Search Documents

By Reynold Q. Shotts

A study was made of the coal resources of an area in Jackson County, Ala., forming a part of the Flat Rock, Henegar, and Stevenson quadrangles. The area studied is a portion of the Plateau coalfield on Sand Mountain and is near the Tennessee Valley Authority's Widows Creek steamplant. Since no detailed geological study of this area had been published, some reconnaissance work was done. The coalbeds and adjacent strata such as sandstones, conglomeratic sandstones, and conglomerates were studied. Available drill logs, together with the areal geology, provided sufficient information to permit correlation of the coalbeds and an estimation of coal reserves. For all categories of reserves, computed on a regional basis, a total of 72,920,000 tons of coal more than 14 inches thick is estimated for the areas studied in Stevenson, Flat Rock, and Henegar quadrangles. Of this tonnage, 40,001,000 tons is estimated to have less than 60 feet of overburden. The total measured coal reserves for the above three quadrangles are 16,359,000 tons, with 12,411,000 tons under less than 60 feet of cover.

Jan 1, 1966

By C. F. Jackson

This paper has been prepared as a progress report in connection with the series of articles on mining methods and costs which are being published by the U. S. Bureau of Mines in the form of information circulars. Then enough circulars have been completed it is planned to publish a more complete and comprehensive paper in bulletin form dealing with the subject of underground transportation. Progress reports, followed by bulletins, will be prepared from time to time dealing with other subjects included in the general study of mining methods at individual mines, such as mine development, drilling, and blasting; stoping methods (each principal stoping method to be summarized in a separate paper); ventilation; wage, contract end bonus systems, etc.

Jan 1, 1930

By David A. Monaghan

On January 14, 1974 a fire occurred in the 3 East mains of the Joanne Mine of Eastern Associated Coal Corp. in Rachel, West Virginia. The mine was evacuated without injury and sealed completely at the surface within 24 hours. It was decided by the coal company along with the U, S, Bureau of Mines, the West Virginia Bureau of Mints and MESA that remote sealing of the fire zone would be attempted. This report summarizes the remote sealing effort and those activities directly related to the remote sealing effort. This chapter provides a brief history of previous remote sealing attempts, a description of the recently developed remote sealing system and a description of the Joanne Mine operation as it related to and affected the remote sealing effort.

Jan 1, 1975

This article updates the status of fatalities occurring in both coal and metal/nonmetal mines from January through December of 2001. Based on preliminary accident reports, as of December 31, 2001, seventy-two fatalities have occurred at coal and metal/ nonmetal mining operations. During this period, forty-two fatalities occurred at coal operations and thirty fatalities occurred at metal/nonmetal operations. Ignition or explosion of gas or dust and fall of roof were the most frequent accident classifications in coal and powered haulage fatalities were the most frequent accident classification in metal/nonmetal.

Jan 1, 2002

These proceedings consist of an introduction and four descriptive papers. The first paper is an update on fire protection for large haulage vehicles, the second paper is concerned with improved visibility systems for large haul- age vehicles, the third paper is on improved ladders for large haulage vehicles, and the fourth paper is concerned with large haul-age vehicle operator training systems.

Jan 1, 1980

By J. R. Thoenen, J. D. Warne

"INTRODUCTION Red-iron-ore deposits in northeast Alabama have been exploited at vari¬ous times for nearly 6o years. About 3-1/2 million tons of ore have been produced in the Gadsden district; but mining activity has been dormant since 1926, and furnaces within this section of the State now suffer a shortage of red ore.To alleviate these shortages, work by-the Bureau of Mines was recommended after preliminary investigations. 4/5/ Diamond drilling, to determine the lateral and vertical extent of ores of known deposits in Greasy Cove and on Shinbone Ridge, was done from August 1946 to May 1947, as Project 9-106, Alabama Red Iron Ore. Three holes were drilled in each area.ASKNOWLEDGMENTSIn its program of investigation of mineral deposits, the Bureau of Mines has as its primary objective the more effective utilization of domestic mineral resources to the end that they- make the greatest possible contributions to the national security and economy. It is the policy of the Bureau to publish the facts developed by each project as soon as possible after its conclusion. The Mining Division, Lowell B. Moon, conducts preliminary examinations, does the actual investigative work, and prepares the final report. The Metallurgical Division, Oliver C. Ralston, chief, analyzes samples and makes beneficiation tests."

