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By Ross Blake

THE St. Joseph Lead Co. became interested in the Tri-State district in 1921 through acquisition of prospecting and development rights on approximately 20,000 acres of land extending northeastward from the Picher mining field, mostly in Kansas. Prospecting with churn drills was begun the same year and the first commercial ore body was found on the Jarrett tract at the then northern limit of the main Picher field. Operations at this mine began in 1923. Kansas Explorations, Inc., was organized in 1923 by the St. Joseph Lead Co. as a wholly-owned subsidiary to carry on its operations in the Tri-State District from an office at Joplin, Mo. As prospecting of the original acreage proved largely negative, attention was subsequently turned to other sections of the district. Numerous additional leases were acquired and prospected. The Company was successful in developing into operating properties the Jarrett, Isherwood, Robinson, Sullivan and Lotson tracts and, in more recent years, the Ritz, Snapp, Buckingham, Gibson and Jasper mines.

Jan 1, 1947

By S. Frederick Ravitz

IN most applied sciences there are two distinct methods of carrying out research and development work. One of these, the theoretical, attempts to solve problems that may arise and to predict facts of practical importance by the application of the various laws of science, the other, the experimental method, attempts to each the 'same goal by obtaining data and trying out various processes in the laboratory. Since individuals frequently find themselves better adapted for one or the other type of procedure, it is natural that -two groups should 'arise, both working toward the sane objective but with somewhat different points of view, although many in each group are thoroughly competent in both fields. Metallurgy, in particular, offers an excellent opportunity for a comparison of the two methods.

Jan 1, 1935

By AIME AIME

DURING my senior year at college a professor said to his class that a student who failed to obtain a passing grade in that certain subject could not graduate with his class and that his diploma would be withheld until the failure had been removed. In that way for four years a diploma had been made to appear to us as the objective in attending college. We grew up to think that a diploma was the means of providing employment; consequently, a diploma could not be jeopardized and, heeding the professor's remarks, we resolved to put forth special efforts and make good. During one of our class periods this same professor digressed briefly from his prepared lecture in metallurgy and advised the boys to join a national technical society. He spoke with earnestness and sincerity. After class we students discussed those remarks. We concluded that the professor had not convinced us. We were already members of technical societies at school and saw no need of joining another. In fact, even up to that moment a society had never indicated to any of us that joining it had any relation to landing a job, and we were fully aware that joining another society meant paying out more money, for fees and dues, which money we then needed to buy food, clothes, and perhaps a new slide rule. Furthermore, we knew that joining a society was not part of the curriculum and, therefore, the diploma could not be withheld if we did not follow the advice. Our conclusion was that we would not join but would concentrate on our work that assured getting our diplomas.

Jan 1, 1936

By JULIAN HINDS

Industrialization is raising the standard of living of people everywhere. The common man is demanding and getting more of everything. Perhaps more markedly than most other things, he is consuming more water. A hundred years ago water for domestic use, in all but a few large centers, was lugged from wells in buckets. This still is true in many rural areas, even in the enlightened United States of America. but pumps and pressure systems are rapidly replacing the "old oaken bucket," even on farms and in isolated country homes. Nevertheless, many still fail to see water as a ?commodity? in the same sense that coal, lumber, fertilizer, and bread are considered as commosities. Water is too frequently taken for granted.

Jan 1, 1949

By S. Mansfield, A. Sharma

At a large open cut copper mine, in pit crushing and conveying is used to shorten haul routes and minimise stockpiling of ore. This strategy decreases capital expenditure by reducing the number of haul trucks and excavators required and reduces the need to rehandle ore from stockpiles with a secondary load and haul fleet, with an overall goal of lowering operating costs and carbon emissions. As the mine has developed and expanded, it was necessary to extend the conveying network and install a fourth, semi-mobile crusher to increase the output of the operation, while maintaining the operational efficiencies. This required the blasting of a new tipping bench and pocket for the installation of one of the largest and most powerful semi-mobile, crushing plants. Fed by 360 tonne (396 ton) ultra-heavy class haul trucks, the KB 63-130 Pro gyratory crusher is the highest capacity available in the market. This paper describes the holistic process that was applied to model, design and execute the blasts required to create the pocket for the semi-mobile crusher, the surrounding tipping bench, plus the conveyor corridor and access ramp used by the ultra-heavy class trucks.

