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By E. P. Carman

This report is the 19th in a series summarizing Bureau of Mines research and technologic work on coal and related investigations. The first 17 reports covered fiscal years; however, the 18th report3/ covered the 18 months from July 1, 1952, to December 31, 1953, to permit the publication of this and subsequent reports on a calendar-year basis. Most of the material in this report relates to publications by Bureau authors issued during the reporting period. Some work is referred to on which the results have not yet been published or may not be published for security or other reasons. In a few instances publications are mentioned that were issued before the reporting period but were not included in previous reports. Further details on the published work described herein may be found in the publications cited in the footnotes. Research and technologic work on coal by the Bureau is directed toward developing and encouraging increased conservation of coal resources through safer and more efficient mining, preparation, and utilization. Significant advances were made during the year in these fields, particularly in coal-mine safety and in preparation and utilization of the various ranks of coals.

Jan 1, 1956

By Wilbur T. Stuart

TO assist the mining industry in attacking problems of water control, the U. S. Geological Survey has begun a program of research in mining hydrology. In certain fundamental respects water control is similar to development of water supplies from wells or to the drainage of agricultural lands, as many of the tools developed in recent years for quantitative ground-water problems are applicable, with modification, to mine-water problems. In 1952 a 30-day pumping test conducted jointly by the Eureka Corp. Ltd. and the Defense Minerals Exploration Agency provided an opportunity to gain knowledge concerning water movements around a flooded mine shaft. The methods of analyzing the data may be used as a guide for the evaluation of similar problems elsewhere. The Fad shaft of the Eureka Corp. is on Ruby Hill, 1 1/2 miles west of Eureka, Nev. The shaft was completed at a depth of 2465 ft in November 1947 at a site adjacent to the downfaulted block in which the ore was found. As the drift on the 2250 level progressed toward the ore zone, a large flow of water was encountered after the Martin fault was intersected. This flow exceeded the installed pump capacity, and an unsuccessful attempt to recover the shaft and the 2250 level was made in 1948.1, 2 Geology and Hydrology: The complex structure of Ruby Hill is that of an anticline broken first by thrust faulting and later by normal faults. The present orebody comprises several mineralized zones within a block of the Eldorado limestone of middle Cambrian age which was downfaulted 1400 to 1600 ft, and it may be related to a similar body mined at a higher level south of the Ruby Hill fault. At the depth of the largest zone of ore the block is roughly rectangular in shape, about 1000 ft wide and 1500 ft long, and dips about 30" NE, see Fig. 1. It is apparently bounded on the south by the Ruby Hill fault, on the east by the Jackson fault, on the north by the Martin fault, and the west by the Bowman fault. Within the block, but between the Ruby Hill and the Martin faults, are the Office and Adams Hills faults; west of the block and the Bowman fault are the Albion and Spring Valley faults. There are many conflicting reports concerning the water-yielding characteristics of the Eldorado limestone and the condition of the fault zones, that is, whether they are open or tight. However, the diamond-drill records indicate that open spaces as much as 2 or 3 ft across were encountered, and considerable cementing and lining of holes was necessary to maintain circulation of drilling fluid. There is also evidence that the Eldorado limestone was cavernous where it was mined in the early days south of the Ruby Hill fault. At the site of the Fad shaft the formations encountered from the surface down included the Pogonip limestone, Dunderberg shale, Hamburg limestone, and Secret Canyon shale. These formations did not yield large quantities of water to the shaft. The Pogonip limestone, which appears to be permeable and might yield water elsewhere, is above the water table in the vicinity of the shaft. The Secret Canyon shale, immediately overlying the Eldorado in some places but in most places separated from it by the Geddes limestone,3 is apparently tight and does not transmit water. During the 30-day test period the shale briefly confined the water in the underlying formations so that artesian conditions were observed in drillholes E and F, which are cased into the Eldorado limestone, whereas unconfined conditions were observed in drillholes B, C, and D, which were open to the shale. The Geddes limestone, which normally lies between the Secret Canyon shale and the Eldorado limestone, was not encountered in the Fad shaft. The Geddes, a flaggy, fractured limestone, is reported capable of yielding large volumes of water. Water stored in the interstices of this thin-bedded limestone within the Ruby Hill fault zone on the 1200 level of the Locan shaft drowned the pumps in 1923 when the Richmond-Eureka Mining Co. attempted to explore the area along the fault. Eldorado limestone was not encountered in the Fad shaft. In the ore-block area the Eldorado limestone was not entirely offset from other water-yielding formations by movement along the Bowman fault; therefore it may be hydraulically connected with the other formations. Adjacent to the Ruby Hill, Jackson, and Martin faults, the Eldorado lies in contact with other possible water-yielding formations. One of these, the Prospect Mountain quartzite, is separated from the Eldorado by thin, sheared, and broken beds of the Geddes within the Ruby Hill fault zone. A limited examination by the author of the Prospect Mountain quartzite in the Richmond mine at a higher level and south of the Ruby Hill fault indicates that the quartzite is poorly permeable. The monzonite mass south of the quartzite would be a further barrier to the flow of water. The poor permeability of this area is substantiated by records of levels at which water was encountered south of the Ruby Hill fault. In view of the normally low rate of ground-water recharge, if this desert area had been permeable, water levels could not have been maintained at altitudes of many hundred feet above the present water table west and north of Ruby Hill. Thus the ore-bearing block of Eldorado limestone is in contact with possible water-yielding rocks on at least two sides, and if the fault zones are possible conduits for water circulation the geologic and hydrologic conditions are suitable for the infinite-aquifer type of analysis as used and modified here. History of Pumping: During sinking of the Fad shaft a maximum pumping rate of 1500 gpm kept the shaft dewatered sufficiently, but in March 1948, after the 2250 level drift passed through the Martin fault into the Eldorado limestone, the pumps and shaft were flooded. Subsequently additional pump-

