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By G. L. Neumann

Owing to the need for additional sources of supply of both zinc and lead following World War II, the Bureau of Mines investigated many abandoned lead-zinc mines in the eastern United States. A series of shallow veins in south-western St. Lawrence County has long been a subject of speculation. These veins, which average about 4 feet in width and cut across the bedding of the country rock at right angles, are filled with calcite-carrying galena and sphalerite. The deposits have been worked sporadically during the last 115 years. From 1837 to 1852 the Coal Hill, the North, and the Victoria mines near the village of Rossie were at their peak of activity. Other calcite veins were prospected and a small production was realized. The Bureau of Mines began diamond drilling May 1, 1950, under the general supervision of McHenry Mosier, chief, Mining Branch, Bureau of Mines, Region VIII, and under the immediate supervision of the author) who was project engineer, following the preliminary examination by Robert S. Sanford. A total of 3,870.2 feet was drilled in 18 holes on four of the numerous deposits scattered over Macomb and Rossie townships. Drilling was completed September 21, 1950.

Jan 1, 1952

By L. H. Banning

Recent dry-top electric smelting tests at the Northwest Electrodevelopment Experiment Station, Albany, Oreg., indicate that a high-titanium slag and a good grade of pig iron can be produced from alluvial Idaho ilmenite. A total of 120 tons of concentrates were smelted during this investigation, to yield an average of 0.5 ton of slag and 0.3 ton of pig iron per ton of ilmenite. Power consumption averaged 1,400 kv.-hr. per ton of ilmenite, at a feed rate of 400 to 500 pounds per hour, when operating at an electrical energy input of 290 to 370 kilowatts. The optimum operating voltage appeared to be 110 volts, phase-to-phase. Graphite electrode consumption averaged 15.6 pounds per ton of ilmenite smelted. Magnesite furnace refractory withstood the corrosive action of the hot metal and slag better than carbon refractory.

Jan 1, 1955

By R. A. Egen

The purpose of this book is to provide an indication of what good hoisting practice is and how it might be achieved. To this end the book contains discussions of equipment and inspection and maintenance procedures developed and used by mining people in striving for safe, reliable hoisting equipment. Most of this information comes from domestic practice; the rest is foreign, notably from Canada. Most things discussed have long proved their general worth, and others promise to; a few are beginnings. However, nothing is conjectural or theoretical; the practices described herein are in use somewhere in the mining world. The stress is on equipment in use; it is not a design-guidelines manual. Nevertheless, there are some sections dealing with design material since it may be of value in a maintenance/ replacement sense. Mine hoisting installations encompass such a wide variety of equipment and conditions that it is impractical to specifically cover them all. This book mainly treats conventional systems using conventional components with some discussion of the more common unconventional (special) systems in use. There is no recognized definition for a "conventional" mine-hoisting system. Herein the term means those systems most commonly used in daily operations for transporting men, materials, and product-electrically driven drum and friction hoists, with guided conveyances running in vertical or inclined shafts. Beyond this, what "conventional" means is probably best illustrated by the topics discussed.

Jan 1, 1975

By Valois R. Shea-Albin

Ground control problems are an important factor affecting safety, production, and efficiency in underground coal mines. A major portion of ground control problems encountered in underground coal mines can be attributed to geologic features in the strata surrounding the extracted coal seam. The U.S. Bureau of Mines has compiled information from numerous sources on the geological features that contribute to ground control problems in underground coal mines. The compilation includes (1) sedimentary features such as paleochannels, crevasse splays, clastic dikes, mold-and-cast structures, concretions, and lithologic factors, and (2) structural features such as folds, fractures, joints, cleat, and faults. The compiled information will aid in identifying the features, predicting their occurrence in advance of mining, and controlling or minimizing roof failure when these features are encountered in an underground coal mine.

