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By Joseph F. Davies

To gain knowledge of the actual accident hazards present in Kentucky coal mines, reports of fatalities during 1931, 1932, and 1933 have been analyzed and the pertinent factors included in tables, accompanied by some discussion and recommendations for the reduction of accidents from particular causes. ACKNOWLEDGMENT This study was made possible through the cooperation of John F. Daniel, chief of the Kentucky Department of Mines, who made available department records, in addition to the monthly bulletine issued by his office reporting these fatalities.

Jan 1, 1934

By A. C. Johnson

This paper is one of a series being prepared by the Bureau of Mines on exploration, development, mining methods and costs at various mines in the United States. It describes such methods at the Lincoln tungsten mine of the Wah Chang Mining Corp., Lincoln County, Nev. The purpose of these reports is to promote development and conservation of our mineral resources by disseminating technologic information on mining methods, practices and costs. The Lincoln mine in Lincoln County, Nev., in the southeastern part of the [tate], was acquired by the Wah Chang Mining Corp., in April 1951. Mining methods and costs are of special interest at this property because of the low costs and good production record achieved through a well planned program of exploration, development, and exploitation. Operations were discontinued in July 1957 after the Federal Government suspended the tungsten purchase program.

Jan 1, 1959

By David P. Conover

The U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) has developed a computer-assisted Ground Control Management System (GCMS) for near realtime evaluation of underground coal mine ground conditions. The GCMS combines existing mine-monitoring system and sensor technology with automated computer analysis techniques to enhance the acquisition, analysis, and display of geostructural data. The GCMS, which combines mine structure data with other information, such as geologic conditions and mine layout, has provided information on mining-induced stress transfer and pressure buildup associated with several ground control events. The GCMS collects and analyzes shield-leg pressure, ground pressure, and strata movement data to evaluate the structural behavior of an active Western U.S. Iongwall coal mine. Field data are transmitted over a dedicated phone line to the USBM Denver Research Center (DRC) mine monitoring laboratory, 240 km (150 miles) from the mine site. Real-time collection, processing, and analysis of mine structure and shield pressure information has proved to be an effective method for near-face ground conditions while mining progresses. The GCMS provides the mine operator with information to rapidly identify and manage potentially hazardous ground conditions while mining is in progress.

Jan 1, 1994

By L. R. Herrmann

The research described in this report is the first phase of a comprehensive program for the development of a characterization for the structural properties of rock masses. The mathematical expression of the characterization is especial' tailored for use in conjunction with modern structural analysis procedures. The objective of the first phase of the project is to determine the feasibility of representing the structural properties of rock masses in terms of the analysis of an appropriate "representative volume" the results of this investigation are described in detail in the body of the report. The current state-of-the-art concerning the understanding and description of the fundamental mechanisms of rock behavior are determined from a survey of existing literature. The development of a representative volume that captures the most important of these mechanisms is described, In order not to unduly obscure the fundamental aspects of this development, the mathematical analysis of the representative volume is limited to plane strain conditions. A subroutine for the numerical evaluation of the proposed model (i.e., the analysis of the representative volume) is presented. The steps necessary for the incorporation of the subroutine directly into existing two-dimensional finite element structural analysis programs are described. Comparisons between the predictions of the proposed characterization and published results of simple laboratory tests are presented and discussed. Finally recommendations are given concerning suggested improvements of the model and the extension of it to the general three-dimensional case.

Jan 1, 1974

By B. J. Moore

This publication contains 14,242 analyses of gas samples from oil and gas wells and natural gas pipelines in 40 States and 24 foreign countries. These gas samples were collected in the period 1917-85 as part of the Bureau of Mines survey for helium occurrences. The gas analyses contained herein were made by several methods over the period covered. Analytical work on samples collected early in the period was done on the Orsat apparatus. The one-cut apparatus and four-cut fractional distillation equipment were added later. A mass spectrometer was acquired in 1949 and used for all gas analyses made after that time. From 1917 to 1978, helium analyses were made on special helium analytical equipment designed and built by the Bureau of Mines Helium Operations Laboratory. In 1978, this apparatus was replaced in the quantitative helium analysis work by a gas chromatograph.

