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By M D. Urbani

HiTec Energy Ltd has been conducting research since 1996 into novel process routes for the treatment of low-grade and waste manganese sources for the production of high value and high quality electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) for the alkaline battery market. HiTecÆs approach is to treat previously unsaleable manganese deposits and mine site tailings using a novel sulfur dioxide leach route, followed by purification and electrowinning to generate the sought-after EMD product by an environmentally superior processing route to those presently practiced throughout the world today.HiTec Energy Ltd expects to be in commercial production with its Stage 1 facility in Kalgoorlie in the last quarter of 2004 for the production of 12 500 tpa EMD. With this production facility being adjacent to a laterite nickel producer with available waste manganese units, the opportunity arose for HiTec to combine its existing technologies with processes (that will be discussed in this paper) to turn two waste by-products into products that are used for high-tech purposes.HiTec Energy Ltd and the Parker Centre have had a collaborative research relationship for a number of years in areas involving EMD and battery related technologies. Meanwhile the solvent extraction (SX) group of the Parker Centre (CSIRO Minerals) has developed SX processes to separate manganese from nickel and cobalt. A project was initiated by HiTec Energy to recover manganese from waste laterite leach solutions using SX technology. Batch tests were conducted to select a suitable organic system for the extraction of manganese in terms of selectivity and extraction and stripping kinetics.A total of eight organic systems were tested by determining pH isotherms of metals using a laterite nickel process waste stream. Two organic systems, the Versatic 10 and Versatic 10/synergist systems, were chosen for further test work with Shellsol D70 chosen as the diluent for both systems.The Versatic 10/synergist system would be advantageous over the pure Versatic 10 system because fewer SX stages are required, resulting in a smaller organic inventory and lower capital costs. The risk of gypsum formation is also significantly lower with the synergistic system.

Jan 1, 2004

By C Berglin

Is the Northern Territory different? Certainly it is more remote, has less people and relies more heavily on two or three industries for its survival. On the other hand, its mining industry is governed by Acts not dissimilar to those of the major States - a Mining Act provides the basis for acquisition of tenure, a Mine Management Act provides regulatory control, a Mineral Royally Act collects revenue in return for the right to utilise the land's bounties, an Environmental Assessment Act provides the public face to rehabilitation and environmental safety, and the Aboriginal Land Rights (NT) Act purports to give development criteria for inalienable land use. With the exception of the latter, at least until the advent of Mabo, all these are simply variations on a theme, and are common to most States. This paper will show how the Department of Mines and Energy works in relation to the Northern Territory mining industry.

Jan 1, 1994

By J J. McNee and, J Crusius, T F. Pedersen

The use of water covers is a globally-applied method for minimising acid rock drainage (ARD) and metal leaching. Although the subaqueous disposal of potentially acid-generating materials has been shown to effectively limit ARD, under certain scenarios, metal remobilisation can occur at circum-neutral pH. The following paper presents data from four case studies in which metal mobility from submerged mine waste resulted in degradation to water quality in the overlying water cover. Subcentimetre resolution profiling of dissolved constituents across the tailings-water interface (dialysis arrays), in conjunction with mineralogical information, were used to elucidate the controls governing metal mobility. The data illustrate four pathways of metal remobilisation, including: the release of zinc via the oxidative remineralisation of metal-rich organics at the tailings-water interface; enhanced remobilisation of arsenic as a result of anthropogenic eutrophication; the release of copper resulting from the pH-driven dissolution of treatment sludges; and the release of radium from uranium mill tailings due to the dissolution of radiobarite [(Ra,Ba)SO4] by sulfate-reducing bacteria. The results highlight the conclusion that the chemical stability of submerged tailings reflects both: the solid-phase characteristics of the tailings material; and the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the depositional environment. In particular, the data illustrate that rigorous characterisation of both the waste solids and receiving environment must be performed in order to assess their compatibility. The results have relevance to the management of tailings repositories including constructed impoundments, pit lakes and natural lakes.

