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In 2005, data obtained from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) indicated a total of 922 underground (6.3%) and 13,744 surface (93.7%) mining operations.1

Jan 1, 2008

By Jeffrey Y. Foley

Chromite deposits along the Border Ranges Fault in southern Alaska were investigated by the Bureau of Mines. This report, part 1 of a two- part series, describes the deposits. Part 2 describes the mineralogy and the results of metallurgical tests. Fieldwork began in 1981 and continued through 1983. Ninety-four subeconomic podifom chromite deposits in eight mafic-ultramafic complexes were investigated. Previously unreported chromite deposits at Red Mountain on Kenai Peninsula, on Kodiak Island, and near Tonsina are described. Deposits range in size from less than a thousand tons to over 1.25 million tons of contained chromic oxide (Cr203). Grades range from about 5 to 10 pct chromite. Excluding all deposits more than 10 miles from tidewater or existing roads and all deposits containing only chemical- or refractory-grade chromite, about 2,200,000 tons of Cr203 are contained in 41 hard-rock deposits. A placer deposit contains an additional 556,000 tons. These 42 deposits constitute a subeconomic indicated and inferred reserve sufficient to meet the Nation's chromite demands for about 4 yr, or the metallurgical industry's demands for over 5 yr, at 1981 consumption rates.

Jan 1, 1985

By Northcutt Ely

This volume summarizes mining and petroleum legislation in 25 jurisdictions of East Asia and the Pacific. Within these jurisdictions, primary attention is given to requirements that must be met in each country for acquisition of rights to permit development of mineral resources. Coverage includes: First, identification of the controlling laws or statutes governing minerals acquisition and reference to the administrative authority; second, analysis of the laws governing mines and quarries and their products; and third, analysis of laws applicable to natural gas, petroleum, and related materials. Where pertinent, sections dealing with historical background or administration have been added. In countries where minerals are subject to control of States or Provinces, those areas are considered separately from the central government.

Jan 1, 1971

With IIT research institute as a cosponsor, this seventh mineral waste Utilization Symposium was funded by the Bureau of Mines through its Division of Mineral Resources Technology. Environmental scientists and engineers from five countries (Canada, Netherlands, Austria, England, Guatemala) besides the United States participated in the symposium, which was held Oct. 20-21, 1980, at the Chicago campus of IIT Research Institute. Of the 25 papers presented on the reclamation and recycling of mining and mineral wastes, municipal solid waste, industrial waste, and scrap metal, 21 are summarized herein.

Jan 1, 1982

By K. M. Connor, O&apos

Variations in overburden geology must be considered in applying subsidence prediction methodologies developed by the U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM). To characterize rock mass overlying high-extraction coal mines, the USBM utilizes a computer spreadsheet program and modified Rock Mass Rating (RMR) system. The spreadsheet calculates an RMR based on a bed's engineering properties determined from core logs and laboratory tests. An in situ deformation modulus and a bending stiffness are computed for each bed. Stiffness-versus-depth plots identify groups of beds with similar stiffness. Large variations in stiffness between adjacent beds are considered significant horizontal discontinuities where slip is likely. Time domain reflectometry (TDR) is used to verify this hypothesis by measuring shear displacement along such discontinuities. A model of the overburden is built by assuming that a near-surface laminated beam exists above a transition zone in which large plastic slip occurs along horizontal discontinuities. Increasingly thicker groups of beds are modeled to determine the most probable beam thickness based on a comparison with measured deflection profiles. The inverse of maximum beam deflection is an index parameter known as "bridging potential," a single value that incorporates both overburden geology and mine geometry.

Jan 1, 2010

By Curtis A. Jones

Continuing interest has been shown in developing processes for extracting nickel and cobalt from low-grade domestic deposits of these metals and in improving existing methods. Of special concern is the nickel-recovery installation at Nicaro, Oriente Province, Cuba, operated for the General Services Administration. The Bureau? of Mines felt that a bibliography would help familiarize personnel at various Bureau of Mines stations and General Services Administration contractors with extraction methods both in the United States and in foreign countries. When this task was under way it became apparent that to compile a complete bibliography would require considerable time, so it was decided to limit the first part to the later literature and issue it independently, thus making it available sooner. The present work supplements the first part and extends the coverage to the earliest years of nickel and cobalt metallurgy.

