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By Arcy, D&apos Banister

Drilling practices at the Silver Summit mine in Shoshone County, Idaho, and the steps taken to increase drilling efficiency are described for the 1952 to 1958 operating period. Mining and development methods are outlined, and drilling equipment and practice are discussed, Cost and performance data include drilling time, bit duty, steel failure, drill repair, and compressed-air consumption. Steps taken to increase drilling efficiency and decrease costs are described, including modifications of bit design, new procedures for drill-rod fabrication and new processes for completing certain drill-machine repairs.

Jan 1, 1963

By Arcy, D&apos Banister

Drilling practices at the Silver Summit mine in Shoshone County, Idaho, and the steps taken to increase drilling efficiency are described for the 1952 to 1958 operating period. Mining and development methods are outlined, and drilling equipment and practice are discussed. Cost and performance data include drilling time, bit duty, steel failure, drill repair, and compressed-air consumption. Steps taken to increase drilling efficiency and decrease costs are described, including modifications of bit design, new procedures for drill-rod fabrication and new processes for completing certain drill-machine repairs.

Jan 1, 1963

By Harry R. Nicholls

A simple economical method has been developed for determining the in situ longitudinal and shear velocities in rock from which its elastic constants can be calculated. By detonating small charges of high explosives in shallow drill holes near a free surface, both longitudinal and shear waves were generated simultaneously. Accelerometers and velocity gages mounted to the rock surface were used to record the arrival time for both waves over travel path lengths from 50 to 450 feet, Measurements were made in two rock types. From the arrival time measurements, the longitudinal and shear wave velocities were calculated. From these velocities and the density of the rock, the elastic constants were calculated. The dynamic elastic constants of drill core samples of the two rock types were determined in the laboratory by the resonant-frequency method, The lab- oratory and in situ elastic constants are compared and significant differences noted. In general, there is less spread in the in situ data than in the laboratory data, and Poisson's ratio does not fall outside the theoretical limits for the in situ data as is often the case for laboratory-determined elastic constants.

Jan 1, 1961

By N. A. Tolch

[In this partner ?propulsive strength? or "strength" is defined as the relative propulsive effect of an explosive as determined by means of the United States Bureau of Mines ballistic pendulum. The data presented are derived from one particular strength testing device and do not necessarily represent the relative execution value of the different explosives in actual blasting. However, it is believed that the data obtained with the ballistic pendulum fire indicative of the relative propulsive or heaving force and are of value until propulsive strength can be expressed in more fundamental units.]

Jan 1, 1929

By Thomas J. Peters

The Snowbank study area, which had been proposed as Wilderness, lies about 5 air mi southwest of Cascade, Idaho, and about 60 air mi north of Boise. The eastern boundary of the north-south-elongate study area lies 1-to 2-mi east of Cascade Reservoir; the western boundary is contiguous, in part, with the western boundary of Valley county. The 8,200-acre study area is underlain by Cretaceous granitoid rocks of the Idaho batholith. Three prospects were found in or near the study area during a library and field search. Gold occurs at one 30-ft adit, but the gold-bearing structure appeared too narrow to contain resources. Two other prospects appeared essentially unmineralized. No evidence of geothermal activity was observed. Rock in the area is not potentially useful as dimension stone because it does not split into flat slabs. To be used as aggregate, the rock would require crushing and hauling to distant markets. One of 18 alluvium concentrate (placer) samples contained free gold, worth $1.07 per cubic yard of gravel (at a $350 per oz gold price). No alluvial bars were seen; deposits were too small to contain gold resources or be considered gravel resources.

Jan 1, 1993

By J. A. Organiscak

Enclosed cabs are a primary means of reducing the silica dust exposure of equipment operators at surface mines. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has investigated various factor effects on enclosed cab air filtration system performance. Factors experimen­tally investigated were intake filter efficiency, intake air leakage, intake filter loading (filter flow resistance), recirculation filter use and wind velocity effects on cab penetra­tion (inside to outside cab concentration ratio). Adding an intake pressurizer fan to the filtration system was also investigated. Results indicate that the intake filter efficiency and recirculation filter were the two most influential factors on cab penetration .Use of a recirculation filter significantly reduced cab penetration over the intake air filter by itself due to the multiplicable filtration of the cab interior air. Cab penetration was also affected to a lesser extent by intake filter loading and air leakage. Adding an intake pressurizer fan notably increased intake airflow and cab pressure while providing only minor changes to cab penetration.

Jan 1, 2008

Overexposure to noise is a widespread, serious health hazard in the mining industry, and causes hearing losses to a large percentage of the mining population. Recognizing this fact, the Bureau has a major on-going research effort to address this problem area. These proceedings include an overview of the Bureau noise control program and summarize nine selected noise control research programs.

Jan 1, 1984

By Hillary W. St. Clair

This report describes a mathematical procedure for analyzing size distribution data by the method of moments. The method was applied to Andreasen's data on a variety of grinding mill products. It was found that the observed size distributions could be represented by gamma and beta distribution functions over a wide range of sizes. A computer program, written in BASIC, is described for calculating moments, distribution parameters, and the weight fraction in any size range.

