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Coal research and related activities in 1964 by the Bureau of Mines resulted in many advances in the production, preparation, and utilization of this valuable natural resource. Mining research during the year was marked by work on hydraulic mining, coalbed degasification, mine drainage control, mine sealing, strip-mine rehabilitation, and quenching of mine-refuse fires. Bureau research continued to produce information leading to increased safety in underground mining. Such research included roof and rib control via bolting and bonding, pressure monitoring of coal and mine rock during mining operations, and development of safety devices for detecting conditions leading to roof falls. Other safety work was continued on methane detectors, coal-dust suppression, and mine ventilation equipment and techniques. Mine explosion and explosives research, mine equipment and materials, safety rule modernization, and safety education and training of mine workmen were continued. Coal storage and preparation work in 1964 ranged from freezeproofing of lignite for rail shipment, through washability studies of coals and washing equipment, to research on new ways to remove ash and sulfur from coal. Electric power production, which accounts for a major portion of the market for coal, received further study. Unique power generation systems, including coal-burning gas turbine and megnetohydrodynamic generators, were intensively investigated. Conventional power systems were improved through continuation of work on furnace performance, powerplant stack gas purification, and engineering and boiler water service.

Jan 1, 1965

This paper has peen translated from the Russian by the United States Bureau of Mines and is issued as one of a series of circulars dealing with mining methods and costs in connection with a general study of this subject sponsored by the bureau. The paper presents some interesting features in connection with the methods employed in Russia and describes certain variations in standard methods which might conceivably be applied to a limited extent in this country.

Jan 1, 1930

By Oliver Bowles

"Simple systematic accounting that adequately records all transactions has long been regarded as essential to the welfare of any business enterprise. Some of the defects that detract from the prosperity of the slate industry are attributable to a lack of effectiveness in cost keeping. This condition has prompted the United States Bureau of Mines to make a detailed study of accounting methods for the slate industry, and to present for consideration a system of accounts, which it is believed would enable the industry to attain more economical management and operation if accepted by a fair proportion of its important units.The method of accounting presented herein has been worked out with the assistance of leading slate producers and the recommendation are tentative and are submitted in this form as a means of developing constructive criticism. Believing that cooperative effort in this, as in many other problems, will bring the most enduring benefits to the industry as a whole, the writer urges that the most earnest consideration be given to this vital problem now facing the slate industry.Grateful acknowledgment is made of the helpful assistance rendered by R. E. Eckert of the accounting firm of Eckert, Degan, and Palmer of Easton, Pa., in compiling the charts and the explanatory text. He has brought to this work a wide knowledge of accountancy, supplemented by a background of direct contact with the slate industry, and his presence at the various conferences has been of great advantage in clearing up difficulties. The National Slate Association sponsored the cost study and chiefly through the efforts of President W. H. Smith and Secretary W. S. Hays, has aided greatly in conducting it. Acknowledgment is also made of assistance rendered by William F. Marsh of the United States Bureau of Mines."

Nov 1, 1929

By F. Matanzo

This guide considers only nine of the many wire rope terminations used in the mining industry so use of the information presented for terminations not specifically addressed can be done, but with some risk. The nine terminations considered are: Flemish Loop with Steel Sleeve & Thimble, Flemish Loop with Steel Sleeve, Wedge Socket, Swaged Socket, Turn Back Loop with Aluminum Sleeve & Thimble, Thimble Splice with Four Tucks, V-Bolt Clip with Thimble, Zinc Poured Socket, and Epoxy Resin Poured Socket. The guide uses pull test data, axial fatigue test data, and data on sensitivity to poor workmanship, to rank the nine terminations with respect to these performance measures. A selection procedure is suggested and illustrated with an example. Failure data is used to identify the common modes of failure of each termination and so help the inspector direct his attention to the likely location for a failure and describe what he should be looking for. The data on which this guide is based is included so that as new data becomes available, the ranking order can be adjusted accordingly.

Jan 1, 1978

By Charlie Wyche

In 1980, gold, silver, and pit and quarry construction materials were the principal minerals produced in the Dominion of Fiji. The combined value of these minerals totaled some $7.2 million,2 over 85% of all mineral production, Production of cement, sand and gravel, and quarry products continued to increase, but gold and silver production from Fiji's only operating mine declined slightly from the previous year's level. Mineral exploration has been carried out by U.S., Australian, British, Canadian, West German, and South African companies since the early 1960's, and a high level of activity was maintained throughout 1980. At the end of 1980, some 40 mineral prospecting licenses covering over 4,300 square kilometers were in force, and 19 applications were under consideration by the Mineral Resources Department. Total expenditures by mining companies on land base projects exceeded $6 million in 1980.

