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This publication is the fourth in a series of miners? circulars covering various phases of accident prevention in bituminous-coal mines; these circulars constitute a text hook for courses of instruction on accident prevention in bituminous-coal minim. To these may be added material of particular interest in the field where the course is presented. Other circulars in the series are: Accident Statistics as an Aid to Prevention of Accidents in Bituminous-Coal Mines (Miners? Circular 47). Accidents from Falls of Roof and Coal in Bituminous-Coal Mines (Miners' Circular 48). Accidents from Hoisting and Haulage in Bituminous-Coal Mines (Miners' Circular 49).

Jan 1, 1946

By J. H. Jacobs

This report records a chapter in the history of the development of an electrolytic manganese industry in the United States. Nearly all the manganese requirements of the United States have been imported. Although there are large quantities of manganese ore in the United States, most of it is low-grade and cannot be used for the production of ferromanganese. Since the electrolytic production of manganese carried out by a process developed in the laboratories of the Bureau of Mines offers a method whereby the extensive low-grade deposits may be utilized and since commercial development had proceeded slowly, the Bureau constructed a new and larger pilot plant at Boulder City, Nev., where abundant electric power was available. An authorization in November 1940 covered a plant of only several hundred pounds daily capacity. Additions to some sections author¬ized by subsequent appropriations have enabled the plant to produce over 2,000 pounds a day for extended periods.

Jan 1, 1946

8186. Aquilina, C. Determinazioni relative di gravita eseguite nel 1939 (Relative Determinations of Gravity Made in 1939), Ric. Ingegn, Rome, vol. 10, 1942, pp, 6376. In 1939, the author made a survey of relative gravity in the Mediterranean-basin, 41° 35,5' to 41° 56.3' northern latitude and 0° 10,3' to 0° 28' longitude, referred to Mt. Mario. Ten stations were covered; 25 other stations had been occupied in the vicinity of Rome and in Albanian mountains during previous years. The new measurements revealed gravity anomalies ranging within the following limits: (1) With a free-air reduction, between + 29 and + 120 mgl., average + 60 mgl.; and (2) with a Bouguer reduction, between + 22 and + 87 mgl., average + 41.5 mgl. - V. S.

Jan 1, 1946

By Will H. Coghill

The scope of this paper is such that it was deemed advisable to group the contents into several main sections. They are: Section 1. Geography and Geology. Section II. Historical Review. (a) Mining and Smelting in Alabama. (b) Milling. (c) Summary of Milling Research. These two sections are primarily a bibliography and summary of the research on the Birmingham Red Mountain ores up to the middle 1040's. Section III. Status of the Birmingham Iron Industry. This sect ion points out the extent to which the findings of the iron-ore research have been applied on a commercial scale. Also, a very brief description of the dependent and allied industries is included. The value of the Birmingham iron ore is greatly enhanced by the proximity of coal and dolomite. Thus the coal and coke industry and the dolomite industry are closely allied with and to a large extent dependent upon the possibilities of economic utilization of the Red Mountain iron ores. Section IV. Beneficiation Investigations of the Red Mountain Iron Ores. This is a record of the most recent, hitherto unpublished work of the Southern Experiment Station of the Federal Bureau of Mines, Tuscaloosa, Ala., on the chemical and physical composition not only of the Big seam but of most of the iron-bearing rock strata of Red Mountain.

Jan 1, 1946

By Charles W. Briggs

The steel foundries of Germany were investigated for the purpose of ascertaining (1) the type and classification of steel structures produced as castings, (2) processing methods, (3) the mechanical properties of carbon and alloy cast steels, (4) the type and character of defective castings, (5) the appearance of castings, (6) research in steel castings, and (7) plant lay-out and equipment.

