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By S. H. Ash

NO MORE important question has come before the coal-mining industry in many places, especially in the anthracite region of Pennsylvania, than prevention of stream pollution by mine drainage. Available information on acid mine drainage in the anthracite region of Pennsylvania indicates that a pollution problem must be solved in any program of anthracite mine drainage. The major problem concerns satisfactory disposal of the daily average mine-water discharge of 327,000 gallons per minute (g. p. m.), or 472 million gallons per day (g. p. d.), containing a free-acid load of 431 tons or a total acid load of 934 tons a clay as H2S04. This report indicates the scope of the problem and gives some suggestions concerning its solution.

Jan 1, 1951

By Louis C. Brichta

The rapid depletion of known deposits of high-grade ore and the need for development of additional reserves, together with increased interest in open-pit mining of low-grade zinc-lead ores in the Tri-State District, led the Bureau of Mines to examine likely mining sites. Underground operations failed to remove all of the ore in a number of areas, and it appeared possible that some of them might be reworked successfully by low-cost open-pit methods. The South Carthage or Hull tract in Jasper County, Mo., was selected by Bureau engineers as favorable for the development of an open-pit mine.

Jan 1, 1949

By Wilbert J. Huff

The Explosives Division of the United States Bureau of Mines makes certain laboratory and field investigations that deal with explosions, explosives, ignition, and combustion, together with many related problems, such as the cause and prevention of fires, and certain fundamental scientific questions bearing upon the determination of the chemical and physical mechanisms underlying some of the important phenomena encountered. Its work on explosives has been particularly directed toward determination of the chemical and physical characteristics of explosives designed for use in coal mines and in a more limited way to those used in metal mines, tunnels, quarries, and other engineering operations. This testing is handled by two units of the Explosives Division, as follows:

Jan 1, 1937

By J. E. Shelton

Flotation tests are described on samples of two lowgrade nickeliferous ores of Oregon and Washington. The sample from the Congress mine, Ferry County, Wash., contained 1.2 percent Ni, occurring chiefly as millerite. The sample from the Shamrock mine, Jackson County, Oreg., contained 2.20 percent Ni and 0.78 percent Cu occurring chiefly as pentlandite, nickeliferous pyrrhotite, and chalcopyrite. The millerite in the Congress ore was concentrated by flotatioin with aulfydric collectors in a series of locked tests to recover 73 percent of the nickel as a 7 percent bulk concentrate. By successively regrinding and floating the bulk concentrate, it was further concentrated to 12.4 percent Ni at a recovery of 59 percent and 21.8 percent Ni at a recovery of 50 percent. Attempts at selective concentration of the copper-nickel Shamrock ore were only partly successful because of the intimate association of pentlandite and chalcopyrite. The nickel concentrate, which contained 86 percent of the nickel, had an analysis of 4.42 percent Ni and 1.03 percent Cu. The copper concentrate had an analysis of 18.8 percent Cu and 1.96 percent Ni and contained 48.5 percent of the copper. A bulk sulfide concentrate contained 92 percent of the copper and 01 per¬cent of the nickel and had an analysis of 4.17 percent Ni and 1.63 percent Cu.

Jan 1, 1956

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) defines an independent contractor as any person, partnership, corporation, subsidiary of a corporation, firm, association or other organization that contracts to perform services or construction at a mine. Contractors that perform specific types of work are required to report the number of employees who work at coal mines and noncoal mines.

Jan 1, 2008

Objective: To provide a safe, practical, cost-effective method for measuring coal rib thickness during highwall mining.

