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By Stephen R. Wilson

The West Tintic mining district is located at the southern end of the Sheeprock Range in Juab County, Utah (fig. 1). Scheelite was discovered in the area during 1940, and the Desert Tungsten Co. began mining in May 1942. The ore was shipped to the Metals Reserve Co. chemical treatment plant at Salt Lake City during the war. A Bureau of Mines development project was established on property controlled by the Desert Tungsten Co. Work was started during September 1942 and completed in February 1943. The program included removal of overburden in the mine area to facilitate geologic napping, followed by surface trenching, diamond drilling, and sampling (figs. 2,. 3, 4, and 5). Eleven diamond-drill holes totaling 1,480 feet were drilled from the surface. Sixty-one samples from the surface trenches and diamond drill holes were assayed. The logs of the holes are given in table 2. Assay results of samples from the surface trenches and diamond drill holes are listed in tables 1 and 3. Geologists of the U.S. Geological Survey mapped the mineralized area during the project period. The scheelite deposits occur in limestone areas adjacent to intrusive m9.sses, which are principally monzonite. The ore bodies are pyrometasomatic in origin, but consist of two somewhat different types: (1) a series of veins occupying fault zones in limestone and (2) tactite bodies immediately adjacent to the limestone. The veins in the limestone have been the most productive of the two types.

Jan 1, 1950

By W. W. Adams

This bulletin covers all mines in the United States that were operated in 1936 to produce metallic ores and all mines that were operated to produce nonmetallic minerals other than coal, stone, sand, gravel, or their products. Reports from mine operators revealed a better safety record for fatal accidents in 1936 than in any other year except 1934 during the 26 years for which annual surveys of accidents in the mineral industries of the United States have been conducted by the Bureau of Mines. On the other hand, the record for nonfatal injuries, although better in 1936 than in any year prior to 1930, was not as good as it was from 1930 to 1935, inclusive.

Jan 1, 1939

By A. J. Farstad

Characteristics of metal/non metal mines were evaluated to determine the suitability of applying the U.S. Bureau of Mines electromagnetic location system to the problem of locating trapped mines in metal/non metal mines. Statistical distributions of mine depths and overburden conductivities show that the existing USBM EM system is inadequate for most metal/non metal mines. Alternate approaches to trapped miner location in deep mines were identified and subsequent field tests were conducted at six (6) mines to evaluate their feasibility. The approach considered to be the most promising is one which utilizes the existing manpack transmitting system, modified slightly for a dual frequency output, in conjunction with a sophisticated signal processing receiver on the surface. The main advantage of staying with a "through the earth" approach is that the underground equipment can be kept simple, easily maintained, light-weight and inexpensive.

Jan 1, 1979

"Research on the control of exposure to respirable contaminants in mine atmospheres is conducted in five areas; 1) control of dust generation, 2) dilution, dispersion and collection of dust in mine airways, 3) characterization of dust particles, 4) interaction of dust and lungs, 5) relationship of mine environment, geology, and seam characteristics to dust generation and mobility. The distribution of research findings to the mining industry, to government agencies, and to scientists at other universities is accomplished in several ways.A data bank of respirable dust samples displaying a wide range of characteristics (low volatile, medium volatile, high volatile, silica fireclay, rockdust) has been established by the Center. This data bank is being utilized by Center researchers in a suite of medical, scientific, and engineering tests (FIGURE 26).The Center has honored requests for educational and informational materials from several sources, including MSHA and CANMET who received information on Center generated software and used the Center's expertise in developing a computer program for particle distribution model (DISFIT).The Generic Mineral Technology Center for Respirable Dust has organized two dust conferences on respirable dust, the Coal Mine Dust Conference, held at West VirginiaUniversity, Morgantown, West Virginia from October 8-10, 1984 and Respirable Dust in the Mineral Industries: Health Effects, Characterization and Control, an international symposium on Respirable Dust in the Mineral Industries held at The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania from October 14-16. 1986. These conferences were co-sponsored by the U.S. Bureau of Mines, Mine Safety and Health Administration, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). On August 23-26, 1988, the VIIth International Pnuemoconioses Conference was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While not a sponsor of this conference, researchers in the Generic Mineral Technology Center for Respirable Dust had significant participation with sixteen (16) papers presented (see Volume 8 of this series for abstracts and papers). These conferences provided a significant forum for the exchange of ideas on dust research and the interchange of research findings. The proceedings from these conferences are available from NTIS and ACGIH.In sum, significant benefits to mine worker health have resulted and should continue to result from the synergistic scientific, engineering, and medical research in respirable dust (FIGURE 27). As always, an important objective is the rapid dissemination of the results of this research to industry. Video tapes and the Bureau's Technology News series have been a very effective means of USBM technology transfer. Individual no-cost subscriptions to the Technology News series are available from the U. S. Bureau of Mines, Branch of Technology Transfer, 2401 E Street, N.W., Washington, DC, 20241."

