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By W. A. Stickney, J. W. Town

Studies on continuous - circuit leach - aluminum precipitation and leachelectrodeposition of mercury were made by the Bureau of Mines to determine optimum conditions and cost estimates for recovering mercury from mercury sulfide flotation concentrates . With 150 grams of sodium sulfide and 50 grams of sodium hydroxide per liter , from 98 to 99.8 percent of the mercury was extracted from flotation concentrates , with about 0.5 pound of sodium hydroxide used per pound of mercury produced . Precipitation of mercury from the caustic - sulfide solution with minus 8 - mesh aluminum shot required about 0.2 pound of aluminum per pound of mercury produced at a cost of $ 0.05 per pound of mercury . Electrodeposition cost with 7 mill power , based on 50 percent current efficiency , was below 2 mills per pound of metal deposited . Feed solutions ranged from 10 to 130 grams of mercury per liter , and current densities , from 2 to 70 amperes per square foot . The cost of open- pit mining 250 tons per day was estimated at $ 1.75 per ton , and flotation - leachingelectrodeposition of the ore , at $ 3.54 , resulting in a cutoff grade of about 0.1 percent mercury . The cost of underground mining 50 tons per day was estimated at $ 20.00 per ton , and the cost of milling the ore was estimated at $ 13.33 , which resulted in a cutoff grade of 0.6 percent mercury .

Jan 1, 1964

By Christopher C. Jobes

This U.S. Bureau of Mines report describes a system to determine the position and heading of a mining machine during maneuvers in the face area of an operating mine section. The system is the first step in the development of a guidance system for automated mining machines. The position and heading algorithm is described, and a preliminary error analysis is performed. The sensors employed were linear position transducers mounted on a mining machine with their cables attached to points on a stationary reference. Four linear position transducers were used to provide a data redundancy that increased the reliability of the guidance system. The linear position information obtained from the transducers was processed mathematically via the position and heading algorithm to provide the desired position and heading information. The algorithm takes advantage of sensor redundancy to continually test the accuracy of the sensor data. The major sources of error were determined to be the linear position transducers, the analog-to-digital (A/D) converter used to interpret the data, and the sampling frequency of the measurement system. These sources of error were evaluated to determine their inaccuracies for use in calculating the overall system accuracy.

Jan 1, 1990

By G. L. Gates

The Bureau of Mines studied the scales formed in producing wells in the Wilmington field, California. The scales were primarily barium sulfate and resulted from the mixing of injected sea water and formation waters; there was excess sulfate in the injection water and the formation waters contained appreciable barium. After breakthrough, the produced brines were supersaturated with barium sulfate. Laboratory tests indicated that barium sulfate precipitated quickly When the supersaturated brines were agitated with crystals of barium sulfate and fairly rapidly when more sulfate solution was added. Precipitation occurred slowly on standing or under nonturbulent conditions. Both the apparent and equilibrium solubilities of barium sulfate in these brines were determined and compared with equilibrium solubilities in distilled water and sodium chloride solutions.

Jan 1, 1965

By Benjamin W. Haynes

Cement kiln dust (CKD) produced in the contiguous United States and Hawaii was characterized as part of the Bureau of Mines' program in minerals environmental technology. The mineralogical and chemical composition was determined for 113 CKD samples from 102 plants that normally send CKD waste to landfill. Characterization included the determination of 28 elements, 7 anion species, carbon dioxide, noncarbonate carbon, and chemically bound water. Mercury was determined in 15 samples. Interelement correlation coefficients were determined for 23 elements, 5 anions, CO2, noncarbonate carbon, and chemically bound water. To assess the hazardous waste potential of CKD, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Extraction Procedure (EP) toxicity test was performed on all 113 CKD samples. All but one sample were in compliance with the test; the noncomplying sample slightly exceeded the EP toxicity test criterion for lead.

Jan 1, 1982

By Bertrand L. Johnson

Langbeinite, a comparatively rare mineral that has been reported from only five countries in the entire world, has recently attained considerable economic importance in the United States and Poland. Since September 1940, several hundred thousand tons have been produced in one of the Carlsbad (N. Mex.), potash mines for chemical and fertilizer use. As it is a newcomer in this field, and as it is the source of fertilizers possessing special advantages, notably for soils deficient in magnesium or requiring sulfate fertilizers, a discussion of its properties, occurrences, uses, mining, and treatment is appropriate at this

