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By William L. Crentz

In the past, Westmoreland County together with Fayette County produced about one-third of the bituminous coal mined in Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh bed in Westmoreland County has furnished enormous quantities of coal to the by-product and beehive ovens, gas-manufacturing plants, and general industrial manufacturers over a wide area until about 20 years ago. Little attention was paid to the thinner beds because of the superior quality of the Pittsburgh. The approaching exhaustion of Pittsburgh coal will require accelerated-exploitation of these coals if Westmoreland County is to continue as an important source of bituminous coal, Much of the Pittsburgh coal in Westmoreland County is low-sulfur and requires no mechanical cleaning for the preparation of a metallurgical fuel. Even those areas where the sulfur percentage increased to a maximum of about 2 percent, a relatively easy washing operation usually produced a cleaned coal, which found ready acceptance by the coke industry. Davis reported the remaining recoverable reserves of the .Pittsburgh bed in Westmoreland County to be 255,439,000 tons as of January 1, 1937. Since that date, more than 100,000,000 tons of Pittsburgh coal has been extracted so that the time is not too distant when this important coal bed will be depleted. A study of the Pittsburgh bed in Westmoreland -County has not been made a part of this report as the remaining reserves of the coal can be used in coke making with a, minimum of preparation. The production from the Upper 'Freeport bed will increase as the supply of coal from the Pittsburgh bed diminishes, and as of the present time it supplies a substantial proportion of the county's coal output.

Jan 1, 1951

By T. E. Gray

This report describes the preparation characteristics of the three significant coal beds in Greene County, Pa. It is one of a series planned to determine which coals are suitable for the production of metallurgical coke, either as mined or after beneficiation. Over 12.5 million tons of coal was produced in Greene County in 1956, of which approximately 10 million tons was cleaned mechanically in 8 cleaning plants. The Bureau of Mines has estimated that 3.5 billion tons of recoverable coal remained in the county as of January 1, 1954.

Jan 1, 1958

By Thomas J. Peters

The Lime Creek study area lies 100 air km east of Boise, and 70 air km northeast of Mountain Home, Idaho. The eastern boundary of the 28,000-hectare, east-west-elongate study area lies 0.2 km west of the 3,077-m-high Smoky Dome. The area is mainly underlain by Cretaceous granitoid rocks of the Idaho batholith. No mineral resources were identified, but two mines and one prospect were found in the study area. At the President and the Last Chance mines, in the southwest corner of the study area, gold mineralization occurs along steeply dipping east-northeast-trending faults and associated quartz veins, and within adjacent Cretaceous granitic rock. The mineralized material is not rich enough to mine underground, and near surface, open-pit-mineable deposit areas could not be identified. The third prospect, the Ventura, is within altered pink granite of probable Tertiary age, but metal concentrations are very low. Geothermal activity was not observed within the study area, but hot springs do occur in the Vicinity. Bedrock observed is only suitable for the most basic high bulk and low end value applications, such as crushed aggregate. Numerous sources for crushed stone occur closer to markets. Alluvial concentrate (placer) samples did not contain free gold, and no substantial alluvial bars were seen; deposits were too small to contain resources.

Jan 1, 1993

By d&apos, D. V. Andrea

Nine rock properties were determined for rocks coming from 49 locations and having a wide range of compressive strengths. Plots of the nine rock properties versus each other were prepared. A stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was performed to obtain several equations for predicting compressive strength. Both linear and curvilinear relationships were assumed between compressive strength and the other rock properties. The prediction equations had multiple correlation coefficients ranging from 0.947 for an equation with 1 variable (point load tensile strength) to 0.986 for an equation with 25 variables. Of the properties tested only point load tensile strength could be used alone to estimate compressive strength with fair accuracy.

