Search Documents

By W. W. Adams

In mining coal, the Nation's principal mineral fuel, loss of life has been much lower recently than in earlier years when coal mining contributed so heavily to the industrial-accident death toll in the United States. Particularly notable has been the relatively small number of deaths during the past few years compared with the number that occurred 20 or 30 years ago. Reports received by the United States Bureau of Mines, covering all commercially operated mines that were active during all or any part of the calendar year 1935, showed that accidents during that year had resulted in the loss of 1,242 lives. This death toll, although regrettable, represents a material improvement over the industry's experience during most years prior to 1935, and especially over the industry's worst year, 1907, when 3,242 men were killed. Fewer lives were lost in 1933, when 1,064 men were killed at work, than during any year for which complete figures are available.

Jan 1, 1938

By S. S. Dean, B. Silkes

"INTRODUCTION The metallurgical-research program of the Bureau of Mines .for the past 15 years has emphasized the production of high-purity nonferreus metals through the utilization of our available resources, ores, reducing agents, fuel, and power.Ore dressing or concentration, has always been a vitally important part of nonferrous metallurgy, and the Bureau continues to give most of its attention to it. In the field of the traditional nonferrous metals, the Bureau staff has developed natural-gas reduction of zinc, the application of glomerule technique to preparing high-grade lead concentrates for Scotch-hearth smelting, the production of electrolytic antimony from precious metal-bearing ores, and the recovery of nickel from nickel-chrome-iron ores.In the field of light metals, the Bureau staff has developed several improvements in both magnesium and aluminum production and in alloys of these metals. In the so-called ""rare-metal"" field, Bureau activities have included the production of pure ductile titanium on a larger scale than heretofore attempted, the electrolytic production of cobalt, chromium, and manganese which may now take their proper places as bases for nonferrous alloys as well -as ingredients of special steels. The Bureau staff has investigated many of these new alloys. Investigations of methods of recovering vanadium from its low-grade domestic ores have given promising results. Methods for the preparation of metallic zirconium have been improved."

May 1, 1947

By Donald B. Lindsay

This report presents the findings of an investigation into the characteristics of a number of techniques for cleaning ambient air with special emphasis on their applicability to the removal of the short-lived radioactive decay products of 222-radon, the so-called " radon daughters" that have been identified with the induction of lung cancer in underground uranium miners. The purpose of the study was to review the requirements for control of radon daughter concentrations in mine air, and to examine all techniques whose feasibility has been demonstrated in principle and which in our judgment would be capable of meeting those requirements. The study has included a review of all pertinent literature, both technical and proprietary, on the subject of the control of miner exposure to the radon daughters and in the area of potentially applicable air cleaning technology. Information about the nature of the problem and about the experience of the uranium mining industry in applying air cleaning methods to its solution was obtained by visiting mines where such methods are in use, and by written correspondence and telephone conversations with other industry sources. Information on performance characteristics and costs of applicable air cleaning methods and equipment was obtained from the experience of our own engineering staff and by visits, interviews, and correspondence with manufacturers of industrial air cleaning equipment.

Jan 1, 1978

Our mission is help ensure our country has an adequate, dependable supply of minerals and mate al to meet its national security and economic needs at acceptable social, environmental, and economi[c] costs. We do this by promoting and encouraging private enterprise in the development of viable and stable mineral industries through the transfer of innovative extraction, processing, recycling, an environmental technologies; our use of cooperative partnerships with industry, academia, an government; our timely, authoritative worldwide mineral intelligence; our advocacy of public policies based on good science and sound economics.

Jan 1, 1994

By J. R. Alldredge

This Bureau of Mines report presents a computer code that has been developed for describing and testing the statistical distribution of general continuous data sets. The statistical distributions used include the normal, lognormal, exponential, chi square, gamma, and uniform. Histograms for observed and expected values are plotted for each distribution. An example using geologic data obtained from a study of the geometric properties of natural fractures in oil shale rock illustrates the use of the computer program, GDIST.