Jan 1, 1969

By James H. Rowland

The Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 (MINER ACT) established a Technical Study Panel (The Panel) to provide recommendations on the utilization of belt air and new technology that may be available for increasing the fire resistance properties of conveyor belt used in underground coal mines. The Panel Report recommended use of the Belt Evaluation Laboratory Test (BELT) as the method for testing and approval of flame resistant conveyor belts used in underground coal mines. The research conducted to establish the correlation of the BELT with large-scale belt fire flammability tests was done using 36- to 42-in wide conveyor belt. Due to today?s coal haulage capacity, the mining industry is using 72-in and wider conveyor belts. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a study to determine if the BELT will also qualify wider belts as fire resistant for use in underground coal mines. This paper describes the results of recent experiments comparing results from using the BELT and the large-scale tests for six different belts.

Jan 1, 2010

By Terry S. Cory

This report describes the results of a measurement and analysis program to characterize wireless radio transmission in metal/non-metal mines over a wide frequency range from 0.2 - 1000 MHz and over a variety of mine environments. Six mines were chosen based on the relative economic significance of their product to the U.S. economy. Mine types include oil shale, uranium, potash, lead/zinc, copper, and silver. Particular mines were chosen so that the group would embody the most important mining techniques. The results show that transmission at medium frequencies are optimum for wireless mine communications, in agreement with extensive testing previously performed by the authors In coal mines, and that mine-wide wireless systems are feasible with a minimum requirement for new dedicated wiring. At least one need for such a wireless system was identified in each mine visited.

Aug 1, 1981

By Sean Gallagher

The vast majority of ergonomics research has addressed the demands of work in standing or sitting postures, and understandably so. However, many workers (for example, underground miners, aircraft baggage handlers, plumbers, agricultural workers, mechanics, and others) are often required to adopt postures such as kneeling, stooping, squatting, or lying down for significant periods of the work day.

Jan 1, 2005

By E. C. Lane

[The motor gasoline that s being marketed in the United States this summer slightly more volatile then that sold a year ago. This increase in volatility is shown by a general lowering ref the average distillation rang, of about 2°F. During the post 10 years the Bureau of Mines has made semiannual surveys of the gasoline marketed in the United States, the survey just completed being the twentieth in the series. The 12 cities in which samples were collected have beer chosen as representative of the more important marketing territories, as it is obviously impracticable to obtain a sample of every gasoline sold in the entire country.]

Jan 1, 1929

By Thomas O. Glover

Cameroon's mineral industry continued to be dominated by crude petroleum. The country's economic development depended on the production and export of crude oil. Oil output was estimated to be 56 million barrels in 1984 compared with 47 million barrels in 1983 and 39 million barrels in 1982. The country's only refinery processed approximately 16,000 barrels per day of crude oil in 1984, operating at slightly over 50% capacity. This volume, however, supplied the domestic need for motor fuel and heating oils. Cameroon's economy continued to expand despite problems and setbacks stemming from the attempted coup of April 6, 1984. Gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 1984 was 6.5%, the same rate as in 1983. Offshore crude petroleum production was the chief factor in the sustained economic growth. The country also maintained a relatively strong balance-of-payments position through oil exports. Investment, ranging up to 25% of the GDP, greatly contributed to sustained growth. The oil sector contributed approximately 14% to Cameroon's GDP in both 1983 and 1984.

Jan 1, 1986

By Frank E. Chase

Kettlebottoms are columnar masses of rock--the preserved casts of ancient tree stumps--embedded in coal mine roof strata (of which they are a part). Because unsupported kettlebottoms can detach from a mine roof without warning, they are a hazard to miners. The primary objectives of this investigation were (1) to better define and describe kettlebottoms and (2) to evaluate kettlebottom support techniques in terms of safety and effectiveness. A telephone survey of mine operators, interviews with Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) personnel, and underground mine visits were conducted in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Information gathered during this investigation indicates that the size and frequency of kettlebottoms in mine roof are dependent upon past geologic events and biological processes active during the deposition of roof sediments. To ensure the safety of mine personnel, all undermined kettlebottoms should be supported. The roof should be bolted next to kettlebottoms less than 3 ft in diameter, close enough to allow a portion of a wood or steel header to be extended beneath each kettlebottom for support. Two bolts and a wood plank or steel strap should be employed to support kettlebottoms over 3 ft in diameter.

Jan 1, 1983

By W. E. Anable

The Bureau of Mines studied the purification of commercially available vanadium in the 100-kw electron-beam furnace. Purification studies were conducted on a 100-gram button scale by melting and holding the liquid vanadium at temperatures ranging from 2,060° to 2,080° C at pressure of 5(10)-5 torr for periods ranging from 5 to 20 minutes. The effect of doping vanadium with carbon and metallic additions was determined. This study demonstrated that hydrogen was readily removed to 3 ppm or less, oxygen and carbon were reduced to less than 100 ppm each, and the metallic impurities were reduced Co the range of 10 to 500 ppm. The nitrogen content was not reduced in any of the buttons; rather, the nitrogen concentration generally increased as samples were held for successively longer periods. Oxygen was removed much faster and more completely when vanadium was doped with small carbon additions or one of several dopes prior to melting.

