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By R. P. King

Held on the 22nd March 1972 at Kelvin House. Four papers were presented at this colloquium, which was attended by approximately 120 people. The first paper, 'Flotation Research Work at the N.I.M. research group, University of Natal on the modelling of a Flotation Process' was presented by Dr R. P. King, the leader of the N.I.M. Research Group in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Natal. A discussion panel, under the chairmanship of Dr R. E. Robinson with Mr M. Dawson (PMC), Mr E. Roux (FOSKOR), and Dr B. K. Loveday (NIM), discussed the potential application of the theoretical work on flotation modelling to industrial processes, and alternative approaches to providing a way of control of flotation plants. The second paper, 'Fundamental Studies of the Flotation Process the Work of the National Institute) for Metallurgy', was presented by Dr N. P. Finkelstein. The discussion panel for this paper was under the chairmanship of Professor D. D. Howat,and had as its members Mr H. P. Carlisle (JCI), Professor D. le Roux (University of Pretoria), and Mr E. Rudolph (Anglo American Research Laboratories). A lively discussion on this paper ensued, with several contributions from the floor. After lunch, Mr S. K. de Kok, Assistant Consulting Metallurgist, Anglo Vaal, presented a paper on 'The Flotation of Copper and Zinc Sulphide from Prieska Ore'. The paper was discussed by a panel comprising Dr V. C. Lovell (NIM), Mr A. Gilbert (General Mining), and Dr D. Legge (Anglo Vaal), under the chairmanship of Dr L. Bushell. This discussion, in which many members of the audience participated, revolved around the difficulties associated with the production of copper and zinc concentrates and the lack of fundamental information on the behaviour of copper and zinc sulphides in flotation. The final presentati0n was a paper, 'The Recovery by Flotation of Cassiterite contained in Gravity Concentration Plant Tailings', presented by Mr E. B. Viljoen (Metallurgy Department, Goldfields South Africa Limited). The discussion, led by a panel consisting of Mr O. Tant (Goldfields Laboratories), Mr J. Levin (NIM), and Mr R. I. Shanks (NIM), under the chairmanship of Mr H. Cross (Goldfields South Africa Limited) referred particularly to the use of new reagents for the flotation of tin, with particular emphasis on the fundamental relationship between reagent composition and its ability to float this type of mineral.

Jan 4, 1972

By Jan M. Mutmansky

Simulation is a general term which commonly appears in the technical literature and which can have different meanings to different people. One interesting definition (9)* applicable in an engineering context is the following: "Simulation is the use of a model to study a problem." In most cases, the model referred to in the above definition is a simulation model constructed in a computer language and implemented on a computer in order to solve the problem under consideration. The application of computer simulation models to the study of problems in materials handling and earthmoving has been successful in the past. Generally speaking, this method has been used where the system to be studied has many variables and where the ability to predict the outcome of the system under different sets of conditions is difficult. The prime reason for using such a model is to evaluate the numerous likely ways of operating any particular system without the necessity of actually conducting full-scale field tests. The simulation model presented here is such an application made to the process of tunneling and, in particular, to the process of tunneling with a boring-type tunneling device. At first glance, the process of tunneling may not appear to be particularly complex and susceptible to study by a computer model. However, a close analysis of the tunneling process will reveal that it is rather complicated as a result of limitations placed upon the system by restricted space in the tunnel, geologic variations along the tunnel

