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By C. Stephan, E. Weiss, J. Trackemas, M. Sapko

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Pittsburgh Research Laboratory (PRL), in collaboration with the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), the mining industry, and seal manufacturers recently conducted a series of full-scale experiments within the underground experimental mine at PRL’s Lake Lynn Laboratory. The purpose of the experiments was to evaluate the explosion-resistant characteristics of several new seal designs for rapid deployment during mine emergencies. These seals can be deployed in 6 to 10 hr and are capable of withstanding explosion overpressures in excess of 140 kPa (20 psi). These novel seal designs use available mine materials, do not require conventional rib hitching, and, most importantly, can substantially reduce exposure time for coal miners during sealing and mine recovery operations.

Jan 1, 2003

By S. M. Javad Koleini

The aim of this research is to extract zinc from complex lead and zinc ore containing carbo- silicate lead and zinc minerals using sulphuric acid. Samples, taken from Dareh Zanjireh mine located in central of Iran, were subjected to leaching tests after calcination process. Experiments were planed according to the Taguchi statistical method. The calcinated samples contain 13.98% zinc and the constituting minerals being dolomite and zincate. Various parameters such as speed of mixing, temperature, time, solid to liquid ratio and pH were studied. A solid to liquid ratio of 1:6 gr/mL at 60°C and 800 rpm speed of mixing for 30 minutes resulted in a product with 85.96% zinc recoveries.

Jan 1, 2014

By Henry F. Hebley

This paper brings within the compass of one comparatively brief article a general description of the situation concerning the nation's water resources. It touches upon the phenomenal growth in the demand for water supply and emphasizes the problems facing the coal industry both with regard to acid mine water drainage discharged from active and abandoned mines and the suspended solids discharged to the stream system from wet coal preparation plants. IT must always be remembered, with regard to the problem of water-borne industrial wastes, that stream pollution from any cause is just one factor in the comprehensive problem of water supply in modern times. Industries nonexistent 25 years ago are now flourishing, and supplies of water piped to homes and apartments, as well as the greater number of plumbing fixtures per dwelling and per building, have created an ever growing demand on the country's water resources. Indication of this rapid growth in demand is shown in Table I, which is quoted from Abrams. of Texas increased 287% and the water consumption 7000 per cent." The domestic load varies greatly, depending on the extent of the available supply and the habits of the community. According to the report of the President's Water Resources Policy Commission' the United States Public Health Service reported a national average of 127 gal per capita per day, varying from 60 gal in communities of 500 persons to 140 or 150 gal in cities of 10,000 or over. Other critical areas may be cited to illustrate the inter-relation between new industrial processes and the demands for water in the area where the new enterprise is located. Powell and Wilson have pointed out that during World War 11, in the vicinity of Louisville, Ky., a rapid expansion of industry took place, consisting of numerous synthetic rubber plants. The demand for water increased from 37 million gal per day in 1937 to 62 million gal in 1943. These heavy requirements drew down the supply stored in the water-bearing aquifers to such an extent that urgent plans for recharging were considered. Similar situations have developed in the Los Angeles area and in the vicinity of Texas City. Warne4 has drawn attention to the situation in Los Angeles area, where in the West Basin the withdrawal of ground water in 1945 was 90,000 acre-ft, almost double the amount of the natural fresh water recharge. The draw down has been so severe that the level of the ground water is now below sea level, and sea water is invading the West Basin aquifers at rates up to 300 ft per year. In the Report of the Engineers Joint Council it is pointed out that in the area of Texas City the ground water table has been critically lowered. In 1930 the daily withdrawal from the water-bearing aquifer was 0.5 million gal. By 1945 the quantity withdrawn

Jan 1, 1954

By HAROLD VINTON COES

THE motive for merging or consolidation today is conspicuously different from that actuating business men in the late eighties and early nine- ties. Then they combined to secure added productive capacity and to monopolize their respective industries with a view to exploiting the consumer. So flagrant were some of these cases that they brought about their own correctives via retaliation on the part of the public and the subsequent restrictive legislation and legal curbs. The objective of the present-day merger, writes W. R. Hill in Printers' Ink, December, 1927, is summarized as follows : "In the golden days when an industry was being cut to pieces, the prevailing cure was to combine. The reason for such trusts was to strangle competition and by creating a monopoly, dominate the market, raise prices, regardless of economic business methods, and simply force larger profits.

