed through a 90-mesh screen contained 54 per cent. of fusain while that between a 30- and a 90-mesh only con-

Jan 1, 1925

"With a total value to date of well over $200,000,000.00 for its ore production, the Tintic mining district, which is about 100 miles southwest of Salt Lake City, ranks as one of the three main ore producing areas of Utah. In it are located the biggest silver mines of the country, silver having been the chief metal produced in the camp since its start. Tintic's silver production to date has a total value of over $ 100,000,000, approximately half of the value of the camp's ore production, the balance being roughly divided among lead, gold and copper.Discovery of the camp was made in the late sixties. Lack of transportation and ore reduction facilities delayed extensive development of the area for nearly a decade.In recent years Tintic's ore production has ranged from 350,000 to 400,000 tons annually. In 1 924 the camp produced one-eighth of the silver produced in the nation with an output of 7,729,700 ounces. Its lead production was 77,765,000 pounds and its gold production 26,285 ounces.The known mineralized area of the district is found in a broad syncline striking north and south. The west limb plunges sharply and extends for a distance on its dip of approximately one and a half miles to the trough. The east limb raises gently through a distance of about two miles to the east limit of known mineralization. This general structure is broken by local faulting throughout the district, the local structural conditions playing an important part in the ore deposition. The north end of the fold is obscured by a rhyolite flow and the south end stops against a monzonite stock."

Jan 1, 1925

By J. S. De Lury

The metalliferous areas of Manitoba have been described in more or less detail. Since the descriptions were written some new prospects have come to light and considerable mining development has taken place in two or three localities. No attempt will be made in this paper to give an account of recent activities or to describe the several areas in detail. In a general way, geological conditions are similar in all metalliferous areas of the province, a similarity that invites a discussion of the prospects as a whole, the features that are common to all deposits and the reasons for their uniformity. Modern theories of metallogenesis have a direct bearing on such a discussion and an effort will be made to show their application.

Jan 1, 1925

By H. A. Wentworth

The Central Manitoba mining district, as spoken of in Manitoba, refers to that portion of the country lying between lake Winnipeg on the west and the Ontario boundary on the east, and from a few miles north of the Wanipigow (or Hole) river on the north, to a few miles south of the Bird river. It embraces two known mineralized belts; the gold area in the north, extending from the shores of lake Winnipeg almost to the Ontario boundary (in a slightly southeasterly direction) a zone some eight or ten miles wide and perhaps forty miles long, lying (for the most part) north, and parallel to, the Manigotagan river; and the Bird river copper and coppernickel deposits, an area not yet clearly defined, but in general lying immediately north of, and roughly parallel to, the Bird river. To the south of the Bird river is a somewhat differently mineralized area, numerous pegmatite dykes being found, with minerals typically associated with such rocks. More specifically, the known gold deposits are largely segregated in the above belt; (1) around English brook; (2) along the north shore of Wanipigow lake; the Rice lake area (about midway of the belt); and the Long Lake-Bulldog lake area, at the eastern end of the belt. Not all the known gold occurences are found in these segregations, but the density of claim staking in these areas is perhaps an indication of the greater number of prospects found in them to date.

Jan 1, 1925

By George B. Saunders

The mines in western Canada producing steam coal will find a better opportunity this year to market their product in Winnipeg - for two reasons: First, the new wage schedules, signed with local unions at each mine, have enabled them to reduce the selling price materially. Second, the duty on slack coal coming in from the United States has been raised to 50 cents, which is equal to the duty on run-of-mine coal. This has had the effect of raising the cost of mine-run to .the importer. Formerly, it was the practice to bring in slack coal under a duty of 14 cents and lump coal under a 53-cent duty and, by judicious mixing of the two, manufacture a mine-run coal at an average duty cost of about 22 cents. Fortunately, through efforts of the Alberta Government, and other friends of the Canadian coal trade, the Federal Government was persuaded to adjust the duty on slack coal as indicated. While it will be found that the Manitoba market, this season, is slightly more easy of access we have still a long way to go before we reach the desired goal. Geographically and economically the Manitoba market should belong to western Canada. However, it has been found a very profitable market for United States mines because large tonnages of coal can be shipped, practically at the convenience of the mines, via the Great Lakes, during seasons of slack business. They will therefore not relinquish this market without a struggle.

