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By J. A. Herdlick

"INTRODUCTION The BeVan quartz crystal prospect in the Indian Creek mining district of Lemhi County, west-central Idaho, was examined by an engineer of the Bureau of Mines 3/ on July 9, 1943. As quartz crystals possessing peizoelectric properties were on the critical list of strategic war minerals, further exploration of the deposit was recommended. The Bureau of Mines exploration began in December 1943 and continued through January 1944. Additional trenching was completed during May and June 1944. This report presents the data obtained by this exploration.ACKNOWLEDGMENTSIn its program of exploration of mineral deposits, the Bureau of Mines has as its primary objective the more effective utilization of our mineral resources to the end that they make the greatest possible contribution to national security and economy. The Mining Division, Lowell B. Moon, chief, conducts preliminary examinations, does the actual exploratoiy work, and prepares the final report. The Metallurgical Division, O. C. Ralston, chief, analyses samples and makes beneficiation tests.The quartz crystals found during the exploration were examined and classified at the Bureau of Mines College Park, Md., laboratory and checked at the National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C.Fred BeVan, of North Fork, Idaho, and Edward F. Cenis, of the Montana Coal & Iron Company, Spoane, Wash., provided much information on the history and past production of the property."

Mar 1, 1948

By Michael R. Kennedy

This report describes the demonstration of longwall mining in a seam dipping 27 to 34'. Equipment was selected on the basis of capability, compatibility, and co t. Snowmass, Bureau of Mines, consultants and manufacturers were involved in the selection process. The equipment arrived in early 1981, prior to completion of development for the first panel; therefore, the equipment was operated on the surface for training. The surface training paid off with a fast, efficient installation and start-up of the face. The longwall equipment operated very well on the steep pitch with an average equipment downtime of 21.9[9]. Coal handling outby the face was a problem which caused an additional downtime of 19.5%. Development for the panels proved to be the major problem in the economics of longwall mining on a steeply dipping seam. During the first 9 months of operation the longwall averaged 71.9 TPMS and development averaged 0.6 TPMS for an overall average of 14.1 TPMS. Had mining continued, timing of development would have been another major problem. Monitoring of subsidence, pillar stability and shield loading was done in connection with mining, but little useful information was gained from the monitoring.

Jan 1, 1987

By M. L. Skow

Large tonnages of the manganese ores found in Aroostook County, Maine, are refractory to conventional mineral-dressing techniques and to the common chemical- extraction procedures. The Maple Mountain-Hovey Mountain ores are typical of this type. Because the most promising method of recovering the manganese from these ores has been a chloridizing roast in which the ground ore is in contact with gaseous hydrogen chloride, preliminary batch tests were made with a fluidized bed. On the basis of these tests, it was concluded that fluidization, with careful control of operating conditions, could be employed for this cloridization and warrants further study. Selective volatilization of the iron at 600° C. was unsuccessful. An operating temperature of approximately 950° C. was necessary for a practicable rate of volatilization of manganese chloride. Hydrogen chloride contents of 10 to 100 percent of the fluidized gas gave essentially equivalent manganese recoveries with an 80- minute retention time, For shorter periods reaction was more complete with the higher hydrogen chloride concentrations. At the 80-minute retention period the lower hydrogen chloride concentrations volatilized somewhat less iron and also improved the physical operation of the process. Fluidization gave results superior to comparable tests on chloridization in a fixed bed.

Jan 1, 1956

By S. H. Ash

THE INUNDATION of anthracite reserves in the Eastern Middle field of Pennsylvania affects the life of the anthracite industry in this field; it also influences the economic status of people, communities, and industries that depend wholly or in part upon anthracite for their livelihood. The trends of production and of employment in the anthracite-mining industry in this field are downward, and they probably will continue in this direction. The reserves have been depleted to the extent that the end of the active life of the industry as a. major economic factor is approaching. By removing the water in those pools where it can be done economically, the future of this industry may be extended somewhat.

