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By W. E. Young, D. T. Delicate

This study was made to present the mining methods and costs of a uranium mine typical of other mines in the highly productive Westwater Canyon member of the Morrison formation in New Mexico. Four mining methods have been used at the Section 23 mine: the retreat- room-and-pillar method, a sublevel-slicing method (also called top-slicing), the horizontal-cut-and-fill method, and a modification of the ring-drill method. The application of the methods at this mine and at other mines in the area should be of benefit to operators with similar problems. Ore bodies in the Section 23 mine are irregularly shaped and vary in size, in rock strength, in moisture content, and in uranium concentrations; different mining methods are required and mining costs are not constant. A 6-month period of operation at the Section 23 mine was analyzed and mining costs, not including amortization, depreciation, or Federal taxes, averaged about $6.80 per ton.

Nov 1, 1963

By R. L. Grant

The Bureau of Mines developed two new gap-sensitivity methods for explosives, and especially permissible explosives, to overcome certain disadvantages of the present routine half-cartridge method. The revised methods are based on the statistical up-and-down method and give more useful measurements of the 50-percent' gap values than the nonstatistical routine method. The new methods use full cartridges and incorporate certain physical improvements such as the use of cardboard tubes for containing the explosives and coal dust gaps to simulate actual mining conditions. A total of 60 samples of permissible explosives were evaluated simultaneously with the 2 improved methods and with the half-cartridge method

Jan 1, 1967

After more than 20 years dependence on bituminous coal as a primary fuel for generating electricity, the Pennsylvania Power and Light Company initiated a one-year study on the economics of building an electric generating station using anthracite as a fuel. The study will be completed in December 1976. If the feasibility study so indicates, PP&L will consider installing four 400,000 kilowatt generating units for scheduled commercial operation in 1985. Each unit would consume up to one million tons of anthracite annually. Anthracite generally is more difficult and expensive to extract than bituminous coal, but it has a significantly lower sulfur content than the bituminous coal currently being used by PP&L, thereby eliminating the costs of installing sulfur emission controls at generating stations. Moreover, significant reductions in transportation costs may be realized because the utility's operating territory is situated in the center of the anthracite region in northeastern Pennsylvania. These advantages may indicate that the use of anthracite is more economical than bituminous coal to PP&L. ASBESTOS -Asbestos production in the U.S. dropped again in 1975 until it was just two-thirds of that in 1973. This was in spite of the very strong demand caused by the Quebec strike. The 7-month strike of the asbestos miners in Thetford Mines, Quebec cut off 55 percent of the normal supply of U.S. consumers. Apparent domestic consumption was less than 75 percent of that in 1974. The wage settlement will probably result in a 20 percent increase in asbestos prices.

Jan 1, 1975

By D. E. Redmon

Linear programing provides a mathematical technique by which activities can be planned in such a way that an optimal result is obtained. Routine applications of linear programing require only a knowledge of algebra. However, a complete understanding of the fundamentals of linear programing requires a knowledge of advanced mathematics. The purpose of this publication is clarification of terminology and illustration of applications in comparatively simple mining problems. Two mining situations are considered: Mine stopes from which ore is to be produced at a minimum production cost; also, uranium mines from which ore is transported to one mill, a maximum monetary value is desired. The details of data arrangement for solution by linear programing are described and the solutions are presented. Results of these solutions indicate successful applications of linear programing to mine production scheduling.

Jan 1, 1964

By O. C. Blade

"INTRODUCTION This report on the properties of motor fuels sold through service stations in the United States is a continuation of a series of reports made in accordance with a cooperative agreement between the Coordinating Fuel Research (CFR) Committee of the Coordinating Research Council (CRC) 3/ and the Bureau of Mines of the United States Department of the Interior. The first of these reports presented data on motor gasolines sold during the winter of 1935-36.4/ Further reports were issued describing motor gasolines sold during the succeeding sum¬mers and winters to and including the summer of 1941.4/ No reports were made on motor gasolines sold during the winter of 1941-42 and during the summer of 1942. However, starting with the winter of 1942-43, the semiannual reports were resumed.!The present report presents analytical data for 4,544 samples, represent¬ing the products of 124 companies. The samples represented in this report were obtained during December 19146, January and February 19-(. As in previous surveys, the companies covered Ly the survey include both large and small suppliers. Conforming to former reports, the data cover three groups of samples - regular-price, premium-price, and third-grade gasolines.As the number of analyses submitted for samples of third-grade gasoline are not considered adequate to represent this type of motor fuel, data for the analyses have not been averaged, but the individual items are tabulated. The number of samples, items, and brands comprising each group is as follows: Regular-price, 2,368 samples, 319 items, and 113 brands; premium-price, 2,172 samples, 289 items, and 106 brands; third-grade, 4 samples, 4 items, and 4 brands. The meanings of these terms as used in the surveys are as follows:"

