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By Francis Crowley

Elementary concepts of seismic wave properties are reviewed to establish a framework for discussing seismic noise and its suppression. A liberal number of references is included for those who wish to pursue the topic in detail. A base motion noise level is established for a single surface seismometer. It is argued that simple array processing and seismometer burial should regularly permit us to approach this base noise level which is found in areas free of conspicuous man-made seismic noise sources. The sensitivity of the base seismic level to a number of common disturbances is presented. Solutions that promise to hold the "effective" seismic noise at a site near the base level are given for acoustic, meteorological and fixed local surface sources. Guidelines are suggested for controlling other local man-made sources, e.g. vehicular traffic, by keeping them at sufficiently large distances away from the seismometers to keep noise at permissible levels. These guidelines are speculative and conservative. They should be the subject of future study. The ability to process against general local activity, drilling, and intra- mine sources is limited. Certainly no dramatic gain is to be expected. When strong man-made and/or intramine noise sources are not controllable, detection may well be impossible to achieve, unless the seismometer can be moved close enough to the suspected miner position, i.e. via very deep holes, to compensate for the likely vast differences in strength of the miner signal and the uncontrollable man-made noise sources. However, many intramine sources, e.g., falling water, rock bursts, explosions, etc., may well preclude the existence of a hale miner in their vicinity, and therefore any need to attempt detection of a miner at such locations. The following recommendations are made to enhance the detection and location of a miner signaling seismically. They are: 1. Seismometer burial in slim holes. 2. Narrow band detection, using multiple narrow band filters to cover the likely signal band. 3. Broadband recording and analysis for time-of-arrival estimation.

Jan 1, 1974

The Kalgoorlie Golden Mile is proposed as an Archaean volcanogenic-type deposit, modified and redistributed along later-developed structures. Rich pyritctelluride and Green Leader gold mineralization is associated with the end phase of basic volcanism and, in a general sense, is confined to a broad interface zone between the products of marine basic volcanism and later acid volcanism. There is virtualIy no ore associated with the main body of acid volcanics.Green Leader is the local name of a type of ore that occurs at some igneous rock contacts in association with graphitic sediments and layered acidic tuffs. It is characteristicalIy green, of various shades, and commonly yields very high gold assays, the reasons for which are not apparent in hand specimen.Carbonates, carbonaceous shales, tuffites, rich gold ores, and acid and intermediate dykes, alI indicating a common heritage, are features common to the main ore hosts, viz. the Paringa Basalt (Calc Schist) and theGolden Mile Dolerite ("Quartz Dolerite Greenstone").Several probably related fracture systems have reconstituted most, but not all, of the original deposits into a large number of steep tabular lodes.Includes two sets of discussions and comments from later Proceedings volumes.

Jan 1, 1974

Results obtained from small scale tests using Australian tin concentrates indicate that metallic tin containing less than 0·1 per cent iron can be recovered by a two-stage process using hydrogen and make-up chlorine. In the first stage the concentrate is ground,. pelletized, roasted, and reacted at 650°C with HCI and H2 to volatilize the tin as SnOI2. The volatilization reaction is conducted with cocurrent gas and solids flow because it was found that the use of cocurrent flow yielded a solids residue substantially free from FeCI2. The second stage uses a technique termed "reflux reduction" during which the SnOl2 produced by volatilization is reduced by hydrogen to form tin and a gas containing HCI and H2 of sufficiently high HCI tenor for recycle to the volatilization stage. The elimination of tin ranged from 98+ to 99·7+ per cent of the tin from concentrates containing 5 to 50 per cent tin, respectively. The process should be capable of continuous operation, and a tentative calculation has shown ,that a treatment rate of 12,000 tonnes of tin concentrate per year could be obtained in a volatilization reactor 1·1 m in diameter and 6·1 m high. The process may have particular application to finely divided concentrates containing less than 20 per cent tin.

Jan 1, 1974

By Rolland L. Blake

The Bureau of Mines is concerned with extracting minerals from residual geothermal brines after their heat content and some demineralized water have been recovered. This literature study is based on a survey of the literature and discussions with individuals knowledgeable on various aspects of the subject. This report examines the potential of the domestic geothermal mineral resources, considers the technical problems involved, and outlines possible effects on the environment from reservoir fluid withdrawal and reinjection. Geothermal resources in the Western United States were extensively explored during the 1960's. Limited development operations included exploratory drilling and operating wells producing hot brine, separating steam for experimental electric power generation, and recovering minerals in solar evaporation ponds or in extraction plants. Interest in the recovery of minerals and salts from geothermal fluids waned because of corrosion and scaling problems and low or no market value of the mineral products. Most of these problems can be controlled with existing technology and careful planning of processes and equipment. Extracting geothermal minerals is technically feasible, but the problems of low or no market value for major mineral products, and insufficient amounts of more valuably major products, make mineral recovery uneconomical at present.

