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This project, "Analysis of Men, Materials and Supplies Handling Systems in Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mines" documents the productivity and safety aspects of the existing equipment and systems utilized in transporting personnel and supplies from the surface to the underground production work place. The Present Systems Study (this text -Volume II) documents the productivity and safety of existing men and material movement systems for six representative underground metal and nonmetal mines. Identification of common problem areas was performed using recognized industrial engineering techniques. The back-up data for the industrial engineering analysis of each mine is included as respective appendices (Volume III). A summary of the study background material, six mines' problem areas, comparison of problem areas, problem analysis, and solution recommendations are included as the project final report (Volume I), bound under separate cover.

Jan 1, 1975

By A. L. Engel

In previous reports5/ of ore-testing studies, tests made by established methods on typical ores selected as representative of certain mining districts have been described in considerable detail. In addition to established test procedures, such as screen analysis, chemical analysis, microscopical examination of ores and products, sink-and- float separation, gravity concentration, flotation, ,and magnetic separation with or without roasting, it was sometimes necessary to apply other methods, such as leaching, in instances where physical separations were not feasible.

Jan 1, 1940

By James P. McGee

Use of nuclear reactors to furnish high-temperature heat is a field that has not received as much attention as propulsion and electric power production. Investigations are being conducted under a joint Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)--Bureau of Mines research program to determine the feasibility of using nuclear heat for chemical processing. A part of this process-heat-reactor program is the study of a system in [hich] helium transfers heat from 8 nuclear reactor to a chemical processing [essel]. This requires construction of (1) a nuclear reactor to operate with helium exit temperature of 2,500° F. and with pressures in the range of 250 to 500 p.s.i.g. and (2) a processing vessel (heat exchanger) to convert the enthalpy of the helium into chemical process reaction heat. Neither component exists at present, and development of each promises to be a formidable task. To aid in the study of such a system, the Bureau of Mines has designed and constructed a vessel heated by electrical induction to simulate a source of nuclear fission heat. This vessel is undergoing preliminary testing. Gasification of coal and reforming of hydrocarbons are promising uses for nuclear heat. It appears that a higher price per unit of nuclear heat can be tolerated for chemical processing than that allowable for power generation.

Jan 1, 1960

By R. Tunold, Y. J. Zhang

"The cathodic kinetics of aluminum deposition from aluminum chloridealkali chloride melts was studied by use of electro-cnemical transient techniques at 700 °C. Aluminum deposited as an insoluble product on a glassy carbon electrode and as a partly soluble product on a tungsten electrode. The deposition was found to be a simple diffusion controlled process involving the exchange of three electrons. The diffusion coefficient of aluminum chloride was calculated - 4.sx10-s cm2 ·S-I in AlCl3 -NaCl-LiCl melts and 2.6x10-s cm2 ·S-' in AlCl3 -NaCl-KCl melts. For AlCl3 -NaCl-CsCl system the diffusion coefficient exhibited some uncertainty due to nucleation. The determined rate constant of aluminum deposition reaction was on the order of 10-' -10-2 cm'S:' Constant potential electrolysis was carried out. TiB2 was well wetted by aluminum. The species of melts penetrated into graphite and glassy carbon but not into tungsten. The diffusion coefficient of species in glassy carbon was evaluated.IntroductionAluminum chloride electrolysis is attractive for its power saving of 30%. Different process to circumvent the conventional chlorization to obtain aluminum chloride economically, such as directly chlorizating mixture of Al~03 and C in a cell with A-shaped laminated bipolar electrodes by rising chlorine (1), or by use of a composite anode (2), will promote the electrolysis technology to be realized industrially. With the appearance of the Alcoa process periodically there are studies on the kinetics of aluminum deposition. Some discrepancies seem to exist on the mechanism of aluminum deposition. Borne studies (3,4,5) showed that the deposition of aluminum was hindered by diffusion process in the melts. M.Gabco et a1. (6) claimed a preceding dissociation of a complex being the rate controlled step. This paper presents our results on the mechanism of aluminum deposition from the study by use of transient techniques and some results from constant potential electrolysis."