Jan 1, 1950

By Robert H. Peters

Groundfall accidents have been the leading cause of fatalities in the underground coal mining industry for many years. Statistics from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) indicate that approximately half of the victims of these fatal accidents were in an area where no devices had been installed to support the mine roof. This report was prepared by the U.S. Bureau of Mines to provide guidance to operators of underground mines concerning the use of techniques that may help to keep miners from going under unsupported mine roof. The report is divided into two major sections. The first section reviews the findings from several areas of empirical research pertaining to strategies for convincing employees to avoid unsafe acts and/or adopt self-protective behaviors. The strategies are (1) incentives and feedback, (2) disciplinary actions, (3) training (primarily fear communications and behavioral modeling), and (4) nondirective techniques. This literature review has a broad focus and should be helpful in making decisions about how to encourage a wide variety of types of self-protective behaviors. The second major section of the report presents an analysis of each strategy's potential for keeping miners away from unsupported roof.

Jan 1, 1991

By F. A. Rutledge

The W. E. Dunkle mine, sometimes called the Costello Creek coal mine, is 8 miles N. 20° W. of Colorado Station on the Alaska Railroad. The presence of coal in this area has been known since the district was extensively prospected for gold between 1911 and 1915. At that time, coal from this deposit was used by miners for blacksmithing. The increased demand for coal resulting from government defense projects in Alaska led to exploitation of this deposit in 1941. The inability of Alaska coal mines to supply the quantity of coal required by public and private consumers and by the armed forces in Alaska was responsible for establishment by the Army of the Coal Procurement Section of its Alaska Department. It proposed to investigate the deposits and to expedite production from the Alaskan coal fields. The Bureau of Mines closely cooperated in this program. The quality of the Dunkle coal and the favorable location of the deposit caused it to be one of the properties chosen for investigation under a joint Army-Bureau of Mines-Geological Survey program.

Jan 1, 1948

By R. G. Travis

1. Reserve estimates have been made for eight coal beds in Monongalia County, W. Va., but only the Pittsburgh, Sewickley, and Upper Freeport beds are important at this time. The Pittsburgh, Sewickley, Waynesburg, and Upper Freeport beds contain the largest recoverable reserves. 2. Known measured and indicated reserves in all beds, based on a minimum thickness of 14 inches and 1,800 short tons per acre-foot of coal in place, are estimated at 3,526 million tons as of January 1, 1954. Of this total, 3,294 mil-lion tons is in beds 28 inches and more thick. Areas in each bed except the Pittsburgh were omitted from the estimate because available data relative to the bed characteristics are too meager for making an estimate that conforms with the definitions of measured and indicated coal adopted for this study. Should future drilling or development prove reserves in these areas, such reserves should be added to the total estimated reserves.

Jan 1, 1956

By E. J. Gleim

An important phase in the Bureau of Mines investigation of electrical machines designed for operation in gassy coal mines is testing enclosures of electrical components for explosion-proof qualities. In brief, this testing consists of filling and surrounding the enclosure with an explosive atmosphere of methane and air and then igniting the atmosphere within the enclosure to determine (1) Whether the resulting explosion is confined without discharge of flame; (2) whether the enclosure walls are permanently distorted; and (3) whether excessive pressures are developed within the enclosure. Ordinarily, the pressures encountered in routine testing do not exceed 100 pounds per square inch gage. Hence, the designer of the machine does not have too much difficulty in taking corrective measures to prevent flame discharge and distortion of the enclosure. Occasionally, however, the explosion pressures greatly exceed 100 pounds. Then the goblet of the designer may not be solved so readily, From experience over the year 0, the testing personnel often can predict that certain construction will result in high. Pressures, but, only in a very general way, has it been possible to advise designers what modifications might be made to reduce the explosion pressures to normal values. For example, if high pressures were developed in a motor starter having a partition with an opening through it, some enlargement of the opening may appear to be the logical procedure, but it has not been- possible to give information concerning the exact amount the opening should be enlarged to prevent development of high pressures .