Jan 1, 1982

By Doss H. White

In 1989, Alabama's nonfuel mineral industry produced a State record of $463 million of nonfuel mineral commodities, an increase of $4 million over that reported by the State's mineral producers in 1988. The new record marked the fourth consecutive year in which mineral production increased over that of the previous year. Alabama ranked 22d among the States in total mineral value. Cement, stone, and sand and gravel were the three leading mineral commodities produced, accounting for 77% of Alabama's total mineral value. During the year, there were several acquisitions by Alabama cement and stone companies, and the only tantalum mine in the United States completed its first full year of operation.

Jan 1, 1991

By James Ridenour

The Gearhart Mountain Wilderness and RARE II area 6225 encompass 22,823 acres (9,236 ha) of the Fremont National Forest in southern Oregon (fig. 1). The area was studied under the provisions of the Wilderness Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-577). The U.S. Bureau of Mines determined the mineral potential of known mines, prospects, or mineralized areas, while in a separate effort the U.S. Geological Survey made geological, geochemical, and geophysical studies. MINERALIZED AREAS The study area contains no mining districts or known claims. Nearby occurrences of uranium, base metals, perlite, mercury, and diatomite apparently do not extend into the study area. Reconnaissance pan samples reveal only trace amounts of gold. No anomalous economic minerals were found in heavy mineral fractions of samples from stream beds draining the area.

Jan 1, 1982

This report, authorized by a subcontract with the Crouse-Hinds Company per Section 1.1.3b of Contract Number H0220065 Amendment Number Six, and the consent of the Contracting Officer, documents the results of an investigation to develop solid state ballasts for Lucalox high pressure sodium lamps. The ballasts were to be used in the modified and new portable and machine-mounted lighting systems designed by the Crouse-Hinds Company, per Tasks I through IV of Contract No. H0220065.

Jan 1, 1976

By R. V. Ramani

This volume, the first of a six volume final report, provides an executive summary of the research and results carried out under a grant from the U. S. Bureau of Mines on underground coal mine ventilation. Under the project, a mine ventilation simulator was developed. Sensitivity of leakage and friction factors on the total quantity and pressure requirements was studied. The simulator was applied to a new mine under development, and to an operating mine, to demonstrate the usefulness of the simulator in ventilation planning and in evaluating proposed changes to existing ventilation system. The titles of the other volumes are as follows: Volume II: Mine Ventilation Network Theory Volume III: User's Manual for PSU/MVS Volume IV: Sensitivity of Leakage and Friction Factors Volume V: Application of PSU/MVS to Ventilation Planning of a New Mine Volume VI: Application of PSU/MVS to the Analysis of Modifications to Existing Ventilation Systems

Jan 1, 1977

To provide a means for accurately and reliably warning of impending roof falls or rock bursts and for evaluating support systems. The Approach: Development of a device for measuring rockbolt loads which is not affected by harsh environments nor by eccentric loading conditions and is easily adapted to various size rock bolts. How It Works: The Rock-Bolt Tension Load Cell, developed by the Bureau's Spokane (Wash.) Mining Research Center, is installed on a bolt and sandwiched between a conventional doughnut washer bearing plate and a torqueing nut (Fig. 1). As the bolt takes load, the bearing plate transmits the load axially to the cell through a ball and socket arrangement, compensating for uneven bearing surfaces. The cell body strains in proportion to the applied load: the strain is sensed by welded strain gages as change in electrical resistance. The resistance change is read through a Wheatstone Bridge and, through calibration, the applied load is determined.

