In flotation, a surface-active substance that has the active constituent
in the positive ion. Used to flocculate and to collect minerals that are
not flocculated by the reagents, such as oleic acid or soaps, in which the
surface-active ingredient is the negative ion. Reagents used are chiefly
the quaternary ammonium compounds; e.g., cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide.
CCD, 2
A hard red clay found in southwestern Minnesota, formerly used by the
Dakota Native Americans for making tobacco pipes. Named after George
Catlin (1796-1872), American painter. Syn:pipestone
Pertaining to sedimentary rocks, signifying that they were formed by
deposition from above, as of suspended material. AGI
A low passage that requires crawling to traverse it. Syn:crawlway
AGI
a. Any gemstone that, when cut en cabochon, exhibits under a single strong
point source of light a narrow, well-defined chatoyant band or streak that
moves across the summit of the gemstone, shifts from side to side as it is
turned, and resembles a slit pupil of the eye of a cat. Internal
reflection of light from parallel inclusions of tiny fibrous crystals or
from long parallel cavities or tubes causes the cat's-eye. AGI
b. Alternate term for tiger's-eye, the silicified form of crocidolite
asbestos; sometimes polished and used as ornaments.
c. A greenish gem variety of chrysoberyl that exhibits chatoyancy.
Syn:cymophane; oriental cat's-eye.
d. A variety of minutely fibrous, grayish-green quartz (chalcedony) that
exhibits an opalescent play of light. Syn:occidental cat's-eye
e. A yellowish-brown silicified variety of crocidolite. CF:tiger's-eye
The term used alone properly applies only to (c).
Operator of a crawler tractor. Nichols, 1
An early flotation process (1903) based on adhesion of sulfide minerals to
oil. Mineral oil or fatty acid agglomerated heavy minerals into floccules,
which were separated by classification from overflowing gangue.
Pryor, 1
a. Any of various units of weight used in China and southeast Asia varying
around 1-1/3 lb or 600 g; also, a Chinese unit according to a standard set
up in 1929 equal to 1.1023 lb or 500 g. Webster 3rd
b. A gold weight that equals 2.9818 troy pounds (1.1129 kg). Fay
A pathway, usually of wood or metal, that gives access to parts of large
machines. Nichols, 1
See:cawk
An inclusive term for all volcanic subsidence structures regardless of
shape or size, depth of erosion, or connection with the surface. The term
thus includes cauldron subsidences, in the classical sense, and collapse
calderas. See also:caldera
The sinking of part of the roof of an intrusion within a closed system of
peripheral faults into which magma has penetrated, often to form ring
dikes. See also:subsidence
The tendency of coal to swell and open out when heated, thus exposing a
surface out of all proportion to the size of the original coal.
See also:swelling number
In coal mining, removal of part of the roof or floor to increase the
height of a roadway. Also spelled canch. Pryor, 3
Capable of destroying the texture of anything or eating away its substance
by chemical action; burning; corrosive. Webster 3rd
Gaseous or dissolved ammonia. Standard, 2
Effect on metal of immersion in caustic alkaline solutions.
Pryor, 3
Sodium hydroxide, NaOH; deliquescent; a soapy feel; its solution in water
is strongly alkaline. The molten caustic dissolves such materials as
enamels, sand, or glass, which contain a high percentage of silica.
A general name for a fossil combustible substance. Syn:caustolith
Tomkeieff
This term designates a rock with a fairly high content of organic carbon
compounds or even pure carbon where the latter is, like the carbon
compounds, of organic origin. IHCP
A rock that has the property of combustibility (Grabau). It is usually of
organic origin (e.g., coal and peat), but inorganic deposits (e.g.,
sulfur, asphalt, and graphite) also occur. See also:caustobiolite
AGI