Search Documents

By Jos. R. Guiteras

This paper describes the operations of the St. Joe Mining & Milling Co. in Boulder County, Colo., as of June 1936. Later a brief visit was made to the mine in September 1936; information obtained at that time has also been recorded. The company operates a gold mine, the Grand Republic, in the Sugar Loaf mining district; a 100-ton flotation mill in Lefthand Canyon near Gold Hill; and a custom sampling punt, the Boulder Ore Sampling Works, at Boulder, Colo.

Jan 1, 1937

By John E. Trombly

System objectives and design criteria for an in-mine visual personnel paging system are discussed. Display technologies are evaluated and tradeoffs leading to display selection are described. The prototype dispatcher's console, battery/receiver box and visual display assemblies are functionally described. The report includes circuit descriptions, schematics, parts lists and equipment cabinet drawings for the three assemblies. The report concludes with an estimate of the manufacturing cost for each assembly.

Jan 1, 1975

By Geoffrey C. Huggins

Diagnostic: tests were performed on a production ST-5A Load-Haul-Dump machine manufactured by Wagner Mining Machinery Company to evaluate and rank order noise sources. The diagnostic evaluation indicated that the major noise sources were the transmission, the engine, and the cooling fan. This phase was followed by implementation of recommended noise control treatments, which included vibration isolation of the transmission, a transmission enclosure, an engine enclosure, and modifications of the inlet to the cooling fan. The final step in the program was an underground operational period which began on 31 August 1976 at the National Gypsum Mine in Shoals, Indiana. The noise control treatments successfully reduced the LHD operator noise exposure by 7 dB(A), thus increasing its allowable operation time by a factor of 2.7. Actual measurements made underground using noise dosimeters have indicated that, during, a typical shift, the noise control treatments have reduced the fractional exposure to an allowable level. The report discusses the mechanical aspects of the LHD, its noise sources, the treatments applied, the final levels achieved, and field experience with the noise-controlled machine.

Jan 1, 1977

By J. P. Powell

Records show that systematic water flooding was begun as early as 1935 in Greenwood County and in 1937 in Butler County. Water flooding on some earlier projects in Greenwood County were described in a Bureau of Mines Report of Investigation.2/ This report presents a discussion of 4 projects -2 in Butler County, 1 in Greenwood County, and 1 in Butler and Greenwood Counties. The location of these projects is shown in figure 1. The projects have been in operation 6 to 12 years and have recovered about 6.6 million barrels of additional oil from the injection of 84.7 million barrels of water. Three of the projects take advantage of the elevation of the nearby hilly terrain, and water from the treating ponds flows by gravity through the filters into the clear-water tanks. By utilizing gravity flow, fewer pumps and less electrical energy is required, resulting in more economical operation.

Jan 1, 1956

By Timothy Y. Yen

This Bureau of Mines report evaluates audio dosimeters, 3 sample units from each of 10 currently marketed brands. Each dosimeter was treated as a "black box" with the acoustic stimulus as the input and the accumulated dosage as the output. The dosimeter microphones were exposed to a sound field gener¬ated in an anechoic chamber. Characteristics evaluated include frequency response (100 to 8,000 Hz), level-time trade-off rate (88 to 117 db), status of calibration, crest-handling capability, and power consumption rate. Experi¬mental errors revealed by replication of the tests were found to be generally much smaller than variations in performance among the samples of any brand, and possibilities of further reducing the magnitude of these errors are discussed.

Jan 1, 1977

By William C. Cooley

A review was made of two Russian books and a chapter from a third book dealing with pipeline transport of coal. Emphasis was placed on hydrotransport of coarse coal in underground mines or surface pipelines. The books reviewed were: "Means of Increasing the Effectiveness of Hydrotransport," by V. N. Pokrovskaya (1972), "Parameters and Modes of Hydraulic Transport of Coal" by V. V. Traynis (1970), and the chapter "Calculations of Hydrotransport of Useful Minerals and Waste Rock" from the book "Hydromechanization of Opencast Workings" by G. A. Nurok (1970). All three are unique and useful additions to the world literature on hydrotransport. The Traynis book reveals the development and results of circular wheel stand tests to simulate hydrotransport in horizontal pipes, which is a potentially outstanding contribution to slurry pipeline technology. Graphical data and equations are presented which suggest that headlosses for coarse coal can be predicted with good accuracy for pipe sizes up to 14 inches in diameter. Wheel stands permit tests for pipe wear and lump degradation without recycling coal through pumps. Recommendations are made for wheel stand tests and for correlation of existing data.

