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By F. A. Rutledge

"The chromite deposits of Red Mountain, 10,miles southeast of Seldovia, Alaska, are in an intrusive of ultramafic rocks. The earliest reference to the deposits was made by U.S. Grant3/; J.B. Mertic, Jr. 4/ made a brief examination in 1917; and A.C. Gill5/ spent 7 weeks studying the ore bodies and geology of the region in 1918. The Federal Geological Survey had a field party in the region from July until September 1940 and the Red Mountain area was mapped and geological data were assembled by P.W. Guild.6/A preliminary investigation of the Kenai chromite deposits was made in July 1941 by R. S. Sanford,7/district engineer of the Bureau of Mines, accompanied by P. W. Guild, assistant geologist of the Geologi¬cal Survey. This was followed by surface sampling and core drilling, which were completed in September 1942 under the direction of John W. Cole,8 associate engineer of the Bureau of Mines. G. O. Gates, associate geologist, and A, B. Unkelsbay, junior geologist, of the Geological Survey, logged cores and interpreted geologic features revealed by Bureau of Mines drilling and trenching.9/J. C. Roehm, associate engineer of the Territorial Department of Mines; examined the Red Mountain area in august 1941.10/Additional exploration of other deposits in. the Red Mountain area was completed during the summer of 194. Work consisted of surface sampling, core drilling, and mapping. G. O. Gates, associate geologist of the Geological Survey, spent 4 days in August investigating results of the Bureau of Mines program.Throughout the exploratory work conducted by the Bureau of Mines the cooperation of Red Mountain Chromite, Inc., and especially of John Blodgett, Jr., and Collis 2, Druley, president and superintendent, respectively, was greatly appreciated. Use of their camp in the Windy River cirque and shops at Kasitsna Bay facilitated the Bureau of Mines program."

Apr 1, 1946

By K. E. Stanfield

Oil-yield results are presented for 65 oil-shale sections in Piceance Creek Basin, Colorado, sampled during the period 1957 through 1963. Including previously published data, oil-yield results for 203 sampled sections have now been released by the Bureau of Mines to aid in appraising the shale oil potential of the basin. Oil yields of core samples (135 sets) were regarded as reliable bases for appraising the Mahogany-zone interval, but only 5 sets of cores sampled the deeper, lower-zone oil shales. Drill cuttings (68 sets) sampled the lower-zone oil shales, but their oil yields are principally indicative and should be confirmed by analyses of cores. More complete core sampling of the lower-zone oil shales is needed.

Jan 1, 1967

By George W. Huseman, W. D. Mcmillan

"INTRODUCTION Feldspars represent one of the most abundant groups of minerals and constitute nearly Go percent of the material contained in the igneous rocks. They are grouped in a series of related aluminum silicates with varying amounts of potash, soda, and lime. .Approximately 85 percent of the feldspar produced in the United States is used as a flux in the production of glass, pottery, enamel and sanitary ware, brick, and tile. Notwithstanding the abundance of feldspar in the earth's crust, the only deposits that are worked to any extent are the pegmatites or coarsely crystalline dikes where natural segregation of the constituents facilitates recovery of the feldspar with a minimum of free quartz, mica, tourmaline, garnet, and other iron-bearing minerals that are detrimental in most ceramic industries.Although there are three glassplants and numerous other ceramic industries in Texas, all of the feldspar used in these plants is from other States. In the Llano region of central Texas, however, there are numerous coarse pegmatite dikes consisting primarily of feldspar and quartz in ratios up to 3 to 1. One of the more important of these dikes is the Badu Hill deposit in Llano County, Tex., which was first described by Carl Chelf 4/ in 1942. Following an examination of the deposit by W. D. McMillan, engineer in charge of the Texas field office of the Bureau of Mines, in January 1946, a proposal was made to investigate the deposit by core drilling in cooperation with the Department of Ceramic Engineering, University of Texas. This report presents the results of the cooperative investigation, which was begun April 24, 1946, and completed May 17, 1946."

