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By Gerald T. Homce, Michael R. Yenchek, H. Kenneth Sacks, James C. Cawley

Accidents occur when least expected, from sources that we rarely anticipate and with outcomes that can vary greatly. Anyone who has ever been involved in an automobile accident knows, the transition from driving comfortably and safely down a highway to being involved in a potentially life-threatening situation can occur in a heartbeat. Accidents on the job are no different. The mining industry has a relatively small number of electrical injuries, compared to industries such as construction or agriculture, due to the small total employment in mining. Mining does, however, have one of the highest occupational electrocution rates of any U.S. industry, at 2.8 for every 100,000 workers per year. This is approximately four times the average for all industries. Data from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) shows that 75 electrical fatalities occurred in the mining industry between 1990 and 1999. Of these, at least 17% involved high-reaching mobile equipment that contacted overhead power lines.

By D. W. Frommer

As one phase of a general problem of recovering sulfide slimes, mineral-dressing research was conducted on flotation tailing from the St. Joseph Lead Co., Bonne Terre, Mo., mill to recover a significant portion of the residual, finely divided galena. Production of a high-grade concentrate was not part of the immediate objective. Only a reasonable ratio of concentration of lead sulfide slime was sought, since the problem of upgrading by mechanical or extractive processes would be considered in the later stages of this study. The results show that, from a feed material averaging 0.20 percent lead (about 70 percent finer than 400-mesh), a recovery of up to 45 percent could be effected by flotation in rougher concentrate analyzing up to 6.5 percent Pb. These results were obtained by using larger quantities of various xanthates and sodium sulfide than used customarily in mills. Sodium sulfide, which is ordinarily detrimental to flotation of galena, was beneficial in this case.

Jan 1, 1959

By A. F. Colombo

Laboratory-scale tests were conducted by the Bureau of Mines on an argillaceous Michigan copper ore and mill tailing to determine the feasibility of leaching with acidified ferric sulfate solutions. The ore and tailings, containing 1.24 and 0.24 percent copper, respectively, were from the White Pine Copper Co., Ontonagon County, Mich. The investigation showed that ferric sulfate leaching of the ore and tailings followed a predictable pattern. Thus, with 4 hours of leaching, up to 58 percent of the copper in the ore was extracted, but prolonged leaching (2 to 3 weeks) was required to dissolve more than 90 percent of the copper. Similarly, about 50 percent of the copper in the mill tailings sample was dissolved in a few hours, but 8 days or more were required for extractions of over 90 percent.

Jan 1, 1962

By Irving Hartmann

At the 9th International Conference of Directors of Safety in Mines Research a paper6/ was presented describing the initial phases of research by the Safety in Mines Research Establishment at Buxton, England, on the remote control of timber fires with high-expansion foam plugs in a rock tunnel. The work received extensive publicity, and great interest was aroused by the implied possibility that the method might be used successfully to control coal-mine fires, which for various reasons cannot be approached and attacked by standard fire fighting measures and frequently require sealing extensive, valuable coal properties and lead to loss of production and coal reserves and occasionally loss of lives. To investigate the practicability of the foam-plug technique under American min¬ing conditions, with room-and-pillar-type extraction and multiple entries, the Bureau of Mines in 1957 began an investigation at its Experimental Coal Mine, Bruceton, Pa, In preparation for this work it was necessary to rehabilitate and reinforce an elliptical tunnel in the mine where studies had been made, many years ago, leading to development of a ventilation system used in the Holland Tunnels between New York and New Jersey, and in many other vehicular tunnels.

