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By Launa Mallett, Charles Vaught, Kathleen M. Kowalski, Michael J. Brnich

This paper reviews research from the U.S. mining community to define issues relevant to an evolving national and international workforce and to relate them to the emergency response population. The authors further explore and relate the key problem of an aging workforce to the resultant changes and emerging physical and psychological needs of emergency workers. Finally, the authors cite examples from the mine emergency response community and mine rescue experiences to suggest practical recommendations that include both organizational and individual formats, with an emphasis on new approaches to training this changing workforce.

By Robert H. Merrill

Measurement of the deformation of a borehole in rock subjected to a change in applied stress can be used to calculate the magnitude and direction of the applied stress, provided a satisfactory deformation-applied stress relationship exists , In this investigation by the Bureau of Mines the deformation of a bore- hole in a rock model subjected to a known applied stress was compared with the theoretical deformation of a hole in an elastic, isotropic plate and was found to be in good agreement. Hence, this relationship can be used to calculate the applied stress on a borehole from borehole deformation measurements.

Jan 1, 1961

By G. B. Botsford

In August 1943 the Bureau of Mines began an investigation of the West Portal magnetite mines, which comprise the Swayze and Turkey Hill properties. The work included (1) traversing with a dip needle to record magnetic anomalies, (2) diamond drilling, and (3) sampling old mine dumps; it was completed in April 1944. The deposit consists of two parallel veins, which strike northeast and dip southeast. They carry magnetite in gneiss and schist. The Swayze mine was discovered in 1867 and closed in 1889, while the Turkey Hill mine was opened in 1872 and closed in 1887. The dip-needle survey covered 266 acres. The diamond drilling comprised 11 holes totaling 4,910 feet from which 142 samples were taken for chemical analyses. Old mine dumps were sampled at 52 points for chemical and magnetic analyses.

Jan 1, 1948

By R. Karl Zipf

A fatal explosion in a sealed area at the Sago Mine in 2006 prompted researchers and regulators in the United States to re-examine the requirements for explosion-resistant mine seals. Seals are used in underground coal mines to isolate abandoned mining areas from active workings. Prior to the Sago disaster, mining regulations required seals to withstand a 140 kPa explosion pressure. Recent research at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)Pittsburgh Research Laboratory showed that pressures from explosions can far exceed this pressure. U.S. mining regulations now require much stronger seals. Current research focuses on understanding the science, engineering and management of sealed areas of coal mines. Scientific efforts seek understanding of how explosive methane-air mixtures accumulate using measurements and models of the sealed area atmosphere. Additional scientific efforts aim to understand the explosion pressures that can develop using a combination of numerical modeling and experiments. Engineering efforts aim to produce design guidelines for seals that can resist the new higher pressure design criteria. NIOSH researchers are also developing guidance for monitoring of sealed area atmospheres and inertization of potentially explosive gas mixtures within sealed areas. This paper seeks to encourage scientific discussion among international peers since preventing explosions within sealed areas is of interest to underground coal operators and regulators.

Jan 1, 2009

By Natalie A. Sapola, Knox Van Dyke, Jean Rabovsky, Vincent Castranova, William H. Pailes, Melanie McPeek, Deloris J. Judy

"INTRODCJCTJONPlatelet activating factor (PAF) is a glycerophospholipid (1-0-alkyl-2-acctyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphoryl choline) which has been shown to mediate a broad range of biological activities. 1·3 Its pulmonary actions include contraction of pulmonary tissue,4 secretion of leukotrienes from leukocytcs,5 airway constriction,6 pulmonary edema,7 and enhanced migration of neutrophils into the airspaces of thelungs.8-9PAF can be released from several different cell types, such as, basophils, neutrophils and alveolar macrophages, in response to a variety of particulates or membrane stimulants which include zymosan, calcium ionophore, phorbol esters, chemotactic agents, and endotoxin. 1~1 3 Therefore, PAF may play an important role in the development of pneumoconioses by mediating pulmonary responses of lung cells to a variety of occupational dusts. To investigate this possibility, we determined the effects of P AF on several physiological parameters of neutrophils, alveolar macrophages, and alveolar type Il epithelial cells.METHODSIsolation of CellsNeutrophils were isolated from human blood by dextran settling and centrifugal elutriation.14 Isolated neutrophils (93% pure) were resuspended in HEPES-buffered medium (145 mM NaCl, 5 mM KCI, 10 mM HEPES, 5 mM glucose, and 1 mM CaC12; pH = 7.4). Cell number and volume were determined with an electronic cell counter equipped with a sizing attachment.Rat alveolar macrophages were obtained by pulmonary lavage with ea2+, Mg2+-free Hanks balanced salts solution. 15 Alveolar macrophages (94% pure) were resuspended in HEPES-buffered medium, counted, and sized electronically.Rat alveolar type Il cells were isolated by enzymatic digestion for 35 minutes at 37°C with 40 µ/ml type I elastasc and 0.1 % collagenase and purified by centrifugal elutriation. 16.17 Type Il cells (92 % pure) were resuspended in HEPES-buffered medium for measurement of membrane potential, oxygen consumption, and trypan blue exclusion. Type Il pneumocytcs were resuspended in 0.1 M NaCl plus 0.05 M HEPES (pH = 7.8) to measure cytochrome P450-dependent activities and aggregation. Cell size and number were determined electronically."

