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The 53 countries that constituted Africa in 1992 accounted for a significant portion of total world output of a number of mineral commodities. However, the continent's total output for a number of major mineral commodities declined relative to the volume produced during 1991. (See tables 1 and 2.) The most conspicuous declines in mineral production from 1991 to 1992 were for cobalt and copper (declines of 28.6 % and 23.4 %, respectively), which could be partially attributed to mining and metal processing difficulties caused by political and economic disruptions in Zaire and for uranium (12 % drop), for which much of the continental production decline was ascribed to Namibian cutbacks in response to lower world prices. The severe regional drought also adversely affected the mineral industry in a number of sub-Saharan nations.

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. In the 1970's, the energy crisis raised the national consciousness concerning our limited supplies of domestic mineral and fuel resources. 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 fuels.1

Jan 1, 1977

By W. G. Diamond

Lightweight aggregates have become increasingly important to the construction industry. From 1953 to 1960, the quantity of the aggregates used in concrete block, precast and prestressed concrete, and monolithic structures increased about 92 percent. The present study was conducted in Bureau of Mines Area IV which encompasses the South-Central States of Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. This is an administrative area and does not delimit a market area or imply an economic unit. Because of the increasing importance of metropolitan areas in evaluating economic growth, significant data showing relationships between growth of the metropolitan areas and the lightweight aggregate industry are included.

Jan 1, 1964

By W. B. Berwald

[Accurate ~cusirc::ie t of euusu.rface r,resw rus £Uld tee:: ?er:~t:,res in producin+ oil and as wells is one of tine ast iy,ulortant steps ever t,.s:en to place the rprwctice of retroleum ,-iroduction on an exact scientific basis. i'reerures and teial.or-tures in a -petrolcuia r4:, rvoir. have a rn..r..ed influence over the o:wvement of oil and ~c s both within the. reservoir and t~:rou,=Ii the various-size "flow otrin;;u" of proLucin,; wells to tine surface. Knovrled: ?c of theso fc,.ctgrs form a Laois for cny attei:ant to [.,-~ly eciantific j:cthods to the solution or analysio of mc.nj proble;ae encountered in the production of oil and 1c_c, Without a.ccur:tc mcaaurx,ients of reosures r:.nd tcn::paratuxes within the rocervoit and -well 'flo-,r strinL:s" tae aI,licution of w.ny proved enbinecrin and scientific princiy-,loo is on %,]

Jan 1, 1935

By Lorraine B. Burgin

This study by the Bureau of Mines documents the leadtime required for preliminary and detailed exploration, development of the mine, and construction of beneficiation and support facilities for selected copper deposits in Arizona. The time for major exploration ranged from 1 to 15 years, time for open pit development (or construction) was 1 to 4 years, and time for under- ground development was 4 to 8 years; one underground mine presently being developed may require 12 years to achieve production. Construction of the beneficiation plants required 8 months to just over 2 years. The data are supported by historical facts for each deposit during the leadtime stages from location of claims through exploration, construction, expansion, and leaching. The sequence of development and factors contributing to differences in the time spans are discussed. Histories are detailed for the Miami, Castle Dome, Copper Cities, San Manuel-Kalamazoo, and Twin Buttes properties; briefly summarized are the Pinto Valley, Miami East, Esperanza-Sierrita, Pima, and Mineral Park Properties. Each mining operation had its own pattern of development, and together they present a source of planning information for the development of other properties.

Jan 1, 1976

By H. W. Gillett, A. E. RHOADS

In its study of methods for reducing metal losses in the non- ferrous metal industry, the Bureau of Mines has conducted a long series of experiments on electric brass melting and collected much data on the experiments of others. Reports bearing on this work that have already been published by the Bureau of Mines are Bulletin 73, "Brass-furnace practice in the United States," and Bulletin 77, "The electric furnace in metallurgical work." A comprehensive report describing the design and operation of all types of electric brass furnaces and showing their performance in experimental tests on a commercial scale is in course of preparation. However, commercial tests of several new and promising types of furnaces are still under way, the results of which should be included in any general discussion of the subject. For this reason it has seemed desirable to issue a preliminary bulletin giving the data on a type of furnace developed in one stage of the bureau's work.

