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By James H. Courtright, Kenyon Richard

L. H. Hart (Chief Geologist, American Smelting & Refining Co.)— Because of a widely recognized association between breccia pipes of one form or another and many important copper deposits, conditions under which breccia pipes develop have been of great scientific interest for many years. Since these phenomena first attracted attention, many theories have been advanced to explain their origin. This is not unexpected, since it is likely that they have been formed by and under a wide range of conditions. Moreover, the entire subject is confused by the fact that the term brec-cia pipe is applied to a wide variety of occurrences. To discuss any part of the subject intelligently, therefore, it is necessary to start with definitions of the terms used. In their discussion of the Toquepala deposit, Richard and Courtright have carefully defined the terms they have used in their presentation of a very logical geological history of Toquepala breccias. This is a real contribution, as there is no reference in the literature known to the writer where the history of a series of breccia pipe epochs, confined essentially within one channelway, may be read with the degree of certainty that appears to be possible at Toquepala. Although the following comments are intended primarily to emphasize points brought out in the article by Richard and Courtright, certan subsequent detailed mapping by Hollister and Houston7 within the main central mineralized area of the Toquepala deposits not only supports most of Richard's and Courtright's con- clusions but also contributes additional facts that strengthen and broaden the whole concept of the origin of the Toquepala breccia pipes. In detailed mapping by Hollister and Houston,' the most significant feature disclosed is a well developed system of concentric fracturing in rocks peripheral to the main breccia pipe throughout an arc of 300°, interrupted only by the late dacite agglomerate in the north quadrant. Although Richard and Courtright noted that such fractures were developed in the southern and southeastern areas, continuity in the east and west quadrants is established by consistent orientation of the stronger set of fractures and joints. The existence of these structural weakness trends is emphasized by the emplacement of dike-like phenomena in and along members of this fracture system. Richard and Courtright described one of these dikes in the southeast quadrant. They referred to it as a ring-dike, composed of dacite porphyry. This suggests an apparent structural control of at least a part of the dacite porphyry intrusion by features related to the Toquepala breccia pipe center. This raises a perplexing question, since the dacite porphyry intrusion had been presumed to antedate breccia pipe activity. However, if this ring-dike is related to the breccia pipe center, it may indicate that some part of the dacite porphyry intrusion advanced in a manner resulting in an intensely localized stress center, which produced the concentrically arranged fracture system. The ring-dike would then appear to be evidence strongly sug-

Jan 1, 1959

By James Westfield

Following is a resume of activities of the Division of Coal-Mine Inspection that have had a favorable effect on health, safety, and the reduction o1 injuries at coal mines: 1. The Federal Mine Safety Code for Bituminous Coal and Lignite Mines of the United States was issued originally by the Director of the Bureau of Mines July 24, 1946, after consultation with management and labor representatives of the coal-mining industry. The code has been used by Federal coal-mine inspectors while inspecting bituminous coal and lignite mines as a basis for determining the existence of unhealthful and unsafe conditions and practices in these mines. A revised code was issued by the Secretary of the Interior October 8, 1953, after further consultations with representatives of management and mine workers and was incorporated by reference in the 1952 and subsequent bituminous coal wage agreements. The agreement of May 29, 1946, between the Secretary of the Interior, acting as Coal Mines Administrator under authority of Executive Order 9728, and the United Mine Workers of America, covering bitumi¬nous coal and lignite mines in Government possession, charged Federal coal-mine inspectors with the responsibility of making periodic investigations of the mines and reporting to the Coal Mines Administrator any violations of the Federal Mine Safety Code. Federal coal-mine inspectors also had temporary authority to close mines found to be imminently dangerous, but such authority (under Executive Order 9728) was removed June 30, 1947, when Government control of the mines was terminated.