Jan 1, 1965

By Robert S. Hedin

Passive methods of treating mine water use chemical and biological processes that decrease metal concentrations and neutralize acidity. Compared with conventional chemical treatment, passive methods generally require more land area, but use less costly reagents and require less operational attention and maintenance. Currently, three types of passive technologies exist: aerobic wetlands, organic substrate wetlands, and anoxic limestone drains. Aerobic wetlands promote mixed oxidation and hydrolysis reactions, and are most effective when the raw mine water is net alkaline. Organic substrate wetlands promote anaerobic bacterial activity that results in the precipitation of metal sulfides and the generation of bicarbonate alkalinity. Anoxic limestone drains generate bicarbonate alkalinity and can be useful for the pretreatment of mine water before it flows into a wetland. Rates of metal and acidity removal for passive systems have been developed empirically by the U.S. Bureau of Mines. Aerobic wetlands remove Fe and Mn from alkaline water at rates of 10-20 and 0.5- 1.0 g. m-2? d-1, respectively. Wetlands with a composted organic substrate remove acidity from mine water at rates of 3-9 g. m-2? d-1?. A model for the design and sizing of passive treatment systems is presented in this report.

Jan 1, 1994

When the Organic Act of 1910 established the Bureau of Mines within the Department of the Interior, the Bureau's programs involved only health and safety research and education, and fuels testing. As the Federal Government's primary agency for research in minerals, the Bureau has expanded its scientific and technological investigations to mining, processing mineral substances, eliminating occupational health and safety hazards in the mineral industries, economic development, and resource conservation. Today, Bureau activities cover a broad spectrum of programs for meeting the diverse (and sometimes conflicting) needs of mineral industries, government, and the public. In the 1960's, the Bureau initiated programs to resolve environmental problems associated with past mining and mineral processing. Dependence on foreign sources of raw materials critical to our national economy and competition from other countries for these world supplies stimulated the need to conserve and use with intelligence the Nation's minerals, metals, and materials.

Jan 1, 1978

By Matthew N. Plis

This U.S. Bureau of Mines report presents the documentation for COALVAL, a coal property evaluation software package developed on Lotus 1-2-3,4 version 2.2, spreadsheets. The software is compatible with version 3.1 as well, and may provisionally be run on the earlier 2.01 version. COALVAL is a menu-driven program that produces a prefeasibility-level cost analysis of mine-planned coal resources. The package contains cost models for each of five coal mining methods commonly employed in Appalachia: auger, contour strip, mountain top removal, continuous miner, and longwall. Other models, such as a dragline cost model, will be incorporated as the Bureau's Coal Recoverability Program matures. COALVAL allows mine operators, evaluators, consultants, and Government entities to input resource data and the various production, operating, and cost variables that pertain to their property. The program can evaluate up to 25 seams, each to be mined with up to five different mining methods, within a given area. Summary spreadsheets listing the cost per clean ton to mine the resources, f.o.b. the tipple, are produced for each property, seam, and mining method/seam combination.

Jan 1, 1993

By R. E. Brewer

A critical review of the numerous test methods that have been devised for measuring the "plastic" and "swelling" properties of bituminous coking coals and the practical evaluation of the data obtained has long been needed. The author appreciates fully, first, the arduous problem of doing justice to the merits and limitations of the many original test methods and their manifold modifications and, second, the more difficult task of interpreting the test data obtained in their practical applications to the important problems involved in the coking process. It has been the constant aim of the author to point out the broader significance of the test principles employed in the different classes of test methods and the usefulness of the test data obtained in relation to the problem of coking bituminous coals, rather than to stimulate unduly a controversial criticism of the merits and limitations of any particular class of test methods or of individual test methods devised by different workers. The task has been quite difficult because of the almost total lack of accepted test standards and specifications.

Jan 1, 1942

By Hon-Yim Ko

The properties of coal from the Pittsburgh seam, procured from the Bruceton and Federal No. 2 Mines were found to be similar. Strength and stiffness properties of Beehive Mine coal were determined and the material found to be isotropic. Mechanical, index and geologic properties of roof and floor coal measure rocks from Beehive mines were measured and correlated. Analytic formulations are given for coal creep under uniaxial loading, while triaxial creep is being investigated. Results of testing of coal model structures are compared with predictions from using several material models.

