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By P. L. Swanson

Stability analyses of fractured and faulted rock masses require delineation of the position, extent, and orientation of geologic discontinuities. The size of the smallest active discontinuity that may potentially be resolved using the spatial distribution of microseismic event locations is Limited by the accuracy and precision of the location methods. At a hard-rock mine in the Coeur D'Alene mining district of northern Idaho, two data sets consisting of calibration blast signals from a known source site and origin time and microseismic event signals were recorded using a stope-wide accelerometer array. These seismic signals are used to quantify various sources of error in event location. Five factors influencing source location errors are examined in this U.S. Bureau of Mines study: (1) biases of the numerical source location techniques, (2) receiver array geometries, (3) uncertainties in receiver positions, (4) errors in picking arrival times, and (5) uncertainties in seismic velocity structure, including the effect of mine openings. In addition, synthetic data (accelerometer positions, travel-time picks and wave velocity) are used to determine the effect of known systematic and random errors on source location calculations. It is shown that the commonly accepted association of minimum travel-time residuals with the best location solution does not necessarily hold true when there is a systematic error in seismic velocity. Recommendations are made for increasing the accuracy and precision of locations of microseismic events detected under similar field conditions.

Jan 1, 2010

By W. L. Dare

This information circular is one of a series published by the Federal Bureau of Mines in which the methods and costs of producing uranium ore on the Colorado Plateau are discussed. This report describes the three largest company-operated uranium mines of Climax Uranium Co. - the G-1, the Mineral Joe, and the Frank No. 1. Climax Uranium Co., a subsidiary of American Metal Climax, Inc., was [corporated] May 11, 1950, just 2 years after establishment of the domestic uranium program by the Atomic Energy Commission. Twenty-five years earlier Arthur H. Bunker, now chairman of the board, American Metal Climax, Inc., organized and operated the U. S. Vanadium Co. at Rifle, Colo.3/ Soon after Climax Uranium Co. was organized, it entered into a contract with the Federal Government to build a uranium-vanadium processing mill in Grand Junction, Colo. Under the contract Climax leased from the Federal Government certain uranium-bearing lands that had been withdrawn from public entry in 1948. From Minerals, Engineering Co. on June 12, 1950, Climax acquired other uranium-vanadium properties on Calamity, Outlaw, and Monogram Mesas in Colorado and on Polar Mesa and in the Yellow Cat area of Utah. To house the milling equipment, Climax leased the old Grand Junction sugarmill building of the Holly Sugar Co. Milling facilities, based on a then new process developed for treating both uranium and vanadium, were completed, and the plant went into production in 1951.

Jan 1, 1959

By K. L. Paciorek

Organic materials utilized as cable Jacketing, cable insulation, standoffs, insulating boards and potting compositions were identified and d literature survey performed to obtain the required thermal oxidative and moist tracking data. Thirty representative compositions were procured and subjected to thermal and moist tracking evaluations. Tracking was found to invariably result in ignition or glow of the test specimen. Influence of parameters such as electrolyte strength and composition, temperature, conductor spacing, and electrode material were investigated. Volatile s produced by selected insulators on thermal oxidative and electrical stress were identified, quantitated, and their potential impairment action upon a current interrupter assessed.

Jan 1, 1980

By D. D. Walker

Scheelite, the most abundant tungsten mineral in the Philipsburg region of Montana, is found in replacement deposits and along fissures and cracks in limestone at various distances from contacts with acidic igneous rocks. It also occurs at the limestone-igneous contacts, but typical garnet tactites are developed in only a few places in the region. The most favorable host rocks for scheelite mineralization are the Jefferson, Hasmark, and Madison limestones. Scheelite is exposed in float, outcrops, and surface and mine workings along a 2-mile-wide belt extending southwest from Lost Creek beyond Silver Lake, a distance of 15 miles or more. (See fig. 1.) Some scheelite is found in veins formerly mined for silver. Powellite and molybdenite occasionally are present with the scheelite. Hubnerite occurs in quartz veins in the Black Pine area 10 miles northwest of Philipsburg. These quartz veins occur in the quartzites of the Precambrian Spokane formation. Tungsten production in the region has come almost exclusively from scheelite deposits, both lode and placer. During a 6-year period beginning in 1943 a total of 142.0 tons of 63-percent W03 concentrate was produced by H & H Mines Co. In the early 1950's, the Trigger mine produced 4,000 tons of 1-percent W03 ore and the Tip Top 650 tons of 2.0-percent W03 ore and 2,906 tons of 2.2-percent ore. There has been sporadic production from some of the smaller properties in the area.

