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By M. I. Brittan

Discussion Dr R. E. Robinson (Fellow): The author must be congratulated on a very meticulous and self-contained piece of work. It is indeed a pleasure to read a paper that is so clearly and systematically laid out, and where the conclusions and the testwork conducted have been so clearly described. The paper is complete in itself, which makes it very difficult for someone who is not intimately involved in the whole Torco project to make any comments on its content. However, two points that, strictly speaking, fall outside the scope of the paper are of considerable interest. The first relates to the particle size of the material treated. In the paper, the testwork is confined to one standard particle size (minus 60 plus 100 mesh). The essential feature of the paper is to indicate that the rate-controlling reaction in the whole segregation process is the rate of reaction of the ore particles with the reducing agent and the hydrogen chloride. One wonders, therefore, to what extent this relatively slow rate of reaction is affected by the particle size of the ore itself. One imagines that the reaction must take place by contact of the hydrogen chloride with the surface of the mineral particles, and it is reasonable to suspect that the rate of diffusion of the copper ions to the surface is a relatively slow process and is thus the limiting factor in this particular rate of reaction. It is possible, for example, that the improvement obtained, when the ore is subjected to reducing conditions before the chlorination, is due to a breakdown in the crystal structure of the original particle. This breakdown is brought about by the reduction and by the consequent increase in surface area available for reaction with hydrogen chloride. Can the author indicate whether any work has been done along these lines, and whether it has been established that the reaction depends on the surface area available? The second point relates to the application of this kinetic study to the actual operation of a Torco reactor. It was once planned to feed the sodium chloride, together with the reducing agent, into the top of the segregation chamber. In the paper, the author mentions that it has now been established that the segregation chamber behaves, to all intents and purposes, as a fluidized bed, and that there is, therefore, a rapid evolution of gas in the lower regions of the chamber, which, it is imagined, displaces the gas phase rapidly. Since the reaction between sodium chloride, water vapour, and the aluminium silicates in the ore is extremely rapid, one wonders how much of the hydrogen chloride produced is removed from the reaction zone before it has had time to react with the copper minerals. The extremely low consumption of sodium chloride (which is a vital feature of the Torco process) must depend on an extremely rapid circulation of the hydrogen chloride gas to all the ore particles in the segregation chamber. One wonders, therefore, if a system for the introduction of the sodium chloride into the bottom regions of the chamber might not result in even greater efficiency in the utilization of sodium chloride. ProC D. D. Howat (Fellow): All of us who have been concerned with the study of chemical reactions at high temperatures are keenly interested in kinetics and are well aware that this is not an easy study experimentally. Dr. Brittan is to be congratulated on the development of neat experimental methods and for his full discussion of the results obtained. Although the segregation process for the extraction of copper from oxide and silicate ores has been known for almost fifty years, the fundamental chemical and physical changes involved have been little understood and the fundamental data are very scanty. The work now in progress at A.A.R.L., together with that sponsored by the Anglo American Corporation in other research institutions throughout the world, is bound to produce new fundamental data and a much more complete understanding of this rather fascinating process. It is already apparent that some of the old and well-worn chemical reactions that were postulated to occur, just cannot take place in the way which was formerly accepted. Dr Brittan's work, carefully conducted and thoroughly analyzed as it has been, still leaves us with one great outstanding problem. The thermodynamic data and the possible reactions set out in Table I (page 281) of his paper leave us asking, in complete despair, how can copper be converted into a volatile chloride in the presence of HCl, CO and carbon at temperatures about 800°C? The thermodynamics all combine to show that copper should be reduced to metal as the first step in the process. This brings us right up against the second problem. If copper were reduced to the metal how would HCI convert it to the volatile chloride? On top of these problems is the unknown reason for the very high speed of reaction between CO, HCI and the ground copper ore. Still further into the region of the unknown is the reaction by which gaseous hydrochloric acid is produced in the actual process. Perhaps Dr Brittan is feeling grateful that he doesn't have to try to explain this reaction-at this stage of the research programme at least. The results very clearly show that both CO and HCl gas are essential for rapid production of the volatile copper chloride. Dr Brittan states that 18 minutes were required to attain 83 per cent extraction with HCl gas alone and this was reduced to 4 minutes when CO was

