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By AIME AIME

THE Board of Directors of the Institute has authorized the appointment of a committee to draw up rules of procedure under which awards can be made from time to time to petroleum engineers for outstanding contributions to the art of finding and producing oil and gas. These awards will 11e sponsored by the Petroleum Division and are the first recognition by any professional society of outstanding achievement in "oil mining." They will be in the form of either a gold medal, scholar- ship, or other suitable prize. The awards will be financed from the income of the Anthony F. Lucas Memorial Fund, which was started about fifteen years ago, shortly after' his death, by admirers of Captain Lucas.

Jan 1, 1936

By Y. J. Yu, C. D. Zhang, Y. S. Zhao, W. G. Liang, Y. D. Geng, J. L. Bi

"In this study, the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and thermal conductivity (TC) of shale in two perpendicular directions, vertical and parallel to the bedding of the rock, are firstly measured by experiment. The experimental results show that the CTE of the shale in the vertical direction is 1.69 times as much as that in the parallel direction, while the TC in the parallel direction is 1.83 times larger than that of the vertical direction. Based on the no initial strain assumptions, numerical simulations for the thermal cracking in shale are carried out with the obtained coefficients. Using finite element method and thermal-mechanical coupling theory, two fracture mechanical parameters, KI and J-integral of the shale are also analyzed for the shale thermal fracturing. The simulation results show that both KI and J-integral reach the maximum when the fracturing angle equals to 0° in the shale, namely parallel to the bedding direciton. It is also found that the two fracture parameters decrease with the fracturing angle increasing. Additionally, the thermal fracturing effect of the shale is evaluated under a given scenario. The study is significant for shale oil or gas recovery by in situ pyrolyzing method.INTRODUCTIONOil shale is regarded as a kind of unconventional resource that can contribute to production of shale oil and hydrocarbon gases (Rahm & Dianne, 2011). As is known that there is a large deposit of oil shale in China, and present technology for exploiting oil shale still concentrates on open-pit mining, obtaining shale oil by retorting shale on the ground (Li, Tang, Xue, Zheng, & Du, 2014; Qian, Yin, 2008). However, this technology has a bad effect on the environment and leads to severe resource waste for utilizing oil shale. Exploiting oil shale by in-situ method for ‘green mining’ is widely necessary in China (Kang, Wang, Cao, Liang, Chang, & Liu, 2013; Waters, Dean, Downie, Kerrihard, Austbo, & McPherson, 2009; Zoback, Kohli, Das, & McClure, 2012). One of effective method to exploit shale oil is heating oil shale in-situ underground. For instance, the in-situ conversion process (ICP technique) from Shell Company etc. used a direct heating method, and convectional heating oil shale underground by injecting superheated steam from Mining Technology Institute, Taiyuan University of Technology and constructing horizontal fracture in vertical wellbore from Chevron Company use indirect heating method (Chaudhary, Ehlig, & Wattenbarger, 2011; Hazra, Lee, Economides, & Moridis, 2013; Zhao et al., 2010). The convectional heating method contains complicated procedures with phase transition in double-media of fracture-matrix of oil shale subjected to multi-physical fields coupling including stress, fluid and temperature (Zhao et al., 2010). The characteristics of thermodynamics, solid mechanics and seepage of oil shale have been investigated separately (Hopkins, Rosen, & Hill,1998; Kang, Zhao, & Yang, 2008; Yang, Zhao, Kang, 2010; Zhao, Yang, Feng, Liang, & Kang, 2008; Zhao, Cao, Zhao, Lin, & Wang, 2008). However, it is quite difficult to solve constrained problem of each physical parameter in multi-physical fields coupling for oil shale pyrolysis."

