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By Travis Q. Lyday

Australia was one of the world's principal producers of minerals and metals, and its minerals industry was a leading catalyst in promoting growth of the country. Australia was the world's largest producer of alumina, bauxite, diamond, ilmenite, monazite, opal, rutile, sapphire, and zircon. It was the premier exporter of alumina, coal, ilmenite, refined lead, monazite, rutile, and zircon, and was the second leading exporter of iron ore, after Brazil. Ranking behind China, the United States, the U.S.S.R., the German Democratic Republic, Poland, and the Federal Re-public of Germany, Australia was the seventh largest producer of coal (all grades) in the world. Australia was the fourth largest gold producer in 1988, after the Republic of South Africa, the Soviet Union, and the United States. It was the second largest producer of zinc, the third largest producer of nickel, the fourth largest producer of uranium, and the seventh largest producer of copper. 2 The country's mineral wealth was so extraordinary that it was virtually self-sufficient in most mineral commodities. Endowed with abundant resources of coal, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, and uranium, Australia was one of the few market economy countries that was a net exporter of mineral fuels. About 90% of Australia's consumption of crude oil was supplied by domestic production; this was expected to decline significantly about 1990, unless significant new oilfields were discovered.

Jan 1, 1990

By E. P. Youngman

At the time of the preparation of the monograph upon the mining legisla- tion of Newfoundland, by the Imperial Institute of London, the existing local statutory law (as distinct from case laws and the applicable English acts) con- sisted of the following legislation: 1. Chapter 129 of the consolidated statutes, entitled "Of Crown Lands, Timber, Mines and Minerals," as amended by the Crown lands act, 1928. 2. Chapters 131 and 132 of the consolidated statutes (acts relating to mines regulation and rewards for discovery of minerals, respectively). 3. Crown lands act, 1918, as amended by the crown lands (amendment) act, 1921. 4. The Labrador Act, 1927. 5. The Crown royalties act, 1927. 6. Crown lands act, 1928, together with rules and regulations issued thereunder.

Oct 1, 1932

By S. Benedict Levin

In the spring of 1944, during the emergency In the supply of strategic mica, the Bureau core-drilled six aggregating 913 feet, at the Blister mica Trim. Cheshire County, N.H. These holes indicated a downward extension or the mica shoot which was being mined at that time and developed information essential for economic mining of the deposit.

Jan 1, 1949

By Louis H. Berkelhamer

"INTRODUCTION The method of differential thermal analysis suggested by Le Chatelier (1)1 in 1887 has recently emerged as an outstanding means of studying the constitution of various substances, particularly clays, soils, and miscellaneous hydrous materials (2). The literature ably discusses the applications and results obtained but has paid too little attention to specific details of construction of the apparatus. Knowledge of the apparatus is of importance to the experienced research man as is extremely useful to the novice v ho ventures into this field of analysis. Further, it is generally acknowledged that the variations in design and conditions of operation are one of the essential causes for differences in characteristic temperatures as reported by various investigators. A step forward in the elimination of such differences is the publication of the details of construction and operation of a simple and inexpensive apparatus that has proved useful at the southern Experiment station of the Bureau of Mines, where it was used in cooperation with the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala."