Jan 1, 1930

By M. J. Senk, A. Lusin

Federal regulations require that methane liberated at the face be diluted and removed to maintain methane gas concentrations below 1pct (CFR) in working places and intake air courses. The delivery and distribution of intake air at the face is critical for effective face ventilation. Improved techniques for monitoring the movement of intake air to the face are needed. A test system was developed and a computer program written for using a three-axis ultrasonic anemometer to measure airflow in a simulated mine entry. Results of tests conducted in the entry showed that the anemometer is a valuable tool for measuring mine airflow conditions near the face.

Jan 1, 2003

By V. W. Aubel

AMONG the iron-bearing ores of the world, the titaniferous iron sands of New Zealand are probably the least known to American engineers. This is not surprising in view of the fact that. American ironmasters look with disfavor on any, even domestic ores, containing over 1 per cent. titanium. The possibilities of smelting titanium-bearing ores in the blast furnace are still undetermined, but the problem of their efficient reduction is becoming more important each year. There seems to be little inclination on the part of American furnace operators to tackle this problem, and they will no doubt continue to utilize the non-titanium ores at their command, leaving research and experiment to those countries not so fortunately endowed. New Zealand has, however, been intensely interested in her deposits of titanium,bearing iron sand, and during the last 50 years considerable English and New Zealand capital has been expended on this problem. The extent of the New Zealand iron-sand deposits is almost beyond measure. From Patea north to Manuka Heads, along almost the entire west coast of the, north island, these deposits exist. Wherever there is beach sand along this 300 mi. of coast line, the sand is iron bearing. It varies considerably in grade; but wherever the contour of the coast affords small bays and inlets, large dunes are found that are remarkably uniform in quality. Several of these large deposits, especially those at New Plymouth and Patea, are noted for their high iron content. The dune at New Plymouth runs between 55. and 60 per cent. of metallic iron; the panning action of the prevailing westerly winds and northwesterly currents has no doubt resulted in this concentration. Whatever the origin of this material may be, there is no doubt that deposition is going on continuously. At New Plymouth, a small artificial harbor, protected from the drifting sand by a large breakwall, has been dredged. Here sailing vessels have for years been loaded with iron sand for ballast by means of a crane and grab bucket operated from the wall of the breakwater. Thousands of tons of sand have been removed from this spot

Jan 9, 1919

By E. A. Holbrook

RESEARCH, primarily, is finding out the truth. Research applied to engineering opens the door to new principles and processes, the application of. which benefits mankind in a material way. The engineer believes that investigation instituted with the primary view of making the results directly applicable to the industries is the highest type of research. Coal is essentially the basis of modern industrial civilization; therefore, any, considerable research pertaining to coal must link itself to the industry by, practical application of the results of the research. In other words, all investigational work connected in any way with coal leads to conclusions that permit a better understanding of the origin, nature of occurrence, composition, better and safer mining, more careful preparation, or greater efficiency in utilization of coal. Modern engineering research has been fostered essentially by universities and in the laboratories of institutions of learning. Coal problems that lend themselves to solution in the laboratories have been first attacked and are perhaps the farthest toward solution. For example, a great amount of research work has been carried out with the various phases of chemistry connected with coal. On the other hand, the equally important problems connected with methods of mining have received but little attention, primarily because their solution involves the continued use of a great and expensive laboratory, which is none other than the mine itself. As many of the problems already solved have had chemistry as their background, so many of the problems unsolved have physics as their background; there are also unsolved problems that deal in- coal economics. Even psychology must be called upon in future coal-mining research as a basis for solving those great problems that deal with human relationships. In general, considerable advance has been made in coal research dealing with chemistry, not so much progress has been made with problems having physics and engineering as a background, while there is a tremendous range of untouched problems that deal essentially with business and psychology.