Jan 1, 1972

By John E. Willson, Ben L. Seegmiller

A portable electronic instrument was designed and constructed to detect unknown stress magnitudes in rocks. The principle used to detect stress is based on the propagation velocity method. This method allows the stress in a rock subjected to a load of unknown magnitude to be determined, provided that the wave velocity-stress relationship for similar rock is known. This is accomplished by measuring the travel time of longitudinal mechanical waves passing between two points a set distance apart in a rock. The velocity of the wave is calculated and the stress determined from the wave velocity-stress relationship. If the sending and receiving transducer spacing is constant, a time vs. stress relationship rather than the velocity-stress relationship may be used. The method is nondestructive and tests can be made without drilling or otherwise disturbing the rocks. The first studies undertaken in the United States to determine stress in rocks using propagation velocity techniques were reported by Obert1,2 in 1939 and 1940. The Soviet Union first reported using propagation methods to study rock pressures in 1951.8 Success of the method led to the development of a pulse-type ultrasonic seismoscope4 in 1953. Using this instrument, Ivanov and Betaneli5,6 in 1963 succeeded in devising and testing under field conditions a method of investigating coal pillar stresses. In 1967 Osipova7 reported results of similar studies in the Nakhichevan salt mines. In France, Tincelin8 has used the propagation velocity method to study the stress distribution in iron ore pillars. Uhlmann9 has investigated stresses in salt and potash pillars in Germany, using velocity techniques. Determination of uniaxial stress by propagation velocity methods is limited to rocks which have readily detectable wave velocity-stress variations. The present stress detection instrument is restricted in application to rocks which have a velocity change under stress of at least 300 fps. Examples of rocks which meet this requirement are sandstones, coal, and possibly some limestones. Testing of this instrument was limited to a laboratory study and the results may or may not be indicative of what would be found in a field test. A program of field experiments to study the feasibility of using this instrument to determine mine pillar and tunnel stresses is in progress. Instrument Design The instrument has two main components: A probe and a control-display unit. The probe is a hand-held device to which two identical rodlike transducers are rigidly mounted. Coaxial cable connects the probe to the control-display unit which is mounted in an enclosed carrying case measuring 7 % x 9 x 13 in. The instrument is designed so it may be carried and operated by one man. Weight of the probe and enclosed control-display unit is approximately 20.1b. The probe consists of two transducers identical in construction. One transducer is used to convert electronic pulses to mechanical waves and transmit these waves into a rock. The other detects the transmitted waves in the rock and converts them back into electronic signals. The basic element in both transducers is a piezoelectric crystal. The crystal is a disk made of lead titanate zirconate and has a natural resonant frequency of 400 kHz ±1% in the thickness mode. A schematic of one of the two identical transducing elements is shown in [Fig. 1.] A spacing of 6 in. between sending and receiving transducers has been found to be most satisfactory. The control-display unit consists of a pulse generator and a 1-in. oscilloscope. Various electronic devices are used for the power supply, amplification, and calibration. The amplitude of the square wave from the pulse generator can be continuously varied between 0 and +20 vdc. Pulse width can be set at 1, 2, 3, or 4 µsec. The repetition rate of the pulse can have the following values: 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 400, 500, 750, and 1000 Hz. The oscilloscope delay system allows the travel time of the longitudinal wave passing through a rock to be measured to an accuracy ±0.1 µsec in the range from 0 to 995 µsec. Fig. 2 is a schematic of the various electronic sections in the control-display unit. Laboratory Testing The first step in using the instrument is to develop a velocity-stress or a time-stress curve for the par-

Jan 1, 1972

By Robert J. Brison

The intent of this paper is to try to answer the complex question: "How much grinding capacity should be designed into a new mining - milling project?" Much work has been devoted to the technical aspects of grinding, the "how" of grinding. But, in the writers' opinion, the economically important subject of optimizing grinding capacity in mill design has not received the attention it deserves, at least not in published literature. For the purpose of this paper it is necessary to distinguish clearly between optimizing operation and optimizing design. Optimizing operation involves making the best use of the available plant and equipment. Much excellent work has been done and is being done in this area. In operation, one can make tradeoffs of production rate and recovery, or recovery and grade, to maximize profits. However, this must be done within the limitations imposed in the design stage. Flexibility is limited by the existing plant. In project design, on the other hand., there are no preexisting physical limitations except as imposed by nature itself; the planners and designers have considerable latitude in their efforts to optimize the overall project. They have complete control over a large number of important design variables from the mine to the finished product. The grinding process design is one of these variables. It not only determines the capital cost charges for grinding and the maximum grinding capacity that operating management will have to work with, but also determines the range of capability of the auxiliary equipment, which fixes the degree of flexibility possible in operation. This paper is concerned with optimizing design rather than operation. The terms "optimum" and "optimize" are sometimes used in a technical sense in connection with grinding, recovery or grade. In this paper, these terms are used only in the economic sense. In this age of working large deposits of ever lower grade ores, it is in¬creasingly essential to design projects and plants for optimum economics, based on the most applicable economic. criteria. Since grinding represents a large part of both capital and operating cost of the project, and largely determines percentage recovery of metal, it should be included as one of the factors in optimizing the project design. This paper is written primarily with reference to medium to large copper concentrators employing conventional wet grinding. However, the principles involved should be applicable to other ores and other methods of grinding.