Jan 1, 2003

By A Frydrychewicz, J. Mirza, J. Lipkowski

The objective of this work was to understand the mechanisms of action of additives, such as thiourea, that enhance gold leaching in thiosulfate solution. The leaching reaction and surface passivation were investigated using linear sweep voltammetry. Leaching currents were determined using analysis of current-potential curves and the mixed potential theory. The gold-electrolyte interface was further characterized with surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. The results show how thiourea prevents formation of oxysulfur compounds, which passivate the gold surface. Other molecules such as 3- m ercaptopropionic acid and L-cysteine were also studied as possible additives to prevent passive layer formation.

Jan 1, 2011

By Diler Katircioglu-Bayel

This manuscript aimed to examine the impact of operating parameters on the wet grinding of talc in a vertical-type stirred media mill. Within the scope of the research, the effects of operating parameters including media filling ratio, solid mass fraction, grinding media size, and grinding time were studied. The findings were assessed based on the product particle size (d50, d10), surface area (Sw), and energy consumption (Em). As a result of the present research, the following optimum grinding test conditions were determined: 65% media filling ratio, 40% solid mass fraction, 1 mm grinding media size, and 120 min grinding time. After determining the optimum grinding conditions, the Box–Behnken statistical design was used to determine the effect of parameter interactions on the d50 size. The media filling ratio was found to significantly affect the decrease in d50 compared to the other two parameters. Furthermore, the minimum d50 size was also achieved under optimum grinding conditions.

Aug 12, 2020

By B. L. Gibbs

Computers have been used in the minerals industry for about 30 years and, in a few cases, longer. With the explosion of microcomputing during the past 10 years, computers have changed how many minerals producers go about their work. What computer usage trends are active in the minerals industry today, and what can we expect in the future? In general, computer usage is accelerating. Engineers and geologists are becoming increasingly "application literate." Soft¬ware is increasingly oriented to how people work. User interfaces have improved, so most users need to know only a mini¬mum of system commands and structure to work with a computer. Most industry professionals know how to use word processing and spreadsheet pro¬grams. AutoCAD appears to be the drawing program of choice. One reason is availability of training and add-on programs for earthwork, mapping, contouring, etc. Another frequently cited reason for using CAD is the ability to quickly make changes to a map or design, as compared to hand methods. Management is moving toward greater acceptance of computer usage. Computers do not need workman's compensation ... even though they may get sick and take a few days off! Computer hardware used in most minerals-producing companies is strongly personal-computer based and likely to remain so. The 486 personal computers are inexpensive as compared to workstations and provide the power and speed to run most applications in minerals industry engineering offices.

