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By Glen C. Reed

"The Avon mica district of Latah County, Idaho, is situated on a heavily forested spur of the Thatuna Range at an average altitude of 4,000 feet. The nearest rail connection is at Avon, a small farming settlement 7 miles to the south. The main supply point is Moscow, Idaho, which is 35 miles by graveled and graded county roads from Avon.Discovery of mica-bearing pegmatites in 1885 was followed in 1888 by exploitation of several outcrop deposits. Although factual data are unavailable, past production appears to have been well in excess of $100,000. Recent production (September 191 to April 1945) amounted to 65,824.78 pounds of trimmed sheet mica and 33,294.17 pounds of punch mica having a total gross value of $434,298.The several properties of the district are variously owned by estates, individuals, and the State. When active, all wore under lease or sublease to individual operators.The deposits are in an area of pre-Cambrian schists adjacent to a small granitic outlier of the Idaho batholith. The pegmatites are nearly concordant in dip and strike to the foliation of the enclosing schists. The more persistent bodies are usually tabular, lenticular, or pegmatite. Individual dikes range in length from 10 feet or less to 300 feet.The recoverable crude mica content of the pegmatites ranges downward from a maximum of 115 pounds per ton of pegmatite mined. Material discarded in rifting and trimming operations further reduces recovery to a maximum of 5 pounds per ton -of pegmatite mined. The average recoverable sheet content of the 'recently operated .deposit is estimated at 2 pounds per ton of pegmatite -mined. Available data indicate that about 21 percent of the district's recent production of trimmed sheet mica has been ""Group A"" material suitable for exacting condenser requirements. A few of the dikes contain local concentrations of beryl.Reserves of the three known major deposits of the district are estimated at about 600 to 1,000 tons of combined ""indicated"" and ""inferred"" crude block mica. One of these deposits is inferred to contain between 150 and 450 tons of beryl.It is believed that those mica reserves are minable only under a cost-market price ratio similar to that established during 1943 and 1944. A small part of the reserves can be ""high-graded"" under the present price structure. Profitable recovery of the beryl would require a market price four to five times that paid in 1944.Preliminary examination of the Avon mica district was made by the Bureau of Mines in the summer and fall of 1942. A study of the Muscovite mine and a brief reconnaissance of the surrounding district led the Bureau to recommend that the district be explored by angle-dozer trenching."

Jul 1, 1946

By David Schlain

"IntroductionThe purpose of this investigation was to study the characteristics of the high-acid electrolytic manganese cell with the idea of fitting it into one of the flow sheets being worked out by the Metallurgical Division of the Bureau of Mines for the recovery of manganese from low-grade domestic ores.In construction, the high-acid cell 3/ differs from the low-acid type in that the cathode and anode compartments are separated by a diaphragm of relatively low porosity, such as alundum. This is necessary because in the high-acid cell the two electrolytes are circulated separately. The anolyte is 15 to 30 percent H2SO4. The catholyte consists of a solution of ammonium sulfate and manganese sulfate with a OH of 4 to 3. The only mixing of electrolytes is that resulting from flow through the diaphragms. In the low-acid cell the two electrolytes are not circulated separately and do not differ so widely in hydrogen-ion concentration. Hence, the canvas diaphragm is sufficient.During operation of the cell, manganese is deposited on the cathode, and sulfuric acid is produced in the anode compartments. Various other reactions take place in the cell. There is considerable decomposition of water; hydrogen is evolved at the cathode, and oxygen is liberated at the anode. When lead anodes are used, some hydrated oxides of manganese are formed at the anodes. The quantity of oxides formed is not as great as it is in the low-acid cell, because fewer Mn++ reach the vicinity of the anodes."