Jan 1, 2024

By A. Lindo, M. Held

The formation of NOx fumes is an undesired occurrence and is dependent on a variety of variables. Methods for detection of such fumes with blast analysis tools are available using color schemes for grading, but no quantification tools to measure concentration and cloud totals exist today. In cooperation with DIRS (Digital Imaging and Remote Sensing Laboratory) at RIT in Rochester, NY, Austin Powder has been looking for methods and techniques to identify and quantify total amounts of NOx by capturing cloud activity via a video feed from a drone in combination with measuring NOx and subsequent cloud modeling (i.e., plume segmentation). To accurately measure fume events, Austin Powder and the RIT team have been collaborating in performing small scale blasts at an Austin test facility and then transferring knowledge learned to full scale blasts at customer sites. The collected data will allow to identify any relationships between the total amount of explosives used and the quantity of NOx produced. The analysis of the total amounts of NOx and identification of blast areas those fumes originate from will help to better understand key factors that contribute to their occurrence as well as to quantify the severity of such events. By quantifying the magnitude and concentration of fumes generated by non-ideal detonations, the blasting technique can be optimized to minimize unwanted environmental effects and improve public perception of blasting as a necessary component of societal progress

Jan 1, 2024

By Karl Berger, Roman Schneeweis, Dietrich Mathweis

With increasing demands from customers to provide flat strip with tighter tolerances on material properties, particularly flatness of e.g. martensitic steel grades (M1500), it has become necessary to develop strategies to improve flatness without influencing the tensile properties for such hard steel grades. Usual skin pass mills are not capable to apply sufficient tension and roll force for these kinds of material to improve the flatness. Therefore, alternatives had to be searched for. This paper describes skin pass - / temper – rolling methods from the classical one to new alternatives in order to satisfy the demanding market of higher material properties and idle running mills in rolling plants.

Oct 1, 2019

By Baozhong Ma, Yonggang Wei, Shiwei Zhou, Bo Li, Chengyan Wang, Hua Wang

The effects of additives with Na2S, Na2SO4 and CaSO4 on phase transformation of nickel laterite ore in low-temperature reduction roasting process using carbon monoxide were investigated. The results showed that diffraction peaks of forsterite increased with increasing reduction temperature for 30min with the addition of 10wt% Na2SO4 and 50vol% CO, and diffraction peaks of forsterite increased with increasing the content of Na2SO4 at 900°C for 30min. Comparing the above three additives, phase transformation of nickel laterite ore were strongly influenced with the addition of 10 wt% Na2SO4 and 10 wt% Na2S. Calcium sulphide from the thermal decomposition of CaSO4 was carried out in the reaction product. SEM-EDS analysis result deduced that increasing the dosage of Na2SO4 from 10wt% to 15wt% could promote the polymerization of ferronickel and improve the grade of nickel in ferronickel.

Jan 1, 2015

By Jesse White, Tyler Salisbury

Research projects contain many stages of development from the conception of an idea to a fullscale commercial operation. The transition from laboratory-scale research to bench-scale roasting can represent a significant increase in complexity and cost, depending on how many variables are being evaluated. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) can simulate roasting conditions and produce a small sample for chemical analysis or materials characterization. A simultaneous thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry (TG–DSC) can identify endothermic and exothermic reaction temperatures. Using thermal analysis, some of the process variables can be tested and eliminated such as ore and reagent blends, retention times, operating temperatures, and some atmospheres.

Jan 1, 2015

By Sheng-li Wu, Guo-liang Zhang, Bo Su

The mineralogical characteristics of iron ores can influence their high temperature sintering performance. In this study, eight iron ore samples from Brazil, Australia, and South Africa were characterized by their chemical composition, mineral types, particle morphology, and gangue dispersity. Meanwhile the influence rules between the mineralogical characteristics and the high temperature characteristics were evaluated and analyzed. The results showed that the effect of SiO2 on assimilation characteristic of iron ores was relatively complex, Al2O3 and LOI of iron ores had negative correlation with assimilation temperature of iron ores, the dense slab-flaky mineral granule restrained to the assimilation characteristics of iron ores; liquid phase of iron ores with high SiO2 content and low Al2O3 content had high fluidity, and the higher dispersity of gangue minerals in iron ores was good to the fluidity of liquid phase.

Jan 1, 2015

By Bhagyadhar Bhoi, Chitta Ranjan Mishra, Pravas Ranjan Behera

Red mud of Indian origin contains around 55% plus of Fe2O3 and is considered as a hazardous waste for the alumina industry. For production of one tone of alumina employing the Bayer’s Process, around two tones of red mud is generated from three tones of Bauxite. Conventional process of steel making is not devoid of environmental pollution. In the present investigation, efforts have been made to produce steel from red mud by adopting reduction roasting, magnetic separation and hydrogen plasma smelting route. Magnetic fraction, containing enriched iron oxide and minimal content of alumina, is produced following the first two stages which is then subjected to hydrogen plasma smelting process for production of steel. This novel concept follows a green path way for production of steel free from pollution and is termed as green steel. Further, the only by-product that is produced in the process, is water, which is eco-friendly and recyclable.