Jan 1, 1944

During the 20th century, the increased emphasis on worker health and safety and the advent of new mining equipment and methods led to many changes in mine face ventilation practices. Efforts by government and private industry to improve and modify ventilation practices resulted in better health and safety conditions for workers. This article focuses on U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) research to examine factors that had a significant influence on mine face ventilation design during the past century. Several "milestone" events are discussed along with the impact they had on worker health and safety. Significant ventilation research efforts by government and private industry are presented. This brief ventilation history highlights innovative face ventilation designs and a consistent commitment to mining health and safety. Ventilation has always been a concern in underground coal mining. For many yeas, there was no appreciation of how ventilation could be used to remove harmful contaminants from the air or how to control airflow quantities. The first known problems with ventilation date back to the 14th century, when it was recognized that lack of air was a major impediment to the expansion of mines. The common method of solving ventilation problems at that time was to abandon the existing mine and start a new one nearby. Ventilation in the early days of coal mining was accomplished by means of a natural draft, created principally by a difference in the weights of columns of air between the intake and return openings. Later, in the 18th and 19th centuries, a furnace was introduced underground to increase the updraft in the return shaft. This allowed for a larger quantity of air in circulation. When mines went deeper and became larger, mechanical ventilation became necessary and was first accomplished by steam-driven fans. These fans became more prevalent as furnaces were prohibited in underground mines, especially after the Avondale disaster in Pennsylvania in 1869 (Roy, 1876). Eventually, these fans were replaced by more powerful, electrically [ ]

By W. H. Eddy

The Bureau of Mines made small-scale continuous tests and large-scale commercial plant tests of a calcareous fluorspar ore near Cave-In-Rock, Ill., to determine if the application of the lignin-fluoride process of fluorspar flotation would be industrially feasible for treatment of fluorspar ores, and also to compare the lignin-fluoride process with the quebracho process, which is the method currently used for concentrating calcareous fluorspar ores. The small-scale continuous tests yielded fluorspar concentrates analyzing 93.6 percent CaF2 with a recovery of 87.6 percent of the total fluorspar in the ore. In large-scale commercial plant tests, a fluorspar concentrate analyzing 93.3 percent CaF2 with a recovery of 78.0 percent was produced by the quebracho method. About 86.0 percent of the fluorspar was recovered in a metallurgical-grade fluorspar concentrate from the lignin-fluoride circuit which analyzed 89.9 percent CaF2? with a much simpler flowsheet than that in the current commercial application.

Jan 1, 1967

By James J. Dowd

The investigation to evaluate the reserves of coking coal in the United States suitable for the manufacture of metallurgical coke is being made by the Bureau of Mines in three parts: (1) To estimate known (measured plus indicated) recoverable reserves of all coking coals; (2) to upgrade marginal coals through effective preparation; and (3) to study the carbonizing properties of coals and coal blends not now widely used for metallurgical coke making. This is the fourth of a series of reports giving the results of studies by counties under phase (1) of the investigation. It covers Armstrong County, Pa., which comprises parts of the Foxburg, Clarion, Brookville, Kittanning, Bural Valley, Smicksburg, Freeport, Elders Ridge, and Indiana quadrangles. (See fig. 1.) A base map for each bed in each quadrangle was made to the scale of 1 inch equals 1,200 feet. Maps of mines, locations of drill holes, bed and total coal thicknesses, and the outcrop of the bed were plotted on the maps. With all available data plotted, isopach lines were drawn to limit areas of known unmined reserves in beds 0 to 14 inches thick, 14 to 28 inches thick, 28 to 42 inches thick, and more than 42 inches thick. These areas of coal reserves also were divided into "measured" and "indicated" categories. All areas in each thickness range and in each category, mined-out areas, areas excluded from the estimate, and areas outside the outcrop were measured by planimeter on the base maps, Estimates of total reserves 14 inches and more thick and maps for individual beds were prepared from these data.

Jan 1, 1951

By R. V. Rahfuse

Noncaking 0- by 2 -inch subbituminous coal from New Mexico was gasified with air and steam at 205 prig using a stirred-bed producer to determine coal losses by entrainment in the gas for this low-sulfur, high-ash coal which contained 20 percent particles smaller than 1/16-inch sieve size. The use of fine-sized coal has particular importance because most production from mechanized mines is smaller than 2-inch size. This initial attempt showed technical feasibility for gasifying New Mexico subbituminous coal containing small-sized particles in fixed-bed producers without excessive coal loss by entrainment. Dust loss averaged about 2 percent of moisture-free coal, most of which was recovered from the gas. Ash clinkering was controlled by adding 1,010 lb/hr steam to reduce tempera¬tures in the combustion zone. Yield of low-Btu fuel gas, 150 Btu per scf, dry, amounted to 69,800 scfh from 1,490 lb/hr coal (as received) and 3,450 lb/hr air (dry).