Jul 1, 1942

By R. J. Burgess

During World War II the shortage of ore revived interest in eastern iron deposits, among which -!2..c "Ile Massachusetts and Connecticut limonites. The Cheever mine, in the Richmond-Salisbury area of Massachusetts, was formerly a large producer of limonite ere. The Bureau of Mines investigated the lateral and downward extensions of the Cheever ore body, which was mined from about 1850 to 1892, by ap open cut 1,000 feet long and also by underground workings. even holes aggregating 1,723 feet, were drilled by the Bureau during the winter of 1943-44. They comprised three diamond-core drill holes, two churn-drill holes, and two rotary-drill holes. A geophysical survey of the Cheever mine area and adjoining ground was made in conjunction with the drilling program. Although this survey did not locate the limonite ore beds, the data were of considerable assistance in locating the limestone contact which forms the footwall of the ore beds. Drilling disclosed two beds of limonite with a heavy overburden of glacial till.

Jan 1, 1949

By A. C. Fieldner

The Sectional Committee on Classification of Coals, functioning under the sponsorship of the American Society for Testing Materials and the rules of the American Standards Association, in its 1934 report recommended to the American Society for Testing-Materials5 that Specifications for Classification of Coals by Rank be adopted as tentative. These specifications, slightly modified as recommended by the Sectional Committee, in its 1935 report,6 wore approved as tentative standards by the society in 1935. The specifications rover the classification of coals according to their degree of metamorphism, or progressive alteration, in the natural eerie s from lignite to anthracite. The basic scheme of classification is according to fired carbon and calorific value (expressed in B.t.u.) calculated to the mineral-matter-free basis. The higher-rank coals are classified according to fixed carbon on the dry basis, and the lower-ran]: coals according; to B.t.u. on the moist basis, that is, containing its natural bed moisture but free of visible surface moisture. Agglutinating and weathering indices arc used to differentiate between certain adjacent groups.

Jan 1, 1935

By James M. Spear

The U.S. Bureau of Mines and the U.S. Geological Survey conducted a mineral survey of the Elk Creek RARE II area during the summer of 1981. The study area encompasses 18,900 acres [29.5 sq mi (7,680 ha)] along Elk Creek, 18 mi (30 km) southeast of Covello, California. No mineral resources were identified by the U.S. Bureau of Mines during this survey. Assay results of samples taken in this area indicate only trace amounts of manganese and chromium. No radioactive or fluorescent minerals were detected. No oil and gas, coal, or geothermal leases have been recorded for the study area.

Jan 1, 1982

By N. S. Shan

This report presents the results of a study to determine compaction criteria for coal waste embankments. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the costs and resulting effects on the engineering proper-ties of coal waste materials, utilizing different compaction methods, equipment passes, and lift thickness. Based on the results of the study, a cost efficient compaction method that will attain the desired results will be recommended to the coal mining industry. The report describes a comprehensive literature search into the compaction of coal waste materials, field compaction programs, laboratory investigations, analysis of test data as well as conclusions and recommendations for establishing the compaction criteria. The findings obtained in this investigation are intended to supply much needed information and to justify the guidelines that have been recommended.

Jan 1, 1981

By M. M. Fine

This Bureau of Mines report describes the theory, experimental procedures, and the results obtained to date in the development of the Bureau's process for magnetically roasting iron ores using scrap iron as a means of reduction. Since magnetic separation is an operational step common to magnetic taconite plants, the preliminary research studies emphasized only the novel magnetic roasting step. The studies included the use of automobile scrap, ferrous reductants such as borings and turnings, and prereduced pellets. Technical feasibility of the process was demonstrated both on a bench- and pilot-scale. Quality magnetic concentrates with recoveries of over 90 percent were obtained from a direct shipping ore containing 59.5 percent Fe and from fine grained semitaconites with about 30 percent Fe.

Jan 1, 1966

By Liming Yuan

A study of the ignition of non-fire-resistant hydraulic fluid sprays was conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Both an open flame and a hot steel surface were used as the external heat sources. With the open flame as the heat source, the minimum oil temperature and minimum spray nozzle pressure that resulted in an ignition were measured. The effects of the distance between the open flame and the nozzle and the nozzle orifice diameter on the ignitability of the hydraulic fluid sprays were examined. With the hot surface as the heat source, the minimum surface ignition temperature was determined. The degree of oil atomization and the relative direction of oil injection with respect to the hot surface are discussed. The ignition of oil sprays from the impingement of oil jets onto a vertical surface was also investigated. Finally, the results are compared with those obtained for fire-resistant hydraulic fluids. Keywords: Ignition; hot surface; open flame; hydraulic fluid

