Search Documents

By Wilmer McInnis

MOLYBDENUM, one of the more versatile alloying elements in modern metallurgy, was first isolated by Hjelm in 1782. The pure metal is silvery white and softer than steel. It melts at a higher temperature than all other metals except rhenium, tungsten, and tantalum. Molybdenum, a member of group V of the periodic table, chemically exhibits valences in stable compounds of 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. It is a strong carbide-forming element, and much of its alloying effect in steel is imparted through the formation of carbides. Molybdenum occurs in nature only in combination with other elements. The most common occurence is molybdenite (MoS2), which is widely distributed throughout the world; the few known commercial deposits are the major sources of molybdenun1. The other commercially important mineral, wulfenite (PbMo04), was a major source of molybdenum in the United States during the early part of the 20th century, but with exploration and development of the world-famous Climax molybdenite deposit during the World War of 1914-18, molybdenite soon became the world's major source of molybdenum. In recent years, virtually no wulfenite has been mined. Many copper deposits contain minute percentages of molybdenite; and, since the inauguration during the early 1930's of the recovery of molybdenite as a byproduct of these deposits, they have been an important source of molybdenum.

Jan 1, 1957

By Irving Hartmann

The Experimental Coal Mine of the Bureau of Mines has served principally as a valuable and unique testing laboratory for studies of the explosibility of coal dust and mine gas; studies of the numerous complex and interrelated chemical and physical factors that govern the ignition of coal dust and the propagation of mine explosions; and studies designed to develop measures for preventing explosions or reducing their destructive effects. These researches, coupled with educational efforts by the Bureau of Mines and enlightened safety consciousness in the mining industry, had fruitful results. This is evidenced by the remarkable reduction in the frequency of major coal-mine explosions and the number of fatalities from explosions since the Bureau of Mines was established. Despite this progress, further important unresolved problems arise; these are due in part to changes in mining conditions and methods, which have brought about increased production of fine coal dust in highly mechanized operations. To solve the new problems, research must be continued without interruption. The results of many very recent and current studies in the Experimental Coal Mine are summarized briefly, and pertinent studies by European mine-safety-research organizations are listed.

Jan 1, 1957

By J. C. Holtz

Since 1937 the Bureau of Mines has conducted investigations to provide the technical information necessary to guide the safe use of diesel engines underground in the United States. Coincident with the beginning of the technical study, a survey was made of State regulations pertaining to the use of internal-combustion engines underground.3/ At that time it was found that owing to the known hazards of gasoline locomotives, many States had enacted legislation or regulations limiting or prohibiting their use underground. Some of this legislation prohibited, or could be interpreted as prohibiting, the use of any type of internal-combustion engines in underground workings. After World War II diesel-powered equipment was introduced underground in many States, and pertinent questions are received frequently by the Bureau of Mines about the regulations that permit such applications. Because it was known that new and revised regulations had been made effective in some States in the nearly 20 years that have elapsed since the previous survey,3/ the Bureau decided that a review of the latest regulations in the leading mineral-producing States would be a valuable source of information for those engaged in the production of minerals as well as others. Accordingly, where feasible, this report includes abstracts of State laws and regulations as they affect the use of internal-combustion engines underground, particularly diesel engines. The substance of comments from State officials also are included when these appear to be helpful to interpretation of the regulations.

Jan 1, 1957

By Jesse A. Miller

ALTHOUGH the element titanium was discovered by William Gregor in 1790, over a hundred years passed before it was put to commercial use. The first commercial application of titanium was as an alloy additive to iron and steel, and the first ferroalloys were produced domestically in 1906. Titanium pigments were developed somewhat later and have been produced in the United States since 1918. The use of titaniferous material in welding-rod coatings first gained acceptance ill the mid-30's. The metal titanium has only had commercial importance since 1948; domestic production for that year was 10 tons. The relative importance of these major uses of titanium in various forms may he gaged by the consumption of titanium dioxide (Ti02) for these purposes in 1954. Of a total of 440,000 short tons of Ti02 consumed in 1954, 95 percent of the total was consumed for pigments; 2 percent for welding-rod coatings; 1 percent for non-titanium-base alloys and carbide; and 2 percent for miscellaneous uses. The titanium-metal industry is in its infancy, but it has more than doubled its output every year from 1948 to 1954, reaching 5,370 short tons in 1954.

