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By Thomas M. Drown

AT the meeting of the Institute in New York,, in February, 1880,* I described a process of determining sulphur in metallic sulphides, with especial reference to the determination of pyrites in coal. The process, as then described, is as follows : A solution of sodium hydrate, of 1.25 specific gravity, is saturated with bromine. If an excess of bromine is used it must be neutralized by the addition of a :little more sodium hydrate. The pulverized mineral or coal is moistened with 25 c.c. of this solution and heated, then hydrochloric acid is added cautiously to just acid reaction. This operation is repeated with another 25 c.c. of the alkaline solution, and again rendered acid. The mixture should be kept hot. The contents of the beaker or dish are then * Transactions, American Institute of Mining Engineers, vol. viii, p. 569.

Jan 1, 1881

There were present eleven Directors, the Institute's Legal Counsel, the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary, and twenty-three guests. The Report of the Committee on Nominations (listed elsewhere) was presented and ordered to take the statutory course. The appointment of a Committee on Mine Taxation was approved. An Advertising Manager was appointed. E. G. Spilsbury and A. S. Dwight were appointed as representatives of this Institute on the Franco-American Engineering Committee. The Transactions were presented to the University of Louvain, and the monthly Bulletin to the French Technical Index. Permission was given to publish in full the argument of William H. Shockley on simplified spelling. A committee was appointed to have charge of the publication of the Raymond Memorial Volume. There were elected 70 members, 15 associates, and 1 junior associate. Three members were reinstated and the resignations of two were ac-cepted. The clues of 10 members who had been in active service with the allied armies were remitted. An extension of time for the payment of dues was granted to the 11 members.

Jan 12, 1919

By Roger L. Keller, John Dean Smith

The Amax Coal Company's Ayrshire Mine in Southern Indiana is faced with one of the toughest blasting applications concerning vibration in the nation. As a means of maintaining regulatory compliance the operation elected to exercise the option of frequency analysis. A site-specific computer processing program which suggests ideal delay interval ranges for the lowest vibration was utilized.

Jan 1, 1987

By Cutmore NG

The moisture content of iron ore is important in handling, stockpiling, transport and further processing operations. Typically these ores contain both `free' and `bound' moisture, the latter being moisture that is not removed in a conventional laboratory determination of moisture by air drying at 105¦C, and it is the free moisture that is important in dust control and ore handling. The CSIRO Division of Mineral and Process Engineering has previously developed and commercialised gauges, based on capacitance and microwave techniques, for the on-belt determination of moisture in coal and minerals. However, these gauges determine total moisture, and have a different sensitivity to free and bound moisture in the material analysed. Consequently, the accuracy of determining total or free moisture alone may be significantly affected by variations in the bound moisture content. An investigation has been carried out on the simultaneous determination of free and bound moisture in iron ore fines (

Jan 1, 1993

By Edward Steidle

Those who have followed the rapid progress in rock-dusting bituminous-coal mines must admit that opinion crystallized during the year just closed in support of this preventive of coal-dust explosions. Up to 1924 only one mining company in America practiced rock-dusting on a large scale, but during 1924 forty-two companies had adopted this safety measure, and the "boom" is expected to extend over the next two or three years. Alabama is represented by 1 company, Colorado by 3, Illinois by 4, Kentucky by 1, New Mexico by 4, Pennsylvania by 20, Utah by 8, and Wyoming by 1. A total of about 500 miles of entry has been dusted. Illinois leads with 275 miles of dusted entries and Pennsylvania holds second place with about 175 miles. In each case there is a sense of great security, not only on the part of the operator but by the miner as well. It is also interesting to note that during 1924 the compensation rating or inspection bureaus in twelve of our coal-producing states revised their rating schedules so that a credit would be given for rock-dusting. This credit ranges from 10 to 20 cents per $100 payroll. Recent drastic federal and state regulations approved by mine operators made rock-dusting compulsory in bituminous coal mines in Utah, beginning July 1, 1924. Legislative action favorable to rock-dusting may be expected in other states. Colorado has already proposed a change in its laws, and Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, and West Virginia are giving the matter consideration. If the rock-dusting problem is handled properly and proves to be entirely successful, no mining man of any standing will delay applying it in his mine. State legislation regarding this matter may or may not solve the problem. At present, the mining companies that are rock-dusting of their own choice are doing it carefully and thoroughly. In Utah, some are doing it conscientiously, trying to get what benefits can be obtained while others are reported to be doing it only to keep within state regulations. In any event, if we are to have new legislation, it is essential that the various states know what they are about and then, if possible, work for uniform regulations.