Jul 1, 2008

By C. R. Nisewanger, F. W. Brown

"The velocity of detonation of an explosive is one of its most important properties, because its performance depends markedly on the rate at which it releases its energy. Fortunately, the velocity of detonation is one of the few properties of an explosive that can be measured precisely. However, the velocity of detonation of an explosive may depend on several factors other than its chemical composition, such as density, physical state, degree of confinement, nature of confinement, and magnitude of initiating impulse. Presumably for an explosive of fixed chemical and physical properties there are certain limiting conditions of confinement and initiation under which the explosive will detonate at a maximum constant and uniform velocity. This velocity is its ""ideal"" velocity of detonation. It is obvious, however, that in order to evaluate performance properties of an explosive in all of its applications it may be necessary to measure its velocity of detonation under a number of conditions in which the velocity of detonation is far from the maximum ""ideal"" velocity.. Under certain-conditions the velocity of detonation may even,be,different at different points in the explosive.It is .relatively simple to determine the velocity of detonation of an explosive under a. standard set of conditions if one is free to use large quantities of the explosive and to form it into a convenient shape. Under these circumstances; one can use a thin column of explosive a meter or more in length. The time required for an explosion to travel the length of the column will not be less,of the order a few ten-thousandths of a second and can be readily and accurately measured .by means of the standard spark chronograph or by photographing the explosion with a rotating-drum camera. However in many applications the explosive charge may be of relatively small dimensions arid may not be in a form convenient for making velocity measurements and often may be enclosed in a case or other confining medium. It may be necessary to determine the velocity of detonation over distances of the order of a few centimeters, in which case the time intervals to be measured will be extremely small. For example, the time required for an explosion to traverse 1 centimeter of tetryl is of the order of 1.5 microseconds.Since no satisfactory method of determining time intervals of the order of magnitude of a few microseconds within an explosive charge was available,, at least not for all conditions that might be encountered in practice, it was necessary to develop a special electronic chronoscope which is capable of measuring time intervals as small as a microsecond with a fair degree of accuracy. This report describes the chronoscope and its application to measurements of velocities of detonation in explosives."

Mar 1, 1946

By G. S. Knoke

This report presents the results of a demonstration of the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of hydraulic borehole mining of shallow oil sands. Borehole mining offers a method for extracting the oil sands with minimal disturbance to environmental quality because (1) no overburden is removed, (2) no waste rock piles are required, (3) the tailings can be backfilled into the borehole cavity, (4) the ground water quality should be undisturbed, (5) a closed-loop water system can be employed so that no surface streams are polluted, and (6) surface subsidence can be minimized by backfilling the mined cavities. This project consisted of two concurrent tasks: mining operations and environmental monitoring. To generate the environmental impact, nearly 1000 tons of oil sands were mined from two boreholes. Water quality and ground subsidence were monitored. No significant changes occurred in the chemical composition of the process water, indicating that the borehole mining process does not dissolve the mined material. The average subsidence in the immediate vicinity of the boreholes was about 1/2 inch, although some points were noted to be slightly elevated. In general, the amount of subsidence increased with time and decreased with distance from the bore-hole. A mining cost analysis was used to project an estimated cost for production mining of about $38 per barrel of oil.

Jan 1, 1980

By R. August Heindl

[A proposes process for recovering manganese from open-hearth steel-plant slogs is indicated by the flow diagram shown in figure 1. Investigation of the process, the laboratory development of which was reported previously,4/ was expanded to a larger scale. Mixtures of flush slags and limestone were proportioned to have molar [SiO2] ratios of 1.5 to 2.2 and were fired at temperatures up to 2,400° F. In an oxidizing atmosphere. This produced clinker consisting principally me various combinations of the oxides of manganese, iron, aluminum, and magnesium aloe with a dicalcium silicate phase containing the phosphorus. Some tests were made with a continuous sintering machine of the traveling-grate type, but a rotary kiln was the most satisfactory apparatus for this operation. Material was fed at 150 to 200 pounds per hour after first being agglomerated either on the sintering or else binder extruding and drying finely ground mixture of the sing, limestone, binder, and water. Tests with slag; from tree different source indicated overkill manganese recoveries of 65 to 80 percent by ammoniacal-ammonium-carbonate leaching.]

Jan 1, 1955

By Tom Retka

This three volume final report summarizes the activities and conclusions of this contract. The objective of the contract was to develop noise control modifications on a retrofit basis, for auger miner coal-cutting systems. Manuals were prepared to assist mine shop personnel in retrofitting the auger miner with these noise controls. Final Report Volume I - Details all vibration and acoustical tests conducted in development of the noise controls. Final Report Volume II - Noise Control Modification Manual for the Jeffrey 100-L Auger Miner describes the various noise control modifications to the auger miner, along with fabrication procedures, cost and vendor information. Final Report Volume III - Noise Control Modification Manual for the Jeffrey 94-l Bridge Conveyor describes the various noise control modifications to the bridge conveyor, along with fabrication procedures, cost and vendor information.

