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By Eric Jette

IN a recent article,1 the authors reported the results of an X-ray investigation on the range of solid solutions that occurs in the iron-oxygen system in the vicinity of the compound FeO, which frequently is called "Wüstite." The object of that investigation was primarily to study the unusual type of solid solution phenomena involved in this range. Briefly summarized the results were: 1. The NaCl type of lattice found by earlier workers was confirmed. 2. The lattice dimensions decrease rapidly with decrease in iron content. 3. No alloy that was a homogeneous single phase was ever found at compositions beyond 76.80 per cent Fe, while the theoretical iron content of FeO is 77.73 per cent Fe. 4. Measurements of the densities and lattice constants led to the conclusion that the form of substitution was complex, an FeO group being replaced by oxygen. Such a substitution, of course, is equivalent to removing an iron atom (or ion). The ideal unit cell of FeO can be con-sidered as containing four groups of FeO and, thus, when this type of substitution takes place, there remain in the unit cell three FeO groups and an oxygen, or a total of seven atoms with a gross formula of Fe304 instead of the original Fe404. 5. This was the only interpretation that would fit the experimental results and at the same time be consistent with (a) the previously deter-mined fact that the FeO lattice is ionic (i. e., consists of Fe++ and 0= ions) and (b) the chemical fact that as the oxygen content of the substance increases, ferrous iron becomes oxidized to ferric iron. The experimental results of this investigation are included in Fig. 1.

Jan 1, 1933

By Donald R. Williamson

Ore estimation at Cyprus Pima mine begins with estimating average copper grades for mine model blocks. Accuracy of the estimates has been checked four times in the last several years by comparing the estimates with arithmetic averages of corresponding blasthole (BH) assays. The data file now contains 3.567 estimated blockgrades and more than 10,000 blasthole assays. These data were compared by straight-line regression analysis at appropriate intervals as the body of data grew. Arithmetic averages of the estimates differed each time from arithmetic averages of the BH averages by nearly the same amount. More significantly, regression curves of the new total sets of data did not change position appreciably showing that copper grade estimates of blocks in all grade ranges from the lowest to the highest grade ores remained in error by nearly the same amount. Other studies revealed that core hole assays of the dominant ore type are biased and that that bias almost equals the error in estimation. Discovery of constancy in error indicated that regression analysis could be a means for correcting estimates of average block copper grades. A correction for estimated block grades was developed. It required determining which regression is appropriate for the particular problem, and a mechanism that is demonstrably sound. This paper describes the problem and the solution: No comparable study has been, found in the literature. Two other applications of regression analysis to metal grade comparisons are presented. Each adds a bit of support to a generalization which was suggested by correction of average block copper grades, namely, when performance of an estimate is to be evaluated, the variable taken to be the yardstick for the performance should be regressed on the estimate.

Jan 1, 1980

By Read Winterburn

This discussion covers only one method of pressure drilling—that developed in the Kettleman Hills field. Thus it is probable that many departures from the procedure herein described would be advisable, and perhaps necessary, in using this method of drilling wells in other localities. Purpose of Pressure Drilling By the early part of 1936, formation pressures in the heavily produced north end of the Kettleman North Dome field had declined to range from 1000 to 1500 lb. per sq. in. This low pressure, combined with the depth of the wells (8000 to 9000 ft.) permitted water to be filtered out of the mud into the producing sands during drilling operations. The loss of water was indicated by loss of fluid from the suction tank while drilling, accompanied by an increase in mud weight. It was found that when water was added to the mud stream at such a rate as to keep the fluid level in the suction tank constant, the mud weight would not vary. This indicates that water only was forced into the sands. The rate of this loss at various wells ranged from 2 to 5 bbl. per hour. At some places complete loss of circulation occurred, and drilling mud to the extent of 200 to 1000 bbl. had to be pumped into the sands before returns were regained. It was believed that these conditions had already begun to harmfully affect production, and that such effect would become more pronounced as formation pressures continued to decline. Pressure drilling with oil was introduced because it eliminated the danger of loading the formations with mud and water. The method also afforded a convenient means of testing as drilling progressed, lessening the amount of formation testing, which had become necessary because of encroaching edge water.