Jan 1, 1925

By George R. Pratt

Although the title of this paper focuses attention to the Winnipeg coal market the following remarks should be considered applicable not only to conditions in Winnipeg but to the whole western coal industry. Technical descriptions of coal and coal-burning have been omitted. These details are already covered in other numerous publications. In discussing a market the first consideration must be the product which is required to be sold. The class, quality and price at the point of origin must be taken into account and therefore this feature will be discussed before proceeding to outline conditions in the Winnipeg local market. The writer thinks of coal as a manufactured article, not, as it is generally considered, a fuel to be dug from the ground and dumped into the consumer's bin. The work of manufacturing must be considered in detail:- 1. Consider first the coal as it is in the ground: (a) What is its fuel value? (b) Where is its market? © With what will it be in competition? 2. Consider secondly: (a) What it will cost to mine the coal. (b) What has to be done to prepare the coal for market after it is mined. This must be considered in conjunction with the answer to question 1 ©. 3. Thirdly, consider the method of business to be adopted by the producer:- (a) Is it proposed to build a market on price? Or (b) On quality?

Jan 1, 1925

By Robert Anderson

The diffraction of x-rays by cold-worked and heavily polished surfaces of metals gives, no evidence of an amorphous state and typically perfect crystallographic diffraction' patterns are obtained. Severely cold-worked metals, reduced as much as 98 per cent. in area, give true crystallographic diffraction patterns, and polished surfaces of large single crystals of metal give typical crystallographic patterns. The conclusion is drawn, on basis of x-ray evidence, that metals are fragmented on cold work and polishing and not amorphized. THE purpose of this paper is to report evidence, regarding, metal: structures, that is contradictory to the amorphous-metal, hypothesis of Beilby, and particularly evidence that is opposed to the proposition that a vitreous amorphous layer is produced by polishing a piece of metal. According to the theory of Beilby, which has been developed, by Rosenhain and others, polishing a piece of metal greatly affects the condition of the metal at or near the surface polished, making that surface entirely different in character from the metal beneath. A vitreous amorphous surface film is said to be formed. The polishing process, on the basis of Beilby's explanation, is well known-and does not' require discussion here, but it is advisable to seek the precise meaning of,., the term "amorphous." According to Beilby, "amorphous means. Non-crystalline in the most intimate sense of the word'; the molecules are not marshalled in crystalline order and orientation." According to Rosenhain, the amorphous condition is that assumed by a metal when, the .crystalline arrangement is completely broken up so that the atoms exist in a state of disorderly arrangement similar to that ;which exists in the liquid state. Thus, from the point of view of the phase rule, the "amorphous phase" is regarded as being identical with the liquid phase. Amorphous metal is often likened to an undercooled liquid. A crystalline substance is one in which the atoms are arranged in space according to some definite repeating geometrical pattern. The existence of amorphous metal has not been definitely proved.

Jan 1, 1925

By E. S. Moore

In order that a logical conclusion may be reached regarding the possible occurrence of commercial iron deposits in Canada it is necessary to consider some important producers found elsewhere on this continent. A study of such deposits reveals the fact tl:~at a number of distinct types are producing large tonnages of ore. These types may be classified according to origin and occurrence as follows: (1) Bedded sedimentary deposits. (2) Contact metamorphic deposits. (3) Residual ores. (4) Lenses in metamorphic rocks and m some cases of uncertain origin. In addition to the types listed there are other deposits which have contained or do contain considerable ore and they either have not been worked on a large scale or they have been nearly exhausted. These include the following types: (1) Magmatic segregations. These are mostly titaniferous magnetites. (2) Dikes of magnetite of igneous origin. (3) Bog and lake ores in glacial drift. (4) Black sand placers.