Jan 1, 1972

By Martin P. O'Connell

"IT IS INDEED A PRIVILEGE to address a group representing a sector of the Canadian economy so important as is the mining sector. Important, not only today, but certainly of great importance for the future development of Canada, for employment, for our trade balance and indeed, when one looks at what we are calling increasingly an industrial strategy, for the future. Surely mining will have a very significant role to play in fulfilling that. It's of special interest to me, as the Minister of Labour - and I ought to confess at the very beginning that I am just two months into this function - of special interest for me to know that you are giving such attention to labour-management relations. I think it is timely that, from my point of view at least, you do this, because for the first time in twenty four years major revisions of the Canada Labour Code as it relates to industrial relations and disputes settlements are currently in the House of Commons going through their second reading, after an easier introduction and some changes which I would be very pleased to describe later this morning. It is very timely too, I think, that we should be looking at this area because public interest is certainly at a high level. It is not only at a high level but it expresses a good deal of irritation with the current status and procedures and results in collective bargaining and there is some urgent search for more sophisticated or modified procedures for settling differences in labour-management relations. The public wants different kinds of results. I think that is apparent to all of us. They want results in terms of justice and equity on both sides. And it means that a Minister of Labour and certainly governments who often are representing, or are the third party in discussions, have a very important and complex role to play in attempting to create a balance as these two parties come to contracts and come to agreements."

Jan 1, 1972

By Don Stevens

The Denali Prospect (147° 08' 20" W, 63° 08' 50" N) is located on the south flank of the Alaska Range in the Clearwater Mountains in south central Alaska. (See Figure 1). The mineralization was discovered in 1963 and surface explora¬tion began the following summer. Surface trenching and diamond drilling were used to locate and sample the mineralized zones. In 1969, an adit totalling approximately 1400 feet was completed. In 1970, a -15% grade decline approximately 1800 feet long was completed. Further diamond drilling was done along with both underground programs. Although much work remains to be done to properly evaluate the prospect, results from all the work to date are quite encouraging. This paper will consider the geology of the prospect and the surrounding area, some- aspects of the geochemistry of the sulfides, and the origin of the sulfide deposits. This paper includes data from this writer's Ph. D. dissertation, "Geology and Geochemistry of the Denali Prospect, Clearwater Mountains Alaska" from the University of Alaska and subsequent work.