Jan 1, 1956

The ready solubility of gold in dilute aqueous solutions of the cyanides of the alkalies or alkaline earths provides a convenient method for the separation of the precious metal -from the large surplus of associated materia1. The finely ground ore is pulped with a weak solution of cyanide, agitated to dissolve the gold, filtered and washed. The lowgrade filtrate is then clarified and the gold precipitated by some electronegative agent, the most usual being finely divided zinc or zinc dust. The slight precipitate is collectedon some form of filter coated with a filter aid, the filter cake being then known as "gold slime".A typical analysis of this slime is given in Table 1.

Jan 1, 1956

By S. J. Aresco

The Bureau of Mines has been active in promoting the purchase of coal for Government use under specifications that define the requirements in terms of heating value of the coal, expressed in British thermal units, and the composition as shown by proximate analyses. To these, when required, are added the ash-softening temperature of ash, the free-swelling index, and the Hardgrove grindability index. Under most of these specification contracts the bidders guarantee the quality of the coal, and that guaranteed by the successful bidder becomes the standard of his contract. The deliveries are sampled in accordance with instructions~ issued by the Bureau of Mines; the samples are analyzed in the Bureau laboratory to determine whether the coal is of the quality guaranteed by the contractor and, if it is not, a price adjustment is made. Analyses of the delivered coal and tipple samples (samples collected at mine tipples as coal is being loaded into railroad cars or trucks) provide valuable data for use in evaluating future bids. In addition, the continuous sampling of coal as delivered is a check on the practical results obtained in burning the coal.

Jan 1, 1956

By James Westfield

This report covers the calendar year 1954 and has been prepared and submitted to the Congress of the United States in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 106(a) and Sec. 2l2(c) of the Federal Coal-Mine Safety Act (66 Stat. 692; 30 U.S.C. Sec. 451-483). Background The Federal Coal-Mine Inspection program was established to carry out the provisions of Public Law 49, 77th Congress, H. R. 2082, approved May 7, 1941. This act has since been amended to be known as Title I -Advisory Powers Relating to Health and Safety Conditions in Mines, under Public Law 552, 82d Congress, approved July 16, 1952, which also includes Title II -Prevention of Major Disasters in Mines. Public Law 552 is known as the Federal Coal-Mine Safety Act.

