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By Forest H. Majors

"INTRODUCTION The Brutch sulfur deposits were explored by the Bureau of Mines during the spring and summer of 1944. Old workings were rehabilitated and sampled, test pits and shafts were sunk, and trenches were cut through the surface alluvium.ACKNOWLEDGMENTSIn its program of exploration of mineral deposits, the Bureau of Mines has as its primary objective the more effective utilization of our mineral resources to the end that they make the greatest possible contribution to national security and economy. It is the policy of the Bureau to publish the facts developed by each exploratory project as soon as practicable after its conclusion. The Mining Branch, Lowell B. Moon, chief, conducts prelimi¬nary examinations, performs the actual exploratory work, and prepares the final report. The Metallurgical Branch, R. G. Knickerbocker, chief, analyzes samples and performs beneficiation tests. Both these branches are under the supervision of Dr. R. S. Dean, assistant director.Special acknowledgment is due S. R. Zimmerley, regional engineer, and Paul T. Allman, principal engineer, Bureau of Mines, Salt Lake City, for their supervisory aid, and to the metallurgical staff, Salt Lake City, for beneficiation of samples."

Oct 1, 1946

By Robert C. Johnson

Water-swelling fluormicas and fluormontmorillonoids were synthesized and described. They were found predominantly in the system Mg0 - MgF2 - Si02, with varying amounts of Li+ or Na+, Some water-swelling synthetic minerals were prepared with only strontium or lead in the twelvefold position, Water- swelling compounds containing either K+ or Ba+ were not found. The synthesized water-swelling products were shown by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and chemical analysis to be typically two-silica-layer, platy compounds, Except for the complete substitution of fluoride for hydroxyl, the compounds were similar to the natural micas or montmorillonites. The stability and properties of the compounds were further established by electrodialysis, by differential thermal analysis, and by anion and cation exchange methods. Fluoride in the interlayer positions was nonexchangeable except through decomposition of the product. Exchanging the sodium or the lithium of the synthetic fluormicas or fluormontmorillonoids with potassium ion, particularly those derived from KOH provided a product from which a completely inorganic paper of extraordinary flexibility was fabricated. This paper had excellent mechanical and electrical properties except for water adsorption and a high power factor. Neither of these problems was solved during this investigation. However, papers with dielectric strength from 1,500 to 5,000 volts per mil were readily fabricated, particularly from the lithium containing fluormicas or fluormontmorill onoids.

Jan 1, 1963

By F. R. Cattoir

This Bureau of Mines study investigated molten salt electrorefining for beneficiating low-grade, high-carbon ferrochromium products which can be readily produced from domestic chromite concentrates. A second objective was to refine commercial ferrochromium into low-iron chromium products. Electrorefining of both types of ferrochromium in molten CaC12-NaCl-CrC12, CaCl2-MgC12-CrCl2, or KC1-LiCl-CrCl2 electrolytes produced chromium-iron products with virtual elimination of other impurity elements and some lowering of the iron content, Over 90 percent of the chromium present in the feed materials was recovered. The electrodeposited products were upgraded further by magnetic separation techniques into chromium containing less than 5 percent iron. The technical feasibility of preparing a premium chromium product from a low-grade, high-carbon ferrochromium made from domestic chromite was demonstrated. Chromium virtually free of carbon, oxygen, and silicon from high-carbon ferrochromiums was produced. In addition, the amenability of three commercial grades of ferrochromium to electrorefining and magnetic separation for preparing chromium metal containing less than 5 percent iron was determined.

