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By John C. Machisak

STATISTICAL data on injuries and employment pertinent to metal mines and to their mills, and/or processing plants are presented in this Information Circular for the calendar year 1960. The information pertains to metal mines, as well as ore-dressing plants and primary nonferrous smelters, refineries and reduction plants, and their auxiliary works. These data are voluntarily submitted annually to the Bureau of Mines by the operators, and contribute greatly toward the promotion of safety in the mineral industries. The data presented are classified according to the principal mineral produced and include information on copper, iron, lead-zinc, gold-silver lode, gold placer, uranium-vanadium and miscellaneous metals. A breakdown of miscellaneous metals by commodities is shown in table 19, page 41. The data also relate to workers engaged in production, exploration, development, construction, and maintenance and repair work, as well as supervisory personnel and office- workers at the mine or plant site. Injury and employment data at metal mines and metallurgical plants in the United States for 1960 are shown under the following general sections:

Jan 1, 1963

By George S. Rice

In response to numerous requests for information as to the status of internal-combustion mine locomotives of the Diesel type that use heavy or nonvolatile oil for fuel, with special reference to their safe use in coal mines, the United States Bureau of Mines is issuing this t port. Data were obtained on application of such locomotives to coal mining only in Belgium, France, Germany, and Great Britain. The locomotives are used in coal mining in other countries, as well as in potash, iron, and other kinds of mining, but their chief development has been in coal mining in Germany, France, and Belgium. Recently popular interest in the Diesel type of engine for motive purposes was aroused in this country by the successful application of Diesel engines to railroad locomotives hauling fast transcontinental trains, and, according to published statements, at a low cost of fuel per mile of run.

Jan 1, 1936

By G. W. Jones

During the course of an investigation by the Bureau of Mines into the causes, behavior, end control of anthracite-line fires, it was observed that the carbon monoxide disappeared from a scaled fire area much more rapidly than could be explained oil the basis of leakage of gases. Two suggestions were offered for this high rate of disappearance; (1) That the carbon monoxide was oxidized at temperatures below 150° C, by either the anthracite or its ash (tests on many anthracites have shown that at temperatures above 150° C carbon monoxide is liberated in the oxidation products when air is passed through it); (2) that the carbon monoxide was oxidized by micro-organisms present in the sealed area.

Jan 1, 1939

By John C. Machisak

STATISTICAL data on injuries and employment pertinent to metal mines and to their mills, and/or processing plants are presented in this Information Circular for the calendar year 1960. The information pertains to metal mines, as well as ore-dressing plants and primary nonferrous smelters, refineries and reduction plants, and their auxiliary works. These data are voluntarily submitted annually to the Bureau of Mines by the operators, and contribute greatly toward the promotion of safety in the mineral industries. The data presented are classified according to the principal mineral produced and include information on copper, iron, lead-zinc, gold-silver lode, gold placer, uranium-vanadium and miscellaneous metals. A breakdown of miscellaneous metals by commodities is shown in table 19, page 41. The data also relate to workers engaged in production, exploration, development, construction, and maintenance and repair work, as well as supervisory personnel and office-workers at the mine or plant site. Injury and employment data at metal mines and metallurgical plants in the United States for 1960 are shown under the following general sections: 1. General injury experience: Tables I-5-Data on injuries, injury-frequency and severity rates and related employment data, work location, and degree of injury.

Jan 1, 1963

By Oliver Bowles

Sandstone, a widely distributed siliceous sedimentary rock, is the third most popular building stone in the United States. It is formed by the breaking down of preexisting rocks by weathering, subsequent segregation of the detrital quartz grains into discrete deposits by the sorting action of water or wind, and finally cementation of the quartz sand into a coherent rock. The homogeneity and resistance to weathering of the resultant sandstone make it suitable for exterior construction. Its excellent wearing properties explain its popularity for flagging and stair treads. However, quarrying and dressing methods and costs are adversely affected by the abrasiveness and hardness of sandstone especially as compared to limestone.

