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By E. D. Gardner

A general survey of the mineral industries of the Black Hills is being made by the Bureau or Mines, but this report is confined to the tin deposits of that region. Because of the strategic importance of tin in a national emergency, special attention was given in the field to deposits of this metal. The present paper outlines the procedure that would be required for determining the potentialities of the most promising deposits as emergency sources of tin and gives estimates of the cost of sampling and rehabilitating some of the old tin mines. Tin mining in the Black Hill was quiescent in 1938. Tin occurs in two areas inn the region. The deposits have received considerable attention, and since 1884 numerous articles have been written about them. It is estimated that between 7 and 15 million dollars has been spent in promotion expenses, acquiring claims, development work, and equipment; production, has totaled about 160 long tons of metallic tin worth about $95,000.3/

Jan 1, 1939

This volume constitutes the Survival Subsystem portion of the final report for the Coal Mine Rescue and Survival System (CMR&SS) program, which was conducted by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation under contract to the United States Bureau of Mines (Contract Number H0101262 dated June 17, 1970). The program was directed by the Special Systems Department of the Westinghouse Baltimore, Maryland, facility. The basic objectives of the CMR&SS program were to develop and test hardware to determine the efficacy of a variety of coal mine rescue and survival concepts and techniques. These concepts were drawn from two major sources: the Request for Proposal from the Bureau of Mines1 and the final report on the Mine Rescue and Survival Study conducted by the National Academy of Engineering2 (NAE).

Jan 1, 1971

By BUREAU OF MINES

In July, 1918, the attention of the Secretary of the Interior WItS called to the rapidly increasing cost of producing gold and the declining output of that metal in the United States. Realizing the importance of the gold-mining industry, the Secretary appointed a. committee, consisting of Hennen .Iennings, chairman, J. H. Mackenzie, and Charles Janin, of the Bureau of Mines, and H. D. Me- Caskey and F. L. Ransome, of the United States Geological Survey, to,make a thorough study of the gold-mining situation in the United States. The study was to cover the increased cost of recovery and the decreased output of gold, and to consider the different measures that had been proposed to relieve the industry and stimulate production. This report embodies the results of the investigation and study made by the committee. The report presents statistical data compiled from various sources, showing the production of gold in the United States and other countries, with comparative figures for coal, iron, and other mineral products, and describes the sources and distribution of gold output in the United States. It discusses the relation of gold' production to finance and credit, the causes for the decline in gold output, and measures for the relief of the industry. The Interior Department publishes this report in the belief that the widest publicity possible should be given the findings of the committee in order that attention may be directed to the serious conditions revealed therein, and in the hope that wide discussion of the subject may result in some action being taken that will aid in upholding the gold standard ,and the gold industry.

Oct 30, 1919

Since mid-July, most domestic producers have been marketing 99.5 percent unalloyed aluminum ingot at 53-57 cents per pound. Dealers in the United States have recently quoted ingot at 52.3-52.8 cents. On October 2, London Metal Exchange will trade aluminum, selling contracts on a cash and a 3-month basis. New York dealers were quoting August ingot at 52.3 52.8 cents. The Bonneville Power Administration announced that, effective December 20. 1978, electric power rates charged primary aluminum producers in the Pacific Northwest would be increased The increase (equivalent to about 4 cents per pound of aluminum produced) will raise the average rate to about 8.7 mills per kw-hr compared to 3.2 mills per kw-hr.

Jan 1, 1978

By Heber E. Peterson, Sill. Claude W.

"INTRODUCTION In the usual volumetric determination of uranium, the solution containing uranium is reduced in a Jones reductor, yielding a mixture of trivalent and tetravalent uranium; the trivalent uranium is oxidized to the tetravalent state by bubbling a stream of air through the solution. The resulting solution of tetravalent uranium is titrated with a standard oxidant, generally sulfatoceric acid, dichromate, or permanganate. It seemed likely that the same general procedure could be used in determining semimicro quantities pf uranium if the conditions affecting the variables involved were understood more clearly than at present. In the method described below, the use of ferric sulfate to oxidize tetravalent uranium allows the titration to be made at room temperature in an essentially colorless solution with sulfatoceric acid. The latter oxidant in turn permits the use of the very stable indicator, ferroin; with its sharp color change and exactly reproducible blanks.Solutions of uranyl sulfate were prepared by diluting a stock solution that had been standardized gravimetrically according to the method of Lundell and Knowles (8).3/ Solutions of sulfatoceric acid were prepared according to the directions of G. F. Smith (12) and were standardized against arsenic trioxide in the presence of osmic acid according to the directions of Glen (5). The cerium solutions were stored in 18-liter carboys fitted with siphon arrangements so that the bottles did not need to be opened and protected from light in a dark cupboard. Under these conditions, even the 0.01 N solution changed by less than 1 part per thousand over a period of about 6 months."