Jan 1, 1976

By B. C. Parks

This paper is a report on the relationships between petrographic composition, chemical composition, physical properties, and thermal behavior of banded bituminous coal. It describes the relationships between petrographic composition, behavior in various laboratory tests, and carbonizing properties of different petrographic types of coal that occur in relatively thick benches in a single bed of high-volatile A bituminous coal - the Hernshaw bed of Boone County, W. Va. Thin-section microscopic analysis and free-swelling index determinations of the thin-section samples were made of a standard column sample. A standard face sample, a representative channel sample, and representative samples of two prominent petrographic benches of bright and dull coal were subjected to chemical analyses and free-swelling-index, plasticity, dilation, agglutinating, low-temperature carbonization, and BM-AGA retort tests. A float-and-sink separation was also made of part of the standard face sample. The fractions from this gravity separation were subjected to petrographic and chemical analysis and free-swelling-index, plasticity, and dilatation tests.

Jan 1, 1959

By L. C. IlsLey

In the normal operation of mines, the aggregate effect of many seemingly minor op rations may be very important as respects economy and safety. Anion: these operations is the method employed in coupling and uncoupling mine cars. For economic reasons the equipment in mines has not been protected as well as railroad equipment. It is pertinent that haulage accidents rank second in severity among mine accidents, and that manual coupling of cars has been one of the most frequent causes of such accidents. One study4/ revealed that coupling was responsible for about 20 percent of haulage accidents underground. A review of early conditions on steam railroads, which were responsible for the introduction of safer methods of coupling cars, indicates how conditions in might be improved. THE STORY OF RAILROAD COUPLING As any considerable improvement in mine-car coupling probably will follow lines somewhat similar to those that brought order out of chaos for the railroads, it seems appropriate to review briefly the steps taken to improve railroad coupling from the days of link and pin couplings of various types to the adoption of the standard ?M.C.E? automatic coupler.

Jan 1, 1943

This publication summarizes, for all interested parties, the research, development, and demonstration in-house projets programed by the Bureau of Mines for fiscal year 1980 (October 1, 1979 - September 30, 1980) under its Minerals Health and Safety Research program. The objective of these projects is to provide an ordered and sequenced series of advances toward the Bureau's overall goal of providing the system technology required to create a healthier and safer working environment for the Nation's mining and minerals processing workers.

Jan 1, 1980

By H. N. Dunning

A comprehensive production research program, now in progress at the Petroleum Experiment Station of the Bureau of Mines at Bartlesville, Okla., includes studies of the displacement of petroleum from sand by detergent solutions. An earlier report (12)2/ presented the results of an extensive research program to determine the value of detergents as floodwater additives. This report presents later results of the detergent-testing program (13, 17). Although water-flooding methods and controls are constantly being improved to increase the production of oil from secondary-recovery operations, considerable crude oil commonly remains.in place after a water flood has been terminated. Therefore, the possibility of improving the efficiency of a waterflood by the use of detergents is of increasing interest. The effects of many substances on the efficiency of water flooding have been investigated in laboratory studies (5, 11, 13, 17, 19, 24). Of the various sub-stances tested, only surface-active agents were consistently effective in removing oil from sand. Results of laboratory studies presented in earlier reports (9, 11, 12, 13) show that many detergent solutions effectively displace petroleum from sand surfaces under varying conditions encountered in centrifuging, manual and mechanical agitation, ultrasonic vibration, and imbibition.

Jan 1, 1957

By Walter Kawa

Bureau of Mines research on the hydrogenation of coal has been concerned with developing processes that could be used to supplement the Nation's petroleum and natural gas resources. Motor fuel was produced in a subsidized coal hydrogenation industry in Europe prior to 1945, but the process used is still not economical and other methods of producing liquid and gaseous fuels from coal are being investigated. As an aid to the planning of coal hydrogenation research, a literature survey was made of processes or methods of hydrogenating coal that differ from the subsidized or conventional process. This report contains a bibliography of unconventional methods of hydrogenating coal and a brief discussion of the economics of the conventional method. A general discussion of unconventional methods is included, and the advantages and disadvantages are pointed out where possible. The survey supplements a previous Bureau of Mines survey3 and a comprehensive review published in 1930.4