Jan 9, 1919

By Brandon M. Robinson, Osman F. Besler, Dominik Gaechter

With the increase in population over the last decade, and anticipated population growth over the coming years, Norway is making significant investments in the Country’s infrastructure. Part of this investment in development starts with the Intercity development project in South-East Norway, which is the largest transport project in Norway. The Intercity Development project consists of 270 km (167 mi.) of new doubletrack rail, capable of train speeds reaching 250 km/h (155 mph). The new stations are centrally located in the major cities, in South-East Norway, to provide the benefit to as many citizens as possible. The goal of the project is to reduce the increase in traffic, which is coupled with an increase in population, and reduce the travel times between the cities. The Intercity Development Project has an anticipated completion date of 2034. The Sandbukta-Moss-Såstad (SMS) project, part of the Intercity development, includes 10 km (6.2 mi) of new double-track railway and is situated on the Østfold Line, near the city of Moss, Norway shown in Fig. 1. The 10 km SMS-section covers three open stretches and two tunnels, including 630 m (2,066 ft) substructure for double-track railways on the open line at Sandbukta. The Moss tunnel is a 1720 m (5,643 ft) long tunnel from Sandbukta to Moss center, including a 420 m (1,378 ft) long concrete culvert. The new Moss station includes an 800 m (2,625 ft) long station area. The Carlberg tunnel is a 2350 m (7,710 ft) long tunnel from Kleberget to Carlberg, including a 200 m (656 ft) long concrete culvert.

Sep 8, 2021

By H. Y. Yancey, B. M. Bird

One of the problems studied by the U. S. Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the University of Washington has been the re-treatment of table middlings. Hydraulic classification has given the best results. Instead of using the classifier to prepare the feed to the tables, as has been the practice for many years in ore dressing, it is used to separate part of a middling product that cannot be re-treated successfully on the table. Middlings are desirable in a table plant because the separation according to specific gravity is incomplete; that is, in the products of the table there is always an overlapping of free particles of coal and refuse that can be distinguished with heavy liquids such as are used in the float-and-sink test. The causes of this overlapping may be divided into two groups, those outside the table separation itself and those inherent in the table separation. The first of these groups includes, among other causes, the following: (1) poor adjustments of the table, (2) overloading or underloading the table, (3) irregularities in the quantity and quality of the feed, (4) irregularities in the power and water supply, and (5) a vertical dancing motion of the table deck due to weak foundations. These causes of overlapping are largely unnecessary in a properly designed and constructed plant; but whenever they are present they materially affect the character of the middling product, and hence the problem of re-treatment. The other group includes three additional causes: (6) small differences in specific gravity between coal and impurities, (7) a size-specific-gravity relationship of the coal and refuse particles in the table feed such that the sizing action of the table opposes the separation according to the specific gravity, and (8) shapes of particles that prevent a separation. The sixth, small differences in specific gravity, may be a very important reason for an incomplete separation. The change in specific gravity from coal to shale is always gradual and the designation of one part as coal and another part as refuse is arbitrary. If some specific gravity, such as 1.45, is chosen as the dividing point between washed coal and refuse,

Jan 1, 1930

By Cox SJD, Kramadibrata S

One of the major causes of accidents and loss of production in underground mines is falls of ground.As mines go deeper, higher stresses are encountered and strain energy stored in the rocks is more likely to be released dynamically. This results in bumping in the rock mass around a stope or development face. Such noises and increasingly difficult ground conditions are obviously a warning of more serious problems ahead. The activity is collectively referred to as rock bursting.In Australia the mining of metalliferous deposits is taking place at increasing depths at Mt Isa, Broken Hill and the Eastern Goldfields and ground control problems with rock bursts has already been experienced at all three sites.

Jan 1, 1990

By D. K. Crampton

THE study of copper alloys of the age-hardening type has received considerable attention, and, among the alloys which the authors have considered, those containing small amounts of nickel and phosphorus as essential constituents seem especially interesting. Such alloys have attractively great capacity for being hardened and also have relatively high electrical and thermal conductivity in the hardened state. In addition, it has been found that the increase in hardness and strength imparted by aging can be greatly augmented by cold-working, so that axcellent combinations of conductivity and strength are obtainable. In view of the possible importance of the alloys, it was considered desirable to investigate the solubility relationships in the copper-rich portion of the copper-nickel-phosphorus system. This paper presents some of the results obtained in this investigation to date and also gives properties of typical alloys that appear to be of commercial interest.