Jan 1, 2006

By Stephen A. Swan

This Bureau of Mines report discusses research to analyze and evaluate extended bumper systems in order to determine the degree of protection provided to equipment operators in the event of rear-end collisions be-tween off-road rear-dump haulage trucks. The basic characteristics of rear-end collisions were determined, and a detailed analysis of the col-lision dynamics was performed to identify the magnitude and direction of impact loads, the amount of energy that must be absorbed during impact, and the major factors that affect the outcome of a collision. Separate bumper designs were developed to facilitate attachment to four 170-st-capacity haulage truck frame types.

Jan 1, 1987

This Technical Memorandum Report is a collection of three working memoranda, prepared during the course of our work for the bureau of Mines and hound together for convenient reference. These working memoranda present preliminary performance estimates, for baseband voice and narrowband through-the-earth electromagnetic communications systems of principal interest to the Bureau, for operational/emergency mine communications. The calculations were prepared to obtain early indications of the feasibility and governing parameters of such communications systems. They are based on limited, but pertinent, coal mine electromagnetic noise data acquired to-date by Bureau of Mines contractors; and of theoretical signal-attenuation characteristics for two transmitter antenna types of present interest to the Bureau. The memoranda examine the cases of baseband voice and narrowband communications for uplink and downlink transmissions, for frequencies up to 3kHz. Downlink transmissions are via a horizontal wire antenna, up-link transmissions via a vertical-axis loop antenna, for typical mine depths of 300, b00, and 1000 feet. Representative coal-mine overburden conductivities of 10-2 mhos/meter (moderate and common) and 10-1 mhos/meter (high) were used; 10-2 for voice and narrowband, 10-1 for narrowband only. Examples of high, moderate, and low; surface and subsurface; harmonic and broadband-impulsive noise conditions were taken from NBS and Westinghouse (WGL) mine noise data, together with examples of high- and low-levels of ELF atmospheric noise taken from M.I.T. Lincoln Laboratory data.

Jan 1, 1972

By Robert J. Timko

This U.S. Bureau of Mines study examined spontaneous heating episodes in coal mine pillars in an active underground coal mine. The information obtained from these incidents was then analyzed to learn which sampling methods provided the earliest indication of pillar heating. The objective of this study was to discover if the location of future events of pillar spontaneous heating could be inferred from the available information. The spontaneous heating-prone area in this evaluation involved pillars located just inby the mine portals. Several detection methods were used to determine gas levels outside as well as inside the affected pillars. It was hoped that, by incorporating external and internal sampling methods into an organized pro-gram, locations undergoing spontaneous heating could be determined more readily. This study found that by drilling small-diameter boreholes into the pillars, then obtaining gas samples from the affected pillars, the ability to locate early spontaneous heating episodes was improved. However, the ability to accurately predict future spontaneous heating events remains in question.

Jan 1, 2010

By G. R. Moulder

A device was developed that measures dynamic stress (ultrasonic energy) transfer through installed rock bolts, a measure that is directly proportional to the degree of grout bonding of the bolt to the mine roof structure and thus the ability of the bolt to bear static stress. The rock bolt bond tester (RBBT) is a hand-held portable device that shows three ranges of bolt bond condition; i.e., one-third (Bad bond), two-thirds (marginal), or fully bonded. These are shown respectively by a red, yellow, or green light that displays for 4 s. RBBT performance was verified with 2 1/2-to 8-ft bolts installed in various types 0f mine roof structures (sands tone, shale, and boney coal-mud), and 15 now being tested by the Bureau of Mines in mines across the United States. The unit is about the size of a five-battery flashlight and contains the transducer electronics, and battery pack. The RBBT is designed for extreme ease of operation, requiring only manual contact with the bolt and signal read-out. The batteries are rechargeable and the package is designed for durability in a mine environment.