Jan 1, 1994

This report presents test results, data evaluations, and typical system performance expectations based on wireless electromagnetic propagation measurements performed in the MAGMA Copper Company's San Manuel mine near Tuscon, Arizona during March 30 through April 2 1981. In particular, and at the Bureau's request, this work was coordinated with testing of MF prototype vehicular radios being developed by A.R.F. Products, Inc. with USBM support under Contract H0308004 as part of a system to be marketed by Mine Safety Appliance Co. This testing also employed a prototype vehicular antenna developed by Terry S. Cory, P.E. with USBM upport under previous Contract P0382223. The work was performed under USBM contract J0308012, Propagation of EM Signals in Underground Metal/Non-metal Mines. The authors wish to thank Mr. Hank Seany, Manager of Mines and Mr. Bob Zerga, Mine Superintendent who so kindly arranged for the visit. Particular thanks are given to Mr. Al Metcalf who arranged the logistical details of our underground work, and whoa forward thinking program toward improving general mine communications at MAGMA provided the test-bed context for evaluation of the prototype equipment. The authors also wish to thank Benny Jiminez, Paul Ayala, Lorenzo De La Cruz, and Kent Billhartz for their day-by-day support of the testing. Mr. Jiminez's effort was instrumental in performing the testing, and he also provided a detailed understanding of the existing multi-level, multi-frequency trolleyphone system at MAGMA. the authors are also indebted to Dr. Larry Stolarczyk of A.R.F. for numerous detailed consultations on MF technology, and who was present and participated in the majority of the testing. 1.1 GENERAL BACKGROUND ON COPPER MINING AT MAGMA the San Manuel mine is the largest copper mine in the U.S., efficiently extracting copper and molybdenum sulfide from the low-grade San Manuel ore body.This ellipsoidal ore-shell body, with major workings located 2000-3000 feet mbelow the surface, has ore shell thickness varying between 100 and 1000 feet over a longitudinal extent of some 8000 feet, and with major & minor crossectional axes of about 5000 and 2500 feet respectively. The San Manuel mine operation employs in excess of 1000 men/shift with gross ore production between 60,000 and 70,000 tons/day. The mining operation employs the block caving technique; actively being implemented on three levels (2075,2375,2675 feet for haulage, and 2015,2315,2615 product/grizzly levels). The ore haulage is largely via D.C. trolley trains to four (3A,3B,3C,3D) product shafts for skipping to the surface. An additional three shafts at two locations are used to convey men, materials, and developmental rock extractions into and out of the mine. On each haulage level, the trains carry ore an average of two miles one-way from the ore raises to the dump points. 1.2 TOPOLOGICAL BRIEF OF THE HAULAGE LEVELS The 2375 level, on which all the testing was conducted, is illustrated in

Jan 1, 1981

By Ari Glazer

"Every year the tunneling business is expanding and collaboration with the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) for the future design of cities and urban communities is in the making. During the last half of this century, billions of people migrated to cities, and it is estimated that by 2030 almost five billion people worldwide will reside in urban communities. Hence, “Underground development will be an important tool in reshaping our urban areas to meet the challenges of the future without destroying their heritage or worsening their surface environment” (Esaki, 2005). In 2013, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimated life expectancy to be around 80 years, meaning that in less than a decade we will need to bury billions of people in cities and urban communities, while trying to retain the deceased’s beliefs and customs. Religion plays a major role in our lives, and many people worldwide still decline to cremate their body after their death; therefore, cemeteries are essential for city inhabitants. Rites and traditions usually call for burials to be near the place of residence, which allows the remaining family members and friends to visit the grave frequently, at least in the first years. This is a challenge that urban designers and architects must confront while trying to solve the problems of future urbanization. In recent years, population growth, the rising cost of land and the extensive preservation of green areas have made cemeteries a burden and a nuisance, particularly for large cities and communities. Many graveyards that were once on the city's outskirts have become lifeless islands in populated areas (Fig. 1), rarely visited by the second and later generations. Cities worldwide face the challenge of allocating less land to maintain current burial practices. In response, some cities have begun to bury their dead at a great distance from the community; others have started to stacked burials, one on top of the other, while still others are constructing buildings and even skyscrapers for the practice of burial (Fig. 2)."

Jan 1, 2016

By Herbert Hoover

I HAVE been greatly honored as your unanimous choice for President of this. Institute, with which I have been associated during my entire professional life. It is customary for your new President, on these occasions, to make some observation on matters of general interest from the engineer's standpoint. The profession of engineering in the United States comprises not alone scientific advisers on industry but, in great majority, is comprised of the men in administrative positions. In such positions, they stand midway between capital and labor. The character of your training and experience leads you to exact and quantitative thought. This basis of training in a great group of Americans furnished a wonderful' recruiting ground for service in these last years of tribulation. Many thousands of engineers were called into the army, the navy, and civilian service for the Government. Thousands of high offices were discharged by them with credit to the profession and the nation. We have in. this country, probably, one hundred thousand professional engineers. The events of the past few years have greatly stirred their interest in national problems.' This has taken practical. form in the maintenance of joint committees for discussion of these problems and support to a free advisory bureau in ,Washington. The engineers want nothing for themselves from Congress.. They want efficiency in government, and you contribute to the maintenance of this bureau out of sheer idealism. This organization for consideration of national problems has had many subjects before it, and I propose to touch on some of them this evening.

