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By S. LeFevre

, The solution of the housing and sanitation problem in mining communities, keeping in view both economic and humanitarian aspects, demands the best thought of the management of such enterprises. Upon the solution depend the health and comfort of the employee and his family, and as a consequence his contentment and efficiency. The following description covcrs briefly the methods installed for Witherbee, Sherman & Co. The operation of the system has been for about two years under the direct supervision of T. A. Hammond, Land Agent, and I am indebted to him for a compilation of the results. Sanitation The sanitary service covers 238 tenements. The installation cost was about $22 per tenement, as follows: Privy, $15; privy box, $3; proportion of incinerator cost, $2; garbage can, $2. The operating cost is $1 per month for each tenement. In considering the installation of an ordinary village system of water supply and sewerage two difficulties were encountered: First, lack of a sufficient quantity of water; there is no stream large enough, as Mineville is situated very close to the divide between the Lake Champlain and Hudson River watersheds. A storage reservoir was tried, but the only location available, among glacial hills, would not hold water. Second, the expense of digging ditches for the distribution of water and sewer pipes is so great as to be prohibitive; Mineville is built chiefly in a valley covered in the bottom with drift, in this case a combination of boulders and hard pan. Digging in this material costs 80c. to $1 per cubic yard, and pipes must be placed 41/2 ft. down to be below frost. The houses are scattered along 4 miles of streets, the oldest having been built in the original forest 65 years ago. The newer houses have gone up a few at a time wherevcr a clear space could be found and the slopes were not too steep. This has advantages, as it separates the dwellings into

Jan 1, 1915

By A. Sauveur

At the New York meeying of the Institute, February, 1914, Professor Hopkinson and Sir Robert Hadfield presented an important paper entitled Research with Regard to the Non-Magnetic and Magnetic Conditions of Manganese Steel.

Jan 1, 1915

By Noel Cunningham

Many excellent descriptions of the mills of the Porcupine district have been written, but no discussion exclusively devoted to the metallurgical technology has been given. These notes are intended to cover this feature briefly. They are based upon 21/2 years' mill operation in the district—i.e., practically since the beginning of metallurgical operations. Character of the Porcupine Ore.—There is no oxidized ore in the district, the surface having been deeply planed by glacial action in recent geologic time. The precious-metal content is about in the proportion of 85 of gold to 15 of silver by weight; hence, the silver is practically negligible. There are two classes of Porcupine ore, having very different characteristics; these will be referred to throughout this paper as Class A and Class B. Class A ore is a pure quartz with inclusions of schist. Generally it is heavily fractured and breaks down readily to sharp, hard grains, about minus 10 plus 20 mesh, requiring further comminution to release the gold. It carries very little pyrite; the gold is entirely free and apt to be coarse, but often spongy, going into solution readily on that account. This gold is 60 per cent. to 85 per cent. free milling, depending on the grade of ore. Class B ore is an iron silicate schist, strongly laminated, carrying 4 to 5 per cent. pyrite; its specific gravity is 2.8 to 3.0, depending upon the amount of mineralization. In breaking the ore in the mine, generally over 25 per cent. of material through a 1/2-in. ring is made; the ore readily breaks down in milling and makes a comparatively large amount of non-crystalline slime; owing to its high specific gravity, however, it is quick settling. In my opinion, the gold in this ore is free, but so finely divided that it will neither pan nor amalgamate; it appears to be disseminated through the rock and not chiefly associated with the pyrite. Veins of Class A ore occur with or without side walls of Class B, and veins of Class B occur unassociated with Class A; more often the veins are closely banded, Class A and Class B alternating, generally with Class B in excess. Both classes of ore are more or less blocky at times, and with reference to Class B this is indicative of low gold content.