Jun 1, 1952

By J. S. Hansen

To advance technology that can conserve critical materials, the Bureau of Mines investigated a cast-on hard-surfacing that wear resistance and confines alloy additions to wear-prone surfaces. Wear-resistant material in form is on a polystyrene , the is embedded in a mold of unbonded s and the wear-resistant material is transferred to a cas surface at the time of For low-stress abrasion, derived from high-carbon ferro-chrome had higher wear resistance than did commercially available weld-hard. The microstructure of the was typi-white iron carbides. Free carbon added to the ferrochrome powder produced more M7C3 carbides than did material contained in surfacings made from ferrochrome alone, and improved the wear resistance. Several white iron powders with greatly reduced chromium contents also white iron contain-M7C3 carbides. One derived from white iron powder had wear resistance to that of weld-deposited hard facings. Among the parameters investigated, surfacing thickness was found to have a or influence on diffusion of elements out of the , microstructure, and wear resistance. The results of field tests on bucket-wheel excavator teeth and plowshares with cast-on hard surfacing are given.

Jan 1, 1985

By BUREAU OF MINES

Mercury has been used by mankind since prehistoric times. It has been, and is now, widely used in industry and medicine and has unique properties which make direct substitution difficult or impossible. At present its prin- cipal uses are for electrical apparatus, control instruments, electrolytic soda preparation, mildew-proofing paints, pesticides, and medical and dental preparations. Deposits of mercury are less common than those of other base and precious metals, but some of the deposits are very large and have been ample to meet the world's past demands. The price of mercury has had many sharp fluctua- tions, but in general, the limited number of producers has resulted in a more stable price structure than that of many other commodities. The United States has been one of the main producers of mercury, and from 1850 to 1961 produced 3,247,704 flasks. Yearly production since World War II has varied from 4,535 to 38,067 flasks. An estimate of domestic resources of mercury producible at various price ranges was prepared for each mercury mine by combining specific knowledge of mercury mineralization with estimates of potential, based on geologic informa- tion and past production history. The sum of the individual estimates for each price range is shown in a table. A parallel estimate of nationwide production potential was made from a study of past price and production relationships. These were analyzed by plotting yearly production figures against the previous year's price, expressed in dollars of constant purchasing power. An equation was fitted to the data by mathematical means and was used to extend the curve into areas of higher than historic prices. Potential production rates at various price levels were taken from this graph. The estimated yearly production rates were used to make an estimate of total potential based on the premise that produc- tion rates and reserves have a proportionate relationship.

Jul 1, 1964

By Paul M. Tyler

The technology of clay and the manufacture of ceramic products therefrom, and also the clay resources of most of the individual States, are already covered by a voluminous literature. The present resume touches these matters only briefly; its purpose is essentially to bring together in small compass certain of the elementary factors affecting the potential commercial value of a clay deposit. In its preparation the author made extensive use of the annual chapters on Clay in Mineral Resources of the United States and in the two annual issues of the Minerals. Yearbook that succeeded them. For careful review and constructive criticism of the manuscript, the author is indebted to Hewitt Wilson. GENERAL DESCRIPTION The term ?clay? includes a great variety of substances that may differ widely in chemical mineralogical and physical properties. No two clays are exactly alike. All of them however, have the prominent characteristic of becoming more or less plastic when wet. Nearly all of the useful clays can be molded into articles, will hold their shape while being dried, and can be converted into a hard, rocklike substance by heat. Clay may, and in fact usually does, consist of a number of minerals among the commonest of which are kaolinite, quartz, feldspar, iron oxides, mica, bauxite, calcite, and manganese oxides. Organic matter is often present. Pure kaolinite, which has the formula A1203. 2 SiO2. 2H2O, is ordinarily, considered to be the parent "clay substance," butt most clays contain other hydrated mixtures of alumina and silica (aluminosilicic acids) along with indefinite amounts of sand and other nonessential minerals3/ Even, this so-called inert matter affects the plasticity, drying shrinkage, ease of drying, and final density, and at high temperatures may react chemically with the clay substance.

Jan 1, 1929

By George W. Toth

Uranium in situ leach mining has recently emerged as a viable alternative to conventional miring techniques. The cost implications of in situ mining are therefore of increasing interest to mining paracticioners as well as public officials. This report presents the results of an assessment of uranium in situ leach mining costs through the application of process engineering and discounted cash flow analysis procedures. A computerized wasting technique, termed a cost model, was developed through this effort to facilitate rapid cost analyses. Application of this cost model will generate mine life capital and operating costs as well as solve for economic production cost/lb. U308. Conversely rate of return may be determined subject to a known selling price. The data bases of the cost made! have been designed to reflect variations in Texas vs. Wyoming site applications. The results If applying the model under numerous ore deposit, operating, wellfield and extraction plant conditions for Texas and Wyoming are summarized in the report. Sensitivity analysis of changes in key project parameters have also been tested and reported.

