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By Stephen R. Iverson

Mineral deposits examined in and near the Raywood Flats RARE II area have low potential for development. The Mill Creek Mine (fig. 1), has produced about 14,000 tons (13,000 t) of marble, and another 5.5 million tons (5.0 million t) of marginal marble reserves suitable for lime, chemicals, and cement production are estimated to remain at this deposit. However, nearly all the marble is outside the study area. The deposit is marginal because alternate sources of marble are closer to markets. A tungsten occurrence in the marble is too small and low grade to be considered a resource. Ten tons (9.1 t) of uranium- and thorium-bearing material have been mined from a pegmatite dike at the St. Patrick Mine. However, this occurrence also is too small and low grade to be considered a resource. More than 400 lode and placer claims have been located in or near the study area. There are no current claims or mineral, oil and gas or geothermal leases.

Jan 1, 1983

By M. D. Aldridge

The results of a two-year research effort aimed at improving communication systems in coal mines is reported. A review of communication methods presently used in coal mines is presented. Theoretical and-experimental results of a four pronged effort in the areas of (1) through-the-earth propagation, (2) paging system design, (3) improvement of wired telephone systems, and (4) carrier current systems are described. Auxiliary systems not included in the above are considered briefly. Various conclusions are drawn in light of practical constraints and the needs of the mining industry. The study clearly demonstrated the need for nine communications to be designed on system basis. The viability of new technology for providing reliable mine communication for improving mine safety and operating efficiency is shown.

Jan 1, 1973

By J. H. East, R. S. Sanford, W. M. Traver, W. S. Wright

"INTRODUCTION This report describes the results obtained from a diamond-drill exploration project performed by the Bureau of Mines on the nickel deposits of the Yakobi Island, Alaska. The Federal Geological Survey 6/ completed a detailed geologic study and mapped the area during the summer of 1940, and a Bureau of Mines examining engineer 7/ made a preliminary examination of the deposits in June 1941, at which time core drilling was suggested as the logical means of determining the extent and grade of the deposits. Equipment and supplies were unloaded on the beach at Yakobi Island on October 21, 1941. The drills were moved to Bohemia Basin, where actual drilling operations wore begun under the direction of a Bureau of Mines engineer 8/ on November 7, 1941. Two core-drill holes were completed on December 7, 1941. Upon the request of the drilling contractor, operations were recessed owing to severe winter conditions. Work on the project was resumed April 27, 1942, under the direction of another Bureau of Mines engineer 9/ and was completed August 15, 1942. During the 1942 season, 13 core-drill holes were completed, and 10 surface pits and a tunnel were sampled. A total of 5, 191 feet of core-drill hole was drilled in 15 holes during the entire project. The results of drilling and sampling form the basis of this report."

Jan 1, 1948

By B. K. Shibler, A. O. Ipsen, W. W. Agey

"INTRODUCTION As a part of the program of investigation of domestic sources of manganese ore, mining engineers of the Bureau of Mines obtained and examined samples of ore from six properties in the vicinity of Pioche, Lincoln County, Nev., and from one property near Caliente, Lincoln County, Nev. As the ores were too low-grade to be acceptable for the direct production of ferromanganese, their amenability to concentration by ore-dressing methods was investigated.In general, the Pioche ores had a low manganese content and, owing to extremely intimate association of manganese minerals with iron oxide and nonmetallic gangue, were refractory to concentration by ore-dressing methods. Only two samples (Zero Gap and Wheeler ores) were amenable to the production of concentrates that would sinter to a marketable plus 35-percent manganese grade. The Prince Consolidated and Ely Valley No. 1.ores were roasted and sintered to produce lead-silver-zinc fumes. The residues were of possible value as manganiferous iron ore. No marketable manganese products were made from Calton semi-oxidized ore, but over 80 percent recoveries of lead, silver, and zinc were made by bulk sulfide flotation followed by Diming of the sulfide concentrate. No satisfactory results were obtained by treatment of Golden Eagle and Ely Valley No. 2 ores.The Cudverwell ore was amenable to the production of high-grade manganese concentrates by ore-drssing methods. However, fine grinding was required to effect mineral liberation, and loss of manganese as slime limited the mangenese recoveries obtainable.In the coarse of the investigations, many data were obtained and compiled, but for the sake of brevity, several data, of secondary importance have been omitted or condensed, and only the tests giving the more promising results are discussed in detail. For convenience, the report has been divided into two parts, one opertaining to the Pioche ores and the other summarzing results obtained by testing Culverwell ore."