Jan 1, 1988

By D. Harrington

Insofar as prevention of mine explosions is concerned, it is apparent that the coal-mining industry has profited but little from experiences during the past 15 years. The fact that explosions can be prevented if well-known preventive measures are adopted and conscientiously carried out appears to warrant the conclusion that many coal-mining people are indifferent to the hazards that may result in explosions. Although the principal burden of preventing explosions is upon the management, and much of the evident carelessness in failing to place in effect and to enforce suitable precautions, is assessable directly against management, the worker also has a very definite responsibility, and numerous explosions have resulted because of his failure to carry out his part in accepted principles of safety. The record of fatalities from mine explosions during the past 5 fiscal years has been anything but encouraging or about which coal-mining people can take pride; more men were killed by explosions (673) than were killed from the same cause during the preceding eight years combined (577). During each of the fiscal years 1942 and 1943, 152 fatalities resulted from explosions, compared to 163 during the fiscal year 1941, 206 in 1940, and only 16 in 1939.

Jan 1, 1944

By C. M. Díaz, P. J. Mackey, P. Coursol

In a recent paper [1], the present authors discussed calculated energy consumption numbers in copper sulphide concentrate smelting for four different smelting technologies. For the present study, from among these technologies, they selected the Noranda/Teniente continuous bath smelting followed by Peirce Smith (PS) converting route to investigate the impact on total energy requirement of some key process variations, such as tuyere injection of dry concentrate vs. slingering of wet concentrate over the molten bath, continuous converting vs. conventional batch PS converting and commercially proven slag cleaning alternatives. In their calculations, the authors used the same thermochemical model and methodology used in their earlier paper. This approach to explore plant design options provides an interesting basis for evaluating flowsheet modifications that could lead to significant copper smelting energy savings. The METSIM software was used in the present paper to carry out heat and mass balance computations for 8 different flowsheet configurations. The results are presented and discussed in the paper with respect to copper recoveries, energy requirements and CO2 emissions.

Jan 1, 2011

By M. K. Quinn, A. W. Khair

"This paper presents an analysis of respiraple dust generation due to the action of a continuous miner. Underground coal cutting by a drum-type continuous miner was simulated in the laboratory using a specially designed unique automated rotary coal cutting simulator (ARCCS). An analysis of -400 mesh particles was done on gravity collected material. Samples of entrained dust were collected through the use of cascade impactors. Both samples were analyzed for size distribution and particle shape. Using the simulated coal cutter permitted variation of operating and in-situ parameters to provide information on the effects on generation of -400 mesh particles. In these tests coal blocks with an approximate dimension of 18 in. x 15 in. x 6 in. (45.7 cm x 38.1 cm x 15.2 cm) were first subjected to confining pressures, equivalent to in-situ conditions. Such blocks were then cut by the cutting head of the ARCCS, thus simulating the action of the continuous miner in underground coal mining. During the tests under a particular set of in-situ and operating parameters a number of other parameters such as 1) penetration of bit into coal, 2) penetration resistance (thrust and cutting pressures), 3) rotating velocity of cutting head, and 4) acoustic emission activity in the coal block were monitored. After each cutting cycle the fractured surfaces were photo¬graphed and a velocity survey was conducted by using a sonic technique. At the end of each experiment the cutting paths of the bits in coal were photographed using an optical microscope with an attached camera.IntroductionThe continuous-mining machines introduced in the 1950's now account for more than half the production of coal from underground mines. Unfortunately, these continuous miners, designed for increased productivity, have also increased the concentration of respirable dust in mines. As a result, the Federal Coal sine Health and Safety Act of 1969 was enacted to enforce on the coal operators that the airborne respirable dust not exceed 2 mg/m3, and was intended to reduce the incidence of coal workers pneumo-coniosis. This plus the other aspects of the legislation and the subsequent monitoring and enforcement by MSHA made it very imperative that the coal operators provide a relatively healthier and safer working environment for the coal miners. Since 1970, the Federal government has paid over 11.7 billion dollars to more than 470,000 miners with coal workers pneumoconiosis and their survivors (Newmeyer, 1981). These regulations, coupled with the assessment of the continuing burden on miners, the mining industry and taxpayers appear to have provided an impetus for the mining community towards comprehending the different parameters that influence dust generation and entrainment."

Jun 1, 1988

By Jack C. Haptonstall

This paper describes the analytical characteristics of Western subbituminous coal and the manner in which these characteristics apply to their use in a utility-sized steam generator. It compares these characteristics with those of typical Midwestern coal and Eastern bituminous coal. The paper also reviews in detail the design considerations that must receive attention when various blends of these three coals, or any combinations thereof, are planned to be used. This research paper describes variations in analytical and utilization characteristics when coals from different origins are blended in order to achieve a predetermined sulfur content for the purpose of predicting sulfur oxides emissions as they affect environmental regulations and the resulting alterations in utilization characteristics such blending would cause, and how such blends of coal would affect a utility-sized steam generator.

