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By Paul W. Jeran

Subsidence over a series of longwall panels undermining sloping terrain in southwestern Pennsylvania was monitored to verify the Bureau of Mines subsidence prediction model for the northern Appalachian coal region. Comparison of the field data to model output shows close agreement. Vertical movements over each panel ceased with the mining of the adjacent panel. Horizontal movements were significantly affected by topographic slope. The distribution of horizontal strains over each panel were similar, with a zone of compression occurring over the center of each panel. The zones of compression were flanked by zones of tension toward the rib. The magnitude of the tensions were affected by the slope. The strains developed at the completion of each panel were not significantly altered by the mining of subsequent panels.

Jan 1, 1988

By X. Shi, V. Vallyathan, N. S. Dalai

"Using. ESR spin trapping methodology, evidence was obtained that fresh quartz dust in a cell-free aqueous medium generated hydroxyl - and possibly superoxide radicals. The hydroxyl radical generation potential decreases on storing of fresh quartz dust in ambient air and on the addition of either catalase, superoxide dismutase, desferoxamine, or DMSO. The role of quartz related radicals in the biochemical mechanism of acute silicosis is suggested from these findings.IntroductionThis report summarizes our electron spin resonance (ESR) detection of oxygenated radical formation by freshly crushed quartz particles in a cell-free aqueous medium, and its inihibition by radical scavengers. This study was undertaken with to elucidate the primary biochemical mechanism involved in the development of silicosis (Farber, 1983; Reiser and Last, 1979; Silicosis and Silicate Disease Committee, 1988). In particular the mechanism by which the quartz particles exert their toxic action on cells and the process(es) by which these actions progress to fibrogenesis are still not well understood (Farber. 1983; Reiser and Last, 1979;). It is generally believed that the action of quartz particles on the cell membrane is the starting point of the silicotic process (Farber, 1983; Parazzi et al., 1968). Thus the surface characteristics of the quartz particles have been the subject of several recent studies (Bolls et al.. 1983; Dalai et al., 1986; Fubini et al., 1987). Recently, We reported that mechanical crushing of quartz under normal atmosphere generates free radicals which decay with time, and that these free radicals are associated with a higher cytotoxicity of fresh quartz dust as compared to aged dust from the same stock (Dalai et al., 1986; Vallyathan et al.. 1988). The formation of Si• and. SiO--type of radicals from quartz particles crushed under atmospheric conditions has also been reported by Fubini et al. (1987). In addition, Gulumian and van Wyk (1987) have reported that quartz particles react with hydrogen peroxide (H202) to generates hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and suggested that this process might contribute to quartz's pathogenicity. However, these authors did not report the effects of metal chelators, so it was not clear as to whether the detected -OH radicals simply resulted from the Fenton reaction involving exogenous metal ion contaminants. Earlier, Marasas and Harington (1960) reported that quartz particles could function as an oxidant in a number of in vitro oxidations, including the hydroxylation of proline and lysine. They postulated that silica dusts, on reacting with water, could release H2O2 which might have the potential to react with various biological constituents and thus cause tissue damage. In fact, Gabor and coworkers (Gabor and Anca, 1974; Gabor et al., 1975) suggested that the cytotoxicity of quartz particles might be associated with the generation of some 'factor or factors possessing the properties of a free radicals capable of promoting the peroxidative chain cleavage of polyunsaturated fatty acid moieties of the phospholipids in the cell membrane. More recently Weitzman and Graceffa (1984) reported that asbestos is able to catalyze the generation of • OH radicals from H2O2. Their later work indicated that lipid peroxidation may be one of the mechanism by which asbestos produces tissue injury (Weitzman and Weitberg, 1985). This is significant because • OH radicals are capable of causing peroxidation by abstracting hydrogen atoms from cell-membrane lipids and initiating lipid peroxidation in lysosomal membrane (Fong et al., 1973). In fact, the formation of oxygenated species in reactions involving quartz was suspected since Kolbanev et al. (1980) reported the detection of H2O2 in the reaction of fresh quartz particle with aqueous medium. The present work was thus undertaken to detect the anticipated formation of some oxygenated, radical species by reactions of quartz in a cell-free media and its inhibition by radical"