Jan 1, 1915

By W. W. Norton

The gradually increasing proportion of sulphide ores which lead smelters of to-day are called upon to handle has caused the roasting problem to become one of ever greater importance. Mines have increased in depth, methods of concentration have improved, competition in the purchase of ores has become more keen and it has been clear that new and modern methods of eliminating sulphur must receive a large share of attention. We may look back a score of years or so and recall the old hand roasters, some of which turned out a finely divided roasted product, and others fashioned with a "fuse-box" wherein the roasted ore was slagged. Then came mechanical furnaces of several types, the Bruckner cylinder, the Brown-O'Harra, the Ropp, and others, all designed to cut out the cumbersome hand labor of the old reverberatories. Roasting costs were thereupon reduced and tonnages stimulated to a gratifying extent. However, it seems to have been early recognized that this very feature of a greater amount of roasted sulphide ore as compared with oxide ore brought with it a train of difficulties at the blast furnaces. The mechanically roasted ore was fine physically, the blast furnaces were choked and the troubles of the smelterman were not at an end. Then the Huntington-Heberlein pot system of roasting appeared upon the scene, and later on the Dwight-Lloyd machines were invented, and inasmuch as both of these processes were designed not only to roast the ore but to agglomerate it as well, it was apparent that distinct steps in advance had been achieved. At the Murray plant, modern up-to-date roasting practice is fully exemplified and there are now in successful operation roasting furnaces or devices of several sorts: namely, Godfrey revolving-hearth furnaces, Wedge multiple-hearth mechanical roasters, Dwight-Lloyd sintering machines, and Huntington-Heberlein pots. Godfrey and Wedge furnaces will properly handle material high in sulphur, say ores with 25, 30, and 35 per cent. of that element; D. & L. machines and H. & H. pots will positively not treat efficiently ores or mixtures containing anywhere near the sulphur content mentioned, but are confined to charges containing in the neighborhood of 15 or 18 per cent. In passing, it may also be explained that, so far as the knowledge of the writer goes, Godfrey and Wedge furnaces do not economically eliminate sulphur to an extent

Jan 1, 1915

By John Van N. Dorr

Introduction.................... 212 The DoRR Classifier.........212 History................ 212 Description................... 215 Regulation of Products............. 216 Cost of Operation.............216 Power...........216 Capacity..............216 Uses.................217 The Dorr Thickener.............219 History...........292 Description.............. 221 Speed............ 222 Power......,....223 Repairs.............,... 223 Labor................. 224 Capacity................ 224 Density of Underflow............... 224 Uses.........,.......226 Continuous Counter-Current Decantation....... 227 Concentration..............227 Industrial Uses................228 Acid-Proof Thickeners.......... 228 The Dorr Tray Thickener........... 229 Description.................. 229 Capacity................. 231 The Dorr Agitator................. 232 History................... 232 Description................... 233 Speed.................... 234 Power.................... 234 Renewals................... 235 Efficiency................... 236 Selective Agitation................ 236 Conclusion................... 237

Jan 1, 1915

By F. Julius Fohs

With portions of two coal basins within its borders and a few scattered fields already developed, the question arises: What is the future of Kentucky as an oil-producing State? Is the long list of failures due to lack of commercial pools, or unintelligent prospecting? A study of its beds and irregularities of structure points not only to a large waste of development money on unpromising areas, but also to the presence of a few structures well worthy of development. The surface rocks of Kentucky show in succession more than 4,000 ft. of Paleozoic sediments and more than 2,000 ft. of Cretaceous, Tertiary, and more recent deposits. Folding and erosion have brought these beds to the surface, where they have been observed and studied in detail by my associate, James H. Gardner, myself, and others. This has given opportunity to observe the beds offering suitable reservoirs and having the proper impermeable covering; also the mapping of outcrops and outcrop lines, taken in conjunction with available well records, indicates that certain areas are worth testing, and with even greater definiteness shows areas which should be excluded, as devoid of possibilities. West of the Tennessee River, Cretaceous, Tertiary, and Quaternary sediments occur so that all trace of ancient folding is obliterated, the sediments overlapping unconformably Mississippian rocks. This area embraces 2,000 square miles, or one-twentieth of the area of the State, the Paleozoic rocks covering the remainder. Since there is nothing upon which to base the location of tests for oil and gas in the Cretaceous-Tertiary beds of Kentucky, the Paleozoic area will be chiefly considered. The distribution of Paleozoic rocks in Kentucky is centered about the north-northeast striking Cincinnati geanticline, bringing to the surface on the Jessamine dome the oldest rocks exposed in the.State, those of the Devonian, Silurian, and Ordovician systems. On either flank of this great earth-arch are the Mississippian rocks, sloping gradually beneath the coal-measure basins to the west and to the east. West of the western coal basin, and. between it and the Cretaceous-Tertiary rocks further west, is a high area of Mississippian rocks. Crossing the State