Jan 1, 1918

By J. W. Thompson

ORES PROCESS OF ORE CONCENTRATION-PATENTABILITY. The patent issued to Sulman, Pickard, and Ballot, November 6, 1905, and assigned to Minerals Separation and Minerals Separation American Syndicate, for new and useful improvements in ore concen- tration, its object being to separate metalliferous matter from gangue by means of oils and fatty acids that have a preferential affinity for such metalliferous matter, the principal feature of which is "agitat- ing the mixture to cause the oil-coated mineral to form a froth," was clearly anticipated by other patents, and each step in the process described in the Sulman, Pickard, and Ballot patent is fully described in more than one of the prior patents, with the single exception of the reduced quantity of oil used; but the discovery that the small fraction of oil is sufficient to produce flotation of the metalliferous matter can not be made by itself or in combination, the subject of a patent. Hyde v. Minerals Separation, 214 Fed., 100, p. 109, May, 1914. ACTION FOR CONVERSION OF MINERALS. In an action by the grantor of a certain mine and mining property against his grantee to recover damages for the conversion of a quantity of ore that the grantor before the conveyance had mined and extracted from the mine and placed on the dump near the mine, the plaintiff is not entitled to recover where it appears that at the time the ore was placed on the dump the mine was owned and operated by a mining company and that at the time the ore was taken out of the mine the company had no intention of doing anything with it but simply deposited it on the dump as waste and to give an opportunity to develop the mine and get better ore to send to the smelter, and that

Jan 1, 1915

By J. F. Barkley

To aid in winning the recent world war, the Bureau of Mines conducted a National Fuel Efficiency Program, directed to commercial plants throughout the Nation, to save greatly needed fuel, a basic resource vital to industrial production. In planning this program it was realized that to accomplish a satisfactory reduction in fuel consumption in any plant, it would be necessary to reach, enthuse, and usually educate to some extent the actual operators of the various types of plant equipment. A major part of the programs consisted, therefore, of visits to plants and work with the operators, including a review with them of their operating conditions and of educational and guiding literature pertinent to the operating problems involved. Through a Nation-wide organization, local volunteer engineers served in making visits to local plants. Each cooperating plant appointed an employee as the "waste chaser," who headed the work of saving fuel in that plant. The educational literature was designed to interest the operator, as well as serve as a guide in eliminating waste of fuel. Volumes have been written on many subjects relating to the saving of fuel. Writings of the treatise type contain considerable good information but do not have wide appeal and probably will be read only by a few studious operators. The problem is not one of getting clown on paper everything that the experts know and would like to have the operator know, but rather to write something that will actually interest the operator and stimulate him to action. Past experience led to the adoption, therefore, of the "quiz-sheet" type of writing, using a quiz sheet of not more than two pages for any principal item. The results obtained during the National Fuel Efficiency Program in many types of plants further demonstrated that the short quiz sheet is satisfactorily appropriate and does accomplish results. Each sheet was prepared and checked by many engineers expert in the particular subject matter of the sheet. Committees of men with much experience in the manufacture and operation of equipment and in the

Jan 1, 1947

[Module 10. Internally Cued Operating Contingencies Prerequisite: Modules 1-7 - Estimated Instructional Time: 2.42 hrs. Module Abstract Trainees, using programmed instruction, describe the cues, consequences, operational sequences, and possible causes resulting from loss of air pressure from power fluctuations, and from a failure of the automatic lubrication system. Although some of the contingencies may be initially signaled by an alarm or from the oiler, each trainee will demonstrate proficiency in the appropriate operating techniques and procedures. This module also includes a review component for those trainees identified in the assessment exam as requiring less detailed instruction.]