Jan 1, 1958

By R. V. Ramani, S. Shankar

"Available literature on the effect of re-entrainment on overall airborne dust concentration in mine airways or the fundamental mechanisms of coal dust re-entrainment in mine atmosphere is scant (Shankar and Ramani, 1991 ). Therefore, as part of the Respirable Dust Center's ongoing research, the following three-part study was undertaken:• a study of the re-entrainment phenomena of anthracite and bituminous coal dust particles in a wind tunnel under the influence of varying air velocities;• a study of the same in the Lake Lynn Laboratory Mine of the USBM with both air flow and walking by personnel causing re-entrainment; and• the mathematical modeling and computer simulation of the re-entrainment phenomenon.In this paper, results from the re-entrainment studies in the wind tunnel and the Lake Lynn Laboratory mine are presented. Comparing the results from the two studies,it was observed that increasing the air velocity increased the rate of re-entrainment ( Shankar and Ramani, I 994a) and the rate of re-entrainment decreased with the time of exposure of the source dust to the flowing air. In addition, when the source dust was composed of particles of different sizes, the airborne dust concentrations due to re-entrainment were higher than when the source dust was composed of particles of the same size. The contribution of airborne dust concentration due to air flow was negligible compared to the contribution due to walking. IntroductionIn underground coal mines, dust is produced primarily during the process of mining and during such activities as pillar spall, loading, belt transfer and roof fall. The generated dust is entrained and then collects on surfaces through dispersion, diffusion and eventual deposition. Removal forces, such as flowing ventilation air or turbulence caused by walking and moving vehicles, can re-entrain the deposited dust (Hall, 1955). A portion of the re-entrained dust remains airborne and increases the concentration of airborne dust in mine airways.The presence of airborne coal dust in mine airways in large concentrations can be hazardous. Health effects include coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) and silicosis, and it can be a nuisance affecting visibility. In addition, as is common during methane explosions, if the concentration of airborne coal dust becomes significant, there could be a coal-dust explosion (Singer, Cook and Grumer, 1972; Singer, Harris and Grumer, 1974; Edwards and Ford, 1988). Through concerned research efforts over the last decade, significantprogress has been made in reducing the airborne dust concentration in mine atmospheres. However, secondary sources, such as re-entrainment, have not been studied in-depth. It is important to understand the phenomenon of re-entrainment and its potential contribution to the airborne dust concentration in mine airways for further decreasing airborne dust hazards in mines."

Dec 1, 1996

This publication summarizes, for potential contractors and other interested parties, the proposed research, development, and demonstration contract projects programed by the Bureau of Mines for fiscal year 1977 (October 1, 1976-September 30, 1977) under its Advancing Coal Mining Technology program. The objective of these projects is to provide an ordered and sequenced series of advances toward the overall goal of providing the system technology required to increase the productivity of the coal mining process.

Jan 1, 1977

By S. P. Kinney

The Department of the Interior has recently investigated the atmospheric conditions in tunnels of the Union Pacific Railroad in Utah and Wyoming , by observations made from the cabs of freight locomotives . This work was conducted by the Bureau of Mines at the request of , and in cooperation with , the Union Pacific Railroad Co .. and was brought about by several accidents to members of engine crews while passing through tunnels , from pollution of the tunnel air by exhaust gases from freight locomotives . The object was to determine the cause of gassing accidents , by examining into composition of the air in locomotive cabs while passing through railroad turmels ; to learn the effect of these conditions on the engine crew; and to provide a means of protection for the men so exposed . Gas samples and temperature readings taken in the cabs of locomotives were used in studying the atmospheric conditions to which the locomotive crews were exposed . The symptoms and the physiologica effects produced in men exposed to the atmospheres encountered were studied . The pulse rates and body temperatures were taken , and the determinations of the carbon monoxide content of the blood were made . Various methods for the prevention of gassing and for the protection of men therefrom were considered and tested , among which were the use of mechanical devices for deflecting the smoke away from the engine cab, and the use of various types of gas masks and breathing apparatus . While this investigation is a part of the safety work of the Bureau of Mines in connection with hazards from atmospheres containing carbon monoxide ( CO ) , the results are of particular value to railroads operating steam locomotives through tunnels , and are also valuable to other industries where atmospheres having poisonous gases or of a high temperature and humidity may be present . The results may be summarized as follows :

Jun 1, 1923

By R. S. Fowkes

The Bureau of Mines constructed a fully automated pilot plant facility to study the hydraulic transportation of solids through a lock hopper feeder system. An equation for the energy requirements to transport coarse solids hydraulically proved applicable to this system. Optimum velocities were obtained for limestone, mine refuse, and bituminous coal. The experimental data, calculations, and graphs show the effect of velocity, specific gravity, and solids concentration on head loss and power requirements. Other data were obtained and evaluated to determine the effect of particle size on head loss. Results also are given for (a) tests using friction reducing polymers; (b) tests using seven test sections of steel alloy pipe to determine their wear characteristics; (c) tests to determine spatial segregation of moving particles; and (d) tests to determine the effect of shape, size, and specific gravity on particle velocity in a horizontal pipeline. The lock hopper feeder system was found practical for continuous hydraulic transportation of the material types and size ranges tested.

Jan 1, 1969

By Michael R. Yenchek

The U.S. Bureau of Mines investigated the operational characteristics of spliced portable power cables. This research had a dual purpose: (1) to determine the thermal and mechanical performance of repaired trailing cables and compare them with undamaged cables and (2) to gauge the impact of long-term, localized heating on the insulating and jacketing materials contained in cable splice kits accepted or approved by the Mine Safety and Health Administration. The ranges of splice joint resistance and tensile breaking strength were determined from laboratory measurements. The choice of crimping tools affected the strength of the splice under tension. Thermal profiles of energized spliced cables were constructed, which showed that spliced conductor joints operated 5 to 20°C hotter than the intact cable at rated currents. Accelerated life tests of thermally aged samples of splice kit insulation and jacket materials confirmed a deficiency in the thermal rating of the insulating tape. The recommendations in this report may be utilized to revise splice kit design, splice kit approval criteria, and trailing cable loading guidelines. Characterizing the thermal operating limits of spliced trailing cables may help to minimize the associated risks from explosions, fires, personnel burns, and shock.