Aug 31, 1989

By Dipak C. Talapatra

This report describes the development of guidelines for design, inspection and maintenance of automatic couplers. In order to devise the guidelines, performance requirements for automatic couplers were carefully established. This was done through a comprehensive survey of coupler manufacturers and extensive observation of automatic couplers in service in a broad spectrum of mines. The capability of the couplers to withstand the demands of the mining environment in terms of strength characteristics, gathering range, curve negotiability, and other factors were all carefully evaluated. An analysis of coupler related accidents for the years 1972-1976 was carried out to provide information on the safety and reliability of existing automatic couplers. This formed an important input to the development of the guidelines. It is expected that these guidelines will be useful to coupler manufacturers for establishing designs for improved automatic couplers, and to mine operators for maintaining their couplers in a safe and good operating condition throughout their expected lifetime. This report is in two volumes: Volume 1 Technical Report Volume 2 Design, Inspection, and Maintenance Manual

Jan 1, 1977

By K. B. Rojiani

Surface mining activities disturb large tracts of land resulting in the potential for greatly increased downstream sediment loads. The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 places increased emphasis on the protection of the environment from the adverse effects of surface mining operations. Surface mining activities must be planned to minimize disturbance to the hydrologic balance, erosion and sediment contributions to receiving streams. Sediment ponds must provide a sediment storage volume equal to the accumulated sediment volume from the drainage area as determined by the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) or other empirical methods established by the regulatory authority. It has thus become extremely important for the mining industry to secure more accurate estimates of potential erosion losses and sediment yield. Accurate estimates of sediment yield are required for the planning, design and successful operation of sediment control systems such as detention ponds and other alternative control structures and for evaluating the effectiveness of land management practices. The principal soil loss prediction procedure available for use is the LISLE. The USLE procedure is inadequate for use in predicting soil loss from surface mine regions for a number of reasons. These include: 1. The USLE was developed to estimate average average annual loss from agricultural soils. It cannot predict accurately soil loss for specific storm events. In surface mine regions a major portion of the soil loss occurs during the initial six months to one year of active mining. Accurate estimates of soil loss over short periods are thus required for the design of control structures. 2. The slope length and gradient factors used in the USLE were obtained from data or cropland having slopes ranging

Jan 1, 1983

By Millard M. Gilkey

This Bureau of Mines report presents results of a detailed study of water usage in the Wyoming mineral industry along with projections for the future In 1964, the mineral industries of Wyoming used 20 billion gallons of new water, nearly all self-supplied, and reused 72 billion gallons, a total usage of 92 billion gallons. Consumption amounted to 2.8 billion gallons. About one-half of the 20 billion gallons of new water was obtained from [srface] sources and the rest from ground water. Reported costs, covering power and maintenance, for the self-supplied new water at mineral industry operations ranged from less than 1 cent to 20 cents per thousand gallons and aver-aged 8 cents. At one mineral-related operation, water was hauled by truck to supplement a well supply. The cost was $2.00 per thousand gallons delivered. However, the supplemental requirement was only 10 gpm. Cost figures for the recirculation of water, covering power and maintenance, averaged 2 cents. In terms of water usage, the value of product for the entire industry was $25 per thousand gallons of new water intake and about $180 per thousand gallons consumed. The study revealed that Wyoming has a water deficiency but that the shortage is less severe than in the arid Southwest. Projection of the water needs of the Wyoming mineral industries indicates that the demand for new water will increase from the 20 billion gallons used in 1964 to 25 billion gallons in 1980, a 25-percent increase. The projected new-water requirement for the year 2000 is 40 billion gallons, a 100-percent increase compared with the 1964 figure.