Jan 1, 1925

The copper-clay deposits consist largely of goethite and clayey mudstones carrying native copper, cuprite, and chalcocite. The mudstones are of Ordovician age, are interbedded with Fe-Mn carbonates, and probably contained syngenetic iron and copper sulphides. The secondary copper minerals have been derived from post-Devonian weathering in situ and also by deposition from surfaee and underground waters draining the adjacent mineralized volcanic rocks.

Jan 1, 1969

Discussion Of the paper Of GEORGE K. BURGESS, J. J. CROWE, H. S. RAWDON, and R. G. WALTENBERG, presented at the Pittsburgh meeting, October, 1914, and printed in Bulletin NO. 93, September, 1914, pp. 2433 to 2437. ALBERT SAUVEUR, Cambridge, Mass.-The Bureau of Standards has once more rendered a public service. Manufacturers and consumers of steel rails alike should welcome the important results now laid before them by Dr. Burgess and his co-workers. Personally I welcome these results all the more that in the past, as some of the members may remember, I have never failed, when occasion arose, to call the attention of rail manufacturers to the importance of controlling the finishing temperature of their rails. The pioneer metallographic work conducted at the South Works of the Illinois Steel Co. in the early '90s clearly brought out the close relations existing between the manufacture, properties, and finishing temperature of steel rails and I think I may say without fear of being contradicted that the results of this early investigation had considerable influence in drawing the attention of manufacturers to the importance of finishing temperature and of heat treatment in general. The results now before us should be, it seems to me, of great value to rail manufacturers in their efforts to produce a better and, above all, a safer rail. It seems to be demonstrated in this paper that there is no difficulty in installing in rail mills pyrometric outfits, making it possible to record, without interfering in the mill operations, the temperature of the rails as they leave the finishing rolls, or of the ingots as they are withdrawn from the soaking pits, or at any intermediate point in the process of manufacture. The inference necessarily follows that manufacturers should see to it that such pyrometric installations are made, in order that they may actually know, instead of guessing at, the temperature of their rails;, and, for obvious reasons, rail consumers should insist upon such installations. In the rolling of heavy sections especially should care be taken to lower their finishing temperature, seeing that the present tendency is to finish them at higher temperature, whereas, owing to the slower cooling of their central portions, which makes for coarseness of grain, they should, if anything, be finished at a lower temperature than lighter rails.

Jan 4, 1915

By D. E. Gorse, R. G. Anderson

"Indusmin's history dates back to 1937 when they developed the Blue Mountain Nepheline Syenite deposit at Nephton, Ontario, and began supplying material for the glass, fiberglass, paint, ceramics and rubber industries.Since then, as a subsidiary of Falconbridge Nickel Mines, Indusmin has expanded the Nephton operation, diversified into the aggregate quarries for the construction industries, with operations at Acton and Halton, Ontario, established silica plants at St. Canut, Quebec and Midland, Ontario, to supply the glass, carbide, ceramics, cleanser and concrete products industries, and the purchase of a foundry, Fahramet Limited, Orillia, Ontario, supplying steel and alloy castings to the mining, construction cement and petrochemical industries.Indusmin also has a Technical Resource Centre and Head Office facilities in Toronto.As this paper deals with Indusmin's experience with dust abatement, and although dust control is a concern at the Nephton, St. Canut and Orillia plants, we will be confining this paper to the experience gained at the Badgeley Quarry and Midland plant of the Ontario Silica Operation."