Jan 1, 1967

By H. G. Iverson

An investigation was conducted on the conditions affecting the precipitation of aluminum by autoclaving synthetic solutions containing Na2SO4, Al2(SO4)3, H2SO4, and H2O. Virtually all of the alumina could be precipitated as natroalunite (NaAl3(SO4)2 (OH)6). This product could be readily filtered and dried. Results are reported in terms of alumina precipitated in this compound and not in terms of alumina itself. Solutions of ~ 0.30, ~ 0.60, and ~ 0.80 mole/liter A1203 and various concentrations of H2SO4 and Na2S04 were investigated. The optimum time and temperature for autoclaving were 20 to 30 minutes at 200° C. The highest yields of natroalunite were obtained from solutions containing little H2SO4 and ~ 2 moles Na2SO4 per mole A1202. Acid in quantities of 0.3 to 0.5 mole/mole of alumina in solution depressed the yield to 90 percent or less. In differential thermal analysis, at 1,000° C the natroalunite precipitate decomposed without melting to yield SO, and SO2 gases, a solid composed of Na2SO4, and gamma and alpha Al203. Continued heating to 1,200° C produced No SO, and alpha A1303. Water-leaching of this product removed the Na2S04 and left a final residue of alpha A1203.

Jan 1, 1968

By D. B. Eccleston

Natural gas and mixtures of natural gas and hydrogen were used as fuels in a laboratory engine to determine the relationship of emissions to air-fuel ratio and to establish practical lean limits for air-fuel ratio. Synthetic gas manufactured from coal (Synthane) and natural gas were used as fuels in a vehicle to obtain comparative data on emissions and performance. Results showed that lean limits for air-fuel ratio when using hydrogen-enriched natural gas were extended significantly beyond Chat of natural gas. Synthane pro¬duced exhaust that was significantly less reactive than exhaust from natural gas. With lean air-fuel ratios, the acceleration performance of a vehicle fueled with Synthane was improved over its performance when fueled with natural gas.

Jan 1, 1972

By L. B. Berger, W. P. Yant, J. B. Littlefield

"INTRODUCTION Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is one of the most toxic industrial gases and of relatively wide occurrence in industry. Among its common industrial occurrences are, in the production and refining of high-sulphur petroleum, in natural gases, in gypsum and sulphur mining, in rock strata and underground waters (where it is encountered in tunneling and caisson work) in blasting with black powder and in blasting high-sulphide ores with other explosives, in gas manufacture, in the carbonization of coal, and in the manufacture of chemicals.The usual methods of detection, other than by the sense of smell, which is lost in 2 to 15 minutes' exposure to 0.010. to 0.015 percent of this gas, 5/ either are too cumbersome for frequent and rapid analyses or, like the wet lead acetate paper test, afford only qualitative results. A qaantitative determination usually involves the use of solutions, bubblers, flowmeters, standard solutions, burettes, and indicators manipulated by trained technical men. All apparatus and methods in common laboratory use are, in general, unsuitable for the field.The physiological response attending exposure to various Concentrations of hydrogen sulphide in air, is as follows, in percent by volume 6/:0.005 to 0.010: Subacute poisoning - slight symptoms, such as mild conjunctivitis and respiratory-tract irritation after 1-hour exposure."

Jun 1, 1935

By A. B. Needham

This report describes the exploration work done in 1941 in connection with the search for strategic minerals as authorized by the Strategic Materials Act approved by the President on June 7, 1939. It deals with the various manganese deposits and showings in the Tombstone mining district of Cochise County, Ariz. The exploration project comprised a study of the geology, mapping of the areas, and exploration of various mines and deposits by sampling old drifts, crosscuts, and scopes, supplemented by diamond drilling from underground stations. The Federal Government's manganese-purchasing programs have revived interest in occurrences such as the scattered deposits near Tombstone. Because of this, the Bureau of Mines project report on the Tombstone district, prepared originally in 1941 but not published, has been revised and now is being made public.

Jan 1, 1956

By L. A. Morley

Volume IV of the final report examines the problem of indirect contact of overhead high-voltage power lines by mining personnel. This refers to the contact of energized lines by workers through some intermediate conductor such as a metallic tool or a piece of high-reaching mobile equipment, thus the term "indirect contact." The shock hazard presented by such contact has been a major cause of electrical fatalities associated with mining operations. The report volume is divided into three major areas. The first gives a general background of overhead lines, basic characteristics, and associated hazards, and continues to describe presently used techniques and devices which attempt to alleviate the contact problem. The second area narrows the discussion to the mining industry by presenting a detailed analysis of 39 overhead-line contact accidents in mining since 1970. The third major section uses the information from the first two areas to formulate recommendations to prevent these accidents and subsequent electrocutions at mining operations.

Jan 1, 1982