Jan 1, 2015

By U Singh

This paper presents the evolution of the studies and strategic plans to extend the life of operations at the Savage River iron ore project in north-western Tasmania. The current Life-of-Mine (LOM) plan for the Savage River operations is based on a series of open pits. Drilling has confirmed high-grade extensions of the magnetite resource at depths that exceed practical limits for open pit mining. Grange Resources Limited, the owner of the operation, is investigating underground options – not only to extend the LOM plan but also to maintain peak production at a reduced operating cost while reducing greenhouse gas emissions into the future. What makes this project unique is that it requires introducing a productive and cost-effective mining method to exploit a challenging geotechnical and geometrical orebody in an area of high rainfall. To support the study efforts, the development of an exploration decline, underground drilling programs, and an exploratory drive excavated into the orebody for geotechnical investigation was key to providing the necessary data for a pre-feasibility study (PFS). This paper describes the pragmatic approach and processes to developing the underground mining options study through data collection and then integrating these options into the open pit plans to optimise an overall strategic plan for the Savage River operations. The learnings for operators from this experience are how the technical and pragmatic approaches were aligned to develop the strategic plans, and the importance of timely investment in gathering the necessary data.

Mar 29, 2023

A new series of reports called ?Mineral Perspectives" (MP's) has been initiated by the Bureau of Mines with the publication of MP-1 titled, "Far East and South Asia" by K.P. Wang and the staff of the Bureau of Mines. This new series parallels the creation of the recently announced "Minerals Commodity Profiles" (MCP?s). Both series are designed to provide current information on important sectors of the mineral economy to assist professionals in government, industry, and education in monitoring supply-demand relationships that have significant impact on our domestic economy as well as on the international scene. The orientation of the "Mineral Perspective" series is a geographic one which examines the mineral situation of a region or a country. The "Mineral Commodity Profile? series examines individual mineral commodities. They are in this sense complementary.

Jan 1, 1977

Some early production records of the early companies operating in the Deep River field are said to be still in existence, but the writer has been unable to find them. (Table 63.) [ ]

Jan 1, 1942

By R. L. Virta

Four companies mined ball clay in four States during2004. They were H.C. Spinks Clay (owned by Franklin Minerals) Kentucky-Tennessee Clay (owned by Imerys),Old Hickory Clay and Unimin. Production was estimated to be 1.46 Mt (1.61 million st) valued at about $56.9 million, based on a preliminary survey of the ball clay industry. In 2003, production was 1.31 Mt (1.44 million st) valued at $56.2 million. Tennessee was the leading producer state with 61 percent of production. It was followed by Texas, Kentucky and Mississippi.

Jan 1, 2005

By W. R. McClelland

GOLD-BEARING ores, representing many types, are found widely distributed through the Province of British Columbia. They range from those which by their nature may be considered as complex, to those whose mineral characteristics are simple. Those in which the gold is associated with metallic sulphides provide particular milling and metallurgical problems, the solution of which involves not only detailed laboratory investigation but also a careful consideration of economic factors. The location of an ore-body may have a deciding influence on the adoption of a method for the metallurgical treatment. Whether the ore should be treated with the object of recovering the gold as bullion or as a shipping concentrate is often dependent on such topographical considerations as the position of the mine at or near tidewater or within a reasonable overland distance of a smelter. British Columbia is fortunate in having the Trail smelter situated in the southern part of the Province, and the smelter at Tacoma, Washington, is accessible for coastwise traffic. Both of these provide a ready market for most types of gold-bearing concentrate. In order that the results obtained by laboratory tests may give a fair indication of what should follow in mill operation, it is essential that the test sample should represent as closely as possible in mineralogical character and in grade the ore that eventually will constitute the feed to the mill. In the early stages of mine development this consideration is sometimes overlooked and samples of a much higher grade than would be representative of run-of-mine ore are submitted. Flotation tests on such a sample of ore high in sulphides may show a low ratio of concentration, bu.t if the actual run-of-mine ore is lower in sulphides the mill operation will reveal a much higher ratio. The recommendations for treatment based on the results of laboratory tests may have been against concentration, when in actual operation this would be the most suitable method of treatment. Recommendations based on laboratory tests are necessarily from the results of work carried out on the sample submitted, modified only by such other economic or topographical information as may be known to the investigator. This paper deals with a few of the gold ores found in the six mining districts of British Columbia and is based on investigations made in the Ore Dressing and Metallurgical Laboratories of the Mines Branch, Department of Mines, Ottawa.