Aug 1, 1947

By R. W. Huber

Three arc-melted ingots, two of a titanium-7 percent manganese alloy and the third of unalloyed titanium, were forged and rolled into 3/4-inch plate; comparative data were obtained on these processes. The finished plate, part of which was used by the Naval Bureau of Ordnance, was tested for mechanical and other properties. These properties were correlated with sponge purity, forging technique, rolling temperature, and cooling rate from the rolling temperature. For the alloy material, transformation data were obtained, and their age-hardening characteristics were studied. The temperature-impact relationship was established for rolled sections from all three ingots. INTRODUCTION Arc-melted ingots of unalloyed titanium and a titanium-manganese alloy were fabricated into plate under closely controlled conditions by personnel of the Metals and Alloys Section, Physical Metallurgy Branch, Bureau of Mines, College Park, Md. This program was cosponsored by the Naval Bureau of Ordnance. Bureau of Mines interest lay in correlating the processing procedures with the mechanical properties of the finished plate.

Jan 1, 1955

By O. C. Blade

This report on the properties of motor fuels sold through service stations in the United States was made in accordance with a cooperative agreement between the American Petroleum Institute and the Bureau of Mines of the United States Department of the Interior. By agreement with the American Petroleum Institute, identification of the items is confidential. It presents analytical data for 4,421 samples, representing the products of 131 companies. The samples were collected during June, July, and August, 1953. As in previous surveys, the gasolines covered by this survey include those from both large and small suppliers. The data were obtained by laboratories of various refiners, motor manufacturers, and chemical companies and submitted to the Bureau of Mines for compilation. A list of the National Motor-Gasoline Survey reports published during the past 10 years is given on page 5.

Jan 1, 1954

By K. K. Kershner

The purpose of this investigation was to develop methods on a laboratory scale for recovering tin from metallurgical slime, Tin chlorides were volatilized using mixtures of hydrogen chloride and reducing gases, such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, ethane, propane, and butane. Optimum conditions were found to be n mixture of 3:1 of hydrogen and hydrogen chloride at 475° C. Over 95 percent of the tin was volatilized as chlorides. Low temperatures and relatively rapid rates of reaction are distinct advantages of the chloride volatilization process. Research is being continued with various slimes and will be extended to tin ores, where the method offers interesting economic possibilities in comparison with current tin-smelting practice.

Jan 1, 1957

By Richard D. Miller, Geraldine P. Norrell

This publication contains routine analyses and related source data for 295 natural gas samples from 18 States collected during calendar year 1963 as part of a continuous survey of the United States for occurrences of helium in natural gas. This survey has been conducted by the Bureau of Mines since 1917. The analyses published herein were made by mass spectrometer and a special helium analysis apparatus, which are described in Bureau of Mines Bulletins 4863 and 576.4 Five previous publications have been made to present the results of 5,998 gas analyses made by the Bureau of Mines Helium Activity , prior to 1963. The first three , Bulletin 486,5 Bulletin 576,6 and Bulletin 617,7/ contain analyses and source data on 5,214 gas samples collected from 1917 to January 1 , 1961. The fourth and fifth publications , which are published as Information Circulars , supplement the three Bulletins and contain 784 analyses of samples collected during 1961 and 1962. The present Information Circular is the third annual publication supplementing the three Bulletins .

Jan 1, 1965

By Walter D. Holland

This document is one of a series of instruction guides developed to help instructors present health and safety training courses to workers in the metal and nonmetal mining industry. This course is intended to provide above ground metal and nonmetal mining employees with training which will assist them in performing their work safely and healthfully. A document entitled, "Airborne Contaminants in Above Ground Metal and Nonmetal Mining and Processing Work Areas," is used as a manual for the students during the course. The unique features of the teaching guide are thumb rules for recognizing hazardous situations, candidate contamin¬ants for each work area and descriptions of control devices and work procedures.