Jan 1, 1983

By John R. Parker

Work places of an underground coal mine are required (30 CFR 1719) to be illuminated while self-propelled equipment is used. Permissible machine mounted systems have been developed and applied satisfactorily to many mining operations. However, some low seam and thin seam equipment has been difficult to illuminate because reliable, direct current systems and compact, low output, low glare luminaires were not available. This program resulted in the design and prototype construction of compact, low glare luminaires and AC and DC power systems, particularly suited to resolving illumination problems on low and thin seam mining equipment. Design objectives were based on enhancing the prospects for thin seam illumination solutions through definition of a product which could challenge markets enjoyed by higher glare luminaires and through reduction of technical risks associated with any new product development as well as the MSHA certification process.

Jan 1, 1982

By D. T. Holmes, W. G. Sandell

"INTRODUCTION Three representative lots of ore wore obtained from the Aguila minim district in Arizona during the Bureau's exploration of manganese deposits there. Since only selectively mined ore from this district will meet commercial-grade specifications, the ores were studied to determine their amenability to concentration.Although the purpose of the investigation was to determine the possibilities of the district as a source of commercial-grade manganese, testing was sufficiently comprehensive to indicate the response of the ores to several different types of treatment. Many data of secondary importance have been omitted, end only the more pertinent tests are presented in detail.At the beginning of the investigation of manganese-ore beneficiation in December 1940, the only product marketable to. Metals Reserve Company was ferro-grade manganese, grade B, the requirements for which follow: Mn, min., 48 percent; Fe, max., 7 percent; Si02, max., 10 percent; P, max., O.18 percent; Al12O3, max., 6 percent; Zn, max., 1 percent.Later the specifications were modified gradually. As of May 15, 1943, manganese products were acceptable if they contained over 35 percent manganese and less than 3 percent zinc and 1 percent phosphorus. Prices were based upon material containing 48 percent manganese, 6.O percent iron, and. 11 percent silica plus alumina. Premiums were paid for manganese con¬tent over 48 percent and iron content under 6 percent, penalties being imposed upon products containing loss than 48 percent manganese or more than 6 percent iron or more than U. percent. silica plus alumina.. The specifications for commercial manganese further required that the maximum particle size be 12 inches and that 75 percent of the product be coarser than 20-mesh. Therefore, fine material, such as table and flotation concentrates, had to be nodulized or sintered. In addition, carbonate manganese ores were not acceptable unless calcined.."

Aug 1, 1948

By M. Beus, S. Inverson, B. Stewart

Abstract Recent ore pass failures have underlined the need for improved designs, standards, structural mon¬itoring methods and better hang-up prevention and removal tech¬niques. Researchers at the Spokane Research Laboratory of the Na¬tional Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) are investigating methods to improve safety during the transport of ore in ore passes. Design criteria and hang-up prevention and remedia¬tion strategies involve studies of the effects of static and dynamic ore and waste-rock loads on chutes, walls, gates and support structures. Particle flow analysis methods were used to simulate the response of various ore pass designs to a wide range of ore loading condi¬tions. A full-scale mockup of ac¬tual ore pass and chute assemblies was duplicated and tested for load response. Data from a particle flow code and the mock-ups were com¬pared Loads on an active ore pass chute were measured.

By Richard C. Rice

Laboratory and field data for wire ropes typical of constructions used in underground mine hoisting were obtained, screened, encoded and analyzed statistically. The statistical analysis of data for hoist ropes retired from service showed that rope remaining strength (or, conversely, strength loss) can be predicted with good accuracy if several nondestructive measures of rope damage are assessed. Found to be most important was the outer-wire corrosion rating, the electromagnetic (EM) nondestructive-inspection technique used for predicting strength loss, and the rope diameter reduction. Signs of rope deterioration such as broken wires or damage were also important indicators of strength loss. Based on the results of this investigation, a number of recommendations are presented that promise to yield better rope inspection and retirement criteria which will in turn lead to improved safety and efficiency in underground mine-hoist systems.