Jan 1, 1977

6889. Aslakson, C. I., and Swick, C. H. Gravity Observations in Peru and Colombia. Coast and Geodetic Survey,-Special Pub. 233, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C., 1943, 18 pp. (Price, 10 cents.) In accordance with the policy of cooperation among American republics, the-United States Coast and Geodetic Survey in 1941 made gravity surveys in Peru and-Colombia. The information was desirable for determining the figure of the earth for geophysical purposes and for studying the relationship between intensities of gravity and deflections of the vertical. The survey instrument was the Brown pendulum apparatus. 11 gravity stations were established in Peru and 13 in Colombia. The results obtained at these stations are given in a table covering observed gravity, theoretical gravity, and anamalies. - V. S.

Jan 1, 1943

By Frank E. Federspiel

In 1992, the Bureau of Mines conducted a mineral resource investigation of the 78,000-acre Garns Mountain study area in southeastern Idaho. The area had been proposed for Wilderness. It is underlain by Paleozoic to Mesozoic-age sedimentary rocks about 11,000 feet thick. Rocks have been faulted, offset, and folded as part of the northerly-trending Idaho-Wyoming Overthrust Belt. Study area mineral occurrences are: phosphate in the Permian Phosphoria Formation; coal in the Cretaceous Frontier end Bear River Formations; and uranium in carbonaceous and phosphate-bearing shales and coal of these formations. Four zones of phosphate are estimated to contain about 528 mitt ion tons of rock with over 10% P205; samples of phosphate-rich rock also contained as much as 3950 ppm chromium, 3280 ppm vanadium, 23 ppm gallium, and 5540 ppm zinc. Fragments of poor-quality coal and carbonaceous shale were found in the area; coal was mined near the northeast border. Uranium content up to 0.016% U3O8 is in carbon-rich shales. Oil and gas were drilled for, with minimal success, in folded sedimentary rocks (frontier and Nugget Sandstone) in the Horseshoe anticline, near the east border. Examined workings included 12 dozer cuts, 4 trenches, 2 prospect pits, and 2 caved adits. No production is known, and no leases or claims are held for the area.

Jan 1, 1992

By Lijun Xu, Jan M. Mutmansky

"Mutmansky, J.M. and· Lijun Xu, 1989. Some observations on particulates collected in underground coal mines using diesel and non-diesel equipment. Min. Sci. Technol., 9: 207-218.The results obtained when sampling twenty underground coal mine sections, each in a different mine, are outlined. The sampling effort was oriented toward a detailed characterization of coal mine dusts and thus eight-stage Anderson Model 298 impactors were used as the primary collection instrument. This instrument allowed a fairly detailed size distribution for each of the particulates sampled. Because four of the mines used diesel outby equipment and/or diesel shuttle cars at the face, it is possible to make some comparisons of the particulate distributions in diesel versus non-diesel mines.One of the more interesting results is the pattern that exists in mines lising diesels only for outby utility haulage. Particulates in these mines seem to be consistently heavy in the fine size ranges, perhaps being of significant concern to the industry. While no definite conclusions can be drawn from the limited data, a more detailed study of particulates may provide a better picture of particulate loadings.IntroductionThe subject of particulate emiss1ons from underground diesel equipment is currently a very important topic as health concerns and regulation of diesel particulate emissions have created new environmental problems for mine operators. The amount of particulate matter originating from diesels has not been extensively measured and problems of differentiating coal and mineral dust from diesel particulates make existing data questionable.However, it is necessary to make an assessment of the problem in order to solve it. It is known that particulates from diesel engines are solid aerosols formed in the combustion process. Technically, this places the particles in the category of fumes. It is also known from tests where no mineral dust could be a factor in the measurements that about 90% of diesel particles are less than 1 µm in aerodynamic diameter [3]. To measure the diesel component of a coal/diesel particulate to measure, Johnson et al. [2] have developed procedures for utilizing laser Raman spectroscopy. The determination of diesel content in a coal/diesel mixture is difficult due to the chemical similarity of the two organic materials. However, laser Raman spectroscopy, which is often used for identification of organic materials, has potential if the Raman spectra for the two materials are different and unique. The study concluded that an accuracy of ±~% could be achieved for mixtures containing up to 55% diesel particulate. The method is relatively complex and would need further development for routine application."