Jan 1, 1987

By Richard L. Sanford

This report summarizes the results of an update on a previous Bureau of Mines grant (G0264026), and includes 5 additional years of computer pro-gram development. The directory includes a sampling of computer usage in operating and manufacturing companies, consulting firms, computer companies, research organizations, universities, and various governmental agencies. References to computer applications throughout the industry are presented as well as comments on program availability. The work effort on the updated directory concentrated on programs that are available to the public and are well documented.

Jan 1, 1982

By J. J. Forbes

First - aid training is an essential part of safety programs in the mining industry , but it is only a means to an end ; first -aid training will not eliminate accidents , but unquestionably it is of considerable value in any accident prevention program . Numerous features should be incorporated in any efficient , well - developed safety plan ; in addition to first -aid training safety work , to be reasonably effective , should include the establishment and maintenance of a safety organization , safety competitions between mines or sections of mines , safety- inspection committees , accident - investigation committees , safety meetings of mine officials , safety bulletins and posters , employees ' safety publications , Holmes Safety Chapters (which provide for monthly safety meetings of all employees ) , and numerous other activities looking to safe operation of mine or plant . These features are supplementary to the fundamentals of safety-- adequate and effective supervision and discipline . Years of experience , however , have demonstrated that first - aid training is a good accident -prevention auxiliary and should be made an integral part of every company's safety program . Many safety-organization plans have failed because they have been based upon the assumption that the supervisory force should be given full authority and responsibility for achieving safety and eliminating accidents and that the workers , who are most vitally concerned , are nonessential . First -aid training causes the employees to feel that they have a personal and full participation in the safety program and is now available so readily that no individual or organization has any valid excuse for not having it . Early investigations made with a view to bettering health and safety conditions among the employees in the mineral industries demonstrated the need of prompt care of injured employees because , under the difficulties inherent in the occupation , seemingly unimportant wounds , when not treated promptly, became infected and caused permanent disability and even death . Many seriously injured persons , brought out of mines and plants by fellow workers who were ignorant of the approved methods of giving first aid or of safe means of transportation

Aug 1, 1934

This report covers the results of an industrial engineering study that assessed the safety and efficiency of underground ore handling in U.S. metal mines. Significant conclusions that will be of benefit to the entire mining industry are the following: It appears from the study that the productivity of the slushing equipment itself cannot be substantially increased using the existing technology; the unsafe situations associated with slushers can be improved by better anchoring practices, by providing better work station layout that incorporates improved clearances and protected walkways over the ore pocket, by lighting the slusher drift, and by improved operator training; improved technology needs to be applied to the movement of broken ore in the stopes; and slushers will continue to be used in the mining industry in certain spedial and unique situations outlined in the report.

Jan 1, 1974

By Ernest W. Hilton

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the environmental impact of the surface mining methods currently used in the steep-sloped areas of Central Appalachia: southern West Virginia, eastern Kentucky, southwestern Virginia and northeastern Tennessee. Comparisons are made between mountaintop/cross ridge mining, contour strip, augering and an innovative method surface shortwall mining which was attempted at Julian, West Virginia. Included in this final report are a discussion and analysis of current Appalachian production, reserves, and the extent of land affected on a county- by-county basis. Additionally, the seams within the steep sloped region have been assessed according to minimal standards of thickness, surrounding lithology, and areal extent to determine their amenability to surface shortwall mining. These seams have been tabulated with their ash, sulfur, and BTU content on a county-by county basis. Only minimal statements are made concerning quantity because of the narrow set of conditions required by the shortwall method. Other sections deal with the possible technical failings of an operational surface shortwall system based on field studies at shortwall operations, discussions with people experienced with shortwalls and research into ground control problems at sites where short- and longwall operations have been monitored. A final section details proposed additional research directions which the Bureau might take in the future.

