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By D. I. Bleiwas

Bureau of Mines personnel evaluated the potential availability of nickel from 151 deposits in 18 market economy countries and selected 126 for detailed analyses. An evaluation was made of tonnage-cost relationships indicating the quantity of nickel available at various total costs of production expressed in dollars per pound nickel, including a 15-pct rate of return on the invested capital. The 126 deposits studied contain approximately 73 million metric tons (t) of nickel. An estimated 52 million t is available from laterite deposits, of which less than 2 pct could be produced at $3.50/lb Ni, about equal to the average published price of nickel in 1981. Approximately 21 million t of nickel is available from sulfide deposits, of which about 10.0 million t can be produced at $3.50/lb. Sensitivity studies performed for both laterite deposits and sulfide deposits indicate that the total cost of nickel from laterites is most sensitive to increases in energy costs, and that sulfides are most sensitive to increases in labor costs; sulfides are also sensitive to changes in byproduct revenues. In 1983 the Nickel Mountain mine in Oregon was the only U.S. producer, though development continued on the Gasquet property in California. Of the total 5.1 million t of recoverable nickel in the United States, about 20 pct is available at or below $3.50/lb.

Jan 1, 1984

By A. G. Loomis

METHODS for measuring relative permeability as a valid function of saturation were compared by the. Bureau of Mines, using core samples from representative oil-productive California formations, from the Bartlesville sand in Oklahoma, and from synthetic samples. Measurements for gas-oil systems were made by steady-state dynamic, unsteady-state displacement and two stationary-phase methods. Measurements for water-oil systems were made by the unsteady-state displacement method. As the ratio rather than individual relative permeabilities is measured by the last method, three methods for calculating individual relative permeabilites from their measured ratio were compared for gas-oil systems and two methods for water-oil systems. Errors arising from capillary discontinuities, such as the end effect and stabilized-zone flow, are discussed and evaluated; possible errors rocs arising from turbulant flow are also examined. The inapplicability of non-steady-state methods for water-oil systems that are not definitely oil-wet is discussed in detail. Measurements of relative permeability to both gas and oil can be made quickly and accurately by the steady-state dynamic method when rates of flow of the two phases are sufficient to minimize the capillary discontinuity at the outflow end of the sample. At such rates relative permeability-saturation measurements are essentially independent of the rate of flow. The steady-state method wits modified by a dispersion section at the inflow end of the sample acid designated tie dispersed-feed method.

Jan 1, 1962

By Irving Hartmann

Falls of roof in coal mines and means of preventing them have been subjects of study for many years, and an extensive literature has resulted. Usually each individual paper has placed emphasis on one phase of the subject, such as fatalities, nature and extent of nonfatal injuries, methods of tembering (particularly in rooms or other wide places), safety along retreating rib lines, and methods of causing falls in abandoned areas. It is only in recent years that there has been persistent question as to why

Jan 1, 1941

By E. D. Gardner

This paper is a progress report on the study of mining methods and costs in the western United States and summarizes that part of the work pertaining to the undercut block-caving method of mining. Ore is mined on a large scale exclusively by the undercut block-caving method at the following six mines in the western United States: The Morenci branch of the Phelps Dodge Corporation, Morenci, Ariz.; the Ray mines of the Nevada Consolidated Copper Co. at Ray, Ariz.; the Inspiration Consolidated Copper Co. at Inspiration, Ariz.; the Miamo Copper Co. at Miami, Ariz.; the Ruth mine of the Nevada Consolidated Copper Co. at Ruth, Nev.; and the Consolidated Coppermines Corporation at Kimberly, Nev. The undercut block-caving method is also used at the mine of the Andes Copper Mining Co. at Potrerillos, Chile.