Jul 1, 1944

By D. Harringtong

"There has been much writing and argument on the subject of giving bonuses to miners, quarrymen, metallurgical and chemical workers, and others as a stimulus for safe work and for work safely done. Theoretically, everyone should be careful and should not need monetary or any other type of encouragement for the prevention of accidents; as a. fact, few people are careful, and this is primarily the reason way many if not most accidents occur. A bonus, however, is not simply money given away by an employer; it must be earned, so to speak, before it becomes due; in other words, if the standard established is not reached, no bonus is paid, and in many cases some disciplinary action is taken.The United States Bureau of Mines Is asked from time to time for suggestions for rewards to mine workers who have a good attitude toward working safely or who need some stimulus to cause them to make greater or more earnest efforts toward safety for themselves and their co-workers. A recent inquiry prompted the collection of data on some safety bonus systems from reports of this bureau's field engineers and others, and some of these Now given. Bonus practice at both coal and metal mines is included because a system used at metal mines is generally adaptable to coal mines; in fact, in numerous cases, bonus systems recently started at some coal mines are based on systems in vogue and giving satisfaction some metal mines; in-some instances, also, metal mines have been able to get good suggestions from coal mines or from the cement or petroleum industries. it .should be understood that a bonus, even as applied to the encouragement of safety, does not necessarily mean payment of money; in fact, some successful bonus systems have in them no direct money exchange; hence, the bonus as treated in this paper is that defined as ""Something given in addition to what is ordinarily received by, or strictly due to, the recipient.""Acknowledgment is given here to members of the safety division of the Bureau of Mines who sent in some of the information here presented; to the Engineering and Mining Journal and Mining Congress Journal, from which some items were abstracted; to various mining officials who gave data in one form or another; and to M. von Bernewitz, of the United. States Bureau of lines who aided in framing parts of this paper."

Jun 1, 1932

By W. D. Dietzman

In view of the developments and recent interest in recovering heavy oil, this report was prepared to present general information on more than 2,000 heavy oil reservoirs in more than 1,500 fields in 26 states. Information given on each heavy-oil deposit includes the following items: Field and formation, location, average or range of depth, average API gravity of oil, aver- age thickness of formation, areal extent of field, total productive wells drilled in field, discovery date of field, field status in 1963, cumulative production to Jan. 1, 1964, and all known types of secondary-recovery operations initiated (active and terminated) in the reservoirs. The geographical location of heavy oil accumulations in the United States is shown by a map, and a brief discussion of 14 different areas is given in the text. As of Jan. 1, 1964, 75 percent of the heavy oil reservoirs in the United States had produced more than 10 billion barrels of oil and are estimated to contain over 90 billion barrels of oil in place. It is also estimated that if the deposits which have had little or no production history, such as the one in Missouri, were included, the total remaining heavy oil in place would be in excess of 150 billion barrels. To find economical ways of recovering this vast reserve of heavy oil, industry is developing technology in several types of thermal-recovery methods. Some of the general considerations and more suitable limitations in selecting a prospect to study fur thermal-recovery techniques are: Lithology, depth, viscosity of reservoir fluids, gravity of oil, reservoir thickness, oil in place, and permeability and porosity.

Jan 1, 1965

By W. D. Dietzman

In view of the developments and recent interest in recovering heavy oil, this report was prepared to present general information on more than 2,000 heavy oil reservoirs in more than 1,500 fields in 26 states. Information given on each heavy-oil deposit includes the following items: Field and formation, location, average or range of depth, average API gravity of oil, aver- age thickness of formation, areal extent of field, total productive wells drilled in field, discovery date of field, field status in 1963, cumulative production to Jan. 1, 1964, and all known types of secondary-recovery operations initiated (active and terminated) Fn the reservoirs. The geographical location of heavy oil accumulations in the United States is shown by a map, and a brief discussion of 14 different areas is given in the text. As of Jan. 1, 1964, 75 percent of the heavy oil reservoirs in the United States had produced more than 10 billion barrels of oil and are estimated to contain over 90 billion barrels of oil in place. It is also estimated that if the deposits which have had little or no production history, such as the one in Missouri, were included, the total remaining heavy oil in place would be in excess of 150 billion barrels. To find economical ways of recovering this vast reserve of heavy oil, industry is developing technology in several types of thermal-recovery methods. Some of the general considerations and more suitable limitations in selecting a prospect to study fur thermal-recovery techniques are: Lithology, depth, viscosity of reservoir fluids, gravity of oil, reservoir thickness, oil in place, and permeability and porosity.