Jan 1, 1979

By Mark R. Pettitt

Noise surveys conducted in underground coal mines have consistently indicated that auger mining machines subject the operator and helpers to excessive noise exposure. The machine cutting heads have been identified as the primary noise source. This report documents the research program conducted to (1) investigate the nature of the cutting head noise problem, (2) develop noise control concepts, (3) devise in-mine survivable techniques to implement the noise control concepts, and (4) build and demonstrate prototype reduced-noise auger miner cutting heads. The dynamic forces generated during coal cutting by the brittle fracture of coal are predominently low frequency. The low-frequency (less than 1500 Hz) structural response of the cutting head, therefore, determines the noise radiated by the cutting head. The most feasible methods of reducing the cutting head low-frequency response are to increase both the structural stiffness and the low-frequency damping. A technique was devised to achieve these goals. The standard plate helix was replaced by a sand-filled hollow helix of triangular cross section, and the core diameter was increased with an attendant reduction in helix depth. Extended in-mine tests demonstrated the operational capability of the reduced-noise auger cutting heads. The simple noise control concepts are valid for all continuous miner cutting heads. The sand-filled hollow helix technique, which achieved a 10 dB(A) noise reduction for the auger, can be used on any helix-bearing Cutting head.

Jan 1, 1983

By Walter R. Storms

"INTRODUCTION The New Mexico potash exploration described herein was begun in February 1944 with the object of determining the amount of potash ore in the United States Potash Reserve in Eddy County by exploring the deposit from the surface with vertical drill holes. The work was completed in October of the same year after 16 holes had been drilled on the Reserve and in the immediate vicinity.The Potash Reserve is in secs. 26; 27, 34, and 35, T. 20 S., R. 29 E., Eddy County, N. Mex., about 14 miles northeast of Carlsbad, as shown on figures 1 and 1A, Drilling was done in secs. 26 and 35 of the Reserve, in section 14 to the north, end sections 2 and 56 to the east. All work was done on Governnent-owned, unleased land.The Reserve may be reached from Carlsbad by traveling to the north-east by automobile for about 14 miles on the paved U. S. highway 62. This highway passes through the southern part of the Reserve. Other parts may be reached by a State highway that passes along the eastern side of the area, then by poor dirt roads to various drilling sites. A branch of the Santa Fe Railroad also passes across the southern part of the Reserve enroute from Carlsbad to the plant and mine of the Potash Co. of America, a few miles northeast of the project and 22 miles from Carlsbad."

Aug 1, 1947

By Joseph W. Horne

This report presents the results of an investigation by the U. S. Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the State of Colorado, on the yields and properties of oils produced from oil shale, lignite and subbituminous coal using the standard assay method developed by the Bureau for oil-shale testing,. The purpose of this work, which is part of the general study of oil shales being conducted by the Bureau of Mines and cooperating agencies, was to obtain information on the amount and character of the yield of crude oil or tar from different typical oil shales, the yield of light oil or naptha that might be suitable for use in motor fuels, and other products of shale oil. As the west has large resources both of oil shale and low-grade non-coking coals, it is of interest to know the relative yields of tars, light oils, and combustible gases that can be produced from these coals when retorted under conditions similar to those suited for oil-shale retorting. Source of Samples The coal samples were obtained from deposits on or adjacent to the public lands in the States of the Rocky Mountain region. Many of the mines sampled are operating under Government leases or permits. The number of coal samples secured from the various states are: Colorado, 6; Montana, 9; north Dakota, 6; New Mexico. 1; South Dakota, 1; Wyoming, 9. Of these samples, 14 were lignite coal, 16 subbituminous coal, and a bituminous coal. The standard channel method of the Bureau of Mines was used for sampling. Coal samples received at the Boulder Office weighed about twelve pounds each, and duplicate samples were sent to the Pittsburgh Station for proximate and ultimate analyses. The origin of the samples and description of the deposits are given in Table 1.