Jan 1, 1963

By Nicholas G. Theofilos

The only mining activity in Belize during 1976 involved the production of construction aggregates, which were used domestically. A comprehensive ordinance regulating mineral prospecting and mining was proposed during the year. Under the ordinance, which would supersede all grants and titles, ownership and control of all minerals except petroleum would be vested in the Government. Exxon Corp. entered into an agreement with three oil companies to achieve a majority interest in nine oil prospecting leases covering 1 million acres, mostly offshore Belize. The agreement was with Weatherford International Inc. which had 30% interest in the leases, Ajax Petroleum Co. with 40% interest, and Canadian Superior Oil Ltd, with 24% interest. A new entity, Esso Ventures Inc., was established to be responsible for conducting extensive geophysical operations and drilling an exploratory well offshore Belize.

Jan 1, 1980

By Willard L. Hunter

The research described in this Bureau of Minus report was conducted to improve the chromium-iron ratio of offgrade chromite. Two methods were used: (1) Iron was selectively reduced from chromite by carbothermic reduction in an electric-arc furnace, and (2) a mixture of carbon, chromite, and sometimes fluorspar was chlorinated to remove a substantial part of the iron. Chromite concentrate from the Mouat deposit in Montana and from northern California was used in the test work. Chromium-bearing slag and chromite that had been beneficiated by a roast-leach process were each smelted to produce high-carbon ferrochromium. Iron was selectively reduced in a laboratory-scale., electric-arc furnace. Carbon additions to the smelting charges varied from 40 to 100 percent of the stoichiometric requirement, and slag basicities were varied from 0.4 to 1.0 chromium-iron ratios of more than 4:1 were obtained with 89 percent recovery of chromium in a chromium-bearing slag.

Jan 1, 1962

By Joseph Daniels

[Adequate supplies of suitable coal and coke are prime requisites in many industries, particularly those dealing with the utilization of mineral resources, recently interest has been focused on the possibilities of using electricity produced at Bonneville and Grand Coulee, Wash., in many electrochemical and electrometallurgical processes, in which core or some form of carbon is necessary in addition, discussion has been revived on the possibility of making iron and steel by the conventional methods employed in blast and open-hearth furnaces. The subject also is important at this time because of its relationship to industrial preparedness for national defense. A supply of coke from local sources on the Pacific coast is necessary in any program of production for strategic sufficiency of certain materials. An anal trio involving tae establishment of such industries should include detailed data on available supplies of coal, the quality and properties of the coke produced, and the technologic and economic factors involved in manufacture of echo and disposal of byproducts.]

Jan 1, 1941

By N. Fragen, H. H. Stroch

"INTRODUCTION A previous paper by H. H. Storch 4 described. three processes for the production of potassium sulphate from polyhalite (K2S01.MgSO1.2CaS04.2H2o), Since these processes depended upon calcination of polyhalite followed by leaching with water at 100°C., the fundamental reactions occurring in these steps were discussed in detail. This paper, which describes processes producing syngenite (K2S04.CaSO4.H2O) and potassium sulphate and gives data concerning the production of by-product magnesia, presents the results of work performed at the Non metallic Minerals Experiment Station of the U. S. Bureau of Mines, maintained at New Brunswick, N. J., in cooperation with Rutgers University.A study of the solubility relationships of the system 5 Ca++ -Mg++ -K+-SO4 = H20 at 25ºC. shows that syngenite is stable in the presence of a concentrated MgSO4 solution, the K2SO : equilibrium concentration being comparatively low (2.6 per cent), The processes described below, which involve the conversion of calcined polyhalite to syngenite, are based on the 25°C. equilibria. It has further been found that syngenite can be decomposed by water at 100ºC, yielding a 9 to 10 per cent K250 solution, the solid phase being potassium calcium pentasulphate (K2SO, 3CaSO.H2O, hereafter referred to as ""pentasulphate""). This latter compound is unstable in the presence of water at 25°C., its decomposition resulting in a solution containing about 3 per cent of K2SO4 and a solid phase consisting of gypsum. This behaviour of syngenite with water at 100°C. and of pentasulphate with water at 25ºC. constitutes the basis of processes for the production of K2SO4 by way of the conversion of calcined polyhalite to syngenite,Syngenite is a product which may be used as a fertilizer per se. As produced in the process to be described, it contains about 50 per cent of K2SO1, and will readily give up its potash content on treatment with water, although the limiting concentration at ordinary temperatures is approximately 3 per cent. This definite but limited solubility should make this product more desirable as a fertilizer then the more concentrated forms of potash salts which have higher solubilities and hence involve the danger or plant injury due to a high local concentration of potash."