Jan 1, 2015

By Yongfu Yu, Xiaotie Wang, Fuguang Zhang, Liping Che

"The flotation process of native Rare Earth minerals such as bastnasite, monazite, mixed minerals of bastnasite and monazite, using the new effective collector Dh was studied in this paper, respectively, and the flotation properties are described. The good qualities of the new collector Dh were revealed through comparing with other collector of Rare Earth minerals. The test results of different ore samples show that at moderate pulp pH (8.5-9.5), Rare earth minerals can be effectively separated from barium, calcium and silicon bearing intergrowth minerals (barite, calcite and silicate minerals) and high quality Rare Earth concentrates can be obtained successfully by the new collector Dh, acid silica gel, turpentine and reagents fitting together rationally. In order to determine optimum technical conditions, the effect of pulp pH, pulp temperature, pulp density and the effect of dosage of reagents (Dh and acid silica gel) on the flotation were investigated in the test.Simultaneously, the paper explores the mechanism of the flotation of Rare Earth minerals from intergrowth minerals. The infrared spectra for Dh and Rare Earth cation by analysis in theory shows that Dh formed chelate complex with Rare Earth cation and were adsorbed on the surfaces of Rare Earth minerals. The mechanism of the intergrowth minerals depressed by acid silica gel can be explained as gummy colloid hydrolyzed from acid silica gel which are selectively absorbed on the gangue minerals, making them hydrophilic and depressed, with pulp pH value of alkalescent."

Jan 1, 2003

By S. P. Singh

In order to understand the intricate nature of blast damage mechanism and to counter the associated problems, small scale blasting experiments were performed on hydrostone, concrete and granite. This was followed by a 2.4 m x 2.7 m (8'x 9') drifting operation in a quartzite quarry. Interior as well as exterior damage was assessed by different techniques. On the basis of the experimental results, the effect of explosive characteristics on the damage was examined.

Jan 1, 1992

By Oliver Bowles

The United States Bureau of Mines has within its ranks a group of engi- neers who are engaged in working out quarry problems, the solution of which will be of general benefit to the industries involved. The problems undertaken are approached in a systematic and thorough manner, all the evidence for and against any proposed change or new development being collected as carefully as an attor- ney would prepare his data on an important case. Unlike the attorney, however, the Bureau engineer does not take sides; his judgment is based entirely and in- partially on the array of facts presented. In order to gain the desired infor- mation he visits many plants, consults with the leaders in the industry, works out experiments in his laboratory, and supplements this information with a stu- dy of all available literature already published on the subject in any part of the world. As an engineer who has for eight years conducted such inquiries in the stone industry, I propose to discuss the Bureau of Mines viewpoint; and it may be of interest to consider with me in a brief and general way the engineer's method of looking at quarry problems, and some of the results attained through past and present labors. While the Bureau has conducted no investigation directly for the crushed- st one industries, two years of investigative work at cement-plant quarries, and work now being conducted at lire-plant quarries, has a very direct bearing on the problems of the crushed-stone industry, since stripping, drilling, blasting, loading, and transportation are similar in many respects in all stone quarries. The results of cement-plant quarry investigations are to be found in Bureau of Mines Bulletin #160. (b) Two short papers on lime-plant quarry problems have been issued in mimeographed form as Serial #01 (c) and Serial 3 (d).

Jan 1, 1923

By NORMA D. MACFADDEN

WHILE the library work of the Woman's Auxiliary to the A. I. M. E. was founded three years after the formation of the Auxiliary, its present policy of establishing permanent libraries in mining camps throughout the United States dates only from 1924. Since then sixteen libraries have been established and thousands of books have found their way to homes of far-away miners, bringing pleasure and knowledge to a multitude of Americans and future citizens. Library work was initiated under the presidency of Mrs. H. W. Hardinge in 1922 and firmly established with her aid as one of the main activities of the Auxiliary. The first chairman served but a short time and Mrs. A. O. Ihlseng then took over the work of chairman of the Library Committee. To place the surplus books of Auxiliary members and their friends in use in mining camps was the immediate work of the committee. This was accomplished by placing a traveling library in the Bureau of Mines' cars and also by sending books for distribution to section chair- men in our larger mining camps.