Jan 1, 1988

By D. Harrington

Near the close of the nineteenth century electricity was introduced underground, and the mining industry automatically was confronted with another potential source of fatalities and injuries to mine workers. Electricity has become an increasingly vital factor in the production of goal, particularly in recent years, because of the greatly extended mechanization that has taken place underground. The enlarged use of electrical equipment for cutting, loading, and hauling coal unquestionably increased the potentiality of shock and explosion hazards underground. Electricity may be used in coal mines with minimum danger if electric equipment and power-carrying wires are chosen properly and installed and kept protected by proper safeguards; on the other hand, if vigilance is relaxed in the slightest degree accidents may result. Electrical accidents are caused chiefly by direct contact with electrical equipment or power-carrying wires, by ignition of explosive gas or dust, and by fires of electrical origin. Electricity now ranks fourth as a cause of coal-mine fatalities, not including deaths from explosions or fires of electrical origin.

Jan 1, 1936

By R. V. Ramani, V. T. Burgos, J. A. McClay

General The underground mining environment has traditionally been hostile and as early mines were developed, coal seams with particularly difficult natural conditions were bypassed in favor of those more easily exploited. Barring the discovery of new and novel sources of energy, the depletion of petroleum and natural gas reserves will eventually force the United States back to the use of coal as its primary energy source. Figure 1 illustrates the trend away from coal which has taken place over the past half century. Today, the demand for coal requires a re-evaluation of all coal seams to meet the needs of the energy market. Difficult mining conditions may result in an increase in the consumption of roof control materials, require greater investment in pumping and ventilation systems, and increase the need for in-depth engineering of far greater safety in production plans. They may also cause delays in mine development and curtail production, all of which combine to drive up the unit production cost. It is reasonable to expect that conditions will continue to deteriorate as current reserves are depleted, thus bringing this factor into greater prominence in the future. For several years now, it has become apparent that in addition to economic objectives, coal companies must set and achieve several concomitant objectives to accomodate society's interest in the conservation of natural resources. Government action to meet this interest has taken the form of two categories of Federal legislation, environmental protection and employee health and safety. The effects of both of these have not been fully evaluated with respect to the total economic picture, although preliminary evidence indicates that an immediate increase in

Jan 1, 1975

Develop an improved downhole geophone system with enhanced signal/noise ratio for collecting cross-hole seismic data used in tomographic reconstructions. Background The Bureau of Mines is conducting research in the use of cross-hole seismic tomography for detecting and monitoring leach solution flow during in situ mining. This technique requires the use of a downhole seismic energy source in one borehole and a downhole wall-locking receiver (geophone) in another borehole separated from the first by the region to be investigated. Bureau research personnel chose a commercially available air gun for use as the downhole seismic energy source. Unfortunately, commercially available downhole wall-locking geophones that the Bureau tested were difficult to operate in the field, often unreliable and generally inadequate in terms of their signal/noise ratio. Therefore, research personnel began to experiment with an alternative down-hole geophone design that could be used to collect adequate data in a wide variety of borehole and cross-hole field situations. Approach An attractive alternative geophone design would be one that would incorporate a pneumatically operated wall-locking system. As an integral part of the Bureau's existing field system, a portable, high- pressure/low-volume air compressor would have sufficient capacity to operate the air gun as well as several small high-pressure pneumatic linear actuators. This approach was the simplest and most compatible with the research activities being conducted at the site.

Jan 1, 1991

By Russell R. Trengove

The Bureau of Mines developed by core drilling the Cove Meadow copper property, also known as the Patterson property, from May 6, 1949, to August 6, 1949. It is in the Cove Meadow mining district, northwestern Humboldt County, Nev., 102 miles northwest of Winnemucca. The purpose of the work was to determine possible reserves in a mineralized shear zone in andesite that has been partly explored by several surface cuts and two shallow underground workings. Production from this zone to August 1, 1,949, was 98 tons of hand-sorted copper ore assaying 5.1 percent. The development work performed by the Bureau of Mines comprised a study of the geology, mapping the area, sampling the outcrops, and exploring by diamond drilling the shear zone adjacent to the fault. Seven holes were drilled for a total of 1,246 feet. Mineral reserves indicated by the project are confined to a length of 500 feet along the strike.

Jan 1, 1950

By W. O. Vanderburg

This paper describing the methods of concentrating tungsten pros at the mills of the Atolia Mining Co. is one of a series of similar papers being prepared by the United States Bureau of Mines. The writer acknowledges the assistance and cooperation of A. V. Udell, president, Louis Warnken, bookkeeper, and C. K. Dennis, superintendent, of the Atolia Mining Co. in the preparation of this paper.