Jan 1, 1930

By Alice M. Chieruzzi

This Country Documentation Report presents the development of economic indices for Zambia for the period from 1970 through 1981. The work done through the Bureau of' Mines, Minerals Availability Program, under Contract number J0225001. This contract calls for the development of twelve index time series describing factor input costs in the mining sector of 95 countries. The twelve index time series describe the costs of: 1) mining wages, 2) construction wages, 3) equipment and repair parts, 4) bits and related steel, 5) timber and lumber, 6) fuel, 7) powder and blasting agents, 8) tires, 9) construction materials, 10) industrial materials, 11) transportation, and 12) electrical power. These indices combined with weight factors being developed by the personnel of the Minerals Availability Field Office (MAFO) of the Bureau of Mines in Denver, Colorado, will be used to perform instantaneous updates of all costs relating to the mining industry. The indices were developed primarily for use in the Bureau's Minerals Availability Program in assessing the worldwide availability of nonfuel minerals.

Jan 1, 1983

By John E. Lambert

Automatic control of drum head continuous mining machines was investigated as a means of reducing respirable dust generated and operator variabitity. Literature survey, manufacturer interviews and mine visits were the major information sources. Technically feasible automation concepts were Identified to control sump and shear rates, cutter head elevation limits and sumping distance. These are the elements of a programmed cutting cycle which maintains peak penetrating force on the cutter, to maximize depth of cut and therefore reduce dust generation. Based on the industry surveys, successful underground hardware demonstrations must be completed in order to stimulate the market demand for these advanced control features.

Jan 1, 1979

By Frank G. Miller

Controlling natural-water drives to effect efficient and economic production of petroleum, through wells, from reservoir sands and rocks is a problem of major importance in the oil-producing industry. Water-drive fields are characterized by large quantities of mobile water under high pressure immediately below the oil in the flanks or extraneous parts of reservoir formations. Hence, the water, which is in fluid connection with the oil and a source of a large proportion of the energy available for moving it, advances up-structure to replace it. This phenomenon of water moving crestward into the oil-bearing parts of the reservoir and replacing oil is termed edgewater encroachment. The mechanism by which oil is flushed out and continually replaced by water as the hydrocarbon content of the field is depleted must be understood if natural-water drives arc to be used successfully to, induce efficient recovery of oil from its reservoir rocks. Until recently, the function of water in the production of oil has been somewhat obscure and was not given the consideration it deserved in early petroleum production-research programs because of the greater importance associated with and the effort devoted to investigations concerning the relations of natural gas to production of oil. Thus, with virtually no fundamental information at hand, it is not surprising that at first edgewater was considered a necessary evil, and the manner in which it was dealt with depended largely on the experience of the operators. During the intervening years, however, .practical information on encroachment of edgewater in oil sands has been widely disseminated as a result of studies of oil-field depletion, and many theories pertaining to petroleum-reservoir energy and performance have been advanced; these theories necessarily included consideration of edgewater as an integral part of the reservoir fluids and a source of energy for propelling hydrocarbon fluids through the reservoir and to the surface of the ground.

Jan 1, 1941

By Lowell B. Moon

Concern over possible wartime shortages finally resulted in passage of the Strategic Materials Act in 1939. As authorized by one section of this legislation, the Bureau of Mines proceeded to investigate deposits of seven strategic minerals with the objective of developing tonnages of low-grade material that could be mined in an emergency. During the war, the size of the program and the number of strategic minerals were increased, and the objective was the more immediate one of aiding production. Since the war, the size of the program has been reduced, but the number of minerals on the strategic list continues to be large. The objective has returned to that of 1939. In the course of the program, more than 10,000 examinations were made and about 1,300 projects were run on deposits of 33 different commodities. A considerable contribution to war production was made in six of the commodities investigated, and a minor contribution was made in twelve others. Substantial reserves have been indicated in 19 minerals. Private interest is currently active in some of the deposits developed in 14 commodities.

Jan 1, 1950

By McHenry Mosier

Mechanical loading, adopted long ago in open-pit, coal, and non-metal mines, was not used extensively in underground metal mines until the World War. In less than a decade it became standard practice in underground work in many mining districts. In 1924 the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy, in cooperation with the Federal Bureau of Mines, published a bulletin entitled "Mechanical Underground Loading in Metal Mines," which was prepared by Charles E. van Barneveld, mining engineer, Bureau of Mines.