Jan 1, 1956

By H. B. Humphrey

WHEN THE BUREAU OF MINES was created in 1910, the organic act had as one of its main provisions the following: That it shall be the province of said bureau and its director, under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, to make diligent investigation of the methods of mining, especially in relation to the safely of miners and the appliances best adapted to prevent accidents, the possible improvement of renditions under which mining operations are carried on, the treatment of ores and other mineral substances, the use of explosives and electricity, the prevention of accidents, and other inquiries and technologic investigations pertinent to said industries, and from tinge to time make such public reports of the work, investigations, and information obtained as the Secretary of said department may direct, with the recommendations of such bureau. The nationwide nature of the health and safety work of the Bureau of Mines has given its representatives an opportunity to study and report on matters pertaining to health and safety in mines and related operations from the time the Bureau was established to the present. Regular annual reports and numerous additional papers and reports have been published each year to place on record and to make available the information gathered. While the basic purpose of this bulletin is to describe health and safety reports for the period January 1947 through June 1955, a selected number of earlier publica¬tions that are believed pertinent for reference purposes are included.

Jan 1, 1956

By Joseph Grumer

About a century ago Bunsen and his associates invented the famous burner that bears his name and was to become the ancestor of today's gas appliances. Over the years, Bunsen's invention became the starting point of a highly developed, practical technology that culminated in the gas industry as we now know it. However, it did not occur to the early workers to investigate the scientific potentialities of the new device, and as a result the science of gas-burner performance did not keep pace with the growing industry. It was with the objective of closing the rapidly widening gap between science and technology that the present research was undertaken Its immediate purpose was to provide basic information on the combustion characteristics of .fuel gases, in particular as they affect flashback, blowoff, and yellow tipping. Information obtained in the present research and contained within this report consists of the following: (1) Fundamental flashback and blowoff characteristics have been determined, it is believed, for all fuel-gas mixtures in which the gas industry may be interested. These are critical boundary velocity gradients for flames in free air, on burners with ports at room temperature and pressure. Burner aeration is characterized by the parameter, fraction of stoichiometric. These basic limits are explained, values are presented, and calculation procedure is given for deriving corresponding values of port loading and percent primary air (chs. I and II).

Jan 1, 1956

By R. Lowery

TODAY, man uses, at will, the land, the water, and the air to transport himself and his goods everywhere across the face of the world. He no longer thinks with wonder of the magic of conquering these elements - he takes his mastery of them for granted. He is, however, constantly striving to squeeze more and more efficiency from each mode of transport. Man's first method of transporting himself and his goods was, obviously, himself; then he acquired his first beast of burden - woman. Most other two-legged female animals carried their young around clinging to their fur. Human mothers were, generally speaking, furless and their offspring less 'Prehensile, and so slings and other trappings were invented to carry young children. Man's inventive genius soon adopted these devices for carrying other burdens, and for countless centuries woman carried all in order that man could walk unencumbered except by his weapons. Later other ?beasts of burden were trained and used, including dogs, horses, oxen, camels, etc. Man also discovered quite early that he could drag along the ground more than he could carry on his back.

Jan 1, 1956

By P. M. Sullivan

This report describes a new application of electroamalgam metallurgy in recovering all the zinc as refined metal from galvanizers' sal skimmings. Pure zinc was recovered by electrolysis of skimmings leach liquors in amalgam cells. The following information was gained as a result of literature studies and subsequent laboratory investigations. 1. Reports in the literature indicate that pure zinc can be recovered from chloride solutions with the aid of amalgam cells. From Europe it was reported that amalgam cells could be used to recover pure zinc and chlorine from leach liquor obtained from pyrite cinders following a chloridizing roast.