Jan 1, 1980

By C. T. Cox

The title of this short paper necessarily implies that friction articles comprise a distinct and unique field and are different from the other metal-powder articles, such as bearings, electrical contacts, and magnets. However, this distinction is rather hard to define in that it is really one of degree and not Of kind. It would appear that the main distinction is that friction are are articles of rather large pressing area. In other words, they are articles in which the area Of the mold in which the metal powder is pressed is relatively large. Other articles made from meta1 powders are generally of rather small area, usually a few square inches, while in friction articles the area ranges up to several hundred square inches. The satisfactory production of meta1-powder friction articles involves many production problems and a large number Of these are accentuated by the large area' Since it is impossible in the short space of this Paper to describe adequately all the problems involved, I have thought it best to merely mention some Of them and to place particular emphasis upon a problem that is common to all metal-powder articles, although it is of greater importance in the making of friction articles. This problem has to do with the effect On the properties of a friction article of small variations in the composition. However, before discussing the problems, it is probably appropriate that some mention be made of the limitations on the use of friction articles. Most engineers are familiar with the general field that can be characterized as constituted by clutch facings and brake linings, and undoubtedly have heard many stories of how metal-powder friction articles have had a service life 10 times as long as nonmetallic friction materials, and of instances where metal-powder friction articles have operated satisfactorily where no other material could be used. These instances should not be regarded as criteria for the assumption that metal-powder friction articles are capable of universal use in the friction field and will always outperform other materials. On the contrary, metal-powder friction articles are unsuitable for numerous applications, either on a performance or on a cost basis. Metal-powder friction articles will not replace wooden block brakes for wagon wheels nor cast-iron brake shoes for railway car wheels, to mention just two obvious examples. Metallic friction articles cannot be used where they must act as heat insulatorsl for they have a relatively high thermal conductivity as compared with asbestos. This is a detriment in some uses, as in certain airplane brakes having hydraulic actuators provided with rubber seals. The metallic friction material readily transfers the heat developed at the braking surface back through the material to the rubber seal and destroys it. Within its limited field, metal-powder friction material has proved satisfactory, but many problems are involved in the Selection of the proper material to use in an application and in the commercial pro-

Jan 1, 1945

By J. F. Edwards

In situ extraction of copper through borehole injection presents a new technology for the mining of copper. For the successful application of this technology, copper recovery at the surface must be specifically designed for borehole injection and the general conditions of the well field. This paper describes the design of a solvent extraction / electrowinning facility specifically designed for in situ leaching of copper. This design is based on commercial solvent extraction / electro-winning with considerations of the requirements of this specific application.

Jan 1, 1988

By J Hadijigeorgiou, R. W. Lawrence, R Pouling

The layered co-mingling method involves the disposal of waste rock with the addition, at predefined construction stages, of layers of dewatered mine tailings. The resulting waste structure displays bulk properties that are more favourable to acid rock drainage (ARD) control than the constituent materials alone. A laboratory test programme was conducted to examine the potential of this method. Columns containing different configurations of waste rock and tailings were percolation leached for 40 weeks and the leachates examined for various parameters. In the short term the chemical reactions that result from the introduction of dewatered tailings into rock waste can significantly improve the quality of the drainage. Columns with co-mingled material produced leachate with pH levels of 8, whereas leachate from the control column containing waste rock alone had a pH of 4. Larger-scale field tests are planned to determine the effect of the disposal method over the longer term

