Search Documents

By John C. Machisak

THE INJURY data and experience at quarries and related plants of the United States are presented in this publication under the following general sections: (A) General injury experience: Tables 1 through 3: Contain current data on the number of injuries, injury-frequency rates, location, accident agency, degree of injury, and related employment data. (B) Injury experience at different kinds of quarries: Tables 4 and 5: Contain current, data on number of injuries, injury-frequency rates, locution, accident agency, degree of injury, and related employment data. (C) Injury experience by States: Tables 6 through 19: Contain current data on the number of injuries, injury-frequency rates, accident agency, degree of injury, and related employment data.

Jan 1, 1958

By Richard L. Rains

In 1992, the Bureau of Mines evaluated mineral resources of the 34,043-hectare Caribou City and 41,943-hectare Stump Creek study areas in southeastern Idaho. No resources were delineated. The areas had been proposed for wilderness. Rocks underlying the study area are part of the Idaho-Wyoming Thrust Belt. At Caribou Mountain they have been intruded by diorite-monzodiorite. Where the intrusive rocks contact calcareous members of the thrust belt, skarn bodies have formed that host metal deposits. Gold, both placer and lode, occurs in the Caribou City area, and salt occurs in the Stump Creek area. Production records show 73.5 kg (2,363 ounces) of placer gold were produced; however, field studies indicate more than 2,000 kg (67,000 ounces) probably were recovered. Minor amounts of lode gold, silver, and copper were recovered from the hard rock mines. Production of salt from the Stump Creek study area in the 1860's was used by emigrants on the Oregon trail and also shipped to various mining districts for use in silver recovery. Oil and gas were drilled for, but all holes are plugged and abandoned. There are no current leases. Examined workings consisted of 25 adits, 3 shafts, 50 prospect pits, and extensive placer workings all in the northern tip of the Caribou City area, Current BLM records show 168 placer and 146 lode claims; 14 claims are patented.

Jan 1, 1993

By BUREAU OF MINES

This report is submitted in accordance with the provisions or une Synthetic Liquid Fuels Act of April 5, 1944 (30 U.S.C. 321-325, as amended), which require that: "The Secretary of the Interior shall render to Congress on or before the first day of January of each year a report on all operations under this Act." Owing to the broad scope of the content and the diversity of interests represented, the Annual Report for 1951 has been divided into two separate publications. Each has been published by the Bureau of Mines as a Report of Investigations, and the respective titles follow: Oil from Coal. R. I. 4865, Part I - R. I. 4866, Part II - Oil from Oil Shale. Identical in each report, the introduction summarizes research progress made in 1951 under the entire Synthetic Liquid Fuels program. A free copy of these publications may be obtained by a written request to the Bureau of Mines, Publications Distribution Section, 4800 Forbes Street, Pittsburgh 13, Pa. The R. I. number and title of the publication desired should be indicated.

Jul 1, 1952

In 2006, data obtained from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) indicated a total of 935 underground (6.3%) and 13,950 surface (93.7%) mining operations.1

Jan 1, 2008

By R. Wiebe

During a recent investigation the authors were interested in determining: (1) How many points were necessary to locate the deviation curve for copper-constantan thermocouples within an accuracy of about 0.05° C., used in connection with the, "standard" thermocouple of L. H. Adams (2) Whether copper-constantan thermocouples showing considerable deviations from the "standard" were consistent throughout their calibration. (3) How reliable the extrapolated portion is - that is, the interval between -183 and -220° C. of the "standard" thermocouple.

Jan 1, 1931

By W. H. Hamilton

The Kokomo (Tenmile) mining district has had an output valued between $20 and $30 million, mostly from production of silver, lead, and zinc, since 1878. For many years before World War II, there was little production, as the complex nature of the ores made them unattractive at existing metal prices. Under the stimulus of the war, the Geological Survey and the Bureau of Mines studied they district, and in October 1944 the Bureau of Mines began an exploration project, which included dia¬mond drilling, bulldozer trenching, and geophysical surveying. Project work was continued until March 1949, except for short recesses during 1945, 1947, and 1948. Forty-five diamond-drill holes, totaling about 13,000 feet, were drilled from underground and surface stations on the various properties in the district. Eleven bulldozer trenches, abut 2,400 linear feet, were excavated in an attempt to uncover the outcrop of the middle Quail limestone. These trenches ranged from 100 to 485 feet in length and reached a maximum depth of 15 feet. A limited geophysical investigation was made during the summer of 1946. The length of the traverses were: Magnetic, 990 feet; resistivity, 6,250 feet; and self-potential, 69,780 feet.