Sep 1, 1931

By Wilbert J. Huff

The work of the Explosives Division, Bureau of Mines, United States Department of the Interior, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1939, is described in the following pages. This paper is the fourth of a series of annual reports covering the activities of the division since July 1, 1936. The studies outlined in this and preceding reports of the series have been conducted under the direction of the author and the respective unit leaders to whom specific credit is indicated.

Jan 1, 1940

By G. R. Peterson

To determine the availability of lead and zinc from demonstrated resources, the Bureau of Mines evaluated 235 mines and deposits in 31 market economy countries. Of the 235 mines and deposits evaluated for this study, 186 were evaluated as zinc operations, 30 as lead operations, and 19 as copper operations. Demonstrated lead-zinc resources of market economy countries in 1981 were approximately 4.3 billion metric tons (t) of ore containing 221 million t of zinc and 97 million t of lead. Of these amounts, approximately 154 million t of zinc and 70 million t of lead are estimated to be recoverable. The analyses indicate that demonstrated resources in market economy countries should be sufficient to satisfy projected demand for primary lead and zinc through the balance of the century. The U.S. lead industry will continue to have a comparative advantage over the rest of the world industry, barring any drastic increase in the cost of compliance with pollution control regulations. It appears that the comparative disadvantage faced by the U.S. zinc industry will probably intensify owing to the relative quantity of lower cost zinc resources in other countries, especially Canada, Australia, Mexico, and Peru.

Jan 1, 1985

By R. G. Peluso

Methods and results of studies to determine friction and shock losses encountered in auxiliary face ventilation systems utilizing flexible, spiral-reinforced ventilation tubing are presented. The results, tabulated in graphic form, simplify fan selection and enable mine operators to design adequate auxiliary ventilation systems. Problem illustrates the use of graphs.

Jan 1, 1968

This report describes the development of training materials for the operators of underground mining equipment in the underground metal and nonmetal mining industry. The objective was to determine the effectiveness and acceptability of these training materials and to provide the validated training materials to the industry. Ten modules were developed, based on industry need according to accident frequency, accident severity and exposure to the equipment. The final modules were an average of 20 minutes in length and used slides with synchronized narration on cassette tapes. Testing materials are included for use by the mines.

Jan 1, 1984

By A. C. Johnson

This circular is one of a series published by the Bureau of Mines describing mining and beneficiation methods and costs at various mining operations throughout the United States. Inclusion of the Abbott mine in this series is of particular interest, as the complex geology and the character of the deposits make their exploitation a unique operation. The mine operates on a high-cost, comparatively small-scale basis, and only the persistence of an aggressive management has enabled it to maintain its rank among the major mercury producers of California. Rising costs and decreasing metal prices, which continuously threaten the low profit margin, are reflected in increased efficiency of operation. This report summarizes past operations and describes, in detail, the geology and ore deposits; exploration and mining methods; and furnacing and condensing operations. It covers the entire operation from initial exploration to the actual production of mercury. Comparative production costs for 1944 and 1958 are of special interest.

Jan 1, 1962

The principal activities of the Bureau of Mines Explosives Research Center from July 1, 1962, to June 30, 1963, are described briefly in part 1. Part 2 gives short abstracts of publications that appeared during fiscal year 1963; in general, the research reported in these publications antedates the report period.

Jan 1, 1965

By Kenneth Wardell

Criteria have been fully developed for determining the optimum size of oil and gas well blocks. The criteria lead to the formation of well barrier pillars which are, of themselves, inherently stable and take account of variable mine roof and floor conditions. The criteria ensure, through considerations of ground movement, that strains transmitted to well casings, are within tolerable limits of casing specifications. The criteria cater for well barrier pillars in multi-seam mining situations and where previous old mining has taken place. The criteria maintain flexibility in being adaptable to local mine design situations. The criteria are applicable to proposed extraction thicknesses up to 15 feet at depths up to 2,400 feet. The criteria are related to producing wells and to abandoned wells. In the latter connection, various states of well abandonment are recognised.

