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By Bobby B. Gillenwater

This report presents recommended guidelines and regulatory changes applicable to electrical installations in underground oil shale mines. These recommendations are based on information gathered from oil shale operators, government agencies, and other knowledgeable sources familiar with existing plans for mining systems and electrical installations, and on present understanding of the problems and hazards associated with oil shale mining. Additional discussions of specific electrical problems related to oil shale mining are also presented. These specific problems include: ? Ground fault current levels ? Permissible electric wheel motors ? Permissible batteries and electric starting systems ? Intrinsically safe instrumentation and applicability of existing test standards.

Jan 1, 1983

By J. J. Jakosky, D. H. Zellers

"IntroductionThis paper is the seventh of a series describing an investigation being conducted by the Bureau of Mines on underground communication. A review of past work and results obtained has been published. The present paper deals with a study of line-radio or wired-wireless methods of communication, herein electrical energy is transmitted by metallic conductors.The use of line-radio over metallic conductors has been practiced for a number of years, and at present is being used on a large scale in long-distance carrier-current telephone and telegraph. The early work of the U. S. Army Signal Corps and the Bureau of Standards in using ordinary radio transmitting and receiving apparatus for communication over metallic conductors was been descried. Later publications describe commercial applications, and an excellent treatise and resume is given by E. Colpitts and C. B. Blackwell.Scope of ReportThis report contains (1) a discussion of the chief factors affecting carrier-current transmission, with particular reference in application to underground communication for mines; (2) a description of typical underground circuits used for power and lighting; and (3) description of apparatus used and results obtained in line-radio experiments in coal mines near Pittsburgh, with circuit diagrams, and conclusions as to power requirements and limitations for mine use."

Apr 1, 1925

By James P. May

Operating mine haulage trucks near the crest of stockpiles and waste dumps is a potentially hazardous practice often resulting in a localized slope failure and a dump point accident. The U.S. Bureau of Mines has developed a computer code (INSLOPE3) based on the kinematic method of limit analysis which determines an admissible truck weight (upper bound value) for varying distances from the slope edge. The program considers the material strength parameters, slope geometry, and inertial forces induced by vehicle braking. The program can be utilized to assist in the determination of safe operating distances for a haulage truck from a slope edge, the development of safe vehicle operating procedures, and the admissible weight for a static concentrated loading near the crest of an otherwise stable slope. This report provides information on the use of INSLOPE3, interpretation of the results for mining applications, and instructions for acquiring a copy of the software.

Jan 1, 1991

By Gerald M. Bandholz

Exxon Minerals Company, a division of Exxon Corporation, has been exploring for base metal deposits in the Precambrian volcanic rocks in northern Wisconsin since 1970. Aerial electromagnetic surveys of the area, conducted in 1974, reported an anomaly, near Crandon, in Forest County. In the summer of 1975, the first diamond drill entered the anomaly, representing the 25th prospect Exxon had drilled in Wisconsin. This first hole revealed significant mineralization containing zinc and copper. Subsequent drilling confirmed the discovery of a sizeable zinc-copper massive sulfide are body. 1.1.2 Location The deposit is located in northeastern Wisconsin within a topographical high called the Northern Highlands region. The deposit lies about 5 miles directly south of Crandon and about 2 miles east of State Highway 55 on Sand Lake Road (see fig. 1). Other local communities include Rhinelander 28 miles west, Antigo 45 miles south, and Iron River and Iron Mountain, in Michigan, 75 and 44 miles east and north of Crandon respectively. In relation to the lakes and streams, the deposit lies 0.25 miles north of Little Sand Lake, and about 1 mile south of Swamp Creek.

Jan 1, 1981

By Walter T. Lewieki

"INTRODUCTION Numerous deposits of iron ore are found in Cherokee, Bartow, Floyd, and Polk Counties in northwest Georgia. The deposits are generally small and irregular in shape. The ore is usually referred to as ""brown ore"" and is predominately limonite. The crude or ""bank ore"" has to be washed and concentrated before being shipped.The proximity of the deposits to the Birmingham furnaces and a favorable freight differential permit the operation of many deposits that otherwise would be uneconomical. The district produced 413,468 long tons of brown-ore concentrates, averaging 45.53 percent iron in 1943.The necessity of developing additional iron-ore reserves for the war energeucy to supplement the production of the Birmingham district, prompted the Bureau of Mines to initiate exploration of the more promising northwest Georgia deposits. Thirteen properties in the four counties were explored during the program (fig. 1).HISTORY AND PRODUCTIONSeveral furnaces were operated in the district until the early 1900's, ranging from charcoal furnaces to more modern plants with capacities up to 50 tons of pig iron. No furnaces have operated for about 40 years, the product being shipped to Alabama and Tennessee.Bartow County iron mining is declining, although formerly it was the principal producer of the district. Most of the known merchantable ore deposits have been exhausted. For the past 3 years the Mitchell-Hodge mine has annually produced about 225,000 long tons of concentrates containing 46 to 43 percent iron and at present is the only large producer in Bartow County."