Jan 1, 1967

By H. W. Kilau

The U.S. Bureau of Mines is evaluating water spray additives for the purpose of improving respirable dust control during coal mining operations, with particular emphasis on the longwall shearer. Recent field tests of surfactant-polymer reagents at two production longwall operations have shown favorable respirable dust reductions compared with water sprays containing no additive. Gravimetric dust samples obtained by a technician downwind of the shearer while following or preceding the machine showed dust reductions in the range of about 40% to 60% for some of the reagent formulations compared with using water alone. Three polymers were tested: two polyethylene oxide compounds of different molecular weight and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). All were effective for dust reduction, and two were cost effective when used in combination with sodium di(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate surfactant. How-ever, the use of these reagents requires the longwall operator to be more aware of headgate dust control. Experimental evidence indicates that dust captured by reagent-treated sprays at the shearer can be reemitted in the headgate area if stagcloader-crusher sprays and other dust controls are inadequate.

Jan 1, 2010

By John D. Bardill

This report covers the magnetic surveying done in the Plattsburg area , which was part of a general survey, of magnetite deposits in New York State . Other areas being surveyed are the Star Lake district , St. Lawrence County ; Brewster district , Putnam County; and the Sterling district , Orange County. Reconnaissance indicated an area about 3 miles long and 1,200 feet wide , but detailed surveys have been completed on only a portion of that area . In several districts , surveys of this type have served as a basis in the selection of areas for exploration by diamond drilling by the Bureau of Mines .

Jan 1, 1947

By John E. Husted

Quantities of kaolin in Georgia in-contiguous or single bodies had been established by previous work to be sufficient for an alumina industry. The need for characterization of this kaolin to determine its suitability as an ore of aluminum resulted in the studies described herein. It was determined in an area roughly 7 x 27 miles, known as the Wrens district that approximately 5.9 billion short tons of kaolin averaging 35.55 percent A1203 exist in an essentially continuous clay body. The Macon-Sandersville district consists of discontinuous kaolin bodies averaging 35.28 percent A1203 with an average thickness of 28 feet. Tonnages for this district are not available. One hundred and twenty core samples of kaolin were analyzed for K20, CaO, MgO, Al203, T102, Cr203, Fe203, Si02, P205, and F. The P205 and F were analyzed by wet chemistry methods and the others by electron microprobe. Seventy-nine of the samples were from the Wrens district forty from the Sandersville-Macon district and one from the Andersonville district. Emission spectroscopic analyses were also made to qualitatively determine all elements present for each core. X-ray diffraction studies were made of each core to determine mineral species present. Scanning and transmission electron microscope pictures also are given for each I' core sample. Elevations, overburden thickness, and kaolin thickness are given for each core site as well as map locations. Isopachs for over-burden and kaolin thickness are given for the Wrens district.

Jan 1, 1983

By T. E. Gray

This report describes the preparation characteristics of the signifi¬cant coalbeds in Preston County, W. Va. It is one in a series of reports planned to determine coals suitable for the production of metallurgical coke, either as mined or after beneficiation. Over 2 million tons of coal was produced in Preston County, W. Va. in 190, none of which was cleaned mechanically. Estimates as of January 1, 1959, indicate that more than 3 billion tons of coal remained in the county in beds 12 inches or more thick. The Bakerstown, Mahoning, Upper Freeport, and Upper Kittanning beds were selected by the Bureau of Mines for study based on current production and estimated minable reserves. Sample locations were selected after study of the literature, conferences with mining engineers and mining company offi¬cials in the field, and examination of available sites. Four samples were collected from the Bakerstown and Upper Freeport beds and one each from the Mahoning and Upper Kittanning beds.

