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By Scott Turner

Since my whole life has been spent in the mining business , I naturally tend to address my remarks particularly to the newly- graduated mining and metallurgical engineers among you . To a certain extent , all forms of engineering principles are involved in the training of the mining engineer , and most sorts of engineering are certainly utilized by him , so that every one of this graduating class is concerned with the field I propose to discuss . The fact that , beginning with to - day , you will always be styled engineers , indicates that you have passed successfully through preparatory school , and have survived the hard grind of the technical college . One object of your training here has been to instruct you in accurate , close , and clear thinking . Your minds have been taught to act directly , calmly . and always to the point . By now , you should know how to get facts , look far , and think through . You are supposed to be willing to recognize and adopt sound engineering principles and practices , in so far as they are known to you , and to furnish character , ability , and devotion to your calling . Some of you may have had a general college course before coming here to specialize in engineering . Where that has been possible , I hope it is the case , since a liberal educational course tends to make the alumnus more flexible and adaptable than the purely scientific graduate. The broader education enables one to change , with less serious loss , from one job to another; ready adaptability is a great asset ; the engineer should be capable of much more than a single special task . The necessary preliminary training for a professional occupation is intellectual in character , involving knowledge , and to some extent learning , as distinguished from mere skill . The well -balanced engineer is expected to embody a happy combination of theory and fact , of pure science and material reality ; experience shows that he is apt to give a good account of himself , once he gets the chance . For the long pull , the importance of unquestioned integrity can not be overemphasized . Leaders of big business sometimes have need for a man as agile and unscrupulous as a cat on a back fence ; on occasion , they may have to employ brilliant , smart , spectacular , and crafty people , but when the special purposes for which such men are hired have been accomplished , they are no longer wanted . Given natural health , intelligence , ability , and adequate training , probably the characteristics most admired in the young employee are steadiness , dependability , and loyalty . The last is the best . If you can not be simple , direct , and faithful in your dealings with your administrative superiors , no one will want you for long . I believe these points are of primary importance to the young engineer . Your groundwork must be right before you can get far . These personal characteristics are what eventually determine your relations with men and affairs . They are vital in the human engineering which may be a large part of your work .

Aug 1, 1932

By George N. Aul

This report describes a method developed by the Bureau of Mines for sealing horizontal degasification holes so that they do not create a gas explosion hazard when intercepted by mining. A cement slurry is pumped into the hole through an injection pipe that extends to the back of the hole. Pumping continues until the slurry returns through the annulus to the hole collar. The hole is then shut in and the grout allowed to harden. Application of the procedure to six horizontal degasification holes at Eastern Associated Coal Corp.'s Honey Run shaft is discussed.

Jan 1, 1979

By Robert Stefanko

Transients are results of sudden changes which take place in power systems and can be created by the opening and closing of switches and circuit breakers or the occurrence of a fault anywhere in the complex. Transients are of short duration, and the time during which they occur is an extremely small percentage of the total operating time. However, it is during these short periods that the greatest electrical stresses occur, mainly due to excessive currents or voltages. In extreme cases, system parts are damaged, and equipment failure follows. Safety can be further compromised because anomalous voltages can exist at machine frames. For several years, the electric utilities have been well aware of the serious nature of transients on their systems, but problems firmly believed to directly result from these phenomena are just now becoming apparent to the coal mining industry. The situation became discernible after the underground introduction of high voltage distribution systems (along with vacuum circuit breakers) and sensitive solid state electronic apparatus. In order to protect against such transients, knowledge about their characteristics and origin must be obtained.

Jan 1, 1974

By G. W. Jones

The operation of combustion engines of various types at high altitudes and other combustion processes at reduced pressures have made it desirable to determine limits of flammabilities -under these conditions. Experiments carried out by the Bureau of Mines have shown that although natural gas-air mixtures become more difficult to ignite as the pressure is reduced below atmospheric, with a suitable source of ignition the limits of flammability are as wide at 175 mm mercury absolute as they are at atmospheric pressure.

Jan 1, 1949

By J. B. Janus

This report, the 22d in a series, gives analytical data showing composition and quality of tipple and delivered samples of coal collected during fiscal year 1972. This coverage lists mines located in 20 States. Ultimate analyses are given for most of the coalbeds listed. Tipple samples were collected by Bureau of Mines engineers at tipples as coal was being loaded into railroad cars or trucks. The deliveries were sampled in accordance with instructions issued by the Bureau of Mines, and the samples were analyzed in the Bureau laboratory at Pittsburgh.