Jan 1, 1955

By Paul Zinner

An exhaustive program of geologic studies and mapping has been conducted by the Geological Survey in the Iron River district of Michigan since May 1943. Means of contributing to the success of these studies were sought by the Bureau of Mines, and eventually a program involving geophysical studies and core-drilling was undertaken in the area. All of the work was done either to develop data that would contribute directly to geologic studies or to investigate geophysical methods that might be used as a primary means for the discovery of minable iron ore.

Jan 1, 1949

By Fredrick L. Johnson

In 1987, the U.S. Bureau of Mines began a study of the 4.0 million acre Toiyabe National Forest located in eastern California and western Nevada. This report is a compilation of published, company, and field data for part of the Paradise Range, Nevada. The information is intended to aid the U.S. Forest Service in their long range management of minerals and augment the USBM data base. The Paradise Range study area, located 60 air mi northwest of Tonopah, NV, encompasses about 100,000 acres of which approximately 71,000 are administered by the USFS. The area is in the Basin and Range Province and consists of an east tilted block of sedimentary, metamorphic, and volcanic rocks which have been intruded by granitic rocks. Three major mining districts, the Ellsworth, Gabbs, and Fairplay are in, or extend into the study area. The earliest recorded mining activity occurred in the Ellsworth district in the early 1860's. Commodities produced from the study area include gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, mercury, tungsten, iron ore, magnesite, and brucite. The Phelps Stokes Iron mine has produced about 1.1 million tons of iron ore, the Baxter-Hancock mine has produced over 10,000 stu WO3, and the Gabbs Brucite-Magnesite mine has produced millions of tons of brucite and magnesite. Numerous other mines have produced, but quantities are relatively small. According to company information the Gabbs mine, currently producing, has brucite-magnesite reserves that will last at least 50 years at current mining rates. One hundred thirty one million tons of identified copper-molybdenum resources exist at the B.C. Springs prospect according to company information, but molybdic oxide (Mo03) prices would need to double or triple from the current $3.00-3.10 per lb before mining of the deposit would be economical. Most company exploration activity in the study area is now focussed on precious metals. Active, or recently active mining claims appear to cover more than one-half of the 100,000 acres studied.

Jan 1, 1991

By W. C. Phalen

During the search for deposits of soluble potash salts in the United States, carried on by the United States Geological Survey, much information was collected on the salt resources and industry of the United States. The more important features of the information thus gathered, compiled, and digested may be classified under five headings, as follows: 1. Geology of the salt deposits of the United States. 2. Theories relating to the origin and formation of salt deposits. 3. Chemical composition of saline materials in the United States, principally rock salt and natural and artificial brines. 4. Statistics of salt production in the United States. 5. Technology of salt production. The first four items are not discussed in this report, but their treatment will comprise a separate report published by the Geological Survey,a which will supplement this report, relating to salt-making processes, and will describe comprehensively the salt resources of the United States. Persons desiring a copy of that report should apply to the Director of the United States Geological Survey, Washington, D. C.