Jan 1, 1974

By D. D. Bolstad

This report describes the construction and use of a direct-reading azimuth protractor (DRAP) by the Bureau of Mines for measuring fracture orientations in mines, tunnels, or other excavations having a magnetic environment. The DRAP allows a rapid and simultaneous measurement of dip and azimuth of dip of a fracture plane. The instrument is rugged, lightweight, and easily constructible from standard hardware items. The DRAP can measure dip to within ±0.5° and azimuth of dip to within ±5° of corresponding values obtained with a Brunton compass.

Jan 1, 1974

By F. A. Olson, S. L. Pohlman

A unique method of measuring weight loss as a function 3 of time, with a sensitivity of 10-5 grams, while leaching copper minerals with a flowing acid leach solution has been developed. Kinetic results obtained coupled with visual and microprobe analyses show topochemical reaction for the leaching of chrysocolla with sulfuric acid. The kinetics follow a shrinking core model and show ion diffusion through a product layer, chemical reaction at the unreacted core interface and mass transfer through the boundary layer as being important.

Jan 1, 1974

By M. C. Irani

This Bureau of Mines survey of methane emissions indicates that total daily emissions have declined from 227 MM ft3 in 1971 to 214.7 MM ft3 in 1973. The highest average daily emissions in million cubic feet per day observed in U.S. bituminous coal mines were, in decreasing order, Monongalia County, W. Va., 40.7; Marion County, W. Va., 23.1; Buchanan County, Va., 22.1; Washington County, Pa. , 12.4; Greene County, Pa. , 11.7; McDowell County, W. Va. , 11.4; Cambria County, Pa., 9.8; Jefferson County, Ala., 9.5; Wyoming County, W. Va., 6.0; Marshall County, W. Va., 4.8; and Indiana County, Pa., 4.8.

Jan 1, 1974

By James R. Evans

Orange County, adjacent to the populous and industrialized Los Angeles area, is the fastest growing county in California and is second only to Los Angeles County in total population (figure 1). In addition to an equable climate and a burgeoning economy, there is room in Orange County for growth and expansion. Growth over the past decade has resulted in rapid development of industrial tracts, housing areas, and shopping and commercial centers, mostly in former agricultural areas. The value of new building in 1972 was a record amount-over I billion dollars (figure 2). Problems relating to the proper direction of growth are the concern of both government and the private sector. The intelligent and efficient use of areas to be developed requires planning for the conservation and protection of the County's natural beauty and for the orderly development of natural resources. The availability of sand and gravel, which is used in many phases of construction, will be a major controlling factor in the future of the County.

Jan 1, 1974

By Robert M. Cox

The objective of this study was to determine if significant relationships exist between coal mine roof stability and the time roof is left unsupported. Additional factors such as geology, opening geometry, and mining methods were also studied: to determine their relative influence on mine roof stability. The results of the study indicate that geologic factors such as shear zones (either joints or faults) and changes in roof rock lithology were the principal factors governing mine roof stability. The time lapse factor appeared to be of critical importance when poor mine roof conditions are encountered. The study pointed up the need for improved and permissible rock mechanics instrumentation for use in coal mine investigations.

Jan 1, 1974

By R. J. Evans

The generation and disposal of solid waste from electric utility plants using a lime or limestone wet-scrubbing system and the potential effects on the environment were estimated for 1975 and 1980. The study indicated that in 1975 approximately 5.8 million tons of desulfurization solid waste (50 percent solids) will be generated. In 1980, when it is estimated that desulfurization will become commercially accepted, approximately 71.4 million tons of this material will be generated for disposal and/or utilization. The desulfurization waste material when combined with lime, fly ash, and water may have potential for use as a roadbase material, landfill reclamation, and synthetic aggregate.

Jan 1, 1974

Longwall minim; is a highly mechanized, high productivity mining method that is finding increasing applications in coal. Although the method would be highly advantageous in certain hard rock mining applications it cannot be applied in hard rock because no suitable cutterhead exists for such materials. The wedge longwall cutterhead is a, roller cutter device that is wedge-shaped, with cutters arranged to eliminate the very large normal force ordinarily required to cause such cutters to penetrate hard rock. However, the wedge geometry cannot be extended to a point: special nose cutters are needed to open a narrow slot for the wedge. This report describes the design, fabrication, and successful field testing of these critical nose cutters.