Jan 1, 1957

By E. P. Carman

This report is the 20th in a series summarizing Bureau of Mines research and technologic work on coal and related investigations; it is the second4/ to be issued on a calendar-year basis. Previous reports related largely to publications by Bureau authors during the reporting period. This one discusses the publications issued during 1955 and in addition describes briefly the work in progress during the year. Further details on the published work may be found by referring to the publications cited in the footnotes. The Bureau continues to direct its research and technologic work on coal toward safer and more efficient mining, improved preparation, and more effective utilization, with the ultimate twin goals of promoting conservation and insuring that coal will make its maximum contribution to the Nation's industrial capacity. Significant advances toward these goals were made in 1955.

Jan 1, 1957

By Eugene T. Sheridan

The United States has extensive reserves of peat. Peat and muck lands are estimated at approximately 79 million acres, with reserves of 13.8 billion net tons. Within the past decade domestic production of peat has increased 2-1/2 times, and apparent consumption has tripled. During the same period imports have increased greatly, and in 1955 they almost equaled domestic production. The substantial increase in the demand for peat in the United States was due chiefly to expanding markets in agriculture and horticulture, for the reason that in this country peat is used primarily as a source of organic matter to improve the physical condition of mineral soils and as a mulch for shrubbery. A valuable constituent of any soil is its organic matter, and its depletion will injure cultivated soils and subject them to greater erosion.

Jan 1, 1957

By R. B. Bauder

In connection with a Bureau of Mines research program on utilization of Cuban lateritic ores, a comprehensive review was made of the chemical literature on nickel and cobalt. Initially, the review had as its objective the selection, from the voluminous literature dealing with the chemistry of these two metals, of only those references to reactions that were especially pertinent, or at least closely related, to the field of extractive metallurgy. Later, the coverage was extended to include references to the techniques and plant applications of extractive metallurgical procedures for the recovery of nickel and cobalt. In this report, the period from January 1929 to July 1955 has been covered, as it seemed logical that recent literature should be of greatest value. This cutoff date was established in order that the bibiliography could be issued at an early date, inasmuch as currently much work is in progress on the lateritic ores. Later, a supplement will be prepared extending the coverage to about 1900.

Jan 1, 1957

By John P. Harmon

Vehicles traveling on untreated dirt and gravel roads at open-pit mines disseminate high concentrations of dust (fig. 1). Excessive dust creates safety hazards by reducing visibility and may endanger the health of the men who breathe it. If the dust contains free silica, it can cause silicosis. In addition, maintenance costs of mechanical equipment are increased if equipment is operated in extremely dusty places. Dust on haulage roads in hot, arid country can be controlled if the surface of the road is sprinkled frequently and adequately with water. Often, when roads are sprinkled with water to control the dust, hazards are caused through reduced traction and skidding because of the mud that is formed on the surface of the road. Reducing the amount of water used will help to reduce the hazard of skidding.

Jan 1, 1957

By Robert F. Pettit

This paper on methods and costs of mining and milling iron ore at the Iron Mountain mine of Ozark Ore Co., St, Francois County, Mo., is one of a series of Bureau of Mines reports on methods, practices, and costs of mining and milling throughout the United States. The Iron Mountain operation is notable for its successful transition from open-pit to underground mining, for use underground of large earth-moving equipment, and for development of a multilevel room-and-pillar mining method. Milling methods also have undergone transitions - from hand sorting and log washing in the early days to gravity concentration. Milling ultimately may include flotation to recover additional iron from products now discarded as tailing,

Jan 1, 1957

By W. Dan Walker

In recent years the Federal Bureau of Mines tested and approved four new types of self-contained breathing apparatus and a facepiece designed for use with the McCaa 2-hour self-contained oxygen breathing apparatus. The Bureau also developed and perfected a battery-powered lifeline telephone for use in mine rescue and recovery operations. Some of this equipment is described in Bureau of Mines Information Circular 7413.4/ This publication is a revision of information Circular 7413 and presents pertinent information on more recently developed mine rescue equipment. The breathing apparatus described herein are 1/2- and 3/4-hour sell-contained types of much simpler design than the conventional 2-hour self-contained oxygen breathing apparatus ordinarily used by mine rescue crews; however, it is just as important to select rescue crews carefully and to train them properly in the use, care, and limitations of the newer types of apparatus as well as the older, established types, if the newer types are to be used safely. The Bureau of Mines recommends that 1/2- and 3/4-hour self-contained breathing apparatus be used only as auxiliary equipment in mine rescue and recovery work and that the capabilities and limitations of the apparatus should be well understood by those who wear the equipment.

