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By W. T. Adams

The production of natural abrasives var¬ied in quantity and value compared with 1975. Output of tripoli-type materials and garnet increased in both quantity and value; special silica stone products decreased in quantity and increased in value; the production of emery decreased. The production and value of manufactured abrasive materials increased for all types. [ ]

Jan 1, 1978

The Bureau of Mines, through its Minerals Availability Program (MAP), investigates the mineral supply potential of the United States and market economy countries (MEC's) for a number of minerals considered essential to the U.S. industrial base. Major activities include identification of important mines and mineral deposits, estimation of their mineral resources and production costs, and availability and sensitivity analyses. Products include data print-outs of geological and engineering information, discounted- cash-flow rate of return (DCFROR) analyses of individual mining operations, commodity availability appraisals, and analytic services to Government agencies. These products are used in assessing the mineral supply position of the United States: in setting priorities for research aimed at reducing production costs and minimizing adverse environ- mental impacts and regulatory compliance costs of mining and mineral processing operations; and in formulating and evaluating Government policies that affect minerals. Bureau MAP data and analyses have been provided to the executive and legislative branches to aid in consideration of trade, tax, and stockpile policy issues. A study of the economic potential of selected seabed mineral resources supports the regulatory responsibilities of the Department of the Interior in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. Analytic studies of mineral project viability, industry competitiveness, and import dependencies were also undertaken for, or in cooperation with, U.S. and foreign government agencies, industry and trade organizations, and international lending institutions.

Jan 1, 1987

By R. C. Adams

This report describes the feasibility of mining the oil-shale deposits of the Piceance Creek basin in Colorado by an integrated open pit system. The study is based upon a comprehensive analysis of pertinent environmental, economic, and engineering factors. Ten mining cases are investigated, and the mine design and cost estimates for each case are presented in this report. Nine of the cases represent three cutoff grades, defining oil shale ore as equal to and above 15 gallons per ton (gpt), 20 gpt, and 25 gpt, at three ore production levels of 500,000 tons per day (TPD), 1,250,000 TPD, and 2,500,000 TPD. The tenth case is an alternate design of the 500,000 TPD production rate at the above 15 gpt cutoff grade. The report consists of Volume I, a technical and cost comparison of the ten cases; Volume II-Part I, a detailed explanation of the estimating methods used; and Volume II-Part 2, a more detailed discussion of the technical and cost features of the ten cases than is presented in Volume I.

Jan 1, 1976

By Gordon T. Austin

The combined value of production of natural abrasives, which includes tripoli, special silica stone, garnet, staurolite, and emery, increased about 21070 in 1989. The increase in the value of staurolite and tripoli production was the result of an increase in the quantity of materials produced and an increase in the unit value. Emery decreased due to the significant decline in the volume of the material produced. Special silica stone experienced both a decrease in unit value and quantity produced. Garnet showed a small increase in quantity, but a decrease in unit value. The silicon carbide industry saw a slight decrease in the quantity produced and a 12070 increase in the value of production. The fused aluminum oxide industry showed a 5070 decline in the quantity produced, but enjoyed a 15070 increase in the value of production. Combined production for both industries decreased 4070 in quantity but increased 13070 in value compared with those of 1988.

Jan 1, 1991

By Michael D. Balen

The U.S. Bureau of Mines (Bureau) is currently conducting a four-year study to assess the mineral resources and the mineral development potential of the 5.7 million acre Valdez Creek Mining District (VCMD) located in southcentral Alaska. The VCMD study is part of the Bureau's ongoing statewide mining district evaluation program. This report is a summary of the 1988 field work. The field work involved collection of reconnaissance placer and rock samples, and also involved sampling and examination of the mines, prospects, and mineral occurrences which were identified by literature research of the geology, exploration history, and mining history of the district. During the 1988 field season, Bureau personnel spent a total of 11 weeks in the field, collected 1,006 rock and placer samples, and located, mapped, and sampled 106 of the known mineral occurrences. The Bureau has visited 243 of the 250 known mineral occurrences during the course of the VCMD project. Reconnaissance sampling for placer occurrences resulted in the identification of 4 previously unreported gold placer occurrences, and identification of 5 occurrences that contain detectable levels of platinum or palladium. Reconnaissance sampling for lode sources of base and precious metals resulted in the identification of 5 new Lode gold-silver occurrences, identification of 2 occurrences that contain elevated quantities of chromium, cobalt, nickel, palladium, and platinum, and identification of one occurrence that contains elevated quantities of copper, molybdenum, anti zinc.

