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By Raymond Derzay

This publication is intended to be of value to the mineral industry in establishing and maintaining effective programs for preventing noise-induced hearing loss. Factors involved in this loss and the need for and the requirements of an effective hearing conservation program are discussed. The legal and legislative history of compensation for hearing loss is briefly reviewed. A review of statutes is not attempted since several States have recently modified) or are in the process of modifying their laws regarding permissible noise exposures) required hearing protection) and/or compensation for hearing loss. A review of other aspects of the problem of industrial noise in terms of medical, physiological) and psychological frames of reference is included. A hearing conservation program is described in detail. Appendixes detailing the names and addresses of a few equipment suppliers are included. References are provided for those who may wish to delve more deeply into the medical, technical, and scientific considerations of noise and its effect on man.

Jan 1, 1972

By J. L. Henry

The development and status of technology for producing titanium from U.S. resource materials are summarized in this Bureau of Mines report. Commercially feasible processes and investigations of alternative procedures are reviewed in order to identify techniques that could make existing operations more effective or areas in which future research may lead to the development of new production methods. Procedures are described for producing concentrated titanium dioxide from starting materials such as sands, massive deposits, and mineral processing residues containing rutile, ilmenite, and perovskite; producing and purifying titanium tetrachloride from concentrated rutile, ilmenite, and titaniferous slags; reduction of titanium tetrachloride to titanium sponge metal using metallic magnesium or sodium; purifying and consolidating titanium sponge and scrap by arc melting or induction melting techniques; purifying sponge, scrap, and alloys by molten salt electrorefining; and electrowinning titanium from chloride salts.

Jan 1, 1987

By H. B. Brunot

On April 26, 1949, the Bureau first approved a machine designed to replace the cycle of cutting, blasting, and loading coal by a single operation. This machine took the coal directly from the solid face and delivered it to transportation equipment. By January 1, 1955, 30 approvals for designs of machines of this type had been granted by the Bureau. In the main, this paper describes briefly the action of the various designs approved as permissible. In addition, the approval number, the date of approval, the voltage of the power supply, the number and character of the explosion-proof accessory parts, the size of the trailing cable, and the overcurrent protection at the outby end of the trailing cable are given for each design. Since no similar information has been published by the Bureau, it is hoped the material in this paper will be valuable in giving the mining public an organized look at the various machines of this nature that have been approved as permissible by the Bureau.

Jan 1, 1956

By J. E. Hamak

This publication contains analyses and related source data for 151 natural gas samples from 19 States. Of the total samples, 138 were collected calendar year 1989. The remainder were collected earlier, but releases to were not received until 1989. All samples were obtained and analyzed as part of U.S. Bureau of Mines investigations of the occurrences of helium in natural gases of countries with free market economies. This survey has been conducted since 1917. The analyses published herein were made by mass spectrometer and chromatograph.

Jan 1, 1990

By Kenneth R. Maser

This report describes a research and development program sponsored by the United State s Bureau of Mines. The purpose of the program was to develop reusable explosion-proof bulkheads for a cross-cut emergency shelter, and to study the implementation of such bulk-heads, and the resulting shelters, as part of an emergency escape plan in a normal coal mining environment. The first part of this report reveals a number of significant conclusions regarding the application of emergency shelters. A study of the cause s of, and the conditions prevailing during a mine emergency indicate s that ideal placement of the shelter s would be midway along developing entries, and at the inter section of butt and main entries. The proper spacing of shelters is based on the travel capability of trapped miners, which is in turn dependent on the height of coal. The life of a given emergency shelter, based on an analysis of the above information, will be anywhere from 6 months to 10 years. Consequently, some shelters are regarded as "temporary?, while others "permanent?.

Jan 1, 1975

According to industry representatives, U.S. producers were listing unalloyed 95.5 percent aluminum ingot in October at 53-57.5 cents per pound, but reportedly much is being priced at 53 cents. New York dealers raised their October positions by about 3 cents to 56-56.5 cents, mainly to cover spot supply shortages. London Metal Exchange 3-month forward contracts traded up in October from 52.3 to 57.3 cents per pound and closed at 56.4 cents. ASBESTOS The Jaquays Asbestos Corp. has announced the imminent closure of its mine and mill in Globe, Arizona. This is the last asbestos producer in the State having operated continuously, except during the early thirties, since 1914. Cost of compliance with environmental regulations was given as the reason for closure.