Jan 1, 1972

By W. L. Price

I. INTRODUCTION Today, there are two conflicting trends facing the designer of the bulk material handling system. The first trend is the necessity to stockpile increasingly larger amounts of bulk material (coal, ore, stone etc.) as economically as possible. Fig. 1 illustrates such a typical large storage pile. The second trend is the increasing awareness of the ecological problems of today manifesting itself in a new concern over possible air pollution from storage pile surface particles. The conflict between these two trends can become dramatic when this bulk storage pile is located near a heavily populated area. Strong winds can easily create a severe local problem by blowing the particles from the pile surface toward residential and commercial areas, igniting a crisis in public relations. (2), (3), (4). To help define our combined subject and ecological culprit more accurately, Fig. 2 shows the commonly accepted size range of dust particles. A descrip¬tion of the present state-of-the-art of dust control for large storage piles is the intent of this paper. II. OPEN STORAGE PILE SYSTEMS - ALTERNATE CHOICES AND RELATIVE COSTS In discussing the open storage dust problem and possible solutions, one obvious question arises - what are the economics of placing large bulk storage under cover? Part or this answer will be found in Fig. 3 - an approximate unit capital cost comparison between several methods of storage. It will be noted that the cost curve(s) for the closed concrete silo storage illustrated in Fig. 4 is cheaper per ton at relatively small tonnage capacities, but as tonnage increases, the open pile storage unit cost (B) becomes more economical. Curve (T) covers the cost of open storage using the plow feeder arrangement shown in Fig. 5. A gravity draw-down pile with feeders at the base as shown in Fig. 6 represents yet another open storage choice.

Jan 1, 1972

By Marshall D. Himes

The Pima mine, 39,000 ton per day copper mine, is located 17 miles south of Tucson, Arizona. The mine is in a sequence of Paelozoic and Mesozoic sediments striking east-northeast and dipping southeasterly intruded by a Tertiary quartz monzonite porphyry. The Paleozoic Permian(?) dolo¬mites, limestones, and sandstones have been altered to talc-silicate skarn, marble and quartzite. The overlying Mesozoic Triassic(?) clastic sediments have undergone some recrystallization and hydro¬thermal alteration. The clastic metasediments are divided into three distinct lithologic units, lithic arenite, arkose, and inter¬bedded and overlying black argillite. Three types of hydrothermal alteration in the clastic rocks are propylitic alteration (epidote, chlorite and quartz, with or without sericite), quartz-sericite alteration, and potassic alteration (K-feldspar and quartz, with or without sericite and chlorite). The porphyry has undergone potassic alteration. Dominant structures are an east-west post mineral fault in the western part of the pit, and strong low angle faulting and shearing which truncates the ore body at depth. Two joint sets, one parallel to bedding and the other at right angles to bedding are prominent in the mine. Faulting is in two dominant directions, one striking northwest, dipping northeast and the other striking northeast, dipping northwest. Mineralization is predominantly disseminated pyrite and chalcopyrite, and molybdenite-quartz veinlets. There are lens important amounts of magnetite, hematite, sphalerite, galena, tennantite and bornite. Mineralization is believed to be both structurally and chemically controlled.

Jan 1, 1972

By F. G. Schwartz

The Bureau of Mines developed a rapid and precise method for predicting storage stability of motor gasolines. This method resulted from the investigation of many analytical techniques as well as a study of fuel composition and fuel component gum-forming mechanisms. The first section of this bulletin discusses the development of the prediction test through its several phases, including revision of the standard 110° F storage test; attempts to develop a modification of the ASTM D525 induction bomb test; and the ultimate abandonment of this procedure with the adoption of the 16-hour oven test that was both precise and rapid. The second section comprises a discussion of further studies of fuel com- position, including the reactivity of certain sulfur compounds and hydrocarbons to form gum. The compositions of various gums and inorganic deposits are reported in terms of elemental analysis and spectroscopic examinations. The reactions of tetraethyllead with selected hydrocarbons are also reported.

Jan 1, 1972

By K. V. Gow, F. A. Jerabek

"THE NOVA SCOTIA TECHNICAL COLLEGE has been granting degrees in mining engineering since 1909. The college was established in 1907 to provide the final two years of the undergraduate program in engineering the earlier years of which are given at several small universities scattered around the Atlantic Provinces. Since the beginning of the program, 251 Bachelor of Engineering degrees have been awarded in mining engineering. Although the average class size has been small, increases in enrolment in the past few years have resulted in Nova Scotia Technical College being the second largest mining department in Canada, based on the number of graduates per year. This year 18 students received B.Eng. degrees, and next year 17 will graduate.In 1968, it was necessary to make a decision on whether or not to abandon, for economic reasons, the program in mining engineering. For several years enrolment had been very low and resignations among the mining engineering staff created a situation in which the program could easily have been dropped. However, it was decided to continue mining engineering, as it was the only such program in the Atlantic Provinces. New staff members with many years of practical experience in the mineral industry, not only in Canada but in the U.S.A., South America, Africa and the U.K., joined our department. At the same time the enrolment in mining engineering began to increase significantly."