Jan 1, 1920

By Félix Lewandowsky

El presente texto describe las actividades para corregir los pasivos ambientales heredados y asumidos bajo responsabilidad de la Compañía Minera Colquirrumi S.A. Para ello, se elaboró un plan de cierre de los cuatro depósitos de los relaves de Hualgayoc donde se busca mostrar los criterios utilizados, los estudios de ingeniería y la forma cómo se ejecutaron las obras de cierre definitivas de los depósitos de relaves.

Jan 1, 2015

By A. M. Johnson, M. M. Singh

The mechanism of failure under a drill bit is still improperly understood in spite of several investigations of the subject. Generally, the cratering process under static loading conditions is considered to be similar to that achieved dynamically by impact. This paper attempts to indicate that, although the sequence of fracturing in the two cases appear to be identical, at least some dissimilarities exist. For example, the width-to-depth ratios of the craters vary to some extent, and the amount of energy consumed per unit of volume of craters is unequal for the two different loading conditions. Prevalent rock penetration processes are dominated by methods utilizing mechanical attack on rock. It is, therefore, generally accepted that a better comprehension of the mechanism of rock failure under a wedge would prove beneficial towards improving present drilling techniques. Several attempts have been made in recent years to explain how craters are formed under a drill bit, but the mechanism of failure beneath a bit is still improperly understood. 1-11 Most investigators, to date, have inferred the sequence of events occurring during crater formation from analyses of force-time diagrams,1"6 from theoretical considerations,7 or from a study of the configurations of final craters.8-l0 These analyses have led to the presentation of widely divergent models for rock failure beneath a drill bit, ranging from brittle to viscoelastic. The cratering process under dynamic loading commonly is regarded as being similar to that obtained under gradually applied, or 'static', loads. But the effect of rate of loading on the action of a bit is still disputed. Some investigators11-12 maintain that there should be no such effects, whereas others have demonstrated experimentally that these exist.13-17' The purpose of the investigation reported in this paper was to examine petrographically the damage done to rock under the action of a chisel-shaped wedge, both with 'static' and dynamic loading, and to determine if rate-of-loading effects could be detected. Significant quantitative differences in crater volumes and depths were found to exist for a given consumption of energy. On the basis of this data, an attempt was made to indicate some of the rheological properties that a proposed model should possess. All the work reported herein was conducted at atmospheric pressures. EXPERIMENTAL APPARATUS AND PROCEDURE Two types of rocks were employed for most of the experiments reported in this paper, viz. Bedford (Indiana) limestone and Vermont marble. The mechanical properties of these rocks are given in Appendix A. Actually two types of Vermont marble were used, but since no marked difference could be discerned between the two varieties (as seen in Fig. 10) the data was used collectively for the analysis. Stronger rocks were not employed owing to difficulty in generation of observable craters without damage to the equipment. Six-in. diam cores were drilled from the rock samples and embedded in 8-in, diam steel pipe with 3/8-in. wall thickness, using hydrostone to fill the annulus between the core and the pipe. This procedure was adopted to confine the rock specimen so that fractures would not propagate to the edges of the cores. This goal was achieved satisfactorily for these tests because no cracks were observed to extend into the medium surrounding the rock, even when craters were formed only 1 in. from the rock core periphery. Three to four craters were formed on a core face, because the rock damage from any one crater generally did not appear to extend into the others. Whenever, interference between damaged areas around adjacent craters was suspected, the data was rejected for purposes of the analysis. The limestone and marble samples were tested with a 60-degree, wedge-shaped bit, 1 5/8-in. in length, made of tool steel. The bit shank had two SR-4 type electrical resistance strain gages, mounted axially, to record the force-time history during the loading operation. The static indentation tests were conducted using a 50-ton capacity press fitted with an adapter for drill bit attachment. See Fig. 1. The force exerted by the bit at any instant was measured with strain gages affixed to the bit shank. An aluminum cantilever, with two SR-4 strain gages mounted near its clamped end, was employed to measure bit displacement. Both sets of gages were included in Wheatstone bridge circuits,