Jan 1, 1959

By Russell R. Trengove

The largest potential reserves of manganese in Nevada are in the Pioche district. To date, these large reserves of 10-to l2-percent manganese cannot be upgraded economically. Other large, low-grade deposits, such as the Virgin River and Boulder City deposits in Clark County, cannot be considered immediate sources of manganese. Reserves of the principal manganese deposits in Nevada, based on the most reliable estimates, total about 17 million tons analyzing 7.6 to 13.6 percent manganese. Most of the deposits are of a type that cannot be prospected systematically but have been prospected and developed in the course of productive mining operations. To realize production from low-grade deposits that are amenable to concentration, a ready market must be provided. Thus far, Government stockpiles have been the major outlet for these low-grade ores. Research and experimentation over a period of years have led to development of several processes technologically applicable to these low-grade ore bodies, but their economics is not sufficient to allow competition with imported ores on the open market.

Jan 1, 1959

By L. C. Raymond

Valuations in the mineral industry differ from those of other enterprises because mines and oil wells have a definitive life so cannot be considered a perpetuity. This requires that in any mineral-property evaluation the recovery of invested capital is necessary during the life of the property. Capital writeoffs for nonextractive industries are assumed to be continuously plowed back to sustain the operation and produce yields on the capital invested. The extractive or mineral industry, however, generally attempts to return to the investor both interest and principal during the life of a property. Normally this is done currently and the dividend includes both items. Where the mineral properly possesses large reserves and the life factor approximates a perpetuity, the return on investment is generally comparable to that of industrial stocks. The valuation of a mineral property, at best, is based on educated estimates and judgment factors. This is particularly true as it relates to estimating selling prices over a long term or assessing the quality of management. Also, it is possible to make various assumptions as to rapidity of working out the deposit, varying time for start-up of operations, varying earning rates, so as to obtain different results with the same basic facts. Thus it is not surprising that two engineers, irrespective of their abilities, may not agree exactly even when given the same facts, but their results should be close enough to be used in establishing a fair value for trading purposes. The valuation is no better than the source of basic data and the soundness of judgment factors. Fundamentally the basic principles of mineral valuation are similar for base metals, sulphur, oil, or any other mineral. Each mineral, however, requires an engineer to have a knowledge of such factors as its occurrence, distribution, mining and processing methods, and marketing problems in order to gather and analyze all the facts and data that have a bearing on the earning potential of the property. PRESENTVALUEOFAMINERALPROPERTY In essence the present value of a mineral property is a sum of money in today's dollars that future earnings from the property are worth. It differs

Jan 1, 1959

By George H. Roseveare

Early flotation dealt primarily with the bulk concentration of sulphide minerals or the separation of one sulphide from another and was referred to as oil flotation because oils and fats were used as reagents. The separation or concentration of one nonmetallic mineral from another developed later with the use of fatty acids. Fatty acids are organic acids present usually as glycerides in tall oil and oils of fish, peanut, cottenseed, soya beans and ethers of veg¬etable and animal origin. Some, of these oils and their derivatives were used by the Phoenicians as early as 600 B.C. in making soap, and the use of such reagents in mineral dressing is referred to as "soap flotation". The first use of oleic acid for the recovery of minerals was the early agglomeration process.' The coarse particles of ore, from 1/16 to 1/4 inch diameter, were coated with large amounts of soap or oil and after screaming from the gangue were recovered by screening, hydraulic or table classification. In 1886, a patent was issued to Mrs. Carrie Everson in which the essential feature was the constituted commingling of pulverized ore, fat or an oil, either animal, mineral, or vegetable, for the purpose of effecting .a. union of the free metal or metallic portion of the ore with such admixed material whereby the same may be changed in subsequent separation of quartz or other rock therefrom by washing or other suitable means. The patent mentions the use of red, cotton seed, caster, sperm and linseed oils, In the early use of collectors the amount of oil for froth flotation was often 2 to 6 per cent by weight of the ore rather than pounds per ton.