Jan 1, 2010

By Jeffrey M. Listak, Gregory J. Chekan

The U. S. Bureau of Mines is investigating longwall panel layouts to maximize coal recovery and minimize interactive problems in multiple-seam operations. When coalbeds are longwall mined in descending order, the transfer of stress from overlying gate roads is a major design constraint affecting pillar stability in the lower mine. The lower mine gate road pillars must be properly designed to withstand the additional load transfer if gate roads are superpositioned in successive seams. The Bureau's MULSIM/NL model, a boundary element computer program, was used to analyze load transfer mechanics for superpositioned gate road pillars. Analysis of Longwall Pillar Stability (ALPS), an empirically based design method for longwall gate road pillars, was used to calibrate model input parameters. ALPS provided a basis to verify model trends and to recommend limits for safe pillar design when superpositioning longwall gate roads. The attributes of the MULSIM/NL model and ALPS were combined to develop a modified method for estimating pillar stress for multiple-seam cases. The modified method uses a multiple-seam factor (MS) to estimate the stress on superpositioned lower mine gate road pillars. Numerical analysis shows that MS depends on the interburden thickness and pillar width.

Jan 1, 1992

Determine the extent of upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders (UECTD's) in the U.S. mining industry. Background UECTD's are injuries that develop gradually over a period of time as a result of repeated stress to a particular body part without adequate time between stresses for full recovery to occur. The stresses that contribute to UECTD's may occur because of the following work components: awkward position of wrist or arm, excessive manual force, high repetitions of manual movement and effort, cold environment, and vibration. Cumulative trauma injuries to the arm and hand have become an ever growing concern among safety and health professionals in a number of different industries and work settings, such as meatpacking operations, assembly-line work, and keyboarding. Mine workers arc also exposed to a combination of stressors and work design deficiencies that result in arm and hand injuries. For example, certain job tasks and environments, such as that of an underground jackleg driller, expose miners to segmental (hand-arm) vibration and cold temperatures. Operators of underground mobile equipment, such as scoops and trams, regularly have their hands in direct contact with vibrating levers and controls.

Jan 1, 1992

By A. T. Iannacchione

Designing coal pillars to provide resistance against overburden and gob loads has long been an aim of rock mechanics engineers. This requirement has become more imperative as greater overburdens are encountered and when mining in stiff coal-bearing strata. Current design procedures rely on theories of coal pillar behavior that take into consideration a common hypothesis. This hypothesis states that the elastic core is surrounded by an inelastic yield zone. The distribution of stress at low-to-moderate pillar loads has been effectively defined by this hypothesis. However, it suffers greatly when applied to large width-to-height (w/h >lo) coal pillars under considerable overburden (>500 m) . In these situations, the hypothesis says the elastic core can achieve unrealistic stress states giving the pillars extremely high calculated strength. A growing body of field studies has shown this is not the case. It has become clear that same other mechanism must be involved. It is the purpose of this paper to discuss the importance of an interface slip mechanism between the coal- bed and the surrounding strata in controlling the extent and pattern of stresses and deformations in a coal pillar.

By David C. Oyler, Winton J. Gale, Jinsheng Chen, Christopher Mark

A collaborative project between RAG Emerald Mine, NIOSH, and SCT Operations was conducted to investigate ground behaviour, reinforcement performance, and stress redistribution in a coal mine entry subjected to a severe horizontal stress concentration. Field measurements indicated that the stresses applied to the study site nearly doubled during longwall mining, resulting in roof deformations extending to a height of 4.8 m (16 ft) above the entry. This paper focuses on the computer simulation that was undertaken to provide more insight into the roof behaviour and rock bolt interaction during mining. The model’s input rock properties were derived from extensive laboratory testing, and the model itself simulated a broad range of failure mechanisms. The effects of different bolt patterns on roadway behaviour were evaluated. Comparison between the model results and the field measurements indicated that that the model effectively simulated the critical elements of the actual roadway’s behaviour. With the confidence gained, the model was used as a baseline for additional simulations that evaluated the expected performance of alternative roof support systems. The study will also provide a benchmark data set for future applications of numerical modelling to U.S. coal underground mining.

