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By John Henderson

If you missed this year?s Texas State Holmes Safety Association meeting, you missed a great one. On January 23 & 24, 2009, we held the meeting that was rescheduled when Hurricane Ike threatened Corpus Christi in September 2008. Sixty-five persons from across the state attended the meeting held at the Holiday Inn Emerald Beach. The weather was 82 degrees, and the sky was clear and perfect for a safety meeting. Evaluations submitted by the attendees gave the presentations, the networking, and even the food top marks. There were eight councils represented; Big Country, Central Texas, Costal Bend, Heart of Texas, Hill Country, North Texas and North Central. Presentations included Workplace Examinations, Emergency Preparedness, Screen Safety, Contractor Responsibilities, Powered Haulage, Supervising for Safety, and Basic Inspections of Slings and Rigging. Mr. Edward Lopez, SC MSHA District Manager, gave the State of the District Address.

Feb 1, 2009

By B. I. Ferber

Toxic and explosive atmospheres are discussed, along with some of the instruments commercially available for their detection. No attempt has been made to evaluate the accuracy of anyone device. This circular has been prepared primarily to aid mine inspectors in selecting suitable instruments for underground gas detection.

Jan 1, 1972

By John J. Sammarco

Mining has one of the highest annual average fatality rates among major US industries. Health and safety dangers have been inherent to mining since the early days of picks and shovels. Even though miners' health and safety has improved over the years, mining is still one of the most dangerous occupations. Mining was traditionally a low tech industry. It is now driven by competitive pressures to go high-tech by using programmable electronics (PE) for machine control, atmospheric monitoring and material processing. The industry's experience with the functional safety of PE is limited compared with other industries. Thus, PE is an emerging technology for mining that can potentially create or worsen hazards. The US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Pittsburgh Research Laboratory in Pittsburgh, PA is addressing the safety of this new technology. NIOSH has a proactive project to generate recommendations for addressing the functional safety of PE-based mining systems before the technology proliferates. The recommendations take the form of a safety framework encompassing the entire life cycle for a PE-based mining system.

By R. V. Higgins

A numerical method is presented to calculate the isopressure (isobar) lines and streamlines for an oilfield from the pressure distribution. A knowledge of these lines is useful in the study of the flow of fluids in underground reservoirs, especially for those containing gaseous and/or liquid hydrocarbons. This work was done primarily to enable determination of the shape factors needed in the calculation of petroleum reservoir performance. However, it has application for the flow of water in aquifers, or electricity or heat in odd-shaped geometry. Techniques previously developed were used to calculate the pressure distribution. From this pressure distribution, the isopressure lines were calculated accurately by the method presented in this paper. Then by successively projecting orthogonal lines from one isopressure line to another, the streamlines are determined. From the coordinates of the isopressures and the streamlines, the shape factors can then be determined by a published method. Computer methods are presented to calculate the streamlines and isopressures for any well-spacing pattern existing within a field with multiple wells. The method reproduces the flow net for several well configurations having extensive geometrical variations. Such information provides the petroleum engineer with data from which he can compute oil recoveries for different patterns and thereby maximize the recovery of hydrocarbons from the reservoir.

Jan 1, 1972

By James E. Bell

Quartz crystals occur on a farm in the vicinity of Laurel Fork, Carroll County, Va., in abundance over a large area, This has been known for several years, but no work had been clone, up to the Bureau of Mines examination in 1943, to determine the amount of crystalline quartz of usable quality. Field exploration was undertaken throughout the month of June 1943.

Jan 1, 1950

By Thomas M. Barczak, Christopher Mark

Roof supports can only be understood in conjunction with the rock structure that they support. The strength of the rock depends on geology, and the loads are applied primarily by the in situ and mining-induced stresses. Other factors, such as wider spans and retreat or multiple-seam mining, can also reduce the stability of mine openings. Roof supports are used to help stabilize these openings, but their performance characteristics must be properly matched to the loading environment and ground behavior if they are to succeed. Roof supports include both intrinsic supports, such as roof bolts, and standing supports. The key characteristics of any support include its maximum load-carrying capacity, stiffness, and residual strength. Other important factors are the timing of installation, the stability of the support as it is loaded, and the capability of the support system to provide skin control. This paper explains in practical terms how supports work and the important factors in ensuring that a good support design and application strategy are developed.