Jan 1, 1973

By Charles A. Kumke

In June 1942 , ' the Bureau of Mines selected the Zonia copper mine , near Kirkland , Yavapai County , Arizona , as a property meriting investigation in connection with its search for supplies of strategic minerals for use in the war . The following month , representatives of the War Production . Board conferred with Bureau officials and requested that the property be explored with the object of determining the tonnage and grade of ore that could be brought into production quickly and mined cheaply by open-pit methods . The work wa's designed to verify information submitted by the owners in support of an application for a Government loan. It was essential that the investigations be completed promptly , so that operations might be planned and copper produced for war needs . The investigations called for surface trenching , diamond drilling , and check sampling of underground workings . Unable to purchase equipment for trenching without considerable delay , the Bureau saved time by borrowing most of the necessary items from the Golden Queen mine of the Gold Fields Development Co. at Mohave , Calif. This company , whose engineers had sampled some of the old trenches , had a tentative agreement with the owners to operate and manage the Zonia mine in event the loan was granted . Additional equipment was borrowed from two Governmental agencies . The exploratory work , completed in 16 weeks , was carried on 7 days a week .

Mar 1, 1947

By A. D. Garman

This paper presents one of a series of digests of foreign mining legislation and court decisions which is being prepared in advance of a general report relative to the right of American citizens to explore for minerals and to own and operate mines in various foreign countries . This interpretation of the laws of Japan has been prepared from the best available information in Washington but is released subject to correction and amplification , if necessary , by the proper American diplomatic and consular officers to whom it is being referred through the courtesy of the Department of State . It is based on the law and regulations of 1905 as revised in December , 1915 , and translated by J. de Becker , LL.B. Occasional words and phrases quoted herein are accordingly taken from this translation and have not been checked against the original . The references are to the law ( as distinguished from the regulations ) unless otherwise stated .

Jul 1, 1930

By N. A. Tolch

[In this partner ?propulsive strength? or "strength" is defined as the relative propulsive effect of an explosive as determined by means of the United States Bureau of Mines ballistic pendulum. The data presented are derived from one particular strength testing device and do not necessarily represent the relative execution value of the different explosives in actual blasting. However, it is believed that the data obtained with the ballistic pendulum fire indicative of the relative propulsive or heaving force and are of value until propulsive strength can be expressed in more fundamental units.]

Jan 1, 1929

By F. P. Haver

The Federal Bureau of Mines investigated aqueous electrolysis as a means for reducing lead chloride prepared by ferric chloride leaching of galena concentrate: NaC1 PbS + 2FeC13 ? PbC12 + 2FeC12 + S°. During electrolysis, metal was produced from solid lead chloride in contact with the cathode rather than from lead in solution. Relatively high current densities--up to 300 amp/ft2--were possible when operating in this way. A very simple cell, having a horizontal lead cathode at the bottom and a vertical graphite anode at the top, was employed. Lead chloride crystals, covering the cathode, were converted to metal powder during electrolysis, and chlorine gas or FeCls was produced at the anode, depending on the electrolyte composition. Electrolytes tried included aqueous solutions of HCI, NaCl, NH4Cl, and FeC12-NaC1. Optimum results (96-pct current efficiency, 0.23 kwhr/lb Pb) were obtained with 20 pct HC1 at 25° C, using a current density of 15 amp/ft2 and an electrode spacing of 1 inch. When the current density was increased, the energy requirement increased also but only to 0.41 kwhr/lb at 150 amp/fr3 and 0.58 kwhr/lb at 300 amp/ft2.

Jan 1, 1978

By C. J. Chindgren

A refractory-lined, garage-type automobile incinerator with a natural gas afterburner for air pollution control was cooperatively constructed and tested by the Bureau of Mines and the Wasatch Metal & Salvage Co. in Salt Lake City, Utah. The incinerator is capable of relatively smokeless burning of 32 to 60 cars per day, dependent on the degree to which the cars are stripped prior to incineration. Preliminary burning campaigns indicate the cost of incineration to be approximately $2.75 per car.