Jan 1, 1938

By Richard S. Ghent, Daniel G. Warnock

JOHN HAMRIC: Our next speakers are Richard Ghent, manager of environmental health and safety for CF Industries, Hardee Phosphate Complex, in Wauchula, Florida. Richard has 20 years' experience with environmental health and safety affairs. He has a bachelor of science degree from the University of South Carolina. With him is Daniel Warnock, who is supervisor of safety and training also at the Hardee Phosphate Complex. Daniel's experience is in safety programs and electrical training. Their presentation is "Regulations Versus Management Practice." RICHARD GHENT: Written procedures give structure to safety programs. At their best, they are brief and understandable to facility personnel and clearly identify roles and responsibilities. At worst, they attempt to recite the entire regulation they are intended to address. Some regulations, such as OHSA's Hazard Communication Standard, require employers to develop, implement, and maintain a written program. As written programs and procedures are developed, some basic questions arise: Is the program designed to achieve compliance with regulatory requirements or does management expect the program to go beyond compliance to some higher level of performance? Management may have difficulty in measuring and communicating performance expectations in safety. A facility with 4 million safe work hours does not suddenly become unsafe the day their safety record is broken. Generally, management expects safety programs to meet regulatory requirements and to protect the employer from enforcement actions and fines from regulatory agencies. Management also expects that safety programs will result in a safer work environment with fewer incidents, accidents, and near misses. But it is difficult to know when a safety program has succeeded. If the program is expected to go beyond compliance, what other standards should be included (e.g., ANSI standards, company management practices, lessons learned from inspections and audits, recommendations from safety committees, etc.) in the

Jan 1, 1998

By Robert A. Jankowski, Charles A. Babbitt, Natesa I. Jayaraman

The U. S. Bureau of Mines, through a contract research program with Foster-Miller, Inc., has identified guidelines for the selection of the most effective water spray system and water flow rates for use on continuous mining machines. Specifically, these parameters were modified to obtain maximum dust control with regard to quartz dust exposure and more stringent respirable dust standards due to quartz. A novel water spray system, consisting of flat fan spray nozzles, mounted across the top of the mining machine, along with high flow, flat fan and higher pressure hollow cone nozzles mounted under the boom has been identified and tested. The anti-rollback/underboom spray system minimizes dust rollback while increasing dust knockdown by its unique positioning of spray manifolds and orientation of spray nozzles. Respirable dust suppression characteristics of the system acted in three ways: - by wetting the surface of the broken coal material to prevent dust from becoming airborne; - by controlling the airflow pattern at and near the face to minimize dust rollback to the operator Is control location; and - by dust knockdown, i.e., airborne capture, or scrubbing of airborne dust from the air. During underground trials, the anti-rollback/ underboom spray system reduced dust levels at the operator's position and in the immediate return by 55 and 15 pct, respectively, when compared to a conventional spray system. Quartz dust levels at the operator '8 position were essentially eliminated, while quartz dust levels in the immediate return were reduced by 57 pct. Applying the concepts of this technique throughout the mining industry should reduce the health hazard associated with excessive exposure to respirable quartz dust, as well as allow coal mine operators to comply with the associated, more stringent, respirable dust standards.

Jan 1, 1987

By Harold A. Linke

THE following article presents notes and data compiled and computed by the writer for use in the determination of: size and slope of mill launders, details of junction boxes and downspouts, and distribution of pulp. It also includes pulp formulas, volume of discharge through bushings, paths of discharging streams, banking of turns and curves. In the design of a concentrating mill, the draftsman usually considers launders to the extent of providing ample "head" for transmission of pulp from one department of the mill to another. The superintendent of construction aims to build his launders wide and deep, and on a slope steep enough to ensure positive flow. So launders are laid generally on too steep a slope, with the result that the repair gang works to maintain launder bottoms and sides against the erosive action of the conveyed pulp. To this end many kinds of liners have been devised: concrete, mastic, white iron, glass, rubber. True, the reduction of slope to the point where a pulp will flow with minimum wear, will minimize labor and expense; but when the desired slope is not predetermined, the millman hesitates to readjust his launder slopes by cut-and-try methods. To the end that the desired size and slope may be found readily, the writer has: (1) conducted experiments with pulps of different specific gravity, screen analysis and dilution; (2) gathered a few graphic data from standard reference works (such as Peele's Mining Engineer's Hand- book and Taggart's Handbook of Ore Dressing); (3) computed several tables; and compiled results that have proved dependable for Utah Copper ore. It is quite possible that the following tables and graphs may not be applicable to all ores, but it is hoped that they may prove helpful, even in slight degree, in alleviating a portion of the trouble and migraine of some other millman.