Jan 1, 1965

By Richard H. Spencer, Thomas E. Doerfler, Robert L. Lagace, James M. Dobbie, William S. Hawes

This report assesses the expected detectability, on the surface above mines, of electromagnetic signals produced in the frequency band of 630 to 3030 Hz by a rescue transmitter activated by miners trapped underground. This assessment is based on a statistical analysis of experimental signal and noise data taken at a representative sample of coal mine sites well distributed over the United States underground coal fields. Regression analyses are performed to characterize the signal transmission behavior of overburdens as a function of depth and frequency. The predicted signal behavior is then combined with experimentally based distributions of the background noise, and aural detection characteristics of signals in noise, to generate curves of the expected probability of detection for trapped miner signals versus overburden depth and operating frequency. The implications of these results, and associated recommendations, are presented regarding the detectability of trapped miners, sensitivity analyses and confirmatory tests, and operational utilization considerations for the trapped miners and the search and rescue team on the surface.

Jan 7, 1980

By Willard L. Hunter

The smelting of tin slags was undertaken at the Bureau of Mines Albany Metallurgy Research Center (AMRC) to produce crude columbium-tantalum ferro-alloy as a unit operation in the production of pure columbium and tantalum oxides or chlorides. Columbium and tantalum-rich alloy was prepared during short unrelated campaigns over a total period of 12 years. Tin slags from Malaya and the Congo (Geomines) were smelted. These slags were reduced by carbon in a small, single-phase, steel-making furnace} a larger three-phase, steelmaking furnace, and a three-phase, submerged-arc furnace, In all cases depleted slags were fluid and easily tapped from the furnace. However, unless diluted by iron additions, the metal product was a viscous, high-melting, heterogeneous mixture that could be removed from the furnace only by hand rabbling.

Jan 1, 1966

By E. W. Dean

This report on the physical and chemical properties of typical crude oils of Oklahoma is the sixth in a series of preliminary chapters of a bulletin covering the producing districts of the United. States. Preceding reports* may be obtained on request. The details of the methods used in this survey in collecting samples, making laboratory tests, and interpreting results are discussed in the first three papers. If any errors or omissions are noted by readers, it is hoped they will be brought to the attention of the Bureau of Mines for correction before the appearance of the permanent report. Samples of Oklahoma crudes analyzed in this report were taken from those fields representing the major production of the State. The Oklahoma Geological Survey designates 172 different oil and gas fields in the State, S1 being in Osage County, 14 in Tulsa County, 14 in Okmulgee County, 9 in Washington County. The list of samples collected by the Bureau of Mines represents only 5 fields in Osage County - Bigheart, Burbank, Hominy, Osage Junction, and Pershing - yet these samples, together with those from adjoining fields, are representative of nearly all crude produced in the county. The sample 'from the Pershing field, for example, is representative of the crude produced in several fields in that part of the county - such as Nelagoney, Pawhuska, Wyomona - and the sample from the Skiatook,

Jan 1, 1922

By W. L. Dare

This publication is one of a series by the Federal Bureau of Minus describing methods and costs of minim, uranium on the Colorado Plateau. The La Sal mine is in the Big Indian mining district, about 29 miles southeast of Moab, San Juan County, Utah. The claims that encompass the mine were located in March 1953, and the La Sal ore body was discovered as a result of a drilling program begun in August 1953. The mine is owned by the La Sal Mining & Development Co., a subsidiary of the Homestake Mining Co. Homestake continued the drilling program and in May 1954 began sinking a 572-foot shaft and constructing a surface plant. The plant and shaft were completed in October 1954. The La Sal ore body is in the Chinle (Triassic) formation. it is tabular and dips with the enclosing beds about 8° southwest. The ore body is generally 4 to 8 feet thick but in a few places is as much as 20 feet thick it is being developed by a series of strike drifts and dip inclines, driven within the ore stratum on about 100-foot centers. A haulage level driven beneath the ore body is connected by raises to the upper workings.

Jan 1, 1957

By M. P. Board

The U.S. Bureau of Mines, under a cooperative agreement with Hecla Mining Co., conducted a rock mechanics study at four widely spaced horizons in a deep mine shaft in northern Idaho. The objective of the project was to measure and analyze rock deformation and lining behavior during construction of a deep shaft in a high in situ stress field within an isotropic rock mass. Rock mass displacements were monitored with multiple-position borehole extensometers. Liner stress and strain were measured with concrete pressure cells and embedment strain gauges. This report discusses the general trends and magnitudes of data from the four test sites, and relates the data to a proposed anisotropic constitutive model for the rock mass. A design procedure is then outlined for specifications of liner thickness and support installation sequences for future shaft sinking.