Jun 1, 1948

By Jürgen F. Brune, Liming Yuan, Alex C. Smith

To provide insights and assistances for the optimization of ventilation systems for U. S. under-ground coal mines facing both methane control and spontaneous combustion issues, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study is being conducted to investigate the effect of the ventilation scheme on the prevention of spontaneous combustion in longwall gob areas. This report focuses on the flow patterns within the gob under three different ventilation systems; one-entry and two-entry bleederless systems as well as a three-entry bleeder system. The gas flow in the caved gob area is simulated as a laminar flow through porous media while the gas flow in ventilation airways is simulated as a fully developed turbulent flow. The air flow patterns are visualized using flow path lines. Air velocity contours and vector data are also obtained. The possible location of critical velocity zones where the gob is most liable to spontaneous heating is discussed.

By G. F. Kuncir

The analysis described herein evaluates the Bureau of Mines Program for Advancing Mining Technology - Oil Shale in terms of the economic benefits which may be derived for the Nation as a result of its successful research and development efforts. On the basis of postulated oil shale production scenarios, benefit-cost ratio indicators are computed for the program elements as they apply to surface, underground, and modified in situ oil shale mining systems. Eight value indicators are used to measure the Program's beneficial impact on the future oil shale industry in relation to planned research and development costs. These are: capital cost savings, operating cost savings, labor savings environmental quality maintenance cost reduction, reduction in production costs, byproduct production benefits, total production benefits, and additions to recoverable reserves. Program costs are aggregated from 1974 through 1987 and major benefits are accrued from 1982 through 2040. Both cost and benefit streams are discounted to mid-1975 present value.

Jan 1, 1977

By Virgil A. Marple

The objective of this contract was to conduct characterization, evaluation and/or calibration studies of instrumentation used for measuring the quantity of respirable dust in mining atmospheres. Initially, this work involved the upgrading and detailed evaluation of the aerosol test chamber and the development of impactors with respirable classification characteristics. These were used as standards in the chamber for measuring the quantity of respirable dust based on either the ACGIH or BMRC respirable dust criteria. A program was then conducted to calibrate several photometers. In addition, the mass sensitivity of the GCA RAM-1 photometer to water droplets in the respirable size range was determined. Three additional studies were also made in this program. First, an experimental study was performed to ascertain the effect of crosswind, cyclone orientation and particle size on particle sampling and penetration through the 10 mm Dorr-Oliver cyclone. Second, a theoretical study was conducted to refine the theory used to predict the particle collection characteristics of impactors. Third, filter samples with known quantities of diesel and coal particles were produced and delivered to the B. of Mines for testing a Raman scattering analysis technique to discriminate diesel particles in the presence of coal dust.

Jan 1, 1984

By A. C. Fieldner

Much activity is called for in the present period of hightened national effort, and wise direction of such a program must always be conditioned by positive knowledge gained in years of slow and painstaking study and development. Research and technologic investigations on coal by the Bureau of Mines have been described in a series of annual

Jan 1, 1941

By Rimas Pakalnis, Doug Milne, Marc Ruest, Lewis Martin

Whereas many researchers and mine engineers have conducted tests on cable bolts using various grouts, water: cement ratios, and physical modifications of the cable to determine the load-carrying characteristics ofa bolt, few studies have been conducted on cable bolts fitted with internal instruments. Those studies that have been done have concentrated on cable response averaged over significant (6.1 m) cable lengths. Researchers at the Spokane Research Laboratory (SRL) of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in Spokane, WA, are investigating the physical properties of cable bolts by replacing the conventional king wire with a modified king wire on which strain gauges have been installed. A numerical analysis was performed to match laboratory results. Loads calculated by the model were then compared to loads measured in the laboratory on 1.83-m-long cables grouted into two 0.91-m-long pull-tube assemblies. Load along the cable was monitored with 20 strain gauges installed along the length of the cable. This paper documents test results on these modified cable bolts. The instrumented cable bolt provided reproducible point measurements of cable load as opposed to load measurements averaged over long cable lengths. Such point measurements can assist in interpreting the influence of cable confinement, grout quality, rock mass stiffness, and other factors. The instrumented cable bolt is a practical field and research tool because it can predict point loading along the cable. The instrument has been successfully field tested at FMC's Granger Mine, Granger, WY; the Meikle Mine, Carlin, NV; the Stillwater Mine, Nye, MT; and the Getchell Mine, Golconda, NV. By monitoring load and displacement of the rock mass using these instrumented bolts, more-effective ground support can be selected and installed, which will lead to safer working conditions for miners.