Jan 1, 1969

By Joseph T. Singewald

The possible value of the red hematite iron ore of the southern Appalachian States, if some practicable method of concentrating it could be devised, has long been recognized. The ore is very low grade, and although in enormous quantities, particularly in the States of Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia, is only at a few points rich enough to work, and even the best of it ranks among the lowest grade iron ores being mined in the United States. A cheap method of beneficiating this ore would make enormous quantities available and vastly increase the iron-ore resources of the country. However, this low-grade ore in effect constitutes a potential iron reserve, and as long as ample quantities of ore can be obtained elsewhere the question of its utilization does not demand immediate notice. Where these ores are in part of workable grade, however, a problem of more immediate importance arises which, from considerations of economy and prevention of waste in their mining, ought to be solved or, at least, attacked as quickly as possible. Where these ores are being worked they are usually intimately associated with lowergrade material that in mining is left behind. The difficulty and expense of going into ground broken by old workings makes the recovery of this lower-grade ore practically impossible and it is lost forever. Success in concentrating the red ores, therefore, would save material that is now being irretrievably lost. The successful largescale concentration of low-grade ore in the last few years on the Lake Superior iron ranges should encourage the attack of similar problems in the Birmingham district. While studying iron-mining methods in the United States for the Bureau of Mines, Dwight E. Woodbridge, consulting mining engineer of the bureau, was impressed with the importance of this problem, and believed it merited the attention of the bureau. Accordingly, Mr. Woodbridge had Mr. W. J. Penhallegon, general superintendent of ore mines and quarries of the Republic Iron & Steel Co., of Birmingham, send the author of this report five samples of the unworkable siliceous ores of the district. The results of concentration experiments with these ores made a more thorough 'and systematic investigation desirable. In consequence, the author subsequently collected samples in the district, and these became the basis of the experimental work described in this report. The results are published by the Bureau of Mines as a part of its efforts to increase efficiency in the utilization of mineral resources. The experiments were conducted in the geological laboratory of the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md., with the aid of Raymond Leibensperger, mining assistant. The chemical analyses were made by A. C. Fieldner, chemist, of the Bureau of Mines. The author wishes to express his appreciation of the courtesies extended to him by the mining companies of the district, and particularly to Mr. W. J. Penhallegon, of the Republic Iron & Steel Co. Thanks are also due Prof. W. B. Clark, director of the geological laboratory of the Johns Hopkins University, the unrestricted use of the facilities of the laboratory.

Jan 1, 1917

By H. R. Babitzke, H. Kato, R. E. Siemens, G. Asai

The purpose of this investigation was to develop a wide variety of columbium and tantalum alloys and to determine their suitability for use at elevated temperatures . Sixty - nine columbium and tantalum alloys were investigated . For this study , columbium was alloyed with two or more of the following : nium, tungsten , vanadium , titanium, and zirconium . Tantalum was alloyed with vanadium or hafnium, or hafnium and carbon . The fabricability was determined by an arbitrary procedure . Hardness measurements , elevated - temperature tensile properties , and oxidation- resistance studies were made . Of the alloys studied , Cb - 15 Hf - 5W, Cb - 15Hf - 5W- 10Ti , Cb - 15Hf - 10W- 10Ti , Cb - 10V - 5W, Ta - 30V , and Ta - 20 to 33Hf exhibited excellent high - temperature properties . These alloys were not only easy to fabricate , but they also had good oxidation resistance and excellent high- temperature strength .

Jan 1, 1964

By Alfred Bellows

The objective was to develop and design a remotely operated temporary roof support system that provides a safe working environment between a freshly cut coal face and the last line of permanently supported roof in which to perform roof bolting activities. This system was to take the form of a retrofit package which could be adapted to a majority of the bolters currently in service. The result is an integrated piece of hardware which will retrofit onto virtually all single boom bolters by removing the drill boom and relocating and modifying the hydraulic controls. The system is composed of three basic components: a pair of cantilevered roof supports which reach forward to the desired line of support, a mast type drill unit for drilling holes and torquing bolts, and a transverse slide assembly to carry the drill from hole to hole across the entry without relocating either the bolter or the roof support. A converted bolter not only provides a much safer operation but is projected to increase the production speed as well as reduce the manpower required to operate a section.. This improvement in productivity is shown to make the job of retrofitting a bolter cost effective in less than two months and provide a potential profit thereafter. Based on the findings presented in this report it is recommended that a proto-type be built and tested in an underground coal mine to demonstrate its effectiveness.

Jan 1, 1976

By R. A. Friedel

THE UTILIZATION by the Bureau of Mines of infrared and ultraviolet-visible spectrometry in connection with coal research has led to some basic improvements in methods, including a calibration method, a quantitative assessment of infrared spectral energy sources, and the development and perfection of infrared filters and cells. The adoption of a micropipet method to flush organic samples into absorption cells permits the investigation of vapors from organic liquids and the identification of volatile organic compounds. The spectral method has been used to investigate the infrared spectra of metal chelates, the charge-transfer complexing properties of aniline and nitrobenzene, an infrared method for determining the presence of methane in coal-mine air that has been adopted for use in enforcing the regulations of the National Coal Mine Safety Act, and atmospheric pollution including smog and odor-causing oxidation and decomposition of organic materials. Correlation of spectra and structure of organic compounds, particularly aromatics, was studied.