Jan 1, 1946

By D. Harrington

ANNUAL or necessary inspections and investigations of coal mines for various purposes were made possible through the Federal Coal Mine Inspection Act of May 7, 1941, which authorized entry to the Secretary of the Interior through the Bureau of Mines. Primary object of these inspections is to obtain information pertaining to health and safety conditions. Among the purposes for which the data are to be used, are annual reports to Congress, the publication of inspection reports, and the compilation and publication of statistics. The act states that inspections and investigations shall be made by employees of the Bureau of Mines, who shall co-operate with other bureaus of the U. S. Department of the Interior, as well as with the official mine-inspection, safety cr health agencies of the several states and territories. The act specifies that a coal-mine inspector shall have "the basic qualifica-

Jan 1, 1946

By A. Ross Rornmel

ABILITY to speak effectively is one of man's most longed for and coveted abilities. It is the ability to stand on one's feet, transfer knowledge and thoughts to others, to reach an objective professionally or otherwise by leading groups through a channel of planned thought. Each day group speaking plays an important part in making or marring success, and the engineering profession often provides this opportunity and requirement. An ability to speak effectively develops courage, poise, confidence, and prestige for the speaker. The technical man cannot be reluctant to face an audience. He is often called upon to do this in presence of employees, supervisors, and other groups. His ability to speak effectively is as much a requirement as the fundamentals of his profession. The three fundamentals of effective speaking are: (1) Enthusiasm and Confidence. These are joined because of their close relation. (2) Preparation. This includes knowledge of the subject. (3) Presentation. By this is meant the features of delivery.

Jan 1, 1946

By V. C. Rogers

ALTHOUGH surveying at mining properties is fundamentally the same regardless of the method of mining, at Climax, due to the nature of the ground, the policy of advance development work, and extremes in climatic conditions, surveying practice has had to be revised to meet the specialized conditions of this particular type of mining operation. The company's mine is one of the largest underground properties in the United States. It has proved ore reserves of 275,000,000 tons, 60,000,000 tons of which have been broken. To date, 109,000 ft. of development drifting have been driven, as well as 40,926 ft. of development raising, 10,000 ft. of ventilation drifting and raising, 16,000 ft. of exploration drifting, and 206,000 ft. of diamond drilling. Normal production varies between 1.2,000 and 15,000 tons daily. Development work proceeds at a rate of 11/2 tons developed for every ton milled and with a development of 18,000 to 20,000 tons per day, the following crew is required to take care of mine and surface engineering

Jan 1, 1946

By William B. Heroy

LOOKING back over the industrial and commercial progress of the United States during the last half century the outstanding influence has been the growth of the use of the fluid fuels, petroleum and natural gas. At the turn of the century these fuels supplied only 8 per cent of the energy requirements of the nation. Last year nearly 45 per cent of our heat and power supply were derived from these fuels. These figures are merely statistical reflections of the fundamental change in our national economy which has affected, in so many amazing ways, the life of this generation. The factors which have caused this change are still operative. The trend which has thus been established still continues and growth in the use of these fuels is, in all probability, still well below the peak, both for this country and for other parts of the world. Two great wars have not essentially changed this basic trend; if anything they have served to accelerate it. World War II did not alone increase our requirements for liquid fuels; it demonstrated the absolute essentially of petroleum resources to our national security. Petroleum is no longer just an important factor in our national standard of living; it is the most important single element in our national defence-

Jan 1, 1946

By James Hyslop

MECHANIZATION of American coal mining continues to make rapid progress. Economic pressure will compel abandonment of manual methods wherever possible and will also provide the incentive needed for the improvement of machines and mining systems. However, rapid progress may be made along strictly technological lines and at the same time much slower progress in approaching maximum productivly and efficiency. One can well ask, just how efficient are mechanized mines, and to what extent is productivity affected by the mental attitude of management and workers?