Jan 4, 2004

By R. Q. Shotts

Factors of geological structure and occurrence of coalbeds, plus the resulting mining conditions, have required more care in preparing coals in Alabama than in most other districts almost since mining Alabama coals began. For this reason, literature on these coals may be interesting to those in areas where prime coals have been mined out, and thinner and less regular beds must now be exploited. This literature review has been arranged in order of subject matter. Some references have been listed more than once, but each separate review is limited to the material pertaining to the subject matter being discussed. For those seeking specific information, the authors have indicated which items repeat material and which items are most complete or specific. Geology, preparation, and carbonization of coal have been reviewed the most frequently.

Jan 1, 1963

By Robert M. Baker

This document details the method whereby Allen Corporation of America gathered and analyzed data and developed an annotated bibliography of metal and nonmetal mine fire reports (1950-1979). The primary objective of this program was to develop the annotated bibliography which included MSHA accident reports and periodicals. Two additional objectives were to gather data on non-reportable fires and to conduct statistical analyses on the data to delineate trends. Data was acquired from three major areas: periodicals, MSHA fire reports, and mine safety directors. Data was separated into reportable fires (at least ½ - hour duration or injury), non-reportable fires, and opinion data. The data was then analyzed by time trends, state, ore, ignition source, burning substance, location, equipment, detection, duration, injuries, fatalities, and successful extinguishing agent. The authors make a number of recommendations: (1) improved stationary electrical equipment design and fire protection, (2) improved design of mobile equipment to separate combustibles from ignition sources, (3) improved maintenance, (4) improved housekeeping, and (5) improved training. The document is divided into two volumes and an appendix. Volume I contains data acquisition procedures, data analysis procedures, and conclusions and recommendations. Volume II contains a chronological list of mine fires and fifteen indexes to assist the reader in locating fire incident report of interest. The Appendix contains the annotated bibliography of over 300 metal and nonmetal mine fire reports and journal articles and a list of non-reportable fires.

Jan 1, 1980

By Mark I. Copeland

A study was conducted to determine if commonly used alloying additions or coating materials can prevent the formation of a liquid-copper phase during the reheating of copper-containing steels. If so, the tendency of such steels to surface-crack during hot-working might be eliminated. Steel specimens were scaled by heating them either isothermally or in a programed manner that simulated industrial furnace practice. Metallographic examination of the heated specimens showed that molten fayalite (Fe2Si04) completely prevented the formation of liquid copper at the surface. Fayalite, which melts at 2,200° F (1,205° C), was formed by internal oxidation of the silicon contained in the steel. By forming complex molten oxides, coatings of borax glass were also effective in preventing the occurrence of liquid copper at the steel surface.

Jan 1, 1972

By K. P. V. Lei

The Bureau of Mines investigated molten-salt electrorefining as a practical method for reclaiming vanadium from vanadium scrap. An electrolytic process utilizing a KC1-LiC1-VC12 electrolyte at 615° C was developed for producing ductile vanadium with a purity over 99.9 percent. The recovery of the vanadium in the cell feed ranged from 88 to 93 percent with a current efficiency from 83 to 95 percent.

Jan 1, 1967

By John A. Johnson

For the purpose of comparing the amounts of dust produced by various mining operations, samples of atmospheric dust were collected during a complete cycle of drilling, blasting and mucking at or near the face of the Bureau's Mount Weather testing adit while the efficiency of several types of stemming in metal-mine blasting was being investigated. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS All gas samples were analyzed in the laboratory of the Bureau of Mines Gas Section at Pittsburgh, Pa.

Jan 1, 1939

By R. Q. Shotts

Factors of geological structure and occurrence of coalbeds, plus the resulting mining conditions, have required more care in preparing coals in Alabama than in most other districts almost since mining Alabama coals began. For this reason, literature on these coals may be interesting to those in areas where prime coals have been mined out, and thinner and less regular beds must now be exploited. This literature review has been arranged in order of subject matter. Some references have been listed more than once, but each separate review is limited to the material pertaining to the subject matter being discussed. For those seeking specific information, the authors have indicated which items repeat material and which items are most complete or specific. Geology, preparation, and carbonization of coal have been reviewed the most frequently.

