Search Documents

By Scott W. Hazen

This report presents the results of a statistical analysis of a limited amount of sample and assay data from a production panel in an open - pit phosphate mine in the Phosphoria formation in Idaho . A frequency distribution analysis is shown for the assays , sample interval lengths , and products of assay and sample interval length for the millshale , furnace - shale , and main phosphate beds . Correlation techniques were used to show the relationships between assays and sample interval lengths . Within- drill - hole and between - drill - hole correlation were also examined as a means of predicting grade trends in the ore . Simulation methods , utilizing a digital computer , were used to establish assay populations that could be used for estimating grade of ore , cutoff grades , and deposit or bed identification .

Jan 1, 1964

BIBLIOGRAPHY Allen, C.A, Analyses of Utah Coals, United States Bureau of Mines Technical Paper 345, 1925, pp. 90. Allen, J.E. and E.M. Baldwin, Geology and Coal Resources of the Coos Bay Quadrangle, Oregon, Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Bulletin 27, 1944, pp. 160. "Aluminum Boom Raises Productivity", Coal Age, Vol. 82, No.6, June, 1977, pp. 103.

Jan 1, 1978

By Benjamin W. Haynes

Cement kiln dust (CKD) produced in the contiguous United States and Hawaii was characterized as part of the Bureau of Mines' program in minerals environmental technology. The mineralogical and chemical composition was determined for 113 CKD samples from 102 plants that normally send CKD waste to landfill. Characterization included the determination of 28 elements, 7 anion species, carbon dioxide, noncarbonate carbon, and chemically bound water. Mercury was determined in 15 samples. Interelement correlation coefficients were determined for 23 elements, 5 anions, CO2, noncarbonate carbon, and chemically bound water. To assess the hazardous waste potential of CKD, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Extraction Procedure (EP) toxicity test was performed on all 113 CKD samples. All but one sample were in compliance with the test; the noncomplying sample slightly exceeded the EP toxicity test criterion for lead.

Jan 1, 1982

By Richard A. Winters

In 1987, at the request of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Bureau of Mines studied the 34,680-acre Lime Canyon Wilderness Study Area (NV-050-231) to evaluate its identified mineral resources. The Wilderness Study Area is in Clark County, NV, about 30 air miles southwest of Mesquite, NV. The area studied contains an estimated 44 million tons of indicated subeconomic resources of gypsum, an inferred subeconimic resource of limestone and dolomite, and occurrences of gold, copper, uranium, and zeolite. The Wilderness Study Area is underlain chiefly by carbonate rocks with lesser amounts of sandstone and shale. Metamorphic, granitic, and volcanic rocks also crop out within the area. Large portions of the area are overlain by alluvium. The Wilderness Study Area is within the Gold Butte mining district. Several gold mines with past production are nearby to the south of the Wilderness Study Area; one mine is reported in operation on a small scale. Several silver-bearing copper and zinc mines with past production are nearby to the east of the Wilderness Study Area

Jan 1, 1988

A study was conducted by the Bureau of Mines to evaluate natural gas as an automotive fuel and to provide guidelines for optimum engine adjustments for low exhaust emissions. The study was conducted using a single-cylinder engine, a multicylinder engine, and a total of eight vehicles. Results from single-cylinder engine tests showed that the light-load, lean-limit misfire region for natural gas begins at an air-fuel ratio between 150 and 160 pct of stoichiometric. Changes in ignition timing significantly influenced emissions of nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons, but had little effect on carbon monoxide emission. Low emissions can be achieved with current-design engines by adjustment of engine parameters, but only with heavy penalty to engine performance. Emissions from vehicles fueled with natural gas are virtually unaffected by ambient temperature change within the range 20° to 100° F. The organic emissions from engines fueled with natural gas were estimated to be 22 to 25 pct as reactive as the emissions produced using gasoline. Levels of exhaust emissions from vehicles fueled with natural gas were unchanged over 10,000 miles of normal driving.

Jan 1, 1973

The Florida phosphate industry, which supplies about three-quarters of the domestic phosphate fertilizer, produces tremendous volumes of phosphatic clay wastes (slimes). These clays retain a high percentage of water for extended periods of time. The clays also pose an environmental hazard because the disposal technique involves aboveground storage behind earthen dams. Although much research has been undertaken by numerous organizations to dewater slime, no completely satisfactory solution has been developed. In June 1972, a cooperative effort by the Federal Bureau of Mines and the Florida phosphate mining industry was initiated to develop a solution for dewatering the Florida phosphatic slimes. This report discusses various aspects of the slimes problem, reviews past research, makes recommendations for future research, and includes a bibliography of references and patents dealing with the subject.

Jan 1, 1975

By L. D. Tracy

This paper represents work conducted by the Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the Illinois Geological Survey and the Engineering Experiment Station of the University of Illinois.