Jan 1, 1990

By Lester G. Morrel

THE RICH and varied occurrences of metallic ores in Australia, extensive nickel deposits on New Caledonia and phosphate rock on several widely scattered small islands were important aspects of the economy of the South Pacific area. Relatively small quantities of gold and nonmetallic minerals produced in New Zealand, Fiji, and the Territory of Papua-New Guinea remained important to the domestic economies of these islands, but had little importance to overall world mineral supplies. The value of mineral commodities produced in this area in 1964 was estimated at $658 million,3 compared with $585 million in 1963. The year's greatest commodity gains were in bauxite and aluminum, beryl concentrate, manganese ore, nickel smelter products, tin, and coal. Annual increases were recorded in virtually all countries and possessions in the area except Papua-New Guinea, where the drop in output of alluvial gold accounted for a decline of about $160,000. Mineral industry activities in Australia overshadowed those in all other parts of the South Pacific in 1964. Outstanding developments were the sales contract negotiations and physical preparation for exploiting the rich iron ore discoveries in Western Australia, the initiation of domestic crude oil production, the commissioning of two new steal mills and an alumina refinery and a start on the new alumina-aluminum project based on Cape fork bauxite deposits. The principal mineral development in 1864 in New Zealand was the progress on plans of the Newzealand Steel Co. to use indigenous iron sans as the resource base for a local steel industry. In New Caledonia, additions and expansion of the nickel mining and smelting facilities continued throughout the year. Plans for extensive geophysical studies were announced by the Government Geological Departments of British Solomon Islands and Fiji.

Jan 1, 1966

By D. E. Shanks

As part of its program to lessen dependence on foreign bauxite as the Nation's primary source of cell-grade alumina, the Bureau of Mines is investigating sulfuric acid (H2S04) leaching procedures for the recovery of alumina from domestic aluminous materials. The successful application of a H2S04 leaching process depends on the recovery of the aluminum values in an easily washed and filtered form, containing a minimum of water to be driven off in the subsequent calcination step. This goal was met by the high-temperature hydrolysis of simulated aluminum sulfate [A12(S04)3] leach liquor. Crystalline, insoluble aluminum hydroxy sulfate [A1(OH)S04], which had a water-to-alumina mole ratio of 1:1, was produced. Eighty-six percent of a solution containing 127 g of A12(S04)3 per liter and 76 pct of a solution containing 336 g of A12(S04)3 per liter were hydrolyzed to insoluble aluminum hydroxy sulfate by autoclaving for 1 hr at 320° C and rapidly quenching to room temperature. Higher operating temperatures were precluded by corrosion of the autoclave. The yield of aluminum in the hydrolysis product increased with increasing hydrolysis temperature and decreasing A12(S04)3 concentration.

Jan 1, 1981

By Rudolf Kudlich

"The realization that fuel costs, high as compared with those enjoyed prior to the war, are apparently permanent, has caused steam power plant operators to apply their best efforts towards improving the fuel economy of their plants.Though they have given much attention to the reduction in combustion losses by improving methods of firing and improved equipment, and to diminishing the heat losses by more care in maintaining clean heating surfaces and tight and adequate baffling, they have almost universally neglected the waste that occurs from discarding unconsumed combustible with the boiler refuse.This loss varies between extremely wide limits, depending on the quality of the coal, the type of plant and the firing practice in general, the higher the ash content of the coal the greater will be the amount of combustible appearing in the refuse, and the losses will be greater as the boilers are driven at higher ratings. The refuse from stoker fired boilers is apt to have a lower aver-eve percentage of combustible than that from hand fired boilers if operated at the same rating, but stoker fired boilers are usually pushed to higher ratings and the combustible in the refuse will run higher.In actual operating practice the amount of unconsumed combustible in the boiler refuse may range from a few percent to as high as forty or fifty percent. In an informal statement one well known combustion engineer estimates that the average amount of combustible in the refuse from a large stoker fired central station boiler plant is about 15 or 20%. Assuming that the coal burned contains 12% of ash, and allowing for flue dust losses, approximately two percent of the coal will be lost through this channel. The operating engineer of one large modern central power plant reports that when burning coal of about the same ash content, the average amount of combustible in the refuse was in the neighborhood of 33%, en tailing a loss of approximately 4% of the heating value of the fuel fired. Where the coal used daily runs up into hundreds of tons, an appreciable economy could be effected by recovering this percentage."