Jan 10, 2000

By R. V. Subramanian

This project financed by the Bureau of Mines investigated the use of polymers to achieve rock bonding and reinforce coal mine structures for better or permanent ground support. Support was achieved by pumping the polymers into the rock interstices to bond the mass together for increased structural competence. Holes were drilled in the mine roof, after which the polymers were injected at about 100 psi to permeate the cracks. Initial laboratory work indicated that of all the resin systems tested, the epoxy resins could most likely be modified to be suitable for rock injection. This was confirmed when several potentially suitable resin systems underwent intensive evaluation. In a series of three field tests, two conducted in a copper mine with coal mine-type shale and the third in a coal mine, it was shown that the polymers penetrated cracks less than 0.005 inch wide. The fast-setting epoxy systems, cured out in thin films under mine conditions, produced a bond exceeding the strength of the uncracked virgin rock.

Jan 1, 1974

By T. M. Nasiatka

This report sterns from a study undertaken by the Federal Bureau of Mines to determine the possibility of reducing filter-cake moisture by applying radiant heat. Suitable laboratory equipment was set up to study the effect of heat, heating time, proximity of the heater to the filter cake, cake thickness, and other variables related to the final filter-cake moisture. A minus-48-mesh coal slurry and application of heat for 60 seconds resulted in filter-cake moistures 5.6 to 13.2 percentage points lower than could be accomplished by filtration alone at 24 inches of Hg for 1-1/4-and 1 1/2-inch cake thickness, respectively. The moisture reduction can be attributed to the combined effect of lower fluid viscosity and evaporation.

Jan 1, 1959

By D. A. Hill

This volume contains a summary of the results of past analyses on U.S. Bureau of Mines Contract No. H0122061 which are relevant to electromagnetic location in mine rescue situations. The analytical results indicated that detection of a trapped miner equipped with a special transmitter is feasible in most situations. Location of the miner by surface measurements is also generally feasible within certain errors. The feasibility of miner detection and the accuracy of miner location have been examined theoretically for a wide variety of situations. Agreement with experimental results is generally good in cases where measurements are available.

By McHenry Mosier

Mercury is one of the strategic metals the supply of which has been raised from critical uncertainty to more than enough for essential demands. Work by the Bureau of Mines has contributes substantially to increased production of mercury in the United States and to consequent accumulation of Governments stock. Other contributing factors were higher prices for mercury and Government loans to operators. The Bureau has undertaken 15 exploration projects, 13 of which have been completed. This work comprised 40,307 feet of drilling arid 35,082 linear feet of sure ace trenching and has indicated commercial ore containing 37,400 flasks of mercury and marginal ore contain¬ing 29,200 flasks - a total of 66,600 flask , equivalent, respectively, to domestic production at 50,000 flasks per year for 9 months , 7 months, and 16 months. Early in 1944, as Government stocks had become adequate, domestic production was gradually curtailed cancellation of Government contracts for the purchase of mercury and Government control of labor and operating supplies.

Jan 1, 1944

By Dean E. Bluman

The Bureau of Mines investigated the convective heat transfer coefficients for recirculated suspensions of 30-micron glass beads in inert gas. Coefficients for the suspensions were not significantly higher than coefficients for the pure gas. Reynolds numbers of the suspensions were 20,000 to 35,000; solids loadings ranged from 0.0 to 0.7 pound per pound of gas. Comparison of the results with published data showed the direction of heat flow to have no effect at the test conditions.

Jan 1, 1967

By G. M. Potter, F. S. Wartman, M. D. Schmid

"In matte smelting of copper it has been established that the sulphpr present will combine with copper as long as the latter is present, and that thereafter it will combine with iron. The Cu-Fe ratio in the matte is determined by the Cu-S ratio, presumably owing to the much greater affinity of copper for sulphur or, expressed thermodynamically, the greater stability of copper sulphide in contact with silicate slag. Now, the work of Fournet and of Schütz, which is quoted in many elementary metallurgical texts, indicates that manganese ranks ahead of copper in its affinity for sulphur. Hence, we might expect that manganese could be concentrated from its admixture with iron. Compounds by matte smelting, and Rotts / has patented such a process. This greater affinity of manganese or sulphur is used to advantage in iron metallurgy, also, in which it is well-known that sulphur will combine with manganese and separate from metallic iron as manganese sulphide. Manganese sulphide,however, is quite soluble in silicate slags. 5/ The loss of manganese in slag in any attempted matte smelting is therefore great.If this solubility of manganese sulphide is slag is a physical one and the reaction MnO + FeS MnS + FeOIs substantially complete, then it might be expected that the addition of copper sulphide, which is almost entirety insoluble in slag, would serve to extract the manganese sulphide with the formation of a manganese-copper matte on the other hand, if an equilibrium exists in the above reaction, a copper sulphide layer would displace that equilibrium in one direction or the other, according to whether iron sulphide or manganese sulphide were more soluble in the matter layer."