Jan 1, 1959

By J. W. Evans

ONE possible method for the separation of hafnium from zirconium is by the vapor phase oxidation of the purified mixed chlorides. An important factor for success depends on the difference in free energies of the following reactions: ZrCl(g) + O2 = ZrO2(s) + 2C12 [1] HfCl4(g) + O2 = HfO2(s) + 2C12. [2] Prakash and Sundaram1 have calculated these values from certain data and carried out experimental work with partial success. However, their free energy values for reaction 2 diverge rather widely from other data which are presented here. The possibility of successful separation is briefly considered in the light of these alternative values. Table I shows the free energy values (?F°) for reactions 1 and 2 derived from the recent compilation of data on oxides and chlorides by Glassner.2 The corresponding values of Prakash and Sundaram for the same temperatures are also shown. The alternative values to those of Prakash and Sundaram for reaction 2 are substantially confirmed by the data of Kubaschewski and Evans" and Cough-lin' on heats of formation, entropies, and heats of vaporization. In spite of the considerable uncertainty in the hafnium data it is reasonable to suppose that the oxide-chloride free energy difference for two such chemically similar elements would not be very far apart. These figures indicate clearly that the oxidation of hafnium chloride is appreciable at all temperatures. Nevertheless, there is a significant difference between the values for reactions 1 and 2

Jan 1, 1959

By G. W. McCaa

Plans for a large industrial development in the Upper Ohio Valley between Moundsville and New Martinsville, West Virginia, were announced in the Fall of 1955. This development consisted of a large aluminum plant to be .built by Olin-Mathieson; a 675,000 KW power plant to be constructed by the American Electric Power Service; and a large coal mine adjacent to the power plant to be developed by the Hanna Coal Company Division of Consolidation Coal Company. The Ireland Mine was designed to efficiently supply fuel for the power plant, and this was the first consideration in the location of facilities, design, and development of plant and the selection of the equipment. The first problem was to find a suitable area for the surface facilities. A level bottom area south of the power plant was reserved for future industrial plants and this area was also blocked off from the coal reserves by an old abandoned and flooded mine. The coal storage facilities of the power plant were on the north side of the plant and it was decided to locate the coal mine preparation plant on-the shoulder of a hill above the power plant. This location required the excavation of 70,000 yards of rock but permitted the driving of a belt slope from the plant at an angle so that the haulage roads underground would miss the abandoned Cresap Mine. This location also permitted the plant to be located at an elevation so that the conveyors leaving the plant were horizontal and had sufficient clearance above the highway and railroad tracks. The other surface facilities consisting of air shafts, supply slope, supply yard, office, bathhouse, shop and warehouse were located in the valley some distance north of the preparation plant. This location placed these facilities one mile nearer to the working area. Plans for design and development of the mine were started in November 1955; grading and clearing of surface area was started in January 1956; the air shafts and slopes were started in the Spring and Summer of 1956; and the first coal was produced from the supply slope in October 1956. The preparation plant was put in operation in March 1958, and by July 1959 was producing 8,000 tons per day.

Jan 1, 1959

By William T. Griswold

Few metals or industrial minerals can boast a better growth record over the past fifteen years than the borates. This period of growth occurred before the influence of any large-scale use in plastics or high-energy fuels. These new developments not only provide expanding markets, but the programs related to their development are generating research information that will lead to many other new uses. The most dynamic growth areas for refined products of boron or borates are in the acid, the oxide and the reduced forms, such as the metal and the hydrides. Expanding requirements for these products will modify the emphasis on the use of naturally occurring sodium borates. Any borate from which boron can be economically extracted will become a potentially important ore. This is particularly true of the calcium borate, colemanite. Only one large deposit in the Western World has ever been developed where the principal economic minerals are sodium borates, This factor alone would discourage any exploration program directed solely toward the discovery of these ores; on the other hand, ample exploration opportunities for calcium borates exist in the desert regions of California and Nevada. It is therefore reasonable to restrict a program to this region, in spite of geologically favorable areas in foreign countries such as Turkey, Argentina and Chile.