Jan 1, 1981

Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. announced that it planned to spend $66 million to increase the efficiency of its Baton Rouge, Louisiana, alumina plant. The improvements are designed to reduce energy consumption but will not change the annual capacity of the plant, now rated at about one million short tons. The project was expected to be initiated immediately and be completed by 1982. ALUMINUM Producers in this country posted unalloyed 99.5 percent aluminum ingot at 53-57.5 cents per pound, yet actual selling prices were closer to 53 cents. Domestic merchants quoted unalloyed ingot on a spot basis at 54-56.3 cents. London Metal Exchange 3-month forward contracts fell during November's trading from 55,2 cents to 52.8 cents per pound.

Jan 1, 1978

By Hazel J. Stratton

IN THE HALF-CENTURY that has passed since the Bureau of Mines was established in July 1910, the research and technologic investigations conducted by the Bureau's scientists, engineers, and other personnel have helped significantly in improving health and safety in the mineral industries and have contributed substantially in conserving the Nation's mineral resources through improved techniques in the mining, treatment, and use of mineral commodities. From Bureau laboratories have come new materials for industry and better methods of extracting and processing minerals and mineral fuels. Bureau safety investigations-complemented by equipment testing and by programs of mine inspection and education-have brought about safer and more healthful working conditions.

Jan 1, 1960

The U.S. economy continued to expand during 1986, although at the slowest pace since 1982 when the current business expansion began. Real gross national product (GNP) grew about 2.6%, slightly below 1985 growth but significantly below that of 1984. The continuing expansion was fueled predominantly by rising personal consumption expenditures as well as growing government purchases of goods and services. Fixed investment, although positive, failed to grow at the rate of the overall economy. The trade deficit, which increased more than 30% over the record 1985 level, continued to depress economic growth despite significant declines in the price of petroleum and the value of the dollar. On a more positive note, domestic employment continued to grow--increasing over 2 million from the 1985 level--and inflation and interest rates declined. The unemployment rate dropped slightly to 7.0%. Of direct importance to the minerals-producing industries, expenditures for consumer and producer durables as well as investment in residential construction each grew faster than the overall economy, but investment in nonresidential structures fell more than 10% from the 1985 level. The low level of real capital spending declined about 3% in 1986, following strong gains in 1985 and in 1984. Capital expenditures for new plant and equipment bottomed out in the second quarter and expanded in the third and fourth quarters. The decline in the first half of the year was partially attributed to uncertainty arising from the then-proposed tax bill. Also, there was little impetus for corporations to invest in new capacity since factories were operating at less than 80% of capacity during most of the year, in part because of continued competition from imports.

Jan 1, 1987

By Robert C. Dyni

The Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the Solution Mining Research Institute conducted surface and subsurface investigations over five solution-mined salt cavities in the Hutchinson, KS, area. The purpose of these investigations was to determine the mechanisms that lead to the formation of sinkholes above collapsed solution cavities. Of the five salt-solution cavities investigated, four had collapsed and produced sinkholes prior to the time of the investigations; the fifth cavity was considered stable. Exploratory drilling and coring operations were conducted at all five sites; surface stability monitoring was conducted at three of them. The results of these studies indicate that excessive dissolution at the salt-shale contact of each collapsed cavity produced large, unsupported roof spans that ultimately exceeded the structural integrity of the overburden. The stable cavity was not exposed to excessive dissolution at the salt-shale contact; this limited the roof span and ensured a stable cavity. The data also show that surface settlement in the vicinity of the two surface-monitored sinkholes continued for approximately 7 years after the sinkholes formed, indicating that the rubble piles of the collapsed cavities were undergoing gradual consolidation.

Jan 1, 1986

Since early July, domestic producer listings in primary aluminum ingot have been at 53¢ per pound. Dealers, however, lowered their August quotes by 1.8¢-2¢ to 47.5¢-48¢ per pound. BITUMINOUS COAL AND LIGNITE -The wildcat strike of UMWA coal miners which began on June 23 in protest of cutbacks in medical benefits appears to have ended. According to the West Virginia Coal Association on September 7, 1977, all mines in West Virginia were back in operation on September 6 and again on September 7. The Kentucky Coal Association reported approximately 2,500 miners were on strike in eastern Kentucky on September 6, but there was full employment on September 7.