Jan 1, 1940

The Bureau of Mines recognized the need for a demonstration program to distribute and apply existing information regarding the illumination of working places in mines. This report details the performance of illumination systems which were installed on several different types of mining machinery.

Jan 1, 1978

By D. Pennington

Ground-water levels and subsidence have been monitored over a longwall panel of a deep coal mining operation located in western Pennsylvania. The monitoring network includes eleven ground-water monitoring wells completed to measure water level changes in separate shallow and deep aquifer zone-, and 50-foot surveyed subsidence stations parallel and perpendicular to the panel centerline. Monthly monitoring data were collected during the premining, mining, and postmining tine periods. Aquifer testing and borehole geophysical logging were conducted during premining, and post-mining conditions to document any changes in aquifer properties and ground-water flow patterns. Results indicate ground-water declines were located with respect to the mining face and mined longwall panel. Dewatering of the deep aquifer zone caused a significant water level decline in deep wells; however, the shallow aquifer zone was isolated fro major impacts by an aquitardal layer during, the, one-year period. Transmissivity data were greatly impacted by fracturing, in the highly anisotropic aquifer system. Borehole geophysical logging indicated changes in ground-water flow patterns and zones of increased fracturing from subsidence.

Jan 1, 1984

By V. Ferrari

This report documents the three-phase program to design, fabricate, test, and demonstrate economical and practical methods of reducing noise levels on underground coal mining portal buses (mantrip vehicles). The noise-control treatments applied to a production-model portal bus were as follows: ? Wheel/rail vibrations were isolated from the vehicle frame by inserting elastomeric materials between suspension components. ? Vibration-induced noise was reduced by replacing all large sheet metal panels (except floor plates) with damped steel panels. ? Motor noise was reduced by tight-fitting covers made from damped steel and lined with sound-absorbing material, and by elastomeric motor mounts. ? The standard spur gears used in the traction drive system were replaced with helical gearsets. The program achieved the goal of reducing the average sound-level to below 85 dBA for typical operating conditions.

Jan 1, 1981

By M. Kawahata

Methane sensors using principle of catalytic oxidation of methane are employed for determination of methane content in ambient air of coal mines. Certain foreign gases or vapors in the air poison the catalyst of the sensor effecting the sensor's response. After literature search of poison compounds of Pt and Pd oxidation catalyst, experimental studies of catalyst poison kinetics were made for three siloxane compounds, tributyl-phosphate, monobromotrifluoromethane, and hydrogen sulfide, selected as poison vapors. Concentration range of the poison vapors was varied in a range from 3000 to 0.1 ppb (v/v). Three siloxane vapors produced strong catalyst poison effect, followed by tributylphosphate, hydrogen sulfide and monobromotrifluoromethane for the high concentration level of the poison vapors. The poison effects are influenced significantly by concentration of the vapors. Threshold poison vapor concentrations where effect of the poison vapors on the sensor is minimal were determined experimentally. Experimental studies were made further for prevention method of catalyst poison by adsorption techniques. Use of activated carbon cloth inserted on the sensor's head prevented catalyst poisoning efficiently.

Jan 1, 1981

By Madan M. Singh

This report presents the results of an investigation of inclined roof bolts, anchored over pillars, in room-and-pillar coal mines susceptible to shear failures of the roof. Although the field data do not support this contention, it is believed on the basis of analyses and other work that inclined roof bolts do offer potential under some circumstances.

Jan 1, 1978

This is the initial issue of STATE MINERAL SUMMARIES. This publication provides estimated data and summaries of mineral activities at the State level for 1988. Most of the estimates are based on nine months data. These summaries have been prepared in cooperation with State geological surveys or related agencies. Individual State summaries are published separately as State Mineral Industry Surveys and copies can be obtained from the appropriate State Activities field office.

