The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1917-04-12
ELECTRICITY AND ORE
RELATIONS TO DEPOSITS
NOT BELIEVED THAT MINERAL
FORMATION Is DUE TO AN
ELECTRICAL AGENCY.

The marvellous accomplishments in
electric science have far surpassed
Anything that men would have dared
to predict in the early days of its de-
yelopment yet certain prophecies in
regard to it have remained unfulfill-
ed. Among these are the suggestions
OF some biologists that electric phe-
nomena might play an important part
In the formation of ore deposits and
that electric methods might be util-
lied in prospecting for ore bodies,
Both these suggestions, in the light of
the growing knowledge of ore deposits
and of electricity, appear to be illu-
sions. 1t is now clear that the grea!
causes of ore deposition are not cleo
trio in the ordinary sense and that
the electric currents generated in ore
deposits are far too small to aid a
prospector in discovering ore by their
Influence on a galvanometer or other
electric apparatus held in his hands.
Plays Small Part.
II, however, electricity Is denied q
leading part in the formation of ore
deposits its action can not be exclud-
ed entirely. 1t is well known that
many chemical reactions are CAPABLE
of developing measurable electric cur
rents and 1t should therefore be ex-
pected that in places where chemical
action Is in progress in ore deposits
today electric activity should also be
detachable. This has indeed been
shown to be the case by several ex-
perimentors and miniature batteries
IAN be formed with water for the bat
cry fluid and certain metallic min
rails common in ore deposits as the
'oles. report entitled Electric Ac-
WITTY In Ore Deposits by Roger c. |
Wells, recently issued by the United |
states geological survey, records a
cries of careful measurements of the
iectrlc potentials developed when
arious metallic minerals common in
re deposits are in contact with water
with solutions of various salts. Mr.
Wells concludes that the character of
lie solutions has fully as great an in
uence on the electric activity devel-
ped as the nature of the metallic
inerals and that in general acid and
'idizing solutions give the highest /
'tentials and alkaline and reducing I
buttons the lowest.
xtent OF Electric Influence in Doubt. :
Economic biologists have long rec Y
nized that the solutions in the up
r portion of many ore deposits are n
Id and oxidizing, while farther a
wn they become neutral or alkaline a
neither such variations and the v
'ctric differences dependent upon 4
EN- are sufficient to cause an APP d
eciable electric current to flow from O.
upper part of an ore deposit to u
lower part or vice versa Is still an g
IN question. Surely such action. il
exists, Is of relatively minor i'm
lance in controlling ore deposition.
main factor being the actual move
Mt of metal-bearing solutions from
place to another. Measurements lde
electric potential can, however, be re
ckly and easily made and may co
We very useful in indicating the d. ta n
ton and intensity of the chemical 2S
ctions OF which they are one ex- gu
ssion. M
- yxya,,. to
- WINS report Wnich was issued 49,
54S of the United States alb
ogical survey, is technical in
racter and will be of interest main. sc
o chemists, physicists. and econ
BIOLOGISTS, 1t may be obtained -
cost Of 1oc a copy from the sup
tendent Of documents at Wash.
on, ID. c.