Jan 1, 1993

By K. Clifton, K. Kar, M. Gautam, J. T. Jurewicz

"This paper describes the history of LDV measurements employed in research involving gas-solid flows. Much of the discussion deals with measurement techniques employed to obtain separate and simultaneous solid and gas phase velocities. Also, LDV based measurement techniques that arc used to obtain particle size and concentration information in conjunction with the velocity measurements arc presented.INTRODUCTIONThere are numerous examples of industrial processes in which the motion of a solid or droplet dispersed phase in a suspending gas phase is critically important. The applications range from spray droplets injected into combustion chambers to the understanding of the time release mechanisms of particles generated by dissolving pharmaceutical tablets. In many of these processes, the heat, mass, and/or momentum transfer between the dispersed phase and the suspending fluid arc the items of interest. In the past, much of the phenomena were characterized by empirical models derived from flow averaged measurements. Gradual developments in laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV), have provided researchers with an unobtrusive measurement technique capable of obtaining the particle size velocity and concentration with good spatial resolution.In the two decades that LDV instrumentation has been available, most of the uses have concentrated on single phase fluid flow measurements. The light scattered from seed particles small enough to follow complex fluid motions, including turbulence, is converted into velocity information. While the utility of this instrument in single phase flows has been demonstrated beyond question, the use of LDV in gas-solid multiphase flows has had a more gradual development. The measurements ·of interest in these flow regimes are usually the velocity of the suspending fluid as well as that of the dispersed particulate phase. Early investigators were quick to see the potential of this instrument for measurements in gas-solid flows. The interest soon expanded to the development of instruments that could also simultaneously measure particle size and concentration within a two-phase flow field.This paper tracks the historical development of LDV technology as applied to gas-solid flows. The techniques to measure particle velocity, size, and concentration arc treated in separate sections although much of the development occurred simultaneously. Finally, some unique applications conducted at West Virginia University and other locations will be discussed in the application section."

Nov 1, 1995

By Bruce Maxwell

The deformation modulus of coal mine pillars theoretically can be reduced by drilling holes in advance of the mining face. This reduction of modulus along the edge of the pillar has the effect of decreasing the stress concentration in the roof; control of roof caving is thereby predicted. Initial field work indicated that a high horizontal stress field existed at the field test site: Subsequent field work was undertaken to confirm the high horizontal stress field and to attempt to relieve the horizontal stress in the immediate roof. A method of softening pillars in conjunction with normal mining activity was developed. Instruments to measure horizontal roof strain, roof parting, roof tilt at the rib, and changes in vertical and horizontal stress in the roof and in the coal were used. These instruments were installed in both softened and unsoftened entries and in locations to indicate the effect of vertical slots in the roof. Significant stress reduction due to pillar softening was indicated, but the effect of this reduction on roof stability was not established. The vertical roof slots relieved the horizontal stress in the immediate roof very effectively, and observations of roof conditions indicated that the slots definitely improved roof stability.

Jan 1, 1977

By Robert J. Brennan, Edward R. Navrocky, John W. Buch

In an effort to establish a highly productive mechanized mining system for anthracite beds pitching between 10 ° and 20 ° , for which conventional mobile equipment is not adaptable , the Bureau carried out an experiment in longwall mining using an Anderton- type drum cutter loader and friction - type yielding steel roof supports . The roof- support system proved to be inadequate for breaking the overhanging roof at the break line supports , with the result that the roof broke over the solid coal . The accompanying subsidence destroyed the continuity of the roof in the work area , and the project was discontinued .

Jan 1, 1964

By David A. Monaghan

This report describes instrumentation which is part of a system for extinguishing mine fires by pumping material through surface boreholes in order to seal off all underground passageways leading to the fire area. Major instrumentation systems include a closed circuit television probing system and an acoustic seal checking system. The latter consists of a speaker probe, a receiver probe and related signal processing equipment. All probes can be winch-deployed down a 6-inch diameter borehole. The CCTV unit can be rotated 360 degrees in the horizontal plane, and contains sufficient lighting to reliably assay conditions for sealing or rescue within a 200 foot radius. The acoustic seal checker monitors the completion of a seal as it progresses by use of probes lowered through boreholes on either side of the seal.