Jan 1, 1972

By F. G. Schora

The Institute of Gas Technology (IGT), under sponsorship of the U. S. Department of the Interior, Office of Coal Research (OCR), and the American Gas Association (A. G. A. ), has been undertaking the development of one of several processes to convert coal to high-Btu gas as a means of supplementing natural gas supplies. It is anticipated that there will be a significant need for such gas in the foreseeable future in order to meet the ever increasing demands for this preferred fuel form. HISTORY The development of the HYGAS® Process is based on various studies conducted at IGT starting back as far as 1945. Initial work was directed toward production of synthesis gas with subsequent catalytic methanation. By 1964 the concept of the direct hydrogenation of coal to produce methane noncatalytically was well-founded and the chemistry was reasonably well established. Work up until this point in time was financed by the American Gas Association. In 1964 the U. S. Department of the Interior, Office of Coal Research joined with A. G. A. to support the program. The objective at that time was to develop the necessary know-how to enable the design of a pilot plant, a necessary step in the ultimate commercialization of the process. Work for the next three years (1964-1967) emphasized investigation of fluidized-bed technology in the hydrogasification step, where moving-bed technology had been previously employed, as well as identification of commercially available catalysts acceptable for catalytic methanation of the CO and hydrogen in the hydrogasifier effluent under operating conditions in the system. By 1967, the preliminary design of a 3 ton/hr pilot plant had been finalized, and IGT received authorization from OCR to proceed with the detailed design and construction of that facility. The pilot plant was designed to study the following problems:

Jan 1, 1972

1. What Effect Has Sulfur Or Vanadium (In The Oil) On The Steel With Your Burner? 2. Also, what is the decibel rating on the floor when your burner is on? AUTHORS' REPLY 1. There is no effect. 2. The decibel rating is 98-99 decibels.

Jan 1, 1972

By G. W. Phelps

This discussion deals with the geology o£ the Tennessee-Kentucky ball clay deposits; their mineralogy and chemistry; methods of finding, mining and refining; and makes observations on reserves of and future prospects for these clays. Ball clays appear in ceramic formulas for manufacture of vitreous china sanitary-ware, electrical porcelains, floor and wall tile, dinnerware and artwares(l). This type of clay is used for refractory (2) and abrasive products(3), and as a suspending agent for ceramic glazes(4), engobes(5) and porcelain enamel slips(6). Although some ball clay is imported, probably 85-90 percent of ball clay used in the USA(7) is obtained from deposits in Weakley, Henry and Carroll Counties in Tennessee(8), and in adjacent Graves County, Kentucky(9). The term "ball", as applied to clay, probably derives from former mining practice in England whereby conveniently-sized blocks of clay were cut from moist clay beds by spading(10), The expression "ball" has no other technological significance. ASTM(11) defines ball clay as "a secondary clay, commonly characterized by the presence of organic matter, high plasticity, high dry strength, long vitrification range, and a light color when fired." This, and similar(12) definitions, applies to English ball clays but is not satisfactory for many American ball clays. Geology of the Tennessee-Kentucky Ball Clay Deposits Figure 1 shows that most commercial clay areas of the eastern United States lie near the edge of the Coastal Plain; a skew-shaped configuration of its landward boundary outlines the Mississippi Embayment(13), Near the apex of this basin a broad plain, with a rolling, Bullied topography(14), dips gently westward from the Tennessee River to bluffs at the edge of the Mississippi River flood plain.