Apr 1, 1996

By L. W. Sink, B. H. Kear, S. M. Copley, M. F. Hornbecker

IT is well known that under appropriate conditions of chill casting, many metals and alloys develop a columnar grain structure having a high degree of preferred orientation.' In cubic materials, this principle has been employed to produce shaped castings with a unidirectional cube oriented columnar grain structure as well as shaped single crystals with a cube axis parallel to the growth ais.' "he purpose of this note is to describe how this same principle can be enlployed to produce wires, rods, or more complex crystal Shapes with a variety of conlpositions in cube or random orientations by a single casting operation. The procedure for directional solidification of in Fig. 2. Examination under crossed polarizers indicated that the striations were a second phase (presumably the B19 phase) which frequently forms initially at primary grain boundaries and then grows toward the interior as thin ribbons. X-ray studies on filings of this alloy reannealed at 1300°C for 15 min indicated a strong pattern of the fcc phase together with a substantial pattern of the B19 phase. The un-annealed filings, however, showed only the pattern of a cold-worked, fcc structure. In these two-phase alloys it appears, therefore, that the B19 phase is transformed into a disordered fcc structure by cold-working. The mechanical properties of these alloys would be of some interest since a fcc structure might be expected to possess greater ductility than the or-thorhombic B19 structure from which it forms. The author wishes to thank Mr. Harvey Yakowitz and Mr. Richard Manuszewski for obtaining the photomicrograph in Fig. 2. This research was partially supported by Research Grant DE-02455 from the National Institute of Dental Research. columnar grained ingots involves pouring a melt into a preheated mold having a water-cooled copper chill at its base? and controlling the temperature gradient in the mold so as to maintain columnar grain growth from end to end of the ingot.4 This is illustrated schematically in Fig. l(a). It should be noted that the longitudinal temperature gradient promoting unidirectional columnar grain growth is maintained by heat loss primarily through the solidifying ingot to the chill, so that both the temperature gradient and the growth rate diminish with increasing distance from the chill. As the distance from the chill increases? the columnar structure coarsens, and the perfection in preferred orientation tends to increase progressively. Using this same procedure of gradient solidification, Fig. l(b) shows a simple scheme for producing a batch of crystals having the same cube orientation rather than an assemblage of columnar grains. Wires and rods are produced by cementing ceramic tubes to the wall of the mold. The steep temperature gradient produced in the central chamber is controlled by the mold heater to produce favorable conditions for crystal growth. Clearly the success of the operation lies in the selection of individual growing columnar grains by some kind of orifice at the base of each channel in the mold. Using simple constrictions, experience with nickel-base alloys has shown that 4 -in.-diam holes at a distance of -1 in. from the chill yield crystals within 7 deg of (100); closer control of orientation is possible by placing the crystal selector farther away from the chill.

Jan 1, 1970

By J. M. Ekenes

New approaches that increase hydrometallurgical recovery from refractory minerals in below-mill-cut-off-grade sulfide copper ore can add significant value, improve profitability and increase ore reserves. This paper describes the development and implementation of an engineered heap (EH) approach to leaching low-grade, chalcopyrite-bearing ore at Freeport-McMoRan?s mine in Morenci, Arizona. The technical evolution of the engineered heap concept is described together with the challenges and benefits following implementation.

Jan 1, 2012

By Ricardo José Gonçalves Costa

A estabilização do aço inoxidável ferrítico ASTM 409 na aplicação em sistemas de exaustão de automóveis é cada vez mais exigida em função do aumento das garantias e de desempenho neste sistema, particularmente em temperaturas mais elevadas dos gases de escape. O Ti é um dos elementos mais utilizado como estabilizante da estrutura ferrítica. No entanto, teores elevados deste elemento pioram as condições de lingotabilidade durante a produção do aço, aumentando a sua suscetibilidade a problemas de qualidade superficial. Desta forma, a dupla estabilização com Ti e Nb é uma solução para reduzir o teor de titânio. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar o efeito da adição de Nb na microestrutura por meio da comparação entre o aço ferrítico estabilizado ao Ti (409H) e bi-estabilizado ao Ti e Nb (409S). Os resultados deste trabalho mostraram que o aço 409S é afetado diretamente pela microestrutura mais deformada após laminação a quente em relação ao aço 409H, gerando maior força motriz para recristalização no recozimento final.

Aug 17, 2017

By James R. Cosby

This report describes work performed for the Bureau of Mines to evaluate available portable instruments for their effectiveness in detecting and locating damaged metallic shields in Types SHD and SHC cables. A second phase of the program is also covered wherein several instruments of a type which show promise are purchased for modification and testing to verify their performance.