Jan 1, 1931

By M. J. Sheridan

"INTRODUCTION In December 1942, the-Bureau of Mines reported favorably on a proposal to grant Government assistance-in constructing an access road (consisting principally of a timber-pile bridge across the Rio Grande at Hot Springs, N. Mex.) to the property under lease to the United States Fluorspar Co. At that time the property was being developed actively, and there appeared to be no immediate-need for exploratory or metallurgical assistance by the Bureau of Mines.Because milling facilities were inadequate; the access-read project was eventually disapproved, but prior to disapproval the company had discontinued operations. In June 1943, exploration was resumed by the Humphreys Gold Corporation of Denver, which had subleased the property. Difficulty of access continued to interfere with exploratory progress. In July 1945, at the request of the lessee, the Bureau of Mines directed sampling, using company employees.At the completion of this sampling program, the Bureau of Mines concluded that the property was potentially a important source of fluorite but that further development for production appeared to depend largely on the establishment, by exploration, of adequate reserves. Because of the relatively easy position-of metallurgical-grade concentrate and ores, it also was deemed advisable to investigate the possibility of producing acid-grade concentrate from the ore, for which a demand was becoming evident. Accordingly, a program of trenching, diamond drilling, and metallurgical testing was undertaken by the Bureau. The results of its investigation are reported herein."

Feb 1, 1947

By Robert L. Rough

The 1954 field tests consisted of six experimental shots in relatively deep holes in a sandstone similar to many oil-bearing sandstones. Water-injection measurements were made before and after each shot to establish the change in conductivity of the fluid caused by the shot. The pressure pulse produced by the shot was recorded in nearby holes to monitor the shot and to determine if any relation existed between the change in conductivity and the nature of the pressure pulse. The results of water-injection tests showed the range of conductivity of fluid before and after shooting with two different types of explosives. Because of the large spread in data for similar shots, not enough information was available to evaluate the differences in increased conductivity produced by the two explosives or any relation between the increased conductivity and the nature of the pressure pulse. However, these results, with the results of other tests involving explosive shots in rock, provide guidance for future research on the oil-well-shooting problem.

Jan 1, 1957

By F. J. Gallagher

Some serious fires have occurred in bituminous-coal mines because of short circuits on direct-current power systems that do not have adequate circuit-breaker protection. The writer's observation of circuit-breaker installations in numerous coal mines leads to the conclusion that many persons am not properly informed as to the true functions, limitations, and operation of circuit breakers. Faulty protection results in fire hazards that endanger lives and property. Proper circuit-breaker protection would greatly minimize or, in many instances, eliminate the hazards; moreover, many operating advantages of proper application of modern circuit breakers would be gained. The purpose of this circular is to show why fire hazards exist in many mines despite the use of circuit breakers and how, the hazards may be overcome. A method is given for determining whether additional circuit-breaker, protection is required for a specific 250/275-volt direct-current distribution system, and, if so, the approximate locations and capacities of the required supplemental breakers.

Jan 1, 1951

By Alan R. Buehler

A mineral survey of the 67, 110-acre Raven?s Eye WSA (Wilderness Study Area) in the north-central Snake River Plain of Idaho was conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Mines in 1985, at the request of the Bureau of Land Management. The WSA is in Blaine and Lincoln Counties; the northwest corner is about 1 mile east of Carey, 10. A search of county mining claim records indicated that no claims have been located in the WSA. Basaltic lava is the only rock type exposed within the WSA. A platy variety of lava (slab pahoehoe) occurs that is produced from other lava fields in southern Idaho. The material is marketed as decorative stone, used for wall veneers, and retails for approximately $125/ton. Within the W5A, approximately 18,000 tons of indicated reserves are concentrated in two areas, and a total of 12,000 tons of indicated subeconomic resources were found at six other localities. An additional 10,000 tons of inferred subeconomic resources are unevenly distributed over the remainder of the WSA.

Jan 1, 1986

By I. AITKENS

The basic mining law of Cuba is contained in the basic Spanish mining decree having the effect of law December 29 , 1868. This legislation has remained substantially unchanged , with the exception of a few minor administrative changes made by the present Government . These changes provide for the register of mines , oil wells , and operations of such nature , and also provide for the keeping of records showing the value of minerals taken out . By Royal decree of April 17 , 1883 , the law of mines enacted for the Peninsula ( Spain ) on July 6 , 1859 , and the General Bases of December 29 , 1868 , were declared in force in Cuba . In order to encourage the mining of iron org , in 1883 the Crow of Spain issued a royal decree to the following effect.