Jan 1, 1956

"Guests and Members of the Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute: "It gives me a great deal of pleasure to call the Fifty-Second regular meeting to order this morning. "I think that you will agree with me that we have an excellent program planned for the next three days, comprising various interesting and educational subjects by authors of prominence, which will be of keen interest to all of us in the coal industry. "The Program Committee, chairmanned by John Peperakis, has done an excellent job in securing this very splendid talent for our convention. "I would like to say a word as to the, condition of the coal industry in our part of the country as well as elsewhere. I believe we can look at it with more optimism than in the past several years, particularly in the state of Colorado, with which I am more familiar. "Annual coal production in Colorado gradually dropped from around 12 million tons during the years of World War I to as low as 8 million tons during the last war, and to less than 3 million tons in the year of 1954. We believe that it touched bottom that year, as in 1955 the state production went up again to nearly 3,400,000 tons, equivalent to an increase of 15%. As you know, the national increase in bituminous coal production for the year of 1955 was roughly 2000 over 1954. "The national increase for the first two months of 1956 over the same period of 1955 is approximately 2100. Colorado's production is running around 1000 over the comparable period of last year, and the 5 states represented by our Institute came up with a nice increase in 1955 over 1954 of 1000. "Figures on the increase so, far in 1956 for this group of states are not readily available, but I fully believe that. our industry locally, as well as nationally, is now starting out on a steady rise despite the fanfare of nuclear energy and its more glamorous competitor, solar energy. Many authorities tell us that real competition from these sources is a long way off and that the atomic energy program will consume far more coal than is displaced by nuclear power. "I do not mean to infer that we coal people are out of the woods by a long way' so far as holding and regaining markets, for our coal. The captive operators, which are well represented here, have not lost their market for coking coal, since coke is still a necessary

Jan 1, 1956

By P. A. Beck, M. V. Nevitt

All binary and a number of ternary u alloys formed by first long period transition elements were examined and found to be ferromagnetic at low temperatures. The Curie temperatures for these alloys were measured. It was found that the correlation of the Curie temperature with composition may be described qualitatively in terms of the contributions of the various component atomic moments to the saturation moment of the alloy. Ternary Fe-Cr-Mo u phase alloys were also found to be ferromagnetic, with a Curie temperature dependent on the iron content and largely independent of the unit cell dimensions. Similar relations were found for the Co-Fe-Cr and the Co-Cr-Mo a alloys, where the Co + Fe content appears to determine the Curie temperature. RECENTLY, it has become increasingly evident that the u phase is some kind of an "electron compound." Several papers1-' discussed the empirical correlation between the composition of the various u phases in alloys of the transition elements and the distribution of electrons in the partially filled d-levels of the component atoms. However, a picture of the latter can be formed only in a more or less intuitive manner, as in the Pauling theory," and the rigorous treatment of these problems is at present prevented by lack of adequate knowledge of the electronic structure of the transition elements in the metallic state. It appeared reasonable to expect that investigation of the magnetic properties, which are related to d-shell electrons, may help in clarifying the physical nature of the foregoing empirical correlation. Qualitative tests of samples of various compositions have shown that certain u alloys become ferromagnetic at liquid nitrogen temperature." The present investigation was undertaken to determine whether or not low temperature ferromagnetism is characteristic of a large variety of u alloys and to establish how the Curie temperatures of ferromagnetic u alloys are influenced by changes in composition and in lattice parameter. In the first portion of the in- vestigation, Curie temperatures were measured for a series of u alloys containing either vanadium or chromium with one or two of the elements manganese, iron, cobalt, or nickel. In the second phase of the work, data were obtained on the Curie temperature of ternary (Fe, Co, Cr)a, (Fe, Cr, Mo)a, and (Co, Cr, MO)U alloys, as a function of composition and of interatomic spacing. Experimental Procedures High frequency vacuum melting in high purity re-crystallized alumina crucibles was employed in the preparation of the u alloys, using metals whose lot analyses are given in Table I. Approximately two-thirds of the alloys were analyzed chemically, the analytical results being in acceptable agreement with the intended compositions, as seen in Tables I1 and 111. The specimens were annealed for homogen-ization in an atmosphere of purified 92 pct He and 8 pct H, mixture or in evacuated and sealed Vycor tubes at temperatures from 780" to 1300°C, depending on the temperature range of the u phase field for the particular composition. The annealing temwerature and time for kach alloy are given in Tables 11 and 111. Curie points were determined by an induction method; the change with temperature of mutual inductance between two coils was observed when the i-u specimen was inserted into the flux path between the coils. The transformer consisted of three coils each containing 1200 turns of 0.0050 in. diam enameled copper wire. The center coil, P in Fig. 1, served as the primary coil, and was linked magnetically with each of the two secondary coils, S, and S? which were connected in series opposition. The primary coil, P, was energized by an audio-oscillator, set at a frequency of 500 cycles per sec, while the signal from the transformer secondary circuit,