Jan 1, 1980

By E. Miller, J. M. Eldridge, K. L. Komarek

The thermodynamic properties of- liquid Mg-Pb allojs have been determined by an isopiestic method from 18 to 42 at. pct Pb and by a thevmodynumic analysis of the phase diagram frofiz 0 to 100 at. pct Pb. In the overlapping composition range the magneszupn activity values derived by the two methods are in excellent agreement, thus mutually supporting the correctness of the Mg-Pb phase diagram previously determined by the authors and of the acticitzes deriz~ed isopiestically. SEVERAL studies have been made of the thermody-namic properties of liquid Mg-Pb alloys. Wagner and Engelhardt,1 Lantratov,2 Knappwost,3 Sryvalin et al.* and Wilson5 used the electromotive-force method, Scheil and Wolf8 and Schmahl and Sieben" applied the transpiration technique, and the present authors8 utilized the phase diagram to determine the activity of magnesium in the Mg-Pb system. The results of these studies are not in very good agreement and could not be incorporated into a general systematic analysis of the thermodynamic properties of the homologous series of the Mg-Group IV B systems Mg-Pb,8 Mg-Sn,° Mg-Ge,10and Mg-Si.11 The thermodynamic properties of the Mg-Pb system were therefore re investigated by an isopiestic technique which has been developed for similar studies in the Mg-SnB and Mg-Ge10 systems- Lead specimens, contained in iron or graphite crucibles, were heated in a temperature gradient in an evacuated and sealed titanium reaction tube and equilibrated with magnesium vapor of known vapor pressure to form alloys of compositions which depended on their temperatures, the temperature of the magnesium vapor source, and the thermodynamic properties of the system. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Magnesium (Dominion Magnesium Ltd., Toronto, Canada) of 99.99+ pct purity and lead (American Smelting and Refining Co.) of 99.999 pct purity were used. In the early experiments, Runs 2 and 3, the alloys were contained in uncovered high-purity iron crucibles. Alloys formed in the uncovered iron crucibles had to be chemically analyzed owing to the slight volatility of lead under the imposed experimental equilibration conditions. The compositions of these alloys were determined by a gravimetric analysis of lead as lead chromate. To avoid this problem, the remaining runs were made in covered graphite crucibles machined from high-density (1.92 g per cu cm) graphite rods (Basic Carbon Corp., Sanborn, N.Y.) which had a maximum ash content of less than 0.04 pct. The non- i reactivity of graphite with lead and magnesium has been previously established,' and the experimental procedure has been described in full detail.' In the runs using covered graphite crucibles it was found that the weight increases of the crucibles and their contents after equilibration equaled the magnesium contents of the alloys within the accuracy of the chemical analysis (i0.3 at. pct Pb). Clearly, the small lid openings of the graphite crucibles prevented significant lead losses during a run, and the weight increase was therefore taken as the magnesium content of the alloys. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS At thermodynamic equilibrium the magnesium partial pressure of the specimens equaled that of the reservoir. Since the magnesium reservoir was always maintained at the temperature minimum of the system, the activity of magnesium of any specimen was given by the ratio of the magnesium reservoir pressure to the vapor pressure of pure magnesium at the specimen temperature. The standard state was chosen as liquid magnesium and the vapor pressure of liquid magnesium

Jan 1, 1968

By Felix Vogel

SINCE the publication of Prof. J. W. Richards's paper on The Schumacher Briquetting Process,2 this process has been in operation on a practical .scale in two plants in the United States, and a few notes on the results obtained may he of interest. An experimental plant, consisting of a toggle press and a hydraulic press, was installed at Johnstown, Pa., together with the necessary bins and other equipment, and an attempt was made to briquette a mixture of Mahoning fines and blast, furnace flue dust, in a ratio of 7 parts of ore to 3 parts of dust. The results were unsatisfactory, in that the briquettes made were not hard enough to stand the severe handling to which they were subjected in the various transferences necessary between the press and the furnace. The trouble was clue to several causes: First, the mechanical arrangement of the plant, which did not lend itself to a proper hardening and loading of the briquettes into the cars. Second, the irregular composition of the flue dust, as to both its lime and its fine coke contents. Third, the variability of the moisture content of the ore, and its viscosity when wet. Fourth, the ratio of fine ore to flue dust; that is, it was attempted to bind in too large a quantity of fine ore for the small amount of flue dust used. The first trouble could be overcome, and has been improved upon in the plant as it stands to-day. The second trouble was important, because of the small amount of dust used as a binder, and might have been easily removed by mixing the flue dust of the different furnaces, which, however, was never done. The third difficulty was more serious, but could have been partly solved, had it been possible to meet this along with the fourth difficulty, by decreasing the percentage of ore in the briquettes. It was proposed to do this, but it seems that the problem at the works in question is, primarily, to prepare Mahoning fines for reduction in the blast furnace, and only secondarily to use up the flue dust, and a solution along this line did not seem to be interesting.