Sep 1, 1924

By W. W. Simpson

During cyanidation of mercury-bearing gold-silver ores, significant amounts of mercury are extracted. The presence of mercury decreases. gold loading and increases mercury stripping time on activated carbon, complicates fire refining of the gold cathodes, and creates a potential health hazard. Addition of calcium sulfide (CaS) to the cyanide leach slurry precipitates the solubilized mercury but also some silver. The Bureau of Mines investigated silver loss during CaS precipitation of mercury. Addition of 0.1 lb CaS per short ton ore to a mercury-bearing gold-silver ore precipitated both mercury and silver. However, if copper was added with CaS, or if the ore contained copper, much of the sil-ver loss was prevented. Addition of 235 ppm Cu with 0.1 lb/st CaS, prior to carbon-in-pulp adsorption, resulted in 89-to 97-pct, 80-to 91-pct, and O-pct adsorption of the solubilized gold, silver, and mer-cury, respectively, on the activated carbon.

Jan 1, 1986

By A. L. Engel

This report is a compilation of results of brief preliminary tests on sulfide ores that contained gold and silver and, in some cases base metals. It is a companion paper to a recent similar report on oxide ores. Simple treatment methods employing the least possible equipment sometimes produce satisfactory results on marginal ores and in small-scale operations. Investigations of typical ores from newly discovered or recently explored mining districts have been made in continuation of a long-established part of the hydrometallurgical and ore-dressing program of the Reno station, Bureau of Mines. The purpose of such investigations is to encourage the search for and development of mineral resources and particularly to assist in the economical exploitation of low-grade and marginal ores as well as the conservation and recovery .of values in products that were discarded from former operations because of inability to treat them profitably. Several of these investigations have been limited to preliminary tests of samples from prospecting operations, whereas same involved samples of old dumps or tailings piles. The test work in these cases was not extensive enough to warrant publication as individual reports, but is of considerable interest inasmuch as it indicates the possibilities as well as the limitations of treating the respective materials. The samples were representative of the districts from which they wore obtained, so this information should be helpful in the future development of these districts.

Jan 1, 1951

By John Furness Park

This paper, which describes the mining methods and practices at the Jarbidge mines of the Elkoro Mines Co., is one of a series of papers being issued by the United States Bureau of Mines on mining methods and costs in various districts throughout the United States. LOCATION AND HISTORY The Elkoro Mines Co.'s property is located at Jarbidge in the northeast corner of the State of Nevada (fig. 1). The camp is 9 miles south of the Idaho line; the nearest railroad point is 70 miles to the northeast at Rogerson, Idaho. A road leading to the south and connecting with Deeth, Nev., is passable during the summer months; the heavy snowfall which generally takes place early in the winter usually closes the road until the first of July.

Jan 1, 1931

By P. D. Laverty

The U.S. Bureau of Mines treated mixed and contaminated super alloy scrap by pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical methods to separate and recover metal values. Best results were obtained by leaching Zn-treated or atomized scrap with HCI-02 at 9SO C and 50 psig 02' This resulted in dissolving approxi-mately 98 pet of the AI, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn while rejecting over 98 pct of the Mo, Nb, Ta, Ti, W, and Zr as an insoluble refractory residue. Chlorine was successfully substituted for HCI to leach Zn-treated scrap but was unsuccessful for leaching atomized scrap. The leaching solution was treated by pH adjustment and hydrothermal precipitation at 2000 C for 4 h to remove AI, Cr, Fe, and other contaminants as a filterable precipitate. Recovery of Co and Ni would be accomplished by solvent extraction and e1ectrowinning. Chromium recovery as a ferroalloy was demonstrated.