Jan 1, 1925

By W. M. G. Heeley

In the province of Alberta the coal measures dip at so many different angles, between the horizontal and the vertical, that many different systems of haulage are in use. I will, however, only touch briefly upon the general -systems in use, and devote the major portion of this paper to a discussion of endless-rope haulage and its adaptibility to various conditions in coal mines; dealing in particular with the endless-rope haulage that was installed at Brule during the month of August 1923. In coal seams that are approximately level, and newly opened, hand-putting or tramming from the face is the cheapest, but when the mine is further developed tramming is out of the question, and the use of ponies is the next consideration. The time arrives, however, when mining reaches a point where the economical haulage of coal by horses cannot be done profitably, and then some system of mechanical haulage must be installed. The installation of any system should be carefully considered before any particular type of haulage is adopted, because a great deal depends upon the grade or dip of the seam. Motor haulage is impossible to operate profitably on a grade of over 6 per cent and, while it is possible to use ponies, on short runs, up to 9 per cent, some other means of main and secondary haulage must be installed when a 9 per cent grade, is exceeded. I will, therefore, deal first with secondary haulage, because even though a main haulage is established, secondary haulage can be used to feed the main haulage.

Jan 1, 1925

By F. J. Longworth

FoR a number of years an intensive study has been made to improve the blast-furnace practice at Copperhill not only as to cost% but to provide a good grade of gas for the acid plants. This study took us back to the fundamentals of successful pyrite smelting; namely, a blast furnace working on a clean sulfide ore, free from fines, and the use of quartz high in silica as a flux. In 1919, the quality of the flux was improved and its effect on the metallurgy was very marked. To improve the practice further, it was necessary to work out some method of treatment for the sulfide fines and the siliceous and refractory ores, other than in the blast furnace. A series of milling tests indicated that these products could be successfully treated by differential flotation, and in 1922 plans were made and a flotation plant built. It was estimated that the flotation plant would deliver to the smelter 40 to 50 tons of concentrates per day; the problem was what to do with these concentrates. It was out of the question to attempt to smelt them in a blast furnace because of the dust losses and because our practice demands a charge free from fines for satisfactory operation. There is no custom smelter in the vicinity to which concentrates may be sold, pending the time when the tonnage will be sufficient to warrant roasters and a reverbatory furnace. Sintering and nodulizing were investigated but neither method fitted into our scheme of metallurgy. A close study of the converter practice was then made to see if some method could not be evolved to smelt this tonnage of concentrates in a converter without preliminary treatment. At that time, the converter installation consisted of two 12-ft. Great Falls converters, which were handling 12 to 14 per cent. matte. The heat balance of the converters working with 12 to 14 per cent. matte was more than sufficient to smelt the contemplated tonnage of concentrates but the mechanical difficulties of feeding fines into the Great Falls converter made the use of this type of converter impractical. While there was no opportunity to experiment with the Pierce-Smith converter, equipped with a Garr gun, theoretically it seemed practical

Jan 1, 1925

By Thomas Kilpatrick

The liability created by building this railway is the great financial problem before the people of British Columbia at the present time. In dealing with the subject, I propose to divide it into three periods: The Past - The Present - and The Future. The Past The primary objects in building the railway were to provide an independent and direct route for the Grand Trunk Pacific railway into the city of Vancouver, and to open the central and north-eastern portion of the province.. This vast territory, almost one-half the entire area of British Columbia, has great wealth in fruit, agricultural, and grazing lands; timber, coal, water-power and minerals of all kinds, including some of the richest placer deposits in the world. Rivers and lakes teem with fish. Big game, including moose, elk, caribou, deer, grizzly and black bear, mountain goat and sheep, is plentiful and there is an abundance of small game and fur-bearing animals. In addition, its scenic attractions are unsurpassed in Canada. To develop these resources it was considered necessary to build a railway from south to north as a main artery of transportation and, if necessary, branch lines to carry heavy .shipments of coal or other commodities. Lighter freight may be handled by motor trucks from distant points to the railway.