Jan 1, 1970

By P. M. Brown

The Bureau of Mines is investigating a dewatering technique for coal-clay waste that uses a flocculant, polyethylene oxide (PEO). This flocculant forms strong stable flocs that can be dewatered on a static screen. A field test unit (FTU) using this technique was operated at approximately 400 gal/min, using a waste stream from the flotation circuit of a coal preparation plant. Consolidated coal-clay material con-taining 55 to 60 pct solids was produced when the flotation circuit slurries of 2.7 to 8 pct solids were treated with 0.1 to 0.3 Ib PEO per ton of solids. The FTU was also operated at 64.5 and 87.5 gal/min using a portion of the underflow slurry from the preparation plant's thickener. Consolidated coal-clay material containing 55 to 60 pct solids was produced when the thickener underflow slurries of 19 to 24 pct solids were treated with 0.08 to 0.2 Ib PEO per ton of solids. PED-treated materials continued to dewater when placed in a pit.

Jan 1, 1983

By F. Varley

Researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), in cooperation with mine operators, conducted a study of heat stress exposures among mine rescue workers in underground mines. Mine rescue workers face extreme heat loads as they enter hot and poorly ventilated environments, particularly when they are wearing breathing apparatuses. The burden of wearing a closed-circuit breathing apparatus (CCBA), the inability to drink fluids for extended periods of time, and the potential for ventilation disruptions and fires combine to increase the risk of heat illness during a response to an emergency. In this research, ambient environmental conditions and heat strain indicators were measured using conventional ventilation monitoring tools during mine rescue training exercises. Heat strain was measured with an ingestible temperature-sensing pill that measured core temperature continuously. In addition, a heart-rate monitoring chest strap was used to indicate physical strain resulting from physical activity and heat. Both core temperature and heart rate data were transmitted to a remote recorder worn by a rescuer and time-stamped. Team activities were also observed to determine the contribution of work rate to a person’s total heat load. The effectiveness of several engineering controls, such as cooling the air inhaled by rescuers through an apparatus, wearing cooling vests, and supplying water through the CCBA masks, were investigated. Administrative controls, such as limiting the duration of exposure and controlling the work rate through forced-rest regimens, were also evaluated. Results to date are discussed, and tools for evaluating team condition and estimating the length of time it would be safe for rescuers to work are proposed.

By Bill M. Stewart

To decrease the potential for fine coal waste slurry impoundment failures, the Bureau of Mines investigated a new disposal technique. The fine coal waste slurry is rapidly thickened (i.e., dewatered) and deposited on a slightly sloping surface. To accomplish rapid dewatering, a chemical flocculation system using polymers was developed to treat the fine coal waste slurry stream. The fine solids formed flocs, settled from suspension, and rapidly released excess water. During the last 5 days of the field test, slurry flowing at rates from 498 to 675 gal/min with a specific gravity range of 1.15 to 1.33 was successfully treated and dewatered. During this period, untreated slurry had an average moisture content of 227.4 pct (30.7 wt pct solids). The effectiveness of the dewatering system was determined by monitoring the moisture content of the deposited waste with respect to time. Sixty-five hours after ending the field test the average moisture content was 54.9 pct (64.5 wt pct solids); 68 days after the field test the average moisture content was 28.8 pct (78.0 wt pct solids).

Jan 1, 1986

By William H. King

The Fannie Ryan deposit is situated about 9 miles northwest of Boulder City, Clark County, Nev. at an altitude of about 2,000 feet on the north side of the River Mountains. The deposit is covered by several unpatented claims owned by Fannie B. Gulick of Las Vegas, Nev. The Boulder City deposit is within the Hoover Dan National Recreational Area. It is situated about 3 miles southeast of Boulder City in sec. 23,T. 23 S., R. 64 E., Clark County, Nev. The Deposit was covered by several unpatented mining claims owned by S. R. Whitehead of Las Vegas. The deposits occur in sedimentary beds of the Muddy Creek formation that overlie older volcanic extrusive. The manganese minerals occur as soft oxides of the wad type. The exploration was conducted by the Bureau of Nines in cooperation with the Federal Geological Survey and comprised a study of the geology, mapping of the areas, and development by shaft sinking; diamond drilling, and sampling. On the Fannie Ryan Gulick property the work consisted of cleaning and sampling seven old trenches on the outcrop and diamond drilling seven holes totaling 1,482 foot. At the Boulder City deposit 188 feet of drilling was done in two holes. A 4- by 6-foot shaft was sunk to a depth of 44.5 feet, and the north and south sides of the shaft were sampled.

