Show How to Recover Magnesium Waits Further Study Recently The Tunes Independent published an article written by The Shift Boss a cont contributor butor of min min- mining mg ing articles to the Salt Lake Tri Tri- Tribune bune which discussed proposed methods of recovering magnesium from the beds discovered m in the wells ells drilled in the Crescent district near Thompson Thompsons We are tl this s week in receipt of a letter from R M Magraw of Carlsbad New Mexico general manager or of orthe the Potash Company of Ame America cop of a letter he had written to The Shift Boss in ans- ans answer ver to the article mentioned Mr Magraw suggested that we might want ant to publish the letter seat we weare are very glad to do so since It gives a highly y interesting and Informative tive discussion of the subject of re- re recovering covering magnesium chloride from the beds underlying the Crescent area The letter follows Carlsbad N M March ar 3 arMr Mr B B Brewster Dooly Salt Lake CIty Utah Dear Burt BurtI I nave before ne De a clipping from the March issue of the Salt Lake Tribune headed Views coo Con Conflict on Reco ery of MagnesIum By the Shift Boss I have been led to believe that this is your nom norn de deplume deplume plume and would therefore request that you ou note the following which Is with ith the thought that lt it may clarify certain points m in con con- connection connection with Ith the present activities of the Potash Company of America In the Thompsons Utah district The article states Zt It is reported that the New Mexico organization favors the sinking of two ho com fire shafts through gassy difficult ground if it is decided to proceed with v large scale plans May I point out that no definite method of operation has been leen l een de- de decided upon by this organization The geological data covering the at this time extant are as you doubt know very ver meager This defect v we e are attempting to correct an extensIve and costly prospect prospect- campaign by the use of both and rotary drills It should be to any engineer that the we are pursuing Is correct and proper and that the formula formula- of development schemes in ad- ad of the compilation and anal anal- of all data procurable would be it if not ill advised We have had much unsolicited from individuals unconnected with our company and while YO we ap- ap appreciate good advice we are at this time unprepared to ac act on any or of It is Continued on last page I Mal Magnesium Continued from I page age one for reasons already stated A number of disinterested persons have pointed out to us the simplic simplicity Ity of th the solution method without however giving us material to work ork from We are quite naturally naturally ally interested in securing suggestions and data relative to the cheapest and safest method of re reCovering Covering the values carried by the solUble salts underlying the area we weare weare are prospecting but v a e are forced to questIon some of the proposals that are submItted as simple meth methods methods ot of recovering the se several eral soluble salts which ruch occur In the mineralized Our organization has had some experience In the underground mm min mining mg ing of potash ores by the orthodox method but bute we e are not tied to that method to the exclusIOn of one that holds gi eater possibilIties of suc success success cess To the best of my knowledge we weare weare are the only group in this country tt at least that has given the solutIon method of potash recovery trial on onan onan an operating scale The fact that we e are not using this method should hould be It may be that others have a greater background of ex experience pem nce tl an we but if such Is the case the matter has not been I brought to our attention We have no record of the mining of carnal late It Icy any method In this country at tee tte present time So there Is no precedent to go by and in Germany where here ore is extracted for commercial purposes It Is our Un that underground thin ing is used to the exclusion of the solution process The Tribune article states m the thelast last paragraph Not a fewer few et gin feel that the attempt to pump the formation should be made be before before fore sinking shafts to sl such rh depths It would In this connection be in interesting to know the authority upon which this thesIS is based The pumping would entail mechanical problems only but the resultant brine being a COmplex mixture of several salts might conceIvably jus justify some study There is such a athing athing thing as the phase Jhase rule WhICh some of the proponents of the simple pumping method side step adroit adroitly I ly We are open minded on the sub subJect subject I subI and nd will ill remain so until all the information WhICh It is possible to toI acquire bJ drilling and otherwISe is I before us usI I The last sentence in the above abovementioned mentioned paragraph reads eads as fol follows follows lows Others feel that the New i MexIco organization IS prejudiced m in favor favOl of deep musing because of its method of producing potash I have attempted to shut that we 6 are not diced but are open mind minded ed I have on nu n rous occasions questioned friends In the engineer mg professIOn as to the method they would ue u e if faced with our problem but my questions w ere pure ly purely hypothetical and propounded with the thought that I might se seI secure secure I cure information of value We fUlly appreciate the interest shown by I byI the bythe mg ing profession In our plans however tenuous th thy y may I maybe mayI be at this time We would be cry sery glad to hear from any engineer who ho hohas has had experience in leaching corn com complex lacking plex soluble salts m in place or who lacking such uch experience can ad adI advance adVance I vance a practIcal plan to recover the predominate salts i f e and economically and effic efficiently I may point out that the problem is b in no way to salt dome leaching where here one soluble ble salt only is recovered or to the Flasch process of sulfur recovery It is not my intention to be con controversial In the matter and I wish to assure you that we are still open minded but as your article could b interpreted as being somewhat some critIcal I hope yo you will give this letter publicity In the Tribune or your o 0 vim Salt Lake Mining and ContI Contracting Review With kindest regards I am amR amR R A MAGRAW General Manager |