Jan 1, 1978

By John E. Miller

Supercompressibility factors, Fpv, were derived from experimental compressibility data for five helium-nitrogen mixtures containing from 50 to 100 pct helium. These Fpv values are required as volumetric correction factors for or if ice meter measurement of "crude helium" (helium-nitrogen) purchased by the Government in a program of helium conservation. Although compressibility measurements were made by the Burnett method (2)3 - for pressures from 100 to 3,400 psia and temperatures from 40° to 100° F, Fpv values were needed only for pressures from 400 to 2,000 psia. Consequently, values at increments of 2° F, 2 pct helium, and 10 psia were tabulated only for the required pressure range. Values for pressures outside this range can be calculated from information shown in the tables. Values for the second, third, and fourth coefficients in the equation Z = 1 + BP + CP2 + DP3 are also included.

Jan 1, 1963

By M. J. Kirwan

[There have been large increases in the oil production and casing-head gas production of certain wells on the Quinn dome (northern part of the Lyons-Quinn field of Oklahoma) caused by large volumes of gas under high pressure entering Vie productive oil sand, The oil production of sore of the leases in this part of the field temporarily increased over 100 per cent within a few days after gas entered the oil sand among the leases that had the greatest increases in oil production wore those on which no gas wells were drilled but which were located up-elope on the structure in reference to gas wells on adjoining properties. It is conservatively estimated that 1,444,000,000, cubic feet of gas entered the productive oil sand and, up to January 1, 1924, caused an increase of about 950,000 barrels of oil from this sand. The casing-held gas volumes of a number of wells producing between 25,000 and 75,000 cubic feet of gas per day increased to several hundred thousand cubic feet and a few walls increased to nearly two million cubic feet per day after extraneous gas entered the oil sand from which the wells were producing.]

Jan 1, 1924

By Henry P. Cole

A series of studies are described that identify critical health and safety skills needed by underground coal miners for coping with mine emergencies. First aid and self-rescue and escape were selected as two broad performance domains that include many subordinate skills needed for preventing, recognizing, and coping with mine emergencies. The performance domains and their objectives were used to direct the development of simulation exercises that permit miners to experience mine emergencies in the safety of a training room. The exercises are based upon research with similar simulations for the training of flight crews and medical personnel in information gathering, judgment, and decision making skills. Exercise content is drawn from actual mine accident and disaster case studies. The exercises incorporate recent principles of cognitive psychology and instructional design. Initial studies in annual refresher training classes suggest the exercises are stimulating for miners and their instructors, easy to use and read, sufficiently complex and authentic to challenge experienced miners, and useful devices for both teaching and testing critical problem solving skills required for preventing and minimizing emergencies.

Jan 1, 1988

By Paul Zinner

An exhaustive program of geologic studies and mapping has been conducted by the Geological Survey in the Iron River district of Michigan since May 1943. Means of contributing to the success of these studies were sought by the Bureau of Mines, and eventually a program involving geophysical studies and core-drilling was undertaken in the area. All of the work was done either to develop data that would contribute directly to geologic studies or to investigate geophysical methods that might be used as a primary means for the discovery of minable iron ore.

Jan 1, 1949

By Ernest Ph. Hérivel

The mine and treatment plant of the Teziutlan, unit of the Mexican Corporation, S. A., are located at Aire Libre, in the District of Teziutlan, near the northwest edge of the State of Pueblo, Republic of Mexico. The property is leased from the Teziutlan Copper Co. The town of Teziutlan is the terminus of a branch railroad starting from Oriental Junction or the Mexico-Jalapa-Veracruz narrow-gage system of the National Railways of Mexico. A branch line 18 km in length from Teziutlan to Aire Libre belongs to the Teziutlan Copper Co. and is leased and operated in conjunction with the mine.