Jan 2, 1970

By N K. DavT, A Coggan

The performance of in situ, shallow water covers in controlling acid generation was evaluated at four recently decommissioned pyritic uranium tailings sites at Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada. The tailings are acid generating, having a pyrite content of approximately five to ten per cent and a very low to non-existent alkaline buffering capacity. Adverse market conditions led to the closure of all operating uranium mines in the early- to mid-1990s, followed by rehabilitation and decommissioning of mine and waste management facilities. In order to control acidic drainage, all new and active tailings areas at Denison, Quirke, Panel, Spanish-American and Stanleigh mine sites were re-engineered to provide in situ submersion of these tailings under shallow water covers. The tailings impoundment dams were upgraded and reinforced or in some cases reconstructed, to minimise seepages and provide a minimum 1 m depth of water cover. With the exception of Stanleigh mine, which was closed in 1996 and rehabilitated during the late-1990s, the water covered Tailings Management Areas (TMAs) at other sites have been in operation for a period of six to nine years. The surface water quality at these sites is maintained at near neutral pH conditions by periodic addition of lime slurry to the established water covers. Additional treatment of effluent is provided as required to meet the discharge water quality standards. The performance of the established water covers at the sites was evaluated by analysing the annual equivalent limestone consumption data. The results were compared with the performance of an older, decommissioned Nordic TMA, which was rehabilitated using revegetation techniques. The water covers at these sites are performing as designed and acid generation has been reduced to low levels. Based on the total amount of yearly equivalent limestone required to maintain water quality in the water cover and at the effluent treatment plant, it is concluded that acid generation rate at the Denison TMA has reduced to less than 0.15 per cent of its pre-water cover conditions during normal operation and rehabilitation periods. In comparison to the revegetated Nordic TMA, the acid generation rates at Denison and Panel TMAs have decreased to less than 1.6 per cent of that at the Nordic TMA. The acid generation rate at the Quirke TMA was comparable or only slightly lower than that at the Nordic TMA because of its unique terraced cell configuration, having tailings in five hydraulically interconnected cells at different elevations. Historic acidity and oxidation reaction products, accumulated during normal operating and pre-water cover periods, are flushing from upstream locations to downstream cells, thus requiring much higher equivalent limestone additions for acid neutralisation and effluent treatment.

Jan 1, 2003

By C. S. Matthews, H. C. Lefkovits

Drilling progress is often delayed by sticking of the drill string. The development of preventive and remedial methods has been hampered by incomplete understanding of the sticking mechanism. A recent lahorntory investigation hns indicated that one type of sticking may be attributed to the difference in pressure between the borehole and formation. This paper shows, by means of soil mechanics, that the primary cause for differential pressure sticking is cessation of pipe movement, whereas diflerential pressre and stanrtding time determine the severity of the sticking. The analysis stresses the importance of using low-weight muds with low solids content and low water loss to alleviate diflerential pressure sticking and describes why packed hole drilling, long strings of drill collars, and a large deviation from the vertical are conducive to sticking. Finally, preventrve and remedial methods ore evaluated, and a theory is presented on the release of stuck pipe by spotting oil. INTRODUCTION Since drilling with long strings of oversize drill collars has become standard practice in many areas, the incidence and severity of the stuck pipe problem has increased. It has been noticed that in the majority of these cases the sticking could not possibly be attributed to key seating or caving of shales. It appeared that, due to the differential pressure between the mud column and the formation fluid, the collars were pressed into the wall and so became "wall stuck". Points to note about differential pressure sticking are: (1) sticking is restricted to the drill collars, (2) the collars become stuck opposite a permeable formation, (3) the sticking occurs after an interruption of pipe movement, (4) circulation, if interrupted, can be restarted after the sticking is noticed, and (5) no large amounts of cuttings are circulated out after restarting circulation. Helmick and Longleyl investigated pipe sticking by differential pressure in the laboratory and found an empirical relationship between the differential pressure, the sticking time and the required pull-out force. In this paper an explanation of the mechanism is given based on Terzaghi's theory of clay consolidation. A qualitative description is given in the following paragraphs while the derivation of fonnulas is given in Appendices. This paper is a first attempt to explain pressure differential sticking and many points will require additional theoretical and practical investigation before the problem can be fully understood. PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL STICKING AS A CONSOLIDATION PROBLEM In any borehole, where the mud pressure is higher than that exerted by the formation fluids, a mud cake is formed opposite the permeable sections of the hole and a continuous flow of filtrate takes place from the mud, through the cake and into the formation. This radial flow pattern requires a certain distribution of the hydraulic and the effective (grain-to-grain) stresses inside the mud cake. Any quantitative or qualitative change in the external pressure conditions will produce a change in the flow pattern and, consequently, also in the internal stress distribution inside the cake. In view of the low permeability and the high compressibility of a clay mud cake, the adjustment of the internal stress distribution is slow and is accompanied by a change in volume. Time dependent stresses are thus created which gradually diminish as the new state of equilibrium between internal and external pressures is approached. Some 30 years ago, Terzaghi developed his "Theory of Consolidation" to account for the time-dependent stresses and settling of clay formations under the influence of external loads. He derived a differential equation by which the time-dependent hydraulic stress and the consolidation can be computed for any point inside the layer during the consolidation process. His theory is based on the assumption that the change in stress is solely due to a change in water content and it may only be applied to one-dimensional consolidation phenomena. Other investiga-tors5,10 have expanded his theory to include processes of more than one dimension. The difference between the external pressures on the mud cake before and after sticking is a qualitative one (isolation of part of the cake by the static contact with the drill collars after pipe movement has been stopped)', and the time-dependent stresses thus created may be investigated by means of Terzaghi's theory. By this analysis the changes in the nature of the contact surface between the drill collars and the mud cake during the sticking can be explained; and the friction force between the two may be computed as a function of the sticking time, the borehole dimensions and the mud cake characteristics.