Jan 1, 1939

By Wilson B. Emery

The discovery well in the Rock River field, in Carbon County, Wyoming, came in May 1, 1918. The field is on a large anticline having more than 1500 ft. of closure and production is obtained from three sands of the Dakota group. At its peak, production approximated 10,000 bbl. daily and is now averaging 2200 bbl. Total production to Jan. 1, 1930, exceeded 12,500,000 barrels. So far as known to the writer, Rock River was the first light oil field in the Rocky Mountain region to be produced under what we now term unit operation. Though this type of operation was not popularly acclaimed by the oil industry, the Federal Government and the public until many years after the inception of development at Rock River, the officials of the Ohio Oil Co. when acquiring this property were fully cognizant of the economies to be effected by unit ownership and the consequent elimination of competitive drilling and producing of wells, and had this in mind at the time. Thus unit management was introduced in this field at an early date by this company. Area and Management Fig. 1 shows the location of all wells drilled on the Rock River structure and the outline of the productive area as now defined, which amounts to 1380 acres. The hachured line indicates the area now under unit ownership; originally a much larger area was so owned but leases have been canceled as progressive development indicated their lack of oil. The management and operation of the entire productive area is handled by the Ohio Oil Co., which owns the majority working interest. The Continental Oil Co. with a 20 to 35 per cent. interest in much of this acreage, and smaller interests owned by others in some of the leases, constitute the remainder of the ownership. The fee rests in the State of

Jan 1, 1930

By Charles Catlett

Some years ago the writer was struck by what might be called the remarkable vitality of the Virginia furnaces during the panic of 1893; and attention was called to the fact in the American Manufacturer of February 8,1895. From the second half of 1892, which was a period of maximum output, to the second half of 1893, when the full effects of the depression had been reached, the output of pig-iron had fallen off in Illinois 85; in New York, 66; in Ohio, 51; in Tennessee, 44; in Pennsylvania, 28; and in Virginia only 15 per cent. It seemed a reasonable inference that the State which had thus shown its marked ability to meet hard times could make and market its product with a larger margin of profit than any of the other States. This was true at that time, and to a certain extent the reasoning still holds good; but my mistake was in not fully realizing the marked effect of the Mesabi development, combined with reduced economies in transportation, and the consequent advantage to those furnaces which were so situated as to utilize these new commercial factors. The effect of these factors is seen in comparing the second half of 1894 with the second half of 1892. New York had dropped off 44, Alabama 23, Tennessee 21, Illinois 19, and Virginia 16 per cent., while Pennsylvania had increased 5 and Ohio 10 per cent. While there is no question of the great economy which has been made possible for certain interests which are peculiarly situated with reference to the ores of the Northwest, it is yet too early to say what furnaces not so fortunate will have to pay for their raw material. Already an increase of twenty cents per ton of ore has been announced, based upon increased cost of production.

Jan 1, 1900

By J. F. Myers, S. D. Michaelson, F. C. Bond

THIS work was undertaken with the object of collecting plant data on rod milling, making laboratory tests on representative samples of the various ores, and arriving at a basis for comparing the relative efficiencies of different mills operating on widely different materials and under varying conditions. These efficiencies consider only power consumption and do not include the other elements of operating costs. The over-all economic efficiency may be quite different from the consumption efficiencies with which this paper is concerned. It is hoped that these collected data will be of value in indicating the most favorable conditions of rod-mill operation. Operating-plant data on 14 different installations from 11 plants throughout the United States and Canada were collected, and laboratory tests were made on samples of these ores. The plant rod mills were all operated wet, and either in open circuit or with circulating loads so small as to be negligible. Data were obtained on one roll-crushing operation at the Utah Copper Co., for comparison. The rolls were operated wet in closed circuit with 10-mesh vibrating screens, and with a high circulating load averaging about 600 pct. This particular roll operation can be considered as a model of efficiency. The collected plant data are necessarily incomplete in some instances. Each ore was assigned a code number, and the name and location corresponding to the code number are listed in Table I when permitted. [ ] The power data in every instance refer to motor input. Net power was reported by the operator for samples I-39 and I-45, and this was increased by 20 pct to compensate for motor losses and power factor. The plant rod-mill data are listed in Tables 2 and 3. In Table 2 the speeds are calculated on the basis of partly worn rod-mill liners 2 in. thick. Where D