Jan 1, 1979

By Fred D. Wright

This paper describes research at the Bureau of Mines experimental oil-shale mine at Rifle, Colo., to improve blasting techniques and reduce breaking costs. Many of the conclusions are applicable to any mining operation. Experiments Were conducted on many phases of blasting. The effectiveness of various grades of explosives was compared, and several different drill-hole patterns were tried in heading rounds. An experiment was conducted to determine the maximum effective burden for various diameter blast holes. High-speed motion-picture studies were made of blasts, and the time for initial movement of rock after detonation of the explosive was measured. Experiments with millisecond-delay detonators in heading rounds proved that, when used properly, these detonators result in improved fragmentation, economical use of explosive, and compact, easily loaded muck piles.

Jan 1, 1953

By H. C. Hamontre

[The Bureau of Mines well-bore caliper was designed to provide an instrument that could be operated through 2-inch tubing, which 'a used particularly in many input wells on water-flooding projects of eastern, Kansas and northeastern Oklahoma. It should find wide application elsewhere under many other conditions where it has not been possible previously to make caliper logs with the larger probes used on other instruments. The caliper has three additional advantages over other instruments of this type: (1) It measures 4 radii (up to 18 inches) 90° apart with an accuracy of ± 1/4 inch; (2) the measuring arms can be opened and closed at will by remote control; and (3) it is run and operated on a single-conductor, armored electric cable (Amergraph, type 1-H-0). The caliper probe is 1-3/4 inches in diameter and approximately 6 feet in length. The electrical control and measuring circuits are encased in a stainless-steel tubular case. Measuring arms, made of 5/16-inch aluminum tubing, are attached near the lower end of the instrument. Distances the arms are extended are indicated t the surface by a meter calibrated to read directly in inches. Depths at which the radii measurements are taken are indicated by a wireline depth indicator on the cable-reeling. The instrument is not affected by pressure or temperature, it can be run open hole or under pressure through a lubricator. This paper describes and illustrates the instrument and outlines the operating procedures. A bibliography at the end of the report gives references to articles and patents on the development and use of other well-bore calipers.]

Jan 1, 1954

Slide presentation at conference

Jan 1, 1996

By Herynson Nunes Nascimento

Este trabalho investigou a possibilidade de gerar informações, para subsidiar a Samarco no aproveitamento futuro de materiais considerados estéreis pelo elevado teor de PPC e P. Foram feitos testes de caracterização tecnológica, simulando em bancada os processos de beneficiamento da Samarco Mineração. Observou-se que as amostras estudadas requererem maior consumo energético na moagem primária, implicando em uma menor produtividade. Essas apresentam índices inferiores de recuperação na deslamagem e flotação convencional. Entretanto apresentaram boa cinética de flotação e o grau de liberação do quartzo maior que 90% para todas as frações granulométricas. As amostras também apresentaram baixa produtividade na moagem secundária e granulometria grosseira para o atendimento da meta de Blaine praticada atualmente. Não foi possível a obtenção da especificação final de sílica no concentrado após a remoagem. Os testes de sedimentação não indicaram problemas. Foram realizados também ensaios em escala de bancada para separação magnética utilizando Minimag (WHIMS) que provaram que os materiais estudados apresentam comportamento paramagnético.

Aug 1, 2018

By Todd Clarke, Ralf Winterberg

For more than a decade the tunneling industry has explored the potential and benefits of macro synthetic fiber (MSF) reinforced concrete solutions for precast tunnel segments. Parallel to industry investigations, academic research is being undertaken to better understand this material when subjected to the typical loads expected during mechanized tunneling. This paper investigates the performance of MSF reinforced precast concrete tunnel segments by means of an experimental program comprising testing of full-scale tunnel segments. The presentation of the satisfactory results of the experimental testing regime will be complemented by a brief case history from a successfully executed project—an America’s First.