By R. F. Lynch, J. D. Wood

The Al-1.0 pct Mg alloy 565 7 was studied using optical microscopy and electron microprobe X-ray analysis. Constituent particles were found to exist inter-dendritically in the as-cast material in a region of precipitate free a -aluminum. Five phases besides a fine precipitate and a-Al were identified in the cast structure: Fel3, Fe2Al7, Mg2Al3, CUMgAl2, and Cu2FeAl7. Thermal treatments conducted for 100 hr at 1180°, 1130°, 1080°, 1030°, 980°, and 880° F revealed a general dissolution and spheroidization of the in-terdendritic constituent network observed in the cast structure. The principal constituents present in the thermally treated structures were FeAl3 and Fe2Al7 with the relative amount of Fe2A17 to FeAl3 increasing with a decrease in the treatment temperature. The phases Present in the wrought structure were identical to those observed after the thermal treatments, with the constituent particles strung out in the direction of rolling. ALLOY 5657 is a nonheat-treatable commercial purity Al-1.0 pct Mg alloy utilized extensively because of its bright finishing characteristics. This investigation was conducted to determine the constituents present in 5657 alloy, and to study the effect of extended thermal treatments on morphology. Numerous studies have been carried out to establish the equilibrium diagrams for various aluminum systems,1-3 with phase identification based on X-ray analysis, morphology, and the etching response of relatively large particles. Phragmen4 conducted a study of the phases in aluminum eutectic systems and compiled a "corrected" table of etching responses, drawing on his work plus that of Schrader,5 Keller and Wilcox,6 and Mondolfo.7 A review of the original work of Keller and Wilcox, and Mondolfo, which was concerned with the constituents found in commercial alloys, reveals that in numerous cases their etching responses differ from those reported by Phragmen and from each other. These inconsistencies may occur because a specific constituent will react to a given etch in a varying manner depending upon its size, the elements dissolved in the phase, the other constituents surrounding a phase, and the solute content of the matrix. Work with a commercial orientation was conducted on alloys 2024 and 3003 by Sperry8,9 and on alloy 3003 by Barker,10 where the relationship between the phase diagram and the nonequilibrium structure of an alloy was examined. Backerud11 investigated the A1-Fe binary system and found that at high cooling rates the equilibrium eutectic reaction forming a-A1 and FeA13 is replaced by another lower temperature eutectic reaction forming a-A1 and metastable FeAl6, a constituent first identified by Hollingsworth et al.12 Most of the above mentioned studies were conducted on materials having a significantly greater alloy content than 5657 alloy, where the relatively small size and sparse distribution of second phase particles hinders the process of identifying constituents. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Material with a composition as given in Table I was examined in the as-direct chill cast, hot rolled and cold rolled conditions, and after thermal treatment of the cast structure. Thermal treatments were terminated by a water quench. Microscopic examination was conducted under various lighting conditions following the application of standard etchants as specified in Table 11. A semi-quantitative electron microprobe X-ray analysis was conducted for Al, Mg, Fe, Cu, Si, Zn, and Ti. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Microstructure of the As-Cast Material. Particles of second phase material were found to exist inter-dendritically, principally in regions of precipitate free a-Al, as illustrated in Fig. 1. Adjacent to the ingot edge was a region of inverse segregation, resulting in an increased amount of second phase material containing large sized particles which aided in phase identification. Phase Identification. Cast Structure. Five phases besides a-Al and a fine precipitate were identified using optical microscopy and electron microprobe X-ray analysis, as presented in Tables II and III, respectively. FeA13 and Fe2A17 are often found with Fe2A17 forming a sheath around the core of FeAl3, resulting from an incomplete peritectoid reaction. These phases have a nearly identical appearance under white light, although they are easily differentiated under crossed polarizers, as characteristically illustrated in Figs. 2(a) and 2(b), respectively. Microprobe analysis con-