Jan 1, 1926

By Stephen C. Tadolini

The Bureau of Mines conducted field investigations in two underground mines to determine the actual loads to which bearing plates were subjected when installed in conjunction with full-column resin-grouted bolts and the roof movements generated by the applied loads. Measured loads indicate that the bearing plate is an integral part of the support system. Vertical displacement gauges installed to monitor roof displacements in the test sites show that the highest degrees of loading occur in conjunction with the largest amounts of movement.

Jan 1, 1986

By Harold J. Barnett

In January 1948 , the Secretary of the Interior directed that a study be made of energy resources and requirements that would provide a basis for continuing appraisal of the adequacy of the Department's programs in the energy field . That this instruction was timely has been demonstrated by the increasing interest being evidenced by Congress , industry , labor , and the public in the future of the energy segment of our national economy . Several studies of individual energy sectors have appeared . Various legislative proposals have been made in Congress for obtaining more information on this subject . Substantial interest in energy projections is not , of course , a recent innovation . Energy availability and consumption are strategic factors in peacetime prosperity and growth and in our national defense as well . The past generation's literature of earnest public discussion and of legislative consideration of matters involving energy projections is very extensive . This is an exploratory study produced in the Program Staff of the Office of the Secretary of the Interior in the first half of 1949 and revised recently to take account of certain of the preliminary energy data from the 1947 Census of Manufactures and critical comments . It is offered at this time solely as a technical contribution in economic research technique . As the Bureau of Mines has recently undertaken to revise this preliminary study , critical and other comments are invited .

Oct 1, 1950

By R. H. Nafziger

The Bureau of Mines evaluated 18 domestic titaniferous materials with widely varying compositions, mineralogy, and physical properties in electric-arc furnaces, Techniques were devised to recover both the titanium and iron values contained in these materials so that the reliance of the United States on foreign sources of higher grade ilmenites and rutile might be decreased. Most of the tested titaniferous materials responded well to lower grade or byproduct reductants, such as bituminous coals, charcoal, and coke breeze. Sufficient slag fluidity was realized by maintaining from 8 to 12 wt-pct iron in the slags; no contaminating fluidizers were required. Fluid slags containing up to 79, 70, and 54 wt-pct Ti02 were realized from east coast ilmenites, a rock ilmenite, and a titaniferous magnetite ore, respectively. A carbon-lined furnace shell is recommended for minimum slag contamination. Good results also were obtained during extended submerged-arc furnace tests.

Jan 1, 1980

By N. S. Dalal, X. Shi

"Electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements provide evidence for the formation of Cr(V) intermediates in the enzymatic reduction of Cr(VI) by glutathione reductase (GSSG-R) in the presence of NADPH, indicating an initial single-electron transfer step in the reduction mechanism. Depending on the pH, at least two different Cr(V) species are generated which are relatively long-lived. In addition, we have detected the hydroxyl (·OH) radical formation during the GSSG-R catalyzed reduction of Cr(VI) by spin trapping, employing 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) and a-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone (4-POBN) as spin traps. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) causes only a minor effect on the ·OH radical and Cr(V) formation, indicating that the ~ - is not significantly involved in the reaction mechanism. Catalase enhances the Cr(V) formation and substantially inhibits the ·OH radical formation, indicating the involvement of hydrogen peroxide (H20 2) in the reaction mechanism. Addition of H20i suppresses Cr(V) and enhances the ·OH radical fonnation. Measurements involving N-ethylmaleimide show that the Cr(V) species, produced enzymatically by the reduction of Cr(VI) by GSSG-R, react with H2O2 to generate ·OH radicals, which might participate in the initiation of Cr(VI) carcinogenicity.INTRODUCTIONC(VI) compounds have been found to exert serious toxic and carcinogenic effects on humans and animals [1-4) and to cause mutations in bacteria and transformation of mammalian cells [5-8). In contrast, most Cr(lll) compounds are relatively nontoxic, noncarcinogenic, and nonmutagenic [9, 10]. Cr(VI) and Cr(lll) oxidation states are different in their metabolic pathways: Cr(VI) ions are rapidly transported across cellular membranes [2, 11-13), while Cr(lll) moieties do not easily penetrate cells and are not oxidized by cellular constituents [3]. Since it is known that the reduction of Cr(Vl) is required for its reaction with DNA [2], the molecular mechanisms for the intracellular Cr(VI) reduction have been the focus of studies during the past decade but the details are still not understood."

Jan 1, 1990

By F. R. Lee

This publication lists permissible equipment approved by the Bureau of Mines during 1965 and 1966 (calendar years), except for breathing apparatus and explosives. The purpose of this publication is to inform the public about approved equipment for safe use in underground mines.