Jul 1, 1931

By Sam McNary

The U.S. Bureau of Mines used the East Fork Pine Creek watershed to conduct a pilot study for an inactive and abandoned mine lands inventory, during which techniques and methodologies would be developed for subsequent inventories. A total of 177 waste dump samples, 191 mill tailings samples, and 36 stream sediment samples were collected. Water samples were collected from 18 sample sites during five sampling events. Waste dump, tailings, and stream sediment samples were analyzed for antimony, arsenic, cadmium, copper, iron, lead, mercury, and zinc. Results indicate a multidisciplinary approach is necessary: disciplines should include geology, geostatistis, geochemistry, geophysics, biology, hydrology, and remote sensing; small prospects do not generally contribute to watershed contamination, major mine and mill sites may contribute metal enriched sediment of metal enriched water; speciation studies and bioavailability studies are important.

Jan 1, 1995

By H. L. Riley

This report describes the methods and equipment used by the Watauga Stone Co. to drill and blast limestone in a two-level quarry, and to crush, screen, blend, and load this stone. Power requirements per ton of stone produced are reported. The personnel requirements for individual phases of the operation are tabulated in man-hours per ton of stone produced.

Jan 1, 1963

By L. C. IlsLey

Cooperation between the United States Bureau of Mines and the Safety in Mines Research Board of Great Britain, continuous, since 1924, s made possible this and other papers on safety subjects. Grateful acknowledgment is made to representatives of the board for their assistance in arranging visits to several mine-safety stations, and to F. R. Wynne, Deputy Chief Inspector of Mines, for arranging visits to mines in Great Britain and certain other countries in Europe. During the summer of 1927 the writer had the privilege of visiting the mine-safety testing stations An Great Britain, Belgium, Germany, and France, in the order named. All of these countries have large coal mines, many of which are rated as gassy. Therefore, a the installation of electrical equipment is contemplated each of these countries is confronted with the same safety problem as is the United States that is, the development of electrical equipment that will not, ignite gassy atmospheres should they through neglect or accident surround the equipment. The means employed by these countries in safeguarding gassy mines should therefore be of general interest to safety engineers of American coal mines, and a brief survey is given for each of the four countries mentioned. The fourth or last of these surveys covers conditions in France.

Jan 1, 1929

"The main objective of this research is to identify the mechanisms of control of respirable dust generation in coal mines. Full understanding of the mechanics of crack propagation in coal is of fundamental importance in studies of the generation and control of respirable dust.The main objectives of this fracture investigation are: 1) to determine reliable data on the fracture toughness of coal as a parameter controlling unstable crack propagation; 2) to determine fracture propagation velocity in coal providing data on the terminal velocity at which crack bifurcation occurs and fine fragments of coal material are generated; and 3) to apply the critical strain energy density criterion to model mixed mode crack propagation in coal.The development of the protocol, laboratory procedure and equipment necessary to conduct an extensive mixed mode fracture toughness testing program has been completed. About 80 mixed mode fracture toughness tests, 10 good fracture velocity records and over 50 fracture surface examination with the SME are available. The details of the mixed mode fracture toughness testing are available in a paper titled, ""Development of Mixed Mode Testing System for Geologic Materials"" which is available from the center. The average fracture toughness and critical strain energy density values for the three seams investigated to date are included in the attached Figures 71, 72, 73."

Nov 1, 1988

By R. L. Grayson, W. E. Wallace, T. Simonyi, J. C. Harrison

"Application of an SEM-based methodology suggests a reason for past contradictory results on the relationship between quartz and coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP). Results indicate that coal seams with the same bulk analysis of quartz may have different amounts of surface-availablequartz. Our research shows that the amounts of pure and surface-available quartz in a respirable dust vary directly with the rank of a coal seam, except in the case where rock materials are mined. The estimated amount of surface-available quartz therefore provides a measure of the quartz-related fibrogenic potential of a respirable dust.INTRODUCTIONFrom our previous work (Grayson, 1991), we have shown that the amount of pure quartz in a respirable coal mine dust sample appears to vary directly with the rank of the seam (using fixed carbon as the basis for comparison), except when a substantial rock parting, roof or floor are mined. Our other work (Wallace et al., 1989) showed that high-silica particles in a clay mine may generally be coated with clay, rendering the quartz core non-available for surface reaction in the lung. The combination of these findings led us to hypothesize that the coating phenomenon may indeed be present in coal mines as well, and that a rank relationship may be present regarding this phenomenon. Thus higher rank coal seams may have more surface-available quartz as well as more pure quartz particles in their respirable dusts. The scientific protocol for testing this hypothesis and the results obtained to date are discussed in this paper. Thus far, there is no reason to doubt that the relationship holds."