Jun 13, 2021

By James J. Dowd

The investigation to evaluate the reserves of coking coal is being made by the Bureau of Mines in three parts: (1) To estimate known measured and indicated recoverable reserves of all coking coal; (2) to upgrade marginal coals through effective preparation; and (3) to study the carbonizing properties of coal and coal blends not now widely used for metallurgical coke making. This is the tenth of a series of reports giving the results of studies by counties under part (1) of the investigation. (See appendix.) This report covers Knott County, Ky., which comprises parts of the Salyersville, Prestonsburg, Troublesome, Hindman, Pikeville, Cornettsville, and Whitesburg quadrangles. (See fig. 1.) A base map for each bed in each quadrangle was made to the scale 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 up to 14 inches thick, 14 to 28 inches thick, 28 to 42 inches thick, and over 42 inches thick. These areas of coal reserves also were divided into "measured" and "indicated" categories. All areas in each thickness range and category, mined-out areas, areas excluded from the estimate but which may contain reserves based only on geologic inference, and areas outside of 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, 1952

By Mulligan John J.

The Bureau of Mines investigated lode tin deposits on Potato Mountain, Seward Peninsula, Alaska. Tin was found to occur as cassiterite associated with quartz, tourmaline, pyrite, arsenopyrite, and earthy clays, but the deposits lack the varied accessory minerals commonly found in tin districts. The tin-bearing deposits are in metasediments along minor breaks and bedding planes but not in the crushed earthy filling of major faults. Cassiterite and sulfides occur with quartz in veins, both with and without earthy clays, and disseminated through tourmalinized wall rocks. The deposits are characterized by irregular segregations containing 1 to 10 percent tin within zones averaging not over 0.25 percent tin. The largest segregation exposed is on the summit of a low hill on the east-central slopes of Little Potato Mountain; most of the outcroppings are in an area trending east to west, roughly 10 to 30 feet wide and 300 feet long. Sample values ranged as high as 12 percent tin, but the average grade may be about 1 percent tin. The extreme irregularity of both grade and composition precludes a more exact determination. Similar concentrations are scattered for over 1,000 feet to the west and north, but these are smaller and lower in grade. Elsewhere on Potato Mountain, generally similar deposits occur as clusters of veinlets at widely separated points in the metasedimentary walls of major faults.

Jan 1, 1965

By H. Lawrence

In 1977, the Bureau of Mines awarded a grant to the State of South Carolina to explore the possibility of using Landsat multispectral scanner (MSS) data as an aid in monitoring surface mining activities in selected counties of the State. Work had been done in Aiken County prior to the grant by Bureau of Mines and State personnel at the EROS Data Center using both the GE Image 100 and ESL IDIMS systems. The initial work on the 1-100 consisted of locating and measuring the areas of various kaolin mines. The results were excellent on location, identification, and accurate area measurements of several mines as compared with aerial photos of each mine. The effort also included locating and measuring the size of all mines (including sand and gravel) within two U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 7 ½ min quadrangle maps. Line printer overlays using the IDIMS equipment and software resulted in the location of all known mines within an estimated error less than ±91.4m (5300 feet). Mine acreage was calculated by counting each symbol (which represented one pixel) and multiplying by 1.1 (the number of acres per pixel). Figure 1 shows a portion of one quadrangle overlay. Table I gives a comparison of acreage measured for sever- al mines from the 1-100 and IDIMS systems vs. aerial photo measurements.

Jan 1, 1979

By A. J. Monhemius

"This paper reviews the history of modern iron-control processes in hydrometallurgy. Attention is paid to processes developed in the electrolytic zinc industry for removal of iron from zinc sulfate leach liquors and the problems faced by the industry in the safe disposal of the iron residues produced by these processes. Past lessons learned are projected onto current efforts to develop hydrometallurgical processes for treatment of copper sulfide concentrates. It is argued that any attempt to create a “hydrometallurgical copper smelter” will fail, unless methods are developed that can recover iron in a form that can be directly used by the steel or pigment industries.RÉSUMÉ Cet article passe en revue l’histoire des procédés modernes de contrôle du fer en hydrométallurgie. Il accordera une attention particulière aux procédés développés dans l’industrie du zinc électrolytique pour l’élimination du fer dans les liqueurs lixiviantes de sulfate de zinc anhydre, ainsi qu’aux problèmes rencontrés par l’industrie en termes d’élimination sans danger des résidus ferreux générés par ces procédés. En projetant les leçons tirées du passé sur les efforts actuels, on pourra développer des procédés hydrométallurgiques pour le traitement de concentrés de sulfure de cuivre. Beaucoup prétendent que toute tentative de créer une « fonderie de cuivre hydrométallurgique » échouera à moins de développer des méthodes permettant de récupérer le fer sous une forme pouvant directement être utilisée par les industries sidérurgique ou des pigmentsINTRODUCTIONThis paper resulted from an invitation to the author from the CIM’s Historical Metallurgy Committee to give a presentation on the early developments of iron control in hydrometallurgy. This was to take the form of a plenary lecture at the 4th Symposium on Iron Control in Hydrometallurgy, which formed part of the 28th International Mineral Processing Congress, held in Quebec City in September 2016.I was naturally flattered that the invitation was to give the lecture at an IMPC, the prestigious conference series that has been held since the 1950s. That this particular IMPC was to include the 4th Symposium on Iron Control in Hydrometallurgy, a conference series held only every 10 years, made the invitation even more appealing and appropriate. This was because I had been co-chairman of the First Symposium on Iron Control, together with my erstwhile colleague, John Dutrizac, which was held 30 years ago in Toronto."