Jan 1, 1968

The object of this program was to design and build a self-contained system for remote monitoring of the atmosphere in mines. The system developed uses the mine pager phone line as the primary communication channel and also has the capability of using 208 Hz in the ELF band for wireless transmission through the earth. The depth for through-the-earth transmission is expected to be about 80 to 90 meters in high conductivity soil and is limited by the noise level in the ELF band-pass filters. The underground components of the TEM System are energized by mine power through a battery charger - storage battery power supply. In the event of mine power failure the battery capacity is more than sufficient for one week's operation with interrogations every four hours.

Jan 1, 1980

By Irving Hartmann

In recent years various modifications in the methods of blasting have been tried as a means of increasing the production of cod and of reducing mining costs. Following an investigation by the Bureau or Mines, authorization was granted to increase the charger limit for permissible explosives par shot hole from 1.5 to 3 pounds under contain conditions; this greatly facilitates the blasting of coal in some cool fields the practice has gradually evolved of simultaneously charging several shot holes in a face and then firing the charges singly without inspecting for gas after each blast. This practice is disapproved by the Bureau of Mines. In other coal mines the explosive chews in several adjacent shot holes are fired simultaneously. This form of shooting is claimed to increase the rate of production, generate smaller volumes of noxious gases, promote the health and safety of workers by eliminating the need of inspection of the face after each charge is fired, produce less float dust, and require less explosive than single shooting. However, simultaneous blasting may have a more harmful effect on the immediate roof strata; in some instances it leads to wedging of the broken coal, thereby making the coal more difficult to load out; it makes misfired shots more difficult to detect and possibly increases the chances of misfires. This lacy be duo to variations in the characteristics of detonators, because of more stringent requirements for adequate firing current, to the need for better electrical connections in the shot-firing circuit, and partly to the inadequacy of present permissible multiple blasting devices.

Jan 1, 1952

By Rogers F. Davis

This publication has been prepared to supply manufacturers and industrial users a listing of mobile diesel-powered equipment and subassemblies approved and certified by the Bureau of Mines for use in noncoal mines. Testing of diesel-powered equipment is one phase of the Bureau's program of health and safety that concerns approval of electrical and diesel equipment designed to prevent explosions, fires, shocks, or toxic hazards in underground mines, when such equipment is used and maintained properly. Manufacturers submit machinery and component parts to the Bureau for study of their design, safety features, and use. Equipment must pass exacting tests and must meet strict requirements established through research and experience and listed in the Bureau's permissible schedules before the Bureau approves it as permissible for safe use in mines.

Jan 1, 1963

By A. T. Coumbe, I. F. Avery

The Bureau of Mines has completed a survey of petroleum pipe - lines by direct correspondence with the oil companies and the use of the records of the Interstate Commerce Commission in order to cover both interstate and intrastate systems . The review shows that crude petroleum and product pipe -lines in the United States had a total length of 152,814 miles on January 1 , 1950 , an increase of 25,463 miles since May 1 , 1941 , the time of the last previous survey . The expansion in pipe -line systems was due largely to new trunk-line construction , as the mileage built to carry refined products increased by 11,880 miles , and those intended for crude -oil transportation gained 6,193 miles . Trunk lines represented 60 percent of all pipe -line mileage on January 1 , 1950 , compared with 58 percent in 1941 . The average diameter of trunk -lines for crude oil , as calculated on the various sizes and weighted according to their respective lengths , increased to 9.8 inches on January 1 , 1950 , compared with 8.4 inches on May 1 , 1941. The mileage for lines up to 8 inches used in crude trunklines has decreased since the 1941 survey , while those of larger sizes have increased . The extensive use of large- diameter oil pipe -lines has developed since the construction of two major lines from Texas to the East Coast at government expense as a World War II emergency measure . The successful operation of these lines proved their economic advantages over smallerdiameter lines as well as their effectiveness in moving unprecedented volumes of oil during the period when tanker movements were restricted by submarine action in the Atlantic Ocean . The 24-inch diameter " Big Inch " line carries over 300,000 barrels daily of crude oil , and the 20 -inch " Little Big Inch " carried over 230,000 barrels daily of gasoline and light fuel oils to destinations where they were urgently needed . Hence , Although these lines were sold and converted to natural -gas service in December 1946 , after fulfilling their wartime mission , their record proved to the industry that significantly lower operating and investment costs per barrel -mile of oil moved could be achieved than were possible with the comparatively small lines in general use up to that time . the several major oil pipe -line projects that have been constructed since the late war are of large diameter pipe . To assure supplies and market outlets of sufficient magnitude to support such lines and provide adequate flexibility , ownership is often shared by several large companies whose transport needs are served in common . The principal recent expansion in facilities has been from supply points in Southwestern States toward markets in the North and East and to Gulf tidewater .