Aug 1, 1947

By A. J. Kraemer

"Introduction In 1925 the Bureau of Mines published as Technical Paper 346 a discussion of typical crude oils of the Western Hemisphere. That paper was one of a series of surveys of typical crude oils, and was the first of these to deal with properties of crude oils from countries other than the United States. The paper contains comments, tabulated data, and individual analyses of crudes typical of the producing districts of Canada, Mexico, Trinidad, Venezuela, Argentina, Colombia, and Peru; for comparison, it also has analyses of typical crudes from the chief producing districts of the United States.The Bureau of Mines undertook a study of foreign crude oils for two reasons: First, foreign fields are potential sources of supply for the United States; in fact, considerable quantities of some foreign crudes have already been imported. Second, these oils are very similar in physical and chemical properties to oils found in the United States, and a study of these resemblances has scientific value.After the publication of Technical Paper 346, the attention of the Bureau was called to the fact that the two analyses of crude oil from Venezuela which appeared in that paper were not completely representative of the production of that country. Samples of other types of oil were procured through the cooperation of Mr. R. Ogarrio, manager of the Texas Petroleum. Co., Huston, Texas, and officials of the following companies operating in Venezuela; British Controlled Oilfields, Ltd., Venezuelan Oil Concessions, Ltd., Creole Syndicate, and Venezuelan Gulf Oil Co.. Samples were collected and dispatched by Mr. D. 3. Park, representative in Maracaibo, Venezuela, of the Texas Petroleum Co. The value of the interest and cooperation of these agencies in obtaining the samples is gratefully acknowledged."

May 1, 1927

Major activities of the Bureau of Mines Explosives Research Center during fiscal year 1966 (July 1, 1965 to June 30, 1966) are reviewed briefly. Part 1 summarizes significant accomplishments of the projects that were active during the report period. Part 2 presents short abstracts of the publications that appeared in the Bureau series and in other media during fiscal year 1966. Publications issued after June 30, 1966, are noted where pertinent in foot- notes but are not abstracted. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Bureau of Mines gratefully acknowledges the support given through cooperative agreements by the following organizations to investigations conducted by the Explosives Research Center during fiscal year 1966: Manufacturing Chemists' Association. The Sulphur Institute.

Jan 1, 1967

By Paul C. McWilliams

This Bureau of Mines report analyzes data on the physical properties of quartzite rock from the Crescent mine, Coeur d?Alene mining district, Kellogg, Idaho, to demonstrate the use of multivariate techniques. After regression, factor, component, cluster, and discriminant analyses are discussed, these techniques are applied to the Crescent mine data. Three appendixes contain some of the required mathematical and statistical detail plus heuristic examples of three multivariate techniques --component, cluster, and discriminant analysis.

Jan 1, 1978

By E. J. Kloos

One phase of the work of the Bureau of Mines in health and safety is promoting the use of safe, satisfactory, and reliable respiratory-protective devices. To insure that such devices will be available, the Bureau has established schedules of minimum-performance requirements for the approval of self-contained breathing apparatus (1),4/ gas masks (2), supplied-air respirators (hose masks, air-line respirators, and abrasive-blasting helmets, hoods, or masks) (3), dispersoid (dust, fume, and mist) respirators (4), and nonemergency gas respirators (chemical-cartridge respirators) (5). Approval tests of self-contained breathing apparatus are conducted by Health and Safety District B; approval tests of other types of respiratory-protective devices are conducted by the Branch of Health Research. Manufacturers of respiratory-protective devices may submit their equipment to the Bureau of Mines for approval under the requirements of these schedules. If the device, when tested by the Bureau, meets the schedule requirements, a certificate of approval will be granted, which not only states that the equipment has passed the schedule requirements but also gives information about the limitations of the device. If it is found at any time that approved devices do not meet the requirements of the pertinent schedule, the Bureau may rescind approval.