Jan 1, 1977

Mine drainage and mine reclamation are topics of major interest to the mining industry, federal and local governments, and the general public. This publication and its companion three volumes are the proceedings of a conference held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 24-29, 1994. There were twelve sessions (69 papers) that dealt with mine drainage, including modeling, geochemistry, prediction, treatment, control strategies, characterization, hydrology, and case studies. These sessions comprise volumes 1 and 2. The six sessions (34 papers) that dealt with reclamation and revegetation of disturbed lands are included in volume 3. Volume 4 includes the six sessions (34 papers) that dealt with such topical issues as fires at abandoned mine sites, subsidence, hydrology, mine wastes, and policy. Poster session presentations are represented by 49 papers and 92 abstracts that have been placed in the back of volumes 2, 3, and 4, consistent with the subject of that volume.

Jan 1, 1994

By R. W. Bee

This project, sponsored by the U.S. Bureau of Mines, Division of Environment, addresses two major subjects: refuse removal and subsidence monitoring. The refuse removal task consisted of developing a methodology for selecting the most economical combinations of coal mine breaker refuse and rock banks, disposal sites and material moving systems (trucks, trains, belt conveyers and pipelines). To prepare plans for moving refuse in the Lackawanna Valley of Northeastern Pennsylvania, refuse banks were inventoried, underground disposal sites identified and unit cost data prepared for the various material moving systems. The subsidence monitoring task consisted of defining the phenomenon of coal mine induced surface subsidence, establishing operational requirements, cataloging sensors and techniques to detect and measure subsidence and testing of the most promising techniques (photoelastic patch, tiltmeter, strain gage, microseismic and precise surveying). A preliminary system for a 700 acre area in Scranton utilizing 267 grid sensors, seven microseismic sensors and precise surveying techniques was designed with initial and annual operating costs determined. Two minor tasks supported both main subjects: zoning in the Northern Anthracite Field of Pennsylvania and Technology Transfer of subsidence vulnerability prediction techniques.

Jan 1, 1972

By J. H. Jacobs

This report records a chapter in the history of the development of an electrolytic manganese industry in the United States. Nearly all the manganese requirements of the United States have been imported. Although there are large quantities of manganese ore in the United States, most of it is low-grade and cannot be used for the production of ferromanganese. Since the electrolytic production of manganese carried out by a process developed in the laboratories of the Bureau of Mines offers a method whereby the extensive low-grade deposits may be utilized and since commercial development had proceeded slowly, the Bureau constructed a new and larger pilot plant at Boulder City, Nev., where abundant electric power was available. An authorization in November 1940 covered a plant of only several hundred pounds daily capacity. Additions to some sections author¬ized by subsequent appropriations have enabled the plant to produce over 2,000 pounds a day for extended periods.

Jan 1, 1946

By C. A. Geffen-Fowler

This report, sponsored by the Bureau of Mines, presents the results of an examination of the safety of the Blind Shaft Borer (BSB) shaft sinking system and an alternative modified BSB design concept in comparison to conventional shaft sinking technology. Detailed study of the two systems was also performed to identify and recommend design changes for optimum safety conditions. A comparison of the BSB systems with conventional shaft sinking was made on the basis of relative risk levels. Risk incorporates both the frequency and the potential consequence of accidents. A safety evaluation of the component operations of the two BSB systems was performed using a Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) methodology. The results of this analysis show generally that both BSB systems are safer than conventional shaft sinking. The potential risk of conventional shaft Sinking operations could be reduced by over 30%, on the average with the use of the original BSB system, and by an average of about 10% with the modified BSB. Design change recommendations to further improve the safety of these systems include a better fire suppression system, improved man haulage systems and more compact hydraulics. An operational safety manual was also developed for the modified BSB system.

Jan 1, 1981

By R. E. Head

[This paper embodies the data obtained by a detailed statistical, microscopic analysis of the composite mill feed concentrate, and tailing from the Magne and Arthur mills of the Utah Conger Co. for 1 month in 1929. It is one of a series of papers by the same authors5 dealing with the mineralogical characteristics of the ore and concentration products from various well-known plants. The work was done in the cooperateive microscopic service laboratory at Salt Lake and represents the results of cooperation between the United States Bureau u of Mines, the Utah Copper Co. and the University of Utah.]

Jan 1, 1935

By R. E. Head

This paper embodies the data obtained by a detailed statistical, microscopic analysis of the composite mill feed concentrate, and tailing, from the Magne and Arthur mills of the Utah Conger Co. for 1 month in 1929. It is one of a series of papers by the same authors dealing with the mineralogical characteristics of the ore and concentration products from various well-known plants. The work was done in the cooperative microscopic service laboratory at Salt Lake and represents the results of cooperation between the United States Bureau of Mines, the Utah Copper Co., and the University of Utah.

Jan 1, 1935