Jan 1, 1950

By Paul M. Tyler

Syria is a federation of States under French mandate , comprising the Republic of Syria , the Lebanese Republic or Great Lebanon ( Grand Liban ) , the State of the Alouites , and the Djebel Druse Territory . Beirut is the center of government for the whole area , about 60,000 square miles . Syria is essentially an agricultural country . There is little manufacturing ; and with the exception of the production of asphalt and salt , the mineral industries have not yet risen to commercial importance . Whether this condition is due to a dearth of workable deposits or merely to insufficient exploration is not apparent . The mineral resources , as reported by various authorities , include asbestos , asphalt rock , bitumen , chromite , coal , copper , gold , gypsum , iron , lead , magnesite , manganese , marble and other building stones , nickel , ocher , pandermite ( a hydrous borate of calcium) , petroleum , phosphate rock , pyrite , salt , silver , sulphur , tin , and titanium ( ilmenitic beach sands ) .

Mar 1, 1933

By William B. Harper

Domestic sales of carbon black sustained the upward movement for the 4th consecutive year, reflecting the increased sales of motor vehicles during the same period. Sales of carbon black in the domestic market topped 2 billion pounds for the first time during 1965 and have more than doubled the output of 20 years earlier. By far the largest user of carbon black is the rubber industry. That use accounted for more than 94 percent of the carbon black consumption with the bulk of it being used in tire casings and tubes. Thus demand for carbon black is naturally sensitive to trends in the sales of passenger cars and other motor vehicles, Manufacturers of inks, paints, plastics, paper chemicals, and food are also important users of carbon black.

Jan 1, 1967

By Arthur L. Murray

"Oil-shale camps are peculiarly favored, in that before they are established it can be ascertained with a,of certainty, that the life of the project is not limited. Unlike camps at metal mines, where the metal content of a given area is frequently an unknown quantity until after years of development, oil-shale camps should, from the outset, be planned and built as permanent types of camps. Where this procedure is followed camps will be established which better serve the needs of the industry and the cost of their general care and upkeep will be less.Selection of camp or townsite.The site of the camp or town, whether on company property or not, should be selected with care. It should be separate if possible from the location of the plants of the company so as to be free from noise and fumes and so as to provide a change of environment for employees in going from their work to their homes.The principal features governing the site to be selected are as follows:Drainage. The general contour of the surrounding country should be such that drainage is away from the site. The camp or town should, if practical, be situated on higher ground than that in its immediate vicinity.Soil. The nature of the soil on which the camp or town is located may bear a decided relation to health. A porous, well under drained top soil of at least four feet in depth insures dryness and facilities the placing of foundations and the laying of water mains and sewer pipes. Such a soil also is an advantage in growing trees, shrubs and grass plots, which are a decided adjunct to making the community attractive."

Jun 1, 1921

By R. D. Govier

The U.S. Bureau of Mines has developed a thin-film X-ray fluorescence technique to rapidly determine Cu, Ni, Co, Fe, and Cr in super alloy leach liquors. Total analysis time per sample was less than 15 min, as opposed to several hours for traditional wet chemical methods. Precision and accuracy were checked by replicate analyses of solutions similar in composition to leach liquors, whose analyte concentrations were well known. Coefficients of variation for all elements were found to be less than 2 pet. With the exception of the results for Fe, all relative errors of estimation were also found to be less than 2 pet. Bulk liquids are not introduced into the spectrometer; thus, the potential for damage to the instrument by leakage of corrosive liquids is eliminated.

Jan 1, 1989

By G. W. Birge

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. The selection of coal beds in Westmoreland County for coking tests was based, in part, on estimates of the coal reserves by Dowd,3/ who estimated the recoverable reserves in beds 28 inches or more thick, in thousands of tons, as follows: [ ]

Jan 1, 1957

By Carl F. Wingquist

Electrical resistance heating to effect thermal fragmentation of semiconductive rock was examined by the Bureau of Mines. Tests were carried out on copper-bearing ores of the Nonesuch Shale Formation in the laboratory and in the the field at White Pine, Mich. Fieldwork included primary and secondary breakage tests. Heating tests on in situ rock failed to produce thermal dam-age to an extent considered useful; however, boulders up to 30 ft3 were effectively broken by the method. Power input to the test rock was taken from a 50-kV, 5-amp dc power supply.

Jan 1, 1976