Jan 1, 1968

By Kenneth A. Brunk

"This address discusses how ""Mineral Processing Technology"" can play a major role in the life and profitability of a mining company. Examples of past and present technological breakthroughs and their impacts will be examined. Also, the future of processing technology will be emphasized.IntroductionThis talk will center on the role of technology as an important component of a business plan for mining companies. I'll attempt to explain how I see technology development as an underpinning of a successful mining company. We will examine an example of a technology that has resulted in a re-birth of segments of the industry, examine a technology life cycle and discuss technology as it relates to ore reserve replacement. Also, we will touch on technology in today's mining company and propose some food for thought for those designers of corporate organizations."

Jan 1, 1997

By Kamran Esmaeili, MINGLIANG TANG

An understanding of the spatial and temporal variations of surface moisture content over a heap leach pad is essential for leaching production and to achieve a high ore recovery. The current leach-pad monitoring and data-collection practice remains highly labor intensive and exposes technical staff to cyanide solution, a hazardous material. To address these challenges, we propose using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with thermal imaging sensors to remotely obtain image data with high temporal and spatial resolution for monitoring the surface moisture distribution over heap leach pads. A field study was conducted over a sprinkler-irrigated heap leach pad at El Gallo gold mine in Sinaloa, Mexico, and the acquired data were used to generate moisture distribution maps of the heap leach pad’s surface. The created moisture maps provide direct visualizations of surface moisture variation over the surveyed area. Such graphical results are effective tools for inspecting heap-leaching operations.

New Copper Deposit in Chile. - The recent copper discovery in Chile, made jointly by U.S.-owned Empresa Minera Utah de Chile, Inc., and Getty Mining Chile), Inc., awaits the passage of Chilean legislation which is expected to govern the terms of new foreign investment in the country's mining sector. Named La Escondida, the discovery is reported to have the potential for producing 100,000 tons of refined copper per year. This compares with Chile's total refined primary copper production in 1980 of 811,000 metric tons, and to U.S. refined primary production in 1980 of 1,122,000 metric tons derived from domestic material, and 89,000 metric tons from foreign material. U.S. Firms Buy Chilean Properties. - A bid of $18.1 million, made jointly by Chevron and St. Joe Minerals Corp., won over competing bids for the purchase of the Libra and Mena gold-silver-copper deposits in northern Chile. Chevron is the lead partner and owns 70% of the venture. The two properties purchased have not been developed to any significant extent. They are located near St. Joe's El Indio gold-silver-copper mine. The venture is also looking at the possible purchase of two other mines in the area.

Jan 1, 1981

By W. L. Fink, M. S. Hunter, R. H. Brown

Early workers attempted to study the structure of alloys by measurement of equilibrium electrode potentials in aqueous solutions containing ions of the metals from which the alloy was made.' The method was subject to such limitations (e.g., the difficulty in attaining electrochemical equilibrium at low temperatures) that it has not been widely used by metallurgists. Recently, Seltz and co-workers have introduced a greatly improved method for studying alloys by measurement of equilibrium electrode potentials in molten salts.2"4 The mathematical treatment is the same, of course, as for equilibrium potentials of amalgams in aqueous solutions.5 This method will probably find extensive use, since it makes possible not only the determination of phase fields of equilibrium diagrams but also the determination of certain thermodynamic quantities which can be used advantageously in metallurgical calculations. However, the method presents difficulties. With many metallic and alloy electrodes, reversibility is not readily obtainable. Also, the difficulty of obtaining suitable material from which to make the cells is increased as the temperature is increased. Moreover, the necessity of carrying out measurements in a vacuum requires additional apparatus and introduces considerable difficulty, especially at the higher temperatures. Apparently, no consideration has been given heretofore to the metallurgical use of irreversible electrode potentials that exist when a specimen is immersed in a suitable aqueous solution at room temperature. The apparatus and the method required for such measurements are very simple, and if the results of such measurements could be demonstrated to be reproducible they might be very valuable in studying the structure of alloys. The method would not have the scope of that developed by Seltz and his co-workers because no thermodynamic quantities could be calculated from the data. However, the utility and the simplicity of the method might warrant extensive use for the determination of phase fields and similar applications. Theory of Irreversible Potentials A brief review of the theory of irreversible potentials will be given before showing how to interpret the potential readings in terms of alloy structure. It is known that heterogeneity of a metal surface in an electrolyte will produce points of different potentials, with the result that current flows between these points and electrochemical reactions occur. The points at which oxidation reactions are localized are known as anodes, and those at which reduction reactions are localized are known as cathodes.6, 7, 8 For the benefit of those who are not familiar with the terms anode and cathode as applied to a primary cell, the potential difference between anode and cathode of such a cell can be measured when