Jan 1, 1974

The panic bars (and associated linkage's and electrical circuitry) that are defined in this document are a machine operator-actuated control for the emergency deenergization of the tram motors on Self-propelled, electric and diesel face equipment; including haulage equipment such as shuttle cars. There are nine basic types of panic bars (and several variations) that are recommended in this document, but all of the panic bars are characteristically of the "fire door" type that is frequently encountered on outside exit doors of many public and soma commercial buildings. It is also the intent of the following panic bar designs that, when emergency brakes are added to the face equipment machinery for which they are required, that they be designed and hooked up so that actuation of the panic bar will result in automatic application of the emergency brakes (immediately following the deenergization of the tram motors). The following panic bar design requirements are a restatement of the proposed requirements defined in the Federal Register, requirements cited in 'Guidelines for the Design and Installation of Devices for Deenergization of Self-Propelled Electric Face Equipment/Automatic Emergency Brakes" by C. E. Lester and J. D. Greenhalgh of MESA, and Bendix recommendations that were formulated as a result of discussions with personnel at the various machine manufacturers and underground coal mines that we surveyed, discussions with G. L. Judy (our consultant), etc:

Jan 1, 1974

By R. V. Ramani

This report is volume 3 of an eleven-volume final report for a Grant completed by The Pennsylvania State University for the Bureau of Mines to develop a dynamic general purpose computer simulation model for underground coal mining. The simulator developed under the Grant has a wide range of possible applications in the design and evaluation of underground coal mining systems from the standpoints of health and safety, productivity, and mine environment. The Master Design Simulator consists of nine free-standing function-oriented subsystem models linked together into an integrated, comprehensive model of an entire mining system. The subsystems comprising the Master Design Simulator include geology and reserves, methane generation, roof support, subsidence, production, rail haulage, cost, water generation,' and ventilation. This volume of the final report describes the Methane Generator subsystem of the Master Design Simulator. This subsystem is used to determine methane emission rates into the mine environment. These flow rates are then used by the simulator in planning primary and secondary ventilation systems, planning a methane drainage system, and analyzing complex ventilation networks. Both steady state and unsteady state gas flows are included, and have been modeled as second order nonlinear partial differential equations. Finite difference equations are used to obtain numerical solutions to the models using a central differencing scheme. An application of the model is presented. The appendices include derivation of the gas flow equations used in the model as well as a users manual for the computer program.

Jan 1, 1974

By John C. Cook

Long-wave short-pulse radar has been shown capable of exploring to distances of several hundred feet through massive, dry rock salt. Exploration distances of 30 to 60 ft through bituminous coal and massive limestone, respectively, have also been demonstrated with low-power experimental radar equipment in underground mines. Working ranges up to 250 ft in limestone and coal are considered feasible. Radar reflections should be produced by all large electrically contrasting objects such as fault gouge masses, wet shattered ground, metallic mineralization, adjacent mine workings (dry or flooded), and abandoned drill holes. It is believed that radar can locate such obstacles in advance of underground mining through all massive rocks of low free-water content, including many igneous and metamorphic rocks. Three years of studies and experiments in radar exploration through rocks are reported.

Jan 1, 1974

By C. Edward Chamberlain

A Bureau of Mines procedure was developed for the analysis of volatile matter in airborne coal dust-rock dust mixtures prior to, and resulting from, coal mine fires and explosions. Dust in the 10-to 20-mg weight range can be analyzed. Volatile matter is determined by a greatly scaled-down version of the empirical macro-scale method used by the Bureau. The alkaline earth carbonates in the rock dust are dissolved in acid prior to the volatile matter determination of the residue, and the rock dust content is calculated from the analysis of calcium and magnesium by atomic absorption.

Jan 1, 1974

By T. M. Garland

This report presents a Bureau of Mines assessment of crude oil and associated gas production and reserves that would result from different drilling efforts in the lower or contiguous 48 States during the 1972-85 period. The drilling effort was based upon five growth rate assumptions from the 1971 level. Additions to crude oil reserves were computed for nine cases resulting from the use of three equations for findings per foot drilled and three constant revision factors. The results indicate that the United States will not become self-sufficient in crude oil production by 1985 and also illustrate the lead time required to reverse the decline in oil production. Discussion is limited to three of the nine cases to provide high, intermediate, and low results. More emphasis is on the intermediate case because it is indicative of the most probable trends. The methodology and statistical data are included in the appendices.