May 1, 1937

By Nicholas Kyriazi

A performance comparison of 14 rescue breathing apparatus was undertaken as an assessment of past and present worldwide technology. Rescue breathing apparatus are self-contained, closed-circuit breathing apparatus used for entry into areas having atmospheres that are immediately dangerous to life and health. Apparatus tested were the Biomarine BioPak 45, 60, and 240; the Draeger BG 4 and BG-174A; the Litton LITPAC II; the MSA Custom 4500 II Air Mask, Chemox, and McCaa; the Sabre Selected Elevated Flow Apparatus (SEFA); the Scott Rescue-Pak; the Siebe Gorman Aerorlox and Proto Ten; and the SurvivairLP-120. The apparatus were tested on an automated breathing and metabolic simulator at the Pittsburgh Research Laboratory of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Physiological parameters monitored during the testing were average inhaled CO2 and O2, minimum inhaled CO2, inhaled wet-and dry-bulb temperatures, and peak inhalation and exhalation breathing pressures. The metabolic demand on the apparatus was 1.35 L O2/min for most of the test with two 5-min intervals of 2.5 L O2/min, the first beginning 10 min into the test and the second beginning 10 min before the end of the rated duration of the apparatus. Results presented include apparatus service life and test-averages of monitored physiological parameters. Schematic drawings and photographs of the apparatus are also included. The Draeger BG-174A and BG 4 had the highest durations—295 and 291 min, respectively. The BG 4 hadthe lowest minimum inhaled CO2 levels, attesting to the effectiveness of its CO2-absorbent canister. The SabreSEFA had the lowest average inhaled CO2 levels, due mostly to the apparently low-dead-space mask andnose cup. The MSA Air Mask, the only open-circuit device tested, had the lowest wet- and dry-bulb temperatures, with the liquid-O2-source Siebe Gorman Aerorlox having the next lowest temperatures. The only apparatus with a CO2-absorbent not in a packed-bed design, the BG-174A, had the lowest exhalation pressures. The BG 4 had the highest level of positive pressure, with the Biomarine BioPak 60, Survivair LP-120, SEFA, and Litton LITPAC II nearly as high. The BG 4 had the lowest pressure swing, with the SEFA a close second.

Jan 10, 1999

By Ε. P. YoUNGMAN

This paper presents one of a series of digests of foreign mining legis- lation and court docisions that is being prepared in advance of a general report relative to the right of American citizens to explore for minerals and to own and operate mines in vericis foreign countries. This interpretation of the laws - of Italy has been prepared, in part, from an aclysis made by John W. Frey, for merly associate mineral economist, U. S. Bureau of Mines. It incorporates addi- tional data and comments offered by Enrico Giobbe Della Pitta, a well-known Italian lawyer, in response to a questionnaire. These comments were forwarded by Harold H. Tittmann, American chargé d'affaires ad interim, at Rome, and trans- mitted to the Bureau of Mines through the courtesy of the Department of State.

Oct 1, 1930

By Wallace W. Roepke

The Bureau of Mines has a well-established health and safety research effort directed to fundamental studies of the mine cutting system. This report describes the ignition danger of using cutting bits with flat wear area on still-intact carbide inserts.

Jan 1, 1983

By Donald P. Blasko

The Bureau of Mines investigated two areas of oil and gas seeps in the north-central Gulf of Alaska--Katalla River to Bering River and Cape Yakataga to Yakutat Bay to determine (1) whether previously reported seeps are still active, (2) the characteristics of the seeping hydrocarbons, and (3) the amount of bitumen contained in the drainage leaving the seeps and entering the Gulf of Alaska. Thirteen separate oil seeps, six bitumen deposits, and eight gas seeps were located, sampled, and analyzed. The oils ranged from 35.2° to 14.1° API gravity and had sulfur contents from 0.53 to 1.31 wt-pct. Bitumen samples had API gravities from 2.4° to 14.6° and sulfur contents from 0.28 to 0.88 wt-pct. Gas samples had specific gravities ranging from 0.577 to 0.883 and caloric values from 724 to 1,427 Btu/cu ft. A total of 63 water samples obtained from seep locations and seep drainages were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry for ionic content and by solvent extraction for hydrocarbon content. Although some of the water at the oil seeps had a bitumen content as high as 246,000 mg/1, the amount of hydrocarbons actually reaching the Gulf of Alaska averaged <0.2 mg/1.