Jan 1, 1959

By Sumner M. Anderson

THE ENORMOUS contrast between the mineral economy of Cuba in 1963 and in 1958 was the result of the overall Political changed to which the total economy of the country was intimately lined. Creation of the Cuban Mining Institute (Instituto Cubano de la Minería) to direct all mining activities in the country was an early act of the new Government after the revolution on January 1, 1959. During the next 2 years, the Government confiscated foreign holdings,2 including Unite States investments exceeding $1 billion in value. Foreign mining and metallurgical technicians-predominately from Communist areas-were brought in to reorganize the mineral industries. On January 3, 1961, diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States were severe and then on May 2, Cuba announced its full-fledged membership in the so-called Communist Bloc. Fifty-four international treaties assured Cuba of Communist economic support, technical and financial assistance, machinery, raw materials, and manufactures. The Soviet Union agreed to buy some Cuban mineral products, and Czechoslovakia stated that it would buy all mineral production offered for the next 20 years, but in both cases at prices said to be much lower than the world market. The mineral productivity segment of the mineral economy during and since the period of political metamorphosis, has withstood the political disruption better than has the economy as a whole, but with no direct measure of the magnitude of its cost. The overall economic record is marked with steady deterioration; the annual average per capita income has dropped from $374 in 1957 to $185 in 1963, when Cuba's deficit with the Soviet Union alone reached an admitted $1 billion.

Jan 1, 1964

By W. R. Hardwick

This paper describes mining methods and practices of the Chino Mines Division, Kennecott Copper Corp., Grant County, N. Mex. It is one of a series being prepared by the Bureau of Mines on mining methods, practices, and costs in various mining districts of the United States. A similar program was conducted from 1928 to 1939, which helped to improve the efficiency of mining operations. The primary purpose of the program is to promote development and conservation of our mineral resources by disseminating technologic information on methods, practices, and related features in mining mineral deposits. It is expected that the program will: (1) Promote efficiency in operating mines; (2) assist operators and engineers in evaluating and developing new mineral deposits; (3) provide data for engineering curriculums in mining schools; and (4) furnish performance and cost data for revising engineering handbooks and for inclusion in engineering textbooks.

Jan 1, 1958

By R. R. Brandenthaler

The development of the Seminole area into one of the major oil-producing sections of the country has been accompanied by many innovations and departures from former methods of development. On July 1, 1929, two years and nine months from the date of discovery, 20,490 acres were considered proved, and additional acreage is constantly being developed. Because of its peculiar conditions, extent, and rapid rate of development, the Seminole area provided numerous problems, the solution of which necessitated research in connection with practical field operation; as a result, there was a radical departure from methods usually employed in the development of a new field in the Mid-Continent area.

Jan 1, 1930

In 2005, a total of 263 metal mining operations reported employment to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Metal mines were the smallest mining commodity sector, comprising 1.8% of all mining operations. ? Gold mines comprised 46.0% (n=121) of all metal mining operations. Other common types of metal mines were iron ore (n=32; 12.2%), copper ore (n=31; 11.8%), and lead and/or zinc ore (n=16; 6.1%). ? Nevada had the largest number of metal mines (n=52; 19.8%), followed by Alaska (n=27; 10.3%).

Sep 1, 2008

By Kenneth M. Smith

"The kaolin deposits of Aiken County, South Carolina (fig. 1), have been worked continuously since 1852. It has been long known that the deposits contain a high percentage of alumina and that large reserves exist. These facts led to the early selection of this area for examination in the search by the Bureau of Mines for high-alumina clays. An exploratory program was started by the Bureau, and drilling was carried on from June 27, 1942, to October 31, 1942.The kaolin-bearing district occupies an area approximately 25 miles long and 11 miles wide, running northeast, with its center at Aiken, S. C. (fig. 1). Within this district, a triangular area bounded by Horse Creek, Silver Bluff Road, and Hamburg Road was roughly prospected by boring 43 machine and 12 hand holes. As a result of the data obtained, a final smaller area was chosen for more systematic prospecting. This area is bounded by Pine Log, Tewkesbury, Silver Bluff, and Craig Sawmill Roads and covers about 4,000 acres.Mineral exploration agreements covering 11,272 acres were signed by 35 property owners, and 11,956 feet was drilled in 200 holes on these properties.The Bureau of Mines exploration work in the district has indicated 19,514,000 short tons of kaolin, of which approximately 10,000,000 tons would average over 35 percent alumina.The tonnages and grades of kaolin developed by this exploration are tabulated below.All grades of this kaolin average approximately 2 percent Fe203 and 1.5 percent Ti02.This project was under the general supervision of J. R. Thoenen, supervising engineer, Non-Metals Mining Section of the Mining Division, Bureau of Mines, until July 1942. The -project was then under the general supervision of E. J. Lintner and later Rowe McCrae, consecutively district engineers for Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida. The final report was prepared, under the general supervision of V..J. Lynch, chief, Raleigh Branch, Mining Division, by William A. Beck from the original report by the author.Acknowledgment is made for the wholehearted cooperation and assistance given to the Bureau of Mines by the various operating companies in the district. Particular thanks are due Theodore Henderson, general manager; North American Clay Co., Wilbur Driver, general manager, and Howard Driver, assistant general manager, The Huber Clay Co.; H. W. Smith, president, The South Carolina Clay Co.; and J. Richard Parker, president, J. R. Parker Clay Co., all of Bath S. C.; J. B. Howard, Jr., superintendent/ the Immaculate Kaolin Co., Langley, S. C.; Richard Jones, president, National Kaolin Co., and William Winans, president, The Southern Clay Co., both of Aiken, S. C.; and W. S. Burkalter, Warrensville, S. C.Acknowledgment is also due the Metallurgical Division for analytical determinations and to James J. Page of the Federal Geological Survey for his aid in mapping and logging the holes.The first known use of kaolin from this district was by the Bath Pottery Co., which began mining an outcrop in Horse Creek Valley, near Bath, in 1852.. In 1867, R. McNamee, of New York City, acquired this pit and continued mining. This first mine is still known as the McNamee, and from its operation grew the present kaolin industry of South Carolina."