Jan 12, 1913

By Jerry Bennett

This report describes the results of a survey of current blast area guarding procedures at surface and underground metal/nonmetal mines. It features five case histories (two surface and three underground mines) of blast guarding methods considered to represent the best systems in use in the U.S. Mining Industry. Elements of an effective blast guarding system are presented along with recommendations for improvements in current blast guarding practices. Industrial and military surveillance and detection technology was reviewed to determine if parallel technology exists for immediate application to blasting site security. While it is concluded that immediate transfer of industrial security technology will be limited, a number of recommendations are advanced for new research to adapt some of that technology for application to the mining environment. Two research areas considered to offer the most potential for improved blast guarding are presented. They are, computerized personnel tracking and blast area intrusion detection using infrared, microwave or E-field type detection systems.

Jan 1, 1981

By Marianne Snedeker

In September 1985 we published a questionnaire asking about the content of MINING ENGINEERING and about your interests. By Dec. 10, our cutoff date, we had 430 responses, representing about 1.5% of the 28,238 people who received the September issue of ME. In the data that follow the tabulation and percentages are based on the number of individuals who responded to the particular question. About ME Through responses to the questionnaire, we were hoping to learn more about you, your interests, and how the magazine could better serve you. Those of you who responded told us something positive - you look at or read the magazine. Of the 430 respondents, 428 or 99.5% indicated that they had read or looked through the July and/or August issues. Those of you who refer to the magazine once are 207 or 48.5%. Those of you who refer to the magazine two or three times are 193 or 45.2%. Those of you who refer to the magazine four or more times are 27 or 6.3%. How much time do you spend reading the magazine? Of those responding to this question: 64 spent up to 1/2 hr 15.0% 224 spent up to 1 hr 52.6% 115 spent up to 1-2 hr 27.0% 23 spent more than 2 hr 5.4% In an informal survey among our staff, we determined that most people spend 1/2 to 1 hr reading magazines to which they subscribe at home. Does that match your experience? Many of you, 335 or 79%, clip your magazine for further reference. Also, many of you, 313 or 73.6%, do not pass your copy on to another reader, indicating that you are clipping it or receiving the magazine at home. Those magazines that are passed on reach: 1 person 3 0.7% 2 people 64 15.1% 3-5 people 34 8.0% 5 or more 11 2.6% Answers to what portions of the magazine you find useful indicated that the top three were Industry Newswatch, feature articles and Technical Papers; see Table 1. The "other" category included advertising - display, classified, Employment, and Professional Services - Washington Survey, New Products, Free Literature, book reviews, technology news, and Coming Events and Short Courses. We asked your appraisal of the technical level of the magazine. Of those responding, 39 or 9.1% indicated that it is too technical, 55 or 12.8% indicated it is not technical enough, and 335 or 78.1% judged it to have the correct technical level. In response to the question about whether you like to read an occasional feature that is not technically oriented, 21 or 5.1% said no, but an overwhelming 94.9% (393) said yes. Of the specific

Jan 1, 1986

By K. L. Morton

This technical note reviews the status quo of mud rushes and flooding, which have claimed them lives of many people in underground mines in South Africa and globally. Given that the causes are well known and can be managed, the note calls for the development of a national and global standard on flood and mud rush prevention in order to save lives.

Mar 30, 2026