Jan 1, 1990

By G. H. Bennett

A field experiment was performed in a production unit of an operating copper room and pillar mine to compare the support capabilities provided by resin and mechanical roof bolts. Resin and mechanical roof bolts were alternately installed in eight intersections in a single entry. Rock mechanics instrumentation was installed to measure roof sag, bed separation, convergence, bolt pullout, torque, and strain. Bolt cost and installation time are included. Two analyses of the test were made. The analysis of the rock mechanics data showed there was no definite difference between the two bolting systems. From a broader analysis on a mine-wide basis it was concluded that resin bolts gave better support. A critical view of the experiment is given in the appendix.

Jan 1, 1974

By Parry. V. F.

"SUMMARY This report reviews the status of the packaged-for industry as of 1941. A field study was made of 35 representative plants to obtain technics and economic data on different types of processes used to make packaged fuel in the Central States. The report includes a classification of processes, photographs of typical operations, designs of different plants, an analysis of costs of manufacture, and a study of the physical and chemical properties of fuel cubes.It was observed that many of the smaller plants were having troubles in the manufacture of packaged fuel as the price of materials and costs of labor advanced toward the higher levels of 1942. In some instances, the total cost of manufacture was as high as $5.00 per ton, while in the better, medium-sized plants it was approximately $3.25 per ton. The direct manufacturing costs, excluding investment and depreciation, ranged from $3.17 to $2.37. These costs permit almost no profit at small plants when packaged fuel sells for the same price as competing lump coal under conditions existing in 1941-42.It was found that the predominant troubles in plants were due to inadequate drying and insufficient mixing of the starch binder. It was ob¬served that in the better plants, where proper mixing of binder was attained high-quality packages were made if 50 to 70 percent of the moisture was removed in the drying ovens. Experimental data obtained in the laboratory show the relationship between the temperature of dry air and the time required to remove different percentages of moisture in wrapped orunwrapped coal cubes.The average physical and chemical properties of fuel cubes made by five processes are listed, and tentative standards for minimum physical qualities and methods for measuring quantity are giver."

Jun 1, 1944

By R. Larry Grayson

In the October 1998 issue of the Holmes Safety Association Bulletin, NIOSH authors Mark Stephenson and Carol Merry wrote the article Hearing loss among miners and measures to protect hearing, which focused on the extensiveness of hearing loss among miners and the use of hearing protection to prevent hearing loss. While the primary importance of engineering controls in preventing hearing loss was discussed, since miners do not generally have control over their work en­vironment or assignments, the article focused on the importance of consis­tent use of hearing protection. In this article, all aspects of a compre­hensive approach to the prevention of hearing loss in miners will be covered. The discussions will do the following: ? describe application of the hierarchy of controls in preventing hear­ing loss in miners, ? give an example for each type of control measure and its impact, ? explain the major provisions, be­yond the hierarchy of controls, of the recent NIOSH document en-titled Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupa­tional Noise Exposure, Revised Criteria 1998 relative to a hearing loss prevention program, and ? summarize important points on control of noise exposure for every miner to remember, equipment in most facets of operations. Miners are well aware of noisy areas in or around equipment, icluding extraction machinery such as draglines, power shovels, longwall shearers, and continuous mining machines; powered haulage equipment such as load-haul-dumps, shuttle cars, large trucks, and continuous haulage units; roof bolting machines; jackleg drills and stopers; auxiliary equipment such as compressors, fans, and pumps; size reduction equipment, etc. They are not well aware of the insidious nature of pro­gressive hearing loss, which is per­manent, but they are generally aware of what levels of noise are hazardous and what measures can be taken to reduce their personal noise exposure. Behaviorally, however, there are many reasons why miners choose not to use hearing protection faithfully.