Mar 1, 1992

By Edward D. Thimons

The Bureau of Mines has developed a damage-resistant brattice, intended for use as a stopping in locations where blast damage to stoppings is a problem, the roof is relatively flat, and the differential pressure across the stopping is not high. Damage-resistant brattices consist of a series of vertically hung brattice panels joined to each other by Velcro connections that improve the airtightness of the brattice. When the brattice is subjected to strong blast forces, the Velcro connections peel apart, allowing the panels to open without incurring damage. The Velcro connections can then be resealed in a matter of minutes. A preliminary test in the Bureau's Safety Research Mine and subsequent long-term testing at the White Pine copper mine in Michigan and the Retsof salt mine in New York show that damage-resistant brattices withstand blasting better than conventional stoppings, while still performing as efficient air barriers when the Velcro connections are sealed.

Jan 1, 1978

By D. L. Nussear, W. E. Wallace, N. Clark, M. Gautaum, G. Hong-Guang

"Results of a research effort directed towards identifying and measuring the genotoxic properties of respirable particulate matter involved in mining exposures, especially those which may synergistically affect genotoxic hazard, are presented. Particulate matter emissions from a direct injection diesel engine have been sampled and assayed to determine the genotoxic potential as a function of engine operating conditions. Diesel exhaust from a caterpillar 3304 diesel engine, representative of the ones found in underground mines, rated 100 hp at 2200 rpm is diluted in a multi-tube mini-dilution tunnel and the particulate matter is collected on 70 mm fluorocarbon coated glass fiber filters as well as on S"" x 10"" hi-volume filters. A six mode steady state duty cycle was used to relate engine operating conditions to the genotoxic potential. Results to-date on diesel exhaust have indicated that use of a primary component of pulmonary surfactant as a medium for collecting and applying respirable particulate material to cells for mutagenicity testing offers a true representation of in-vivo delivery of such respired aerosols to pulmonary cells and the genetic material within. Protocols have been developed to sample and assay the diesel soot and diesel soot/mineral dust complexes which would not compromise the surf ace and physical properties of the particulate material. Evidence has been gathered to show that diesel soot expresses mutagenic potential as dispersions in DPL in the Ames tests as well as sister chromatid exchange activity in the animal lung fibroblast ·derived V79 cell line. The results are comparable to the standard solvent extraction procedure. INTRODUCTIONDiesel engines are primarily associated with transportation; however, they are also very common in the work place. Of particular concern is the use of diesel engines in mining operations. Currently there are 1,950 diesel machines working in underground coal mines throughout the country. These units are used in 151 mines encompassing nine different states (MSHA, 1991). It is believed the use of diesel powered equipment has contributed to higher productivity in these mines. However, the exhaust from diesel engines operated in underground mines has been a subject of concern during the past decade because of its suspected relationship with health aspects. The particulate matter generated by the diesel engine is of particular concern."

Mar 1, 1992

Commodities statistics and other information are available through the following three systems: Internet Access: To access the USBM Gopher server on Internet, connect to: gopher.usbm.gov port 70, using gopher client software. Or contact the Systems Administrator for technical questions: Matt Klevemann, 412-892-6499 (klevemmc@miner.usbm.gov) These USBM materials are available on Internet, with more to come in the future: Publications and other research findings, including this bimonthly publications list, newsletters, tech transfer updates, environmental technology research, health and safety information. USBM software products Media materials and speeches. Mines Data: Computer bulletin board. Log on via modem through 202/501-0373, or call 202/501-0406 for technical assistance. Mines FaxBack Return fax service. 1. Use the touch-tone handset attached to your fax machine's telephone jack. (ISDN [digital] telephones cannot be used with fax machines.) 2. Dial 202/219-3644. 3. Listen to the menu options and punch in the number of your selection, using the touch-tone telephone. 4. After completing your selection, press the start button on your fax machine.

Jan 1, 1995