Jan 1, 1941

By R. W. Woodward, G. K. Burgess

minum bronze. Nearly all copper-base alloys are improved by rolling processes, but the copper-aluminum alloys seem to possess equally good properties when cast or rolled; this is a remarkable metallurgical fact. Another important property of these copper-aluminum alloys is their resistance to alternating stress. Many tests indicate that their resistance is greater in this respect than that of some steels, and I have seen instances when cast aluminum-bronze bolts have outlived five steel bolts in foundation work subject to severe shocks. I mention these various instances to indicate that work originally started as research for substitution of one material for another frequently develops 212 article which has properties not possessed by the original metal or alloy. I have dwelt particularly on the aluminum bronzes because recently I have done more special work on them than on other alloys, but I believe that the use of aluminum itself, in many combinations of metals, is a very important subject for investigation. Undoubtedly, after the war, the cost of aluminum will be reduced from its present price, and considering its low specific gravity it offers a very interesting and important field for research in the non-ferrous business. Naturally, if combinations containing aluminum can be developed in view of a probably increasing supply of metal, the cost will be reduced. This will benefit the industry generally and will immediately conserve tin. Bronzes, Bearing Metals, and Solders G. K. Burgess* and R. W. Woodward,† Washington, D. C.— From a metallurgical standpoint, there are several ways in which a reduction of the tin consumed in commercial non-ferrous and white-metal alloys can be effected. First, a reduction of the tin content of the alloy; second, substitution of part or all of the tin content by some other metal; third, a substitution of a different type of alloy, which in some cases also involves a change in mechanical design. The Bureau of Standards has been studying these methods of conservation for tin alloys, particularly in regard to babbitts and bearing metals, bronzes, and solders. Much of the information sewed by the Bureau was obtained from answers to questionnaires sent to manufacturers and users of these materials, so that, in general, any of the following suggestions or recommendations can be considered as being practical and as having already been thoroughly tried. Bearing Metals There is no question that the tin content of nearly all bearing metals can be reduced to some extent, and in some cases actually eliminated