Jan 1, 2017

By K. A. Johnson, H. F. Yancey

"INTRODUCTION Coals vary so widely in their burning characteristics that all coals prepared for domestic stoker use cannot be burned efficiently on every type of stoker. The overfeed stoker, a large number of which are in use in the Pacific Northwest, operates satisfactorily when burning low- to high-ash, noncaking bituminous or subbituminous coals, whereas on the clinkering-type, underfeed, bituminous stoker both caking and noncaking bituminous and subbituminous coals are burned, generally with ash contents below 12 percent and ash-softening temperatures between 1,800º and about 2,600º F. Because fly ash continues to be one of the most troublesome factors in domestic underfeed stokers, noncaking coals especially must be chosen carefully with respect to size composition, particularly as regards the exclusion of excessive fines. Their formation as a result of degradation in storage handling or because of crushing in .the stoker worm will increase the fly-ash nuisence.Bituminous and subbituminous coals with higher ash-softening temperatures and, often, higher ash contents have not been able to enter the domestic stoker-coal market in the Pacific northwest because clinkers are not formed readily during clinker-type underfeed-stoker burning, especially in mild weather, and because of the labor and attendant inconvenience required in handling larger volumes of ash. The work described in this report was undertaken to enable mines producing coals of the kind described to enter the stoker-coal markets. The anthracite stoker selected was one that conveys the refuse from the ash pit of the furnace and deposits it into one of two covered, dust-tight disposal cans."

Dec 1, 1945

By G. L. Leumann

"INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARYThe Andover-Sulphur Hill iron mines in Sussex County, N. J., have a production record extending over 100 years. The last production recorded was about 1880. These mines produced high-grade ore of two types: Red ore (hematite) and blue on (magnetite). Some sulfides (lead, zinc, and copper) were found underlying the iron deposits. Data as to size and grade of these sulfide bodies are very sketch"",Howard J. Hewitt of Elizabeth, N. J., lessee of the Sulphur Hill mines from 1940-45, prospected for lead, zinc, and copper. .His only production was several hundred tons of low-grade iron ore, which was crushed and used as heavy aggregate to make concrete blocks for ship ballast.In October and November 1942 made a magnetic survey of this area and bored six-diamond-drill holes with the dual objective of prospecting for sulfides and testing for extensions of the iron-are deposits indicated by the magnetic survey. 2/ In 1944, an iron-mining company examined this property and diamond-drilled seven holes. Between December 1949 and March 1950, the Bureau of Mines in search of sulfide deposits, bored three additional diamond-drill holes. Two of these were on the Sulphur Hill tract and one on the adjoining Tar Hill tract."

Sep 1, 1952

By Jay S. Gunasekera

Since great emphasis is being placed on the manufacturing science and processing science programs in the Department of Defence and other government research agencies and industries; currently, extensive research on computer aided design(CAD)/ computer aided manufacturing (CAM)/ and computer aided engineering (CAE) is being conducted at Ohio University (OU) . OU has invested over a million dollars in CAD/CAM hardware and software. Design and analysis packages like ALPID, NIKE, STREAM, SHEAR, POLY_FLON, RINGROLL have been developed or modified at OUusing finite element method, finite difference techniques or enhanced slab analysis. Packages like ABAQUS, FLUENT, and NASTRAN have been extensively used.

Jan 1, 1990