Jan 1, 1957

Unfortunate occurrences resulting in injuries, loss of life, and destruction of property by explosion, fire, and other mishaps during shaft sinking in the past few years have focused the attention of the Bureau of Mines on the need for safety standards for such operations. Several States have some rules and regulations applicable to local conditions, and several Bureau publications (including some now out of print) cover the hazards that may be encountered in shaft sinking. Certain requirements of the Federal Mine Safety Code and Federal Coal Mine Safety Act may be applied, but there are no definite, uniform standards that will guide those desiring to sink a shaft safely and bring about uniform safety inspections.

Jan 1, 1957

By W. L. Dare

This information circular is one of a series the Bureau of Mines plans to publish describing the methods and costs of mining uranium on the Colorado Plateau. The Temple Mountain mining district is unique among the uranium-producing areas on the plateau. This relatively isolated mining district is in Emery County, Utah, on the eastern flank of the San Rafael Swell, about 35 miles southwest of the town of Green River. The district lies just within the eastern escarpment of the San Rafel Reef - a rampart of rugged and tilted sandstone cliffs that encircles the highly eroded core known as the Sinbad Country. The presence of petroleum matter found associated with the ore deposits, the occurrence of uranium in various formations, and the structural deformation caused by collapsed features have aroused a great deal of geologic interest. Mine development on Calyx Flat is distinctive, in that the ore deposits are worked through 36-inch calyx-drill holes.

Jan 1, 1957

Ten years ago we surveyed in "Uspekhi Khimii" the mechanism of the synthesis of hydrocarbons from CO and H2 (1).5 With new data obtained since then, mostly by Soviet researchers, our previous work (2), dealing with new forms and catalysts of the synthesis, is brought up to elate by reviewing research in this field. FORMATION OF CARBIDES The hypothesis that carbides are intermecliates in the synthesis assumes that carbon monoxide reacts with the metals of the eighth group and that this reaction is connected with the reversible reaction 2CO[=]C +CO2 (1) in a certain range of temperatures (3).

Jan 1, 1958

By W. F. Netzeband

This paper, which describes mining methods and practices at the Rialto zinc-lead mine American Zinc, Lead & Smelting Co., in northeastern Oklahoma, is one of a series being prepared by the Bureau of Mines on mining methods, practices, and costs in various mining districts of the United States, The Rialto mine is in the SE1/4 SW1/4 sec. 20 and the NW1/4 sec. 29, T. 29 N., R. 23 E., Ottawa County, Okla. (fig. 1). The 200-acre property is southwest of and adjacent to the town of Picher in the central part of the Picher field of the Tri-State zinc-lead mining district (fig. 2). Other mines of the company adjoin the Rialto on the east and south. Zinc-lead ores have been mined almost continuously from the Rialto tract since 1916. The property was acquired by American Zinc, Lead & Smelting Co. late in 1951, and the mine was operated thereafter by the Nellie B Division of that company until the end of 1955, when it was subleased to the Residue Mining Co.

Jan 1, 1958

By E. P. Carman

1. CARMAN, EVERETT P., OPPERMAN, MARTHA, NISHIYANA, SALLY, AND RACOOSIN, LEE. Bibliography of Bureau of Mines Investigations of Coal and Its Products, 1945 to 1950. B. 528, 1954, 60 pp. 40 cents. 2. ROSE, HAROLD J. Industry-Sponsored Coal Research in the United States. Chap. in Proceedings: Fifth International Conference of Directors of Mine Safety Research. B. 489, 1950, pp. 9-12. $1.25. Minerals Yearbook 3. STRINER, HERBERT E., CARMAN, E. P., AND GOODING, RICHARD M. Review of the Mineral-Fuel Industries in 1952. Minerals Yearbook 1952, Fuels, vol. 2 (pub. 1954), pp. 1-28.