Jan 1, 1961

By A. Sainato, S. J. Schatzel, D. M. Hyman, J. C. LaScola

The Bureau of Mines determined the gas contents of 135 oil shale samples obtained from approximately 630 ft of core drilling. Drilling was done within a projected mining zone of the Cathedral Sluffs Mine, located in the Piceance Basin of western Colorado. Methane contents were determined by the modified direct method, which can measure the volumes of several gases released from or reacted with mine rock without destructive sample treatment. Over the duration of the test, nitrogen was largely unreactive, CO2 increased slightly, oxygen decreased markedly, and methane increased more than the total increase of all contained gases. The gas volumes were normalized per unit sample mass and are given in cubic centimeters per gram. Common time irzdices for test duration of 3, 40, and 125 days were used to compare methane desorption among samples. The means of the sample populations for these indices were 0.0316, 0.114, and 0.195 cm3/g, respectively. These quantities are lower than those reported in a Bureau emissions study at the Horse Draw Mine in the Piceance Basin. Oil shale samples that were gas enriched beyond the mean methane contents frequently contained bitumens and pyrite.

Jan 1, 1987

By Seth C. Schaefer

The Bureau of mines investigated thermodynamic properties of MnSO4 and 2CdO CdSO4 to obtain basic thermodynamic data applicable to the treatment of mineral concentrates during roasting and sintering processes. Standard Gibbs energies of formation were determined with high-temperature galvanic cells using stabilized Zr02 as the electrolyte. Potential measurements were obtained from the cells?

Jan 1, 1983

By W. W. Adams

Lower accident rates were the outstanding feature. of the second annual sand and gravel safety competition conducted in 1930 by the United States Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the National Sand and' Gravel Association. Both the frequency and, severity rates for accidents were greatly reduced as compared with those shown by the first year's contest, that for 1929. Three times as many plants were enrolled, and the number of man-hours of work represented was more than doubled. Seventy-six sand-and-gravel plants, situated in 20 States, participated in the Competition, as compared with 26 plants, located in 13 States, in the year before. The number of man-hours of employment, which indicated the amount of exposure to occupational hazards, was 4,915,592, an increase of more than 100 per cent over the previous year's total of 2,259,572 hours. The frequency of accidents declined from 74.4 per million hours for all plants enrolled in the first year's contest to 42.7 per million man-hours for all plants enrolled in 1930. The accident-severity rate was reduced from 9.7 days of disability per thousand man-hours of exposure in 1929 to 5.9 days of disability per thousand man-hours of exposure in 1930. The actual number of accidents reported for 1930 by 76 plants included four deaths and 206 injuries whereas the 26 plants that were enrolled in 1929 reported three fatalities and 165 injuries. Under the rules of the contest all "lost-time" injuries are reported--that is, all injuries that disable an employee for more than the remainder of the day on which the accident occurred. If the employee is physically able to resume his work on the day following the accident, the injury is not classed as a lost-time injury. The contest covered accidents and man-hours worked by all employees at the plant who were employed by the same company, and included work up to the point of delivery of the material directly to consumer or to independent agency of transportation--in other words, to point of relinquishment of control of the material by the producer.

Jan 1, 1931

By Sumner M. Anderson

THE ENORMOUS contrast between the mineral economy of Cuba in 1963 and in 1958 was the result of the overall Political changed to which the total economy of the country was intimately lined. Creation of the Cuban Mining Institute (Instituto Cubano de la Minería) to direct all mining activities in the country was an early act of the new Government after the revolution on January 1, 1959. During the next 2 years, the Government confiscated foreign holdings,2 including Unite States investments exceeding $1 billion in value. Foreign mining and metallurgical technicians-predominately from Communist areas-were brought in to reorganize the mineral industries. On January 3, 1961, diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States were severe and then on May 2, Cuba announced its full-fledged membership in the so-called Communist Bloc. Fifty-four international treaties assured Cuba of Communist economic support, technical and financial assistance, machinery, raw materials, and manufactures. The Soviet Union agreed to buy some Cuban mineral products, and Czechoslovakia stated that it would buy all mineral production offered for the next 20 years, but in both cases at prices said to be much lower than the world market. The mineral productivity segment of the mineral economy during and since the period of political metamorphosis, has withstood the political disruption better than has the economy as a whole, but with no direct measure of the magnitude of its cost. The overall economic record is marked with steady deterioration; the annual average per capita income has dropped from $374 in 1957 to $185 in 1963, when Cuba's deficit with the Soviet Union alone reached an admitted $1 billion.