Jan 1, 1970

By H. Conrad, V. V. Damiano, G. J. London

The slip mode activated during the c axis compression of single crystals of commercial-purity ingot SR beryllium, high-purity (twelve-zone-pass) beryllium, and Be-4.4 wt pct Cu and Be-5.2 wt pct Ni alloys in the temperature range of 25° to 364°C was determined using two-surface slip trace analysis, slip-step height analysis, and electron transmission microscopy. All three techniques indicated the occurrence of copious pyramidal {1 122) (1123) slip in the alloys over the entire temperature range, the amount increasing with temperature. Pyramidal slip was also indicated in the high-purity beryllium by slip trace analysis and electron transmission microscopy, but the amount was somewhat less than in the alloys. For the commercial-purity ingot crystals, only a very small number of pyramidal slip lines were observed, and these were in the immediate vicinity of the fracture surface. No pyramidal dislocations could be detected by electron transmission microscopy in this material. Dislocatransmissiontions with Burgers vectors [0001] and +(ll20) were identified by electron transmission microscopy inthe (1122) slip bands, as well as those with the j (1123) vector. This was interpreted to indicate that the edge components of the 3(1123) vector dislocations activated during c axis compression dissociate upon unloading according to the reaction i (1123) — [0001] + 3(1120) THE microstrain c axis compression of single crystals of commercial-purity ingot SR beryllium (99.6 pct), high-purity twelve-zone-pass beryllium (99.98 pct), Be-5.24 pct Ni and Be-4.37 pct Cu alloys was described in a previous paper.1 This paper covers in detail the analysis of slip traces observed on two mutually perpendicular lateral surfaces of these specimens, and a detailed description of transmission electron microscopy studies performed on foils cut from the bulk crystals after they had been deformed to fracture in the c axis compression. Observation of slip traces on single surfaces of deformed single crystals are generally insufficient to positively identify slip or twinning modes. The use of two carefully cut and oriented perpendicular surfaces can greatly aid in the positive identification and index- ing of slip traces, although even this technique may be quite inadequate if more than one type of slip system operates and if an insufficient number of traces are observed on the surfaces. The problem is greatly simplified for symmetric cases like that for c axis compression of an hep crystal such as beryllium, in which the operating slip systems are all equally inclined to the direction of the applied stress, and each slip system of a given slip mode has an equal chance of operating. For such cases, the traces of any given slip mode observed on the surfaces cut parallel to the c axis are symmetrically tilted about the c axis. It is therefore possible to quickly determine whether one or more slip modes are operating. Confirmatory evidence in support of the observations made on the external surfaces can be obtained from foils cut from the deformed crystals and examined by transmission electron microscopy. This latter technique serves to identify not only the operating slip plane but also the Burgers vector of the dislocations which participate in the slip. For this purpose, a simplified technique based upon a double tetrahedron notation is used in the present paper. The planes and directions in the hep lattice are all designated by letters rather than indices and extinction conditions are easily determined if the Burgers vector lies in the plane contributing to the diffraction. RESULTS 1) Slip Trace Analysis. The standard (0001) stereo-graphic projection of beryllium is shown in Fig. 1. The two mutually perpendicular, lateral surfaces of the compression specimen are represented by the diametrical planes AA' and BB', also referred to as surface A and surface B. For the specific case represented (a Be-5.24 pct Ni specimen deformed by c axis compression at room temperature), the A surface is tilted 5 deg to the (10i0') plane and the B surface is tilted 5 deg to the (1120) plane. Two surface trace analyses may be facilitated by examining in turn the intersection of various great circle traces of specific pyramidal planes with two surfaces and comparing the angles made with the (0001) plane with those actually observed on the two surfaces. One then identifies the slip traces by trial and error on a best-fit basis. The (1122) type planes (it was found that slip occurred on these planes) are shown plotted on the stereographic projection in Fig. 1. One obtains directly the angles between the (0001) plane and the {1122) traces by measuring the angle from the periphery to the point of intersection along the lines

Jan 1, 1969

By J. B. Conway

Stress-vuptuve data for several of- the refractory metals are frequently found to yield a linear relationship between the Larson-Miller parameter and the logarithm of the applied stress. In such cases linear stress-rupture isotherms result with slopes bearing a definite relationship to the temperature. It also follows that the stress to produce rupture in a certain period of time will be linear in temperature. Data for several refractory metals have been reviewed and excellent linearity is shown in this type of isochronal plot. In addition, the af ore - mentioned lineavity leads to a linear relation between the log of the stress to produce rupture in a certain time and the homologous temperature. This has been illustrated for the Group VI-A metals, tungsten and molybdenum. EXTENSIVE use has been made of the Larson-Miller' parameter in the interpolation and extrapolation of stress-rupture and creep data. In those cases where this particular parametric approach is applicable a convenient and fairly straightforward procedure is made available for the correlation of experimental stress-rupture data. It is quite common to employ this parameter in the form of a master rupture plot in which the parameter, T(C + log tr), is expressed as a function of log stress. In many cases this functional relationship in log stress is linear within acceptable accuracy and hence the following relation results: where P is the parameter, C is the Larson-Miller constant, T is the absolute temperature, t~ is the rupture time, a is the stress, and a and b are constants. Examples of such a relationship are contained in the work of Green, Smith, and 01son2 dealing with high-temperature rupture behavior of molybdenum and in the work of Green' dealing with the high-temperature behavior of tungsten. In addition, pugh4 has shown a similar linearity for some fairly low-temperature data for molybdenum. It can be shown that when the relationship in Eq. [I] is exhibited certain generalizations can be made concerning the form of the stress-rupture isotherms. For example, rearranging yields: For a given material (constant C) at a given temperature the first term on the right-hand side of Eq. [2] is a constant and hence this equation defines a straight line when log stress is plotted as a function of log-rupture time. This is recognized as the standard form usually employed in this type of data presentation. Such linearity then suggests the linear form of the Larson-Miller parameter. Or, in other words, the linear parametric relationship in Eq. [2] results only when the stress-rupture data are linear on a log-log plot of stress vs rupture time. Another interesting observation can be made in regard to Eq. [2]. It can be noted that the slope of the stress-rupture isotherms is given by - T/b and hence a direct calculation of the constant b is available. It also follows that since the value of b is the same for all temperatures the slopes of the various isotherms on the log-log stress-rupture plot cannot be the same. Indeed, the existence of the relationship in Eq. [2] precludes a system of parallel lines on this common stress-rupture plot. As a matter of fact it further specifies that in addition to being nonparallel the slope of these isotherms must decrease (i.e., become more negative) with increasing temperature. Such a condition is indeed found to exist in the case of the stress-rupture data reported for molybdenum.' As a corollary to the above, it may be stated that stress-rupture data which do not lead to a linear log-log stress-rupture plot or whose isotherms do not exhibit a decrease in slope as the temperature increases will not yield the linear relationship of Eq. [I]. Applying Eq. [2] to two different temperatures and solving for C yields: Eq. [3] affords a simple and rapid method for calculating the Larson-Miller constant from the log-log stress-rupture plot. The slope of a given linear isotherm is measured and the value of "b" calculated based on Eq. [2] as: slope = - -Tb Then at an abscissa value of 1.0 hr (making log tr in Eq. [3] equal to zero) read the stress corresponding to rupture for two different temperatures. Substitution in [3] yields: A value of the Larson-Miller constant can thus be calculated from a few simple mathematical procedures employing data read directly from the log-log plot of the stress-rupture data. Of course, it is not to be overlooked that the above reasoning has been based on the linear relationship of Eq. [I] being applicable. However, if as mentioned above the log-log plot is