Jan 1, 1974

By Peter N. Blakey, Jean-Paul Paquette, Barton A. Thomson

"FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE PIT, it was known that the surface mining method had a projected life of about ten years, and that the ore extended to depths recoverable only by underground mining. When serious consideration was given to underground mining in 1968, it was realized that tremendous advantages could be gained by starting the underground mine as early as• poss1ble. These included: 1. The availability of underground ore for grade control, which would become more difficult as the pit deepened. 2. The need to develop new systems, equipment and skills to take full advantage of the technological revolution in underground mining. 3. Early knowledge of rock behaviour through trial mining on a small scale prior to finalizing plans for major blocks. In addition, the pit would be available to guarantee the mill supply if problems were encountered. 4. With sufficient time and early mining experience a much better job could be done on all mine planning. Because ample reserves of economic underground ore were virtually assured, the desired underground mining capability became a function of two restraints: first, the time required to excavate and construct the permanent headframe, shaft and ore-handling facilities necessary to handle large volumes of stope ore; second, the time for lateral and stope development on at least one level which would normally follow shaft sinking. The decision made was to move immediately on the permanent hoisting installations and at the same time embark on the planned ramp from surface, which would allow much stope preparation to be completed prior to .bringing the shaft on stream. Both projects were placed on an urgent basis early in 196S' and the following decisions made shortly thereafter."

Jan 1, 1974

By Arnold F. Stalder

The measurement of various gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a particular location has become a problem of considerable importance. Levels that need to be monitored vary from the range of percent for constituents such as oxygen to parts per million levels for gases like nitrogen dioxide. In particular, mine air can become contaminated with noxious or toxic gases from several sources: fires within the mine, diesel-powered equipment, and explosive sources. The contaminants that result are carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), and oxides of nitrogen (NO and NO2). Additionally, oxygen (O2) may be depleted. Thus, the workman can be exposed to potentially toxic or asphyxiating atmospheres. A device was needed that will continuously monitor the mine air in working areas and provide warning of hazardous atmospheres. The Mine Air Monitor was conceived as being a portable, rugged instrument capable of measuring the concentration of the various atmospheric constituents in the mine environment. The unit was to provide both warning signals and quantitative measurements when hazardous contaminants existed at too high a level, or when the oxygen was being depleted. The initial concept involved optical sensors for all of the contaminating gases to be measured, namely CO, CO2, CH4, and NO2, and an electrochemical cell to monitor O2. When the explosion proof requirements of Schedule 2-G made the concept appear to be unfeasible from the standpoint of weight and portability, the program was redirected and a three channel monitor employing electrochemical sensors was adopted. In this case the gases to be monitored were O2, CO and NO2. The remainder of the program was oriented towards obtaining good, commercially available lectrochemical sensors for the above gases, testing them, reducing deficiencies noted during these tests, and making the necessary modifications to integrate the three sensors into a Mine Air Monitor suitable for the mine environment.

Jan 1, 1974

By John D. Watson

The results of extensive field tests of a new and powerful method of hard rock excavation are presented in this report.* The method, known by the acronym REAM (Rapid Excavation and Mining), employs high velocity, smooth bore cannons to efficiently deliver energy to the rock and has been demonstrated for underground tunneling, drilling, surface benching, scaling, and secondary breakage in hard granitic rock at the Hope Valley Mine test site in California. Solid projectiles made from inexpensive materials such as concrete or steel, and weighing from 8 to 12 pounds, are launched by conventional high speed cannons and impact the rock at velocities of 5000 feet per second--an impact energy of about 4 million foot pounds (Figure 1). The energy applied at peak pressures of nearly 2 million psi over a period of tens of microseconds breaks down the rock by a complex mechanism of crushing, spalling, and initiation and propagation of fractures produced by the interaction of successive impacts and free surfaces. The main objective of the tests during 1973 was a demonstration of controllability of the underground operation of a silenced cannon. To accomplish this objective a 90-mm cannon

Jan 1, 1974

By Robert R. Perron

The U.S. Bureau of Mines is engaged in many diverse programs for improving mine safety. Of particular interest to the Bureau are new and improved means for minimizing the hazard of fire which can be initiated by prolonged low energy electrical faults on trolley line systems. When a high energy fault occurs on a trolley line, wherein the current exceeds the magnitude normally drawn by legitimate loads, such as locomotives, then the circuit breakers at close-by power rectifier sets trip. Tripping of the breakers not only protects the equipment at the rectifier sets, but also disconnects the energy source from the fault and thereby minimizes the fire risk. However, the fault current is frequently of a level substantially below that required to trip the overload breakers. When the fault is a substantial percentage of the set level of the breakers, the energy dissipated by the fault is frequently sufficient to clear the system by rapidly burning itself clear. Such a fault is often short-lived and does not present as serious a fire risk hazard as a prolonged, much lower energy fault, wherein the energy level is too low to clear the system. The breakdown of a trolley line insulator, in which there was a 20 or 30 ampere leak, would represent such a fault or illegitimate load and a substantial fire risk.

Jan 1, 1974