Dec 1, 1950

By W. L. Crentz

Knott County is one of the smaller coal-producing areas in the Eastern Kentucky coal field. It contains numerous coal beds, many too thin to support mining over a wide area, Coal produced in the county is from a few rail-shipping operations and many small truck mines. Many smaller mines are working beds whose exact location in the coal-bearing strata is uncertain. Samples were collected from 11 different coal beds, of which the Fire Clay, Hindman, Upper Elkhorn No. 3, and Flag are the most import ant from a product ion standpoint. Known reserves in the Hindman bed. are very limited, and almost the entire production from this bed is gathered from two comparatively, large rail-shipping mines in addition to the four principal beds, samples were taken in the Francis, Haddix, Fire Clay Rider, Whitesburg, Amburgy, Upper horn No. 2, and Upper Elkhorn No. I .beds. Figure 1 is a typical section of the strata, showing the more important coal beds and. readily identifying their location with respect to each other. The bed names as shown are particularly important because of the local tendency to assign several names to the same bed. To avoid confusion, the names by which each coal bed is known also are given in the following listing. The coal. beds., in descending order, follow: [ ]

Jan 1, 1953

By W. D. Mcmillan

Although the Shafter district of Presidio County, Tex., is principally renowned for silver production from the Presidio mine, the occurrence of lead-zinc ores in the western part of the district has been known for at least 50 years, and there has been some production. An area of about 3 square miles in the vicinity of an extending westward from the Presidio mine was investigated in detail by C. P. Ross of the Federal Geological Survey in 1934. In the fall of 1943, A. B. Needham, an engineer of the Bureau of Mines, called the attention of the Geological Survey to the area west of that included in Ross's map, and requested a detailed investigation of that area by the Survey in advance of development by the Bureau of Mines. After a brief reconnaissance by the Survey in the spring of 1944, detailed studies were made by Federal geologists in the summer of 1944, during which about 450 acres were surveyed, on a scale of 1 inch to 100 feet. Recommendations for the exploration of certain parts of the area were made in the accompanying report.

Jan 1, 1949

Introduction The NIOSH Office of Mining and Construction Safety and Health Research has redesigned its Mining Safety and Health Web topic page. The updated page incorporates a significant amount of new safety and health information, plus an improved layout to better serve stakeholder needs. It also provides back-ground information about the NIOSH Mining Research Program, including research awards, core competencies, unique labs, community and educational outreach, and a brief discussion of how the research program is structured. The new Web topic page can be found at www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining. "Search" Feature The redesigned Web topic page features improved search capabilities. The "Search Mining" feature on each page lets you search only the NIOSH Mining Safety and Health Web topic page. The user can still search the entire NIOSH Web page by using the "Search NIOSH" option. New Safety and Health Topics Developers expanded the "Safety and Health Topics" and reorganized the site to make it easier to find information. Each topic link now has a significant amount of new and updated information, as well as links to related topics of interest. Safety and health topics include dusts, diesel exhaust, hearing loss, contact with electric current, fires, explosives, ventilation, emergency management, new and older workers, and education and training. All topics can be accessed from the home page (Figure 1). Publications Although the Web topic page highlights many of the most requested publications on the safety and health topic links, you can find a complete list of downloadable publications as well. More than 600 mine safety and health publications are now downloadable from the page. Short summaries let the user quickly identify publications of interest. Products The updated Web topic page offers more than 120 NIOSH mine safety and health products, including training exercises, toolbox talks, videos, computer software, guides, and checklists, many of which are downloadable. If not, instructions are given on how to obtain copies. Some of our products include: • Software to analyze horizontal stress, design pillars for longwall mines, and select roof bolts for ground control. • Educational software including the Hearing Loss Simulator, which simulates the effects of noise and aging; and Coal Country, which teaches children about coal formation, mining techniques, and everyday uses of coal. • Utility software including the HazCom Helper software to assist individuals in writing a HazCOM plan, as required by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), to track hazardous chemicals at their mine sites. • Guides for troubleshooting roof support systems, under-ground workstation design, and seating design. • Training exercises and videos that can be used for safety training. Data and Statistics General mining statistics are used by a wide variety of stakeholders. The NIOSH Mining Web topic page offers statistical graphs, tables, maps, fact sheets, and other publications that document the mining population, injuries, fatalities, diseases, and occupational exposures for all mining commodities. If users prefer to analyze data themselves, downloadable files of MSHA data are available. These cover employment, production, injuries, fatalities, and accident data from 1983 to the present and are available in both SPSS® and dBASE® formats.

Jan 11, 2005

By D. E. Wolfson

As a part of its overall program of coal carbonization, the Bureau of Mines is studying the coking properties of coals that may be used for metallurgical purposes. The objectives of this study were given in detail in a previous report.2/ The inherent suitability of coal for metallurgical use depends primarily on (1) chemical composition, (2) preparation characteristics, and (3) carbonization behavior. The first two factors, as well as the available reserves, are considered in selecting coals for carbonization tests.

Jan 1, 1957