Jan 1, 1972

By Norman A. Jull

"Factors which affect the separation achieved in a hydrocyclone are discussed and illustrated with graphs of some mathematical relationships.Definitions of separation and sharpness include comment on use of elutriation devices.A plea is made for better evaluation of field data prior to their reporting or use in calculations. Methods of evaluation are suggested, with samples of the relevant calculations.An example of the effect of percent solids errors is given, with computer printout and plotted corrected recoveries.INTRODUCTIONThe range of interest in cyclones runs from a simple demand for classification results to a detailed study of published equations defining cyclone characteristics. Probably this group covers as broad a range and, in an attempt to offer something for everyone, I will begin with general operating comments, then move on to more analytical topics. Ideally, an author would compose his paper after the discussion period, when he would have a better idea of the areas of special interest to his audience.Sor'1e of you may share our incurable fascination with classification, especially as performed in cyclones. It is amazing that such a simple device could be in use for more than 20 years and retain as much mystery as it does. Substantial parts of the mystery have been solved but some remains, to keep up our curiosity. There is at least one valid reason: the unusual compactness of this device, which makes internal observation very difficult. What other unit can you think of which performs such a complex separation between particle sizes, shapes and specific gravities at such high capacity? Retention time in a cyclone is typically 3 seconds!Mutual Agreement - In a cyclone, every parameter of geometry and of operation interacts with every other. In an orderly discussion of individual parameters it would be necessary to repeat, in every section, 11 if all other factors are equal"". Could we agree now, for our mutual convenience, that that phrase is clearly understood between us during the remainder of this paper?"

Jan 1, 1972

By Gary N. Greenfield

This morning, gentlemen, I should like to discuss resin anchors of a type introduced to North America approximately 2-1/2 years ago. We shall also briefly review the basics of mechanically anchored rockbolts so that a general comparison may be made. Previous efforts with synthetic resins were aimed at aiding a mechanical Or "point" anchor, obtain a better purchase in the rock mass. Resin cartridges of the type to be described in this paper are capable of achieving point anchorage or full encapsulation of mine roof or rockbolts. Of significance, therefore, is that unlike a mechanical bolt, placed and tensioned, celtite rockbolts may be fully grouted and tensioned or left untensioned in the installation sequence. Our principle effort has been to offer this system to mining and civil engineers who have encountered difficult rock conditions and wish to reinforce strata to achieve a greater degree of permanence and safety.

Jan 1, 1972

By G. C. Baker

Despite the attention belatedly bestowed on tidal power in recent years, it remains largely a potential rather than an actual source of energy. The resource is, practically speaking, non-depletable. Extraction is technically feasible and environmentally acceptable. The restraints against development are economic, and they could be removed by technical improvements, changes in the cost or availability of other energy sources, or simply by a change in the cost of money. The exponential rise in the demand for energy makes it inevitable that the tides will be harnessed sooner or later.

Jan 1, 1972

The 68th Regular Meeting of the Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute convened in Manor Vail Lodge, Vail, Colorado, and was in session at 10:00 a.m. The meeting was called to order by Past President Max A. Robb, Vice President and General Manager, U.S. Fuel Company, Hiawatha, Utah. Mr. Robb welcomed the members and guests and was pleased with the large attendance. He then introduced President Joseph E. Ward, former District Man- ager, Denver Office, Coal Division, Joy Manufacturing Co. (Retired). A brief biography follows: Mr. Ward is a transplanted Westerner, having spent the greater part of his life in the Eastern and Southern areas of this country. In 1927, he graduated from what was then the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, Pa., with a B.S. degree in Mining Engineering. He dropped out of school for a period between his Junior and Senior years and worked in the coal mines in order to obtain sufficient money to complete his education. Practically all his adult life since graduation, has been spent in or around the coal mines in this country. After graduation, he worked the next 15 years of his life as an underground supervisor, first for the Hudson Coal Co., in Scranton, Pa. and later for the U.S. Steel Corporation in Birmingham, Alabama. He then went into sales, selling basically to the coal mine industry and other mining operations. The last 13 years of his business career were spent as a district manager for Joy Manufacturing CO., 10 years of which were in the Coal Division of their Denver office, covering the Rocky Mountain area. He retired in August 1970 but still retains an active interest in the Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute and the Rocky Mountain Coal Industry it supports. He is a widower, his wife, Thelma having died in July 1970. He has two children and six grandchildren.