Jan 1, 1967

By Luis Noval García

El presente texto describe la importancia de la explotación de yacimientos carboníferos. Para ello, revisa la potenciación del PROCARBÓN como institución mediadora entre productores y consumidores donde se establecen reglas adecuadas a la realidad económica del Perú.

Jan 1, 1986

By Thomas P. Meloy

Theoretical development of comminution models has come about in the last 10 years. These models assume that the material being broken is homogeneous and that the compression or energy wave is uniform throughout the specimen. Obviously, this is not the case because most comminuted materials are rocks with either many phases and/or definite grain size. The mathematical models deriving the size distribution of daughter fragments resulting from the comminution of brittle, single particles are of two schools. The first model, proposed by Gilvarry in 1961, was based on the concept of volume, surface, and edge flaw activation. The second, proposed by Meloy in 1960, was based on the concept that the crack density is a function of the energy in the comminution wave. The flaw theory has run into increasing theoretical problems and is now being abandoned. On the other hand, the crack density theory has been expanded and has successfully considered the case where there are inhomogeneities in the comminutive wave. However, the main constraint of a homogeneity in the solid being comminuted has hitherto never been overcome. In this paper, a very general derivation of the crack density model is made for inhomogeneous solids by replacing the assumption of homogeneity with an arbitrary function, P(y), which describes the susceptibility of the material to comminution as a function of position. The restraints on this function, P(y), are very broad and, hence, the derivation is extremely general. General use of the equation derived necessitates a detailed a priori knowledge of both the fracture process and of the physical properties of the material being fractured; this knowledge is expressed in open form as, P(y), the linear probability density that a plane of fracture intersects at point y on an arbitrarily oriented line segment of total length xo through the original particle. From these assumptions, a general expression for the cumulative mass distribution of particles resulting from fracture is then postulated. It is: [ ] where, B(x), is a cumulative mass of material finer than size x, r is the average number of crack,, (y), is defined above and xo is the initial particle size. It is shown that suitable assumptions reduce the expression to the theoretical results of Gaudin and Meloy and to special forms of the empirical equations of Rosin-Rammler, Gaudin and Schuhmann. Semi quantitative agreement is demonstrated by Grimshaw with experimental results of a very complex fracture of heterogeneous sandstone blocks. A need is expressed for more theoretical development of P(y), and a more extensive experimental study of both homogeneous and heterogeneous fracture. The full mathematical derivation is presented for the first time in this paper. The general implications of the equation and its application are also discussed.

Jan 1, 1968

By D. Wheeler

Similar to modern day petro-chemical processes, the flotation column is a complete break from the conventional manner of floating on a batch basis in cells. The column has a reputation of being only suited for cleaning applications, particularly that of molybdenum cleaning. The original column, invented and developed by Column Flotation Co. of Canada, Ltd., was developed as a Rougher-Scavenger. Only after proving its capability in this field was cleaning allowed. One rougher-scavenger column in closed circuit with a cleaner column produced better grade and recovery than a conventional cell plant consisting of one stage of roughing, two scavenging and four stages of cell cleaning. Three cleaner columns replaced 13 stages of conventional cell cleaning and resulted in higher grades and recoveries. The gentle countercurrent action of the column itself together with complete automatic control enable this machine to produce such results.