Jan 1, 1976

By David J. Kusler

The Bureau of Mines reviewed current technology in the refractories consuming industries and evaluated the impact of changes in technology on the supply and demand of refractories. Literature was searched and contacts were made with leading consumers and producers of refractories. The distribution of refractories by value of shipments to users was surveyed. The report shows that the percentage distribution of refractories sales to the consuming industries has remained essentially constant during the last decade but that substantial changes have occurred in the relative distribution of types of refractories. The trend in pyroprocessing technology in recent years has been toward higher temperatures, which require more costly refractories. This fact is reflected in the impressive gain in the dollar value of refractories sales, which in 1968 was about one-third greater than in 1960, and the rapid growth of refractories based on high-alumina, magnesia, zirconia, carbon, and other materials, at the expense of fire clay, silica, and chrome- based refractories. An appendix to the report contains refractories value and shipment data tabulated in a manner by which trends in the distribution of refractory types can be observed from 1955 to 1968. In addition, unit values are presented on a per-ton basis for comparison.

Jan 1, 1970

Geological discontinues in the coalbed, such as faults, sandstone channels, permeability facies, lithotype changes, and large scale partings in the coal seam, can cause intermittent production problems or produce unexpected amounts of water or gas from degasification boreholes. These discontinuities not only can impact methane emissions into the mine workings, especially if they hinder proper and effective degasification of the coalbed but may act as conduits for methane flow from gassy strata into advancing mine workings. The effects of these discontinuities are still under debate by mining and gas production experts. This study presents a numerical investigation using reservoir simulations of the effects of partings and permeability facies and lithotype changes on the production performances of vertical and horizontal degasification boreholes, as well as the emissions during longwall operations. In this work, the grid block was designed in a multi-layer 3-D structure which enabled spatial descriptions of the geometries and properties of the discontinuities within the coal seam. The studied coal seam discontinuities and their properties were distributed arbitrarily within the model. Production was simulated by vertical and horizontal boreholes. Degasification boreholes operated two years prior to start of the mining. The results of this numerical study show that in coal seams with major heterogeneities and discontinuties, the geometry and location of the boreholes are important for improved gas production. These considerations are also important for controlling methane and water inflow into the working environment during longwall mining.

Jan 1, 2008

By J. W. Lyman

The U.S. Bureau of Mines investigated methods of separating valuable rare-earth materials from Fe in neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) magnet scrap. A selective oxidation treatment of the scrap oxidized the rare-earth portion while leaving elemental Fe. Magnetic and leaching procedures were tried for separating the metallic Fe and rare-earth oxides, but the extremely fine grain size of the oxidized scrap prevented recovery by either technique. The best separation of rare earths from bulk NdFeB magnet scrap was obtained by dissolution with H2S04 followed by precipitation of recyclable rare-earth salts. By precipitating neodymium-alkali sulfate double salts as an intermediate that can be converted to a variety of useful products, many materials-handling and economic disadvantages found with direct precipitation with fluoride or oxalate were avoided. Iron was removed from magnet leach solutions by precipitation as a jarosite, eliminating a major disposal problem. Research was also conducted with contaminated mixed SmCo5 and NdFeB swarf. Using a flotation-leaching technique allows the SmCo5 to concentrate in the froth, while the grinding-medium contaminant sinks and is removed as tailing. The NdFeB is dissolved by H2S04 during the process.

Jan 1, 2010

By Lloyd Williams

1. This investigation shows that the Poplar Creek is the most important bed in Scott County from a production standpoint. Although the Poplar Creek bed contains the largest reserve, the Big Mary has a larger recoverable reserve. Estimates of reserves also have been made for the Pewee, Red Ash, Windrock, Upper Pioneer, Jellico, and White Oak beds. 2. Known measured and indicated reserves of coal, based on a minimum bed thickness of 14 inches and on 1,800 short tons per acre-foot of coal in place, are estimated to be 143 million tons as of January 1, 1954. Of this total, 74 million tons is in beds 28 inches and more thick. Areas in each bed were omitted from the estimate because available data relative to the bed characteristics are too meager for making an estimate that conforms with the definitions of measured and indicated coal adopted for this study. Should future drilling or development prove reserves in these areas, such reserves should be added to the total estimated reserves.