Jan 1, 1989

By Oliver Bowles

"General.The term mica is probably derived from the Latin ""micare"", meaning to shine or glitter, for the brilliant reflection from mica flakes in rocks has directed more than ordinary attention to this group of minerals. Mica includes a group of several minerals all characterized by a perfect basal cleavage, by virtue of which they may be split into exceedingly thin plates. The minerals are of very common occurrence in all countries, constituting about 4 per cent of the igneous rocks of the world The term ""isinglass"" is sometimes applied to glazing mica, but this is incorrect, for true isinglass is a soluble combustible material made from the air bladders of certain fish. As a constituent of granites and schists, mica is present as flakes too small for commercial use. Mica occurs also as small scales in many sandstones. When granites decompose, the quartz and the white mica are the most resistant to weathering, and so remain when the other constituents have been decomposed and carried away. A secondary white mica known as sericite is formed by the metamorphosis of clay-bearing rocks, and thus, in extremely fine-grained form it constitutes an important constituent of slates and related rocks. Some schists contain a high percentage of mica, but the presence of large amounts of quartz and other minerals has up to the present time rendered them useless as commercial sources of mica for grinding. It is possible, however, that certain mica or seri-cite schists which are composed almost wholly of mica with very little quartz may be utilized for ground mica if found in large enough entity. Considerable micais sometimes found mixed with the residual kaolin that results from decomposition of pegmatites, and in one locality at least it has been recovered as a by-product in a clay purification plant."

May 1, 1922

By P. D. Tracy, M. W. Von Bernewitz

"IntroductionA study of 256 coal-mine explosions, which occurred during the period 1909-1924 killed 4113 men and injured 570 others, reveals the fact that there are the critical times of day when explosions are most likely to occur, and when corresponding care should be exercised to guard against disaster. Of these 256 explosions, 83 straight as explosions, 89 were straight coal-dust explosions, and 81 were mixed gas and dust explosions, while three were undetermined.It has been determined from the times given in these reports (in several cases no times were given,that the critical period in the morning ranges between 6 and 9 o'clock when 83 explosions took place with a peal. at 7;30 o'clock. Of these 55 were straight gas explosions, the remainder being either coal dust or mixed gas and coal dust explosions. The critical period in the afternoon or early ranges between 3 and 7 o'clock, when 113 explosions took place, with a peak at 6 o'clock. Of these, 87 wore straight coal-dust explosions the remainder being neither gas or mixed gas and coal-dust explosions. Between these morning and evening periods is one which might be called the noon period - that is, from 11m to 7. p. m. - when 26 explosions occurred while some of these were normal type of explosions - that is, as to causes - others were of unusual cause and character, and. are discussed later. A number of explosions (29 in all) took place during mid-afternoon, late at night, and early in the morning - that is, after midnight."