Jan 1, 1917

Watershed Jll in Jefferson County, Ohio we instrumented in 1977 as one of three watersheds established for the purpose of investigating surface mining and reclamation effects upon local hydrology, sediment discharge, and sediment and water quality. Each watershed was less than 50-acres in size, and was in a different geologic setting within southeastern Ohio. Surface runoff and ground¬water levels were monitored. Samples were taken for sediment determination and chemical analysis prior to mining. Monitoring and sampling continued through the period of watershed disturbance caused by mining and reclamation activities, which began in May 1980 at Watershed Jll. A psuedo-postreclamation period followed the initial cessation of man-machine activity on the watershed. A second reclamation effort occurred in the fall of 1981 and was to be followed by a third in 1982 after observations ceased. A true final postreclamation period was not monitored at this site, because the erosion control practice (terrace diversions) failed after each reclamation. Watershed Jll was a small pasture and wooded watershed with sandstone and shale above the mined coal seam prior to mining. A clay layer under the coal supported a perched saturated zone, termed the top aquifer for convenience. A lower underclay supported a second saturated zone called the middle aquifer. A lower perched aquifer had been dewatered by previous deep mining. After about three years of premine data and about two and one-half years of mining reclamation and psuedo-postreclamation data, the following general observations may be made: 1. The mining-reclamation phase was very short, and the postmining period was characterized by erosion failures and remedial disturbances that kept the watershed condition and size in a state of change. It was impossible to collect sufficient data to confidently characterize the hydrologic-sediment-chemical aspects of the mining period or of a postreclamation period and, most importantly, of the future watershed after its various properties and characteristics have ceased adjusting to its severe disturbance and reconstitution. 2. A seeding of wheat followed by grasses and legumes was not a particularly successful reclamation practice in terms of stabilizing the new soil. Numerous rills and small gullies developed in spite of installed diversions. 3. Storm runoff rates and yields at the watershed outlet increased from the premine, (phase 1) to the mining-reclamation (Phase 2) periods, and remained at or near the Phase 2 level through the postreclamation (Phase 3a) period. 4. The top aquifer changed in physical and chemical character as a result of mining and was becoming reestablished as the project drew to a close; but it is impossible to predict its final configuration or character. 5. Dewatering of the top aquifer resulted in a complete cessation of baseflow because the middle aquifer water table lay below the elevation of the watershed outlet. 6. The top and middle aquifers were merged in one area of the watershed where the upper coal underclay was disturbed. 7. Failure of the diversion terraces and their outlet obscured the effects of the reclamation practice upon sediment concentration and yields. There was little difference in sediment concentrations between Phases 2 and 3a. 8. Drinking water standards were met by surface waters throughout the period of observation except for two samples that exceeded the nitrate-N allowable level of 10 mg/l. 9. In all Phase 3 surface-water samples, iron concentrations were within the limits established by OSM, and manganese concentrations exceeded the regulation level only once. pH fell below the lower regulation level of 6.0 between 10% and 20% of the time. 10. The chemical quality of sediments was generally about the same after reclamation as before mining, with the exception of organic carbon, which decreased.

Jan 1, 1983

By A. J. Farstad

Electromagnetic location tests were conducted by Westinghouse Georesearch Laboratory under the sponsorship of the U. S. Bureau of Mines at the Galena Mine in Northwest Idaho. The objectives of these tests were to evaluate the performance in deep hardrock mines of an electromagnetic location system previously developed for the U. S. Bureau of Mines for use in coal mines. Tests were performed using long wire transmitting antennas as well as horizontal and vertical transmitting loops at depths from 3000 feet to 4300 feet (995 metres to 1311 metres). Surface measurements were made of magnetic field strengths, field strength patterns, and background noise, These measurements were compared with theoretical predictions for a homogeneous ground conductivity consistent with this particular geologic region. The results of the Galena Mine tests show conclusively that light-weight portable electromagnetic transmitters can be effectively utilized to provide uplink communications and location information in deep hardrock mines. Typical metal mines such as Galena utilize deep vertical shafts for mine access and haulage and these shafts produce signal enhancement at the surface from underground electromagnetic transmitters by as much as 30 dB. The results also show that horizontal wire configuration can serve as an effective alternative to the magnetic dipole antenna as a rescue transmitting antennaa and can be used when the required area is not available for deployment of a loop antenna. In spite of the electromagnetic coupling effects observed in the vicinity of the shafts, the location accuracy obtained still provided useful information on the general location of the transmitting sources involved. The horizontal wire location accuracy was within 46 metres, while the vertical magnetic dipole and the horizontal magnetic dipole accuracies were within 152 metres and 110 metres respectively at a 915 metre depth.

