The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-05-21
Today S Science
by DAVID DIETZ-

A IR conditioning may put the world back the
gold standard That is the opinion of Thomas
Midgley, vice president Of the Ethyl Gasoline Corp.
1t may do it, he explains. by enabling the South
African mine owners to tap veins Of gold richer
than any yet worked
The technique of air conditioning, which has
made its way in America from movie theaters and
hotel dining rooms to railway trains and homes, is
now invading the gold mines of South Africa.
It has worked so we'll in intolerably hot mine,
he states in report to the American Chemical So
ciety that it is expected that the entire famous
Rand District will install refrigeration systems before
long.
Many of the Rand mines have now reached depths
ranging from one and one-fourth to one and one
half miles At this depth, the heat and humidity
become almost unbearable.
Engineers have expressed the firm belief that
greater riches lie at greater depths. Consequently,
the mine owners have turned to American refrig-
Grafton methods as the solution of the problem Mr..
N1dg!ey states that the Union of South Africa has
Cancelled the tariff on these refrigerants thus open
ing a free field for American products.
CTATISTICS show that the South African mines
- have yielded since 1866 approximately one-third
as much gold the rest Of the world has produced
since Columbus discovered America
With the aid Of refrigeration systems, engineers
hope now to extend mining operations into the
depths Of the hot reef known the Witwatersrand.
This region is 70-mie stretch Of country shaped
like vast bowl. The gold-bearing ore vas discov-
cred in 1866 by George Walker, who accidentally
kicked into an outcrop while strolling along. At
present. the region yields SO per cent Of the worlds
output Of gold.
But, as already stated, working conditions are
becoming intolerable at the depths nov reached
The first mine to be air conditioned is the Robin
son Deep, which is also the deepest mine in the
world. It's shafts go down $500 feet The tempera-
ture in the tunnels ranges from 90 to 100 degrees,
Fahrenheit, with relative humidity ranging from 95
to 100 per cent.
Mr.. Midgley says that the East Rand Proprietary
Mine has now contracted for ar-conditioning equip
ment This mine has shafts $500 feet deep It's tun
nes have te nperature of 825 degrees with relative
humidity of 100 per cent.
THE contract for the East Rand Proprietary
Il Mine equipment requires that it reduce the
temperature from 82 degrees 70 70 degrees and that
it also effect a decrease in the humidity
The machinery will be installed in room hewn
out of solid rock $500 feet below the surface OF the
earth The air will be cooled by a system Of water
sprays installed in large air washer and will then
be blown into the tunnels by means OF fan
Mr. Midgey says that air conditioning has been
tried also in Brazil in the Moro Volho Mine OF the
John Del Rey Mining Co. The refrigeration equip
ment there was installed $500 feet underground
He points out that the famous Spanish Indies
really produced comparatively little gold The whole
South American output Of gold from 1893 to 1925 was
Also 44O O0O whereas the South African production
from 1866 to 1882 was s5.7so,246sSOe.