Sep 1, 1924

By Ann Hubbs, Vincent Castranova, Jane Y. C. Ma, De-Hwa Chao, Joseph K. H. Ma

AN OVERVIEW OF THE ACTION OF TETRANDRINE ON SILICOSISBecause of the persistent presence of silica dust in the lungs silicosis is a progressive and irreversible disease. At present, there is no proven effective therapy for silicosis. Limited choices of therapeutic intervention with corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive regimens 1,2 have been accepted for some forms of pulmonary fibrosis. These treatments are only minimally effective, and the results provide little understanding of the disease state due to the lack of correlation between drug activity and the mechanism of fibrosis. Thus, continuing effort must be made in the search for effective antifibrotic agents, which may be used to provide a sequential analysis of the fibrotic process and to open the door for further research and clinical development. Tetrandrine is one of hundreds of drugs screened for antifibrotic activity by Chinese scientists. It has been used in China as a treatment for silicosis in open clinical trials3 and in laboratory animals. The action of tetrandrine on pulmonary fibrosis has been attributed to its ability to inhibit particle stimulation of alveolar macrophages, a key cell type central to the fibrotic process, to release oxygen radicals and inflammatory cytokines. Alveolar macrophages (AM) residing on the alveolar wall, are the predominant phagocytic cells of the lungs responsible for pulmonary defense against inhaled microorganisms and other particles and thus play an important role in maintaining the homeostasis of the lungs. 7 Ample evidence suggests that cells of the monocyte-macrophage series play an important role in the immunopathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. When upregulated by silica, alveolar macrophages generate reactive oxygen metabolites8·9 which can damage lung parenchyma and release fibrogenic growth factors and cytokines, 10,11 such as interleukin 1 (IL-1), which can induce fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis. The cytokine-mediated fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis are key steps in the development and progression of pulmonary fibrosis .11 Previous studies by our group have shown that tetrandrine exhibits strong binding affinity to AM and inhibits particle-stimulated respiratory burst activity (oxygen consumption, superoxide anion release, and hydrogen peroxide secretion) in these cells. 13 In addition, studies by Kang et al. 14 have reported that tetrandrine inhibits silica-induced release of fibrogenic factors such as IL-1 which are capable of inducing fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis. Reist et al. 15 further suggested that the antifibrotic action of tetrandrine may be mediated in part by the direct effect of this drug on the ability of fibroblasts to respond to proliferative agents. These results indicate that the mechanism of silicosis involves activation of AM and fibroblasts by silica, resulting in abnormal collagen production due to miscommunications between the cell types. Tetrandrine may interrupt this process by direct interaction with the lung cells.

Jan 1, 1998

By Brian G. White

The Coeur d'Alene Mining District of northern Idaho is remarkable for its number of large ore bodies and for the amount of its historical production of lead, zinc and silver (Fig. 1). Since veins were first discovered in 1884, more than 127 Mt (140 million st) of ore have been produced from narrow, high-grade veins. Mining continues at the Lucky Friday, Galena and Sunshine mines (Fig. 2). All have been in production for decades. At these mines, more efficient mining and exploration techniques have reduced costs while adding significant new reserves. Even the old Bunker Hill Mine, where ore was first found in 1875, continues operation on a limited basis, partly involving production of world-class pyromorphite specimens. Until recently, the Coeur Mine was also a profitable silver producer. Other large producers have included the Star-Morning, Hecla, Page, Standard-Mammoth, Hercules and Gold Hunter mines (Fig. 2). The first deposits were discovered by prospectors who spilled over from the Murray gold mining district, 24 km (15 miles) to the north. The Bunker Hill Mine was founded the year after the first veins were discovered. Bunker Hill has now operated for more than 100 years. Production includes 2.3 Mt (2.6 million st) of lead, 1.1 Mt (1.2 million st) of zinc and 4.1 kt (132 million oz) of silver. Total district production through 1996 (Springer, 1997) amounted to 7.3 Mt (8.1 million st) of lead, 3 Mt (3.3 million st) of zinc, and 34.5 kt (1.109 billion oz) of silver. This record establishes the district as the largest recorded producer of silver in the world, while also yielding major quantities of lead and zinc. Only Potosi, Bolivia, may have produced more silver, although records are unclear. Despite the district's longevity, historic production and current activity, the published literature on the district lags behind with regard to recent concepts of district geology. The most recent comprehensive US Geological Survey (USGS) bulletins (Hobbs et al., 1965; Fryklund, 1964) are dated. Much research in the last half century has been short-lived or geographically restricted because the district is large and its geology is complex - and even this research tends to remain unpublished. Thus, it has been difficult for in- [ ]