Jan 1, 1978

By J. A. Pile, Virgil Miller, R. G. Peterson, F. B. Petermann

"INTRODUCTION As virtually no published data are available on the sintering of fine, minus-100-mesh, ferrograde manganese ores, it is most opportune to present data on the amenability of various fine ores and mill products to the sintering process. These data cover the sintering or nodulizing of finely crushed, high-grade pyrolusite and rhodochrosite ores, sintering of manganese carbonate flotation concentrate, sintering or nodulizing the calcine from the deleading of a manganese oxide flotation concentrate, and sintering the calcines made in a Herreshoff furnace from the treatment of manganese sulfate products.If finely sized products are to be smelted in the present electric or blast ferromanganese furnaces, they must be sintered or nodulized. The only specification as to the size of the sintered or nodulized product is that it must pass a 6-inch screen and not contain over 1t-1/2 percent minus 20-mesh material. The minimum-maximum size has not been established. Undoubtedly this opti mum size will be set by the ferromanganese industry when ample quantities of manganese oxide sinters have been smelted."

Mar 1, 1942

By J. R. Thoenen

In Progress Rerort 1,4/ a number of facto were demonstrated and conclusions drawn from experimental tests and records made during commercial blasting operations at a number of quarries. For example, the tests showed (1) that vibrations received on outcrops were of comparatively

Jan 1, 1938

By Cecil Q. Cupps

Results are presented of a comprehensive study of the characteristics of the original oil in the Weber sandstone reservoir, Rangely oil field, Colorado. Through the medium of subsurface sampling, adequately representative samples of the original reservoir oil were obtained from many parts of the reservoir over a period of 5 years concurrent with active development of the reservoir. Data of differential gas liberation, pressure-viscosity, and. pressure-volume-temperature relationships are shown for 12 subsurface oil samples. Data also are given of reservoir pressure and. temperature, composition of liberated or solution Gas, composition of 22 produced-gas samples, and Hempel analyses of crude-oil samples from 18 wells. The characteristics or physical properties of the 12 subsurface oil samples, as determined by laboratory analyses, were correlated with elevation of the top of the Weber sandstone. These relationships of oil characteristics to elevation in the reservoir show that only the oil in contact with the initial gas cap was gas-saturated at the existing pressure and temperature. The characteristics of the original reservoir oil were marked by an appreciable decrease of saturation pressure and solution gas-oil ratio and increase of viscosity and density with depth below the gas-oil contact. The composition of solution gas and of' produced was also was found to vary with elevation of the oil in the reservoir.

Jan 1, 1951

By Allen D. Look

Underground fires often prove difficult to control , and a small fire can quickly grow into a large one , endangering life and causing large property damage . Even a small underground fire may produce enough noxious gases to cause suffocation ; therefore , every precaution should be taken to prevent and control such fires . It is ironic that mine fires should be caused when utilizing materials that are in themselves fire - resistant ; yet , cutting and welding of iron and steel are proving to be common causes of underground fires in metal mines . This paper includes 19 examples of underground fires of this nature , and undoubtedly this is only a fraction of the number of similar fires that have occurred in the last few years . This paper will review some metal - mine fires caused by cutting or welding and point out precautions to be taken to prevent other fires from this cause .

Apr 1, 1948

By Brian T. Brady

The year 1992 recorded unimpressive economic growth and uncertainties over what changes would occur for the financial market. Falling interest rates in the United States and elsewhere tended to exert a number of positive influences on financial markets and, indirectly, the mining and quarrying industry. The interest rate declines during 1992 were no exception. Lower rates prompted many investors to turn their attention to long-term investments such as stocks that offer potentially greater rates of return, causing large cash inflows into the equity market. Lower rates made it easier for businesses to finance growth and for consumers to finance the purchase of products businesses made. Also the rates enabled many companies to increase their health and profitability by refinancing their existing loans at lower rates. Falling interest rates were not confined to the United States. With Japan and Western Europe in the midst of economic slumps, marketing authorities in many countries overseas lowered rates in an effort to stimulate business activity. True to form, that contributed to stock market rallies abroad. Stabilizing inflation and lower interests stimulated the industry during 1992 and will likely influence favorably the industry for the next few years.