Jan 1, 1915

By W. S. Potter

The proportions of manganese and carbon in manganese steel are familiar to all…

Jan 1, 1915

By Horace V. Winchell

The laws here referred to are those which define the status of the prospector for mineral deposits in the soil or beneath it, establish his methods of procedure, protect him in his possession while searching for the subterranean treasures, and give him assurance of title when all required conditions have been fulfilled and valuable minerals discovered. Regulations for the operation of mines and the safety and health of mine employees are likewise subjects of Federal and State legislation, but are not within the scope of the present program. Various features of our present laws will be discussed in detail by able students of the subject, and specific remedies will be proposed for the most glaring defects. It is my purpose to present in this paper a summary review of the reasons why revision is needed and demanded by the great majority of those in daily contact with the industry. Reason Number One The first objection to the continuance of the present law is that it was not planned by its framers and the Congress which passed it to apply to many of the kinds of mineral deposits, nor to the mining conditions, which are controlled by it to-day. In 1866, under the title, "An Act granting the right of way to ditch and canal owners over the public lands, and for other purposes," was surreptitiously smuggled into existence our first mining law (14 Stats. at Large, Chap. 262, p. 251). This law provided that "whenever any person or association of persons claim a vein or lode of quartz or other rock in place, bearing gold, silver, cinnabar or copper, having previously occupied and improved the same according to the local customs or rules of miners in the district where the same is situated," etc., a patent might be granted an certain conditions. This was evidently an Act intended to validate claims already initiated, and to accord Federal recognition to mining locations made in

Jan 1, 1915

THE Australian States and New Zealand have for many years provided instruction in mining, metallurgy, geology, and their allied subjects through their Universities and Schools of Mines. Though such education has been provided at considerable expenditure, there is no legal recognition whatever given to the holders of degrees, diplomas, or certificates granted by the authorities controlling these educational institutions. Certain of the, Australian States and New Zealand require, however, that mine managers and other officials employed by the mining industry shall 'hold' certificates granted by their respective Mines Departments.The position at present is that each educational institution is practically a law unto itself, and therefore in many ways there is a want of uniformity amongst institutions all aiming at the same result the training of mining men. The object of this paper is, in the first place, to point out certain aspects of this want of uniformity, and thereby how disabilities accrue. Some points in connection with the granting of State certificates will also be...

Jan 1, 1915

By John R. Edwards

Introductory.—There are many interesting and important events connected with the petroleum problem. The remarkable men who conceived 'the thought of transporting petroleum by pipe line, conserving the byproducts of the commodity, and conducting extended investigation and research whereby the flash point of the oil was raised, its cost reduced and its supply assured, are deserving of the gratitude of this nation. It was primarily the success attained by Captain Lucas, after his comprehensive search for oil in Texas and Louisiana, that was the impelling cause which prompted the Navy Department to conduct the extensive series of liquid fuel-oil tests that were made from 1901 to 1903. The sensational discovery of oil at Spindle top made a deep impression upon Rear Admiral George W. Melville, then Engineer-in-Chief of the Navy, and the discovery of the vast oil field in Texas convinced him that, within a generation, if not within a decade, crude petroleum was going to play a very important part in warfare, and that the commodity might possibly develop into a necessary munition of war. The United States' Commanding Position as a Petroleum Producer.— In the study of the various problems relating to the world's production of crude petroleum, the position of the United States is one of commanding importance, whether viewed from the industrial or the military aspect. The present yield of this country is practically double that of the rest of the world, and, in view of the productive and prospective fields possessed by various countries, together with the comprehensive and exhaustive search that has been made throughout the world for petroleum, it is extremely probable that this lead will be maintained for the next decade. As regards the character of the crude-oil yield of different countries, America possesses the greater part of the supply that contains a paraffine base, and therefore a considerable portion at least of the American product produces the best illuminant. Of all the crude-oil distillates, kerosene is in many respects thc most important, and the Appalachian product for this purpose is favored, particularly in the Far East, above that of any other petroleum yield of the world.

Jan 1, 1915

By Theodore P. Holt

The Mines Operating Co.'s plant at Park City, Utah, was designed to treat the low-grade fillings in the old stopes of the Ontario mine. These fillings carry 6 to 14 oz. of silver, 1 to 2 lb. of copper, 0.01 to 0.015 oz. of gold, and a small percentage of lead and zinc. The treatment consists in mixing the crushed ore with coal dust and salt and then roasting in a new type of furnace by combustion of the contained fuel. The roasted ore is leached with an acid salt solution to dissolve the silver, gold, copper, and lead. At present these metals are precipitated together on scrap iron and the product sold to a refinery. The only new feature of importance in this scheme of treatment is the roasting process, which makes possible the chloridizing of ores without any loss of the valuable metals, and at a very low cost. History of the Development of the Process The roasting process- had its beginning in connection with research work at the Utah State School of Mines. N. C. Christensen, Jr., who held one of the School of Mines' fellowships, was engaged in some experimental work on blast roasting. At the same time I was doing some work on the insoluble gold in Mercur base ores. Mr. Christensen roasted some of this base gold ore in his pot furnace, and found that when he mixed a sufficiently low percentage of fuel with the ore, it did not sinter but roasted to a leachable product. We considered this a new application of blast roasting, and proceeded to test out a large number of ores in several different types of small roasters which we constructed.. This experimental work continued well into the summer of 1911. In August, 1911, the Consolidated Mercur Gold Mines Co. installed a small roaster of our design, which we proposed to operate on the counter-current principle, feeding mixed ore continuously on top, and at the same time drawing off the roasted ore from the bottom. By proper adjustment we hoped to maintain a permanent roasting zone near the center of the column, the ore moving downward as roasted. However, we

