A SKETCH c OF THE School of Mining and Metallurgy MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. June l, 1893 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Alternates https://archive.org/details/sketchofschoolofOOuniv PILLSBURY IIAL THE SCHOOL OF MINING AND METALLURGY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FACULTY Cyrus Northrop, LL. l>., President. Frederick S. Jones, B. A., Professor of Physics. Christopher W. Haee. M. A., Dean and Professor of Geology and Mineralogy. Henry T. Ardley, Principal of the School of Design. William I\. Appleby, B. A., Professor of Mining and Metallurgy. Charles F. Sidener, B. S., Assistant Professor of Chemistry. James A. Dodge, Ph. D., Professor of Chemistry. Joel E. Wadsworth, C. E., Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering William K. IIoag, C. E., Professor of Civil Engineering. William S. Battel, LL. L>., Lecturer on Mining Law. George I). Siiepardson, A. M., M. E., Professor of Electrical Engineering. Peter Christianson, B. S., Inslruetor in Assaying. Harry E. Smith, M. E., Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering. Frederick W. Sardeson, M. S., Instructor in Geology. John G. Mooke, B. A., Professor of German. Charles F. Bekkey M. S., Instructor in Mineralogy. John F. Downey, M. A., C. E., Professor of Mathematics. James M. Tate, Instructor in Wood Work. Charles W. Benton, B. A., Professor of French. James H. Gill, B. M. E., Instructor in Iron Work. 15 ) MANUAL TRAINING educates the eye and hand , and puts them under firm control. The offspring of manual training is the skilled artisan. SCIENTIFIC EDUCATION trains a man to investigate certain principles for the sake of knowledge, with- out applying them to any particular work. Science teaches one to know. TECHNICAL EDUCATION trains a person in those arts and sciences which underlie the principles of trades and professions. Technical schools develop engineers. An Engineer is both a scientific and a practical man. A SCHOOL OF MINING AND METALLURGY develops engineers who bring from the earth its mineral treasures and prepare the same for the use of mankind. The product of their labors is a real contribution to the world's wealth. Where there is no systematic and scientific Alining and Metallurgy civilization stands still. («> OFFICE AND READING ROOM. The organization of the School of Mining and Metallurgy dates back six years, when the general faculty of the University recommended its establish- ment to the board of regents. The unparalleled development of the University along those lines of work already established prevented the board from taking such action as they desired until the Legislature two years ago voted an appropriation for establishing and equipping the School, and an annual appropriation for the payment of salaries. The School of Mining and Metallurgy was form- ally opened in January, 1892. The fact that this technical school is a part of the Universit\' of Min- nesota prevented any delay in the process of organi- zation. No new courses had to be established or equipped to prepare the student in those studies that lead to the technical lines. The existing work in modern languages, mathematics, drawing, physics, civil, mechanical and electrical engineering, chem- istry, mineralogy and geology required only that amount of adjustment which was necessary to meet the special requirements of the courses in assaying ore testing, metallurgy, etc. The object of a School of Mining and Metallurgy is to give a man training towards accuracy in meth- ods and close economy in working, wherever ores are to be mined and metals extracted from them. The sharp competition invariably connected with the working of every mining district renders such accuracy and economy the necessary condition of success for the man himself, the wage earner em- ployed, and the capital invested. The various technical subjects are presented to the student in a thorough, practical manner, and give him the opportunity of following in detail the various operations from the determination of the value of the ore to the shipment of the finished pro- duct. It is the object of the school to combine theo- retical and practical work. The various principles laid down in lectures and text books as far as pos- sible are carried out and the results noted in the laboratory. The subjects that offer the broadest field for laboratory work are assa3 r ing and ore testing. Study of a practical nature in these lines is of the greatest importance and value. In this par- ticular the School of Mining and Metallurgy is es- pecially well prepared, and affords great opportunity for thorough work. The following arrangement of the general sub- jects is made as far as possible in natural order: I Assaying ; II Mining engineering; III Ore testing; IV Ore dressing; V Metallurgy. It should be noted how closely these various branches are connected and how naturally one leads to the other. I ASSAYING — to determine if the ore has value for treatment. Upon the discovery of a mineral deposit the first question that is asked is. Has the ore anv value? This is generally answered bv the assayer, who, with his various re-agents and suitable appliances, on a small scale is able to reduce the metal from an ore and give a definite statement of the value of the sample. In order to prepare the students to answer such an CRUSHING PLANT. important question, it is necessary to have them become intimately acquainted with various ores from well known localities and handle them in the same manner that any assaver would in the field. In order to work the sample by the fire method, it must first be prepared by crushing, pulverizing and sampling; second, weighed; third, treated in the furnace room; and fourth, in the ease of gold and silver, the beads weighed and calculated. 