Jan 1, 1986

By I. L. Feld

This report describes an attrition-grinding process and equipment for grinding coarse kaolins to the 2-micron particle-size range. The research was undertaken by the Bureau of Mines to devise an acceptable method for converting coarse kaolins, such as paper-filler-grade clays, to paper-coating-grade clays, thereby increasing the value and extending the life of the southeastern paper-clay deposits. The attrition-grinding process is basically the intense agitation of a slurry composed of the material to be ground, a granular grinding medium, and a suspending fluid. This process gave better particle-size reduction than that obtained by several other grinding methods. Results of batch tests in 5-and 10-inch-diameter attrition grinders demonstrated that a coarse kaolin containing about 13 percent minus 2-micron, equivalent spherical diameter (e.s.d.) particles was readily ground to give a product with 88 percent minus 2-micron e.s.d. material. Power consumption was reasonable in view of the increased value of the ground material. Comparison of particle-size reduction with power-consumption data for the two units indicated that better performance was obtained with the larger machine.

Jan 1, 1960

By Zygmunt Kowalczyk

"A theory permitting the determination of expected surface deformations for planned underground exploitation is proposed and discussed in this paper. The relations between surface subsidence and various methods of mining are analyzed, and allowable horizontal .deformations for protected objects, according to the degree of their significance, are reviewed."

Jan 1, 1966

By Layton C. Binon

Exploration budgets are commonly determined by "rules of thumb" such as a percentage of earnings or other fiscal measure. An appropriate exploration budget is the amount needed to achieve the goals of the company. It can be determined by discounting the income expected from achieved goals. Budgets for individual projects are determined in a similar manner except that risk of failure is included in the computation.

Jan 1, 1981

By Milton H. Fies

The dedication of thin building, establishing a station of the U.S. Bureau of vines at the University of Alabama, bristles with significance and challenges the wisdom and courage of the people of this State. Here is united, in common aim, the Engineering School of our State University, recognized for its competency and usefulness, and the Federal Bureau of Mines. The Bureau is one of the most effective arms of our National Government. It outranks in accomplishment, measured by practical scientific contribution, any like governmental organization in all the other nations. It possesses none of the characteristics of many other bureaus of government which have created popular bias. Here is one Bureau devoid of political suggestion or aim with a personnel zealously devoted to labor in scientific re¬search - an organization marked by practical accomplishment, alleviating many of life's burdens, raking easier life's pathway, and unerringly pointing to life's possibilities.

Jan 1, 1936

By Wilber Duvall, Leonard Obert

"INTRODUCTION This report is the first of four to be presented on the microseismic method 4/ of predicting rock failure in underground mining. The application of the microseismic method to one specific case, namely, that of predicting rock bursts in deep mining, has been described in two previous reports. 5/ 6/ Since the publication of these reports 5/ 6/ the method has been extended to other fields of mining, end it is the purpose of this report (Part I) to describe the general microseismic method, giving the empirical facts upon it is based, the different testing procedures, the method of recording and analzing the data, and the interpretations that can be obtained there-from. Part II will describe a series of laboratory experiments that were performed to give information on the origin of microceismims and the microseismic properties of various rocks. Part III will cover application of the method to specific mining problems together with a brief description of a number of investigations performed during, the last three years. Part IV will describe in detail the microseicmic equipment used in the various phases of these investigations."

Feb 1, 1945

By John D. Godfrey

A brief account of economic developments in and around northeastern Alberta is presented and mention is made of mining and industrial developments currently of interest in the area. Planned and projected operations are briefly discussed for this region. The history of geological surveys and mining activities in the Shield area of Alberta and the adjoining parts of Northwest Territories and Saskatchewan is traced. Reassessment of the presently-known economic picture of northwestern Canada in conjunction with some recent information on Precambrian structures of northeastern Alberta points to some interesting mining possibilities, particularly in and around that province.

Jan 1, 1960

By Tom Retka

This three volume final report summarizes the activities and conclusions of this contract. The objective of the contract was to develop noise control modifications on a retrofit basis, for auger miner coal-cutting systems. Manuals were prepared to assist mine shop personnel in retrofitting the auger miner with these noise controls. Final Report Volume I - Details all vibration and acoustical tests conducted in development of the noise controls. Final Report Volume II - Noise Control Modification Manual for the Jeffrey 100-L Auger Miner describes the various noise control modifications to the auger miner, along with fabrication procedures, cost and vendor information. Final Report Volume III - Noise Control Modification Manual for the Jeffrey 94-l Bridge Conveyor describes the various noise control modifications to the bridge conveyor, along with fabrication procedures, cost and vendor information.

Jan 1, 1978

By Robert :H. . Lesemann

I recently gave a talk at a seminar on mine development in the Eighties. I had to present CRU' s long-range market outlook for copper, lead, zinc, nickel, molybdenum and silver. In reviewing the recent history of each metal, and our projections, I tried to find some common pattern of behavior that could prove a guide in projecting future market behavior. When you sweep aside your input-output models and econometric equations, what you seem to be left with is this: "When a market goes through a prolonged period of price weakness, you can usually look forward to a period of considerable improvement. " "When a market goes through a prolonged period of price strength, you can always anticipate a prolonged period of price weakness." Stated another way, "The better things are, the worse they will get."