Jan 1, 1940

By Maurice Cook

A procedure of obtaining specimens of lead, tin, and cadmium with a moderately equiaxed structure and a smooth surface suitable for etching without grinding and polishing is described; the advantages of general oblique illumination (as opposed to vertical illumination) in the photomicrography of pure metals .are stated. Using these methods, a statistical study of the changes brought about in deformed lead, on annealing, has been made. The common mode of structural change was found to be recrystallization. Cases of growth of one original grain into another were rare; but if a totally recrystallized specimen was annealed above 200° C., a few large grains appeared and spread over the whole area, except for a certain number of small grains which remain unabsorbed. The temperature needed to produce structural change in lead was found to be lower, the greater the degree of deformation. With tin, an extension of 28 per cent. caused practically no recrystallization at ordinary temperatures, but recrystallization occurred if the specimen was heated to 100° C. In cadmium at low temperatures, the grain size decreased in marked manner as the deformation increased; but at high annealing temperatures, the grain size was comparatively independent of the degree of deformation. THE structural changes in metals brought about by annealing following a deformation at a low temperature has been the subject of many investigations. No less than eleven metals and alloys have been studied in some detail; namely, aluminum,1 tungsten,2 iron,3 copper,4 gold,5

Jan 11, 1924

By W. WANJUKOW, H. O. Hofman

(New York Meeting, February, 1313.) I. INTRODUCTION. IN the metallurgical treatment of most metallic sulphides it is usually necessary to carry on a roasting-operation. In some cases the raw ore will have to be roasted.; in others the intermediary product, matte, produced in smelting the ore; again, both ore and matte may have to be subjected to oxidation at elevated temperatures. Most metallic sulphides, when given an oxidizing-roast, pass through the state of sulphate before they are converted into oxides. All metallic sulphates are completely decomposed by heat, with the exception of those of lead and bismuth, but the temperatures at which decompositions take place vary with the metals. Some metallic sulphates are converted directly into oxides, others first form basic salts. Alkali-earth sulphates show a behavior similar to that of metallic sulphates, while alkali sulphates do not part with their sulphur trioxide even at elevated roasting-temperatures. The older data on the decomposition of metallic sulphates by beat are only approximations. Thus Kerl 1 gives the order in which metallic sulphates are decomposed with increasing temperatures as (Ag2, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, CO, Mn, Pb) SO4. More recent statements give definite temperatures and modify the formerly accepted order of decomposition. But the temperatures given by various observers do not agree. The reasons for this are to be found mainly in the method and manner of carrying out experiments. Four methods have been used: 1. Heating in an evacuated tube; 2, heating in a tube closed at one end, without air-cur-

Sep 1, 1912

By A. M. Gaudin

In the first place, let me thank you for inviting me to appear before you today to speak to you on "Mineral Industry Problems - Present and Future". It is a distinguished honor for me to have this opportunity, and I am highly appreciative of this distinction. The beautiful surroundings of Gatlinburg and the pleasantness of a summer occasion are a wonderful tonic for all of us, yet they should not blind us to the seriousness of our Industry's problems No doubt, because of my past appearances before members of the Society of Mining Engineers, at which I discussed wholly scientific topics, or research in the Applied Sciences, you may be expecting me to revert to these subjects. But I intend to venture in a field that is new to me, yet old to all of us, the field of Economics.

Jan 1, 1962

By Frank Palkovits

All technologies move through a cycle from infancy to maturity. Thickened tailings have moved into the young adulthood phase of its development. Many mining companies like the idea of reducing their water-taking and water disposal issues. This limits the risks associated with traditional surface water-covered tailings facilities and the reduced dilution possible through underground disposal of thickened or paste tailings. Just as home theater systems advertised as ?plug and play? are rarely quite that straightforward, implementing and improving a thickened-tailings system has its challenges. However, the technology has also developed in recent years so it is more accessible. Some success factors have emerged because of the new technologies. Is thickened tailings the right solution? The first step in success with thickened tailings should be whether it is, in fact, the right solution for a particular mine. And, if so, what type of thickening is best. The answer depends on several factors, including: ? Grain size: The grain size that is optimal for maximizing mill recovery is some-times not suitable for thickening. Other mineralogical factors, such as mica content, may also influence whether the tailings are suitable. ? Water issues: Available water does not always have the purity necessary for the process. Another issue to consider is that if water is in short supply, as is increasingly often the case, thickening may be a way to reduce the need to both take and dispose of water.

Jan 1, 2008

By Bill Gray

Jan 1, 2008

By Harlan N. Barton

A commercially available portable X-ray spectrograph, lightweight and of rugged construction for vehicle or field camp use, was used for the determination of Ba, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Rb, Sr, and Zn in stream sediment geo- chemical samples. Investigations showed a relative standard deviation of 1-3 percent, detection limits of approximately 100 ppm; and significant matrix effects. Coefficients of correlation greater than 0.9 were obtained between portable X-ray and emission and atomic- absorption spectroscopy analyses. A geochemical map of a known mineralized area showed good agreement with maps prepared by other methods of analysis and sample media.