Jan 1, 1919

By E. S. Wheeler

The conversion plant of the Clirnax Molybdenum Co. is at Langeloth, Washington . County, Pennsylvania, approximately 30 miles west of Pittsburgh. The molybdenite concentrates converted originate in the company's mine and mill at Climax, Co1orado.l They are delivered to the Langeloth plant by rail packed in 175-lb. bags. War production of concentrates at the mill started in 1918 but it was not until about 1920 that any peacetime uses of the metal began to develop. Early conversion of Climax concentrates was mainly into ferromolybden um, produced for the company by a custom smelter. Chronology of Plant Development In 1924 a small hand-rabbled roaster was built at Langeloth, the roasted concentrates being used principally in the production of calcium molybdate by a conventional wet method. The size of the original plant is indicated by the fact that during 1925 about 400,000 lb. of molybdenum was converted. In 1925-1926, a multiple-hearth roaster was erected (12-ft. 0.d. 8-hearth Nichols-Herreshoff); also the first experimental ferromolybdenum was produced at Langeloth. At this time sa.1cium molybdate was produced in the furnace by a process to be described. With continued interest in and increased use of molybdenum, it was necessary to arrange for enlargement of plant facilities. Although only one 12-hearth 16-ft. 0.d. roaster was erected at this time (1929), plans were prepared for a duplicate unit, which was completed in 193 5, giving a potential roasting capacity of some 16,000 lb. Mo per day under the then prevailing roasting practice. Shortly after this second unit had gone into production, increased demand overtaxed the plant, and as a result two 12-hearth 18-ft. 0.d. roasters were placed in operation in 1936 and 1937. This gave the plant a potential roasting capacity of 40,000 to 50,000 lb. Mo per day, and necessitated major changes in auxiliary handling equipment as well as improved facilities for producing ferromolybdenum. Following the introduction (1938) of a new product—molybdic oxide briquets— and because of the constantly growing demand for molybdenum, plant facilities were again enlarged in 1940 and 1941 by the erection of two 16-hearth 18-ft. 0.d. roasters. These two new units, along with a change in roasting practice, brought the potential roasting capacity to 150,ooo to 190,000 Ib. Mo per day, based on about 15 lb. per sq. ft. of hearth area. Other departments of the plant have necessarily grown, until today the plant is modern throughout and completely mechanized, with equipment geared to produce marketable products as follows:

Jan 1, 1944

By M. S. Hunter, W. L. Fink, R. H. Brown

Early workers attempted to study the structure of alloys by measurement of equilibrium electrode potentials in aqueous solutions containing ions of the metals from which the alloy was made.' The method was subject to such limitations (e.g., the difficulty in attaining electrochemical equilibrium at low temperatures) that it has not been widely used by metallurgists. Recently, Seltz and co-workers have introduced a greatly improved method for studying alloys by measurement of equilibrium electrode potentials in molten salts.2"4 The mathematical treatment is the same, of course, as for equilibrium potentials of amalgams in aqueous solutions.5 This method will probably find extensive use, since it makes possible not only the determination of phase fields of equilibrium diagrams but also the determination of certain thermodynamic quantities which can be used advantageously in metallurgical calculations. However, the method presents difficulties. With many metallic and alloy electrodes, reversibility is not readily obtainable. Also, the difficulty of obtaining suitable material from which to make the cells is increased as the temperature is increased. Moreover, the necessity of carrying out measurements in a vacuum requires additional apparatus and introduces considerable difficulty, especially at the higher temperatures. Apparently, no consideration has been given heretofore to the metallurgical use of irreversible electrode potentials that exist when a specimen is immersed in a suitable aqueous solution at room temperature. The apparatus and the method required for such measurements are very simple, and if the results of such measurements could be demonstrated to be reproducible they might be very valuable in studying the structure of alloys. The method would not have the scope of that developed by Seltz and his co-workers because no thermodynamic quantities could be calculated from the data. However, the utility and the simplicity of the method might warrant extensive use for the determination of phase fields and similar applications. Theory of Irreversible Potentials A brief review of the theory of irreversible potentials will be given before showing how to interpret the potential readings in terms of alloy structure. It is known that heterogeneity of a metal surface in an electrolyte will produce points of different potentials, with the result that current flows between these points and electrochemical reactions occur. The points at which oxidation reactions are localized are known as anodes, and those at which reduction reactions are localized are known as cathodes.6, 7, 8 For the benefit of those who are not familiar with the terms anode and cathode as applied to a primary cell, the potential difference between anode and cathode of such a cell can be measured when