Jan 1, 1937

By Sam Warren, Antonio Marinucci, Genesis Z. Figueroa, Anne Lemnitzer

Drilled Displacement Piles (DDP) provide an ideal deep foundation solution that combines the benefits of ground improvement with traditional advantages of piling systems. This paper consolidates data from 20 construction projects in which more than 30 DDPs were installed and tested axially. High quality site exploration data (e.g., Cone Penetration Test and Standard Penetration Test) were evaluated to derive geotechnical analysis parameters. The test sites consisted of mostly mixed soil types with strongly stratified layers of sand, silt, and clay. Pile diameters ranged between 40 cm and 61 cm. Test results were compared with predictive methods developed specifically for DDPs as well as methods used in general geotechnical practice. The accuracy of the empirical methods is presented in terms of total pile capacity, pile length/diameter, and soil type. The large majority of all examined methods underpredict the in-situ pile capacities. It was also found that the difference between the tested and predicted capacity is strongly related to the level of improvement in the surrounding soil due to the piles’ installation. A general comparison between predictive axial accuracy and the observed level of ground improvement upon installation is also discussed.

May 1, 2022

By H. M. Beatty, T. L. Joseph, Gust Bitsianes

SUCCESSFUL blast-furnace operation depends upon securing an optimum balance between a number of important variables. This balance will vary somewhat from furnace to furnace in the same plant and with raw materials available in different plants. It is difficult to isolate the effect of any one variable unless it has a rather pronounced effect upon the efficiency of operation. The physical properties of iron ore and coke are known to affect the process, yet it is difficult to set up any definite yardstick by which these differences can be appraised. In recent years, whenever practicable, operators have taken steps to obtain better control over the absolute size and uniformity of size of the ore and coke. The size and physical character of the stone, however, have received comparatively little attention, emphasis being placed upon chemical composition, fluxing efficiency, and action as a desulphurizing agent. Since the stone occupies only about 10 per cent of the volume of the stock column, its influence upon permeability is less than that of the ore and the coke. The large pieces now used have a tendency to roll to the center and thus increase the permeability of this part of the stock column. Smaller pieces would be more effective in promoting the permeability of denser portions of the stock. The size and physical properties of blast- furnace stone are important also for reasons best understood by considering the results obtained by the crushing and the sizing of iron ore. Crushing ore to about 2 in. at Provo, Utah, and to about I in. in Alabama produced material somewhat less permeable to gases, even though sized. In spite of some sacrifice in permeability, the efficiency of the process was improved by crushing and sizing the ore, as indicated by a substantial saving in fuel and increased output. This saving in fuel is due in large measure to more thorough reduction of ore in the upper part of the furnace and to a corresponding decrease in the amount of carbon consumed prematurely above the tuyeres by the reaction CO2 + C = 2CO ? 70,080 B.t.u. [I] The physical properties of stone, its size and rate of calcination are important because they influence the rate at which C02 is released and the completeness of calcination before reaching a level in the furnace where the temperature does not exceed 1050°C. (1920°F.). Briefly, carbon dioxide from the limestone or from the reduction of ore may cause premature com- bustion of carbon above the tuyeres. Assuming that 1000 lb. of limestone is used per ton of pig iron, about 435 lb. of C02 will be liberated during calcination of a good grade of stone. If all this CO2 from the stone were to oxidize carbon prematurely, about 120 lb. would be consumed above the tuyeres in a heat-absorbing reaction. The amount of carbon thus consumed when a

Jan 1, 1942

By Changjiang Li, Jun Yang, Qiang Fu, Xu Chang, Xing Wu, Yubing Gao

With the development of underground mining, the deformation of roadway floor has increasingly become a major constraint on the safe and efficient production of coal mines. To address the floor deformation that was caused by massive stress concentration in roadway, an innovative method based on deep-hole directional tensile blasting technology is put forward. By taking No.122108 working face in Caojiatan Coal Mine as engineering background and analyzing the mechanism of deformation, a numerical simulation and field test are carried out to verify the effect on deformation control of this technology. It is found that the deep-hole directional tensile blasting technology can actively control the fracture position of the roof in the gob area and cut off the stress transmission path, so as to relieve the stress in the roadway. And since different blasting parameters have different impacts on the stress relief effect, a numerical simulation is implemented and it is found that the stress relief effect is the best when blasting depth is set to be 32 m and the blasting angle be 60°. By applying the optimal blasting parameters to the field engineering test, it can be seen that the deep-hole directional tensile blasting technology could effectively reduce maximum stress value and stress field range of the both sides of the roadway, and make the stress field far away from the roadway, thus effectively controlling the deformation of the roadway floor. The deep-hole directional tensile blasting technology can effectively solve the problem of roadway floor deformation and can be safely applied to engineering sites.