Jan 1, 1982

By Grady B. V, Ault A. R, Newman O. M G, Fraser R. J, Malcolm J. McPhersqn

In all electrolytic zinc plants cadmium is removed as an impurity prior to the zinc electrowinning stage of the process. Cadmium metal is the favoured form of this by-product and most plants use an electrolytic route for its production. The formation of dendrites in cadmium electrowinning processes is the major limitation to deposition rates. There is an economic incentive, therefore, to better understand the factors affecting their growth. A technique that has been used by others to examine fundamental aspects of dendrite growth has been applied to industrial strength electrolytes. It involves potentiostatic deposition in a cell containing the electrolyte of interest. The variation in the current with time at a given overpotential allows the determination of the dendritic growth induction time. A method was developed (the Locus method) from the investigation of a set of such potentiostatic curves, obtained over a range of applied overpotentials, that appears to give a measure of electrolyte quality with respect to dendritic growth in galvanostatic deposition. The Locus technique predicts that zinc at industrial concentrations in cadmium electrolytes should have a significant effect on morphology and that deterioration of morphology will occur as the zinc concentration in the electrolyte is increased. This effect is consistent with literature prediction and was shown to relate to a reduction of the diffusion limiting current density. Magnafloc R333 is used as an additive at Pasminco Metals-EZ to control the morphology of cadmium deposits and the Locus method was successful in predicting its dendrite inhibiting properties. A possible mechanism is discussed. This work has opened avenues for future research with respect to a technique that may have an industrial application in electrolyte characterisation and has pointed to a direction in which better understanding of galvanostatic dendritic growth may be found.

Jan 1, 1993

By W. H. Patnode

The effect of suspended solids on the resistivity of slurries is discussed and the relationship between drilling mud resistivity and mud filtrate investigated. It is concluded that it is erroneous to substitute mud resistivity for mud filtrate resistivity in electric log calculations. A recommendation is made that both the bud resistivity and the mud filtrate resistivity be determined when electric logs are run. INTRODUCTION The electric log is influenced not only by the resistvity of the drilling mud in the borehole at the time of logging but also by the resistivity of the drilling mud filtrate. Sherborne and Newtoni investigated the relationship of mud resistivity to mud filtrate resistivity and concluded that, "The resistivity of the mud in most cases closely approximates that of its filtrate," and "In fact, with the exception of Aquagel and its filtrate, the figures for any particular mud and filtrate are almost identical." Present practice is to determine only the drilling mud resistivity and apply this same value to calculations involving the mud filtrate. The purpose of this study is to reexamine the factors governing the relationship between mud resistivity and mud filtrate resistivity. EFFECT OF BOREHO1.E FLUID ON THE ELECTRIC LOG Resistivity Log The resistivity log may be modified by the resistivity of the borehole fluid in two different ways: (1) The apparent resistivity of a for-formation may be different from the true resistivity of the formation because of the flow of some current through the drilling mud in the borehole. Therefore the resistivity of the mud is an important factor. (2) The apparent resistivity may differ from the true resistivity, if a formation is invaded by mud filtrate, because of displacement by the mud filtrate of some of the interstitial fluid in the formation. In this case the resistivity of the mud filtrate rather than the resistivity of the mud is the important factor. Self Potential Log The self potential arises, in part, from electrochemical effects resulting from the interaction of connate waters in porous formations and the fluid in the borehole. Expressed in simple form, E = Klog-p where E is the electrochemical self potential, K is a derived constant, pl is the resistivity of the borehole fluid, and p2 the resistivity of the water in the formation. A theory of the electrochemical component of the self potential in boreholes has been recently set forth by Wyllie.3 In the above equation resistivities have been substituted for activities of the ions in the fluids.' It is therefore apparent that the resistivity of the mud filtrate is more nearly representative of the activities of the ions than is the resistivity of the mud. However, it is possible that in some instances the ionic activities of cations from certain clays may contribute to the total cationic activity of the drilling fluid to such an extent that the mud resistivity is more nearly representative of the activities than the filtrate resistivity. This is particularly the case when the resistivity of the mud is less than the resistivity of the mud filtrate. In addition the apparent self potential may be influenced by the resistivity of the drilling mud because of current flow through the borehole. RESISTIVITY OF SLURRIES Aqueous drilling muds are slurries containing fine-grained solid particles. The solid constituents consist mainly of added clays and weighting materials in addition to solids contributed by the drilled formations. The filtrate is primarily water in which quantities of salts or other chemicals are dissolved. The resistivity of the fiiltrate is a function of the type and quantity of dissolved material whereas the resistivity of the mud is a function of the combined resistivities of the filtrate and the resistivities of the suspended solids. Experiments have been carried out to determine the relationship between the resistivity of solutions and the quantity and type of solid matter insus-pension. Solid materials of high resistivity, as well as solid materials of relatively low resistivity, have been used. The data obtained make possible the evaluation of the probable effect of suspended solids on the resistivity of drilling mud. Procedure Resistivities were determined by means of a conventional conductivity cell with platinized-platinum electrodes. Total resistance between the electrodes was measured by Kohlrausch's alternating current bridge method using a General Radio Company Type 650-A impedance bridge with telephone. The cell was standardized with potassium chloride solutions of known normalities in order to calibrate the cell so that measured resistances of slurries could be converted to resistivities. Resistivities were determined for mixtures of potassium chloride solution and solid materials by placing a measured quantity of solution in the cell and adding weighed quantities of solid materials in small increments to the solution. The net change in resistance on addition of solid materials was measured. Even distribution of the solid particles was maintained within the cell by a motor-driven glass propeller before measurements were made. Slurries Containing High-Resistivity Solids Powdered silica sand having a maximum diameter of about 60 microns and precipitated chalk of commercial grade were used to make the slurries whose resistivities were measured. Both of these substances have high resistivities, are virtually insoluble, and effectively do not carry current in a slurry. The resistivities of slurries composed of potassium chloride solution and these two solid materials are given in Table 1. The ratio of the resistivity of the solution to the resistivity of the slurries was computed and was found to follow the relationship established by Archie