Jan 1, 1946

By Arthur V. Petty

The Bureau of Mines has researched the utilization of mining and pro-cessing wastes as raw materials for the production of glass-ceramic pipe. Characterization of various wastes as to occurrence and chemical composition is reported. A computer program was developed and used to identify waste materials and mixes that would result in glass melts from which glass-ceramics could be produced after cooling and subsequent heat treatments. The production of abrasion-resistant pipe from inexpensive and readily available domestic resources could offer an economical substitute for high-alloy steels containing the critical and strategic materials cobalt and chromium.

Jan 1, 1984

By J. W. Miller

An investigation was begun by the Bureau of Mines in 1948 to determine the preparation characteristics of American coals. Results of the investigation were planned to be reported on a county basis and, from the data developed, to determine: (a) Which coals, either as mined or after beneficiation by conventional preparation, are suitable chemically under present standards for producing metallurgical coke. (b) Which coals require special and more intensive treatment in preparation than is now practiced. (c) Which coals cannot be considered potential sources of metallurgical coke, regardless of preparation. This report is one in a county series and describes the preparation characteristics of the coals of Logan County, W. Va. According to present-day standards for metallurgical coal, many believe that the sulfur content of the coal should not exceed 1.25 percent? Coal with more than this amount has been used for making metallurgical coke, especially when blended with coal containing less sulfur. In this series of reports 1.25 percent sulfur is used as a gage to determine whether or not a coal will be suited for metallurgical coke.

Jan 1, 1957

By Maurice E. Bailey

The purpose of this study is to determine worker acceptance of modified mine equipment at various intervals during a twelve month period. A survey instrument was administered to the workers by two experienced miners in four interviews. All four interviews showed a significant positive response to all modifications, except the small size of the cab of the shuttle car; however, the small size produced significant negative responses with respect to comfort in each of the four interviews. Initially, (interviews one and two), there were significant negative responses with respect to manufacturer receptivity to operator suggestions and program management follow-through on operator suggestions; however, the third and fourth interviews showed no significant negative responses with respect to these items. Likewise, there were significant neutral responses in the first two interviews; however, the third and fourth interviews showed no significant neutral responses with respect to these items.

Jan 1, 1975

By Robert J. Evans

The monorail bridge conveyor (MBC) is a prototype continuous face haulage system that was surface tested and evaluated by the Bureau of Mines. The MBC consists of a series of cascading belt bridge conveyors suspended from roof-supported monorail track. Tests were conducted to determine MBC haulage capability, maneuverability, power consumption, and reliability using rigid and chain-suspended monorail track installations. Subsequent modifications to improve operation and reliability made during surface testing are described. Mining plans were devised to show potential MBC installations for room-and-pillar, longwall development, and shortwall mining sections. Compatibility tests were conducted with the Bureau's prototype hopper-feeder, to provide additional surge capacity and lump-breaking capability. Results from the surface test program, along with modifications to improve system operation and reliability, indicate that the MBC has the potential to perform success- fully in an in-mine trial.

Jan 1, 1987

By James J. Dowd

The investigation to evaluate the reserves of coking coal in the United States suitable for the manufacture of metallurgical coke is being made by the Bureau of Mines in three parts: (1) To estimate known (measured plus indicated) recoverable reserves of all coking coal; (2) to upgrade marginal coals through effective preparation; and (3) to study the carbonizing properties of coals and coal blends not now widely used for metallurgical coke making. This is the sixth of a series of reports giving the results of studies by counties under part (1) of the investigation. (See appendix.) This report covers Fayette County, Pa., which comprises the Uniontown and parts of the Brownsville, Connellsville, Donegal, Waynesburg, Masontown, and Confluence, Pa., Morgantown and Bruceton, W. Va., and Accident, Md., quadrangles. (See fig. 1.) A short resume of the chemical and carbonizing properties of the coals ar.9 included. Data on the coal beds in this county were obtained from mining companies, land companies, individual landowners, and other sources of authentic information.