Jan 1, 1927

By Robert M. Becker

This investigation (in five parts) extends the theory of sample reliability from a sample consisting of a fixed number of items to a sample consisting of a fixed amount of items. Examples of a fixed amount of items per sample are samples consisting of a fixed weight or a fixed volume of unequal size particles. The extension of the theory is confirmed by experimental laboratory sampling using standard procedures. The probability distribution functions (the binomial, hypergeometric, multinomial, generalized hypergeometric, and those here called the compound binomial and compound multimomial functions) are developed from fundamentals. Their distributions are generalized to include some measured characteristic of the items. Infinite population moments are derived from moment-generating functions, and finite population moments are developed from corresponding infinite population moments using a newly defined mathematical operation. The first three experimental moments in laboratory sampling to given weights of particles are compared with the theoretical moments of their corresponding compound mult.inomial distributions. The agreement is striking. The study is divided into five parts. Part 1 deals with probability or random sampling to n items and with all sampling to n items per sample from some one probability distribution. This is the area of sampling covered by well-known theory. Accordingly, the procedures may be different but many of the results are well known.

Dec 1, 1964

By J. W. Thompson

A mining company for a period of 12 years bad been selling its ore to a certain smelting company for the purpose of obtaining a continuous and steady market for its ore and for the purpose on the part of the smelting company of obtaining a continuous and steady supply of ore for smelting; an agreement was entered into by which the mining company agreed to eell and the smelting company agreed to purcshase at ruling prices all the ore produced by the mining company of certain' stated grades, and to this end the mining company agreed to actively operate its mines. It is no longer the rule that a suit will not lie for the specific performance of a contract relating to personal property ; but the question for determination in such a case is whether the complainant has a plain, speedy and adequate and complete remedy at law, and if he has no such remedy, specific performance will be granted. In an action by a smelting company for the specific performance of a contract of sale it appeared that the ore produced by the mining company bad a peculiar value for smelt. i.ng purposes and was not readily obtainable elsewhere, and it would be practically impossible to measure the value for determining the loss the complainant would sustain· if the smelting company were not ,able ,to obtain the ore under the contract. It is comparatively simple for a court of equity to enforce the agreement as it pertains to the normal product of the mine and there is no plausible reason why a court may not require a performance on the part of the mining company where the mining company obligated it:Belf to operate all its mines. There is no delicate or complex condition involved in the production or delivery of the ore 'or in obtaining_ the stipulated prices agreed upon, and there is nothing apparent that will necessitate supervisory· control in requiring performance on the part of the mining company. A decree for specific perfoi:m,ance would require no supervision by the court either for the operation of the mines or for ascertaining and fixing the prices the mining company is to receive for its ore.

Jan 1, 1919

By McHenry Mosier

Mechanical loading, adopted long ago in open-pit, coal, and non-metal mines, was not used extensively in underground metal mines until the World War. In less than a decade it became standard practice in underground work in many mining districts. In 1924 the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy, in cooperation with the Federal Bureau of Mines, published a bulletin entitled "Mechanical Underground Loading in Metal Mines," which was prepared by Charles E. van Barneveld, mining engineer, Bureau of Mines.

Jan 1, 1940

By H. R. Shell

Fluorphlogopite mica was synthesized from inexpensive and abundant olivine, clay, feldspar, and sand (plus K2SiF6). The raw materials were melted in crucibles and in an internal resistance electric furnace. The melts yielded >95 percent mica. The major difficulty encountered was incomplete settling of the highly dispersed ferroalloy. This problem was not completely solved. Reducing agents tried in melts of 300 to 400 pounds were carbon, silicon, and silicon carbide. Carbon slowly reduced the iron of the raw materials, with much fuming. Silicon apparently was oxidized ahead of the melting and was ineffective under the conditions obtained. By far the best reducing agent was silicon carbide. With silicon carbide, fuming did not occur and ionic iron content of the mica flake approached 0 percent. However, even with SiC, the highly dispersed globular iron did not completely separate from the mica portion. The fluorphlogopite made during this investigation should be suitable for metallurgical use. A byproduct ferroalloy containing about 5 percent nickel, 3 to 5 percent chromium, and some cobalt was obtained. Because of the highly dispersed metallic ferroalloy, the mica was not deemed suitable for electrical or electronic uses.