Jan 1, 1956

By Joseph A. Cavallaro

This report describes the timed release analysis technique that was developed to serve as a tool for assessing the froth flotation cleaning potentials of fine-size coals. Using this developed technique, 16 coals from 10 different coalbeds were tested. All of the coals included in this study were quite amenable to froth flotation with float coal yields ranging from 80.7 to 99.5 percentage points. Float-and-sink analyses of the coals tested are shown to be of limited value in predicting froth flotation cleaning potential. Generally the float-and-sink analyses indicated a better product could be obtained than froth flotation could provide; although, in four of the coals tested froth flotation results were superior to those expected from the gravimetric analysis. The fixed carbon content of the samples collected was found to correlate with the floatability of the coals. The higher rank coals were the most readily floatable coals while the lower rank coals did not respond quite as well to flotation.

Jan 1, 1965

By H. H. Schrenk

One phase of Bureau of lines work in health and safety is promotion of the use of safe, satisfactory, and reliable respiratory protective devices. To insure that devices embodying these features will be available the Bureau has established schedules of minimum requirements for oxygen breathing apparatus, gas masks4/, supplied-air respirators (hose mask, air-line respirators, and abrasive blasting helmet hoods, or masks)5/, and dispersoid (dust, fume and mist) respirators6/. Approval test, of oxygen¬-breathing apparatus are conducted by the Safety Division; approval tests of other types of respiratory protective equipment are conducted by the Health Division. These divisions comprise the Health and Safety Branch.

Jan 1, 1941

By James V. Kelly

"INTRODUCTION In the course of Bureau of Mines investigations of iron ores near Scappoose, Columbia County, Oreg. during 1942, occurrences of laterite were noted in road cuts and outcrops at many localities in the county. In 1944, the State of Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries completed a preliminary examination of alumina-iron-bearing laterite occurrences in Washington County north of Hillsboro, Oreg.3/ Their report suggested that the lateritic material might be amenable to treatment by the Pederson process for the commercial production of iron and alumina. In order to determine the extent and character of some of the reported lateritic occurrences, the Bureau conducted preliminary explorations in Columbia County near St. Helens, Oreg., from January through June 1945. Almost simultaneously the Alcoa Mining Co. began to explore nearby areas. Their work was continued and expanded after the Bureau's work had been discontinued. This report presents the data obtained from the exploratory work of the Bureau of Mines.ACKNOWLEDGMENTSIn its program of exploration of mineral deposits, the Bureau of Mines has as its primary objective the more effective utilization of our mineral re¬sources to the end that they make the greatest possible contribution to national security and economy. It is the policy of the Bureau to publish the facts developed by each exploratory project as soon as practicable after its conclusion. The Mining Branch, Lowell B. Moon, chief, conducts preliminary examinations, performs the actual exploratory work, and prepares the final report. The Metallurgical Branch, O. C. Ralston, chief, analyzes samples and performs beneficiation tests.Samples were assayed at the Reno, Nev., laboratories of the Bureau of Mines under the supervision of A. C. Rice, acting supervising engineer, and at the Albany, Oreg., laboratories under the supervision of Dr. B. A. Rogers, chief, Albany Division, Metallurgical Branch."

May 1, 1947

By R. A. V. Raff

Although falls of roof, face and rib (or side) of coal mines were the third ranking cause of disabling accidents in 1966, the accidents from these falls resulted in the most serious injuries and accounted for approximately 50 percent of the total fatalities (I). Further breakdown of these statistics shows that 88 percent of the fatal accidents occurred within 100 feet of the working face and that 96 percent of the deaths were in bituminous mines, with only four percent taking place in anthracite workings. These figures demonstrated the need for improved reinforcement procedures in operational coal mines, and they provided ample justification for research in the area of accident prevention. The purpose of this project was to investigate the use of polymers and of related techniques to achieve rock bonding and reinforcement of coal mine structures, in order to obtain better or permanent ground support (e.g., drifts, entrees, coal and ore passes, galleries, tunnels and shafts) by the fill ing of fissures in the rock, thereby preventing or delaying the onset of serious rock degradation processes.