Jan 1, 1974

By Maria I. De Rosa

Analysis of mining equipment fires from 1990 through 1999 reveals that there were 340 large mining equipment fires, resulting in 72 injuries and five fatalities. Many of the fires resulted in the loss of equipment and all posed potential or real risks to the operator. In 97 cases, the fires raged out of control due to engine shut­off failure, even upon activation of the machine fire suppression system, due to the spraying of pressurized hydraulic flu­id and fuel onto hot engine surfaces. In other cases, even after engine shutoff, the fires re-ignited, fueled by the contin­ued flow of flammable fluids remaining in the lines onto the hot engine surfaces. In many of the fires, flammable vapors evolved and penetrated the cab, violently igniting, forcing the operator to exit under very hazardous conditions. The use of emergency evacuation lines in the fuel and hydraulic fluid systems, and methods to reduce or prevent the spraying of pressurized fluids onto hot engine surfaces would greatly improve the chances of successfully suppressing large mining equipment fires. In addition, the use of systems for preventing the ignition of flammable vapors inside the cab, and detecting and suppressing fires originat­ing in the cab, would greatly enhance operator safety. The National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently conducted experiments on meth­ods to reduce the fire hazards associated with large mining equipment. These experiments evaluated the use of cab inerting systems to prevent the ignition of flammable vapors inside the cab and sup­press fires originating in the cab, while maintaining a breathable atmosphere for the operator to bring the equipment to a stop and safely exit the cab.

Jan 1, 2008

By J. H. East, D. Harrington

"INTRODUCTION The tremendous expansion of industry during the war and the unprecedented demands for metals and minerals are reflected in the production and use of explosives during that period. The increased use of explosives brought added safety problems to industry because of the necessity of using men as blasters who were not entirely familiar with and some who were totally unfamiliar with the characteristics of some or all of the various explosives. A discussion of the characteristics of the ordinary types of explosives used in: industry should assist in giving a better understanding of the hazards attending their use. Explosives are compounded so they may be used with reasonable safety provided the user understands and follows the procedure recognized as standard safety practice. Short cuts and the failure to understand and use recognized safe practices, as well as the selection of explosives unstited for the work at hand, are all part of the safety problem,The extent to which explosives are used in the United States is shown by a study of the statistics compiled by the Bureau of Mines 4/ regarding them. Some of these statistics are shown below and serve as an indicator of the tremendous number of men engaged in the transportation, storage, and use of explosives. Theme men are exposed to the inherent hazards attending this occupation and they should be familiar with the recognized safe practices relative to explosives."

Sep 1, 1946

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 Gregory Molinda

NIOSH has recently completed a study of the interaction between polyurethane (PUR) and coal mine roof in order to determine the mechanism of reinforcement, in both highly fractured rock and unfractured rock. Four case studies of PUR rein­forcement are presented. At a West Virginia site, a borehole camera revealed the location of roof voids and guided the PUR injection. By injecting polyure­thane into a zone from 0.6 to 1.8 m (2?6 ft.) high in the roof, a roof beam was created and ongoing intersection falls were halted. In another highly fractured roof in a western Pennsylvania mine, a total of 5.8 cm (2.3 in.) of rubbleized rock was found in a zone up to 3 m (10 ft.) into the roof. Untargeted PUR injection filled approximately 1/2 of the fractures. These two case studies showed that it is not necessary to fill up 100% of the void space to create stability. In the other two field sites, polyurethane was injected into weak, but unfractured roof. Post-injec­tion video monitoring showed that weak bedding planes were hydraulically wedged open and polyure­thane injected along bedding. The reinforcement value of this injection method is limited because of the wafer-thin layer of PUR introduced along bedding, and the lack of a PUR ??webbing?? which would serve as a structural framework to provide strength. It was determined that video inspection prior to PUR injection can aid in identifying the fracture zones to target, and minimize ??blind?? pumping and loss of PUR.

Jan 1, 2008

A maximum acceptable level of 2 mg/m3 of respirable coal mine dust in active mine workings was established, effective January 1, 1973, under the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969. It is generally agreed that, as a result, coal mines in the United States are significantly less dusty than they were a decade ago. For example, operators of underground mining machines were exposed to between 3.9 and 6.5 mg/m3 of respirable coal mine dust during 1968-69; now they are exposed to between 1.3 and 1.8 mg/m3. Also, the incidence of underground sections cited for exceeding acceptable levels of respirable coal mine dust decreased during 1976-78, and the vast majority of all working sections are now in compliance. This improvement is very substantial by world standards. It must be regarded as a creditable accomplishment by the coal mine operators, federal agencies, and mine workers involved. Most of the improvement has been brought about by the use of existing technology to control, suppress, and collect respirable coal mine dust. Research and development by the Bureau of Mines has contributed significantly to the accomplishment by improving the methods for sampling, control, suppression, and collection.