Jan 1, 1959

By J. Mitchell Linnet

Bureau of Mines personnel examined mines, prospects, and mineralized areas to determine the mineral resources and potential of deposits in the Bucks Lake and Chips Creek RARE II areas in Plumas and Butte Counties, California. These areas lie along the west slope of the Sierra Nevada on opposite sides of the North Fork Feather River and encompass an area of 62,800 acres (25,400 ha). Metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks of the Pennsylvanian Calaveras Formation are intruded by plutons of Mesozoic age. Mineral; of economic iterest are in quartz veins in metasediments close to these plutons; they are principally gold and silver with minor amounts of copper, lead, and zinc minerals. Molybdenum, copper, silver, and tungsten minerals occur in tactite along metasedimentary-granitic rock contacts. In both areas, auriferous Tertiary channel gravels have been extensively developed. Asbestos occurs in ultramafic rocks in both areas, and a limestone deposit was explored in the Chips Creek area. Gold is the principal economic mineral in the Bucks Lake RARE II area. The Shenandoah Mine (fig. 1, no. 19) contains 7,500 tons (6,800 t) of indicated and inferred subeconomic gold resources in sulfide-bearing, silicified metamorphic rocks of the Calaveras Formation (table 1). Similar rocks have yielded gold at the Edman and Megowen Mines, adjacent to the area. A high potential exists for additional lode resources in the area around the Shenandoah Mine. Callahan Mining Corporation personnel believe a multi-million ton disseminated gold deposit underlies the property.

Jan 1, 1983

By C. E. McElroy

"INTRODUCTION The ventilation of working places in mines by jets of air discharged from fan-pipe lines is an important phase of mine ventilation, whether the primary purpose is to dilute gas or dust concentrations or to provide air-motion cooling effect. Jets of similar nature are very prominent factors in the ventilation of enclosed spaces, such as buildings and ships. The effectiveness of such jets depends on the distribution of the air in the jet streams, a subject on which the little definite information previously available applied to jet discharge into large, open spaces under conditions quite different from those ordinarily associated with fan-pipe discharge in mines.The results of an initial series of experiments on the discharge of air from fan-pipe lines in mine openings have been described. 3/ This report presents the results of a second series of experiments and compares the results of both series with theory and experiment on jet discharge into large, open spaces. The results of this second series confirm and supplement those of the initial series, in which a 10-inch pipe discharged into an 8- by 8-foot develop¬ment end through seven short discharge pieces of different designs. In the present series the same 10-inch line was used, but the discharge was through 10- to 30-foot lengths of 5-inch, 10-inch, and 20-inch-diameter pipes and through a 20-foot length of 29- by 3-inch pipe. Tests were made with the air discharged into a closed drift or development end, as in the previous series (in which case the discharged air returned past the end of the pipe) and into an open drift (in which case the discharged air did not return past the end of the pipe but continued out along the drift). Test conditions corresponded to the discharge of a jet into a channel closed at one end; in one case, the discharge was directed toward the closed end and in the other toward the open end. The former typifies fan-pipe ventilation of development ends and the latter an abrupt increase in the sectional area of an airway. In both the flow had to pass from jet to open air against some resistance.The tests were made in the Mount Weather Testing Adit of the Bureau at Bluemont, Va., on the pipe line installed for ventilating the adit, and extended from late September to mid-November 1940. Preparations were made for directly comparable series of experiments on the injector effect of fan-pipe discharge in an open drift and on free expansion in large, open spaces, but these test programs were .first postponed in favor of other work and finally abandoned until the war is over."

Nov 1, 1943

By Eldon C. Pattee

THE BUREAU OF MINES began an investigation of tungsten resources of Montana in September 1953. This report presents information obtained from July 1955 to September 1957 on tungsten deposits in and near the Mount Torrey batholith. The batholith comprises part of the Pioneer Mountains of Beaverhead County in the southwest corner of Montana. Included in the report are assays and preliminary-examination data on 22 properties. Tungsten minerals are known to occur in 19 of the properties. The major producer is the Brown's Lake mine which has produced more than 625,000 tons of ore. Nearly all of the deposits are in the Lost Creek, Utopia, and Bald Mountain mining districts along the east and south margins of the Pioneer Mountains. The districts are less than 27 miles from Dillon, Mont.