1 . The preparation of ore is effected by a Forster crusher, Fraser & Chalmers sample pulverizer, and Bridgeman ore sampler. The machines are run by an electric motor supplied with electricity by the depart- ment of electrical engineering. On large samples much time is thereby saved, which means more time to the student for extended or advanced work in special lines. Sufficient hand preparation of the sample is given the student to permit him to become acquainted with such work as must be done when the above conveniences are not at hand. 2. Weighing the sample and re agents. This operation is conducted in a room 20 feet by 36 feet, which is entirely apart from the furnace room. In this laboratory are desks, supplied with necessar\' re-agents, pulp balances and all smaller apparatus incidental to charging the crucible and treating the resulting bead. The separation of the labora- tory from the furnace room is of the greatest import- ance to the student, as he is thereby enabled to pursue the preliminary work in a well ventilated room, in lower temperature and under better con- ditions for doing careful and thorough work. 3. Furnace room. After the sample has been placed in suitable vessels for fusion, it is taken to the furnace room, which communicates directly with the laboratory. This room is well equipped with crucible and muffle furnaces and all the appurten- ances necessary for carrying on the reduction of the metals from their ores by fire methods. The room is well lighted and ventilated, and occupies a space 24 feet by 50 feet. 4. Balance room. In this room are various balances for accurately weighing the gold and silver beads, and bullion. This room, 20 feet by 25 feet, is away from the fumes of the laboratory and heat of the furnace room, and permits of keeping in the very best condition the delicate instruments which are required for this work. Ores of various metals of known value are given to students, who are required to make tq) the neces- sary charges and submit their report in detail. Dif- ferent methods are tried and comparisons made. The lectures treat of and describe the apparatus, re- agents, assay furnaces, fuels, etc., in connection with ( the subject. Illustrative material in abundance is at hand to impress the various points referred to in the lectures. II AIINING ENGINEERING — to furnish material lor treatment. The work in Mining consists of lectures and reci- tations, covering the various ways and means bv which minerals and ores are extracted from theearth, also the entire field of operation for the economical and scientific exploration and production of minerals and ores of commercial value. As the object of this work is to give the student a practical idea of the way in which mining operations are conducted in the field, excursions are planned at suitable times to points of interest where the subject is carefully stud- ied and valuable notes are obtained. CORNER IN THE FURNACE ROOM Ill ORE TESTING — to determine the best method of treatment. Ever since mining has been carried on in a scien- tific way and metallurgical work has reached a high state of perfection in this country, ore testing works have been an important factor in the life of mining and metallurgical projects. The object of an ore test- ing works is to determine the best method of treating a given ore so as to yield the largest percentage of the metal it contains at the least possible cost. How many mining companies, after expending thousands of dollars, have been compelled to tear down their plant and erect a new one, simply because a sharp mining machinery concern or superintendent has forced upon them machinery totally unfitted for the required work. Through the testing works unex- plained losses in plants already erected can be invest- igated. As the funds appropriated by the Legislature for the establishment of such an ore testing works at the University were sufficient to purchase only the machinery, and owing to the fact that over $100,000,000 were capitalized in mining and met- allurgical projects alone in the city of Minneap- olis, an appeal was made to the business men of this city to enlist their interest. A general and hearty response was met, and owing to their gener- osity over $5,000 have been subscribed for the erec- tion of the building desired. This building is to be of stone and will be located on the campus. The works will contain all the machinery neeessai'y to illustrate the various processes of testing ores. Already de- tailed specifications, plans and estimates are being considered. The site selected is on the bank of the Mississippi river between the Great Northern and Northern Pacific railroads. The present unparal- leled development of mining industries in Minnesota, the neighboring states and Ontario, makes it neces- sary that there should be some convenient place where ores can be tested, their value determined, and the best method of treatment recommended. The building will be begun this summer and completed without delay. Aside from the commercial consideration of the ore testing works, a grand opportunity will be offered students to follow the various processes of testing ores. At suitable times in their course they will be given a sufficiently large amount of ore to make the necessary tests upon the different machines and report the best method of treatment. IV ORE DRESSING — ore testing carried into prac- tice on a large commercial scale, furnishing pro- ducts for metallurgical treatment. The work in ore dressing will be covered by a series of lectures, consisting of a minute description of the various methods and treatments with many drawings of the principal ore dressing establishments in this country. Visits to ore dressing works, when circumstances will permit, will be made. V METALLURGY— smelting and refining or ores and ore dressing products. Reduction to metals. Representative ores of the most important met- als, drawings of furnaces and models, and samples ( 18 ) VIEW OE THE LABORATORY of different furnace products will illustrate the lec- tures covering in detail all the principal methods now in use. Visiting smelting and refining works that are accessible will constitute an important part of the course. Surrounded on all sides by and within reasonable distance of the leading mining and metallurgical localities of this country and within touch of the business activity, culture and broadening influences of a large city, the school of Mining and Metallurgy of Minnesota offers unusual opportunities to stu- dents. It is meeting a need long felt in this state, and attracts the attention of everyone whose inter- ests are in any way connected with mining and met- allurgical enterprises. > BALANCE KOOM STUDIES PURSUED IN THE SCHOOL OF MINING AND METALLURGY KM AN ANI) FRENCH Algebra, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry, Calculus Carpentry and Physics I (rawing — Freehand and Mechanical Mechanics Surveying and Topography Steam Engines and Motors, Machine Design Thermodynamics Materials of Engineering Electrical Measurements, Generators and Motors Mineralogy and Geology Geological I ’roblems Assaying and Chemistry Mining and Ore Testing Metallurgy Technical Essays Special Problems in the Professional Lines Thesis CALENDAR 1893-94 September 5, Entrance Examinations. September 11, Registration Day. December 4, Registration Day for Second Term. December 23, Holiday Recess begins. January 9, Work resumed. March 12, Registration Day for Third Term. COMMENCEMENT WEEK. June 3, Baccalaureate Sunday. June 8, Summer Vacation begins. The year 1894-95 will begin September 4, 1894. ( 26 ) ORE AND STOCK ROOM. A I.KCTCTRK ROOM. r>j jp l; > i ORE TESTING WORKS. 3 0112 1058454