Jan 1, 1980

By B. P. Martinez

In response to a request from the President, the Department of the Interior joined with other agencies in a comprehensive study of the land and water resources of the New England-New York region. As part of this study, chemical engineers of the Bureau of Mines have visited 1,025 mineral-industries plants to inventory the waterborne wastes of mineral origin, discharged by the mineral industries of the New England-New York region. Four-hundred and sixty-two of these plants disposed their wastes to a public sewer of some type, but waste control remains a problem for moat of them. The 1,025 plants are discussed in main industry groups according to their production: Chemical and allied products. Stone, clay, and glass products. Iron and steel and their products (except machinery). Nonferrous metals and their products. Electrical machinery. Machinery (except electrical). Transportation equipment. Miscellaneous mineral industries.

Jan 1, 1956

By Richard A. Winters

There are no producing or developing mines or active mining claims in the Deschutes Canyon RARE II study area. Only two prospects were found; they have no identified potential for mineral resources. Thin diatomite deposits occur in the Pliocene Madras Formation. Development of sand and gravel deposits in the area could not favorably compete with similar deposits in the surrounding area which are closer to points of use. By mid-1982, active oil and gas lease applications covered about 25 percent of the area, a reduction from nearly 100 percent in early 1981. No holes were drilled for oil and gas exploration. INTRODUCTION Personnel of the Bureau of Mines, Western Field Operations Center conducted a mineral investigation of the Deschutes Canyon RARE II area during the summer of 1982. The area, about 10 mi (16 km) southwest of Madras, Oregon, covers 10,890 acres (4,407 ha) in the Crooked River National Grasslands (fig. 1). The Deschutes River has incised a deep canyon into the north sloping elevated lava plain near the transitional boundary of the High Lava Plains and the Deschutes-Umatilla Plateau geomorphic divisions (Baldwin, 1964, p. 20).

Jan 1, 1983

By R. S. Dean

[During the past year the Metallurgical Fundamentals Section gave about an equal amount of time to the experimental determination of fundamental thermodynamic constants and to the demonstration of the application of such data to more directly practical metallurgical problems. The first division of the work - the actual experimental measurements of typical thermodynamic constants - was carried out an two problems, termed ?continuing? programs, namely, (1) measurements of Specific Heats at Low Temperatures and (2) Measurements of Heats of Formation and Free Energies. Specific substances chosen for investigation are classified as (n) those that have been the subject of requests for information from the industry and that, upon examination, seem of sufficient practical importance to justify study, and (b) compounds that are difficult to treat metallurgically, or whose specific thermodynamic properties have not yet been determined satisfactorily and for which accurate data might suggest improved or new methods of Metallurgical treatment, or (c) materials recognized as belonging to a social class with exceptional thermodynamic properties and, hence, of scientific as well as technical importance.]

Jan 1, 1938

By L. C. IlsLey

A list of permissible mine equipment, tested and approved p or to July 1, 1934, was published in Bureau of Mines Information Circular 6813/. The present list4/ includes virtually all the electric air compressors, coal drills, mining machines, loading machines, conveyors, mine pumps, room hoists, mine telephones, rock-dusting machines, switches, electric cap lamps, flame safety lanes, electric hand and trip lamps, electric flood lamps, methane detectors, blasting units, storage-battery locomotives, tandem locomotives, mower trucks, and concrete mixers tested and approved by the Bureau to January 1, 1937. The system under which these devices were tested permits the manufacturer, after his equipment has passed certain tests prescribed by the United States Bureau of Mines, to mark his equipment with a seal showing that it has been approved by the Bureau. These tests are designed to insure that equipments have the minimum requirements for safety in use. The only object of the bureau in making such tests and publishing lists of permissible equipment is to help decrease the hazards of mining.

Jan 1, 1937

By Robert E. Barieau

In the design of plants to separate helium from natural gas, it is necessary to estimate the enthalpies of the various streams at various positions in the process. This Bureau of Mines report surveys the various methods that have been used to determine enthalpies and gives information on the organizations with such capabilities. The minimum information required for developing an enthalpy diagram is presented, and the relative merits of the various methods are discussed. It is concluded that methods that require no mass flow rate or energy measurements are to be preferred.

Jan 1, 1965