Jan 1, 2011

By Paul S. Goodman

This report examines the feasibility of Employee Assistance Plans for the coal industry. Three issues are examined in detail. First, the prevalence of off-the-job factors such as alcoholism, drug abuse, and marital problems are examined in a sample of miners from the eastern, midwestern, and western underground coal fields. Then data were presented that examined the link between these off-the-job factors and behaviors critical to the mines such as absenteeism and turnover. Lastly, we examined the effectiveness of the major Employee Assistance Program in underground coal mining--the HELP Program. The report contains recommendations on whether coal mining companies should implement these programs and how these programs should be designed.

Jan 1, 1986

By Charles Janin

The recovery of gold from sands and gravels is one of the oldest forms of mining; it antedates history and has been practiced by savage peoples. In North America the search for placer gold has been a powerful agency in the exploration and development of unknown regions and has profoundly influenced the course of our civilization. With the progress of invention, the improvements in machinery, and the availability of large capital for the conduct of great operations, the tendency in placer, as in many other branches of mining, has been toward the working of extensive but comparatively low-grade deposits. The early miner washed the rich spots in stream beds or terraces with his pan, his long tom, and his primitive sluice. Then followed the growth of hydraulic mining and the use of giants supplied with water under pressures of hundreds of pounds to the square inch that could work at a profit gravels whose gold tenor was less than 3 cents to the cubic yard. Finally came the dredge that could handle deposits lying so far below water level as to be beyond attack by other methods. Although the gold dredge was first successful on a commercial scale in New Zealand, it has reached its present strength and efficiency in this country and its development is a monument to the daring, per- severance and technical skill of the many men, mine owners and engineers who have each contributed something to the final result. The Bureau of Mines, authorized to conduct investigations for the purpose of increasing efficiency in the mineral industries, had its attention called some years ago to the need of a comprehensive report on gold dredging in the United States. The director of the bureau recognized that such a report should summarize the development of the gold dredge, should describe in detail the essential features of present-day dredges, should discuss the facts that determine whether a placer deposit can be profitably dredged, and should point out the approved methods of prospecting placer ground and of operating dredges. At the request of the director, the author undertook the preparation of such a report and has been intermittently engaged on the task for several years. This bulletin is the outcome of his labors. He hopes that it will prove of interest to designers and builders of dredges, to mining engineers, and to persons who may contemplate investing capital in placer-mining ventures.

Jan 1, 1918

Mine drainage and mine reclamation are topics of major interest to the mining industry, federal and local governments, and the general public. This publication and its companion three volumes are the proceedings of a conference held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 24-29, 1994. There were twelve sessions (69 papers) that dealt with mine drainage, including modeling, geochemistry, prediction, treatment, control strategies, characterization, hydrology, and case studies. These sessions comprise volumes 1 and 2. The six sessions (34 papers) that dealt with reclamation and revegetation of disturbed lands are included in volume 3. Volume 4 includes the six sessions (34 papers) that dealt with such topical issues as fires at abandoned mine sites, subsidence, hydrology, mine wastes, and policy. Poster session presentations are represented by 49 papers and 92 abstracts that have been placed in the back of volumes 2, 3, and 4, consistent with the subject of that volume.

Jan 1, 1994

By Charles W. Merrill

AN ADEQUATE, dependable, and continuing supply of raw materials is indispensable to tile the United States and its industries in meeting the needs of an expanding Population, a rising standard of living, and the national security. The primary responsibility for appraising the status of the country's mineral supply and for making appropriate recommendations within the executive branch and to the Congress has been pinned in the U.S. Department of the Interior. In fulfilling its role of governmental responsibility for raw-material supplies and their efficient utilization, the Bureau of Mines has analyzed the factors in current and future mineral supplies and demands and has developed 87 statements for specific commodities that assess the national position and problems for these metals, minerals, and mineral fuels. These statements, which constitute the chapters of this volume, are based on lire assumption that nearly till production and consumption of materials in the United States are to be by private individuals and organizations, in accordance with the Nation's devotion to a private-enterprise economy.

Jan 1, 1960

By Gordon T. Austin

The combined value of production of natural abrasives, which include tripoli, special silica stone, garnet, staurolite, and emery, increased about 4% in 1990. The increase in the value of tripoli production was the result of an increase in the unit value. Emery increased owing to an in? crease in the volume of the material produced and an increase in the unit value. Special silica stone experienced a decrease in unit value and an increase in the quantity produced. Garnet showed a 10% in? crease in quantity and a 73% increase in unit value. Staurolite decreased about 8% in the quantity produced, and the value of production decreased about 10%. The fused aluminum oxide industry showed a 5% decline in the quantity produced and in the value of production. The silicon carbide industry saw a 10% decrease in the quantity produced and a 9% decrease in the value of production. Production for both industries decreased 7% in quantity and value compared with those of 1989.