Jan 1, 1952

By Howard E. Parkinson

In 1969, new coal mine health and safety legislation was enacted in the United States. As a result of this legislation, the Department of Interior, Bureau of Mines has carried out communications research aimed at developing whole mine communications for increased safety and efficient operation. The research has advanced and many promising results are now being demonstrated to the mining industry. However, there remains a challenge to further improve wireless communications within the mine workings, and through the overburden above the workings. The objectives for future research and development will be discussed, together with the physical and operational constraints that new mine communication systems must face.

Jan 1, 1973

By A. L. Peyton

Manganese-oxide minerals occur in irregular pockets distributed through the residual clays of the Cartersville district, which lies 45 miles north-west of Atlanta in Bartow County, Ga. The district produces, or has produced, limonite, barite, specular hematite, ochre, ferruginous manganese, manganiferous iron are, as well as manganese. Bureau of Mines engineers have visited the district on three occasions - in December 1939, February 1941, and October 1942. During the visit of February 1941, 80 tons of samples of manganese-bearing clays were taken from seven properties for ore-dressing tests, which were conducted at the Bureau of Mines laboratory at Rolla, Mo. The. October 1942 visit was for the purpose of reappraising the district in the light of knowledge gained from the ore-dressing studies and to prepare a plan for the district's development. Exploratory drilling was begun in March l943 and was continued until June 1945. Nine properties were explored that, roughly follow a line beginning near Cartersville and extend to a point 2 miles northeast of the village of White. The work consisted of bulldozer trenching, rotary bucket churn drilling, sampling, and analytical determinations. The manganese district is 18 miles long with a maximum width of 7 miles at Cartersville, which lies at the center of the district. The work of the Bureau was confined to the northern half of the district between Cartersville and Pine Log. The properties explored comprise but a small portion of the Potential producing area.

Jan 1, 1949

By Jack E. Fraley

In this Bureau of Mines study, sealants containing mineral wool, cement, etc, were sprayed through dry-process equipment that propels dry material pneumatically to the water-adding nozzle. Advantages over slurry applications include no mixing, no extensive cleanup, and freedom from hardened cement in equipment should power be lost. Sealants with large mineral wool nodules (>l-inch) were sprayable at rates to 900 square feet per hour for 1/2-inch thickness with little dust and smooth material flow through equipment, but they were weak for mine use, Materials containing small wool nodules (1/4-inch) were stronger but tended to plug lines because the nodules were inadequately separated in the shredder. Increasing the dedusting oil also increased line plugging by holding the nodules together in larger lumps. Best results were obtained using a 3/4-inch-nodule wool with cement binder, which provided both smooth flow through the machine and adequate strength.

Jan 1, 1977

By E. O. Binyon

"INTRODUCTION The Gibellini manganese—zinc-nickel deposits, are in southeastern Eureka County, Nev, T. 15 N., R. 53 E. M.D.B.M. 27.5 miles south of Eureka, the county seat.The partly explored deposits, locally known as the Black Iron or Gibellini property, were examined in May 1944 by an engineer 3/ of the Bureau of Mines, who recommended that the deposits be explored further by means of core drilling. The proposed program called for drilling six diamond—drill holes, or eight if necessary, and for trenching at two places — 200 feet northeast and 280 feet west of the shaft on the main deposit.In 1946 the project was set up, and In July, of that year diamond drilling as started. Six holes were drilled for a total length of 1,198.5 feet. No trenching or other exploratory work as done. Work on the project was stooped. October 30, 1946.OWNERSHIPAccording to county records, the property comprises a group of 13 unpatented lode claims, and ownership is divided among Louis P. Gibellini,Louis P. Gibellini and wife (both of Eureka, Nev.), and the International Smelting & Refining Co., of Salt Lake City, Utah. Five claims of the group - the Black Iron No. 1, Black Hill No. 2, Manganese No. 3, Flat No. 1, and Flat No. 2 - are owned by Gibellini. Three claims - the Black Hill No. 1, Black Iron No. 3, and Manganese No. 4 are owned jointly by Mr. and Mrs. Gibellini, and the International Smelting & Refining Co. owns the remaining five - the Black Iron No. 4 and No. 5, and Black Hill Nos. 4, 7, and. 9."