Jan 1, 1960

By R. A. Bloomfield

This report summarizes Bureau of Mines contract research on the disposal of retorted oil shale. A data base has been developed describing the physical-chemical properties, geotechnical engineering properties, and natural cementation characteristics of spent shale. Results of field compaction tests and seepage pond tests are presented, along with results of a partially saturated finite element seepage model used to predict infiltration and seepage rates. Preliminary engineering analyses are presented for underground disposal systems, which include material transport methods, and for a surface disposal system, which includes stability analyses.

Jan 1, 1981

By R. Barany

The heats of formation of seven substances were determined by solution calorimetry. At 298.15° K, the heat of formation of lithium sulfate from lithium, rhombic sulfur, and oxygen was -343.1 ± 0.7 kcal/mole, and the heat of formation of lithium sulfate monohydrate from lithium, rhombic sulfur, oxy-gen, and hydrogen was -414.3 ± 0.7 kcal/mo1e. For the silicates, the heats of formation at 298.15° K from the elements were kaliophilite, -503.8 ± 0.5 kcal/mole; leucite, -721.6 ± 0,8 kcal/mole; eucryptite, -505,2 ± 0.6 kcal/mole; alpha-spodumene, -727.9 ± 0.9 kcal/mole; and beta-spodumene, -721.1 ± 0.9 kcal/mole. The corresponding heats of formation at 298.15° K from the constituent oxides were kaliophilite, -42.7 ± 1.1 kca1/mole; leucite, -42.8 ± 1.1 kcal/mole; eucryptite, -16.1 ± 0.7 kcal/mole; alpha-spodumene, -21.0 ± 0.7 kcal/mo1e; and beta-spodumene, -14.3 ± 0.7 kcal/mo1e.

Jan 1, 1966

By Forrest T. Moyer

To keep the mineral and allied industries informed of trends in the causes of accidents and to point out the need for corrective measures, the Bureau of Mines collects, analyzes, and publishes, periodically health and safety statistics. This report includes data for 1961 on injury experience, with related employment statistics, at coal mines in the United Status. These data are presented in tabular form under the following headings; General Injury Experience Tables 1 to 6: Current data on number of injuries, degree of injury, frequency and severity rates, average severity, and related employment and production data by work location.

Jan 1, 1963

By Theodore L. Turner, Joseph H. Swift

A study on a small laboratory scale was made of the use of ammoniacalammonium carbonate for batch leaching Mn from low- grade manganiferous materials ( 6 to 16 pct Mn) obtained from deposits in the southern district of Aroostook County , Maine . These materials were partially reduced at 500 ° to 700 ° C with H₂ or CO and then leached with solutions of NH and CO₂ dissolved in water . Extraction of 80 to 90 pct of the Mn was obtained from some sample materials , but 10 to 34 pct of the iron was also extracted . Material from the Littleton Ridge deposit contained manganese intimately associated with Fe , a condition which contributed to difficulties in obtaining a commercially acceptable product . Extensive investigations of the leach and reduction processes with various mixtures of H₂ and water vapor , and CO and CO₂ , failed to disclose a set of conditions for selectively leaching the manganese . Finely divided metallic Fe was probably produced during the reduction steps so that Fe was leached with the Mn in the subsequent extractions .

Jan 1, 1964

By R. S. Dean

[Methods s of preparing the manganese metal that has been used in chemical and metallurgical investigations have passed through a cycle. Most of the investigations made before the turn of the century, used Moissen's pyrophoric manganese.3/ This material was made by electrolysis into a mercury cathode and distillation in vacuo. The material was essentially pure, and investigations in which it was employed (with proper precautions against oxidation) led to accurate results on tie intrinsic behavior of metallic manganese.]

Jan 1, 1941

By Albert L. Toenges

EARLY in 1949, the Economic Cooperation Administration requested the Bureau of Mines to assign a coal-mining engineer to study milling conditions in Greek lignite mines; to make recommendations for the introduction of methods and practices that should increase production and decrease the cost of mining; and, from the results of a geological reconnaissance by geologists of the United States Geological Survey, to suggest plans for the development of mines to supply fuel for a thermal power plant, Albert L. Toenges was assigned to this investigation and arrived in Athens, Greece, March 15, 1949. The study of mining operations and the geological reconnaissance (which was made by W. G. Pierce and X. M. Denson, geologists, United States Geological Survey) Were conducted concurrently. The Geological Survey will publish the results of its investigation separately. Washability studies of lignites from Aliveri and Kimi were made at the Central Experiment Station of the Bureau of -Mines, Pittsburgh, Pa. The lignite fields mentioned in this bulletin are shown in figure 1.