Jan 1, 1977

By Benjamin W. Haynes

This Bureau of Mines publication comprises a compilation of the state of the science in Pacific Ocean manganese nodule mineralogy and elermental composition. The report is divided into three sections: morphology, mineralogy and elemental composition. The nodule morphology section defines what is considered a nodule for the study, and details the external characteristics and internal structure. Nodule mineralogy is discussed in three sections: manganese minerals, iron oxide minerals, and accessory minerals. The major manganese minerals discussed are todorokite, birnessite, and vernadite. The iron oxide minerals are less well known and include feroxyhyte, goethite, and lepidocrocite. Accessory minerals present include quartz, clays, and other silicates and nonsilicates. A discussion on moisture content is also included. The elemental composition section presents data on 74 elements occurring as cations or anions. Summary data, histograms, and interelement correlation coefficients are presented. The elements are grouped as follows: major and minor elements of potential economic interest (8), other major and minor elements (9), elements of environmental interest (8), rare-earth elements (15), precious-metal-group elements (6), radioactive elements (3), other trace elements (17), and anion-forming elements (8). Cross sectional determinations of Ni, Cu, Zn, Co, Pb, Fe, Ce, and Ba are given for a single nodule to show the general tendency of different growth patterns within a nodule because of different element associations and composition.

Jan 1, 1982

By J. M. Seward, W. D. Dietzman, M. E. Hawkins

Analytical studies of formation waters are widely used by the petroleum industry as an aid in solving problems such as identifying intrusive waters , corrosion studies , treating injection water , and choosing open or closed water- injection systems . The solution of a problem is often simplified when reliable analyses of the waters under consideration have been made previously . Chemical analyses and electrical resistivity measurements are presented on 267 samples from 74 fields in south Arkansas , and 199 samples from 80 fields in north Louisiana .

Jul 1, 1960

By Edward F. Redente

Several research projects have been conducted in the western United States to determine the optimum soil replacement thickness for reconstruction of rangeland and cropland. However, the information gained from these studies tends to be site-specific and not broadly applicable. Moreover, the possible interaction between soil thickness and mechanical and fertilizer manipulation of the overburden has not been adequately studied. To meet these information needs, research was initiated at Trapper Mine in northwestern Colorado in 1980 to study vegetation response to soil thicknesses of 15,30,45, and 60 cm and five manipulations that included disking, ripping, and fertilizing. All crops were harvested at peak standing crop and then weighed in the laboratory. Wheat grain yields were highest when soil thickness was 45 cm and the soil and overburden were ripped. Alfalfa yields appeared to be highest when overburden was disked and fertilized and soil was replaced to a thickness of 60 cm. For range vegetation, standing crop biomass was highest when overburden was ripped and soil was replaced to 60 cm thick. However, optimum performance was obtained from the maximum number of species and life forms by disking overburden and replacing 15 cm of soil. The performance of most range plant species has improved over the three years of the study. When the results of this study are compared to the results of other soil thickness studies, we can conclude that selection of management practices should be influenced by local climate, local soil and overburden conditions, type of crop or vegetation to be grown, and specific management goals for that crop or vegetation.

Jan 1, 1984

By Fun-Den Wang

This report presents the results of two large scale field coal pillar strength tests (80 ft by 80 ft), the results of a series of laboratory small core sample tests, and the correlation between those field and laboratory tests. The concept of applying laboratory coal sample strength data to predict the in situ coal pillar strength appears to be feasible. The deformation property of large pillars can be obtained successfully by testing the coal sample in the laboratory within acceptable accuracy. There are prevailing directional strength and deformation properties in coal pillars along the butt and face cleat system.

Jan 1, 1976

By W. H. Frederic, F. H. Gibson, R. F. Abernethy

This publication contains the quantitative values for phosphorus , chlorine , sodium , and potassium in United States coals . The samples tested were taken from commercial shipments and have been selected to represent the principal coal producing areas of the country . Due to combining the analytical results from two separate surveys , values for the four elements are not available for all samples .

Jan 1, 1965

By Richard D. Miller

This publication contains routine analyses and related source data for 295 natural gas samples from 18 States collected during calendar year 1963 as part of a continuous survey of the United States for occurrences of helium in natural gas. This survey has been conducted by the Bureau of Mines since 1917. The analyses published herein were made by mass spectrometer and a special helium analysis apparatus, which are described in Bureau of Mines Bulletins 4863/ and 576.4/

Jan 1, 1965

By Richard D. Miller

This publication contains routine analyses and related source data for 295 natural gas samples from 18 States collected during calendar year 1963 as part of a continuous survey of the United States for occurrences of helium in natural gas. This survey has been conducted by the Bureau of Mines since 1917. The analyses published herein were made by mass spectrometer and a special helium analysis apparatus, which are described in Bureau of Mines Bulletins 4863/ and 576.4/