Jan 1, 1976

By John A. Davis, John Gross

Six tests were made by the Alaska Station of the Bureau of Mines on a sample of black sand delivered to the station by Messrs. James, Eagan & Griffen from Fairbanks Creek, Fairbanks mining district, Territory of Alaska, to devise a method of recovering the gold content. More than 90 per cent of this black sand consisted of magnetite and garnet which can be separated magnetically. The Station has no equipment for magnetic separation other than an electromagnet similar to the one used by Day and Richards, (Day, D.T., and Richards, R.H., Investigations of Black Sands from Placer Mines, U. S. Geol. Survey, Bull. 285, 1906, pp. 150-163), which can only be used satisfactorily on small samples. To treat the entire lot of black sand with this machine would have been impracticable. Therefore only a small part of the sand was so treated, the rest being divided into five lots in order to obtain comparative results from other methods of treatment.

Aug 1, 1920

By A. L. Murray, P. A. Surgeon

The Spring Canyon Mine Rescue Association is a cooperative association supported jointly by five coal-mining companies located in Spring Canyon, Utah. The properties of mining companies the Carbon Fuel Co, Rains , Utah, the Liberty Coal Co. , Latuda, Utah, the Standard Coal Co. , Standardville , Utan, the Spring Canyon Coal Co. , Storrs , Utah, and the Peerless Coal Co. , Peerless , Utah about a mile apart and normally employ a total of 915 men , 733 underground 182 on the surface . and The Association was organized on July 5, 1921 , and Rudolph Clark, fomerly first - aid miner on U. S. Bureau of Mines Rescue Car 11 , was placed in charge. as manager . A board of directors made up of a representative from each of the cooperating companies (usually the mine superintendent ) is the governing body of the Association and the expenses are prorated on a basis of the production of each of the five mines . The Association maintains eight sets of Gibbs rescue apparatus and a motor truck fitted up as a combined rescue truck and ambulance . Additional apparatus are to be purchased . Standardville is the central camp in the canyon and has been made the headquarters of the Association . The apparatus are now kept and the truck housed in a small station, but plans have been prepared for a large station which will be built this summer . This new station will have a large apparatus room , a test chamber, a suitable room. for training, and a garage on the first floor, while above will be the living quarters of the manager . There is a good road through the canyon and the other camps are all within two and one -half miles of Standardville .

May 1, 1922

By D. R. Tesarik, M. K. Larson, D. K. Denton, J. B. Seymour, R. L. Rains, T. J. Williams

Because backfill has occasionally collapsed into an active working area, posing a hazard to miners, engineers from the Spokane Research Laboratory of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and Hecla Mining Co. installed instruments in a cemented, backfilled, stope-ramp intersection at Hecla’s Lucky Friday Mine, Mullan, ID. The purpose was to measure stress and strain changes in the backfill and reinforcing members during undercut mining. The instruments were monitored for 6 months while three successive cuts were mined below the intersection. Readings showed induced loads up to 3450 kPa (500 psi) in the backfill as stope walls converged 2.5 to 12 cm (1 to 5 in). The backfill then deformed against the top and bottom plates of the 2-m- (6-ft-) long vertical rock bolts installed as reinforcement, producing loads to 177 kN (40,000 lb)on the rock bolts. We hypothesize that a compressive zone was created in the backfill that allowed the backfill to remain stable as long as the compressive zones from adjacent rock bolts overlapped. This hypothesis is presented in graphical form. Of particular interest was the effect of loading on trusses installed to augment the vertical rock bolts and wire mesh typically installed in backfill. Data from the instruments indicate that wall closure perpendicular to the vein induced loads in truss legs parallel to the vein and in the rock bolt driven through the center of the truss, but, because they are designed to function under tension, truss legs perpendicular to the vein supplied in significant support as a result of compressional forces from wall closure. Based on this study, use of trusses was discontinued, and an alternative support system of wood beams and posts was installed as needed to ensure the safety of miners working beneath the backfill in stope-ramp intersections.

Jan 7, 2001

The Ringelmann Smoke Chart fulfills an important need in smoke abatement work and in certain problems in the combustion of fuels. A knowledge of its history and method of preparation is, therefore, of interest to many. Since instructions on its use are not shown on the recent edition of the chart, those included in this revision of the previous Bureau of Mines publication now are a necessary complement to the chart, More detail regarding the use of the chart is included than was given in the earlier version.

Jan 1, 1967