Jan 1, 1998

By Robert T. Mann

This paper is one of a series being prepared for and published by the United States Bureau of Mines on the quarrying, crushing, and grinding of limestone for cement manufacture. These papers are designed to disseminate technical information regarding the methods used. The cost tabulations represent operating expenditures only and not total coats. It is recognized that publication of total costs might in many instances cause embarrassment to individual producers, as well as to the industry as a whole. On the other hand, operating costs are essential to the technical discussion and study of the methods employed. The attention of the reader is specifically called to this differentiation in order that no misunderstanding of the scope of the cost tabulations shall ensue. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The author wishes to acknowledge the assistance of J. B. Thoenen, mining engineer of the Bureau of Mines, in the preparation of this paper.

Jan 1, 1933

By W. N. Hoskins

This report covers the final results of a two-phase contract study conducted between July 1974 and October 1976. A comprehensive summary of the initial phase of the study is included. Phase I of the study involved the investigation and evaluation of all potential candidate underground systems for mining the deeper deposits of oil shale and associated minerals in the Piceance Creek basin of northwestern Colorado. Phase II called for the refinement and the detailed technical and economic analysis of the most promising system, or systems, thus disclosed. Of the several systems initially investigated and evaluated, four showed considerable merit for exploiting the deeper deposits: (1) chamber and pillar mining with spent shale backfill, (2) sublevel stoping with spent shale backfill, (3) sublevel stoping with full subsidence, and (4) block caving mining using LHD's. Final refinement and analysis of these four systems indicated their technical feasibility over at least part of the range of conditions expected in the deeper deposits. Their economic feasibility also was indicated under certain operating and market conditions. A variety of engineering, production, and cost information is provided on each of these systems.

Jan 1, 1976

The U.S. Bureau of Mines has been concerned for many years with the general problems of underground coal mining and the particular problems due to the methane content of the coal. The Bureau and others have worked diligently to improve the health and safety conditions for underground coal miners. It has been recognized for many years that the methane in coal would have some value if it could he recovered and used, Also its removal before coal mining began or during the mining cycle itself would make mining safer and more economic due to a potential saving in ventilation costs. The work covered in this report was carried out to review methods of removing methane from active and inactive regions of operating coal mines and to determine how the methane could be concentrated and utilized economically.

Jan 1, 1975

By Eldon K. Stanek

The material presented in this chapter is a review of the work done during the period from June 23, 1972 to June 22, 1973 which was reported in detail in the first annual report for Grant No. 60122088 which was submitted on June 29, 1973. This report has appeared in the National Technical Information Service as bulletin number PB230 972/AS. 1.2 ANALYTICAL PREDICTIONS OF INDUCED VOLTAGES AND CURRENTS The basic building block in this analytical work is the development of an equivalent circuit. The equivalent circuit for the cable depends on all of the distributed parameters of the cable, although the series inductance and resistance are of primary importance. The cable resistances are generally available from handbooks or from cable manufacturers. On the other hand, the cable inductances are not usually available from either handbooks or the manufacturer's published data. Thus, it is useful to present the results of the derivation of the inductance matrix and a few intermediate steps.

Jan 1, 1975

By Sam S. Taylor

[The discovery of many oil fields in Illinois since 1936, and their rapid development have brought the problem of brine disposal to the foreground in that State. The ultimate magnitude of the problem is not yet known, but already it is treat enough to warrant technical investigation. The Bureau of Mines, therefore, has made a general survey of the methods of handling oil-field b brines in Illinois rend has studied in detail three subsurface disposal systems.]