Jan 1, 1958

By L. W. Kelly

The purpose of this paper is to describe several methods that have been employed in successfully recovering roof bolts in Indiana, Illinois, and western Kentucky coal mines, the States where successful roof-bolt recovery was started. As far as is known, the first bolts were recovered in a mine in western Kentucky in January or February 1951. In April 1951 a meeting was held at that mine to discuss the recovery of roof bolts. The meeting was attended by A. D. Sisk, former Chief, Kentucky Department of Mines and Minerals; and L. W. Kelly, Federal Bureau of Mines; and officials of the coal company. Inasmuch as roof bolting was in its infancy, the thinking regarding roof bolts at that time was on the problem of getting them in, not getting them out; consequently, the thought of recovering them was revolutionary. The subject was discussed at length from all angles, and it was finally agreed that, if certain safeguards were taken, no agency represented at the meeting would oppose the practice. That this decision was sound has been proved, as thou-sands of bolts have been recovered in the Middle West without a lost-time accident. Recovering roof bolts is a simple operation; consequently, no complicated equipment had to be designed or built for this purpose. However, about 5 years ago, officials of the Traux-Traer Coal Co. conceived the idea and constructed a mechanical device for recovering bolts that has been very successful and has been copied widely in this area. This device will be discussed in detail in part II of this paper.

Jan 1, 1958

By W. E. Young

This paper describes operations of the Chief Consolidated Mining Co. at the Chief mine in the Tintic district, Juab County, Utah, where the outstanding problem is water control; the unique pumping methods employed are featured in this report. The ore bodies in this district occur as long, narrow shoots along fault fissures, usually in the Bluebell dolomite of Ordovician age. Oxide ores predominate above the 1800 level, which is also the natural water level. Sulfide ores containing lead, zinc, silver, and gold extend below the 1800 level. The mine is developed by vertical shafts and winzes, from which drifts are driven to the ore bodies. In the lower levels of the mine these drifts extend long distances from the shafts or winzes because of the relatively low dip of the ore shoots. The mine has been worked to the 2800 level and the 18-411 winze extends to the 3080 level.

Jan 1, 1958

By Oliver Bowles

The Bureau of Mines issued three Information Circulars on marble many years ago (5), (6), (7).2/ They have long been out of print; furthermore, conditions have changed considerably in the industry in succeeding years. A presentation of current data is therefore desirable. This report furnishes general information on marble, including its properties, distribution of domestic and foreign deposits, methods and equipment used in quarrying and milling, economic and marketing problems, and recent advances in marble technology. INTRODUCTION Most marbles are crystallized limestone. The term "marble" is derived from a Greek word meaning to sparkle or flash, because the calcite crystals in marble sparkle as they reflect light. The word "marble" is employed frequently to mean a small ball used in the game of marbles with which nearly every child is familiar. Although the little spheres were originally of marble, few of those made in recent years contain that material; nevertheless, the expression "playing marbles" has persisted.

Jan 1, 1958

By Eleanor Abshire

This bibliography is the second in a series that covers the current technical literature relating to the metallurgy of zirconium. The rapid advance in zirconium technology makes it mandatory that abstracts be prepared and compiled as soon as possible to have maximum value; therefore, the information in this volume is not arranged chronologically. As a service to research and production groups, succeeding bibliographies will be issued as new acquisitions accumulate in the Zirconium Information Center sponsored by the Department of the Navy, Bureau of Ships and the Bureau of Mines at the Bureau's Northwest Electrodevelopment Laboratory, Albany, Oreg. The initial volume, Information Circular 7771, Bibliography of Zirconium, covering 969 abstracted reports and 645 United States and foreign patents, was published in April 1957.

Jan 1, 1958

By James Westfield

A brief résumé follows of recent activities of the Division of Coal-Mine Inspection that have had a favorable effect on health, safety, and the reduction of injuries at coal mines: 1. The Federal Mine Safety Code for Bituminous Coal and Lignite Mines of the United States was issued originally by the Director of the Bureau of Mines on July 24, 1946, after consulting with management and labor representatives of the coal-mining industry. The code has been used by Federal coal-mine inspectors while inspecting bituminous-coal and lignite mines as a basis for determining the existence of unhealthful and unsafe conditions and practices in these mines. A revised code was issued by the Secretary of the Interior on October 8, 1953, after further consultations with representatives of management and mine workers and was incorporated by reference in the 1952 and subsequent bituminous-coal wage agreements. The agreement of May 29, 1946, between the Secretary of the Interior, acting as Coal Mines Administrator under authority of Executive Order 9728, and the United Mine Workers of America, covering bituminous-coal and lignite mines in Government possession, charged Federal coal-mine inspectors with the responsibility of making periodic investigations of the mines and reporting to the Coal Mines Administrator any violations of the Federal Mine Safety Code. Federal coal-mine inspectors also had temporary authority to close mines found to be imminently dangerous, but such authority (under Executive Order 9728) was removed on June 30, 1947, when Government control of the mines was terminated.

Jan 1, 1958