Jan 1, 1966

By D. A. Buckingham

The Bureau of Mines evaluated potential availability of domestic nickel from 23 deposits, Evaluations included an estimation of in situ and recoverable resources, applicable mining and processing technologies, and capital and operating costs. Discounted cash flow analysis with a 15-pct rate of return was used to determine the average total cost of production of each operation, Identified in situ resources contain 9.0 million metric tons (t) of nickel; 5.5 million t is recoverable as nickel metal or ferronickel. Demonstrated in situ resources contain 8.2 million t of nickel; 4.8 million t is recoverable as nickel metal or ferronickel. No nickel is available at a total cost of production equal to the January 1983 market price of $3.24 per pound. Analyses indicate that potential annual production can only meet current consumption levels at a total cost of production of $7.60 per pound of nickel, Nickel's availability is contingent on (1) successful adaptability of nickel processing methods to domestic resources, (2) location of a smelting facility, and (3) marketability of byproducts and coproducts. Analyses were performed on the effects of byproduct and coproduct revenues, energy, labor, and transportation costs, and metallurgical recoveries on nickel's availability.

Jan 1, 1984

By Francis C. Lincoln

"INTRODUCTION In the course of a general investigation of mines and mineral deposits in the Upper Mississippi lead and zinc field, attention of the Bureau of Mines was first directed to the Coker mines area by the presence of large tonnages of old mill tailings containing economically recoverable percentages of lead and zinc. Later, the results of extensive geologic studies of the area were presented to the Bureau of Mines by the Federal Geological Survey, directing attention to the possibility of extending the known ore limits of the area to the north and northeast of the old Coker No. 1 mine workings.With this end in view, the Bureau of Mines undertook a program of churn drilling and sampling. This report describes the work done and presents the data obtained during the period of the Bureau of Mines investigation.ACKNOWLEDGMENTSIn its program of investigation of mineral deposits, the Bureau of Mines has as its primary objective the more effective utilization of our mineral resources to the end that they make the greatest possible contribution to national security and economy. The Mining. Division, Lowell B. Moon, chief, conducts preliminary examinations, does the actual investigative work, and prepares the final report. The Metallurgical Division, O. C. Ralston, chief, analyzes the samples and makes beneficiation tests."

Apr 1, 1948

By Wilbert J. Huff

The organization of the Explosives Division is indicated by the accompanying chart (fig. 1). As this has been discussed in a previous report3/, it will not be considered further in this report. The activities of the various units are outlined below. I. INFLAMMABILITY OF GASES AND VAPORS4/ Determination of the Explosion Hazards of Combustible Gases and Vapors Found in Mines and Industries The Explosives Division maintains, at the Pittsburgh Experiment Station, a laboratory specially equipped for the determination of the explosion hazards of combustible gases and vapors. Of particular importance, is the determination of the chemical composition within which explosions may occur and beyond which there is no danger of explosion, combustion or inflammation. These limits, known as the limits of inflammability, as determined by this and other laboratories, have been compiled in Bulletin 279 of this Bureau. The last revised edition (1931) of this bulletin has been exhausted. Since it was published, the Pittsburgh laboratory has determined the limits of about 40 combustibles and has ascertained more precisely ant accurately many previously published limits.

Jan 1, 1938

In presenting this list of permissible explosives and blasting devices, the Bureau of Mines desires to call attention to pages 19 and 24 outlining, the conditions in use under which, and only under which, the explosive or blasting device is permissible. In view of a recent publication recounting trade practice favoring the use of a blasting device without stemming, particular emphasis is placed upon condition 4 on page 19 and condition 2 on page 24. 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.

Jan 1, 1940

In presenting this list of permissible explosives and blasting devices, the Bureau of Mines desires to call attention to pages 19 and 24 outlining, the conditions in use under which, and only under which, the explosive or blasting device is permissible. In view of a recent publication recounting trade practice favoring the use of a blasting device without stemming, particular emphasis is placed upon condition 4 on page 19 and condition 2 on page 24. 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.

Jan 1, 1940

By Seth T. Reese

REPORTS received from operating companies by the Bureau of Mines, United States Department of the Interior, indicated marked progress in the reduction of injuries to employees in the coking industry in 1951 as compared with 1950. The fatality rate (0.14) per million man-hours of exposure declined 33 percent and was the second best performance since statistics on the industry were first collected in 1916. The nonfatal-injury rate (10.94), the best since 1940, declined 8 percent and was bettered only in 8 of the past 36 years. The nonfatal rate is based on all injuries resulting in loss of time for more than the remainder of the day on which the injury occurred. The exposure to hazard, as represented by the number of man-hours of work time during the year, was 7 percent higher than in 1950 and, except for the year 1943, was the highest since 1920. The fatality rate for men employed at beehive-coke ovens decreased 16 percent and the nonfatal-injury rate 23 percent, while the man-hours of work time or exposure increased slightly over 16 percent. The fatality and nonfatal-injury rates at byproduct ovens declined 33 and 2 ½ percent, respectively, while the number of man-hours worked increased 6 percent.