Jan 1, 1959

By Wilbur I. Duvall

This report presents experimental data on the propagation of explosion- generated strain pulses in rock. Tests were performed in 5 different rock types, employing 10 different types of explosives. Charge sizes ranged from 0.5 to 50 pounds, and travel distances ranged from 2.5 to 70 feet. Analysis of the data shows that the experimental peak strain data satisfy an exponential decay propagation law of the form: ?R/W1/3 = Ke ?aR/W1/3. For a particular rock, parameter K is a linear function of the calculated detonation pressure or the calculated energy density of the explosive. For a particular explosive, K is a linear function of the elastic parameter of the rock, p2, a result, which is at variance with elastic theory. The absorption constant, a, is independent of type of explosive but dependent upon rock type. However, no definite relation between a and the physical properties of the rock could be established.

Jan 1, 1959

By W. F. Carew, F. A. Crossley

The stress for rupture in 500 hr at 1000° F has been reported to be about 13,000 psi higher for Widmanstitten than for equiaxed microstructures for the Ti-7A1-3Mo alloy.1,2 Also, limited data indicated Widmanstatten and equiaxed micro-structures to have approximately the same creep resistance at 1000°F.' Recently, data have been obtained which show Widmanstatten structures to be significantly more creep resistant than equiaxed structures at 1000°F, see Fig. 1. These data represent several ingots and several heat treatments of the solution treat and age type. The thermal history and tensile properties corresponding to the creep data are given in Table I. The creep data were taken from creep-rupture tests. The associ- ated rupture data are given in Table 11. It may be noted that total creep deformations are considerably greater for equiaxed structures. Previous evaluations of stability indicated that all of the structures tested are stable with respect to exposure to stress at elevated temperature.1,2 For a minimum creep rate of 10-4 in. per in. per hr the difference in stress levels is indicated to be about 17,000 psi. Holden,et found an irreversible contraction upon heating three a-ß titanium alloys in the equiaxed condition above their ß-transus temperatures. The alloys were: Ti-6Al-4V, Ti-155 A (5Al-1.3Cr-1.5Fe-1.2Mo), and C-130 AM (44-4Mn). The net contractions in length between the original equiaxed and the final Widmanstatten structures measured at room temperature were: 0.4, 0.4, and 0.7 pct, respectively. The greater creep and rupture resistance of the WidmanstStten structure of the Ti-7Al-3Mo alloy may be associated with the phenomenon

Jan 1, 1959

By R. Carson Dalzell

The use of nuclear fission for chemical process heat offers the special advantage of high temperature, limited only by materials of construction. The process heat may be supplied economically at elevated pressures, since no compression of combustion air is required. For the initial effort in developing a high-temperature reactor, the indirect cycle, using helium as the heat-transfer medium, was chosen. The major problems are the design of high-temperature fuel elements, construction of an exchanger to transfer heat to process streams in the range of 2,500° F., and development of compressors capable of recycling helium at 1,000° F. and above. A conceptual design of a nuclear reactor to furnish process heat for coal gasification has been made. Spherical fuel elements utilizing a graphite structure, impregnated with uranium carbide fuel, were chosen, as spheres offer the possibility of easier loading and unloading of the reactor. Calculations of pressure drop and gas-pumping power for the system are included.

Jan 1, 1959

This paper describes the excavation of No. 1 Power Station Lift Shaft at the Kiewa Hydro-Electric Project. The advantages and limitations of the borehole method are outlined, and general principles of plant design are discussed.INTRODUCTIONFor many years, attempts have been made to reduce mine development costs by various methods. Some of the, techniques of tunnelling have been adopted in horizontal headings, and in main vertical shafts, mechanical plant has displaced hand labour with notable success. However, in the field of small rises and winzes, improvements have largely been effected by attention to details of procedure. The most promising avenues for' substantial reductions in cost relate to:(a) Long-hole drilling(b) The borehole method(c) Calyx drilling.Whilst each of these methods has its peculiar advantages, the borehole rising method is probably most useful, and capable of wide application.In brief, the borehole method of rising requires a, drill hole parallel to the axis of the rise. A hoisting rope is passed through the borehole, and is attached to a platform on which the rising crew are raised with their equipment to the drilling position in the rise.When properly planned, the method is particularly safe, and has generally received the approval of mine inspectors and safety authorities. Rising work is generally hazardous, even when special timbering methods are used. In...