Jan 1, 1960

By Alexander May

The Bureau of Mines conducted studies to determine if phosphogypsum, a waste material from the processing of phosphate rock, contains hazardous toxic materials as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and whether leaching of these toxic materials and radium may occur. Samples of the phosphogypsum stockpiled material were evaluated using the EPA extraction procedure, atomic absorption, neutron activation, x-ray diffraction, and chemical and physical means. Radiological tests performed used both the germanium-lithium and emanation methods. The data show that the phosphogypsum stockpiles are not hazardous toxic waste as defined by EPA criteria. Trace elements and radium are not leached from the phosphogypsum stockpiles. Absorption of trace elements and radium by phosphogypsum is the major reason for their not being leached. The standard error of measurement of radium concentrations was 4.7 pCi/g.

Jan 1, 1983

By Charles G. Maier

"INTRODUCTION The use of thermodynamic calculations to answer practical problems in metallurgy, especially those that are relatively difficult to test experimentally, is rapidly becoming a conventional method of procedure. Nevertheless, these methods cannot he applied effectively until the fundamental thermodynamic constants used for them have become available either by direct experiment or by recalculation of data already existing in more or less undigested form.In an attempt to collect such data far the compounds of lead and the antimony group the incentive has been to make a preliminary survey that will disclose the gaps or questionable phases of available information and to collect data that may be used to answer certain rather practical problems presented by operating metallurgists.This report comprises three sections; the first gives the basis of selection of the constants which may now be given or estimated, and the later sections discuss the application of the figures obtained to two of the more interesting problems.The reader will discover that many of the quantities involve critical study of a number of more or less discordant observations. Although certain data could be rejected on the basis of thermodynamic comparisons, it must not be overlooked that many of the figures are the results of rational estimates rather than exact experiment. The use of thermodynamic methods to control and partly authenticate such estimates is one of its most valuable characteristics for the practising metallurgist or chemist, who cannot check by direct experiment each property of the materials which he converts to usable form.Nevertheless, while it is definitely possible in certain instances that the final figure selected for the heat or free energy of a process or substance may be in error by as much as a few hundred to a few thousand calories per formula weight, questionable figures are usually revealed by the thermodynamic calculations made. When quantities of such degree of accuracy are, and they often must be, used for estimating an unknown reaction, the result often gives no more than the order of magnitude of the desired quantities. Yet even in these extreme cases the answer is far more reliable and valuable than an unordered guess or a conclusion based on incorrect data."

Dec 1, 1934

By McHenry Mosier

This paper describing mining practice at Morenci, Ariz., is one of a series of articles on mining method, and practice in the various mining districts in the United States. At present (1929) practically all the mineral production in the Morenci district is from the Humboldt mine of the Morenci Branch, Phelps Dodge Corporation. The mining method used is adapted to the type of ore body being exploited; it has been developed by adopting methods used elsewhere and making necessary changes to fit local conditions. Improvements in current practices are still being made.

Jan 1, 1929

By R. V. Ramani

This report is volume 3 of an eleven-volume final report for a Grant completed by The Pennsylvania State University for the Bureau of Mines to develop a dynamic general purpose computer simulation model for underground coal mining. The simulator developed under the Grant has a wide range of possible applications in the design and evaluation of underground coal mining systems from the standpoints of health and safety, productivity, and mine environment. The Master Design Simulator consists of nine free-standing function-oriented subsystem models linked together into an integrated, comprehensive model of an entire mining system. The subsystems comprising the Master Design Simulator include geology and reserves, methane generation, roof support, subsidence, production, rail haulage, cost, water generation,' and ventilation. This volume of the final report describes the Methane Generator subsystem of the Master Design Simulator. This subsystem is used to determine methane emission rates into the mine environment. These flow rates are then used by the simulator in planning primary and secondary ventilation systems, planning a methane drainage system, and analyzing complex ventilation networks. Both steady state and unsteady state gas flows are included, and have been modeled as second order nonlinear partial differential equations. Finite difference equations are used to obtain numerical solutions to the models using a central differencing scheme. An application of the model is presented. The appendices include derivation of the gas flow equations used in the model as well as a users manual for the computer program.