Jan 1, 1972

By M. E. Holter

"Five main lignite seams occur in the Tertiary Ravenscrag Formation in the Eastevan area, at depths of 100 feet or less. They are named, in ascending order: the Boundary, Estevan, Souris, Roche Percee and Short Creek seams. A total sequence of approximately 250 feet is represented by the coal beds and interstratified clays, silts and sands. Strata dip to the southeast at 25 feet per mile or less and trike northeast. Large areas underlain by coal seams at shallow depths are delineated. Reserve calculations are dependent on detailed information on seam thicknesses and feasible stripmining depths. The stratigraphically higher seams are thinner on the average than lower seams and this, together with the increase in elastic size fractions in higher strata, suggests a retreat of a Tertiary marine margin to the south during the closing depositional history of coal seams and associated strata."

Jan 1, 1972

By Hector Monette

"AFTER SPENDING a lifetime in the mining industry it is normal that one should be concerned with the future of his profession, especially if he is directly responsible for the education and formation of future mining engineers. It is not necessary to insist on the importance of mining for Canada and for the entire world to prove the necessity of the Mining Engineer. A statement was made by Zay Jeffries, former vicepresident of General Electric Co., and here I quote: ""Even though minerals without man are of no moment, man would not be man as we know him without minerals ... ""minerals are as essential to the life of social man as food is to man himself"". This certainly expresses magnificently the purpose of the mining profession. These are the reasons why I have accepted to present my views on the future of the Mining Engineer. If I express some concern it is not because I feel that there is any danger for the profession to disappear; men will always respond to a challenge and this can be found in the extraction of minerals as well as in any other field of human endeavour. However, the first big question concerns the competitive position of Canada in the world of mining. To be made available to Canadians and to the rest of the world, all this tremendous potential mineral wealth that our country has been so generously endowed with by nature must be gained from the earth's crust at a competitive cost. Otherwise it will never become ore and will have no value. Let us not forget that although minerals are discovered, mines are not found but are made. So let us be more efficient mine makers. To accomplish this end, it is the duty of the different responsible organizations at all levels - be they governmental, para-governmental, public or private institutions - to do their utmost to assure the profitable development of our mineral wealth. The University has an all-important role to play in preparing all the specialists required by this intricate machine that mining is. All the different disciplines of engineering, health, social and -managerial sciences are needed for the good functioning of the mining industry. Although they are all essential, some will play a more important role as a member of the structure. In this discussion it is the role of the most important member, the mining engineer, who is actually responsible for the extraction of the minerals from the earth's crust that must be established. From this we will then be able to analyse his responsibilities and try to suggest the mining engineering program most suitable to prepare this engineer for his future role."

Jan 1, 1972

By William G., Pariseau

There are important phenomena in rock and soil mechanics that cannot be explained in terms of theories of homogeneous, isotropic materials. Subsidence of strata about mine openings is an example. In-situ stress measurements in nonisotropic sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks is another. Patterns of joints, faults, fractures, and similar geologic features impart directional mechanical properties to rock masses that are locally isotropic or anisotropic. On the geologic scale, the non-homogeneity of composite rock masses may, in certain instances, be dealt with as homogeneous anisotropy. The mechanics of large rock masses can, therefore, be expected to involve considerations of anisotropy. The source of the anisotropy is not relevant. Once the scale of observation is selected and the material is defined accordingly, the analysis of stress and deformation proceeds without regard to the numerical values of the material constants. There are also important phenomena in rock and soil mechanics that cannot be explained in terms of linear elasticity, theory. For the mechanical description of anisotropic geologic materials capable of de- forming beyond the limit of purely elastic strains, a plasticity theory is required.

Jan 1, 1972