Jan 1, 1947

By Paul M. Tyler

YEAR after year, the kaolin industry of the United States has been setting new production records and making better products. High-grade paper, pottery, and rubber clays are produced in this country mostly in the South. Georgia alone contributes over 70 pct and South Carolina almost 20 pct of the total domestic output. Residual kaolin is mined in North Carolina, highly plastic but naturally sandy Tertiary (Eocene) potting clays are worked in north central Florida, and good white clays are produced in several other states, but the main sources of kaolin or china clay have been numerous deposits in the Tuscaloosa (Upper Cretaceous) formation. This formation of generally sandy sediments is called the Middendorf member in older geologic reports and corresponds in age with some of the New Jersey clays. As shown in fig. 1, it crops out almost continuously in a generally southwesterly direction across South Carolina and Georgia and into Alabama. Clay is mined from this formation in all three states but the principal producing centers lie within about 10 miles of a straight line drawn between Aiken, S. C., and a point about 10 miles south of Macon, Ga. The white kaolins of the South were recognized and used prior to the Civil War but suitable treatment processes were not introduced until World War I when imports, chiefly from England, were curtailed. Although imports of high-grade clays were resumed after 1918, the domestic industry managed to treble its prewar production record during the early 1920's and has continued to grow. Whereas the 1909 to 1913 average total production in the United States was only 132,104 short tons valued at $705,352 f.o.b. mines, the output in 1948 was 1,568,848 tons worth $19,756,738.

Jan 6, 1950

By George Mansfield

INTEREST in the reserves of phosphate rock in the United States and their proper conservation has recently been aroused by hearings held in different parts of the country by the "Joint Committee to investigate the adequacy and use of phosphate resources of the United States." This committee was appointed within a few days after a Presidential message to Congress on the same subject, dated May 20, 1938, and began to function almost immediately. Hearings were held in Washington, D. C., Pocatello, Ida., Wilson Dam, Ala., Knoxville, Tenn., and Lake-land, Fla. The resulting testimony, when published, comprised a volume of 1182 pages.1 At the earlier hearings held in Washington and Idaho the seeming disparity between the great reserves of the West and the smaller reserves in the East led to some suggestions as to the desirability of curtailing or even prohibiting the exportation of phosphate rock so that eastern pro-ducers, becoming alarmed, cooperated in making available for the use of the committee information hitherto closely guarded. This informa-tion has provided an opportunity for new studies by official agencies, for a restatement of the reserves of Florida and Tennessee, and for some modification of figures for the Western States. The writer, representing the Federal Geological Survey, was given free access to the Florida material and has prepared for publication a report,2 some features of which are summarized in this paper. The Tennessee material was studied by Dr. G. I. Whitlatch,3 of the Tennessee Division of Geology. Prof. J. Stewart Williams,4 of the Utah State Agricultural College at Logan, has published a recent study of the phosphate resources of Utah and the writer has given some further study to reserves of western phosphate from the viewpoint of including material of lower grade than that hitherto considered.

Jan 1, 1940

By J. Hoover

Real growth in the economy, increasing demand for electricity, and consumer stockpiling for a possible United Mineworkers of America (UMW) strike in October made 1984 a banner year for coal. Production and consumption climbed to record heights. Precautionary purchases brought inventories close to the peak levels of early 1981 when coal miners walked out for 72 days. Production slowed in the fourth quarter after labor and management concluded negotiations without a walkout. But output in every major coal producing state showed significant gains during the year US coal production totaled 807 Mt (890 million st) in 1984. This is a 13.8% increase over 1983 output. Lower production rates, principally in Appalachia, and sustained demand in the final quarter put downward pressure on coal stocks by the end of the year. Demand All market sectors experienced greater requirements for coal in 1984. Electric utility coal consumption increased 6.3%; exports climbed 4.8%; coke plants consumed 18.9% more coal; coal requirements in the other industrial sector expanded by 11.8%; and consumption in the residential/commercial sector rose 8.1%. Domestic consumption of coal reached a record 718 Mt (791 million st) in 1984. This is a 7.4% gain over the previous consumption high of 668 Mt (737 million st) in 1983. Electric Utilities The 4.6% increase in electric power generation in 1984 was coupled with expanding coal use relative to other energy sources. This resulted in a 6.3% rise in coal consumption, totaling 603 Mt (664 million st) for the year. Thirty-eight of 45 states where coal-fired electric power plants were operating shared in the 36-Mt (39 million-st) increase in electric utility coal consumption