Jan 1, 1983

By Donald James Butler

Problems resulting from underground mines in three inactive mining districts in Colorado were investigated. The purpose was to determine how these problems could be reduced or eliminated in new closings -- essentially by benefitting from lessons of the past. Mines in Leadville, Westcliffe and the Cripple Creek-Victor districts were evaluated. Two basic types of problems were found to exist in the districts: environmental degradation and hazardous conditions. Environmental problems result largely from acid and toxic drainage from the runes and from leaching of surface waste rock piles and mill tailings impoundment. The acid drainage contributes high levels of metals to streams and deposits sediment in the stream bottoms. Erosion of waste piles is a lesser problem. Hazardous conditions from open or improperly sealed mine shafts and adits, mine subsidence pits, and from deteriorating and unsafe surface structures are common to the three districts. These problems become worse with the ravages of time and vandalism. Engineering solutions which would correct or reduce many of these problems are presented. These recommendations should also be applied to new mine closures, however, more basic changes are needed to effectively implement improved mine closures. The changes must take place in the areas of legislation, mining practices and education. Legislated regulations should realistically reflect the needs of both the mine operators, protection of the environment and the best interest of the general public. Benefits should be provided for compliance with regulations instead of penalties being assessed for noncompliance. Hazardous conditions and environmental problems associated with mines can be alleviated through improved mine design and effective cloning procedures. Education should provide an appreciation by the general public of past and present problems facing mine operators. This will result in an improved mining climate which, in turn, will insure a continuing supply of minerals to meet increasing needs.

Jan 1, 1983

By E. L. Rawlins

The development of commercial natural-gas reserves in the Michigan stray sandstone horizon of central Michigan during the past few years has resulted in expansion of the natural-gas industry in that State. The location of the natural-gas reserves of Michigan in the general vicinity of domestic and industrial markets is of economic importance, and in supplying these markets with natural gas a reasonable knowledge of, the extent and availability of the reserves is needed in formulating regulations for drilling gas wells and producing natural gas in analyzing the feasibility of projects to construct natural-gas transmission lines, in promoting and developing markets for the domestic and industrial consumption of natural gas, and in solving many engineering and economic problems common to the natural-gas industry. The development of the natural-gas industry in Michigan has been related closely to the development of oil production. The potential oil production of Michigan is comparable with that in most of the eastern oil-producing States. The development of oil production probably will continue, especially in the central Michigan Basin area; and as wells are drilled to deep horizons in the search for oil, more knowledge will be obtained of the gas reserves in formations above the oil-bearing horizons.

Jan 1, 1936

By R. E. Lindstrom

Electrooxidation techniques were investigated on a bench scale by the Bureau of Mines to determine the applicability of the process for extracting molybdenum and rhenium from low-grade molybdenite concentrates. Parameters affecting the extraction, such as pulp density, power consumption, reagent requirements for pH control, and electrolytic cell configuration, were studied. Molybdenum and rhenium extractions of 98 to 99 percent were achieved from several concentrates containing 4.76 to 28.6 percent molybdenum and 180 ppm to 1,000 ppm rhenium. Optimum results were obtained by maintaining pH values between 5.5 and 7.0 during electrolysis and allowing the final pH to rise to about 8.2. Reagent consumption was 4 to 6 pounds of sodium carbonate per pound of molybdenum extracted. The power consumption declined from a range of 12 to 25 kilowatt hours per pound of molybdenum extracted with immersion electrodes to 9.7 kilowatt hours with a bipolar flow-through cell; however, molybdenum extraction was independent of cell configuration.

Jan 1, 1973

By Meliton M. Garcia

The volume of gases produced in major and trace amounts following the detonation of two water gel and two emulsion explosives in a mine were determined. The volume .of the major gases (CO, CO2, NO, and NO2) was measured immediately following detonation, during the mucking operation, and following the removal of the muck. Tests to identify and quantify the gases produced in trace amounts were performed following the detonation only. The volume of each major gas per pound of explosive (ft /lb) ;ranged as follows: CO, 0.0424-0.3231; CO , 0.6819-1.5632; NO, 0.0129-0.1320; and NO2, 0.0019-0.1111.. An approximate average of 95% of the gases produced was found in the test chamber immediately following the detonation, while less that 2% was found in the chamber following removal of the muck. Benzene was the most significant compound found to occur in trace amounts. Scaling tests performed with a water gel and an emulsion explosive suggest that the volume of the gases per unit mass of explosive detonated diminishes as the amount of explosive per blast increases.

Jan 1, 1986