Jan 1, 1959

By R. B. Roof, J. J. Lombardo

DURING the course of investigations on U-Cb alloys by X-ray diffraction techniques, an impurity or an additional phase was observed in severa1 alloys of various compositions. The X-ray dif-

Jan 1, 1959

By J. D. H. Strickland, K. J. Jackson

IN previous papers' ' details were given of the constructlon and use of an apparatus to study the rate of chlorine consumption and the rate of sul- fate and sulfur production when dilute aqueous chlorine solutions were allowed to react with pyrite and galena in acid solutions at or near room temperature. The reaction with pyrite was very rapid, and hence entirely transport-controlled in its kinetics, and produced only ferric and sulfate ions. The behavior of galena was much more complex and was studied in some detail. Sulfur monochloride could be detected as a reaction product and both

Jan 1, 1959

By E. A. Gulbransen, K. F. Andrew

The vacuum-microbalance method was used to study the oxidation behavior of Zircaloy-2 and -3A over the temperature range of 300 to 850°C and at 0.1 atm pressure. The results fit in well with the authors' earlier studies on zirconium. Tin was found to increase the rate of oxidation and also the temperature at which the metal burns. Both the cubic-rate law and the parabolic-rate law gave imperfect fits to the rate data. Since the parabolic-rate law has been derived from accepted physical principles, this rate law was used to interpret the rate data. A heat of activation of 28,600 cal per mole was calculated. The transition phenomenon previously observed in hot-water and steam-corrosion processes was studied systematically for oxygen atmospheres. Observations on the rate of oxidation, color and properties of the oxide films show that the transition phenomenon was associated with a failure in the adherence of the oxide to the alloy. ZIRCALOY-2 and -3A have found important uses in the field of reactor metals due to their low neutron adsorption, good strength and good resistance to corrosion. One feature of the corrosion reaction in steam or hot water is the sharp transition in the rate of corrosion to a higher value after a certain amount of reaction has occurred. This paper presents a study of the reaction of Zircaloy-2 and -3A with oxygen including a study of the transition phenomenon which has been found to occur also in oxygen atmospheres. A comparison will be made between the oxidation behavior of these alloys and the pure metal. It was hoped that a study of the details of the oxygen reaction would lead to a better understanding of the reactions occurring in hot-water and steam atmospheres. Literature Kinetics-—The reaction of Zircaloy-2 and -3A with hot-water and steam atmospheres has been studied by Thomas.' Goldman and Thomas,' Thomas and Forscher," and Thomas and Kass.' Empirical equations for the kinetics of the reaction have been given by Thomas and Forscher." The change from the initial slow rate of reaction to the final rapid rate of reaction has been termed transition with the post-transition corrosion kinetics following a simple linear equation in time. The corrosion behavior in high-temperature steam was similar in many features to the corrosion in high-temperature water. Goldman and Thomas' and Pray and Peoples' have shown that the addition of tin, while increasing the rate of corrosion, counteracts the deleterious effect of nitrogen. The beneficial effect of iron, nickel and chromium was to improve the adhesion of the oxide to the metal as well as to counteract the deleterious effect of nitrogen. Mallet and Albrecht" have studied the oxidation of two zirconium-tin alloys. The cubic-rate law was found to fit the oxidation data for the 1.5 pct tin alloy while the parabolic-rate law was found to fit the data for the 2.5 pct alloy. Kendall' in a recent paper has studied the oxidation of Zircaloy-2 containing 1.5 pct tin in air atmospheres. Transition Phenomenon—In steam atmospheres Thomas' has observed fora 1.8 pct tin alloy containing small amounts of iron, nickel and chromium that transition to a more rapid rate of corrosion at 400°C

Jan 1, 1959

By E. Y. Carlson

"IN A SHORT PAPER it is impossible to do much more than to list the industrial minerals found in Saskatchewan and to give a brief description of the activity associated with each. I will not attempt to discuss the geology. It is sufficient to say that the settled part of the Province is covered by glacial drift which varies in thickness from a few feet to several hundreds of feet, and that this has hindered the search over much of the Province.CLAYA notable exception to this is the Cypress Hills area in the southwest corner which did not suffer any glacial action and where we find some of the large exposures of Cretaceous clays. In this area, the majority of the deposits are of stone-ware clays which are •an excellent raw material for such products as face brick and sewer pipe. Although the clay cannot be transported over any great distance it is used extensively in Alberta and Saskatchewan in the production of these products."