Jan 1, 1951

By J. W. Thompson

CONSTRUCTION OF STATUTE-SALE BY ENTRYMAN. The timber and stone act (20 Stat., 89) does not forbid an entryman from alienating his interest in his claim; but the act makes illegal any prior agreement by which the entryman acts for another in the purchase. Worden v. United States, 204Fed., 1, p. 4, April, 1913. ASSUMPTION OF DEBT BY GRANTEE-LIABILITY TO CREDITOR OF GRANTOR. A grantee of a mine who agrees to pay the grantor's debts in part payment of the purchase price of the mines becomes to that extent the principal debtor, and the grantor becomes the surety, and the grantor's creditor may in equity enforce his claim against the grantee of the mine, and the grantor in such a case is not a necessary party. Silver King Coalition Mines Co. v. Silver King Consolidated Mining Co., 204Fed., 166, p. 169, April, 1913. RIGHT OF COTENANT TO MINE AND SELL. A cotentant in exclusive possession' of mining property who extracts and sells ore is entitled to charge against the proceeds of the sale the reasonable and necessary expense of its extraction and marketing, as in such case the cotenant is not a trespasser.

Jan 1, 1914

By Oliver Bowles

The National Granite Commission at its annual meeting in Norfolk, Va., in January, 1930, passed a resolution requesting the Bureau of Mines to conduct an economic study of the granite industry. In compliance with this request a preliminary review has been made of trends, in, the production and uses of block granite. Some unfavorable conditions, were, thus brought to light and certain suggestions regarding a. more orderly and consistent growth in the industry are herein discussed. The results of the study axe, presented in this report for the earnest consideration of the industry and comments are invited, not only on this report but as to future work that might be accomplished by the Bureau of Mines. The authors desire to acknowledge many helpful suggestions and comments from Paul M. Tyler of the Bureau of twines and from Harris F. Sherman, secretary of the National Building Granite Quarries Association. Miss A. T. Coons of the Bureau of Mines rendered valuable, assistance through her wide knowledge of granite statistics.

Jan 1, 1931

By W. H. Oppelt

The continuous gasification of lignite in an externally heated alloy-steel re-tort was investigated by the Bureau of Mines, Grand Forks, N. Dak., from 1945 to 1951. The main objective of the long-term experimental program was to obtain data on the mechanical performance of this type of gasification retort, particularly the alloy-steel heat-transfer surface of the retort, when operated on large pilot-plant scale. At the same time, extensive experimental data were obtained concerning the effect of process variables and the effect of a limited number of design modifications on gasifier performance. In the period covered by this progress report 4 pilot-plant runs totaling 2,879 hours of operation were completed with the rolled-plate, 310-alloy reaction tube. Over 30 million cubic feet of gas, having H2-CO ratios from 2.1 to 4.4, was made by the partial gasification of 636 tons of 1-1/2-by 3/8-inch natural lignite. Rates of gas generation were from 8,200 to 14,300 cubic feet per hour. Three of the four runs were carried out with the lowered gas offtake or continuous-annulus design modification of the gasification retort. In the final run of the series, gasification of lignite from seven different mines in North Dakota and Saskatchewan, Canada, was investigated at similar combustion-space temperatures and lignite and steam feed rates.

Jan 1, 1955

By R. M. Gooding

This paper presents a short history of the production of mineral-energy fuels and energy from waterpower in the United States, with brief discussions of the utilization of each of the fuels and hydropower, and a look at fuels competition and interchangeability. Basic data, in figures and tables, are brought together in this publication for the production of coal in the United States from 1800 to 1960, for crude petroleum, natural gas liquids, and natural gas from 1859 to 1960, and for hydropower since 1900. Production for each segment of the fuels complex in the principal producing States from 1946 to 1960 is shown. Data are not included for consumption as such or for imports and exports.

Jan 1, 1963

By R. M. Gooding

This paper presents a short history of the production of mineral-energy fuels and energy from waterpower in the United States, with brief discussions of the utilization of each of the fuels and hydropower, and a look at fuels competition and interchangeability. Basic data, in figures and tables, are brought together in this publication for the production of coal in the United States from 1800 to 1960, for crude petroleum, natural gas liquids, and natural gas from 1859 to 1960, and for hydropower since 1900. Production for each segment of the fuels complex in the principal producing States from 1946 to 1960 is shown. Data are not included for consumption as such or for imports and exports.