Jun 13, 2023

By P. S. Arthur, G. R. F. Alvear

Development of a new smelting process is risky. Many novel processes in the metals industry failed to fulfil the initial expectations of their inventors. Large sums of capital have been invested in technologies that either didn't provide a satisfactory return on investment, or didn't perform at all, and had to be replaced. One of the keys to success in process development is incremental scale up of the technology, with potential problems being identified and rectified as early as possible. In this way the cost of any rectification that is required can be minimized. The ISASMELTTM process was developed to maturity by Mount Isa Mines through the 1980's and 1990's using incremental scale up. Commercialization only occurred once the process had been proven on laboratory, pilot and demonstration scale over many years. As a result ISASMELTTM technology now operates successfully at numerous plants around the world. The methodical approach to development of the technology has allowed owners to modernise their existing operations or create new businesses with significantly reduced technical risk.

Jan 1, 2011

By Howard N. Eavenson

Waste of coal, or perhaps more properly the percentage of its recovery in mining, has keenly interested me during an experience of over a half century in coal mining. In the early part of that time and until a few years after World War I the use of better mining plans and supervision resulted in an increased recovery. Since then, and particularly since controlled prices have been effective and mechanized mining has been extensively practiced, the tendency has all been toward lesser recovery in mining. The purpose of this paper is not to criticize the methods being used, which after all are the result of economic forces, nor to point to any particular mining method or to any locality where the best recovery is obtained, but to call attention to the tremendous waste of our national coal resources that is constantly continuing. A possible method of reducing this loss will be suggested, but without any illusions that it will be followed or that such attention will be paid to it. Average Recovery The actual average percentage of recovery of coal in the ground is not known. Many papers giving figures of recovery have been published but no definite base of measurement has been agreed upon by those presenting the data. As an example, the Pittsburgh bed can be considered—it has produced a greater output than any other and has been sold or leased at higher prices in place than any other coal bed. Over a large part of its area where high prices have prevailed it has been customary for many years to draw pillars. In these mines it has been usually assumed that the average recovery was higher than in other beds and percentages of recovery of 85 to 95 per cent are usually said to be realized. In all of these mines, however, it has been customary to leave from 4 to 8 in. in the bottom, and 10 to 16 in. in the roof; thus from 14 to 24 in. of coal has been left in the mines out of a total seam thickness of about 96 in., or 15 to 25 per cent of the total coal. No attempt is made to mine this coal for metallurgical purposes, owing to its impurities, although this unmined coal is of excellent quality and better than much of the coal used for steam purposes. If we add to this discard the coal usually lost in mining and those parts of the bed 'that must be left because of bad seam conditions, barrier pillars, reservations for buildings, gas and oil wells, one can easily see that the actual recovery from this bed cannot be more than 65 to 75 per cent. In addition, the rooster or rider or wild coal over the mining bed—often 3 to 4 ft. of coal, high in ash and sulphur but still good steam coal—is hardly ever mined, nor is any attempt made to mine it. It is safe to say that from a broad economic viewpoint not more than 50 to 60 per cent of the fuel value of this great seam is actually being recovered.