By A. V. Hooker, E. J. Coggeshall

"The Bureau of Mines for some time advocated the firing of all blasts in coal mines as single shots, and this method of firing is the general practice in American bituminous-coal mines. All single shots can be fired with permissible single-shot units so designed that they will not ignite mixtures of methane and air.If several shots in a face are fired singly it is necessary to return the face after each shot. In some mines having steeply pitching coal seams, this may be dangerous or even impossible, under these conditions shots are usually fired simultaneously.Several shots cannot be fixed simultaneously with permissible single-shot blasting units, and safe types of multiple shots blasters are not readily available. This means that the firing of multiple shots in gassy mines is usually accompanied by the possibility of gas ignition as the blast occurs.Tests have been made at the Pittsburgh Experiment Station to determine the possibility of developing safe types of multiple-shot units suitable for such use, or of applying other type safely in gassy sections of mines where firing shots singly is impracticable.The tests may be divided into the following four groups:1. Tests to demonstrate hazard in the use of existing types of multiple-shot units of the portable generator type.2. Tests to show the electrical characteristics of multiple-shot generator units relative to the possibility of preventing igniting sparks and of modifying the design and application of such units in furthering safety."

Mar 1, 1935

By Kathleen M. Kowalski

This research explores the emergence of leadership in a crisis situation. The study by the U.S. Bureau of Mines focuses on three underground mine fires and the resulting evacuations. The subjects for this study are 48 coal miners, who evacuated the mines as part of eight escape groups, The subjects described their escape during an open-ended interview. Data were coded according to: (a) evidence of leadership behavior, (b) evidence of lack of leadership behavior, and (c) characteristics of the individual in each group who led the subjects out of the mine. During analyses, attributes of the leaders, who facilitated the escapes, were noted and compared as were instances of lack of leadership. The structure of the group leadership before the crisis was compared with the reality of the leadership during the crisis. Some groups experienced an apparent breakdown of leadership during their escape, while others witnessed the emergence of leadership. Consensus characteristics of the leaders, who emerged during these crises, are discussed and generalizations drawn. Research into leadership during emergency escapes is needed to provide information for training in prevention, escape, and rescue. The authors suggest questions for further investigation and topics for further inquiry into the area of leadership evolvement during crisis.

Jan 1, 1994

By Donald J. Keefe

The Remote Working Level Monitor (RWLM) is an instrument used to remotely monitor the Rn-daughter concentrations and the Working Level (WL). It is an ac powered, microprocessor based instrument which multiplexes two independent detector units to a single central processor unit (CPU). The CPU controls the actuation of the detector units and processes and outputs the data received from these remote detector units. The remote detector units are fully automated and require no manual operation once they are set up. They detect and separate the alpha emitters of RaA and RaC' as well as detecting the beta emitters of RaB and RaC. The resultant pulses from these detected radioisotope; are transmitted to the CPU for processing. The programmed microprocessor performs the mathematical manipulations necessary to output accurate Rn-daughter concentrations and the WL. A special subroutine within the program enables the RWLM to run and output a calibration procedure on command. The data resulting from this request can then be processed in a separate program on most computers capable of BASIC programming. The calibration program results in the derivation of coefficients and beta efficiencies which provides calibrated coefficients and beta efficiencies.

Jan 1, 1977

By Thomas L. Vandergrift

This U. S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) report evaluates three stress-transfer-modification concepts for their potential in reducing longwall gate road stresses and closures. In each of the three concepts - packwalling, gob infilling, and entry filling -support structures are constructed on the headgate side of the panel parallel with or inby the face line. When the headgate becomes the tailgate of the adjacent panel, these structures are in place to accept stresses transferred from the mined-out panel. Using the USBM nonlinear boundary-element program MULSIM/NL, baseline models of typical longwall stress transfer behavior were developed for both intermediate depth and deep mining conditions. These models were verified by comparing model results with field measurements and observations. The stress-transfer-modification concepts were then incorporated into the deep baseline model to quantify the effects of each concept on tailgate closure. Modeling results indicated that entry filling is the most effective concept in reducing tailgate escapeway closure. Using only 18 m3 of a weak fill per meter of face advance (7.3 yd3 per ft of face advance), tailgate escapeway closure was reduced by 33%. By improving the quality of the fill, similar results were achieved using 50% less volume.

Jan 1, 2010