Jan 1, 1925

By John Furness Park

The mining district is located in the northeasterly part of Nevada, between the Jarbidge River on the west and the East Fork of the Jarbidge on the east. The northern boundary of the district is but a few miles south of the Idaho state line—the gold-bearing area extending from this point south, for 5 or 6 miles. • The Jarbidge Mountains, in which the ore deposits occur, range from 5000 to 11,000 ft. in elevation, the most important mines being situated about 7000 ft. or higher. The town of Jarbidge lies along the Jarbidge River and is reached by stage from Rogerson, Ida., the nearest railroad point. During the summer months, the camp may be entered from the south by way of Deeth, Nev., but no regular transportation facilities are available over this route. History The mineral deposits were not discovered until 1909, when D. A. Bourne, panning along the river bank, found gold in. the gravel at the mouth of a small stream flowing into the Jarbidge. He prospected in the vicinity of this stream, later known as Bourne Gulch, and shortly after located the North Star claims. During the following spring and summer (1910), the camp of Jarbidge grew from nothing to a town of 2000 people and the hills surrounding it were practically all taken up by mining claims. Most of the work done during the first year or two consisted of trenching and open-cut prospecting. Tunneling was started on a number of claims and many veins were uncovered. Mills were built and operated on a few properties, notably the Pavlak and the North Star. These ran only a few months, however, when they were closed down because of extraction and financial difficulties. A period of development followed in which the majority of the present producing mines were opened. The Elkoro Mines Co. acquired a number of claims in 1915 and started work on the present mill in 1917. Since that time other properties have been taken over until this company is by far the largest operator in the district. Only one other company is now actively engaged in mining, the Bluster Mining & Milling Co., which has

Jan 1, 1925

Secretary's Apology: Although every effort was made to secure efficient stenographers, the railroad conditions at the time made it impossible to get stenographers from Salt Lake City. Practically all of the discussion was therefore lost, and the Secretary's apologies are offered to those whose names and remarks we are unable to record. 'We are indebted to R. Dawson Hall of Coal Age for what we have been able to print. The question was asked why belt conveyors are not more generally used. BENEDICT SHUBART: Belt conveyors lack the ruggedness of metal conveyors and require more accurate alignment. They are much used in England though comparatively scarce here. The H. C. Frick Company's belt installation at Colonial mine is an unusual installation for unusual purposes. It is hardly main haulage, but is more comparable to railroad transportation. The belts are in long sections,, nine hundred to twenty-three hundred feet, there are no particular grades, only two turns, and the immense tonnage handled justifies a quality of installation that at this day would not prove economical in most mines. EUGENE McAULIFFE, Union Pacific Coal Co., Omaha: Was much impressed on learning at the American Mining Congress that the Hudson Coal Company had mined last year 1,500.000 tons of coal from a 36-inch bed and had transported this coal to the mine cars by scrapers and conveyors. He did not believe that because one or two percent of the men around the mines were opposed to loading machines, that it should be said that the mine workers were inimical to such labor saving means. He believes that when duly explained to them they could see the advantages of the equipment offered and would be friendly to its introduction. The Sheridan-Wyoming Coal Company at Sheridan have eight Goodman Hydraulic loaders in operation in rooms .with Joy loaders driving the headings. It is not possible for the mines which had to pay high wages to compete with those whose wage scales were lower unless by the introduction of loading machines. He received a letter from Dr. L. E. Young of St. Louis, general manager of the Union Collieries Company, that his two Goodman Hydraulic machines were loading an average of three hundred tons each daily. THE SECRETARY: H. N. Taylor, president, Sheridan-Wyoming Coal Company, said Mr. Green of the American Federation of Labor told him he would have no trouble with Union Labor, and, if any local disturbances were created, they would be stopped. The Union nationally is with the introduction of labor saving equipment. J. B. FORRESTER, General Superintendent. United States Fuel Company, Hiawatha. In his opinion metal conveyors are preferred because they can be lengthened and shortened at pleasure, and so can be operated with greater flexibility than belt conveyors. W. C. HOLMAN, Chief Engineer. Phelps Dodge Corp: The Phelps Dodge Corporation have two Jeffrey belt conveyors in tandem which obviates brushing where the coal is low. MR. E. O. WIEDERANDERS, Jeffrey Mfg. Co.: Says he has seen belt conveyors in use in England and is much taken with the idea. MR. WM. MOORHEAD, Phelps Dodge Corp.: Our conveyors are in twenty-foot sections, each with a motor. Three of them tandem make a sixty-foot face. GENERAL: There was discussion regarding the size of the coal produced by conveyors. It was said that when the Gunn-Quealy Company started their operations, the coal was very large, but now there is not so much care taken to produce large coal as the market is now demanding smaller coal. The Secretary said that the use of conveyors at the Kemmerer Coal Company's mine had almost doubled the percentage of lump coal. Mr. McAuliffe questioned

Jan 1, 1925