Dec 1, 1949

By J. E. Conley

Available statistics show that the demands of the American chemical industry for sodium sulphate have been increasing slightly in recent years. The supply from domestic sources, particularly In the form of byproduct salt cake from the acid manufacturers, has been tending to decrease due to the growing manufacture of synthetic acid. Both hydrochloric and nitric acids are being synthesized from their elements. The natural result has been that a smaller amount of salt cake is available. Simultaneously, the expansion of the Kraft paper industry, especially in the South, has brought about greater demand for sodium sulphate in that section. This dean is being met by domestic byproduct salt cake, by imported German sodium sulphate made from potash waste liquors, and by favorable situated domestic deposits of Glauber salts and tile anhydrous salt, thenardite. No shortage of natural sodium sulphate exists in the United States, but usually such deposits occur in semiarid regions far removed from transportation facilities and from markets. Moreover, the major portion of the natural deposits is Glauber salt or mirabilite (Na2SO4 ? 10H20), which must be dried or dehydrated in order to meet consumer requirements. The water of hydration represents, roughly, 55 percent of tae total weight of the crude salts and therefore has a very important influence on transportation costs. In marry instances the cost of getting, even the dehydrated product to market is the deciding economic factor. Therefore, the recovery oil production of anhydrous sodium sulphate from plant-.waste liquors or from natural brines of suitable composition might be economically feasible. The U.S. Bureau of Mines, at its nonmetallic Minerals Experiment Station, New Brunswick, N. J., has, for a number of rears, been investigating the commercial possibilities of treating the complex saline mineral polyhalite (K2SO4?NgSO4?2CaSO4?2H20) for the recovery of potash and magnesia. Certain proposed processes (1, 2, 3, 4)4/ yield waste liquors that contain the bulk of the magnesium and sulphate originally combined as magnesium sulphate in the polyhalite molecule. Sodium chloride In limited concentrations is also present, as extensive beds of salt occur in strata overlying the polyhalite deposits. A typical waste liquor would contain:

Jan 1, 1936

By S. E. Burton

The White Rock area of the Boiling Springs manganese-iron deposits comprises about 3,200 acres of land in Monroe Township, Cumberland County, Pa. (See fig. 1.) This property was brought to the: attention of the Bureau of Mines by Pennsylvania Geological Survey Bulletin 128, entitled "Manganese Ores of Pennsylvania" by R. M. Foose. It was examined by an engineer of the Bureau of Mines in August 1942 and was further investigated by the Bureau by churn drilling and underground development during the period December 1942 to February 1944. Beneficiation tests were made on samples of the ore. This report describes the work done during the investigation and presents the results obtained.

Jan 1, 1949

By Albert L. Toenges

The introduction of mechanized mining in coal mines, which has speeded loading, has emphasized the importance of efficient underground transportation systems. The purpose of this investigation is to study and analyze various systems now in use, and to derive conclusions therefrom. This report may be helpful to operators who are planning new systems of transportation or who are revising present systems to increase their efficiency. This paper is the first of a series on this subject and describes some systems of transportation utilizing rail haulage. ACKNOWLEDGMENT The information used in preparing this report was obtained through the courtesy and cooperation of the officials of the companies whose mines were studied. The descriptions of the transportation systems at the mines included herein have been checked for accuracy, and publication of the data has been approved by the executives of the several operating companies.

Jan 1, 1940

By John Nagy, Hylton R. Brown, Irving Hartman

"INTRODUCTION The tests described in this publication were planned to provide information on the explosibility of metal-powder dust clouds. This subject has become increasingly important because of the large quantity and variety of metallic powders now used for military and industrial purposes. To provide the increased amounts of metallic powders needed in the manufacture of munitions and to supply the demand created by the rapid growth of powder metallurgy, existing metal-powder plants have been enlarged, production schedules accelerated, and new plants erected. In some cases new methods of producing metal powders have been developed. This increased production and the development of new manufacturing methods have caused an increase in the number of metal-powder fires and explosions, with accompanying heavy loss of life and property. These have emphasized the need for information on methods of providing protection against hazards inherent in the production and handling of powdered metals. This paper gives results of laboratory inflammability and explosibility tests made to April 1, 1943, and is a progress report. Many descriptive details have been omitted purposely; they will supplied in a later publication, expected to be a Bureau of Mines bulletin."