Jan 1, 1956

By J. S. McNabb

"A search for manganese ore by core-drill exploration was carried out by the Bureau of Mines in the Philipsburg mining district in Granite County, Mont., in 1939 and 1940. This work was based on detailed studies of the manganese ore bodies of the district previously made by the Geological Survey.In 1949 further search for manganese in the district was deemed advisable. Diamond drilling was begun the following year as a joint program by the Geological Survey and the Bureau of Mines with the primary purposes of probing ore-leasing structures and extending the limits of known ore bodies. A secondary objective was to test a geologic theory based on a new conception of manganese-ore localization. The exploration targets were designated and the drilling results interpreted by the Geological Survey, and the Bureau of Mines was responsible for the drilling, sampling, and core handling. Improved drilling equipment and methods were utilized in an effort to obtain better core recoveries than resulted from the earlier drilling campaign.The Philipsburg mining district, Granite County, Mont., is 27 miles south of Drurrnnond, about 45 miles airline northwest of Butte, and 1 mile east of Philipsburg. During the course of the investigation patented lode-mining claims owned by the American Machine & Metals, Inc., the Contact Mines, Inc., and the Moorlight Mining Co. were diamond drilled.The district has been an important source of domestic manganese dioxide ore since local recognition of the mineral's importance during World War I. Peak annual output in 1918 of about 127,000 tons of manganese ore was utilized principally by the steel industry. A small but relatively steady output has persisted to the present to satisfy demands by battery manufacturers for battery-grade manganese dioxide.The known manganese deposits of the district are in sedimentary rocks of Paleozoic age. These rocks lie along a north-trending anticline traversed by a series of east-west tension veins. The east flank of the anticline terminates at a steep-dipping fault contact against a small granodiorite batholith.Replacement deposits of manganese oxides and carbonates occur locally in or closely associated with tension veins cutting calcareous rocks, or adjacent to the intrusive. Rhodochrosite has been a common accessory mineral in deposits valuable chiefly for lead, zinc, and silver. Some of the replacement deposits characteristically are irr2gular in outline, whereas others have fairly regular walls marking the limits of favorable beds."

Dec 1, 1955

Flexibility is the keynote in designing modern exploration drills that and mobility. Add to the flexibility of individual drills the wide range of models, and the man looking for a drill has ample choice today. Weight? Choose from models as light as 50 lb or as heavy as 10,000 lb. Hole capacity? From less than 1 in. for smallest core drills to 20 in. or more for auger types. Transportation? The lightest go by packsack (in fact, that is one trade name) ; others are designed to go by Jeep, truck, on skids or are built on light trailers. Power? Select air power, gasoline or diesel engine, electric motor, or use a power take-off from the vehicle on which the drill is mounted. Drill bits offer almost as much variety as the drilling machines themselves. Many drills are suitable for a variety of uses, and often adapt to several types of bits with ease. Some of the types available are: diamond core, diamond reaming, rotary, auger, shot, and special soil sampling tools.

Oct 1, 1955

By Lloyd Williams, R. E. Hershey, B. W. Gandrud

"1. The investigation shows that the Sewanee bed is the only bed of major importance in Marion County, 97 percent of the coal mined in the county having come :from this bed. There are coal reserves in minor quantity in the Battle Creek bed, and production from this bed depends on a few small truck mines. The Richland bed, or Lower Sevanee has been mined in the past, but no coal has been produced from it in late years. There are no production records of any other beds in the county, although some coal has been produced from them.2. Known measured and indicated reserves in all beds, based on a minimum thickness of 14 inches and on l,800 tons per acre-foot of coal in place, are estimated to be 61 million short tons as of January 1, 1953. Of this total, 55 million short tons is in beds 28 inches and more thick. Areas in each bed ·were omitted from the estimate where available data relative to the bed characteristics are too meager to permit making an estimate that conforms with the definitions of measured and indicated coal adopted for this study. Should future drilling or development prove reserves in these areas, such reserves should be added to the total estimated reserves.3. Recoverable reserves of coal are estimated in beds 28 inches and more 'thick. This recovery is based on total thickness of coal in the bed (less partings 3/8-inch thick or more), rather than on the thickness of the coal actually mined. This thickness is about the minimum now being mined by hand loading onto conveyors in the Appalachian Region. The combined weighted average recovery for the Sewanee and Battle Creek beds in Marion County, as determined by this investigation, is 60.9 percent. Based on this, the recoverable reserves of coal in Marion County are estimated at 34 million tons."