Jan 1, 1976

By Roger G. Long

In May 1973, the Bureau of Mines asked Arthur D. Little, Inc. (A DL) to investigate existing industrial communication standards that may be applicable to the problem of developing standards for mine communication, considering that the standards that may ultimately be developed will require simple field procedures for the industry and the inspectorate to determine that communication systems are properly functioning. The emphasis on this study is on telephone communications as related to coal mine applications. B. TASKS The tasks agreed upon for this program were as follows: 1. "Investigate the current practices and existing standards of other industries under government regulation. 2. Determine applicable methods for industry personnel and inspectors to ascertain conformance on-site with minimal test hardware. 3. Review the Bureau's approval, testing and inspection procedure as it may impact the development of such standards. 4. From the above studies investigate the development of installation and performance standards for mine communications, including voice and telemetry. 5. Prepare a written report specifying what standards and field inspection techniques are applicable with recommendations for development of subsequent data and ultimately standards and field inspection techniques. 6. Prepare a written summary of the findings of various investigations with an appendix covering the detailed findings of each investigation. 7. Prepare a list of suggestions of additional assistance the Bureau might require in subsequent phases of developing communication standards and means of ascertaining performance."

Jan 1, 1973

The 1965 Lignite Symposium, the fourth in a series and the third sponsored by the University of North Dakota and the Bureau of Mines, was held at Bismarck, N. Dak., on April 29-30, 1963. Them 7 symposia provide a forum for those interested in the technology and utilization of solid fuels, especially lignitic coals. As part of the meeting, a 200-mile field trip was taken including inspection of (1) the 200-megawatt, pulverized Lignite-fired Leland Olds plant of Basin Electric Power Cooperative, under construction near Stanton, N. Dak.; (2) the site of the Glenharold mine of the. Truax-Traer Goal Co., Division of Consolidation Coal Co., where a wheel excavator was being assembled; (3) the operating Beulah mine of Knife River Coal Mining Co., subsidiary of Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., near Beulah, N. Dak.; and (4) the 400-megawatt, hydro-electric Garrison Dam powerplant, near Garrison, N. Dak.

Jan 1, 1966

By John H. Soule

Although known since 1902 , the Capitan iron deposits have not been mined mainly because of the low grade of the ore . A small amount of exploratory work carried on at an early date was reported . C. E. Johnson , district engineer of the Bureau of lines for New, Mexico , visited this propert , and as a result of preliminary sampling and mapping by the Bureau3/ and the Federal Géological Survey , an exploratory project was conducted during March , April , and liay 1944. Further mapping and logging of the vagon -drill samples was done by V. C. Kelly , geologist , of the Survey .

Mar 1, 1947

By Bernard Lewis

This report on the research and technical studies conducted by the Explosives Branch of the Bureau of Mines covers the 2-year period July 1, 1946, to June 30, 1948. A report for the fiscal year 1947 was omitted because of the large amount of work still in an unfinished state. The material presented herein is based largely upon more comprehensive reports prepared under the authorship of members of the branch staff.

Jan 1, 1949

By James E. Hill

Tremendous improvements in mining technology have been witnessed during the past 100 years. For example, before 1860 all blastholes were drilled manually and blasting was done with low-energy black-powder. During the 1860's both the pneumatic rock drill and high-energy dynamite were introduced, ushering in an era of mining mechanization that has steadily progressed since that time. Today, with the rapid implementation of the latest advances in communication science, mining technology is moving into a new era that goes beyond mechanization as such. Transistors, transducers, scanners, telemetry, and the like, all terms largely derived from the new communication sciences, add up to what is popularly know as automation-the communication of machine with machine. Automation is now playing an important role in selected parts of the mining process, such as hoisting, hydraulic roof supports, and underground surface locomotive haulage and belt conveyor systems. But this year marked the first attempt to auto-mate the total mining process with the commencement of production at the British National Coal Boards Bevercotes mine. If this full-scale experiment proves successful, it could lead towards other fully automated mines in both Britain and other parts of the world. This decade, there-fore, could be considered the one that provided the foundation for the mines of the future.