Jan 1, 1915

By N. B. Davis

I. Introduction. II. Definition of Plasticity. III. Theories of Plasticity. A. Structure of the clay particles. (1) Fineness of grain. (2) Plate structure. (3) Interlocking particles. (4) Sponge structure of particles. B. Presence of hydrous aluminum silicates. C. Molecular attraction between particles. D. Presence of colloidal gelatinous matter. (1) Review of theory of colloids. (a) Suspension colloids. (b) Emulsion colloids. (2) Experiments. IV. The Formation of Clays. A. Residual clays. B. Transported clays. V. Summary. VI. Conclusion. I. IntRodUction While working with a number of very sticky cracking clays from western Canada the writer became interested in a study of the cause of the excessive plasticity. This led to a review of the rather bulky literature on the subject and the finding that plasticity still remains to be satisfactorily explained. Most of these investigations seem to have been carried on solely from the chemical viewpoint, the geologic aspects having been ignored. In nearly every case, the investigators have worked with the higher-grade clays of low to medium plasticity, such as the kaolins, the excessively plastic ones having generally been neglected, partly because of their limited application, yet the author believes that these are

Jan 1, 1915

By J. A. Barr

Tennessee phosphates are commercially divided into three varieties: Brown, Blue, and White.

Jan 1, 1915

Jan 1, 1915

By G. S. Rice

Undoubtedly there is a serious problem through the juxtapostion of gas and oil wells and coal mines, not only at the present time, but possibly of far more serious import for the future.

Jan 1, 1915

By R. Hadfield

Last year this institute was good enough to accept some remarks by the writer regarding sound steel, entitle Plant for Hadfield Method of Producing Sound Steel Ingots…

Jan 1, 1915

Jan 1, 1915

By R. H. Rice

Turbo blowers for blast-furnace blowing have now been in use for some years, and a review of the experience gained and the present state of progress may be interesting.

Jan 1, 1915

By Douglas Bunting

THE first presentation of this paper was before the Pennsylvania Anthracite Section of the Institute in May, 1914, after which a committee was selected to verify and add to the data contained in the original paper. The author is indebted to G. W. Engel, H. W. Montz, R. V. Norris, and H. H. Otto, of this committee, for additional information. I also wish to acknowledge the courtesies extended me by a number of the mining companies for information relative to accidents, systems of proving, and mining practice. The paper should bring forth additional criticism and recommendations, which will be of value in establishing future practice relative to this subject. Throughout the northern anthracite field of Pennsylvania glacial and alluvial deposits of sand, gravel, and clay exist in varying quantities. The extent and character of these deposits are described by N. H. Darton in Bulletin 45 of the U. S. Bureau of Mines, entitled, Sand Available for Filling Mine Workings in the Northern Anthracite Basin. It is estimated that the northern field contains 10,000,000,000 tons of these deposits, or a sufficient quantity to cover the 176 square miles of coal area to a depth of about 25 ft. These deposits of sand, etc., overlying the coal measures attain a maximum depth of more than 300 ft., and are usually saturated to such an extent as to render them semi-fluid. It is .this condition of fluidity that limits the mining of coal seams cropping in or in close proximity to these deposits, and it is in the interest of safer and more efficient mining methods under these conditions that the study of this -subject is here presented. The dangers incident to mining under deep deposits of sand have long been realized by operators in the northern anthracite field, and much has been done to prove the contour of the rock and vein croppings underlying these water-bearing deposits of sand and gravel.

Jan 1, 1915

By E. Ordonez

I have read in the Bullentin a paper by H. von Hofer relating to the Origin of Petroleum, in ehich the author supports his and Englers views, express before, of the organic origin of petroleum.

Jan 1, 1915