Jan 1, 1947

By Howard N. Eavenson

Waste of coal, or perhaps more properly the percentage of its recovery in mining, has keenly interested me during an experience of over a half century in coal mining. In the early part of that time and until a few years after World War I the use of better mining plans and supervision resulted in an increased recovery. Since then, and particularly since controlled prices have been effective and mechanized mining has been extensively practiced, the tendency has all been toward lesser recovery in mining. The purpose of this paper is not to criticize the methods being used, which after all are the result of economic forces, nor to point to any particular mining method or to any locality where the best recovery is obtained, but to call attention to the tremendous waste of our national coal resources that is constantly continuing. A possible method of reducing this loss will be suggested, but without any illusions that it will be followed or that such attention will be paid to it. Average Recovery The actual average percentage of recovery of coal in the ground is not known. Many papers giving figures of recovery have been published but no definite base of measurement has been agreed upon by those presenting the data. As an example, the Pittsburgh bed can be considered—it has produced a greater output than any other and has been sold or leased at higher prices in place than any other coal bed. Over a large part of its area where high prices have prevailed it has been customary for many years to draw pillars. In these mines it has been usually assumed that the average recovery was higher than in other beds and percentages of recovery of 85 to 95 per cent are usually said to be realized. In all of these mines, however, it has been customary to leave from 4 to 8 in. in the bottom, and 10 to 16 in. in the roof; thus from 14 to 24 in. of coal has been left in the mines out of a total seam thickness of about 96 in., or 15 to 25 per cent of the total coal. No attempt is made to mine this coal for metallurgical purposes, owing to its impurities, although this unmined coal is of excellent quality and better than much of the coal used for steam purposes. If we add to this discard the coal usually lost in mining and those parts of the bed 'that must be left because of bad seam conditions, barrier pillars, reservations for buildings, gas and oil wells, one can easily see that the actual recovery from this bed cannot be more than 65 to 75 per cent. In addition, the rooster or rider or wild coal over the mining bed—often 3 to 4 ft. of coal, high in ash and sulphur but still good steam coal—is hardly ever mined, nor is any attempt made to mine it. It is safe to say that from a broad economic viewpoint not more than 50 to 60 per cent of the fuel value of this great seam is actually being recovered.

Jan 1, 1947

By R. Laird Auchmuty

The A. I. M. E. Subcommittee on Bituminous Mining has been trying for several years to secure the information that was collected by the Marquette Cement Manufacturing &. on the subsidence of its property caused by mining coal beneath it. The Marquette company was willing to have these data used, but it was impossible to obtain them because the records had been filed away. About two years ago these records became available and the engineering data presented herewith were compiled from them by R. L. Auchmuty, assisted by L. E. Young, who was connected with the collection of the information. On account of the cost, it is impossible to reproduce all of the data here, although the original information is on file with the records of the Committee on Ground Movement and Subsidence. The accompanying charts show representative and average data and give only the engineering information with enough description to tell how it was obtained. It is hoped that all of those connected with the original case will participate in the discussion that this will bring forth. Howard N. Eavenson, Chairman, Subcommittee on Bituminous Coal Mining. PRobably the most complete records of subsidence due to coal mining in the United States are those compiled by the Marquette Cement Manufacturing Co. at LaSalle, 111. These records, covering a period of more than three years, were compiled and used as evidence during the suit of the Marquette Cement Manufacturing Co. vs. the Oglesby Coal Co. at Oglesby, LaSalle County, Ill., in which the cement company successfully endeavored to stop the coal company from mining under its property. Fig. 1 shows a typical section of the geological formation. The cement company was mining the LaSalle limestone which lies about 125 ft. under the surface. The limestone is 30 to 35 ft. thick and underlain by about 15 ft. of shale. The cement company was mining about 20 ft. of the limestone, and in some places 10 to 12 ft. of the underlying shale, by the room and pillar method. The mining of the limestone always preceded the mining of the shale. The coal company was mining by longwall advance methods the NO. 2 seam of coal 42 in. thick underlying the limestone bed by 435 to 470 ft. The coal mine, a very old one, had largely mined out its original property