Jan 1, 1993

By D. Harrington, G. S. Rice, R. R. Sayers

"The Bureau of Mines in Serial No. 2606,4 issued in May, 1924, gave tentative specifications for rock-dusting to prevent coal-dust explosions in mines. Subsequently, a sectional committee of the American Engineering Standards Committee was appointed to formulate recommendations for standard practice in rock-dusting coal mines. The report of this Committee which follows was approved by the American Engineering Standards Committee, December 30, 1925. Several members of the Bureau of Mines staff served on this Sectional Committee and its recommendations are essentially in harmony with those of the Tentative Specifications in Serial No. 2606.As certain explanatory details contained in that serial are not included in the recommendations formulated by the American Engineering Standards Committee, it should be considered by coal-mine managements in conjunction with the committee's report which follows:Recommended American Practice for Rock-Dusting Coal Mines to Prevent Coal-Dust Explosions 1. Definitions of Terms Used: The term ""Mine"" shall include all underground excavations from which coal is hoisted or transported to the surface, through one or more openings.The term ""Main Haulage"" shall include all underground slopes and planes, all rock tunnels, and all entries excepting those from which rooms or chambers are turned.The term ""Entry"" shall include all underground haulageways, travellingways and airways, excepting working places as defined below:"

Mar 1, 1927

The wealth of a nation can be measured many ways, but one of the most important measures is its natural resources, particularly minerals. Minerals provide the foundation upon which economic prosperity and defense preparedness rest. Assessing our energy and mineral resources and assuring their development is in the best interests of all our people continues to be an important national goal. Since its founding in 1910, the U.S. Bureau of Mines has established itself as the world's premier minerals information and research agency. Its authoritative, comprehensive data and pioneering research have contributed significantly to a strong U.S. mineral position in the world.

Jan 1, 1990

By Ned H. Snyder

In recent years the Government and other large consumers of coal have appreciated more and more the desirability of definitely determining by chemical analysis and test the character and quality of the coal they purchase. Higher prices for coal point forcibly to the need of giving more study to engine room and boiler room efficiencies and economies; this implies an intimate knowledge of the character and quality of the fuel used. Analyses and tests of delivered coal furnish data whereby power plant results can be comprehensively studied and a continuous check maintained on the coal and on the conditions of plant operation. Under authority of acts of Congress making appropriations for technologic investigation of fuels and the analyzing and testing of fuels belonging to or for the use of the United States Government, a laboratory is maintained at the Pittsburgh station of the Bureau of Mines, where samples representing deliveries of coal purchased for Government use are analyzed and tested.

Jan 1, 1923

By Philip C. Tully

This bibliography contains 2,072 citations to technical and scientific literature about helium and alpha-particles abstracted by 12 abstract service publications during 1962. Citations are listed by 16 major subject classifications with several subclassifications to minimize areas of literature search. Automatic data processing was used to reduce the time and labor required to compile the bibliography.

Jan 1, 1969

By A. F. Roberts

The subject of mine fires is a very wide one. To give reasonable coherency, the paper concentrates on the behaviour of fires in the ventilated airways of mines; spontaneous combustions are not considered. The following topics are considered in some detail: 1) Material selection: Performance requirements for mining materials in terms of flammability and smoke/fume production; methods of test and need for relevance to mining conditions. 2) Fire growth: The influence of material properties and method of use on the rate of growth of fire in a mine roadway; the influence of ventilation, slope, material orientation, proximity of walls and roof on fire behaviour. 3) The fire in the ventilation network: The influence of fire on the ventilation distribution; the circulation of fire products in the network. The influences of these topics in determining fire control strategy are then considered but topics such as fire detection and fire extinction methods are not reviewed in detail. An extensive Bibliography on papers relating to mine fires is included.

Jan 1, 1989

Although not immune from the problems affecting the U.S. economy generally, the mineral industry in 1991 contributed nearly $300 billion in the value of processed materials of mineral origin. Supporting this contribution, the Bureau of Mines continued the research and analytical programs highlighted in this annual review. Featured in 1991 were such relatively new programs as minewide monitoring applications in ground control and advances in processing of ceramics and composites, along with more traditional research into health, safety, and mining technology, minerals and materials science, and environmental technology. Under Bureau sponsorship, a National Minerals Policy Forum brought together some 200 executives from industry and Government concerned with minerals policy to begin a dialogue on developipng a policy statement on current minerals issues. A major feature of the forum was the keynote address by Secretary of the Interior Manuel Lujan, Jr.