Jan 1, 1973

By K. E. Stanfield

The Bureau of Mines oil-shale program, initiated in April 1944, is concerned with the future utilization of oil shale in the United States as a source of liquid fuel. One phase of this program is the accumulation of information on the location, extent, and richness of oil-shale deposits that may be suitable for processing to oil and related products. A previous publication5/ presented, by means of logs, the oil yields of sections of the largest known oil-shale deposit in this country -the shales of the Green River formation occurring in adjoining portions of the states of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. This present supplementary report presents the oil yields of cores from 48 holes drilled during 1952 to 1954 in the Green River formation of Colorado, which is distributed over an area of more than 1,000 square miles. The oil yields of the 48 oil-shale sections, involving the assay of 9,651 samples, representing 22,451 feet of core, are presented by means of logs. In addition, the oil yields of samples comprising the maximum sections of 15 gallon-per-ton shale are tabulated for these cores and for the 28 cores from Colorado which were logged in the previous report.

Jan 1, 1957

A complete list of permissible mining equipment, rescue apparatus and gas masks tested. Prior to Jan. 1, 1929, w s published in Bureau of mines Information Circular 60972. The present list includes practically all equipment tested and. approved by the Bureau, up to and including July 1, 1929. It covers electric air compressors, coal drills, mining machines, loading machines, conveyors, mine pumps, room hoists,, mine telephones, rock-dusting machines, switches, electric cap lamps, flame safety lamps, electric hand and trip lamps, flash lamps, methane indicators and detectors, blasting units, storage battery locomotives, tandem locomotives, power trucks, concrete mixers, self-contained oxygen breathing apparatus and gas masks. The system under which these devices were tested permits the manufacturer, after his equipment has passed certain tests prescribed by the Bureau of Mines, to mark his equipment with a seal showing hat it has been "approved" by the Bureau. These tests are designs to insure that the equipment has the minimum requirements for safety in use. The only object of the Bureau in making such tests and publishing lists of permissible equipment is to safeguard the lives of workers and to help lessen the hazards of mining.

Jan 1, 1929

By O. C. Blade

This report on the properties of motor fuels sold through service stations in the United states was made in accordance with a cooperative agreement between the American Petroleum Institute and the Bureau of Mines of the United states Department of the Interiors This paper is a continuation of a series made in cooperation with the Coordinating Fuel Research (CFR) Committee of the Coordinating Research Council (CRC), Inc. The first of this series of reports presented data on motor gasolines sold during the winter of 1935-36, and succeeding reports described motor gasolines sold during the summers and winters to and including the summer of 1941.£1 No reports were made on motor gasolines sold during the winter of 1941-42 and during the summer of 1942. However, starting with the winter of 1942-43, the semiannual reports were resumed

Jan 1, 1949

By W. T. Benson

In May l942, the Bureau of Mines started exploring for manganese on the Black Poch manganese property, Esmeralda County, Nev., to determine possible reserves of manganese in the deposits. The work was done by the Bureau in cooperation with the Federal Geological Survey and comprised a study of the geology, mapping the area, and exploring by trenching, test pitting, and sampling. All ore bodies were examined and sampled, and the three most important areas were explored by trenching and test pitting. This report notes the location, ownership, and history of the deposits; explains the physical features of the district; mentions briefly mine workings and metallurgy; and describes the geology and ore bodies. The Bureau erected a temporary camp, repaired 5 miles of temporary road, constructed 1,000 feet of new road, dug 3,173 foot of trenches with a vertical crone section of 4 x 10 feet and 91 test pits with a cross section 3 x 6 feet, averaging about 6 feet deep, and cut 134 samples.