Jan 1, 1949

By Samuel H. Dolbear

THE value of a mine is basically dependent on its capacity to yield profits. Since the ore must be mined, treated, and sold, some of it in various future years. there is a risk involved as to future costs, selling price, and working conditions. It cannot be expected that the economic condition existing at the time of valuation will continue unchanged for long periods in the future. During the past 20 years, mineral production in the United States has been conducted under a changing economy in many respects more exacting than that applied to other businesses. There have been increased production incentives, technical aid, exploration of privately owned mineral deposits by government at federal expense, and liberal loans for development and equipment, with risk partially assumed by government.. Some of these benefits have been counterbalanced by price ceilings, consumption controls, and stimulation of competition from foreign producers who have been offered the same advantages extended to American operators. For the present, mines will operate under a government policy directed toward reducing federal aid and control. The tenure of this change will depend upon future elections and the status of foreign relations. War and threat of war are now of the most vital significance to the mineral industries. Other factors which influence cost of production, markets, and price of mine output might be classified as Acts of God or Acts of Government. In some countries expropriation and the difficulty of exporting earnings or investment returns are risks that must be considered by foreign capital. Recognizing that this retards American investment in foreign countries, the Mutual Security Agency offers insurance against such expropriation and guarantees the convertibility of capital and profits. Since it is impossible to predict with certainty either cost of production or selling prices of metals for long periods, some assumptions must be made as to profits in the future. The basic assumption must be that the price of the company's product will vary in proportion to changes in operating cost. There is often a lag in this reaction, however, for prices of minerals are generally more sensitive to declines and less sensitive to increases than are costs. This reflects in part the resistance of labor to downward wage revision and a corresponding alertness in realizing its share of price advances. Some labor contracts include automatic adjustments to metal prices. Notwithstanding the complexity of the, problems involved and the difficulty of weighing their effect on value, such risks may be appraised with reasonable accuracy and a rate of earnings adopted that is compatible with the risk. It is, of course, possible to revert to a yardstick of value such as the commodity dollar, which has been advocated from time to time, but while revaluation in 1933 disturbed public confidence, the theoretical gold dollar continues to be the standard of greatest stability. Its gain or loss in purchasing power is reflected ultimately in cost of production and selling price of the mine product. At present 35 dollars are allocated to one ounce of gold. Measurement of Risk In the application of the Hoskold and most other formulae, a yearly dividend rate commensurate with the risk involved is set aside out of annual earnings. If the risk is great, this rate may be 15 to 25 pct of the amount invested. The remainder is placed in a sinking fund invested in safe securities such as high grade bonds or conservative equities, and the interest or dividends from these securities are added to the sinking fund. The sum of these sinking fund payments and the compounded interest at the end of the mine life is taken as the value of the mine. Admittedly the decision as to the size of the risk rate is the most difficult element in valuation and one requiring the most exacting consideration. It is necessary to look years ahead in an effort to determine future costs, market prices, demand, competition which may develop, including that of substitutes, and other influences common to the mine and to the region in which it is situated. Another phase of risk is the enactment of unfavorable legislation, taxes, and what appears to be an alarming spread of nationalization and expropriation. Capital is sometimes borrowed from the government to finance strategic production. Such loans may be collectable only out of production and involve no liability otherwise. Valuation in these cases must recognize the effect of such a reduction in liability. Offsetting some of these risks are the possibilities of mechanization and other cost-reducing discoveries, improvements in mining and treatment methods, new uses for minerals and metals, and normal growth of markets. In this paper, the terms risk rate, dividend rate, and speculative rate are synonymous. Safe rate and redemption rate are also used interchangeably. These alternatives are used here because they are commonly found in the literature on mine valuation. In Michigan, the State Tax Commission has long employed a risk rate of 6 pct in its valuation of iron mines. There the outline of reserves is well established and operating costs and conditions are based on adequate experience. The following comment on rates appears in the report of the Minnesota Interior commission on Iron Ore Taxation submitted to the Minnesota Legislature of 1941.1 Most engineers agree that 7 percent for the specu-lative rate is "an absolute minimum". C. K. Leith in

Jan 1, 1954