By A. L. Engel

The Bagdad-Chase copper-gold mine south of Ludlow, Calif., was visited by an engineer of the Bureau of Mines in July 1955 to determine the mine's status of activity and to obtain a bulk sample for metallurgical testing. The deposit was discovered in 1903 and has been worked intermittently. It has a production record of about 273,000 tons of ore. The first production of about 150,000 tons was treated in a cyanide plant 2 miles west of Barstow, Calif. The extraction of gold was not satisfactory because of the presence of copper minerals. Since 1910 the ore has been shipped to various smelters in Arizona and California for use as a flux.

Jan 1, 1957

By H. B. Brunot, L. C. IlsLey

The design , construction, inspection , and test for permissibility of a storage- battery locomotive outfit in accordance with the requirements of Schedule 15* represents a large amount of work, first on the part of the locomotive manufacturer and secondly on the part of the Bureau of Mines . Detailed information of the first investigation under the schedule is presented here . This investigation covers the inspection and test of a storage- battery locomotive manufactured by the Geo . D. Whitcomb Co. , Rochelle , Ill . , to which Approval No. 1500 was assigned ,

Feb 1, 1923

By E. P. Youngman

This digest, based upon a translation" of certain portions of the 1930 law, covers the pertinent points of what has been termed "The New Mining Law of Luxemburg," the Grand Ducal Order (Arrêté) of April 26, 1930, concerning the exploitation of "mines, minières, and carrières, 4 and abrogating the order of January 2, 1891, concerning the same subject." The Duchy of Luxemburg, which between 1735 and 1815 was French, adopted as its basic mining law the French Law of April 21, 1810, and an Imperial Decree of January 3, 1813. The Luxemburg Government later supplemented and modified this legislation by the laws of June 12, 1874, April 30, 1890, and May 10, 1898, which, with article 36 of the Constitution, are to be taken into consideration in a complete survey of mining legislation. The order of

Apr 1, 1933

By James P. Bennett

The Bureau of Mines investigated the effect of refractory oxide additions, introduced in soluble form, on the high-temperature properties of 90- and 98-pct-MgO brick. Brick samples were soaked in solutions containing Al, Ca, Cr, Co, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Si, Sr, Sn, Ti, or Zr ions. Additions to 98-pct-MgO brick did not generally result in statistically significant property improvements. Statistically significant improvements were noted in hot modulus of rupture (MOR), slag resistance, and spalling resistance of the 90-pct-MgO brick for additions of Al, Mg, or Sn. High-temperature performance of treated 90-pct-MgO refractories was equal to or approached that of 98-pct-MgO brick. The marked improvements due to tin were obtained with additions of only 1.14 wt pct Sn02.

Jan 1, 1985

By J. A. Eisele

The Bureau of Mines conducted bench-scale cyclic tests to determine the composition of recycled leach liquor in the Bureau?s proposed clay/HCl leach/ HCl sparge process for producing Al203 from clay. The data developed from these tests make it possible to synthesize leach liquors for predetermined steady-state operating conditions when conducting large-scale crystallization tests. The results of two sparge tests were compared. One was a 20-cycle test with a 36-pct-HCl concentration in the mother liquor; the other was a 10-cycle test with a 26-pct-HCl concentration in the mother liquor. The effect of impurity concentrations in the leach liquor on the purity of aluminum chloride (AlCl30?6H20) crystals was determined, but there was poor correlation between this data and results that have been obtained from miniplant-scale work.

Jan 1, 1980

By A. J. Kraemer

For a number of years the Bureau of Mines has been conducting an investigation of crude petroleum from producing fields in the United States and the Western Hemisphere and has published a series of reports on these fields. Analyses of crude-oil samples tom some oil fields of Louisiana are given in Bulletin 291.4/ Analyses of 26 representative crude oils from various producing formations of southern Louisiana are given in is report. These.samples are from 14 field's in 10 parishes in the southern part of the State, usually designated as the "Louisiana Gulf Coast area." ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Thanks are due the representatives of the various companies from whom samples were obtained for their cooperation and assistance in helping to secure representative samples. The samples were analyzed under the direction of E. C. Lane at the Bartlesville station of the Bureau of Mines.

Jan 1, 1934

Effective control of respirable dust is one of the most serious problems associated with longwall mining in the United States. This report describes the development and laboratory testing of dust collectors for use on double drum shearers. Systems tested included: ? High Capacity Flooded Bed Scrubber ? Water Powered Extraction Cowls ? Water Powered Extraction Drums ? Water Powered spot Scrubbers. The systems were tested using tracer gas in a full-scale model of a longwall shearer face. This report provides a detailed description of the test facility, test methods, and system test results.

Jan 1, 1982