Jan 1, 1966

The analysis of in-mine grounding systems began with an extensive literature search which is still in progress. About a dozen articles have been found which deal directly with grounding problems on low voltage power systems or mine power systems. These systems have special grounding problems because normal load currents can be nearly as large as many types of fault currents. Information has been collected on the influence of cable spacing) conduit geometry, location of nearby conducting structures, etc., on the magnitude and path of fault current. Many other articles have been found which are less directly related to mine ground system analysis. The in-mine ground system analysis team has also inspected portions of two mine power systems to become familiar with the practices used in grounding. One electrical engineer and several other mine personnel have been interviewed concerning mine power system grounding practice. Already several aspects of the mine grounding system have been marked as requiring special attention.

Jan 1, 1975

By George Watkin Evans

The United States Geological Survey has estimated 1 that the State of Washington contains 11,412,000,000 tons of bituminous coal and 52,442,000,000 tons of subbituminous coal, in beds more than 14 inches thick. As the present rate of production is about 4,000,000 tons a year, Washington apparently contains coal enough to supply Pacific coast markets for many years. The character of the coal beds of Washington renders the production of clean coal very difficult, and a considerable proportion of the output is washed before it is marketed. In 1915 Washington ranked fifth among the States in the amount of coal washed, though only twentieth in total output. In that year 37.9 per cent of the coal produced in the State was treated in surface cleaning plants. On account of extensive folding and faulting of the coal measures, mining in Washington presents many difficulties; therefore a description of the methods employed at some of the mines may be useful in planning operations in other regions, and is presented in this bulletin. The coals of Washington differ in quality, ranging from true lignites in Cowlitz County in the southern part of the State to anthracites in the Mount Baker district of Whatcom County, in the north~ rn part. Most of the output consists of subbituminous and bituminous coals, the latter including both coking and noncoking varieties. Analyses of the coals of the State and descriptions of the beds from which the samples were taken have been printed in publications of the United States Bureau of Mines.2 Details of coal beds and analyses of the coals of King, Kittitas, and Pierce Counties have also been published by the Washington Geological Survey; 3 and most of the coal beds of the State are described in some detail in a bulletin of the United States Geological Survey.4 In 1918 mining was in progress at 72 mines in the State 4a; 46 of these mines each employed more than 10 men underground. These mines were distributed as follows: Thurston County, 1; Lewis County, 7; Kittitas County, 14; King County, 16; Pierce County, 6; Skagit County, 1; and Whatcom County, 1. During that year a total of 5,847 men were employed, 4,172 underground and 1,675 on the surface. The average number of days worked in the State was 275, and the average yearly output per man was 706 tons. Coke is made only in Pierce County by four companies, which have a total of 341 beehive ovens. In 1918 they produced 93,699 tons of coke. Up to 1919 mining machines were little used in the State. In 1917 only 6.61 per cent of the coal :produced was undercut by machines. In that year 58.95 per cent of the coal was mined by hand, and 34.44 per cent was shot off the solid. The explosives used were as follows: Black powder, 36.6 per cent; dynamite, 38.l per cent; and permissible, 25.3 per cent. The State of Washington is divided naturally into two parts by the Cascade Mountains which extend north and south somewhat west of the middle of the State. The coal areas east of the range will hereafter be referred to as eastern Washington-though nearly all of it is west of the middle of the State-and that on the west side as western Washington. The geographical distribution of the coal fields is shown in Plate I. Exploration of the State has not been exhaustive enough to preclude the possibility of discovering, besides the foregoing, other districts that contain deposits of coal in commercial quantities.