Jan 1, 1977

By A. C. Fieldner, SIDNEY GOTTLIEB

This report summarizes the research and technologic work of the Bureau of Mines on coal and coal products from July 1, 1947, to July 1, 1948. It is the thirteenth of a series presenting resumes based largely upon publications issued during the year . In some instances , research and testing results , not otherwise available in published form , are presented . The individual publications given as footnote references herein will provide further detail to the interested reader . The period covered by this report was marked by an ever -mounting concern for the adequacy of the Nation's fuel resources and for fuel shortages arising from an increasing demand for fuels at home and abroad . Several reports appeared which delineated the place of synthetic liquid fuels in the future fuel technology and economy of the Nation , emphasized the fact that eventually the principal raw material for the production of such fuels will bet,5,6 coal, and described the progress made by the Bureau of Mines in developing processes for the production of synthetic liquid fuels . heard testimony along similar lines . Increased awareness of the fuels problems confronting the Nation led to an authorization by the 80th Congress for the erection of an anthracite research laboratory at Schuylkill Haven , Pa . , to house expanded Bureau of Mines research on anthracite . Design of the structure was well under way by the end of the fiscal year . ( See fig . 1. ) Looking forward to expansion of Bureau research on lignite , the 80th Congress heard testimony on the problems and programs of lignite research10, 11 as a prelude to authorizing the construction of a lignite research laboratory in North Dakota .

Aug 1, 1949

By T. F. Curry, L. B. Berger, H. A. Watson, S. J. Pearce

The conduct of work at elevated air pressures , such as in caissons and in tunnel - driving in subaqueous strata , poses safety problems not encountered in mining and tunneling operations at ordinary atmospheric pressure . This publication discusses some of the problems involved and presents information on the following subjects : ( 1 ) Physiological effects of gases at elevated pressure . ( 2 ) Use of respiratory protective equipment in rescue or recovery operations in event of fire or other emergency in pressurized tunnels . ( 3 ) Effect of elevated pressure on performance of some gasdetecting instruments ; interpretation of the results . Various types of respiratory protective devices are discussed in relation to their possible use at elevated pressures , especially the 2 - hour , selfcontained , recirculating - oxygen - breathing apparatus , which has had wide use in the United States during rescue and recovery work in the mining industry . A modified procedure that eliminates the hazard of oxygen poisoning enabling the safe use of this apparatus at elevated pressures , up to 45 pounds per square inch , gage , and tests to verify its practicability are described . procedure involves control of the partial pressure of oxygen in the breathing

Jan 1, 1964

By A. J. Fejes

The purpose of this Bureau of Mines report is to provide mining industry personnel and regulatory authorities with a subsidence-reference list and annotated bibliography that will aid them in locating subsidence information and in developing their own subsidence information sources. Over 700 references are listed in the Bureau's subsidence information center bibliography; approximately 600 of these references were obtained for assessment. Of these 600 references, 167 were selected to be rated, categorized, and annotated. All literature referenced in this report was published prior to 1984. Table 1 is a cross - referenced index that classifies and rates selected references with respect to specific keywords. References are rated not on quality of content but rather on applicability to given subject areas. Appendix A is an annotated bibliography of the references listed in table 1 and provides further information of each article to aid the user in selecting articles for specific areas of subsidence technology. Appendix B is a copy of the subsidence information center bibliography.

Jan 1, 1985

By S. A. N. Sheya

The U.S. Bureau of Mines performed batch equilibrium contact experiments to examine the ability of activated coconut-shell carbon to adsorb various metal cyanide complexes. Tests were also conducted to determine the effect these cyanide complex impurities might have on the adsorption of gold by the activated carbon. Metal cyanide species included in the investigation were antimony, arsenic, cadmium, calcium, cobalt, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, silver, thallium, and zinc. Tests were made over a pH range of 6.4 to 12.5. The carbon exhibited a preference for gold adsorption over other metals present in solution. In the absence of gold, the metal cyanide complexes were adsorbed; adsorption generally decreased with increasing pH. However, calcium and thallium adsorptions increased with increasing pH, while arsenic and iron were not adsorbed at any pH.

Jan 1, 1989

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Jan 1, 2011

This list is part of the long-range conservation program of the Bureau of Mines and is intended for use by those interested in the Bureau's publications dealing with oil shale and shale oil. The items included represent 51 years of research by Bureau of Mines employees on oil shale and shale oil and are available at any U.S. depository library. DISTRIBUTION U.S. Bureau of Mines report series contain both free and sales publications. An asterisk (*) designates publications for sale. Such publications can be obtained from Superintendent of Documents U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402

Jan 1, 1969

By Bill Linville

During calendar year 1972, the Bureau of Mines was engaged in some 20 major areas of research for the development of new and improved efficient methods of conservation and utilization for petroleum and natural gas, oil shale, and coal. Made up of numerous projects described in this report, the program was carried out through research performed at research centers and laboratories in the field supervised and supported by administrative personnel of this Bureau of the Department of the Interior. Based un this research, 186 technical reports were published by the Bureau or others, and numerous other reports were prepared for Federal agencies, State agencies, and organizations engaged in cooperative research programs with the Bureau.