Jan 1, 1946

By A. C. Fieldner

This is the tenth annual report of research and technologic work conducted by the Bureau of Mines on the occurrence, properties, mining, preparation, and uses of coal and coal products. These annual reviews are guide's to the current work-and publications of the Bureau but do not replace the more complete reports published under the authorship of the individual investigators on specific problems in Bureau of Mines bulletins, technical papers, reports of investigations, and information circulars and in the technical press. The Annual Report of the Director of the Bureau of Mines to the Secretary of the Interior for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 1945, summarizes the year's work on coal as follows: Coal and Coal Products The United States maintained its No. 1 industrial position in supplying fuel for war and in preparing for peace through more complete mining, improved preparation and up-grading of coal for special uses, and better utilization of coal in industrial establishments and homes.

Jan 1, 1946

By S. G. Lasky

EVENTS during and since the war indicate that the nations of the world are trying to initiate an era of international co-operation. Definitions and objectives include social, economic, and human considerations no less than political considerations. The mineral resources of the world and the absolute and relative position of each nation enter into this situation. The possible use of armed might, the application of sanctions, the international flow of commerce, the ways in which this flow may encourage or hamper international well-being, and the influence of international and domestic well-being upon one another are all matters that must take mineral resources into account. If the United States is to act wisely and forthrightly in such matters we must be thoroughly informed as to our position with respect to mineral resources. What is the mineral position of the United States? A variety of widely conflicting opinions are held in authoritative and intelligent quarters: (1) For practical purposes our mineral resources are already exhausted.

Jan 1, 1946

By John W. Vanderwilt

THE Climax district is in northeastern Lake County, Colorado, on Fremont Pass (elevation 11,320 ft.) where the continental divide runs east-west joining high peaks of the Mosquito Range with the Sawatch Range, prominent ranges of the central Rocky Mountains. The mining towns of Leadville and Kokomo are thirteen miles to the south and seven miles to the northwest, respectively. Good highways lead to Denver (100 miles) by way of Kokomo, Loveland Pass, and Idaho Springs, and to Colorado Springs by way of Leadville. The ore deposit and mine are about one mile east of Fremont Pass and 600 ft. higher on the southwestern flank of Bartlett Mountain, a peak in the Mosquito Range. The molybdenite deposit lies within the Colorado mineral belt extending across the Rocky Mountains from Jamestown and Boulder to Silverton and Telluride. (See Fig. 1.) Fremont Pass is a broad open divide separating the drainage of the Tenmile River (Pacific) from that of the East Fork of the Arkansas River (Atlantic) ; but the mountains to the east and west are extremely rugged; altitudes in the vicinity vary from 11,000 to 14,000 ft. A conspicuous topographic feature within the district is the Tenmile Amphitheater, which lies east of Climax and

Jan 1, 1946

By R. E. Cuthbertson

AN early appreciation by the management that Climax ore presented a challenging problem of economic concentration was responsible for the establishment, in June 1926, of an ore-testing department at the experimental plant of the Colorado School of Mines at Golden, some ninety miles from Climax. An engineering office was later organized in the same community for the design of all ore-treatment units erected at Climax during the period of rapid growth. Work of the ore-testing and design staffs was effectively co-ordinated under a common head. The primary reason for having the ore-testing and plant design departments in Golden, was to place these activities under the able supervision of A. J. Weinig, consultant for the Climax Molybdenum Co., and director of the experimental plant. A secondary consideration was the availability of excellent facilities for research in ore dressing in a highly favorable environment. Concentration of molybdenite by flotation from an ore of simple mineral composition does not appear, superficially, to present a serious problem in ore dressing but experience belies this apparent simplicity. The molybdenite content of average Climax ore is low and it is finely