Jan 1, 1989

By W. M. Nabors

As part of a program to promote conservation and efficient utilization of petroleum resources, Bureau of Mines engineers at the Morgantown (W. Va.) Petroleum Research Laboratory are studying secondary oil-recovery projects in the Appalachian region. The increasing demand for petroleum and its products and the increasing cost of exploratory drilling tend to emphasize the importance of improving the recovery of oil from known petroleum reserves. Published reports setting forth the pertinent facts of these operations may help others to profit by the experience. This report presents the results of a study of secondary-recovery methods used in West Virginia by the Piedmont Oil and Gas Co., the Ryan Oil Co., and Water floods , Inc., on their Roane County leases in the Walton and Clover Rush Run pools. The principal oil-producing horizon underlying the area studied is the Big Injun sand, at approximately 2,000 feet. The sand is often referred to as blanket sand because it underlies much of the State and is oil-productive in many localities. Most of the pools in the area were discovered during 1907 to 1910 and were similarly developed and operated.

Jan 1, 1960

By J. E. Tiffany, Z. C. Gaugler

In presenting this list of permissible explosives and blasting devices , the Bureau of Mines desires to call attention to pages 16 and 23 , outlining the conditions in use under which , and only under which , the explosive or blasting device is permissible . In view of publications recounting trade practice favoring the use of a blasting device without stemming , particular emphasis is placed upon condition 4 on page lt and condition 2 on page 23 .. An explosive or a blasting device enumerated in the permissible lists of this Bureau is not permissible in use unless it is properly confined with clay or other incombustible stemming .

Dec 1, 1943

By M. J. Ankeny

This is a study of 58 fatal haulage accidents investigated by Federal coal-mine inspectors during the period January - June 1951. The information presented in this circular was obtained by analyzing fatal haulage accidents in 33 bituminous-coal producing counties representing 11 States. The physical conditions represent a cross section off producing coal beds. Mining and transportation methods vary, from those of small hand-loading mines to those of large modern mechanized operations. These data are thought to be representative of haulage conditions within the bituminous-coal mining industry and are submitted to follow up the Information Circular 7604 ?Analysis of Haulage Fatalities in Bituminous-Coal Mines - 1950.? Coal-mine haulage ranks second as a cause of coal-mine fatalities, and the problem of haulage safety is complex. It is subject to constant change and is comprised of numerous influencing variables, which are not always obvious. The solution to this problem will not come through the application of any standard formula or mechanical approach since the inherent factors are strongly influenced by the human equation, and the chain of circumstances is further affected by expediency.

Jan 1, 1951

By J. Davitt McAteer

Dear Mine Operator, Training for new employees, refresher training for new employees, refresher training, and new task training can mean the difference between life and death for workers. Part 46 spells out how you can develop a training program to protect workers for on-the-job hazards. Together, labor, industry, and the U.S. Department of Labor reached a milestone with the development and publication of Part 46. We want to continue working together toward the next milestone, October 2000, when the regulations take effect. We want to make sure you have all the information you need about these new training requirements. Throughout the next 12 months, MSHA personnel will be holding regional meetings across the country, delivering information and sample training plans to your operation, and offering you help to develop your plan. If you are among the many operators who are already providing training to your workers, keep up the good work. The rule will tell you exactly what is expected. If you currently have no training program, we can help you develop one. A brochure is being distributed, which highlights the main provisions of the rule. It is designed to introduce the rule to you. More detailed materials will be delivered to you. If you want information right away, simply call us, or e-mail us. We also welcome your comments, suggestions, and success stories. Part 46 will be successful and beneficial to miners through our combined efforts. Together, we can make our mines safe and healthier for everyone. Sincerely, J. Davitt McAteer, Assistant Secretary of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration

Jan 1, 1999

By A. F. Colombo

In an effort to maintain an adequate supply of iron to meet national economic and strategic needs, the Bureau of Mines, U.S. Department of the Interior, is conducting research on methods for beneficiating the oxidized taconite resources located on the western Mesabi range in Minnesota, thus expanding domestic iron ore reserves. The selective flocculation and cationic flotation process was investigated in a pilot plant using an ore feed rate of 410 kg/hr (900 1b/hr) and 88 percent recycled water. Lime and a cationic flocculant were used to clarify the waste slurries treated in the water reclamation circuit. An oxidized taconite assaying approximately 36 percent Fe yielded concentrates averaging 63.5 percent Fe and 4.3 percent SiO2 and having an average iron recovery of 84.4 percent. The estimated reagent cost per tonne of concentrate was approximately $1.10. In an attempt to recover more of the iron lost in the flotation tailing, wet high-intensity magnetic (WHIM) separation was incorporated in the pilot plant circuit. The flotation concentrate grades obtained from beneficiation circuits with and without WHIM scavenging were similar, but when WHIM separation was used the overall iron recovery was increased by 2 to 9.5 percent, depending on the iron assay of the flotation tailing.