Jan 1, 1973

By James R. Boyle

The value of Alabama's nonfuel mineral production in 1981 was $312.7 million, a decrease of $15.7 million from that of 1980. Output of most non fuel minerals declined; cement, crushed stone, lime, clays, and sand and gravel were the major commodities produced in the State. Alabama led the Nation in the production of crushed marble; was second in bauxite; third in native asphalt, kaolin, and oyster shell; fourth in bentonite, dimension marble, and fire clay; fifth in masonry cement; and sixth in common clay, ferroalloys, and lime.

Jan 1, 1983

By David B. Doan

This regional report covers 1993 mining and related activity in approximately 40 countries and territories of Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean Basin. These countries of the Western Hemisphere, as with the United States, are endowed with a great variety of minerals, including metals, industrial minerals, and energy minerals. For most of these countries, such mineral production helps form foundations for their economies and earns export credits including hard currencies. Table 1 depicts an overall view of Latin America and Canada's production of its major mineral commodities in 1993; subsequent tables show the role of Latin America and Canada in world mineral production, trade, and import dependency on minerals from Latin America and Canada by the United States. Overall, the picture emerges of a rich mineral diversity throughout the hemisphere, attracting increasing interest and investment, and complementing the mineral resources of the United States.

Jan 1, 1995

By T. E. Gray

This report describes the preparation characteristics of the significant coalbeds in Harrison County, W. Va. It is one in a series of Federal Bureau of Mines reports planned to determine coals suitable for the production of metallurgical coke, either as mined or after beneficiation. Over 6.5 million tons of coal was produced in Harrison County, W. Va., in 1958, of which over 3.7 million tons was cleaned mechanically in seven preparation plants. All of the coal cleaned was from the Pittsburgh bed. It has been estimated that more than 1,816 million tons of coal remains in the county in beds 12 inches or more thick. The Pittsburgh and Redstone beds were selected by the Bureau for a study based on current production rates and estimated minable reserves. Sample locations were selected following a study of the literature, conferences with mining engineers and mining company officials in the field, and examination of the available sites. Six samples were collected from the Pittsburgh bed, and three samples came from the Redstone bed, Float-and-sink tests of the samples collected from the Pittsburgh and Redstone beds showed that neither coal could be upgraded to a metallurgical fuel under the standards set up for this study, even after intensive preparation. Finer crushing of the samples moderately increased the yields and slightly reduced both the ash and the sulfur contents in the 1.30-specific-gravity float fractions. Finer crushing slightly decreased the yields in the 1.58-specific-gravity float fractions, whereas it reduced the sulfur content 0.11 percent for the Redstone sample and 0.46 for the Pittsburgh sample.

Jan 1, 1961

By K. H. Johnston

This guide was written to furnish the coal industry with a description of techniques, instruments, and clues on how to find abandoned oil and gas wells that have penetrated coal seams. The report includes specific information on searching techniques currently in use by several coal mining companies, gas-transmission companies, and waterflood operators, as well as information on State agencies responsible for the enforcement of laws and the preservation and distribution of data pertaining to the drilling, development, and abandonment of oil and gas wells. Comparative tests were performed with several commercial electronic metal detectors to determine the feasibility of using them to aid in the search for abandoned wells and to determine the instrument most suited for that particular use. The role of methane detectors to locate abandoned wells is described, including a case history. Tests were made to develop an efficient procedure to follow in systematically searching an area for metallic clues or hydrocarbon evidence to abandoned wells. The guide describes, in detail, a search sequence, including the collection of basic data, preparation of the selected area, and the physical search. Methods are given for evaluating the results.

Jan 1, 1973

By R. S. Dean

The original flotation reagents were certain oils selected for a combination of properties that occurred fortuitously. It was recognized quite early in the study of flotation mechanism that, in order to function, an oil must have an active group-one that differs from the remainder of the molecule in its affinity for water or the mineral particle. Wark4 gives credit for recognition of this elementary chemical principle to the senior author of this report.5 However, it was soon found that simple hydrocarbons could not be used as flotation reagents and that two of the functions, which were combined in the early flotation oils such as pine and eucalyptus, could be obtained in separate compounds and their relative intensity controlled to advantage. These two functions were called collecting and frothing.

Jan 1, 1944