Jan 1, 1959

By Marion A. Goudie

The Devonian salt basin, which contains the Saskatchewan Potash deposits, extends from just east of the foothills in Alberta, north as far as the Peace River area, across Saskatchewan and into Manitoba as far east as Range 10 west of the First Meridian and south into Montana and North Dakota. The basin is closed everywhere except to the northwest. The known potash deposits are confined almost entirely to the Province of Saskatchewan, with the exception of a small area in western Manitoba bordering the Saskatchewan boundary. The following discussion will concern only the Saskatchewan part of the basin. The evaporite series in the basin is defined as the Prairie Evaporite Formation of the Elk Point Group, of Middle Devonian age. Recent work done by potassium-argon dating methods has indicated an Upper Middle Devonian (Givetian) age of from 265 to 347 million years for the potash. The Elk Point Group consists in ascending order of the Ashern, Winnipegosis and Prairie Evaporite Formations. The Ashern formation, sometimes called the Third Red Bed, consists of dolomitic shales or shaly dolomites. The Winnipegosis is a reef type dolomite, usually with good porosity, and in many cases oil-staining, although to date no production has been obtained. The Prairie Evaporite formation consists of anhydrite overlain by halite and finally, in Saskatchewan, by the potash beds. In almost all wells which have been cored for potash the lowest potash bed is underlain by one or two bands of anhydrtte, which are used as marker horizons. Cores from a few wells which cored to the bottom of the salt series have shown flecks of potash throughout the halite.

Jan 1, 1959

By E. Gregory, C. G. Goetzel

The outstanding elevated temperature properties of materials made from sintered aluminum powder have been well established in recent years.1,2 and considerable investigation has been carried out on the structures which appear to be responsible for this type of strengthening.2,3 The maximum operating temperature of such materials is severely limited, however, by the low melting point of the aluminum matrix; and, therefore, considerable interest was aroused in methods of introducing the

Jan 1, 1959

By Sidney Katell

The present report, a continuation of the series of Bibliography of Investment and Operating Costs for Chemical and Petroleum Plants, is concerned with articles published from January 1958 through December 1958. The periods covered in previous reports are as follows: January 1930 - August 1948 I. C. 7516 September 1948 - June 1952 I. C. 7705 July 1952 - June 1954 1. C. 7751 July 1954 - December 1956 I. C. 7847 January 1957 - December 1957 I. C. The following sources were used to obtain the references to and the abstracts of the published articles included in this report: 1. Bureau of Mines Information Circulars. 2. Bureau of Mines Reports of Investigations. 3. Chemical Engineering. 4. Chemical Engineering Progress. 5. Coal Age. 6. Coal Utilization. 7. Cost Engineering. 8. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. 9. Nucleonics. 10. Oil and Gas Journal. 11. Petroleum Engineering. 12. Petroleum Refiner. 13. World Oil.

Jan 1, 1959

By W. A. Backofen, M. L. Ebner, D. H. Avery

Slip on (11221 planes, which do not contain a close-packed direction, has been identified on crystals strained at —190°C. Evidence is also presented to show that (1071) pyramidal slip is a mode of deformation at 25ºC in a limited orientation range. PYRAMIDAL slip (l011) <1120> in magnesium at elevated temperatures has been established for some time.1-2 More recently, Burke and Hibbard reported this mode of deformation at 25"C, but their results were questioned by Craig.&apos; Also, as far as the present authors know, slip in magnesium on pyramidal planes of the second order, Type II (1122)) has not previously been reported, although Gilman"," identified (1122) slip in another hexagonal metal

Jan 1, 1959