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Show VEHICLE TESTS HELDAT MILLS Tests involving the use of a wheel-less- "swaimp "buggy" 'in dust "(abatement work on the Utah Magna and Arthur (Mills tailings pond were termed "encouraging- this week by officials of the -Utah Copper Division. P. H. Ensign, superintendent of mills, said the unique vehicle performed well during a week of tests- -involving various types of dust abatement work, and navigation navi-gation of the soft and swampy areas of the tailings pond. Although additional experimental experi-mental operations will be required, re-quired, IMr. . Ensign said the swamp buggy proved satisfactory in plowing lateral irrigation' furrows fur-rows from the tailings discharge areas to dry spots. It was also atle to traverse most areas of ' the pond fully loaded, as well as empty. The vehicle utilizes six large, sausage shaped pneumatic tags to move about on. Called the Rolligon, lit is being tested here Bt a cost of several thousand dollars, as part of the Utah Copper Cop-per Division's .perpetual effort to solve the dust problem at the tailings pond. The Division has spent several hundred thousand dollars on dust abatement projects pro-jects fince 1953. Present methods " Include an extensive system of 32 interconnected inter-connected rotating sprays which drench many dry areas continuously. continu-ously. An extensive system of irrigation with "wet tailings, already al-ready successful, is hoped to be made more effective through use of the swamp buggy. The distribution of a new cover co-ver of wet tailings along the east and south sections of the dike through a tailings pumping system is also proving beneficial, benefic-ial, said Mr. Ensign. Meanwhile, tests are continuing continu-ing to find a satisfactory crusting crust-ing agent which can Ibe sprayed over dry areas and keep them stable. In the event such a crusting crust-ing agent 'is found, it is expected the swamp buggy will be equipped equip-ped with tanks and used to reach the dry areas and spray them. |