Jan 1, 1964

By Edward L. McHugh

The appraisal of mineral resources of the Challis National Forest, Idaho, by the U.S. Bureau of Mines, was made so that the mineral resources of the forest could be appropiately considered in land use planning. Information from this study is intended to tip the U.S. Forest Service to incorporate mineral resource data into forest plans The study was done in conjunction with the U.S. Geological Survey, which released a companion report on the geology and mineral potential of the Challis National Forest in 1989. This summary report is derived from a more detailed USBM Open-File Report (MLA 6-91) that includes descriptions of mines and prospects, commodity profiles, and development cost models. Since the 1860's mines within the Challis National Forest have produced mineral commodities worth more than $590 million at current (1989) commodity prices. Identified mineral resources have a gross value of about $2 billion at current prices, including 8 strategic or critical minerals. The U.S. Bureau of Mines study identified and described 723 active and inactive mineral properties within the forest. Mineral properties with identified resources were evaluate to determine their economic significance, and an assessment was made of the feasibility of mineral development. Of the 2,516,191 acres in the Challis National Forest, about 390,000 acres were classified as having mining development interest. Commercially important mineral production, mainly of molybdenum, gold, and silver from the Challis National Forest is likely for the foreseeable future.

Jan 1, 1991

Unfortunate occurrences resulting in injuries, loss of life, and destruction of property by explosion, fire, and other mishaps during shaft sinking focused the attention of the Bureau of Mines on the need for safety standards For such operations. Information Circular 7810 was published to meet that need. The current revision updates and replaces IC 7810. Several States have some rules and regulations applicable to local conditions, and several Bureau publications (including some now out of print) cover the hazards that may be encountered in shaft sinking. Certain requirements of the Federal Mine Safety Code and Federal Coal Mine Safety Act may be applied, but there are no definite, uniform standards that will guide those desiring to sink a shaft safely and bring about uniform safety inspections.

Jan 1, 1968

By Susan M. White

Increased coal production, wider use of indiscriminate mining techniques, improved cleaning methods, and greater emphasis on clean fuels is increasing the rate at which wastes accumulate Over the next several years, Colorado Plateau underground coal production is predicted to increase. Currently, mine refuse is deposited in canyons or lowland areas near mines. This study presents information on the nature of coal refuse and disposal practices on the Colorado Plateau. Samples were collected and analyzed to provide information to help formulate alternative methods for reclaiming refuse piles. The analyses were based on determining the capability of unmodified refuse to provide a suitable medium for plant growth. Local topsoils which would be used in reclamation were used as standards. Potential environmental hazards were assessed also. A general cost analysis was done for both surface and underground disposal and the advantages and disadvantages of each were assessed. Several problems were identified which, if solved, would increase the effectiveness of state regulatory programs.

Jan 1, 1982

By CHARLES L. WRIGHT

Previous work.-The general plan of work outlined for the Government fuel-testing plant erected at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, at St. Louis, Mo., in 1904, included investigations relative to the briquetting of coals found in the United States. These investigations embraced the possibility of making satisfactory commercial fuels from lignite or low-grade coals which do not stand shipment well; of benefiting culm or slack coals that are wasted or sold at unremunerative prices; and of improving the furnace efficiency or ability to withstand transportation of good coals. This work was begun in 1904 and was continued in 1905, 1906, and 1907 as an essential part of investigations looking to the determination of methods for reducing waste and increasing efficiency in the utilization of the fuel resources in the United States. The initial briquetting tests at St. Louis, which included examination into the behavior of different coals or mixtures of coals in the briquetting press, experimental study of the merits of various substances used as binders, and consideration of the physical properties and resistance to weather and abrasion of the briquets, have been described.a They demonstrated that satisfactory briquets could be made from most coals, and that by briquetting the commercial value of many low-grade coals and lignites could be raised enough to more than cover the cost of manufacture. Norfolk plant.-The briquetting plant of the Geological Survey was moved from St. Louis, Mo., to Norfolk, Va., in 1907, along with the steam boiler and producer-gas equipment of the fuel-testing plant, as the closing out of the affairs of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition and the consequent removal of the buildings from Forest Park made a change of location necessary. Norfolk was selected largely with a view to the testing of coals for naval purposes, and because of facilities in the way of buildings and materials offered by the Jamestown Exposition Company. The work at Norfolk was chiefly devoted to making steaming and briquet tests of coals which reach the Atlantic seaboard at Norfolk and Newport News and are used by the navy and merchant marine. Two briquet machines were installed at the Norfolk plant, one being the English machine used in briquetting tests by the Geological Survey at St. Louis in 1905 and 1906, and the other an American machine. The briquets made at this plant were tested on locomotives of several railroads entering Norfolk and on the United States torpedo boat Buldle in comparison with the run-of-mine coal used in making them. Some of the tests were conducted by the railroads on their own locomotives, but those on the Biddle and on the locomotive of the Seaboard Air Line Railway were carried on by W. T. Ray and Henry Kreisinger, of the United States Geological Survey. Personnel.-Charles T. Malcolmson continued in general charge of the briquetting section after the removal to Norfolk until January 1, 1908. Walter J. Chapman continued in charge of operation of the briquet machines and of the observations reported under the heading "Details of manufacture." Charles L. Wright supervised the installation of the English briquet machine and later in the year continued the physical tests of briquets and the analyses in the chemical laboratory of the section until January 1, 1908, on which date he was placed in general charge of the work of the section. G. E. Ryder and Ralph Galt also continued with the staff, but the former was obliged to resign soon after the plant was in operation on account of ill health; the latter continued with the section as computer until the close of work on December 1, 1908.