Jan 1, 1992

By H. F. Yancey

The investigations described in this bulletin are confined to a study of the washing characteristics of bituminous coals. The major part of the work was conducted by the Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the Engineering Experiment Station of the University of Illinois and the State of Illinois Geological Survey Division between 1918 and 1924, in accordance with the provisions of an agreement between these agencies. The washing characteristics of coals from many of the important coal-producing fields of the Eastern and Central States were examined. The coals of the Pacific Northwest States and Alaska have been studied separately by McMillan and Bird of the Northwest Experiment Station of the Bureau of Mines at Seattle in cooperation with the College of Mines of the University of Washington.2 OBJECT OF INVESTIGATION The object of the investigation of coal preparation by the Bureau of Mines has been to promote the production of better prepared coal and to facilitate the correct selection and design of coal-preparation plants by obtaining as complete information as possible regarding the washability of the various types of American coals and the treatment best suited to each. In addition, some attention has been given to the development of new methods of washing coal. The work naturally divides itself into three rather distinct steps: (1) Development of a systematic method of examining and testing a coal; (2) classification of the American coals on a basis of the occurrence of the impurities associated with the coal in the beds; (3) examination of one or more representative coals of each type.

Jan 1, 1929

By David Schlain

IN 1942 the Bureau of Mines began to develop the Kroll process for use in the large-scale production of titanium. Titanium and titanium alloys are now commercial metals. These metals are relatively expensive, but It is now evident that they will have important industrial uses and that in many instances these will be related to their remarkable corrosion resistance. This bulletin presents the known corrosion properties of titanium and its alloys in useful form. In marine environments titanium is highly resistant to corrosion and does not pit, or undergo crevice corrosion, stress corrosion, or corrosion fatigue. Titanium is also highly resistant in many salt solutions, including most chlorides. It is very resistant to corrosion in nitric acid solutions. It is also resistant to white fuming nitric acid. However, it may react violently with red fuming nitric acid. In phosphoric acid solutions titanium has rela¬tively good resistance to corrosion, but it has less resistance to sulfuric acid and still less to hydrochloric acid solutions. Titanium corrodes very rapidly in hydrofluoric acid Solutions. It is very resistant to corrosion in many organic chemicals. However, it has only moderate resistance to formic acid solutions and poor resistance inn oxalic acid solutions. Titanium does not corrode in dichloroaretic acid but, corrodes rapidly in 100 percent trichloroacetic acid at 100° C. Titanium is resistant to barium, calcium, magnesium, ammonium, and sodium hydroxides. Titanium is inert in wet chlorine, bromine, or iodine gases. However, in dry chlorine gas titanium reacts rapidly enough to ignite. It also reacts rapidly with dry bromine gas, but, it is resistant to dry iodine gas. When titanium is exposed to red fuming nitric acid solutions with high nitrogen dioxide content and low water content, it corrodes, undergoes stress-corrosion cracking, and becomes pyrophoric. This occurs more readily with some titanium alleys, such as titanium-8 percent manganese. A fresh titanium surface immersed in water or in an aqueous solution and in contact with an oxygen-rich atmosphere under sufficientt pressure is unstable and will ignite spontaneously. Inherently an active metal, titanium has a tendency to become less active in environments containing oxidizing agents such as air, oxygen, chlorine, or ferric, cupric, or platinic ions. Titanium is more noble than most structural metals in roost, environments and its excellent corrosion resistance is generally not, affected by contact with these metals. However, some of the other metals corrode faster because of contact with titanium. Titanium undergoes anodic polarization readily, so that even when it is the less noble member of a galvanic couple it may corrode less because of the contact. Titanium alloys often have corrosion properties and electrochemical characteristics similar to those of commercially pure titanium. Titanium alloys containing noble metals, zirconium, molybdenum, vanadium, tantalum, or copper sometimes have better corrosion resistance than pure titanium.

Jan 1, 1964

By Herbert H. Einstein

This report contains the documentation for 11 computer programs representing the entire computer documentation for the eight-volume report entitled "Risk Analysis for Rock Slopes in Open Pit Mines." A detailed summary of the programs is included.

Jan 1, 1979

By W. L. Cooley

The report provides a detailed analysis of 23 electrical accident countermeasures contemplated for use in the metal/non-metal mining industry. The costs and potential benefits of implementing groups of these countermeasures are estimated, and methods arc outlined by which the operator ran choose countermeasures in an effective manner. The analysis is based largely on an extensive electrical accident event tree which is developed in detail. For those countermeasures which are not currently technically feasible, several prototype devices were developed to help speed development. These included a trolley arc eliminator and a safer mine electricians multimeter.

Jan 1, 1982