Jan 1, 1989

By Daniel S. Witkowsky

The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 provides few specifics to assist the non-fuel mining and mineral processing industries of the United States in achieving pollution prevention (P2) compliance. The U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) recognizes the absence of specific information to reduce pollution impacts from mining and mineral processing of hardrock and industrial minerals. Therefore, the USBM has prepared this publication to help reduce or eliminate environmental pollution and to assure the viability of these segments of the domestic mining industry. This report includes worksheets designed to help operators of mining and milling facilities to establish a P2 program. The report can also be used by citizen and environmental groups, State and local governments, and academia to gain an understanding of P2 as it relates to mining and mineral processing.

Jan 1, 1995

By Nelson P. Hulst

COMMITTEES. DULUTH.-Nelson P. Hulst, Chairman; J. B. Adams, W. C. Agnew, M. H. Alworth, C. W. Andrews, R. Angst, William R. Appleby, C. E. Bailey, G. G. Barnum, E. F. Bradt, Mylie Bunnell, George L. Cheesebrough, Peter Christen¬sen, F. A. Cokefair, T. F. Cole, C. A. Congdon, N. Cowling, George H. Crosby, M. D. Cullum, C. d'Autremont, Jr., H. L. Dresser, C. T. Fairbairn. Walter Fitch, F. L. Gilbert, J. T. Hale, G. G. Hartley, E. B. Hawkins, M. S. Hawkins, J. H. Hearding, Louis Hill, L. J. Hopkins, F. E. House, J. C. Hunter, 0. D. Kinney, J. W. Kreitter, E. J. Longyear, Alexander McDougal, W. A. McGonagle, A. M. Marshall, W. N. Merriam, T. D. Merrill, John Millan, P. Mitchell, Clarence Moore, Hon. Page Morris, C. H. Munger, Henry Nolte, W. J. Olcott, A. L. Ordean, Thomas Owens, F. A. Patrick, H. M. Peyton; D. M. Philbin, Capt. Charles Potter (U. S. A.), L. W. Powell, Harry Roberts, Louis Rouchleau, George A. St. Clair, J. U. Sebenius, Joseph Sellwood, Amos Shepherd, W. B. Silvey, George Spencer, George C. Stone, H. B. Sturtevant, George D. Swift, Kirby Thomas, C. D. Thompson, A. D. Thomson, G. A. Tomlinson, Charles Trezona, R. R. Trezona, Maj. J. H. Upham, Charles Van Barneveld, W. W. Walker, J. L. Washburn, A. C. Weirs, H. J. Wessinger, A. B. Wolvin, Dwight E. Woodbridge. HOUGHTON.-W. E. Parnall, Chairman; W. D. Calverley, Secretary; W. B. Anderson, L. S. Austin, Jacob Baer, William Bath, F. J. Bawden., Simon Beahan, John Been, C. H. Benedict, Walter Bloomfield, S. H. Brady, Samuel Brady, Henry Brett, A. L. Burgan, F. I. Cairns, W. H. Cake, Arthur L. Carnahan, William Carpenter, Phillip Carroll, John J. Case, T. L. Chadbourne, W. A. Childs, B. F. Chynoweth, Captain James Chynoweth, H. P. Clausen, F. G. Coggin, H. D. Conant, J. B. Cooper, J. R. Cooper, John Cuddihy, Thomas Cummings, Robert Davidson, J. B. Dee, J. R. Dee, T. S. Dee, Theodore Dengler, M. M. Dennis, Captain Thomas Dennis,. F. W. Denton, A. D. Edwards, R. M. Edwards, C. S. Fales, Daniel Fisher, Henry Fisher, James Fisher, A. L. Floeter, Frank H. Getchell, M. C. Getchell, W. M. Gibson, W. M. Gilliland, James G. Glanville, George Goodale, H. S. Goodell, A. R. Gray, Edward Grierson, Homer Guck, H. D. Haddock, Captain Josiah Hall, John L. Harris, Captain S. B. Har¬ris, Enos Harrold, F. William Hartmann, George L. Heath, C. M. Hoar, Thomas Hoatson, 0. P. Hood, Captain Thomas Hooper, Captain Joshua D. Husking, Dr. L. L. Hubbard, Arno Jaelinig, E. D. Johnson, G. A. Koenig, Edward Koepel, C. H. Krause, R. H. Leach, A. W. Leonard, James MacNaughton, Edward McCormick, Thomas McDonald, R. T. McKeever, F. W. McNair, James McRae, John Mackey, John C. Mann, Major G. A. Marr, Captain Thomas Maslin, Harry Mercer, James Merton, Michael Messner, William F. Miller, Captain J. Milligan, Dr. J. W. Moore, Charles H. Moss, H. F. Nickerson, Charles L. Noetzel, P. H. Paine, John Penrose, Captain John Pentecost, Graham Pope, R. C. Pryor, James Ramsay, J. T. Reeder, Allen F. Rees, J. H. Rice, W. G. Rice, James

