The copper era and Morenci leader. [volume] (Clifton, Ariz.) 1911-1929, 1914-06-19
PHELPS DODGE.
New Test Plant for Low Grade Ores
at Copper Queen Mine.

By the end of June, it is anticipat-
ed, the test plant of the Copper Queen
Will Returned over on the low grade
ores opened in the new development
near the surface in the last year,
says the Bisbee Review. This plant
represents in capacity 100 tons daily,
the usual section capacity of full
concentration unit. The presumption
is there will be, in addition to the
mill and table equipment of this
plant, an oil fotation and a teaching
plant of sufficient size to enable prac-
tica1 operations on ore for test pur-
poses.
Incidentally, it has been known
for some time that the operation of
these plants is intended to be very
thorough as to investigation of the
requirements of the ores that are
opened and that are to be mined. 1t
is known that there are in the low
grade bodies several varieties of rock
and that the ultimate concentrator
will handle each of these in specially
designed sections of the mill, the
highest possible returns thus being
secured from all the material mined.
With the test plant going, the ad-
vance findings through laboratory
work that has beer carried on, " II
be rapidly Smplif.eG by the pract!"al
results that will be obtained aud
carefully nuted il: full detail. By the
end of the year. and possibly copii;l-
erably earlier, the company will have
in hand a sufficient amount of inform
alton as tc actual treatment results
delivered by the several tt ie. of
equipEl.-t ro els BILE the going aheao
with Tlans fcI end constr ;ction =.
with plans for and construction of
the real concentrating plant that is
to be put up.
This plant will doubtless be in
way of erection early in next year.
Its size is, of course, yet to be de-
termined by the findings made in
practical treatment of the ores in the
test work. Should flotation and leach
ing methods be found desirable for
a considerable portion of the low
grade, the size of the concentrator
would be reduced proportionately.
There have been started two pieces
of work, carrying more than ordinary
interest for old timers in the district
The work referred to will be at the
Gar and the Uncle Sam shafts,
where the present hoists, gallows
frames and other shaft equipment
from the collars up will be torn out,
to make way for the installation of
new equipment. The latter Will be
larger and much more powerful than
that now employed and will place
these shafts in position to deliver
greatly increased service.
One of the important features in
connection with the work in prepare
ton for the Installation of new hoists
at the Car and Uncle Sam, is the
further turnover which it marks to
electric power in the district. The
Copper Queen departures to electricity
in the last year have been considerable
and it is evident now that they are
working very rapidly around to the
use of this power in all divisions.
, The steel and other material for
the construction of the secondary bat
terry of seven McDougal roasters, has
been received at the Copper Queen
smelter and the work of erecting
them will be started at once. The foan-
dations are not yet in, owing to delay
in the arrival of necessary blue
prints. The new battery, according
to the management, will be merely
supplemental to the equal number of
roasters already in service and will
not make for increased output, for
the present at any rate.