Jan 1, 1931

By T. N. MacAuley

"The Ingerbelle and Copper Mountain deposits are located near Princeton in southern British Columbia. They are owned by Newmont Mining Corporation's wholly owned subsidiary, Similkameen Mining Company Ltd. The property includes the Copper Mountain mine, a former producer. Ore reserves recoverable by open-pit mining are estimated to be 76 million tons containing 0.53% copper. Production commenced during 1972 at a rate in excess of designed capacity (15,000 tpd). All of the known major copper deposits in this area lie in a 14,000- by 3,500-foot belt of Triassic volcanics (Nicola Group) that is situated between a well-defined syenitemonzonite- diorite stock on the south and a variable intrusive complex on the north. The Nicola rocks consist of andesitic tuffs and agglomerates with lesser amounts of flows and some lensy siltstone layers. The orebodies are essentially disseminated sulphide deposits, although fracture-fillings are also important in many areas. Total sulphide content is usually less than 5%. At lngerbelle, and at Pit 2 and most of Pit 1 at Copper Mountain, the sulphides are chalcopyrite-pyrite. In part of Pit 1 and most of the former underground mine they are chalcopyrite-bornite. At lngerbelle the predominant alteration associated with mineralization is a pale greenish-gray bleaching of the dark andesitic rocks. This has been identified as albitization, with lesser amounts of epidote, chlorite, biotite, scapolite and calcite. This bleaching is plentiful at Pit 2, but K-feldspathization is also evident here. These orebodies can better be classified with pyrometasomatic deposits than with typical porphyry coppers. Their relationship to intrusives, the probably extensive metasomatic replacements, the evidence of pneumatolytic activity, the formation and redistribution of magnetite, and the irregular distribution of mineralization are all characteristic of this class. Deep-seated faults probably acted as channelways for mineralization; fracturing, faulting and rock contacts influenced ore localization in detail."

Jan 1, 1973

By John T. Langstaff

Rock bursts in the deep metal mines of the Coeur d’Alene district present an ever increasing problem in the safe and economic mining of the district’s silver, lead and zinc ores. Hecla Mining Company operates two mines in the district - the Star, a 1100-ton/day lead-zinc mine, and the Lucky Friday, a 750-ton/day silver- lead mine. Rock burst problems at both operations prompted Hecla management to make an all-out attempt to find a practical method of predicting and eventually controlling these bursts. Research by personnel from the Denver Research Center of the Bureau of Mines at ASARCO's Galena Mine indicated that a recognizable pattern of seismic activity preceded some bursts and this activity could be precisely monitored by present- day, off-the-shelf electronic devices. Using information gained by the Bureau and other sources, Hecla designed and installed a 24,- channel seismic monitoring system in the Lucky Friday mine. Installation was completed in December 1973 and after a year of successful operation, it was decided that a similar system would be installed in the Star mine. This second installation was completed in June 1975. Both systems are now operating and providing continuous information on underground seismic activity. Each monitoring system consists of a network of geophones with attendant amplifiers that are connected by shielded cable through an interfacing device to a computer. The origin of each seismic event is determined by the computer and a three-dimensional location is printed out. This information is plotted daily and is used to pinpoint rock burst prone areas and chart their relative seismic activity. This paper will review the causes and effects of rock bursts in the Coeur d'Alene district, the equipment and operation of the microseismic system at the Star and Lucky Friday mines, and the results obtained to date.

Jan 1, 1977

By Charles Kingsley

THE PRESIDENT (DR. C. B. KINGSTON, member C.l.M.M.) expressed regret that neither of the authors of the paper was able to be present to submit the paper in person. In their absence, it would be introduced formally from the Chair. It was a clear, straightforward account of a fine piece of shaft sinking, cleverly conceived and boldly executed. He referred briefly to the distribution and nature of the Dome ore-bodies and stated that, for both the miner and the metallurgist, the mine had provided a wide range of problems of unusual interest. Discussion on the paper was then invited. MR. THOMAS PRYOR said the paper was most opportune, because the subject of internal shafts did not appear to be fully treated in current mining literature. Many members were not familiar with Canadian gold deposits and it would be of interest if the authors could give a brief description of the location of the ere deposits of the Dome mine. This information would doubtless explain why a new internal shaft was needed in a position which required such an exceptionally long cross-cut to connect it to the main hoisting shaft to surface. It would also add to the value of the paper if the authors would give some idea of the duty expected of the new shaft in terms of tons of rock hoisted and of trips engaged in the transport of men and materials, and it would be helpful if figures could be given of the total capital cost of the hoists and subsidiary excavations at the shaft top, and of the cost per foot for sinking and lining the shaft below the collar. Turning to details of the paper, one was favourably impressed by the care given to the provision of a good travelling way for men in the main cross-cut, as shown in Figure 1. It was by no means always that one could walk in comfort and safety in a working where there was a 20-in. ventilating pipe in the roof.