Jan 1, 1929

By Takefumi Takuma, Tsunenobu Nozaki, Masashi Nagano

Using sheet piles and pipe piles for permanent earth retaining is one of the most economical methods for constructing basement walls since they can also work as temporary shoring during construction. A major mixed-use redevelopment project in the UK, encompassing two to three large city blocks, utilized both sheet and pipe pile walls for a two-level subterranean parking structure. The 290m (950ft) x 100m (330ft) basement’s steel walls were designed to temporarily support excavation during construction and eventually to become a load carrying permanent structure in order to expedite the construction process and to achieve cost reduction. Two types of press-in piling machines, one for sheet piles and the other for pipe piles, were used for the job because of their abilities to press in sheet and pipe piles within tight tolerances for finished walls, for difficult installation conditions with very hard soil, and for its very low noise and practically zero-vibration operation; an essential factor for the job in close proximity to other businesses and residents. BACKGROUND Steel sheet pile and pipe piles have been used for many purposes including earth retaining. They are produced at steel mills and spirally welded at a fabrication yard to their corresponding specifications under strict quality control measures. Therefore, they can form highly reliable walls to its design capacity with proper installations. Their advantages as underground walls are:  They can form a high level of water cut-off function with their interlocks sealed by welding or with hydrophilic materials. See Figure 1 for a few examples for a sheet pile application.  They can carry vertical loading in addition to horizontal load and bending moment.  They can be a self-standing and temporary/permanent wall with flexible design and construction processes; bottom-up, top-down or hybrid sequences can be chosen per the project’s needs.  They can form a thinner wall than other wall types, creating larger inner space. See Figure 2.

Jan 1, 2019

By A. B. Hooker, Iilsley. L. C.

"Flame safety lamps have been used for about one hundred years in coal mines where a dangerous accumulation of explosive mine gas (methane) might occur and thus render the use of ordinary unprotected flame lamps dangerous. Flame safety lamps are not only used for illumination, but also for detecting the presence of dangerous percentages of methane mixed in the air of the mine.The safety of the lamp depends chiefly upon the cooling qualities ofThe safety of the lamp depends chiefly upon the cooling qualities of the wire gauze used to permit free circulation of the air through the lamp. If one enters a part of the mine where methane is present in the air, the methane enters the lamp and coming in contact with the wick flame is ignited and continues to burn within the gauze without igniting the methane surrounding the lamp. If the air within the mine is traveling at a velocity of several hundred feet per minute the burning gases may be driven through the gauze by the air current. If the gauzes are properly designed and of the proper material, these burning gases will be so cooled as they pass through the gauze that they will not cause an ignition of the gas surrounding the lamp. In order to test the effectiveness of a given safety lamp, tests are made in moving explosive mixtures of gas and air arranged to simulate mine conditions.The Bureau of Mines investigated many features relative to the safety of flame lamps and in 1915 established an official schedule known as Schedule 7 whereby flame lamps having certain prescribed qualifications would be approved as permissible for use in gaseous mines."

May 1, 1920

By Tom Goodell, James Cox, Scott Scovira

Resolution Copper Mining is sinking a 6943 foot (2116 m) deep shaft to access and develop a new panel caving mine with approximately 1.6 billion known tons of porphyry copper resource. This mine will take several years to ramp up to its full production level of 132,300 tons per day (120,000 tonnes per day) and is scheduled to begin production in the early 2020s. Resolution's shaft sinking contractor Cementation USA is using state of the art sinking methods combined with a largely local labor force to complete this record breaking shaft. Resolution's No. 10 Shaft has finished diameter of 28 feet (8.5m) and as of October 2013 is at the 6625 foot (2020 m) level. Upon completion in early 2014, the No. 10 Shaft will be the deepest single lift shaft in the United States.

Jan 1, 2014

By J P. Tidman, I J. Kirby, G H. Harries

The SABREX computer model is based on the fact that both shock waves and gas pressure are important in describing a blast. The treatment of explosive-rock interactions includes the influence of non-ideal detonation to make use of recent advances in that field. Details of the blast layout are defined from a comprehensive list of conditions the blaster can control (drill pattern, charging and hook-up). The program gives practical and graphic information about fragmentation, muckpile, damage and costs.

Jan 1, 1987

By D P. Proudfoot, S G. Keith, D P. Onagi

A number of aspects of the Canadian concept for nuclear fuel waste disposal are being assessed by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) in a series of experiments at its Underground Research Laboratory (URL) near Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba, Canada. One of the major objectives of the work being carried out at the URL is to develop and evaluate the methods and technology to ensure safe, permanent disposal of Canada's nuclear fuel waste.

Jan 1, 1996