Jan 1, 1924

By Henry Kreisinger, J. F. Barkley

This book is one of a series of publications being issued by the Bureau of Mines for the purpose of disseminating information in regard to the methods by which the fuels in this' country may be used most efficiently. A knowledge of the temperature of the gases in boiler settings and in other commercial apparatus using heat tends to develop improved designs of apparatus and better methods of operation, thus reducing waste of fuel. The following pages present, for the benefit of those designing, operating, and testing such apparatus, information as to the accuracy of temperature measurements made under certain conditions and the corrections that can be safely applied.

Jan 1, 1918

By Daniel Harrington

On the night of June 8, 1917, the flame of a carbide lamp accidentally set fire to the uncovered and frayed insulation of an armored power cable near the 2,400-foot level of the North Butte Mining CO.'s Granite Mountain shaft. How this, insulation accidentally became exposed is explained on page 15. The highly flammable oiled fabric set fire to the shaft timbers, and as this is a downcast shaft the fire spread with great rapidity, soon filling the mine workings with smoke and gas. At the time 410 men were working underground, 247 of whom escaped by various means, but most of the 163 remaining were probably overcome soon after the fire started, and perished. Only two men were actually burned. The cause of the disaster was purely accidental. The immediate effect was the unexpected reversal of normal conditions; the ultimate effect was great loss of life and the destruction of the main hoisting shaft, putting it temporarily out of service. The work of rescue and fire fighting continued eight days. The following pages present an attempt to draw some practical conclusions and suggestions from this disaster. The property of the North Butte Mining Co. consists of about 220 acres in the northeastern part of the Butte district, Montana. Next to the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. it is the largest producer of the district. In 1916, the year before the disaster, there were 1,160 men employed. The output was 560,947 tons of ore, which yielded 24,498,181 pounds of copper, 1,047,063 ounces of silver, 1,712 ounces of gold, and 412,953 pounds of zinc. The profit was $2,479,595. The total development work for that year was 21,694 feet. During the first half of 1917, the year of the accident, the daily tonnage of ore averaged 2,000, an increase of 400 tons over that of the year 1916.

Jan 1, 1922

By N. A. Eilertsen

Mining operations were in progress at the Shawangunk mine near Summitville, Sullivan County, N. Y. as early as 1843 and again as late as 1918. Difficulty in effecting mechanical separation of sphalerite and galena was the primary reason for abandonment by various operators. The Bureau of Mines investigated this mine by diamond drilling, sampling, and performing beneficiation tests. The investigation included the construction of 1.25 miles of access road and the completion of 6,526 feet of core drilling in 24 holes. In addition, 151 samples were taken in the mine. The investigation proved an extension of ore contiguous to the old mine workings and resulted in the discovery of another ore shoot at depth. The ore occurs as fissure filling in a fault zone and contains concentrations of zinc and lead sulfides with minor dissemination of chalcopyrite in a quartz gangue. Metallurgical tests indicate that the ore can be concentrated by selective flotation.

Jan 1, 1950

This summary of State laws or explosives was compiled primarily to ascertain what subjects relating to their control have been acted upon by each State legislature and, in general, how they have been treated. It does not include any legislation passed after 1942, or any proclamations, regulations, or administrative orders. It does not purport or attempt to be authoritative. If any problem arises involving interpretation of the statutes of any particular State, the original source must be consulted for the exact words used by the legislature. This summary, however, will be useful In determining whether relevant statutes exist, and In locating them quickly,-with a minimum of effort. It will be of value also in comparing statutes in one State with similar statutes in other States to determine what construction has been placed upon them by the courts of those jurisdictions or to contrast the varying provisions of many States upon a similar subject. To make these comparisons easier, the statutory provisions for each State have been grouped under several major topics in outline form. Although this sometimes has resulted in disruption of the continuity of individual acts, the increased general clarity and availability of comparable sections have more than justified the procedure followed.

Jan 1, 1943