Jan 1, 1963

By S. J. Broderick

[Xuge d-mp heap co:lt:.ini9: tilcu?:na3s of tons of cad ~eP~se 2r3 a failiar sight in coal-mininc regior@:. T5ey reprecei~t considergole economic 1083, are very l.u.,si~hC,ly, ?:ld t?ke un m-lch vaL-x3le qace. Cor.sequentl;r thelr remcval i~ geatlyr dezir36, ax2 my ret-sn t?-at c,m be obtained would be er;pecic.llj .a~elconre&apos; t.7 the cod ir.S..r; kry. T?.e vaste rk.t~ri..tl conpl-ises large pieces of slr.t.e, hi~h-2s&apos;. bore c~al., luqs cf cle:., ,ad finer refuse conin,= fro3 the vrtskery, Tilt 1:zshcr:r refilsn contnins sone yood coal. Rig coal and the &apos;better p~lcs of bore ere the zat~rla2.s ~15:;~itiered in this in- vest ig:?.tion. 7% Il~avter frnctions of the w~~sherjr ref;lw aizd tts large 2ieces of slcte ?,".:I rgck contilin 1it:lei ccai-i-bcna.c~o~s caterial ad are vir- tu<dly worthiess nc, rz:. ::atcrin!. for .*=irin,= zct,iv?*teb cCvb~n. 13 the 3irniingh.m district, i13br.12, a-c.ju",P p?rcccn",f the c3sl r?.ir?ed is washed, ,md in tkis c?i.;trict nlz:~c rcfilce ecc;:?:lletcs ~t the r%tg of 1 to 2 million .! tons 2 yew.]

Jan 1, 1941

By George H. Holmes

The water situation in Nevada mineral and related industries is described in this report. It contains information on the sources and adequacy of supply to current operators, requirements and uses, quality and costs, geography, hydrography, precipitation and evaporation characteristics, and Nevada water laws. Also, information is given on the water requirements of one public utility powerplant, and the source and consumption of water in four major cities. Water distribution at 24 operations is shown on schematic waterflow diagrams. The mineral industries of Nevada in 1962 used 8.6 billion gallons of new&apos; water and reused 3.8 billion gallons for a total usage of 12.4 billion gallons. The copper industry was the major water user. The 1962 value of all mineral production in Nevada was $85.5 million. The large amount of water required to maintain thin high production is obtained principally from ground-water sources in alluvial valleys and the permeable rock formations of some mountain ranges. Some water is also obtained from perennial streams and springs. Sources of water utilized by existing industry ire near most mineral industry operations; however, seven companies are forced to pipe water distances ranging from 2 to 8 miles. Although water supplies of presently operating companies are adequate at most operations, several companies resort to large-scale reuse of water as a matter of conservation and economics. Acquisition of water by new operators is possible but takes considerable negotiation. Water rights, surface and underground, are controlled by the State. The quality of the water is satisfactory for most purposes. Analyses of 19 samples, listed in the appendix, show the range in water quality at various plants throughout the State. Costs of delivering new water to current operations range from 2 to 26 cents per 1,000 gallons with an average of 10 cents per 1,000 gallons for power and maintenance. No firm costs for recirculating water were available; estimated costs range from 1.5 to 2.5 cents per 1,000 gallons. The mineral-product value of the entire Nevada mineral industry in 1962 was equivalent to $10 per 1,000 gallons of new water and $26 per 1,000 gallons consumed. Projection of the 1962 water requirements of the Nevada mineral industry indicates that the demand For new water will increase from 8.6 billion gallons in 1962 to 11.9 billion gallons in 1980, a 43-percent increase. Water requirements in the year 2000 are estimated as 14.8 billion gallons, an increase over 1962 water demand of 78-percent.

Jan 1, 1966

By Henry C. Meeves

The nonpegmatitic sources of beryllium in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and four adjacent states investigated by the Bureau of Mines are described. The investigations included 155 properties from which over 6,200 rock samples were collected; more than 5,500 samples were analyzed by the nuclear beryllium-detection technique. Twenty-four of the properties examined had rock containing more than 0.10 percent BeO. Many of the beryllium determinations were made in the field with portable detection instruments by direct scanning of outcrops and by testing samples of rock brought to the instrument. The large domestic resources of low-grade nonpegmatitic beryllium ore in Utah, which were discovered by private enterprise and which respond favorably to small-scale treatment processes, may come into commercial use and thus reduce the dependence of the United States on imported beryl.

Jan 1, 1966