Jan 1, 1973

By Russell J. Foster

Public awareness of, and involvement in, recycling has increased significantly in recent years. Nevertheless, recycling is generally perceived as a new development, and is familiar only in the context of municipal solid waste management. The actual magnitude and scope of metals recycling in the United States have gone virtually unnoticed. Over time, both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of secondary metals recovery and reuse have changed substantially, while the attendant regulations have become increasingly stringent. This U.S. Bureau of Mines report examines trends and developments in major metal demand and recycling, and analyzes the possible impacts of regulations with regard to recycling activities.

Jan 1, 1994

Robert C. Horton was sworn in as the new Director of the Bureau of Mines on October 13 in Washington. Horton, 54, was director of the Geology Division of the Bendix Field Engineering Corporation's operations in Grand Junction, Colorado, before being nominated by - it Reagan for this position. A geological engineer, he has been associated with the mining industry in the West for over 35 years. Legislation to expand the Defense Production Act for 1 year until September 30, 1982, was signed by the President on September 30. The Administration had requested, steel a 5-year extension, but the Congress chose to spend another year considering proposed revisions. The Act, among other things, authorizes the allocation of strategic materials for defense purposes and allows incentives including floor prices and Government financing to encourage domestic mineral projects.

Jan 1, 1981

By J. L. Eakin, J. P. Powell

"The increased costs of exploration and drilling of new oil fields and the continued success of water flooding in nearly depleted oil fields have created a demand for information on the results obtained from individual projects. The Bureau of Mines has published several reports concerning water-flood activity in the Midcontinent area and at the request of the industry has continued to collect and disseminate this information. This report was written in response to these requests. It describes in detail the water-flooding projects in Anderson, Franklin, Linn, and Miami Counties, Kans., and includes methods of water treating and the results obtained. The production histories of each county and many water-flood projects are shown graphically from the date of the first development. Maps of most of the major projects, showing their status as of January 1, 1953 are presented also.The practice of injecting water to stimulate oil production was legalized in Kansas in 1935, and the first water-flooding project authorized in this four-county area was initiated by the Texas Co. in December 1935 in Linn County. Forty-nine projects2/ initiated in the area to January 1953 are estimated to have recovered approximately 10 million barrels of oil that would not have been produced by methods used previously. About 7,900 productive acres had been, or are, flooded by these projects, and approximately 136 million barrels of water had been injected.These four counties in the eastern Kansas shallow production area3/ were an important factor in the early history of the Kansas oil and gas industry. This position has been maintained from the very beginning through the early period of vacuum and air injection and into the era of water flooding. The location of the area and the relative position of the four counties and water-flooding areas in each are shown in figure 1.The first drilling for oil in this area in 1860 resulted from investigations of the existence, and use by the Indians, of so-called tar or oil springs. The first wells drilled were nonproductive, and the impending Civil War caused the search for oil to be discontinued. In 1884 a few shallow oil wells were drilled near Paola, and completion of several gas wells near that city led to subsequent drilling of an oil well, which was completed in June 1885, having an initial flow of 10 barrels of oil daily.In 1904 the original Paola gas field became a good oil-producing field. In 1905 the Rantoul field in Franklin and Miami Counties was opened; and drilling activity spread throughout the adjoining area, resulting in development of several shallow oil pools in Linn and Anderson Counties. The first ""shoestring"" pool in eastern Kansas to produce oil was probably the Paola or Pressonville shoestring, which was discovered in 1917. The rate of oil production from the area declined until 1919, when the Centerville shoestring pool was discovered. Discovery of the Colony gas field in 1921 was followed within a few months by drilling of the Garnett and Garnett and bush City shoestring pools. The Schermerhorn pool (now part of the Centerville field) s discovered in 1927, and the Kincaid shoestring pool was first drilled in 1931. The oil-production histories of the individual counties are discussed separately."

Jun 1, 1953