Jan 1, 1965

By Charles Sabine

In 1984 and 1985 at the request of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Bureau of Mines studied a 27,420-acre part of the 36,600-acre Southern Inyo Wilderness Study Area, CA-010-056, in order to evaluate the mineral resources. The study area is located in Inyo County, CA, near the town of Lone Pine, about 180 miles north of Los Angeles. The study area takes in most of the western slope of the southern Inyo Mountains. Terrain is steep and rugged; the climate is arid. The study area is underlain by folded and faulted marine sedimentary rocks dating from Ordovician to Triassic, Triassic volcanic rocks, and Jurassic to Cretaceous plutonic rocks. Most mineralization was along faults and shear zones in sedimentary rocks. The study area includes most of the Russ and Lone Pine mining districts which produced over one million dollars in gold, silver, lead, and zinc, mostly between 1860 and 1890. A few mines produced ore as late as 1951. Most production was from the Reward, Silver Spur, Long John, and Pennsylvania mines which are outside the study area. Presently, there is no mining activity in the study area; some development work was done at the Reward mine between 1981 and 1984. Dolomite marble is quarried from the base of the range outside the study area. There are currently about 70 mining claims in the study area.

Jan 1, 1986

By F. M. Goodwin, John Campbell, G. W. Jones

"INTRODUCTION In previous reports 5 results were given of a manhole investigation carried out over a period from June 1929 to July 193C in cooperation with the Edison Electric Illuminating Co. of Boston. Mass., and during 1931 in cooperation with the Edison Electric Illuminating Co. of Boston and the Boston Consolidated Gas Co., to determine the general hazards of combustible gases and vapors in manholes and other underground openings owned by the Edison Electric Illuminating Co. and to develop methods of eliminating these hazards. These investigations have demonstrated that the detection, control, and elimination of combustible hazards in manholes can best be obtained by a close cooperation of the interested parties through a systematic and continuous inspection of manholes, under proper supervision.The investigation carried out during 1932 has been along lines similar to those conducted during 1929, 1930, and 1931 test crew consisting of two men, one an employee of the Consolidated Gas Co. and the other an employee of the Edison Electric Illuminating Co., was continuously employed during the year in the testing of gases in manholes served by the Edison system. The test crew was under the direct supervision of John Campbell, superintendent of the special service department of the Edison Electric Illuminating Co., and F. M. Goodwin, vice president of the Consolidated Gas Co.As in the previous investigations, all tests were numbered. The test-data sheets, on which the information regarding the tests was recorded, were prepared in triplicate, ono copy going to the Edison Co., one to the gas company, and the third to the Bureau of Mines at Pittsburgh, Pa. These test-data sheets were then filed (1) according to the town, (2) the street location, and (3) the manhole number; in this way a complete record of each manhole tested was immediately available. A typical test-data sheet was given in the 1931 report. These data sheets were found to entirely satisfactory and no changes were made during the 1932 investigation. The procedure of sampling manhole atmospheres, shipment of the samples to Pittsburgh, and method of analysis has been the same as that described in the 1931 report and need not be repeated here. Likewise, there has been no change in the method of calculation of explosibility of the samples analyzed or the use of charcoal filter tests given in appendix A."

Jun 1, 1933

By H. E. Powell, T. E. Hill, W. A. Calhoun

The object of this investigation was to determine the effectiveness of certain cationic flotation collectors , Ethomeens , in recovering fine particles of lead minerals from mill tailings at a grade equal , at least , to that of the mill feed ( 1.7 percent lead ) . The Ethomeens , derived from tertiary amines having one fatty alkyl group and two polyoxyethylene groups attached to the nitrogen , were evaluated by bench- scale flotation tests . The 14 Ethomeens tested consisted of four groups : Coco amine , soybean amine , tallow amine , and stearyl amine . The best results were obtained with coco amine C / 12 , soybean amine S/ 15 , tallow amine T / 12 , and stearyl amine 18/20 . From a feed containing 0.23 percent lead , rougher concentrate grades of 2.12 to 3.89 percent lead were obtained , with recoveries of 17.3 to 27.5 percent of the total lead . Some of the lead mineral particles recovered had diameters of less than 1 micron . In comparative tests , the Ethomeens , or polyethoxylated amine types of cationic surface active agents , were more selective than conventional xanthate collectors for flotation of slimed lead minerals .

Jan 1, 1964