Jan 5, 1985

By Dorsey Hager, G. W. McPherson

The rapid increase of water troubles in the Mid-Continent oil fields is causing much alarm. Troubles occur at Towanda, Eldorado, Augusta, Cushing, Blackwell, and Healdton, although they had not been acute in the Mid-Continent field until about two years ago, when the unusual conditions in the deeper oil fields were first encountered. California faced the same situation, but, thanks to aggressive measures, has largely overcome the dangers. The following analysis of water trouble may throw some light on the subject and be of assistance in solving the problems involved. Water Troutles Classified The presence of water in large quantities in oil sands has the following results: 1. Diminishes oil production. 2. Diminishes casing-head gasoline production: (a) By curtailing the gas flow. (b) By making the use of vacuum pumps unsuccessful. 3. Increases lifting costs: (a) By making it necessary to pump large quantities of water, which requires a fast motion and long stroke (third hole). (b) By requiring the use of compressors for air lift. (c) By causing break-downs and delays due to the high speed necessary to pump water. (d) By making it necessary to treat "cut" or emulsified oil. Oil production is seriously curtailed by the presence of large quantities of water. Lease records show that wells are shut down 40 to 60 per cent, of the pumping time where serious water trouble occurs. While a small quantity of salt water may cut the paraffine and keep the oil moving, several hundred feet, or a hole full of water, effectually "kills" the oil and gas. The quick return of wells to production, once the water is shut off, shows how wells have been affected. The killing of gas sands

Jan 1, 1920

By Douglas Bunting

With the gradual exhaustion of the upper veins in the anthracite coal-fields, the problem of mining at greater depths acquires increasing importance and demands the consideration .of a number of important factors, one of which is the greater earth-pressure and the consequent necessity of stronger support for the roof. Under the pillar-and-chamber system, almost exclusively followed in the Northen anthracite-field, the highest economy in mining is generally secured by leaving, on first mining, pillars only sufficient to support safely the overlying strata. As to the necessary size of such pillars, the opinions of mining experts are widely divergent. In establishing the width of chambers and pillars, the thickness of vein and its depth below the surface have received little consideration. For instance, it has been quite usual to work both overlying and underlying veins with the same width of chambers and pillars, when the lower vein was two and one-half times as thick, and twice as far below the surface, as the upper. In view of the generally-accepted theory that the crushing-strength of coal-pillars of the same base-area becomes less with increased height, it is probable, in this instance at least, that the moat economical mining has not been secured. This question of adequate pillar-support is economically less important down to about 800 ft. than at greater depths; and it is with reference to mining at these greater depths that the study of the subject here presented has been prompted. The necessity of leaving larger pillars, involving greater mining-costs per ton and also smaller yields per acre, is one of the troubles of deep working. To mine without leaving adequate pillar-supports will result, sooner or later, in a squeeze. Limited areas, it is true, have been mined at certain widths of