Jan 1, 1954

By Kenneth M. Maas

The Bureau of Mines inventoried the land in southwestern Alaska to classify ownership and availability and compared this land with known mineral terranes and mineral deposits. This report discusses and quantifies the potential for favorable location of mining claims for metalliferous (locatable) mineral deposits. Of the nearly 24 million acres that constitute the study area, approximately 3.6 million acres or 17% are available for mineral location, 3.4 million acres or 14% are available with restrictions, and 17 million acres or 71% are unavailable. Mineral terranes are known to underlie about 7.8 million acres or 33% of the study area; 3 million acres or 38% occur on land available for mineral location, 1.3 million acres or 17% occur on land available with restrictions, and 3.5 million acres or 45% occur on unavailable land. The State of Alaska has opened over 91 % of its land in the study area to mineral location; in comparison, the Federal Government allows mineral location on 0.07% of the land under its jurisdiction. There are 117 known mineral deposits or occurrences within the study area, including 77 lode deposits and 40 placer deposits. Of the 41 lode deposits occurring within a mineral terrane, 2 occur on available land.

Jan 1, 1988

By John F. Papp

The objective of this U.S. Bureau of Mines study is to calculate an accurate, reliable estimate of chromium and nickel content of stainless and heat-resisting steel produced in the United States. The columbium, manganese, molybdenum, titanium, tungsten, and vanadium contents of this steel are also calculated. Such contents are required for estimating the quantity of alloying element recovered from recycled stainless steel and consumed by market sectors. In this investigation, the elemental fraction of stainless and heat-resisting steel was calculated as the ratio of the weight of element contained in stainless steel to the weight of stainless steel produced. The elemental fraction has been calculated as a time-averaged, grade-averaged value. The elemental fraction was averaged from 1962 through 1983, and averaged over the grades for which production was reported by the American Iron and Steel Institute during that time period. The 1962-83 average elemental fraction of U.S.-produced stainless and heat-resisting steel was calculated for chromium to be about 0.17 ± 0.01; columbium, 0.00014 ± 0.00003; manganese, 0.015 ± 0.005; molybdenum, 0.004 ± 0.001; nickel, 0.07 ± 0.01; silicon, 0.009 ± 0.001; titanium, 0.0004 ± 0.0001; tungsten, 0.0001±0.00003; and vanadium, 0.00003±0.0000l.

Jan 1, 1991

By P. M. Ambrose, A. C. Fieldner

This , the 11th annual report of research and technologic work conducted by the Bureau of Mines on coal and coal products , is issued following the closing of the Bureau's war work on fuels and contains references to most of the published articles containing results of war investigations . The few remaining papers will be discussed in next year's report . The trend in coal research in the Bureau of Mines was discussed in Mechaniza- tion . This publication , covering the period from the close of armed con- flict to resumption of normal coal -research activities , includes a section never previously presented . There is included for the first time a discussion of the Bureau's activities in the Liquid Fuels and Lubricants and the Solid Fuels Subcommittees of the Technical Industrial Intelligence Committee . This report does not replace the more comprehensive ones prepared by individual authors and listed as footnote references in this publication . purpose is to bring to the reader a résume of the work for the fiscal year ended June 30 , 1946. The material presented herein is based largely upon publications , but the results of some research and testing, which would not otherwise be published in the near future, are presented in detail .

Jul 1, 1947

By T. E. Gray

This report describes the preparation characteristics of the three significant coal beds in Greene County, Pa. It is one of a series planned to determine which coals are suitable for the production of metallurgical coke, either as mined or after beneficiation. Over 12.5 million tons of coal was produced in Greene County in 1956, of which approximately 10 million tons was cleaned mechanically in 8 cleaning plants. The Bureau of Mines has estimated that 3.5 billion tons of recoverable coal remained in the county as of January 1, 1954.

Jan 1, 1958

By Robert A. Clifton

This Bureau of Mines report discusses the mineralogy of zeolites, the properties that make them commercially valuable, the conditions of formation of both natural and synthetic zeolites, and present and potential markets.

Jan 1, 1987

In 2001, a total of 2,144 coal mining operations reported employment to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Coal mines comprised 14.7% of all mining operations. • Bituminous mines comprised 92.0% (n=1,972) and anthracite mines 8.0% (n=172) of coal mining operations. • More than 71% of coal mines were located in three states: Kentucky (29.5%), West Virginia (21.3%), and Pennsylvania (20.6%).

Apr 1, 2003

By George J. Conroy

This Bureau of Mines report summarizes the results of a study of mine inspection records covering 2,200 mining installations over a 3-year period ending December 1974. Tables show the relative frequency of violations of certain provisions of the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 in particular areas of concern, such as circuit breakers, grounding, and permissibility. Examples of past use of the data and analyses are presented.

Jan 1, 1976