Jan 1, 1964

By K. T. Menzies

Over 1500 literature citations related to diesel exhaust sampling and analysis were obtained as a result of both computer and manual searches of nine data bases. Abstracts and hard copies of relevant citations were reviewed and those considered appropriate for evaluation were included in a bibliography. Based on the literature collected, available sampling and analysis methods for the following diesel exhaust contaminants were evaluated: CO, CO2, NO, NO2, Hydrocarbons, Particulates, PNA, S04, Oxygenates Emphasis was given to both laboratory and field methods for these species. Methods were evaluated on the basis of sensitivity, selectivity, accuracy and reliability and a selected list of preferred methods was developed for each compound/ class. The selected methods were additionally evaluated through communication with current investigators. Sampling and analysis methods for all compounds except CO and CO2 were observed to have some unreliability. Recommendations were made for future research to develop, improve, and validate methods.

Jan 1, 1979

By John C. Cook

This was a study to identify and evaluate known technologies employing electromagnetic resonance phenomena in solid minerals for their identification and assaying, particularly assay logging of exploratory boreholes. A comprehensive literature search and study revealed some little known NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) techniques developed by Professor G. J. Béné's group at the University of Geneva, Switzerland. These are suitable for use in weak, inhomogeneous magnetic fields. Laboratory NMR tests of numerous U.S. ore minerals showed good identifying signals from phosphates, fluorspar, bauxite, oil shale, and spodumene (lithium) ores, but not from the copper, lead, antimony or manganese ores tested. Use of EPR "signatures" for such ores is suggested. A conceptual design for an NMR assay logging system is proposed.

Jan 1, 1978

Minerals are vital to any industrialized civilization. Annually, the United States uses more than 4 billion tons of new mineral materials, or about 40,000 pounds per person-about half being mineral fuels and the other half being metals and nonmetallics. Stable and economic domestic mining, mineral, metal, and mineral reclamation industries are essential to the economy. The value of United States energy and processed materials of mineral origin exceds $200 billion annually. Although a number of minerals are imported, especially some designated as "strategic and critical," most U.S. mineral supplies are derived from the domestic mines and processing facilities that you will be seeing, reading about, and visiting as you use this visitor guide. We hope you enjoy your experiences. This pamphlet, a guide to mining and mineral operations that may be observed or visited and some other points of interest relating to minerals, is intended to aid tourists and students who are interested in mining. Some may wish to study our Nation's romantic past; others may plan to enter the minerals industry as a career; still others may have a primary interest in conservation practices. The pamphlet is also intended to aid State and local officials, Chambers of Commerce, and mining firms in answering some of the many questions of tourists and students.

Jan 1, 1976

By N. F. Le] [Jaune

[ ]

Jan 1, 1923

By Walter L. Fisher

The public interest in the Alaskan situation is such that, with the consent of the President, I have concluded, at the request of the American Mining Congress, to make at this time a candid, if somewhat informal, expression of the views I have formed as Secretary of the Interior, under whose official supervision much of the administration of the Territory is now placed. Pressure of other matters imperatively requiring attention has prevented their presentation in as precise and comprehensive a form as I had hoped. The absence of the President from Washington has also prevented the submission to him of what I have prepared. I wish to say, however, that no one is more earnest than he in the desire to see a policy of prompt and wise development inaugurated in Alaska, and that the general policy contained in this address has been discussed with him, meets his approval, and will have his support. I have recently returned from an altogether too brief but nevertheless a most interesting and profitable visit to those portions of Alaska that are more immediately involved in the questions now under public consideration. Favored by extraordinary weather and the cooperation of steamship and railroad lines and the assistance of all of the governmental agencies, including the Revenue-Cutter Service, I visited every port in Alaska that seems likely in the near future to become an important entrance to the country. I examined all of the harbor and town sites which for this purpose have attracted any considerable public attention. I traversed the entire length of each of the three railroads that have been constructed in the Terri.tory and made a short trip from White Horse down the upper Yukon. Both before and during the journey I examined a mass of books, records,' and papers relating to the country and its resources. I had conferences with official committees representing the principal communities I visited and with numerous individuals, residents both of the coast and of the interi.or, and conferred with engineers, miners, prospectors, railroad officials, business and professional men.

Jan 1, 1911