Jul 1, 1947

By R. V. Ramani

In this report, the application of the Open Pit Materials Handling Simulator (OPMHS) to a mine located in Illinois using bucket wheel excavator (BWE) and a stripping shovel in tandem for overburden removal is described. The specific objective of the study is to demonstrate the application of the simulator to analyze mine planning and scheduling problems and to generate and analyze alternatives for increased production. On the basis of the simulations it was concluded that the maximum productive capacity of the system in raw coal was around 3000 tons per shift. At this production level, the equipment combination and availability also satisfy the match requirements for the stripping shovel and the BWE, and the overburden and coal removal systems. Several alternatives requiring new equipment are proposed and analyzed for increasing production. However, no economic analyses of these proposals were done.

Jan 1, 1977

By Lee M. Manna

Approximately 10,000, 10-Ton, 4 wheel, 2 truck, coal mine cars are in general service in U. S. Mines. None are equipped with an automatic braking system. Very few are equipped with hand or parking brakes. The report lists major manufacturers of the car and develops estimate as the percentage represented. It complies physical specification of cars of major car manufacturers, and develops a composite clearance diagram. It then discusses a pneumatic system employing truck components for an automatic system that could be used as an add-on unit. The components are listed and priced and a schematic circuit is developed for the system. Recommendations as to future programming are made.

Jan 1, 1976

By Robert J. Timko

Because of leakage through and around permanent stoppings in underground mines, more air must be forced into a mine than would otherwise be required for ventilation. As power costs increase, costs resulting from air leakage add increasingly to the operating costs of mining. The Bureau of Mines evaluated four different stopping construction techniques based on the ideas that (1) airtightness could be enhanced by brushing rather than troweling on mortar sealant and that (2) modified mortars (mortars containing glass fibers and other additives for increased strength and adhesion) would improve sealing performance. Air leakage tests comparing conventional to modified stoppings were done when the stoppings were built, after 6 months, after 1 yr, and following simple maintenance. It was found that stoppings can be built and maintained better if-- The area where a stopping is to be built is properly prepared. Stoppings are constructed using the techniques devised by the Bureau. Stoppings are periodically examined for leaks. Stoppings found to be leaking, especially at the perimeters, are resealed.

Jan 1, 1983

By Albert A. Munsch

The Munsch National First-Aid Instructors Association had its inception during the teaching of a Federal Bureau of Mines first-aid instructors' class at McPherson, Kans., under a cooperative plan of first-aid training. Upon completion of- the course on July 1, 1938 members of the class organized the charter chapter of the association under the name of McPherson (Kans.) District Charter Chapter No. 1. On July 1, 1941, 3 years after the founding of the association, there were 15 chapters in the national council -7 in Kansas, 3 in Oklahoma, 2 in Texas, 2 in New Mexico, and 1 in Arkansas. Although the pioneer work of the association was done in the petroleum industry, the plan will be of even greater benefit to a district in which there are various types of plants, mince, and operations of the mineral and allied industries. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The writer appreciates the cooperation and assistance of the following persons: S. P. Redfearn, safety engineer, Globe Oil & Refining Co. and affiliated companies, Wichita, Kans., and H. (Chief) Moore supervisor of safety meetings, Shell Oil Co., Inc., McPherson, Kans., for their untiring efforts and enthusiasm in organizing an- attending the first class, organizing three other classes, and helping to plan the work of the association