Jan 1, 1912

By Robert F. Love

Deep under the hills of southwestern Wyoming lies a nonmetallic mineral deposit of incredible dimensions and value. This nearly pure, horizontal bed of the mineral trona, a sodium sesquicarbonate (Na2HC0,.NaHC08.H20), is found in the Green River formation some 1500 ft below surface. It is believed that evaporation of an ancient saline lake left this sodium carbonate as the evaporite and mysteriously left practically no sodium chloride, which is the common constituent of an evaporated saline lake. The trona bed averages 10 ft in thickness and extends over an area of several hundred square miles. In 1938 a geologist with the U. S. Geological Survey identified the trona in the core from a former oil exploration drillhole. By so doing, he initiated the developments of a chemical industry of impressive growth in the area, an industry on the threshold of further and much more spectacular growth. A drilling program by the Union Pacific Rd. and Intermountain Chemical Co. in the early 1940's succeeded in blocking out mineable reserves of several hundred million tons. Development of the deposit started in 1946 with the sinking of a 12-ft diam, concrete-lined shaft 1500 ft deep-followed by construction of a small pilot calcining plant. Actual mining of the trona started in 1947 and continued on a limited scale until 1953, when the $15 million surface facilities were completed, along with the second shaft and other expanded underground facilities. Since April 1953 the mine has been producing more than half a million tons per year, from which the refining plant has produced more than 300,000 tons per year of high quality soda ash.

Dec 1, 1956

By R. E. Bedworth, N. B. Pilling

The corrosion of metals is one problem on which time and thought have been expended for many years. In the effort to avert the destructive action of a hostile environment, attention has been directed almost entirely to the conditions under which most metallic structures are called upon to perform, and the extensive and complicated phenomena attending the corrosive action of atmospheric agencies, acting at the ordinary atmospheric temperatures, have been studied, but there is unanimity of opinion regarding many fundamental facts. One neglected phase is the corrosive action of various gases upon metals exposed to temperatures considerably higher than the atmospheric range, and more especially the attack of atmospheric oxygen upon exposed metallic surfaces. That the problem is difficult is connoted by the practical dominance of industrial electric heating by alloys of one type (nickel-chromium). Proprietary interest may account, in part, for the paucity of information available upon even the most general factors determining the behavior of metals and alloys when exposed to such exacting conditions. The present paper gives some conclusions reached as the result of experimental work, extending over several years, on the mechanism and contributory factors of the high-temperature oxidation of a number of simple unalloyed metals; it is free from experimental detail and proof. High-temperature metallic oxidation may be considered as a phase of metallic corrosion. The scheme outlined below, in which corrosive agent and environment are the principal criteria, is one way of analyzing the several groups of corrosion phenomena. Erosion.—Disintegrating or destructive action by physical causes. Corrosion.—Disintegrating or destructive action by chemical causes. Low-temperature Corrosion.—Solid participating phases essentially immobile: (a) Gaseous agent; (b) liquid agent: action electrolytic and action non-electrolytic. High-temperature Corrosion.—Solid participating phases possess diffusive mobility: (a) Liquid agent; (b) gaseous agent: reducing gases, oxidizing gases. (1) Water; (2) miscellaneous elemental and combined oxygen.

Jan 1, 1923

By C. L. Dake

Residual deposits occur both as products of weathering and as products of hydrothermal decay. Products of Weathering That climatic conditions affect greatly both the rate and the results of weathering, is shown in temperate, polar, arid, and tropical regions, each of which will be considered separately. Weathering under Temperate Climates The decomposition of any rock is accomplished by the removal of the more soluble bases, and a concentration of the relatively insoluble oxides of iron, aluminum, and silicon. By reason of its somewhat greater solubility, silica is much more subject to removal than iron and alumina. The two important residual end products of weathering are sands and clays, the former consisting essentially of quartz, and the latter of kaolin and limonite.l When such deposits are formed in situ, the sands and clays are not separated, but remain as mixtures, which can be more or less perfectly separated by treatment with water. In such a separation, the ferric oxide or hydrate tends, by reason of its fine state of division, to remain with the clays and silts rather than the sands. While ferruginous sandstones are everywhere common, they are rarely rich enough in iron to become an ore without secondary concentration. Since the silica of these sandstones is completely crystalline quartz, it is much less liable to removal by solution than are the more soluble forms of partly amorphous chert and jasper, which have been removed on so large a scale from the Lake Superior iron formations.2 Moreover, the iron cement of sandstones, which constitutes the chief iron content of these rocks, is often a result of later infiltration, and not of original sedimentation. Thus if clays rather than sands contain the iron of residual decay,