Jan 1, 1941

By George J. Allen, Laura A. Allen

Introduction This section of the text presents a general review of the different types of concentrate marketing contracts. Too often the marketing strategy is ignored in the design phase of the project and the producer is left to the mercy of the buyer. Many items such as concentrate grade, impurity levels and moisture content of the concentrate my enhance, or severely restrict the producers ability to make a profit it. Close attention should be paid to the design of the concentrator which can improve the quality of the concentrates, thus the ability to increase the rider of potential buyers can be enhanced. Difficult at best, is the position of the miner who only has one outlet available for its production. Obviously, the trade offs must be evaluated. For example, concentrate grade vs recovery and grind/filtering capacity vs moisture of the concentrate all must be weighted against freight cost to a potential buyer. In addition, the above considerations must be weighed against the capital cost to the miner. This chapter is intended to highlight important articles that are included in short and long term agreements and to give a new miner/producer some insight into hat my or my not add value to the product. Unless the miner sells the product directly to a consumer such as a gold, or silver producer, or to a large enough operation that has a totally intergrated system to make a finished product, most miners are forced to sell to buyers who ultimately will refine and market the product. Types of Contract Agreements There are many types of contract agreements just as there are colors in the rainbow, however, most contracts fall into three basic categories. (1) Smelter Schedules: Designed for the small producer, the odd lot of concentrate, smelter flux and precious metal ore. Albeit custom smelters are becoming fever by the day, because of pollution control requirements and financial difficulties, most remaining custom smelters have a smelter schedule. A smelter schedule is a posted list of charges and conditions that the smelter will buy material from a seller. Smelter schedules exist for copper, lead, zinc, silver and gold (Handbook for Small Mining Enterprises, Montana Bureau of Mines). (2) Short Term Custom Contracts: Large mine producers frequently use Short Term Contracts where the seller has the buyer frame a contract that is tailored to the sellers’ production. The short term contract my be as long as one year. A spot sale qualifes as a

Jan 1, 1986

By E. S. Wheeler

THE conversion plant of the Climax Molybdenum Co. is at Langeloth, Washington County, Pennsylvania, approximately 30 miles west of Pittsburgh. The molybdenite concentrates converted originate in the company's mine and mill at Climax, Colorado.1 They are delivered to the Langeloth plant by rail packed in 175-lb. bags. War production of concentrates at the mill started in 1918 but it was not until about 1920 that any peacetime uses of the metal began to develop. Early conversion of Climax concentrates was mainly into ferromolybden um, produced for the company by a custom smelter. CHRONOLOGY OF PLANT DEVELOPMENT In 1924 a small hand-rabbled roaster was built at Langeloth, the roasted concentrates being used principally in the production of calcium molybdate by a conventional wet method. The size of the original plant is indicated by the fact that during 1925 about 400,000 lb. of molybdenum was converted. In 1925-1926, a multiple-hearth roaster was erected (12-ft. o.d. 8-hearth Nichols-Herreshoff); also the first experimental ferromolybdenum was produced at Langeloth. At this time calcium molybdate was produced in the furnace by a process to be described. With continued interest in and increased use of molybdenum, it was necessary to arrange for enlargement of plant facilities. Although only one 12-hearth 16-ft. o.d. roaster was erected at this time (1929), plans were prepared for a duplicate unit, which was completed in 1935, giving a potential roasting capacity of some 16,000 lb. Mo per day under the then prevailing roasting practice. Shortly after this second unit had gone into production, increased demand overtaxed the plant, and as a result two 12-hearth 18-ft. o.d. roasters were placed in operation in 1936 and 1937. This gave the plant a potential roasting capacity of 40,000 to 50,000 lb. Mo per day, and necessitated major changes in auxiliary handling equipment as well as improved facilities for producing ferromolybdenum. Following the introduction (1938) of a new product-molybdic oxide briquets and because of the constantly growing demand for molybdenum, plant facilities were again enlarged in 1940 and 1941 by the erection of two 16-hearth 18-ft. o.d. roasters. These two new units, along with a change in roasting practice, brought the potential roasting capacity to 150,000 to 190,000 lb. Mo per day, based on about 15 lb. per sq. ft. of hearth area. Other departments of the plant have necessarily grown, until today the plant is modern throughout and completely mechanized, with equipment geared to produce marketable products as follows:

Jan 1, 1944