Jan 1, 1978

By A. E. Back

A method has been developed in the laboratory for successfully treating titaniferous magnetite ore from the deposit at Iron Mountain, Wyo. The ore is roasted with 15 percent sodium carbonate to convert the vanadium to a water-soluble form and fix the soda for the subsequent electric-smelting step. Approximately 90 percent of the vanadium is recoverable in a product assaying 80 percent V2O5. The leached calcine is briquetted and smelted in a graphite-lined electric-arc furnace. Substantially all of the titanium is recovered in a soda slag, assaying 60 percent TiO2 and 2 percent Fe, which can be upgraded to 75 to 80 percent TiO2 by leaching with dilute sulfuric acid. The upgraded slag could be utilized for the production of titanium dioxide pigments or titanium tetrachloride. About 90 percent of the iron is recovered as pig iron, containing only minor amounts of vanadium, titanium, and sulfur. The high TiO2 slag compares favorably with slag containing about 70 percent TiO2 being produced by the Quebec Iron & Titanium Corp. at Sorel, Quebec. The data obtained from this investigation indicate that a feasible process has been developed for treating Iron Mountain ore, and larger-scale testing is warranted to develop engineering data for the ultimate utilization of this deposit as a source of titanium, iron, and vanadium. There are adequate supplies of basic raw materials, electric power, water, sodium carbonate, coal, and petroleum products within fairly short distances of Cheyenne and Laramie, Wyo., the nearest cities and probable plant- and labor-supply points.

Jan 1, 1952

By Theodore Kootz

Manufacture of high-grade ferromanganese; as a rule; requires a low-phosphorus-manganese ore with 45 to 55 percent Mn, chiefly obtained in the Soviet Union, the British Dominions, and Brazil. Also, low-manganese ores have already been used for ferromanganese production, especially in North America .and Germany. During World War I, a process was developed in which a high-phosphorus ferromanganese or spiegeleisen was prepared in the blast furnace from law- or high-phosphorus manganiferous ores, then low-phosphorus manganese slag was prepared by refining under an acid slag, and this material was, worked into a low-phosphorus ferromanganese in the blast furnace.9/ Manufacture of useful manganese ores from a phosphorus-bearing spiegel with 12 to. 15 percent Mn, 4.5 percent C,, and 0.5 percent P by slagging in a refining furnace was reported by Joseph, Barrett, and Wood.10/ The spiegel was refined to 0.75 percent Mn, 3.4 percent C, and 0.45 percent P. Thereby, a slag with about 43 to 58 percent Mn and, about 10 percent Si02, was obtained. Hotter melts gave a smaller phosphorus content in the slag than cold melts. In addition, the phosphorus content of the slag varied with the manganese content of the intermediate metal.

Jan 1, 1952

By Bowles Oliver

"Modification of Quarry Process.Limestone beds are formed by processes of nature, processes that have been in operation for thousands and perhaps millions of years. Therefore, their com- position and physical properties are long-established and unalterable features over which man has no control. He must take them as he fields them.It is undoubtedly true that the character of lime depends largely on the nature of the parent limestone. A high-calcium lime cannot be manufactured from a dolomite, nor can a pure lime result from the calcination of an impure raw material. However, in the process of turning limestone into lime man is not entirely helpless in his control of quality. Even though a deposit is variable in character a single lime product of uniform quality may be produced by judicious quarrying. A single grade of product may not always be desired, the producer may wish to supply the needs of a variety of users each demanding U different grade or quality of lime such a series of graded products may be produced in part at least by modifying the quarry method. Thus, by changes in quarry practice a single product or a variety of products may be made. The latter problem will be considered at a later time, and the present paper devoted to the first named question' that of producing a single grade of lime from a deposit of variable rock,It is realized of course that uniformity in the product is influenced greatly by manufacturing processes such as calcining' hydrating' grinding or storage, but the present discussion is confined to the influence of raw materials only. In considering the various devices that may be employed it is realized that much remains to be learned, and it is hoped that many operators will contribute to the discussion as they have already done in connection with previous papers of this series."

May 1, 1923