Jan 1, 1950

The Department of Interior, U.S. Bureau of Mines performs the task of estimating the quantity of coal reserves existing in each state on a county by county basis. As a part of Information Circular 8655, the Bureau of Mines established the criteria for the uniform estimations of coal reserves and listed the most recent estimates of coal reserves by county and by seam. At the same time however, the Bureau recognized that these figures represented the upper bound with regard to the estimated actually usable or obtainable reserves. Recovery of these reserves are subject to the mining methods used and to the resolution of such problems as the use of poor quality coal and competition provided by conflicting land use. These problems, in practice restrict the recovery of the estimated quantities of coal reserves listed in IC 8655. Another impact, the subject of this manual, is the impact resulting from previous mining activities. In particular, many of the reserve seams included in the reserve estimates overlie or underlie mined-out coal beds. Portions of these reserve seams may therefore be unmineable or at best may have a reduced quantity of extractable coal. In order to improve the accuracy of the coal reserve base estimates, the Bureau of Mines funded an effort1 to develop a systematic methodology for estimating the coal loss associated with the impact of previous mining activity. The coal loss calculation model (CLCM) described in this manual is a result of that effort and addresses the percentage of coal loss in reserve seams due to previous overmining or undermining.

Jan 1, 1976

By H. J. Kelly

[This investigation of the refractory properties of seven Pacific Northwest chrome ores and concentrates has shown that five of the ores and one of the concentrates are suitable for making refractories and that all may be used in combination with high-grade chromite. The specific objectives of the investigation were to determine the inherent physic al and chemical characteristics, to shapes using each of the chrome ores and concentrates, to compare the refractory qualities of the laboratory-prepared with commercial chrome refractories. As far as possible, standard tests were used as criteria.]

Jan 1, 1952

By D. T. Randall, H. W. Weeks

The burning of coal without smoke is a problem that concerns the Government directly because of the advantages of smokeless combustion both in public buildings and on naval vessels. In addition, smoke abatement is a factor in conserving the fuel resources of the United States. Hence, as part of its general investigation of the best methods of utilizing the coals of this country, the Bureau of Mines, which is in charge of the fuel-testing work formerly carried on by the United States Geological Survey, has made extended tests to determine the conditions necessary for the smokeless combustion of bituminous coal in boiler furnaces. Bulletin 39,a a preliminary report, treats the smoke problem from a theoretical point of view, detailing the steps that are being taken by . municipalities, manufacturers, and citizens to abate smoke, also showing the possibility of a clean city. The present bulletin not only shows that bituminous coals high in volatile matter can be burned without smoke, but also that large plants carrying loads that fluctuate widely, where boilers over banked fires must be put into service quickly and fires forced to the capacity of their units, can be operated without producing smoke that is objectionable. Proper equipment, efficient labor, and intelligent supervision are the necessary factors.

Jan 1, 1912

The purpose of Volume II of this study is to provide a general plan for the pilot testing of two materials which could be used to tag explosives for both pre- and postdetonation identification and of tracing techniques which would thereby aid the investigator of an unauthorized bombing or explosion in being able to determine the source and/or user of the explosives. Volume I described the planning factors by which the tagging of explosives could be implemented on a National basis. 1.2 BACKGROUND Tagging explosives at the time of manufacture with a taggant material that could survive detonation, be recovered, and provide an investigative lead has been seriously studied for several years. This concept has gained widespread support among many law enforcement groups because of the scant clues that can presently be found among bombing residue.

Jan 1, 1977

By C. M. Paiencia

The Bureau of Mines studied the potential availability of primary antimony (Sb) from demonstrated resources in 21 mines and deposits in market economy countries (MEC's). Twelve of these properties were evaluated as producers and nine as non- producers. The 21 studied properties contain 499,600 mt Sb as demonstrated resources, of which 304,000 mt is recoverable as antimony metal; another 973,500 mt Sb is contained in inferred resources. Recoverable antimony from demonstrated U.S. deposits is only 10,700 mt, just 3.5 pct of the MEC total. Domestic production of primary antimony from operating mines has averaged only 561 mt/yr over the 10-yr period 1975-84. This represents just over 5 pct of total U.S. consumption of primary antimony, which averaged 11,081 mt/yr during the same period. The United States will thus continue to rely on imported ores andlor concentrates, antimony oxides, and metal to satisfy domestic industrial requirements. At production costs up to $1.15/lb Sb, 110,000 mt of refined antimony is potentially available from 10 of the 21 studied properties. At $2/lb, 294,000 mt Sb is available, and at $3/lb, the total rises to 304,000 mt Sb available from all evaluated producers of refined antimony.

Jan 1, 1986