Jan 1, 1951

By J. B. Zadra, S. M. Shelton, R. B. Fisher, M. M. Fine

"INTRODUCTION An extensive test program is in progress by the Bureau of Mines to determine ways and means of recovering ferromanganese ore 5/ from the widespread domestic manganese and manganiferous iron deposits.Samples were received from the Stance property in southwestern Virginia, 12 miles northwest of Stoney Gap, in Bland County.The Stange mine is situated on the crest of Flat Top Mountain and is developed by open-cuts extending over several acres. The manganese deposit occurs in the Oriskany sandstone largely as a replacement of the sandstone, to some extent as breccia filling in the crusted parts of the sandstone, and as veins along joints, and bedding planes.The mine was first worked in 1917 and was operated during the war years. A long period of idleness was followed by intermittent operations in recent years. A small log-washing plant, consisting of a 20-foot log washer, was operated 1-1/4 miles northwest of the mine. The log-washer concentrates were crushed to minus- 1/2 inch and then washed in a second log washer to remove as much of the siliceous sandstone as possible. According to a communication from the operator, the double-washed concentrates were jigged and the jig concentrates marketed without further beneficiation."

Apr 1, 1942

By D. Bienstock

In connection with air-pollution studies, the Bureau of Mines is cooperating with the U.S. Public Health Service in investigating the use of solids for removing sulfur dioxide in concentrations of less than 0.5 percent from combustion and waste gases. Removal of sulfur dioxide at flue-gas tempera¬tures would no longer result in the cooling of scrubbed gas, which is inherent to liquid scrubbing processes used exclusively in industry today. Results are reported of extensive investigation, using metallic oxides as absorbents, adsorbents, and oxidation catalysts at 130° and 330° C. (temperatures at which flue gas may be treated in powerplant practice). The most active absorbents tested were the oxides of manganese, cobalt, copper, and alkalized alumina; 23 to 33 grams of sulfur dioxidn were removed by 100 grams of absorbent at 130° C., while scrubbing more than 90 percent of the sulfur dioxide from a simulated flue gas, and 19 to 61 grams of sulfur dioxide were removed at 330° C. A more detailed study is reported on absorption and regeneration, using manganese oxides and alkalized alumina. Adsorption of sulfur dioxide on activated carbons and molecular sieves at elevated temperatures is considerably less efficient than removal by absorption--a maximum of 7 to 8 grams of sulfur dioxide could be removed with 100 grams of adsorbent at 130° C. A potash-promoted vanadium pentoxide is effective in converting sulfur dioxide to trioxide; complete conversion in a simulated flue gas containing 0.35 percent sulfur dioxide was obtained at 365° C. Pilot-plant and cost studies are being made by the Bureau to determine the economic feasibility of removing on an industrial scale the sulfur dioxide present in gases in low concentrations.

Jan 1, 1961

By D. R. Tesarik, F. M. Jones, J. B. Seymour, L. A. Martin, T. J. Williams

Determining backfill stress is an important part of evaluating mine safety, whether personnel are working in proximity to backfill or in other areas of the mine where backfill is an integral part of regional support. To assist in determining stress in backfill more accurately, researchers from the Spokane Research Laboratory of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Placer Dome, Inc. (Turquoise Ridge Mine), Peabody Energy Co. (Foidel Creek Mine), and Hecla Mining Co. (Lucky Friday Mine) used temperature readings recorded by thermistors to correct for the influence of temperature on stress data. These thermistors were positioned in the stems of earth pressure cells installed in backfill. Corrections were then calculated and compared using four different methods: polynomial equations fit to temperature-versus-stress plots before the pressure cells were loaded by overburden, a factor provided by the manufacturer, a theoretically derived factor, and a linear correction factor based on information collected during periods when no mining was taking place. To evaluate the accuracy of these methods, corrected stresses were calculated using each method and results compared to cumulative stresses caused by blasting at one of the mines. Results indicated that only a small percentage of the temperature effect on stress was corrected using the factor from the manufacturer because that factor accounted for only the pressure transducer and not the entire instrument body. Stresses adjusted with a linear correction factor based on information collected during periods when no mining was taking place were the most accurate. Stresses recorded at two other mines were corrected using the theoretical method and the polynomial equations method; the two methods produced similar results. For some time intervals, the results were identical.

Jan 4, 2006

By H. Kenworthy

This report concerns cooperative milling investigations of the Central mill of the Eagle-Picher Mining &. Smelting Co, The work carried on at the Central mill and the Rolla, Station shows that: It is possible to reduce the Central mill heavy-medium plant tailings by 0.05 to .15 percent zinc; the 3/16-inch to 10-mesh fraction of the jig feed can be treated by sink-float to obtain a tailing containing only half as much zinc as the jig tailing; Humphreys spiral concentration of the flotation tailing does not recover enough zinc to be economically attractive; and crushing and wet grinding of ferrosilicon for heavy medium are commercially feasible. The Eagle-Picher Co. operates extensive mines in the Tri-State area of Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. The ore is milled at its Central hill, which also accepts custom ores. During the recent war the mill handled about 12,-000 tong- of low-grade ore per day. The company milled about 50 percent of the district tonnage and purchased nearly 90 percent of the custom ore. About 50 percent of the mill feed was from company mines. Zinc is the chief value in the Tri-State ores,-with Varying quantities of lead and cadmium minerals, as well as small amounts of germanium and gallium.