Jan 1, 1933

By G. S. Scott

[The Duretiu of Kinen, as :) pr<r"Yof its :;encr:rL propan clealini: with the causes, behavior, n.ncl tor-trol of o1:t1?;.?cite-mine fires, hns investic:&apos;lte3 I varionr. Te:.nr, for Je tec tin:: iccj.r)ic:~ t he;, tint; :,:.zqdergro-.:rid and of <~e termining the trend of the hen tir..: once -I i&apos;i re j 7 knnm tr, he nrcsc~t.]

Jan 1, 1938

By John P. Hager

This study investigated the formation of vapor complexes between aluminum chloride and the chlorides of iron, titanium, and silicon. For the A1-Fe-C1 system the proposed gaseous complex species is Al2Fe2C112(g), which is formed according to the reaction 2A1C13(s) + 2FeCl3(s) = Al2Fe2C112(g) The corresponding free energy expression was determined to be ?G° = 38091.49 - 71.45 ? T 400 < T < 600°K The vapor composition above AlC13 melts contaminated with FeC13 was calculated. In the Al-Ti-CI and Al-Si-Cl systems the proposed vapor complex species are Al2Ti2Cl14(g) and Al2Si2Cl14(g) respectively. Free energy expressions were estimated for the formation of the two complex species. Again, the vapor composition above AlCl3 melts contaiminated with TiCl4 or SiCl4 was determined. The results of this study were compared with previous studies on the three systems.

Jan 1, 1980

By G. S. Scott

[The Duretiu of Kinen, as :) pr<r"Yof its :;encr:rL propan clealini: with the causes, behavior, n.ncl tor-trol of o1:t1?;.?cite-mine fires, hns investic:&apos;lte3 I varionr. Te:.nr, for Je tec tin:: iccj.r)ic:~ t he;, tint; :,:.zqdergro-.:rid and of <~e termining the trend of the hen tir..: once -I i&apos;i re j 7 knnm tr, he nrcsc~t.]

Jan 1, 1938

By J. W. Thompson

MINERALS OWNERSHIP AND POSSESSION. The owner of minerals under a conveyance from the surface owner does not lose his right or his possession by mere nonusage of the minerals. McBeth v. Wetnight (Indiana), 106 Northeastern, 407, p. 410, October, 1914. QUIETING TITLE TO MINERALS-PLEADING. A complaint in an action to quiet title to minerals and to the min- eral rights in certain land is insufficient in the absence of a direct allegation of possession, although it avers that the plaintiff from the time of receiving the conveyance assessed the mineral interest for taxes each year and paid the taxes thereon and exercised various acts of ownership of such mineral interests, in that he caused test pits to be dug on the land for the purpose of exploring the minerals and ascertaining their quality and extent, in going upon the land and looking after them from time to time, and that he accompanied or caused his agents to accompany prospective purchasers of such mineral interests and exhibited the same to such prospective pur- chasers in efforts to sell them. Fowler r. Alabama Iron & Steel Co. (Alabama), 66 Southern, 672, p. 673, Novem- ber, 1914. SALE BY MARRIED WOMAN-VALIDITY. A conveyance by a married woman of the mineral rights in certain described land is void where she had previously conveyed the land to another grantee who had acquired title by adverse possession under the deed.

Jan 1, 1915

By C. H. Schack

Although viscosity is known to be important in processing and handling finely ground urea, its effect has never been fully quantified. This report describes the methods used and the results obtained in the initial phases of a broad investigation of the influence of viscosity of water suspensions of minerals in flotation, thickening, filtering, and other mineral-dressing unit operations. Several types of vis-cosimeters were tested before reliable and reproducible results could be obtained on mineral suspensions. After the viscosimeter used in the research was calibrated and standardized, tests were made on six pure minerals to study the relationship of pulp density, particle size, crystallinity, and cleavage on viscosity. An orifice-type viscosimeter equipped with a mechanical stirrer gave as good results as other types and was more flexible, faster, and simpler to operate. The orifice-type viscosimeter, when calibrated and standardized with glycerin and water mixtures, proved satisfactory over a wide range of viscosities. The accuracy and reproducibility were reasonably constant between 1 centipoise and 200 centipoises, the anticipated range in common mineral-dressing unit operations.

Jan 1, 1957