Oct 1, 1955

By Juan Ayza

Ante el peligro de la concentración y exposición de los polvos de sílices en el personal minero, el presente texto revisa la silicosis -en tanto determina las propiedades de los polvos en reacción y su relación con los medios para detectarlo. Asimismo este estudio constituye en un problema de mecánica de fluidos, donde las operaciones más peligrosas se evidencian en la perforación y explosiones. También se refieren algunos datos sobre los costos de profilaxis de la silicosis y de las indemnizaciones de los enfermos.

Oct 1, 1955

El presente artículo señala que el proceso de exploración en superficie de la mina de Cercapuquio para determinar nuevas zonas mineralizadas, es de difícil actuación a causa de la falta de ganga en este tipo de mineralización. Para ello, se consideró oportuno proceder a una exploración de carácter geológico de la zona en estudio, antes de empezar los trabajos sistemáticos de exploración geofísica. Asimismo, los procedimientos empleados en las etapas de exploración, son las siguientes: trabajos geológicos, geofísicos y mineros.

Oct 1, 1955

By Eugene N. Cameron

Pegmatites occur in abundance in certain areas of South West Africa and in adjacent parts of northern Cape Province in the Union of South Africa. Some of the pegmatite deposits were prospected before World War I, and intermittent mining was done during the period between the two World Wars. The deposits of the Jooste lithium mines became an important source of lepidolite, and beryl, columbite-tantalite, wolframite, and other minerals were produced. Since World War I1 prospecting and mining have been carried on vigorously, with the result that South West Africa produced nearly 3000 tons of beryl during 1949 through 1953, together with more than 40,000 tons of lithium minerals, chiefly lepidolite and petalite. Small amounts of tantalite, columbite, and other minerals have also been produced during the postwar period. Most of this mineral production has come from two pegmatite areas roughly outlined in Fig. 1. One is the Karibib-Omaruru area of north central South West Africa. The second is the northeastern part of the Orange River pegmatite area, which extends into adjacent parts of Namaqualand, in northern Cape Province of the Union of South Africa

Sep 1, 1955

El presente artículo describe la morfología, estratografía y geología de la mina de Cercapuquio. Su geografía consiste en una zona levantada por fenómenos orogenéticos, donde después de un período de glaciación regular y se ha formado en su parte central, la cabecera del río Chacuasmayo ( o Cerca puquio); en la parte oriental, un sistema de valles paralelos entre sí, con lagunas, tributarias del río La Virgen e igualmente, y en la parte occidental, otro sistema parecido de valles paralelos, lagunares, tributarios del río Canipaco.

Aug 1, 1955

By Thomas Fraser

"El siguiente estudio señala las recomendaciones para la preparación de las antracitas del Santa de la mina ""La Limeña"", así como las modalidades para determinar los efectos de la ""trituración"" diferencial y ""maceración"" en agua del carbón del tipo ""Limeña"". El resultado de estas pruebas en Bradford, mostraron que el carbón de ""La Limeña"" es adaptable para la ""trituración"" diferencial. Dicho mineral es mucho más blando que el relave, de allí que una gran proporción del carbón limpio disponible permanezca en su tamaño lógico inferior a 5/16"" producido en la extracción y manipuleo. Así también el tratamiento experimental de los tamaños mayores en una planta del tipo Bradford se divide en dos: el primero refiere un relave ""duro "" de tamaño mayor, que contiene una pequeña cantidad de carbón limpio, brillante y fácilmenteescogido a mano; y lo segundo, es una mezcla de tamaño inferior, de ""middling"" y carbón para lavado posterior."

Jul 20, 1955

By Carlos E. Del Río

"El presente estudio señala las normas que resolverían el problema entre las variaciones de ley y tonelaje del mineral explotado, a partir del establecimiento de la relación matemática económica entre las condiciones de producción actuales y la variante asumida. Como segundo punto, estudia las variaciones posibles de efectuarse en tonelaje y ley a base de una cubicación detallada, mientras que el tercer punto, señala el cálculo de los costos de minado según las condiciones particulares de cada exploración. Este cálculo y su distribución varía gradualmente según los diversos sistemas y quienes los empleen."

Jul 20, 1955