Jan 1, 1963

By Alla D. Mah

Titanium forms several compounds with oxygen and also is able to dissolve interstitially about 33 atomic percent of oxygen. Starting with titanium dioxide, reduction becomes increasingly difficult as oxygen is removed; and the final step, be reduction of the titanium-oxygen interstitial solutions, is by far the most difficult. The possibility of reducing titanium oxide, or of purifying titanium containing oxygen, by treatment with certain more volatile metals has been a subject of considerable interest. Theoretical appraisal of the limitations of this possibility, however, has been hampered by lack of adequate information on the thermodynamic properties of the titanium-oxygen solutions. The purpose of the present work was to remedy this difficulty by expanding the thermodynamic knowledge regarding these solutions. The experimental work involved three types of calorimetry and furnished the following information: (1) Heats of formation of 11 titanium-oxygen solutions, in the range of 0 to 10 wt.-percent oxygen, were determined at 298.15° K. As a byproduct, an improved value of the heat of formation of rutile was obtained, which, in turn, led to improved values of the heats of formation of the lower titanium-oxygen compounds. (2) Low-temperature heat-capacity data and entropies at 298.15°K in were determined for 2 representative titanium-oxygen interstitial solutions. (3) High-temperature heat-content data were obtained for 2 titanium-oxygen interstitial solutions to about 1,600° K.

Jan 1, 1957

By Sidney Katell, JOHN H. FABER, BRYCE L. MADDOX

The information abstracted from the various publications appeared in the magazines under such headings as Business and Industry , Chemical Engineering Developments , Companies in the News , Headlines of the Month , Industrial News , Industry , Refining and Gas - Processing News , Refining News , What's Happening , and others . Although most items are related to chemical and petroleum plants , a few pertain to related fields , such as markets , drilling costs for petroleum , and field prices of crude oil . Certain articles discuss various aspects of cost -estimating procedures or description of processes . Cost bibliographies prepared by other groups are discussed in items 70 and 271. The two references can be considered as supplemental to this report , since the amount of overlap in the contents is insignificant .

Jun 15, 1957

By Donlad B. Lindsay

This report describes a field-test program to determine the effectiveness of a polymeric wall sealant to reduce the excape of naturally occurring radio-active gas radon from the walls of an underground uranium mine into the ventilation air. A 75-foot-long, dead-end drift with a surface area of about 6,000 ft2 was used as the test site in which the average natural radon flux from the normally dry rock was 16 fCi/cm2-s. The effect on radon emanation of wetting the walls with water to a depth of 3 inches was tested, after which the rock was completely covered with a coating of dry-mix concrete to provide a base for the sealant, an acrylic latex. Sealant was applied in two coats to about 0.25 mm thick. An overall reduction of average radon flux of about 75 pct was achieved. Radon production and other environmental values were measured continuously and automatically by a Bureau of Mines data acquisition system. A commercial microcomputer was programed to convert raw data to engineering units and to perform other useful operations while recording all data on magnetic diskettes. Direct measurements of radon flux from the rock surface were made by a charcoal adsorption technique.

Jan 1, 1981

By Charles J. Haas

The objective of this research was to investigate the interaction phenomena of rock and types of rock bolts to develop design principals for using grouted roof bolts. The investigation was to determine the effectiveness of grouted bolts in resisting lateral displacement and axial separation along fracture planes, and also to determine if grouted bolts eliminate the axial tensile stress near the anchor and the resulting rock fracture. The first year's effort involved defining the post-tensioning response of grouted bars and determining the amount of shear resistance generated by conventional and resin-grouted bolts. A finite-element analysis showed that if the rock and resin grout behave in an elastic manner, the post tensioning of a grouted bar will affect mine roof stability only if movement occurs near the collar. An experimental shear test program revealed that both conventional bolts and resin-grouted reinforcing bars significantly increase shear resistance along fracture or bedding plane when the average normal compressive stress on that plane is low (in the order of 25 psi) and when the bolt is oriented so that the shear displacement tends to lengthen the bolt. An increase in shear resistance is also noted at the higher normal pressure of 250 psi; however, the increase is small compared to the corresponding shear resistance without a bolt. Conventional bolts oriented so that they tended to loosen with shear displacement added no significant shear resistance.

Jan 1, 1974

Two different techniques were used to make measurements of the absolute value of electromagnetic noise in an operating coal mine, Robena No.4, located near Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. One technique measures noise over the entire electromagnetic spectrum of interest for brief time periods. With present instrumentation, the spectrum can be covered from 40 Hz to 400 kHz. It is recorded using broad-band analog magnetic tape, and the noise data are later transformed to give spectral plots. The other technique records noise envelopes at several discrete frequencies for a sufficient amount of tine to provide amplitude probability distributions. The specific measured results are given in a number of spectral plots and amplitude probability distribution plots. The general results are that at frequencies below 10 kHz, power line noise within the mine is severe. Impulsive noise is severe near arcing trolleys, and at lower frequencies near any transmission line. Carrier trolley phone signals and harmonics are strong throughout the mine whenever the trolley phone is in operation. Additional information beyond that included in this report may be obtained from the authors, who are with the Electromagnetics Division of the National Bureau of Standards.

Jan 1, 1974