Jan 1, 1905

By Richard V. Ageton, Harry E. Tufft, E. A. Holbrook

When an underground excavation is made, the rock surrounding the sides and top of the opening is deprived of its natural support and tends to fall. Whenever caving takes place, the time and extent of the caving depend on the character and condition of the rock. In strong homogenous rock, such as solid granite, even a large chamber may stand indefinitely, whereas a soft material, such as clay or a loose material like unconsolidated sand, falls immediately if not supported. Weaknesses in the rocks induced by structural features, such as joints, :fissures, bedding and cleavage planes, and fractures produced by blasting, will cause the falling of insecure blocks or slabs unless means are provided to support these in place. In an unsupported mine opening, as a tunnel, the first slight settling or adjusting movement of the rocks (the "initial creep" or "set") is caused by the great weight of overlying material pressing down the rock masses above and around the roof and sides of the opening until they key together in roughly the form of an arch. The rock, after it has adjusted itself to this shape, becomes. selfsupporting. Timbering is necessa.ry in all mining only to support, therefore, those comparatively small blocks or pieces of rock which tend to loosen from the top and sides of the opening during or after the formation 'of the natural rock arch, and which lie between this natural rock arch and the opening. This statement, of course, has its limitations. For example; a layer of strong rock, like limestone, may act as a beam; then only the material under the limestone will need support. Timbering is not, as is commonly supposed by the layman, used to supp!ort the huge mass of rock between the back (roof) of an underground opening and the surface. It would be impossible to place enough timbers in a:ny underground opening to support such a mass. This fact is not'·perceived by all miners.

Jan 1, 1923

By Zengjie Wang

Kinetic study of hydrochloric acid leaching of Panzhihua ilmenite from China is presented. Both temperature and concentration of hydrochloric acid have significant effects on the rate process of Fe dissolution from ilmenite ore, while the ratio of liquid to solid has little effect on the Fe dissolution. The Fe dissolution is found to follow the spherical model f (??) =1-(1- ??)1/3 and the apparent activation energy is calculated as 47.21 KJ/mol, suggesting a chemical reaction controlled mechanism. The dissolving behaviors vary at different kinetic stages. At the beginning the amount of the dissolved Fe and Ti increased monotonically with leaching time, while about 15 minutes later the dissolved Ti in the form of TiOCl2 began hydrolyzed into TiO2 fines reunited on the ilmenite ore surface, as observed by SEM and EDS technique. For the unreacted ilmenite particles covered by a layer of hydrolyzed TiO2, the leaching seemed to be as a selective leaching of iron and because Ti dissolved from and hydrolyzed rapidly again into the unreacted ilmenite particles. The leaching process can be ended 4 hour later when almost of Fe has dissolved into the solution and TiO2 remains as solid residues. The effects of acid concentration and leaching temperature were also investigated.

Jan 1, 2009

By J. P. F. Charpin

The transport of large boulders in a furrow from a mining area to a nearby pond was considered. The furrow is filled with a mixture of water and soil particles flowing down to the pond at high velocity. Due to operating constraints, the slope of the furrow is reduced progressively. A relationship is derived, relating the slope of the furrow and the composition of the fluid to the maximum size and shape of the transported boulders. The characteristics of the boulders carried all the way down to the pond may then be determined.

Jan 1, 2007