Oct 1, 1943

By Will H. Coghill, F. D. DeVaney

"Many of the iron ore deposits on the western end of the Mesabi Range Minnesota consist of the so-called ''wash ores."" Because of their high silica content these ores must be washed or concentrated to make them merchantable. Washing plants have been in operation for 20 years, during this period large quantities of tailings have accumulated in tailings ponds. These tailings contain the aggregate millions of tons of iron oxides which, if recovered, would greatly to the available tonnages and to the revenues of the mining companies. It the purpose of this paper to outline give results of concentration tests on tailings.In order that the reader may understand more clearly the type of material under consideration, a short description of the characteristics of the wash ores of the Western Mesabi Range and a brief resume a washing methods that have been are now being employed will be given. Appleby and Newton4 In their description of the district and of the ores say:The Western Mesabi district embraces the territory west of the town of Nashwauk in Itasca County. The territory to the east of this dividing line is known as the Central and Eastern Mesabi district. This subdivision is rot wholly arbitrary. While the ore bodies in the two districts resemble each other in. shape, size, and general structure, there is a marked and very important difference in the character of the respective ores. For purposes of comparison, the western deposits have been called washable ore bodies, and the central and eastern, standard ore bodies. The latter ores are the result of natural concentration processes which have teen carried far enough to produce a large proportion of high-grade ore Wet can be marketed direct; the Western Mesabi ores present a lesser degree of natural concentration and are as a rule of too low grade to admit of marketing without preliminary treatment. In many cases the grade can be improved by washing, hence the material is called washable ore. Exceptions to thin general rule may be noted in both districts. Many of the Western Mesabi ore bodies contain quite a proportion of merchantable ore. There are also portions of central and eastern Mesabi ore deposits which are of low grade and which can be improved by washing."

Nov 1, 1930

By C. R. Kuzell

This paper, describing the concentrator practice of the United Verde Copper Co., is one of a series being prepared by the Bureau of HISTORY The United Verde concentrator was constructed in accordance with recommendations based on certain novel reasons which were quite different from those usually justifying the expenditure of such an amount. Concentrator operations started in March, 1927, although the metallurgical staff had considered for several years the eventual addition of a concentrator department.

Jan 1, 1930

The purpose of this study is to formulate practical guidelines for active underground mining in close proximity to water bodies. This was accomplished through systematic completion of three phases of study: I) Collection and Documentation of Data; II) Application of Existing Guidelines to Case Histories of Previous Inundations; and III) Development of Recommended Guidelines for Underground Coal Mining Near Bodies of Water. Phase I of the study involved a worldwide data collection effort designed to obtain foreign and domestic guidelines for mining near water bodies, and accident records and case histories of accidental mine inundations. Within Phase II, existing guidelines were categorized and classified and then evaluated as to their effectiveness in precluding past inundations had they been in effect at the time of inrush. Advantages and disadvantages of existing guidelines were defined. Drawing on the broad data base established in previous study efforts, Phase III was directed at development of viable guidelines to promote the greatest possible coal extraction while precluding accidental mine inundation. Two levels of guidelines are presented; Level I Guidelines require little or no subsurface exploration on the part of the mine operator, while Level II Guidelines recommend various testing and investigative procedures to permit greatest possible mineral extraction. This report presents findings and conclusions of the study.

Jan 1, 1976

By William O. Vanderburg

This paper gives the results of a reconnaissance of the mining districts in Pershing County, Nev., made from March 9 to April 1, 1936. During the field work nearly all of the mining districts in the county were visited, and considerable data were obtained on active and inactive properties. The report covers the location of the various mining districts, nature of the deposits, information on past

Jan 1, 1936

By C. H. Riggs, Kenneth H. Johnston

The application of modern secondary-recovery methods has made possible the the extraction of more than 13 million barrels of crude petroleum from the eastern part of the Delaware-Childers field Nowata County, Okla., over and above the production that might have :been expected by continuing primary production methods, including the use of vacuum. Foremost among the secondary-recovery methods used in this foil was the repressuring of the Bartlesville sand with air and gas through injection wells spaced on sym-metrical patterns. Between 1925 and 1945, about 51 billion cubic feet of air and gas were injected into the producing formation, and the total recovery was increased from, 25 million to about 40 million barrels of oil. To produce as much as possible of the 28 million barrels of recoverable oil remaining in the sand will require the initiation of systematic water-flooding projects on many properties and the continuation of air and gas injection on others.

Dec 1, 1946