Jan 1, 1974

By Harlow D. Phelps

"INTRODUCTION The Copper Butte mine was examined, surveyed and mapped (fig. 1) by a Bureau of Mines engineer in January 1944. As a result, it was decided to diamond-drill the deposit, using Bureau of Mines equipment, and drilling was started October 14, 1944, under the supervision of two Bureau engineers, and stopped April 5, 1945. Nine holes were drilled for a total of 1,274 feet, not including 48 feet on a lost hole. Figures 2 and 3 are sections at AA' and BB' of figures 1, and show the adjusted average assays of drill-hole samples. Figures 4 and 5 are separate maps of holes 4 and 6, respectively.ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSIn its program of exploration of mineral deposits, the Bureau of Mines has as its primary objective the more effective utilization of our mineral resources, to the end that they make the greatest possible contribution to the national security and economy. It is the policy of the Bureau to publish the facts developed by each exploitation project as soon as practicable after its conclusion. The Mining Branch, Lowell B. Moon, chief, conducts preliminary examinations, performs the actual exploratory work, and prepares the final report. The Metallurgical Branch, R. G. Knickerbocker, chief, analyzes samples and performs beneficiation tests. Both these branches are under the supervision of R. S. Dean, Assistant Director."

Aug 1, 1946

By M. A. Elliott, H. H. Schrenk, L. G. Berger, John C. Holtz

"INTRODUCTION Interest in the possibility of using Diesel 6/ engines for haulage power in mining and tunneling is increasing in the United States, owing largely to the reported successful use of Diesel locomotives in European coal mines and to the comparatively recent development of automotive Diesel engines in this country. The extent of this interest has been evidenced to the Bureau of Mines by numerous requests for information as to the factors that must be considered if Diesel engines are to be used safely underground.Proponents of the application of the Diesel engine to underground haulage base their claims for its safety upon a comparison with the gasoline engine, assuming that (1) the carbon monoxide content of Diesel exhaust gas is always low and that (2) fire and explosion hazards from Diesel fuel are minimized because of its low volatility. In these respects the Diesel engine appears less hazardous than the gasoline engine, whose use underground has been discouraged by the Bureau of Mines and other organizations interested in safety in mining. However, such generalizations cannot be accepted as conclusive evidence that safety is inherent in Diesel engines in underground service, as European experience indicates that certain hazards may accompany their use. Such hazards were discussed in a previous publication 7/ that reviews developments in the use of Diesel locomotives in European coal mines.The Bureau of Mines has initiated a study of the hazards that may attend the use of Diesel engines underground to obtain first-hand information that may serve as a basis for recommending sale practices under conditions existing in the United States."

May 1, 1940

As a result of early experiments in underground mine illumination, the Bureau of Hines recognized the need for additional experience with the underground lighting of coal mines having low seam thicknesses. There was already experience with tile illumination of coal mines having higher coal seams, and this contract with Ocean Energy Inc. (OEI) was undertaken to contribute to the "low coal" experience. For the purpose of this contract, a "low coal? mine is defined as one having less than 45 inches of overall headroom in the working places. As a practical limit, 26 inches was the minimum coal seam thickness to be encountered in this program. In one instance, the maximum coal seam thickness was eight to ten feet, however, this particular work was at the direction of the Technical Project Officer (TPO) by virtue of the unique type of lighting arrangement that was to be evaluated which would be useful for low coal. At the outset of the contract, three major tasks were established. The first two tasks involved the installation of permissible fluorescent lighting equipment at two low coal mines. The intention was to illuminate mining sections in each case consisting of one or more machines. The third task was to illuminate a variety or mining equipment including a longwall. For the purpose of this report, the fol-owing identifies the particular installations associated with each task.

Jan 1, 1976

By E. M. J. Alenius

This paper describing the mining practices at the United Verde open-pit mine at Jerome, Ariz., is one of a series being prepared by the United States Bureau of Mines on mining practices, methods, and costs in the various mining districts in the United States. The purpose of this paper is to present the methods used in developing and operating the mine, and to discuss the problems encountered.

Jan 1, 1930

By Phillip N. Yasnowsky

This Bureau of Mines publication tabulates State taxes levied on nonfuel minerals that have the characteristics of a severance tax.

Jan 1, 1978