Jan 1, 1992

By Walter W. Kaufman

This Bureau of Mines manual for design of surface mine haulage roads covers such aspects of haulage road design as road alinement (both vertical and horizontal), construction materials, cross slope, and drainage provisions. Traffic control and design of proper lane widths to promote safe vehicle movement are included, as are suggested criteria for road and vehicle maintenance and for runaway-vehicle safety provisions. The aim of this publication is to provide those involved with surface mine haulage road design with a complete manual of recommended practices that, if implemented, will promote safer, more efficient haulage routes.

Jan 1, 1977

This study was done to evaluate the economic and technical considerations of using pozzolanic materials in order to guide cement manufacturers, pozzolan producers, contractors, Government organizations, and others interested in concrete construction work. Five hundred and thirty-eight samples of pozzolanic raw materials were taken from 27 central and western States. These samples were evaluated by petrographic procedures, and about 200 of the most promising ones were given a complete series of physical tests (American Society for Testing and Materials) to evaluate further their suitability as a pozzolan. This investigation showed that deposits of natural pozzolan materials were widely dispersed in the central and western parts of the United States but that exploiting these deposits would depend on whether they could compete economically with an increasingly abundant industrial waste product--fly ash.

Jan 1, 1969

By Robert M. Busche

[Recent developments in the gasification of coal, both by the Bureau of Mines and American industry, have intensified interest in the thermodynamic and kinetic principles necessary for understanding the reaction mechanism and rates and the physical changes that take place. In the course of a Bureau of Mines study of the kinetics of coal gasification at the Synthetic Liquid Fuels Demonstration Plant, Louisiana, Mo., a bibliography of approximately two references was compiled. They are listed n this publication and refer both to American and foreign sources.]

Jan 1, 1952

By J. L. Wiley

[NOTE. - P before the number indicates that the ab tract appears in patent section. Abstract numbers without. P appear in literature section. A Abietic acid, hydrogenolysis - 404 Acetone, recovery - P-4024 Acetylacetonate catalyst - P-3352, P-3664, P-6067 Acetylene, production - P-2556, P-3169, P-4064, P-4221, P-4222, P-5002 Acid catalyst - P-4584 Salts - P-4555 See also Specific acid. Acid treatment. See Procedure. Adsorption. See Hydrogen, adsorption. Agitation. See Equipment, agitators; Procedure. Alcohols: Decomposition -1128 Hydrogenation - P-3288, P-4743 In motor fuel - 1486]

Jan 1, 1952

By Kenneth L. Kreamalmyer

"The demand for open-hearth iron ore and the existence of suitable smelting facilities in the St. Louis area seemed to warrant investigation of several Missouri iron-ore deposits of the filled-sink type. Preliminary examinations were made in the autumn of 1944 by an engineer3/ of the Bureau of Nines, and in December of the same year funds were allotted for the exploration of these properties by churn drilling. Three properties, the Silver Hollow Bank and the Newbauer and Coleman properties, were drilled. Work was completed May 8, 1945.The Federal Geological Survey and the Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources assisted in the project by determining the stratigraphy from drill cuttings and by mapping the drilled areas.The properties explored are in the hilly section of east-central Missouri and are connected by all-weather graveled roads with various shipping points of the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway system within 3 to 6 miles of each property.The Silver Hollow Bank, in sec., 8, T, 40 N., R. l W. Franklin County, Missouri, is in the Meramec State Game Reserve. The nearest town and shipping point is Sullivan, Mo„ which is 6 miles distant. The Newbauer property, in sec. 28, T. 41 N., R, 2 W., Franklin County, Missouri, is approximately 3 miles west of Stanton; The Coleman property, in sec. 14, T. 38 N., R. 3 W., Crawford. County, Missouri, is within a short hauling distance of the railway at Elayer, Mb. These are shown on figure 1.The region surrounding the explored areas contains a series of low-lying hills or ridges and narrow winding valleys drained by the Meramec River system. These hills seldom rise more than 200 feet above the valley floors, most of which are approximately 700 feet above sea level. Except for numerous small farms and a few small towns, the entire region is covered by a dense growth of timber and small brush. The St. Louis-San Francisco Railway system, U. S. Highway 66, and numerous all-weather State and county roads traverse the area."