Jan 1, 1980

By H. Saint-Raymond, F. Gruy, P. Gardin, M. Cournil

"The control of inclusion elimination is getting more and more important to obtain clean steel. This paper presents a methodology under development for predicting cluster growth and elimination in ladle - RH system. The first key point is to express the collision efficiency, which is very specific for alumina cluster due to the non-wetting fluid. Second, a description of the two-phase flow in the system is necessary. In our calculations with Fluent CFD package and Lagrangian approach for bubbles, bubble growth is implemented, which improves the predictions. Using global reactor decomposition makes possible the prediction of the time evolution of cluster distribution. Important effect of fractal dimension is demonstrated.IntroductionElaboration of new steel grades requires not only to have a high purity in terms of C, O and N content but also to eliminate particles such as alumina or slag droplets. Flow optimisation making easier inclusion elimination is then a key figure to satisfy cleanliness requirements. Mathematical models of flow and inclusion behaviour are widely used for this purpose (1, 2). But having a predictive tool is still a challenge, because the number of phases is important in steelmaking industry: liquid steel, slag layer, bubbles and inclusions (with a large range of composition and rheology). The paper presents the methodology which is developed at IRSID to predict oxygen content evolution during RH degassing.The main mechanisms which have to be considered are :-inclusion growth by turbulent aggregation of elementary inclusions (keeping in mind that liquid steel is a non-wetting medium for inclusions); the difficulty is to express collision efficiency for alumina particles,-inclusion removal by flotation; the difficulty for alumina clusters stems from the complex morphology of particle; fortunately, the use of fractal concept makes it possible to cope with this problem.The paper describes the general modelling of inclusion removal taking into account the previous mechanisms. Hydrodynamic parameters are obtained by means of Fluent CFD package and a specific coding is developed for cluster growth."

Jan 1, 2001

By Kenneth L. Cashdollar

This report describes three types of optical dust probes that have been designed, built, and tested by the Bureau of Mines. Each of the probes measures dust cloud concentrations by the attentuation of light. The first is a single-path-length probe, the second is a double-path-length probe, and the third is a single-path-length probe that employs jets of air to keep the windows of the light source and detector free from dust coating. The theory of operation and the calibration procedures for each of the probes are described. The results of the Bureaus laboratory, mine, and field tests of the probes are also reported.

Jan 1, 1981

By By Staff

"These proceedings consist of papers presented at a Bureau of Mines Technology Transfer Seminar on postdisaster survival and rescue research. Several seminars are held each year to bring the latest results of Bureau research to the attention of the mining industry as quickly as possible.INTRODUCTIONThe postdisaster research program is directed toward research and development of technology and equipment that increases the chances of a miner surviving or being rescued after an underground mine disaster. A disaster is an accident of major proportions, and it may result in the entrapment of miners whose normal egress from the mine is cut off. This often necessitates a rescue operation and a means of keeping the trapped miners alive while they await rescue. The Bureau is currently pursuing research to develop the technology that will enhance the ability of miners to survive such an occurrence. The research is divided into two basic problem areas, survival and rescue. Both areas are concerned with the inability of miners and rescue teams to cope with the postaisaster environment, such as toxic gases, unstable roof conditions, water flooding, and lack of oxygen. In addition, research is also conducted to find ways of locating and quickly reaching trapped miners. Most of the research conducted by the Bureau has been directed toward the postdisaster problems associated with coal mines. However, most of the research results are also applicable to noncoal mines as well.The papers presented in these proceedings address some of the recent research conducted by the Bureau of Mines that has been directed toward the postdisaster problems outlined above. The topics covered range from an overview of the technology developed for oxygen selfrescuers to training programs for mine rescue. Any questions or comments pertaining to this research are encouraged and appreciated. Open file report (OFR) references in the proceedings listed as available from NTIS may be obtained from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Va. 22161, and are also available for reference at Bureau of Mines facilities in Denver, Colo., Twin Cities, Minn., l3ruceton and Pittsburgh, Pa., and Spokane, Wash.; the Department of Energy facility in Morgantown, W. Va.; the National Mine Health and Safety Academy, Beckley, W. Va., and the National Library of Natural Resources, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C."

Jan 1, 1982