Jan 1, 1942

By Changwoo Lee, Jan M. Mutmansky

"This paper results from the research at The Pennsylvania State University into establishment of standard procedures for characterization of respirable coal dust performed by the Generic Mineral Technology Center for Respirable Dust and supported by the U.S. Bureau of Mines and the Mining and Mineral Resources Research Institute at The Pennsylvania State University. The research performed within this particular project is oriented primarily toward standard methods of sampling and characterizing respirable coal mine dust underground so that the chemical, physical, and morphological characteristics are known and can be related to the incidence of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) in Pennsylvania.The research was initiated by con¬ducting a search of the literature to determine what coal and geologic variables may be related to CWP. The effects of coal rank, free silica content, the mass of respirable dust, and the level of trace elements were the major variables studied. It seems to be evident that the free silica content, the rank of coal, and the mass of respirable dust are the major concerns in defining the causes of CWP. However, based on the literature survey, the authors have concluded that verification of the causes of CWP is a multivariate problem and must be analyzed in an appropriate statistical manner.The results of a multivariate analysis of ten trace elements recorded on Pennsylvania coals are presented. Five of these trace elements were found to be of use in differentiating one coalfield from the others. Of these five elements, chromium and zirconium showed a strong positive correlation with the rank of coal while strontium showed a negative correlation.The design of the field sampling work and its application in future research is the final topic discussed. The sampling plan is oriented toward continuous miner sections with eight-stage impactors as the collection equipment. All of the field work will be conducted in the coal measures of the Allegheny Formation and above with both dust and channel samples being collected in the same mines.Coal workers' pneumoconiosis has been an important topic of concern to miners, mining engineers, and epidemiologists for decades. The general cause of the dis¬ease, the inhalation of coal mine dust, is well known, but the specific coal and geologic variables that affect the incidence and severity of the disease are still subject to debate and study. The primary objective of this study is to identify those variables of Pennsylvania coals that contribute to the CWP problem. To accomplish this task, a field sampling program is to be conducted to relate the characteristics of the coal dust, the coal seam properties, and the geologic variables to the occurrence of CWP.The first year of this study has been involved with both a literature review and experimental work oriented toward identification of causal variables related to CWP. The results of this work are presented here along with plans for implementation of the findings in future research.The previous studies of CWP causal variables have been conducted by scientists, engineers, and medical personnel. Many different types of studies have been performed with emphasis on interpreting the effects of dust mass concentration, mineralogy of the coal, the rank of the coal, and trace element concentrations upon the incidence of CWP in various coalfields. Most of the research has been conducted during the last two decades, with the British Isles, West Germany, and the United States being the primary countries involved.The review of the literature was conducted to determine which variables are likely to warrant further study in Pennsylvania. Previous research studies have related CWP to free silica and other mineral content, the rank of coal, the mass of dust in the working place, and the trace elements in the coal and lung dust. In the following sections, each of these topics will be discussed and analyzed."

Jan 1, 1988

By W. W. Adams

[Sales of explosives - permissible explosives5/ other high explosives, and black blasting powder - in the United States during the calendar year 1937 reached a combined total that slightly exceeded the quantity sold in 1936. A larger output was reported for permissible and other high explosives but a smaller for black powder. Production of the three classes of explosives totaled 404,744,294 pounds, more than 3 percent over 1336. The total quantity produced included 49,579,441 pounds of permissible, 288,924,253 pounds of other high ex- plosives, 36,403,950 pounds of black powder in pellet form, and 23,836,550 pounds of black powder in granular form. Sales of granular black powder declined 26 percent compared with 1936 and of pellet black powder 12 percent; gales of permissible explosives increased nearly 4 percent and of other high explosives 10 percent]

Jan 1, 1938

By Jerry Olson

The Bureau of Mines (Bureau) conducted a mineral resource investigation of the French Creek-Patrick Butte study area, in west central Idaho during 1989. No mineral resources or significant occurrences were identified. Other than small scale placer gold, no mineral production is known or recorded. At least 100 lode and 150 placer claims have been located in the study area. Most of the area was examined by ground or areal surveys, and 110 lode and 60 placer samples were taken. Four lode prospects were examined in detail, and all placer claim locations were sampled.