Jan 1, 1980

By Clarke E. Schuetze

This project had as its objective the experimental investigation of water capsule production utilizing the Southwest Research Institute's submerged nozzle encapsulation apparatus (U.S. Patent 3,389,194). Initial efforts on this project involved nozzle configuration and shell formulation optimization. The shell formulation developed on a prior program was modified during the course of the project to obtain the best balance of capsule breakage resistance and water retention. Subsequent effort centered on determining operating conditions which would produce the best quality capsules for each candidate shell formulation as determined by laboratory tests. Some preliminary work was done to increase the production capacity of the encapsulation equipment. The program was extended with major emphasis concerned with scale-up studies of capsule production capacity and the treatment of problems associated with grouting cartridge fabrication. During the course of the program, water-containing capsules were produced which have good long-term water retention, block resistance and adequate strength. Using a single-nozzle design, a production capacity of 15.9kg (35 pounds) per hour was demonstrated to give acceptable capsules based on initial results.

Jan 1, 1978

By L. V. Clark, Arthur La Motte

"INTRODUCTION The U. S. Bureau of Mines in 1930 and 1931 made a study of the properties and characteristics of liquid-oxygen explosives (L.O.X.) at the request of one of the largest users, in order to determine and eliminate the hazards attending its use.This report deals with the examination of absorbents for L.O.X. to (1) determine their most desirable and most undesirable characteristics, (2) to find ways and means of desensitizing absorbents to mechanical shock, and (3) to determine the effect that such desensitization of absorbents has on the explosive Characteristics of L.O.X.ABSORBENT MATERIALS The absorbent used in driving the Simplon Tunnel, the earliest project in which L.O.X. was used, was composed of crude petroleum, soot, and kieselguhr. During the World War, powdered cork, soot, sawdust, powdered straw, or other similar powdered materials were mentioned in the German military instructions for use of ""liquid air"" explosives. At that time the common types of absorbent, materials were compounded ones containing the above ingredients as well as kieselguhr, paraffin, gas oils, charcoal, bituminous coal, etc.Kuryla and Clevenger4 investigated absorbents of the above type and made the following statement concerning them:"

Apr 1, 1932

By J. S. Miller

The Bureau of Mines conducted surface tests to determine the feasibility of using liquid explosives for underground rock fracturing. The effects of configuration, confinement, length, critical layer thickness, and fracture-propping sand on detonation and explosive propagation velocity of desensitized nitroglycerin were studied, using polymethyl methacrylate and glass-plate reservoirs through lengths from 3 to 12 ft, with explosive-layer thicknesses from 0.1875 to 0.0312 in and in aluminum tubes 8 ft long with diameters from 2.000 to 0.125 in. Interval and continuous detonation velocity data were obtained. Under the test conditions detonation velocity was dependent upon explosive confinement and fracture-propping sand. The detonation velocity of a confined nitroglycerin explosion in aluminum tubes can be reduced by as much as 85 percent, when the tube contains fracture-propping sand. The shape of the reservoir, whether triangular or rectangular, has little effect on the detonation velocity or explosive propagation. The critical or minimum explosive-layer thickness between glass plates, capable of supporting propagation, was 0.0312 in. The presence of a fracture-propping sand in the sheetlike layers increased the critical explosive layer thickness to 0.0625 in. In nitroglycerin-filled and nitroglycerin-sand filled tubes, the minimum tube diameters successfully tested were 0.125 in and 0.375 in, respectively.

Jan 1, 1969

By V. L. SKITSKY

Geophysical Abstracts are published by the Division of Geophysical Explo- ration of the U. S. Bureau of Mines as an aid to those engaged in geophysical research and exploration. Inasmuch as geophysicists in the field may have little opportunity to consult libraries, the policy of the Division is to provide abstracts suffi- ciently informative in themselves to keep readers abreast of literature and patents published in the United States and abroad. - DISTRIBUTION. Abstracts 1-86 were issued as Information Circulars by the Burca of Mines; Abstracts 87-111 appeared as Bulletins of the Geological Survey; Abstracts 112-127 have been published as Information Circulars by the Bureau of Mines; succeeding issues will be resumed by the Geological Survey.

Jun 1, 1947