Jan 1, 1916

By Foster J. Witthauer

First mining operations in the Tyrone District, located just north of the Burro Mountains in Grant County, New Mexico, commenced in the 1870's. A major operation was undertaken by Phelps Dodge Corporation in the early 1900's when a 2,000 ton per day underground mine was developed and a gravity concentrator was built east of the mine and across the Continental Divide. It was during this time that the picturesque Tyrone townsite was built and occupied. In 1921, however, the underground operation was closed because of high operating costs and low demand for copper. The area was drilled extensively during the 1950's and in October 1966 Phelps Dodge announced the pending development of the new Tyrone with a large open-pit mine, a modern concentrator, suitable support facilities, and a new townsite to be located between the mine and Silver City. Stripping for the pit and construction of shop and milling facilities began in 1967. By the spring of 1969, ore was being stockpiled near the primary crusher. Operation of the concentrator on a 3-shift per day basis commenced on July 17, 1969. The concentrator as initially built had one primary, two secondary, and five tertiary cone crushers, two grinding sections of six ball mills each, two flotation sections, four filters, and four tailing thickeners. The capacity was about 30,000 tons per day. In 1971 and 1972, the capacity was increased to 48,000 tons per day by the addition of one secondary and two tertiary crushers, one section of eight ball mills, one flotation section, two filters, and four more tailing thickeners. Centralized automatic control was built into the original and expanded facilities to the greatest extent possible, considering the state of the art at that time. Installation of additional control

Jan 1, 1976

By James Norman, E. W. Gieseke

Spodumene is a lithium-bearing pyroxene, and is an important source of lithium compounds. Because of its high alumina and lithia content, it might be a desirable constituent of glass batches. The use of spodumene in ceramics will undoubtedly increase, as it has been shown that a mixture of the proper proportions of this mineral with soda feldspar and potash feldspar has a much lower maturing temperature upon firing than has any one of the three components. The mineral spodumene seldom occurs as pure mineral, but ordinarily with feldspars, mica and quartz. All spodumene-bearing rocks tested contained these minerals as gangue. Small amounts of iron and manganese oxides also were present, usually as stains on the silicate grains. Mica associated with the spodumene carried a considerable amount of lithia. This was discovered in flotation tailings, which, although virtually free of spodumene grains when examined microscopically, showed 0.4 to 0.5 per cent Li²O on chemical analysis. The lithia content of micas picked from the North Carolina spodumene rock was variable. Some samples contained little lithia, others more than 3 per cent. In 1938, under the supervision of Oliver C. Ralston,S the Bureau of Mines, in cooperation with the Tennessee Mineral Products Corporation, undertook to study the beneficiation of North Carolina spodumene by froth flotation. The Bureau had previously published investigations on the beneficiation of spodumene.2,3The methods described in the second publication3 did not give good results with badly weathered spodumene rock, so that more thorough investigation of the subject was warranted. Study of Method of Flotation Separation Most of the work on concentration of spodumene was done with rock from near King's Mountain, North Carolina. Rock from two

Jan 1, 1942

By W. E. Keck, Paul Jasberg

TheRe is a considerable tonnage of iron ore in the Menominee Range of Michigan that is unsalable only because it has too large a content of sulphur. Beneficiation of such ore is economically desirable, as a relatively large quantity of finished concentrate would be obtained (deleterious sulphur mineral content being generally less than 5 per cent) and because large blocks of such ore have been developed incidentally during search for low-sulphur ore. Research on the flotation beneficiation of these high-sulphur ores consisted of: (1) a study of the flotative properties of the principal mincrals in a nearly pure state, (2) flotation of synthetic mixtures of these pure minerals and (3) application of this experimental information to samples of the ores. Gypsum in iron ores is extremely deleterious; but when sufficiently free from impurities it is a valuable commodity. In 1934, the United States produced 1,500,000 tons of calcined and uncalcined gypsum valued at $13,700,0001. Of this quantity and value, Michigan produced approximately 19 per cent1. Thus this investigation may also prove to be of interest in connection with the gypsum industry if minerals separation, such as flotation, becomes necessary in the future processing of gypsum. Data on the flotative properties of gypsum would also be of interest to the science of flotation because such information has been extremely limited. The technical literature reveals one reference to the flotation of gypsum, in which was discussed the use of the mineral, with several others, to determine the relation between the floatability of minerals and the pH of the flotation solution2. This investigation necessarily was not comprehensive in regard to gypsum, but it did show that the mineral could be floated with oleic acid under varying pH conditions.

Jan 1, 1938