Jan 1, 1991

By Brian T. Brady

The year 1992 recorded unimpressive economic growth and uncertainties over what changes would occur for the financial market. Falling interest rates in the United States and elsewhere tended to exert a number of positive influences on financial markets and, indirectly, the mining and quarrying industry. The interest rate declines during 1992 were no exception. Lower rates prompted many investors to turn their attention to long-term investments such as stocks that offer potentially greater rates of return, causing large cash inflows into the equity market. Lower rates made it easier for businesses to finance growth and for consumers to finance the purchase of products businesses made. Also the rates enabled many companies to increase their health and profitability by refinancing their existing loans at lower rates. Falling interest rates were not confined to the United States. With Japan and Western Europe in the midst of economic slumps, marketing authorities in many countries overseas lowered rates in an effort to stimulate business activity. True to form, that contributed to stock market rallies abroad. Stabilizing inflation and lower interests stimulated the industry during 1992 and will likely influence favorably the industry for the next few years.

Jan 1, 1992

By C. W. Smith

The U.S. Bureau of Mines conducted research to determine the effect of ground water control on the dewatering of phosphatic clay wastes. Two storage impoundments were constructed. One impoundment was surrounded on three sides with a series of well points (shallow vertical wells) to lower the ambient water table and the second impoundment served as a control. Ground water was pumped from the area surrounding the test impoundment for a period of 490 days. A constant pumping rate of 60 gal/min resulted in a water table drawdown of 13 ft, approximating the bottom of the impoundment. At the end of the test period percent solids in the test impoundment was 35 pct, while in the control impoundment percent solids was only 26.8 pct. Percent solids of greater than 30 pct is required for capping and final reclamation using fertile overburden.

Jan 1, 1989

By Carl R. Peterson

The Rapidex continuous spiral blast tunneling concept uses a spiral blast pattern that provides efficient slabbing action, continuous progression, and partial self-shielding. A lightly shielded tunneling machine using this concept stays at the face to provide continuous drill, load, shoot, and muck functions. Previous phases proved the effectiveness of the blast pattern in the White Pine Shale tested the design features of the shield and developed a remote loading and shooting capability using inductively initiated blasting caps and a pumpable slurry explosive. Phase IV assembled previously used front-end elements (drill, loading components, shield) on a used Joy loader chassis and added a mucking system television monitoring and remote control elements. Remote television monitored loading shooting and mucking were investigated. Difficulty was experienced in locating previously drilled blastholes near the bottom of the heading and even on the face. These holes often had to be considered as lost. Because of hydraulic system deficiencies and overall congestion of machine elements at the face mucking rates obtainable with remote television monitoring were low (on the order of 16 tons per hour). Performance was good enough to indicate improved rates if more space were available and if extreme thoroughness were not required. Because of the serious nature of the lost hole problem, a new explosive loading scheme was given a preliminary evaluation. The new scheme would require the explosive and the detonating charge to be loaded through the drill steel. If the necessary equipment modifications could he made and if safe, efficient operation were assured, the new scheme would alleviate some of the crowding at the face and would eliminate the lost hole problem.

Jan 1, 1978

This report discusses the nonfuel critical minerals position of the United States-both current and future (to the year 2000). We have assumed that there will be no major global disturbances-military, political, or economic-during the rest of this century. However, international relationships, strategies, and conditions that affect the supply of minerals are very tenuous, normal trading patterns can be easily upset, and national and ideological objectives can and do interfere with "normal" free market conditions. For example, the Department of Defense has reported that the Soviet Union is engaged in a strategy designed to reduce the availability of strategic minerals, through either physical disruption, market manipulation, or domination of producing or neighboring states. Although such a strategy poses serious concerns for the United States and the free world, the impacts of disruptions are not covered in this publication. Historical Perspective The modern industrial economy of the United States is founded on the production and use of minerals.* Two hundred years ago our forebears began taming a raw continent, developing a base for agriculture and a rudimentary minerals producing system. In the 19th century, with the aid of imported labor and capital, the development of America's vast natural resources was undertaken, and the transition from an agricultural to industrial society was underway. By the century's close, the United States had emerged as a great industrial power, partly through the development of such mineral resources as iron in Minnesota and coal in Pennsylvania.