Jan 1, 1949

By Alvin Schallis

The. problem of supplying enough magnesia for the American war effort has become highly important. Before hostilities began, only about two-thirds of our, require vents came from domestic sources; now they must supply almost all the magnesia we need. A further burden is placed upon our own supply by the fact that more and more magnesia is being required, not alone to pace the war tempo of general industrial activity, but also to replace chrome ore in refractories and to make magnesium metal. The domestic magnesite and brucite industry is equipping itself to satisfy much of this greater demand for magnesia, but the remainder must be obtained elsewhere. The principal sources of magnesia are magnesite, brucite, dolomite or high-magnesium limestone, natural brines, sea water, salt-works bitterns, magnesium silicates, and magnesium salts. Although dolomite is tae subject of this paper, it should be considered in perspective with all these highly competitive sources of magnesia.

Jan 1, 1943

By David R. Peterson

This user's manual covers a set of 5 computer codes which were generated during development of a simulation of deep ocean mining operational economics. Table 1.1 provides a summary of these codes, and a more thorough description of each follows, In addition to the descriptions in this user's manual, internal documentation is provided throughout each code, except for the very simple ones, for ease of understanding or possible modification. The two major codes are MINER, which performs the deep ocean mining system operational simulation, and MSWEEP, which calculates the sweep and feed efficiencies for a set of collector paths generated by MINER. The standard operating procedure is to input the system and operating parameters to MINER, which computes a set of collector paths automatically and stores the information in the fife PATH.DAT. MSWEEP subsequently retrieves the collector path data in PATH.DAT, and uses it to calculate sweep and feed efficiency. Separating MINER and MSWEEP allows parmetric execution of MSWEEP without recomputing the collector paths with MINER. PIPEST, RESP, and OBSTCL are special-purpose codes described in more detail in the following documentation.

Jan 1, 1979

Ground-water and tailings pond monitoring in the Upper Santa Cruz Basin Mines Task Force's Special Studies Area has been performed to determine the nature and extent of aquifer contamination from copper tailings pond's recharge in the basin. A monitoring program for each of three mining areas (Mines A, B, and D) was developed. Analysis of data shows that recharge from Mine A's ponds has caused increased hardness, sulfate and total dissolved solids in local ground water. However, pumpage in the area has controlled most of the water's movement. Pond recharge from Mine B has led to similar conditions, and the degraded water is moving towards a local public-supply well. Pumpage from Mine D's interceptor wells is controlling some, but not all, of the movement of recharge seepage from Mine D's ponds. Recommendations include the need for enhanced monitoring programs at each current mine site, development of a monitoring program for Mine C's area, development of water budgets for all mines, investigation of tailings pond compaction and sliming, establishment of mine closure plans for containment of recharged pond water, and the need for additional interceptor wells in several locations.

Jan 1, 1983

By D. B. Taliaferro

[Recovery of core specimens from subsurface formations and their subsequent analysis are important aids in efficient development and operation of oil and gas fields. Core specimen first were obtained mainly for the geologic information they revealed; now they are on analyzed to determine many of the physical characteristics and conditions of the subsurface formations as well. Cores recovered from the producing formations may be analyzed for porosity, permeability, oil content, "connate" water content, and other physical and chemical properties of the formation, all to the end of furnishing enough data for making reliable estimates of the quantity and availability of oil and gas within reservoir and in devising efficient means for their withdrawal.]

Jan 1, 1939

By Will B. Jamison

An ignition detection and suppression system was developed under the scope of this contract. The objective of this machine mounted system was to detect flames caused by frictional sparking from the cutting bits of a continuous mining machine and to suppress it with sufficient speed to prevent the development of an explosion, and to keep the flame from harming the machine operator.

Jan 1, 1976

By J. L. Kohler

Component failures in the electrical control circuits of mining machines account for a large percentage of the total downtime of the machine, Once a failure has occurred it is always a tedious and usually a time-consuming task to locate the failed component. Moreover, the pressure to quickly locate the cause of a delay can lead to compromises in safety. Thus an onboard diagnostic system, essential for an automated machine, would be a very useful addition to existing machines. This report details U.S. Bureau of Mines development of a generic procedure for synthesizing diagnostic systems for electrical-control-circuit failures in mining machinery. A continuous mining machine is used as the testbed to illustrate the application of the developed methodology. Substantive differences among mining machine control circuits made it impossible to achieve a generic diagnostic system, but a generic approach for the synthesis of the diagnostic system was possible. As the research progressed, it became apparent that an algorithmic approach was better than an expert-system-based implementation. A prototype system was constructed and used to evaluate the diagnostic system. Prototype implementation issues are also examined.

Jan 1, 2010