Jan 1, 1946

By Bahngrell W. Brown

IN an age when anything short of miraculous can and does happen it is entirely too easy to become labeled as a prophet. After the first wave of hysteria over atomic weapons died down there were crystal gazers enough in that field. The mining fraternity, always anxious to get back to normal anyway, looked, was duly impressed, and passed on to more mundane affairs. After all it was just another big blast in the stopes of life. After we "laymen" had seen the effects at Hiroshima and been granted a peek into the phenomenon of Numbers 4 and 5, we saw, indeed, that it was a tremendous but understandable weapon. Now it appears that we may fall heir to much of the defensive planning of the future. If, as our military planners tell us, it will be necessary to go underground for defense, then we are the true forerunners of a race of troglodytes. The underground belongs to us as to no other profession; the subsurface is our prerogative. Already the big mistakes in planning atomic defense are being made. It is within our ability now to correct them. Surveys are being made of natural caverns to be used as a basis for military planning. This is our first big mistake. Even if the natural caverns, many of which Nature has precariously carved from cherty and brittle limestones, could withstand the seismic force of a proximate blast without major roof failures, there is a more serious argument against the blanket use of natural caverns as a first line of defense. In addi-

Jan 1, 1946

By W. E. Wrather

DURING the war the mineral industry, and metal mining in particular, extended itself more than any other to attain the limit of its productive capacity. Likewise, probably no other industry went quite so far toward jeop¬ardizing its own economic future through depletion of material reserves. Once we looked to Europe for most of the manufactured goods we needed. Our own limited mineral requirements were easily supplied from mines near the Eastern seaboard. With expansion and industrialization, our mineral needs increased in proportion, and the centers of mining activity moved westward to Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the Tri-State district, where seemingly inexhaustible high-grade deposits of iron, copper, lead, and zinc ores were opened and rapidly developed.

Jan 1, 1946

By R. P. Smith

In 1937 the employees of the Hollinger Consolidated Gold Mines Ltd.. at Timmins. Ont., Canada, approached organized medicine for a plan to provide themselves and their families with a complete medical service including hospitalization. This approach was made because of two conditions: (1) the necessity for some organization whereby contributions could be made in instalments to offset the sudden and large expense connected with illness for which the average employee is not prepared, and (2) the need for a more cohesive quality of service to replace a contract practice then in vogue, which did not take care of the employee's family or dependents. In different parts of the United States and Canada similar plans were in force, not only for employed groups but for numbers of people in circumscribed areas. In Europe different countries had adopted various forms of health insurance plans. It then was no surprise that these employees as a group should ask for some similar plan. With the cooperation of the management, a plan was instituted. The plan has one object only—the provision of medical services, including the accessory services such as hospitaliza-tion, X-rays, nursing, and necessary drugs and medicines. It is not concerned with cash benefits, sickness and accident payments, or any form of monetary return as the result of illness, but is simply an organization to provide medical services and pay for them from a central fund. It is a nonprofit organization and the only shareholders are the employees and their families who contribute and who in turn receive services. The Hollinger plan is limited to the employees of the Hollinger mine, who live in Timmins and the immediate vicinity. At first, the membership was voluntary. In the third year, it was made a condition of employment, with the proviso that at the end of any Association financial year an employee may withdraw if he wishes to do so. After withdrawal, he cannot again become a member until the end of the next Association year, and then only by the payment of the back dues. This step was taken to ensure continuity, and to prevent employees from withdrawing when well and reentering when faced with impending illness or operations. The employee himself is subject to medical examination on application for employment, and if accepted is subject to further examination by a specialist in chest diseases under the Workmen's Compensation Board of Ontario. Thus it is possible to exclude those who have heart disease, tuberculosis, or other disabling conditions when first employed. Wives and families of employees are not subject to medical examination but other dependents of an employee—mother, father, or other relative—who are declared by the employee to be wholly dependent upon him must be examined. The employee