Jan 1, 1974

Pillar design is the first line of defense against rock falls—the greatest single safety hazard faced by underground coal miners in the United States and abroad. To help advance the state of the art in this fundamental mining science, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health organized the Second International Workshop on Coal Pillar Mechanics and Design. The workshop was held in Vail, CO, on June 6,1999, in association with the 37th U.S. Rock Mechanics Symposium. The proceedings include 15 papers from leading ground control specialists in the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of South Africa. The papers address the entire range of issues associated with coal pillars and have a decidedly practical flavor. Topics include numerical modeling, empirical design formulas based on case histories, field measurements, and post failure mechanics.

Jan 5, 1999

By T. D. Hackett

Multislice mining methods were analyzed by the U.S. Bureau of Mines to determine their application to western United States thick coal seams; ground control, geology, and costs were considered. Multislice mining is used in widely varying seam conditions worldwide, including flat seams too thick to mine in a single pass, pitching thick seams, and seams containing a rock parting. Longwall multislice methods predominate, but room-and-pillar variants also exist. The initial use of the method in western seams is planned at a deep Colorado mine where a rock parting will be used to separate two slices mined by longwall. Ground control and spontaneous combustion are major hazards associated with multislice mining. A well-consolidated upper slice gob can reduce ground control problems and provide a seal against spontaneous combustion. Geologic analysis indicates that the consolidation of the gob depends on the composition of the upper slice roof, the presence of water, and sufficient overburden pressure. A geologically competent intermediate rock parting can also reduce ground control problems and seal against spontaneous combustion. To compete in western coal markets, the cost of multislice mining must be within the range of normal longwall costs. Analysis indicates that multislice operating costs should be within this range, and that multislice mining costs decrease as panel width increases. Relatively wide (600 to 800 ft) panels also provide increased coal recovery.

Jan 1, 1990

By W. F. Watts

The U.S. Bureau of Mines has conducted research on methods to reduce and to measure diesel particulate matter (DPM) aerosols in underground coal mines. One objective of this report is to present findings from an investigation of the DPM reductions obtained by an engine-mounted integrated control system consisting of a dry system (DS) and a diesel particulate filter (DPF). Another objective is to present results from the usc of a size selective personal sampler to measure DPM concentrations in an underground coal mine. Bureau laboratory tests of the integrated dry system and diesel particulate filter (DS-DPF) have shown that DPM emissions can be reduced up to 97 pet with little change in gaseous emission concentrations. The DS-DPF is undergoing certification tests conducted by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Subsequent to passing all safety requirements, it will be tested in an underground coal mine. A baseline survey of DPM concentrations and aerosol size distributions in a cooperating mine was completed in August 1988. A prototype DPM personal sampler was tested during this survey. Based on results from this test, an improved unit has been developed. This unit is scheduled for extensive field testing by MSHA in 1989.

Jan 1, 1989

By M. B. Shirts

Numerous alternative processes have been proposed as being potentially more economical or less polluting than the traditional smelting of copper sulfide concentrates. One such process as recently developed in the laboratory by the Bureau of Mines is composed of a two-stage fluid-bed, oxidation-reduction roasting followed by ammoniacal leaching, solvent extraction, and electrowinning. A copper-leaching recovery of 97.4 percent was obtained, and electrolysis of the acid strip solution deposited metal assaying 99.99 percent copper. The roaster gases contain over 95 percent of the sulfur at a concentration of 12 percent which is better suited for acid making or elemental sulfur production than conventional smelter gas. When considering byproduct recovery, a preliminary estimate indicates copper production costs are com-parable to the conventional smelters.

Jan 1, 1975

By Foster Fraas

The objective of this research was separation of one highly conductive mineral from a second conductive mineral , a procedure which is impractical in commercial electrostatic separators using metal rolls . Such separators permit separation of nonconductive from conductive minerals . A new technique involved use of carrier electrode rolls specially prepared by anodizing and / or oxidizing at high temperatures to form suitable oxide surfaces . Specific oxides included aluminum , copper , and nickel . The significant result provided by the new surfaces was the extension of the separation range to higher conductivities , an extension in relative mineral conductivity from 10-14 mhos . The results are in accordance with the blocking- layer theory .

Jan 1, 1964

By Phillip R. Moyle

In 1985 the U.S. Bureau of Mines evaluated the mineral resources of the Sheep Creek West Wilderness Study Area (ID-111-36A), Owyhee County, ID, for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The Wilderness Study Area consists of 11,680 acres centered approximately 20 miles south of Grasmere, 10. It contains no mines, claims, or prospects. No mineral resources were identified; however, a geode occurrence within and adjacent to the Wilderness Study Area, and minor amounts of placer gold along Sheep Creek, may be of interest to rorkhounds and recreational gold panners.