Jan 1, 1940

The workshop on "Cyanide Effluents from Mineral Processing' was held on February 2-3, 1982, at the U.S. Bureau of Mines, Salt Lake City Research Center, Salt Lake City, Utah. The workshop was sponsored by the minerals industry, supporting industries, the National Science Foundation, and the U.S. Bureau of Mines through the Utah Mining and Mineral Resources Research Institute, College of Mines, University of Utah Prior to the workshop, a Working Paper was prepared and delivered to the participants. This paper was used as a guide during panel discussions and forms the basis for this proceedings document. The workshop focused on use of cyanide as it relates to the gold and silver mining industry and the froth flotation processes employed by mineral mining companies. Its intent was to discuss "state of the art" technology and provide information pertinent to cyanide use in the minerals industry. No attempt was made to advocate regulatory limits or set policy governing the use of cyanide. The principal topics of discussion included- (1) the chemistry and use of cyanides; (2) control and treatment of cyanide mining wastes; (3) toxicity of mining wastes; (4) fate of cyanide in the environment; and (5) the analytical chemistry of cyanide.

Jan 1, 1983

The 1965 Lignite Symposium, the fourth in a series and the third sponsored by the University of North Dakota and the Bureau of Mines, was held at Bismarck, N. Dak., on April 29-30, 1963. Them 7 symposia provide a forum for those interested in the technology and utilization of solid fuels, especially lignitic coals. As part of the meeting, a 200-mile field trip was taken including inspection of (1) the 200-megawatt, pulverized Lignite-fired Leland Olds plant of Basin Electric Power Cooperative, under construction near Stanton, N. Dak.; (2) the site of the Glenharold mine of the. Truax-Traer Goal Co., Division of Consolidation Coal Co., where a wheel excavator was being assembled; (3) the operating Beulah mine of Knife River Coal Mining Co., subsidiary of Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., near Beulah, N. Dak.; and (4) the 400-megawatt, hydro-electric Garrison Dam powerplant, near Garrison, N. Dak.

Jan 1, 1966

By John E. Kelley

The Bureau of Mines conducted a study to determine the feasibility of joining refractory metal compounds to each other and to oxide ceramics by a vacuum hot press-diffusion bonding method. Very satisfactory joins were made of ZrC to ZrB2, ZrN to ZrB2, ZrC to ZrN, and of ZrC, ZrN, and ZrB2 to Al203. Each of these join assemblies contained a mixture layer comprising 50 weight-percent each of the two end compounds. The mixture layer, sandwiched between each end compound, enhanced bonding and smoothed out the thermal expansion gradient between the two end members. Strength and thermal shock tests showed that the join areas of the ZrC, ZrN, and ZrB2 joins were stronger and more shock resistant than the parent materials. Also included in the joining tests was one each of TiC to TiB2, TiC to TiN, TiB2 to TIN, and TiC to ZrB2 joins. Each of these was well bonded, showing that the vacuum-hot-press method can be used for a variety of systems.

Jan 1, 1969

By Lawrence H. Roth

Past failures of coal refuse embankments have resulted in more intensified efforts in inspections of coal refuse sites. Inspections, however, are mainly qualitative and time consuming. In August 1975 CH2M HILL was awarded a contract to identify, develop, and test a rapid system for monitoring coal refuse embankments to aid in inspections. The rapid monitoring system developed uses convergent and vertical photography from conventional fixed-wing aircraft. The system was tested on an active landslide and on two coal refuse facilities using both black and white and color infrared film. Field tests showed the system was capable of accurate measurement while providing qualitative data through photointerpretation. The accuracy of the system allows it to be used to monitor coal refuse embankments, tailings dams, major earth dams, and natural slopes. Bibliographies of literature reviews in the area of past coal refuse embankment failures, monitoring instruments and methods, and photogrammetry are included.

Jan 1, 1977