Jan 1, 1946

By Ernest W. Johnson, F. E. Cash

"INTRODUCTION Mine operators have long realized the importance of providing a satisfactory and dependable means of giving prompt warning to underground mine workers at the occurrence of a mine fire or other threatened disaster.Most underground mines of the Lake Superior district are prepared to inject a stench liquid into the compressed-air system quickly to give such warning. The liquid evaporates quickly and gives off an intense and easily recognizable odor even when present in minute quantities in the mine air. Workers in the mines studied have been fairly generally familiarized with the odor and instructed as to evacuation procedure when the warning odor is detected.In some mines provided throughout with electric lighting, including working faces, a prearranged light-flashing signal is given as a warning supplementary to that received from the stench.In a few mines, workers have been instructed to evacuate the mine immediately in the event the compressed-air supply is cut off, regardless of whether mechanical failure may be involved.Information obtained in observing a number of stench-injection tests is compiled and presented in the hope-that it will serve as an incentive to provide means of making stench injections at mines not now so equipped and for making similar tests at other underground mines, so that in case unsatisfactory results are obtained rectifying adjustments or changes may be made in time. It is further hoped that this paper will bring out the real importance of repeating these tests from time to time, at least once a year on each operating shift, so that in the event of an actual emergency, underground employees will receive a prompt warning."

Nov 1, 1945

By C. W. Owings

"PURPOSE OF REPORTMany bituminous coal-mine officials realize that coal dust presents an ever-present coal-mine explosion hazard, and that persons forced to breathe large quantities of it may be more subject to respiratory infection than persons working in less dusty atmospheres. As an outgrowth of the realization that coal dust should be allayed at its source, many mining companies have expressed the desire to install dust-allaying equipment, and in a number of mines, water or wetting solution is being applied on the cutter bars of mining machines, on mobile loaders, belts or conveyors underground, and tops of mine cars. Spraying equipment also has been installed on dumps to allay dust during dumping operations. Dust-allaying equipment has not been standardized, however, because manufacturers have found that many prospective purchasers of such equipment have different ideas. These manufacturers wish to standardize, so far as feasible, the types and placement of such equipment. Many mine officials, although interested, do not know the best or most effective methods for allaying dust.For a number of years the Bureau of Mines has advocated allaying dust by applying water or, more recently, water modified by a wetting agent on the cutter bar of mining machines and by applying water to loaded and empty mine cars in order to keep as much dust as possible from spilling onto the haulage roads. In recent years this Bureau has also advocated applying water with or without a wetting agent during mechanical loading of coal and during unloading of coal from trackless cars or buggies and from elevating conveyors. It has now become apparent that specific arrangement of pipes, hose, and nozzles should be standardized to at least some extent. It is the purpose of this report, therefore, to give in detail suggested arrangement of dust-allaying equipment in the hope that both manufacturers and mine officials will have available dust-allaying equipment with maximum efficiency to do the desired work."

Nov 1, 1945

"INTRODUCTION Industrial utilization of the present submarginal domestic manganese resources of the United States is wholely dependent at this time on the electrolytic manganese process established as the result of 4 years of continuous operation of the Bureau of Mines pilot plant at Boulder City and 7 years' operations of the Electro Manganese Corporation commercial plant at Knoxville, Tenn.Three Kids ore provided the feed for the Boulder City pilot plant during 3 years of operation. Hence, the electrowinning characteristics of the ore have been thoroughly established, making possible accurate estimates for commercial operations.Before the Defense Plant Corporation constructed the leaching plant, the Bureau of Mines conducted an exploration project to determine the extent and grade of the ore reserves. Additional exploration, development, and mining by the Manganese Ore Cc, have accurately determined the tonnage and grade of ore. A large tonnage of stock piled ore is now available for immediate processing, and a considerable tonnage of openpit ore has been stripped of overburden preparatory to mining. Numerous facilities, such as power, water, and housing, needed for an electrolytic manganese plant are already available.All of these factors, as well as plans for installation of scale electrolytic manganese plant facilities, are presented in detail in the chapter entitled, ""Mining and. Electrolytic Reduction of use from Three Kids Manganese Mine."" The Manganese Ore Co. kindly provided information on the present ore reserves and state of development of the mine."

Jun 1, 1945