Oct 1, 1945

By Glan Dale Coe, Will H. Coghill

"INTRODUCTION Characteristics of the mineral products that are to be contrasted herein are net energy consumed in grinding to a definite top limiting size and size distribution of the ground products. Through contrasts of these grinding characteristics this paper to differences in related mineral products and in unlike products. For,example, in anticipation of the data to follow, although Joplin chert and Babeitt taconits are running mates in defying the best crushing machinery, taconite is one of the more docile and Joplin chert one of the most refractory mineral products ordinarily fed to a grinding Routine grinding tests on a great variety of ores and tabulation of the findings have been covered amply by Lennox 4/ and by Maxon 5/ and associates. In contrast to that work, the present paper is a record of random tests made over a long period, and each answered an urgent question at the moment. The work was done at the Southern Experiment Station of the Bureau of Mines, United States Department of the Interior, in cooperation with the University of Alabama. The pressure of war work prevented an organized investigation."

Apr 1, 1943

By W. P. Yant

This report describes result of a study of the carbon monoxide and particulate matter in the air of the Holland, Tunnel and metropolitan New York made by the Bureau of Mines (which had participated in the development

Jan 1, 1941

By Tracy. L. D.

"Since the introduction of pulverized coal as a substitute fuel for natural gas in the various types of heating furnaces used, in steel mills, a number of fires and explosions have occurred, resulting in the loss of life and property.As one of the primary functions of the Bureau of Mines is to conduct investigations in the utilization of mineral substances with a view to increasing safety in the use thereof, it was deemed advisable to investigate the hazards involved in the industrial use of pulverized coal and, if possible, to devise methods of preventing future accidents arising therefrom. The knowledge of the explosive qualities of coal dust which the Bureau has gained in studies affecting dust explosions in coal mines was of material assistance in these investigations.Several plants were visited in which either fires or explosions had occurred, and data obtained as to the probable cause of the accidents.There was found to exist, among some of those employed about the furnaces, a lack of knowledge of the explosive and inflammable qualities of powdered coal.A small stream of pulverized coal leaking down from a defective joint in a coal transport line did not attract much attention, whereas, had a leak in a natural gas line occurred -wider similar circumstances, no doubt it would have had immediate attention.As a matter of fact, if by any means the duet cloud should come in contact with an open flame or hot metal, the effects would be as disastrous as if it had been gas.This is exceedingly well illustrated by an accident which came to the writer's attention. In the system used at this particular plant, the pulverized coal is transported to the furnace through compressed-air lines. The fuel is fed from a storage bin to a blowing tank in quantities as desired, after which compressed air is admitted and the powdered coal blown to the furnaces. At the time of the accident some repairs were being made to the tank, and it was supposed that the air pressure had been entirely released as the pressure gage stood at zero. There was, however, one or two pounds air pressure remaining and when one of the connections was taken off, a cloud of dust was blown across the room, 30 or 40 feet towards the drier furnace where it came in contact with some live coals. Immediately the entire room was filled with flame which rolled back and forth over a specs 50 feet or so in length."

Apr 1, 1921

By Ray J. Holmquist

"INTRODUCTION At the request of Elmer Burch, of Taos, N. Mex., the Apache mica mine was examined by an engineer of the Bureau of Mines in October 1942. As the result of this examination, the Bureau of Mines proposed to extend an adit to the projection of the mica-bearing dike. The Federal Geological Survey then prepared a topographic and geologic map of the property. This information and consultations with members of the Survey 3/ assisted in determining the course and extent of the exploratory work. The author supervised the work, which was done from January to May 1944.Title to the property was in litigation during the period of the Bureau of Mines investigation. Conrad Johnson, of La Madera, N. Mex., was contesting the valley of Burch's claim location covering the Apache mine. Johnson was a prior claimant. A map made during mining operations prior to 1929, showing all mine workings, was in the possession of Johnson, but he would not produce it for inspection as long as his title to the property was in doubt. The course of the adit extension was therefore controlled by the best information and judgment otherwise obtainable."

Mar 1, 1947