Jan 1, 1911

By Howard W. Kilau

The U.S. Bureau of Mines is investigating surfactants added to water sprays to enhance the control of dust during coal mining operations. The objective of the present work was to establish the general applicability of adding sulfate ion to anionic surfactant solutions in order to improve wetting action. This was pursued through laboratory wettability testing of four anionic surfactants and one nonionic surfactant in combination with various concentrations of sulfate ion. The experimental results demonstrated that the addition of sulfate ion enhanced the wetting characteristics of all the anionic surfactants when applied to hard-to-wet coals, while easy-to-wet coal showed more complex wetting behavior. Sulfate ion in the presence of nonionic surfactant enhanced wetting only slightly or not at all. Surface tension measurements of the dilute aqueous surfactant-sulfate anion solutions indicated this property was not important in coal-wetting phenomena, as long as the value was below the critical value for coal. Sulfate ion helps surfactant reduce surface tension but primarily appears to affect wetting action by altering the adsorption characteristics of surfactant on the coal surface.

Jan 1, 1990

By Charles E. McCarthy, MORTON T. PAWEL, E. A. GEE, FRANK S. RIORDAN

Large tonnages of the magnesium silicate mineral , olivine, are known to exist in the mountains of western North Carolina and in the Puget Sound region of Washington. The North Carolina deposits alone are reputed to contain at least 230 million tons of ore averaging 45 to 49 percent of magnesium oxide In both areas the mineral is readily accessible and can be mined by the simplest methods ; one of the largest of the Washington deposits is located at tidewater .

Sep 1, 1946

By C. W. Davis, M. W. Von Bernewitz, S. C. Lind

During the past few years our possible domestic resources of platinum have attracted much attention . On account of the extensive use of platinum during the World War , and the practical elimination of the Russian supply , the price of this metal rose to new high levels , as shown in Table 1 ; and though it since receded to some extent , the price is now nearly six times that of gold .

Jun 1, 1923

By James R. FitzSimmons

This report describes an instrument developed by the Bureau of Mines as an improved device for examining roof rock in bolt holes. The unit consists of a commercially available fiberoptic unit adapted for use as a flexible stratascope. Field testing in both metal and coal mines has shown the instrument can be easily transported and used by a single operator. The size and flexibility of the instrument eliminate the need for specially drilled holes.

Jan 1, 1979

By Brian L. Quick

Problem: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's [NIOSH] National Occupational Research Agenda (DHHS Publication No. 96 115) reports that approximately 50% of miners will experience hearing loss by age 50, compared to only 9% of the general population. The present investigation examines three antecedents believed to be associated with miner's use of hearing protection. Method: A posttest delayed posttest control group field research design was employed to assess antecedents toward wearing hearing protection. Results: Following the initial posttest, miners' attitudes and subjective norms were antecedents to intentions to wear hearing protection devices. Also, intentions toward wearing hearing protection predicted hearing protection behaviors. Approximately six weeks later, miners' attitudes and perceived behavioral control were each significant predictors of intentions to wear hearing protection and again, intentions were positively associated with hearing protection behaviors. Impact on Industry: Our results indicate that appeals to normative influences may be the most effective antecedent to employ when persuading coal miners to wear hearing protection. However, messages designed to impact attitudes and perceived behavioral control were also effective.

Jan 1, 2008