Jan 1, 1983

By G. J. Conroy

This Bureau of Mines study was initiated to determine whether or not a large-scale investigation of 400-Hz applications in coal mines was justified as a means of increasing safety in operations due to size and weight reductions in portable and other mining machinery. Potential uses for 400-Hz power in mining operations are explored, and cost and size comparisons with 60-Hz systems are made. The use of variable-frequency motor drive is suggested for conveyors. The conclusion was reached that there is no significant potential safety increase due to a general size and weight reduction, as the fact of such general reduction cannot be demonstrated.

Jan 1, 1974

By Guy A. Johnson

To improve productivity and cut costs, modern underground mining operations have become more mechanized. This mechanization has increased the usage of fuels, hydraulics, and electrical equipment associated with diesel-powered vehicles, thereby also increasing the hazards of underground mine fires. The Bureau of Mines evaluated the fire hazard problem and assembled prototype components for a system that would automatically sense and extinguish fires on mobile underground equipment. The prototype system and alternative designs were in-mine-tested and proved effective. This report summarizes this technology, which can cost effectively help solve the problem of fire hazards on underground vehicles.

Jan 1, 1983

By M. C. Malamphy

A general description of the activities and results of bauxite investigation by the Bureau of Mines at its bauxite project in Saline and Pulaski Counties, Ark., has been given in Report of Investigations 4251. The factual data obtained during the project are reported in a series of Reports of Investigation beginning with No. 4251, of which this is the fourteenth. The data are accompanied by maps showing the location of holes drilled and the deposits developed. Each area upon which work was done is reported by half townships. Each bauxite deposit investigated was assigned & name and a number for ready reference and identification, and its location and name are shown on the appropriate half-township map. The description of each half township is followed by a description of each deposit developed in that half township. The 14 half-township maps and 77 detail maps of the bauxite deposits in this series of reports give the locations and numbers of all the holes drilled except the deep holes drilled to test geophysical anomalies. The locations of those holes are shown on figure 13 in volume 1. The descriptions of the deposits developed are followed by complete detailed logs of the drill holes. Many of the widely spaced exploratory holes did not discover bauxite of minable thickness and grade. The pertinent information obtained from the widely spaced exploratory drill holes has been summarized and tabulated, and a table for each half township is given with the discussion covering that area.

Jan 1, 1948

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 Phillip R. Moyle

In 1985 the U.S. Bureau of Mines evaluated the mineral resources of tie Bruneau River and Jarbidge River study areas, Owyhee County, ID, for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The study areas, separated by a narrow corridor, include 90,000 acres of the 107,020-acre Bruneau River Wilderness Study Area (ID-111-17) and 47,000 acres of the 75,340-acre Jarbidge River Wilderness Study Area (ID-17-11). They lie 26 miles and 55 miles, respectively, due south of Mountain Home, ID. Approximately 38 placer claims for gold and 182 lode and placer claims for jasper, agate, and limestone were located within and adjacent to the study areas from 1893 to 1981. Currently, there are eight mining claims for jasper at Indian Hot Springs along the corridor between the study areas.

Jan 1, 1987

By John Durkin

Owing to the daily exposures of uranium mining personnel to 222Rn daughters, a device is needed that will continually monitor individual exposure. Such a device has been built and tested by the Bureau of Mines and is known as a radon daughter dosimeter. This is an electronic instrument using a solid-state detector and circuitry. The concept of the instrument, which is a personal device worn throughout the working shift, is to evaluate an individual's cumulative exposure to airborne radon progeny, expressed in units of working level hours. Since the instrument is in close proximity to the miner and measures continual exposure, it avoids the errors caused by the present technique of spot checking of the environment and provides a more accurate account of total cumulative exposure.

Jan 1, 1977