Jan 1, 1939

By Roy A. Grancher

CYCLING WITH CEMENT "THE WHEEL IS COME FULL CIRCLE" Shakespeare's King Lear Act V, Scene 3, Line 176 The time clock of the cement industry has been turned back to the early 1950s. After the trials and tribulations of the decade of the Sixties, the hands now stand where they did just over twenty years ago. Cement shipments have steadily increased, with a record 419 million barrel level (78.8 million tons) being reached last year. Plants are operating at average utilization rates in excess of 85 percent of rated capacity. The spread between supply and demand has narrowed to where a definite shortage of cement now exists within the industry. The notable and unfortunate difference between the two periods however is that, back then, cement's returns were a respectable 14 to 18 percent, whereas today they stand at less than half those levels. Insufficient return forms the present foundation of the U.S. cement industry. This lack is destined to have a cumulative effect. Just as the industry's balance between supply and demand is returning to favorable proportions, promising a period that has historically and now should generate those profit levels required to modernize and provide for capacity addition, cement instead finds itself frozen by federal price controls into the semi-depressed condition that has existed for over a decade and from which it was just starting to emerge. Capital is not attracted to continued low returns, and increasingly restrictive pollution control measures are necessitating great non-productive expenditures be made as definite costs to stay in business. Even a clouded crystal ball would reveal that additional cement plant closings can be expected.

Jan 1, 1972

By Hugh S. Spence

This paper deals with an occurrence of radium ore near Wilberforce, Haliburton county, Ontario, upon which development work has recently been undertaken and which seems more likely to prove of commercial grade than any other deposit' of radioactive minerals hitherto found in Canada. This occurrence is sometimes called the Richardson property, after Mr. W. M. Richardson, the discoverer, and will be so referred to in the present paper. Occurrences of radioactive minerals are not uncommon in eastern Canada, and a number are recorded in the literature. The earliest of such references is probably that in Geology of Canada, 1863, where is mentioned an occurrence of uraninite at Mamainse, on the east shore of lake Superior. The mineral was first described by J. L. Leconte, in 1847, under the name of coracite, and was said to occur in a two-inch vein at the contact of trap and syenite. Search for this locality in recent years has proved unsuccessful. Obalski, in 1894, mentions (1) the occurrence of uraninite at a mica mine near Murray Bay, Que. In 1903, Obalski records (2) tests made on this uraninite by Rutherford and the Curies and the determination in it of the then newly-discovered element radium. In 1901, he mentions (3) the occurrence of uraninite at the Villeneuve mica mine, on the Lievre river, and of samarskite at the Maisonneuve mica mine, in Berthier county.

Jan 1, 1930

By I. N. Knapp

I Herewith present some notes on the use of Portland cement to cement in the casing, and for plugging, to exclude water from oil and gas wells, and the methods employed. I have used my best efforts to. make each step of the operation of cementing wells perfectly clear. The information is the result of actual experience and observation. The illustrations are from original drawings made especially for this paper. Portland Cement It is not necessary to discuss here the manufacture of cement. Any established brand of the slower setting Portland cements may be purchased with the confidence that it will harden, if properly used, and exclude water from and plug wells efficiently. Setting.—By the setting of cement is meant its initial change from a soft or plastic mortar to a friable solid. After the cement has become thoroughly set it is still very weak and can be readily pulverized in the fingers. Setting is thought to be effected by the crystallizing out of the silicate and the aluminate of lime, which are soluble in water in their anhydrous form. After dissolving in the water they pass to the hydrated state, in which they are insoluble, and hence are precipitated in a crystalline form. Ordinarily neat Portland cement mortar remains perfectly plastic for from 1 to 1 1/2 hr. after mixing with water at about 70" F. A higher temperature accelerates and a lower retards setting.. Hardening.—This is due to a continual crystallization of salts from solution, and to further chemical and physical changes which develop slowly, but which continue for long periods of time. Testing.—It is no more necessary for an operator to go into the scientific testing of cement to be used in a well than to so test the pipe used. He must depend for the quality of each on the tests and reliability of the manufacturer. Cement or pipe may be damaged in shipment so

Jan 1, 1915