Jan 1, 1962

These proceedings consist of an introduction, nine descriptive papers, and a summary. The first paper is an overview of the respirable dust research program, the second paper describes the Mining Enforcement and Safety Administration's proposed changes in the respirable dust enforcement program, and the third paper describes respirable dust measurement. The remaining papers, by Bureau and contractor personnel, describes methods of reducing the amount of respirable dust to which coal miners are exposed. Of the six methods of reducing exposure to respirable dust described, two are methods of preventing or reducing the amount of respirable dust raised during mining operations, two are methods of collecting or removing dust after it has been released into the mine atmosphere, 2nd two describe methods that are combinations of prevention and collecting .

Jan 1, 1977

Protect mine rescuers from heat-induced stress that drastically cuts their endurance and saps their strength. Approach To prevent exhaustion caused by thermal stress, a rescuer can wear a liquid-cooled hood and vest which absorbs heat, thereby reducing the heat-induced strain on the rescuer's heart and circulatory system. How It Works Liquid coolant is continuously circulated through a self-contained system in which the coolant is chilled by a heat sink on the wearer's belt. The coolant, which is a mixture of alcohol and water, is pumped from the heat sink to bladders inside the hood and vest where it absorbs body heat. After absorbing heat In the hood and vest areas, the coolant returns to the heat sink where it is rechilled by passing through a tube coiled around a steel can containing a block of ice. To adjust the temperature of coolant leaving the heat sink unit, a valve can be operated by the wearer, causing part of the flow to bypass the coil. A small pump and a rechargeable battery are also part of the assembly.

Jan 1, 1979

By A. C. Richardson

The mine of the Porter Coal Co. is located at the town of Porter in the northwestern part of Jefferson, County, Ala., about 20 miles west of Birmingham. The operations in this mine are confined to the middle and bottom benches of the Mary Lee bed. The coal from the Porter mine is handpicked and washed before being placed on the market. The handpicked lump coal and the washed egg and nut, coal are sold chiefly as domestic and steam-raising fuel. The coal finer than 1 inch is washed in 2-compartment jigs and utilized in the manufacture of metallurgical coke. The coal company has found that, when coal ranging in size from 1 to 0 inch is washed in jigs, a considerable amount of high-ash material finer than 3/16 inch remains in the washed coal. This paper gives the results of an investigation which was conducted for the purpose of determining the washing characteristics of the through 316-inch raw coal and the extent to which the ash might be reduced by means of coal-washing tables. This investigation has been made in connection with an. extensive study of the coal-washing problems now being conducted by the United States Bureau of Mines and the University of Alabama, with the cooperation of the coal-mining companies of the State.

Jan 1, 1933

By G. A. Smyres

A GaC12--B2 l-eachtng procedure and meEal-recovery method for treating an arsenical Cu-Co sulfide concentrate was developed by the Bureau of Mines as an alternative to smelting, which is no longer considered an environmentally acceptable method for treating arsenic-containing ores. The procedure involved leaching in a CaC12 solution with CaC03 for 96 h at 26 pct solids (concentrate and CaC03), 1150 C, and a pressure of 50 psig (345 kPa) with oxygen. More than 98 pct of the cobalt and 97 pct of the copper were extracted, and 99.98 pct of the arsenic and 99.9 pct of the iron remained in the leached residue. A filtration rate of 2.9 gal/(ft2.h) [118 L/(m2.h)] and a cake formation rate of 36 Ib/(ft2.h) [172 kg/(m2.h)] were obtained by filtering reacted pulp at 1000 C. More than 99 pct of the copper in the pregnant solution was extracted as CuCl2 by golvent extraction with a new copper extractant. Copper was stripped from the loaded organic with a sulfate-chloride solution, which was used as the anolyte for electrowinning of copper in a membrane cell. Copper plate produced was more than 99.99 pct pure and requi.red 0.81 (kW'h)/lb Cu [1.78 (kW·h)/kg Cu]. Cobalt sulfide was precipitated at pH 3 with Ca(HS)2.

Jan 1, 1986