Jan 1, 1986

By Robert W. Metcalf

The feldspars are a series of related aluminum silicates containing varying proportions of potash, soda, rind lime; smaller amounts of other minerals arc likely to be present as impurities. They comprise three principal types: Potash spars, microline and orthoclase (KA12Si208); soda feldspar or albite (NaA1Si308); and soda-lime e (plagioclase) fellspars. The last-named is an intermediate group ranging from albite through oligoclase, andesine, labradorite, and bytownite to anorthite or line feldspar (CnA12Si2O8), Minor varieties are barium feldspar or celsian and a potash-barium feldspar. Perthite is a mixture of orthoclase end albite in alternate layers. Graphic granite or "corduroy spar" is an intergrowth of feldspar and quartz characteristically in the ratio of 3:1. Cornwall stone is a natural mixture of feldspar, quartz, end kaolinite imported in former years in sizable quantity from Cornwall, England. (A similar synthetic mixture, including some fluorspar, has been blended and marketed in the United States as "Carolina stone".)

Jan 1, 1941

By Nicholas Kyriazi

A joint effort by the U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) and the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) was undertaken to determine how well self-contained self-rescuers (SCSR's), deployed in accordance with Federal regulations (30 CPR 75.1714), held up in the underground environment with regard to both physical damage and aging. This report presents findings regarding laboratory-tested SCSR's in the fourth phase of testing from 1989 to 1993. The SCSR's were tested on human subjects and on a breathing and metabolic simulator (BMS). These results indicate that most of the apparatus, if they pass their inspection criteria, perform as expected except units with manufacturing defects. However, when the apparatus are carried in and out of the mine daily and stored at the working section, they may suffer abuse. Physical signs of abuse, unless extremely obvious, are frequently not detected by the miners or mine operators. In addition, some apparatus collected for this study had not been returned to the manufacturer in a recall effort for correction of a manufacturing defect. In both cases, the apparatus would have presented problems in emergency use. Recommendations include improved training in inspection procedures and better enforcement of recall notices.

Jan 1, 2010

By C. N. Adams

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of high-purity titanium made by two processes. Sodium-reduced metal with 58 Brinell hardness number (B.h.n.) and electrorefined metal with 60 B.h.n. and 70 B.h.n. were used. Titanium of these hardness levels did not work-harden excessively, and beyond 40 percent cold work the hardening effect was not great. Rapid softening occurred when the metal was annealed at temperature between 300° and 600° C. Full annealing, as determined by property and microstructure studies, was accomplished after 30 minutes at 700° C. A recrystallization diagram is presented which is based on determinations of annealed grain size as a function of rolling reduction and annealing time. For reductions of less than 20 percent, exaggerated grain growth occurred during annealing; for reductions greater than 20 percent, the variation in grain size for each annealing temperature was minor.

Jan 1, 1961

By Jeffrey Shawn Peterson

The testing procedures of the u.s. Mine Safety and Health Administration specify that intrinsic safety acceptance tests be conducted using a standard tungsten-cadmium electrode configuration in the break-flash apparatus. However, in realistic mining environments, other materials may be more likely sources of sparking. Information defining the probability of spark ignition between common materials such as aluminum, brass, copper, lead, tin, cold-rolled steel, and stainless steel is of more practical value in determining ignition hazards. The U.S. Bureau of Mines has completed an investigation of the influence of material on the ignition probability using the breakflash apparatus. By comparing ignition currents or ignition voltages corresponding to a probability of one ignition per thousand sparks to those found previously for cadmium, a margin of safety may be estimated for each material. This report presents the results of an investigation into the influence of disk electrode material on the probability of ignition.

Jan 1, 2010

By C. A. Herbert

In summer, when hot, moisture-laden air enters a coal mine in the region east of the Mississippi River, the moisture is likely to condense on the roof and ribs because the incoming air is cooled below its dew point upon contact with the roof, ribs, and floor of the mine passageways. When the roof and ribs become wet owing to this condensation they are said to "sweat." In many mines, as soon as this sweating begins, shale or slate roof that appears solid and strong in winter begins to cut and fall. For a long time most mining men believed (many still believe) that the roof trouble was due to this sweating. However, from observation of conditions in one mine the operators concluded that the trouble was caused by expansion and contraction of the roof due to changes of temperature. This opinion was confirmed by experiments at several mines in cooling the air as it entered the mines. Methods used in these mines for cooling the air are described in this circular. MINE A At mine A the roof gave considerable trouble in the summer, and it was observed that where a spray of water from a leaking dam kept the roof wet and at a uniform temperature no difficulty was experienced with the roof, although it had cut and fallen on either side of that point. From this fact the company officials concluded that changes of temperature in the air rather than moisture caused the trouble and that if the incoming air were cooled to approximately normal strata temperature much of the additional roof trouble experienced during the summer would be overcome.

Jan 1, 1940