Jan 1, 1948

By Kenneth L. Kreamalmyer

"The demand for open-hearth iron ore and the existence of suitable smelting facilities in the St. Louis area seemed to warrant investigation of several Missouri iron-ore deposits of the filled-sink type. Preliminary examinations were made in the autumn of 1944 by an engineer3/ of the Bureau of Nines, and in December of the same year funds were allotted for the exploration of these properties by churn drilling. Three properties, the Silver Hollow Bank and the Newbauer and Coleman properties, were drilled. Work was completed May 8, 1945.The Federal Geological Survey and the Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources assisted in the project by determining the stratigraphy from drill cuttings and by mapping the drilled areas.The properties explored are in the hilly section of east-central Missouri and are connected by all-weather graveled roads with various shipping points of the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway system within 3 to 6 miles of each property.The Silver Hollow Bank, in sec., 8, T, 40 N., R. l W. Franklin County, Missouri, is in the Meramec State Game Reserve. The nearest town and shipping point is Sullivan, Mo„ which is 6 miles distant. The Newbauer property, in sec. 28, T. 41 N., R, 2 W., Franklin County, Missouri, is approximately 3 miles west of Stanton; The Coleman property, in sec. 14, T. 38 N., R. 3 W., Crawford. County, Missouri, is within a short hauling distance of the railway at Elayer, Mb. These are shown on figure 1.The region surrounding the explored areas contains a series of low-lying hills or ridges and narrow winding valleys drained by the Meramec River system. These hills seldom rise more than 200 feet above the valley floors, most of which are approximately 700 feet above sea level. Except for numerous small farms and a few small towns, the entire region is covered by a dense growth of timber and small brush. The St. Louis-San Francisco Railway system, U. S. Highway 66, and numerous all-weather State and county roads traverse the area."

Oct 1, 1945

By R. B. Porter

Bench-scale tests were performed by the Federal Bureau of Mines on lignite and subbituminous coal at pressures to 1,000 p.s.i.g. (pounds per square inch gage) in atmospheres of hydrogen or nitrogen to obtain information concerning the influence of pressure on carbonization of normally noncaking coals. The distribution of gaseous, liquid, and solid products as a function of processing pressure was determined. Except for special experiments, the carbonization was at 940° F. In a hydrogen atmosphere above 400 p.s.i.g., agglomeration of the solid residue (especially with lignite) became noticeable and increased directly with the processing pressure. Although in some instances the solid particles fused together, the mechanical strength of the agglomerate was always low. On the basis of visual inspection, the coals agglomerated in the following order of decreasing intensity: (1) Steam-dried lignite; (2) lignite; and (3) subbituminous coal. Addition of lignite tar in quantities to 25 percent by weight of charge did not increase agglomeration or change the carbonization characteristics of the coal.

Jan 1, 1961

By W. A. Cole

This report covers the preliminary phase of an investigation of some clays and shales and other materials in North and South Dakota to determine the feasibility of lightweight -aggregate manufacture in the two States. The background of the light - weight -aggregate industry, on a national basis, and results of preliminary laboratory testing of samples of North and South Dakota clays and shales from various localities are presented herein. The countrywide search for lightweight aggregates was necessitated toward the end of the 19th century by the change in building design from thick, heavy, load- bearing walls to a framework of structural steel .beams and columns with thin walls, followed shortly by the use of reinforced concrete and structural concrete as materials for the load-supporting frame. Ordinary concrete, with sand and gravel aggregate, weighs about 150 pounds to the cubic foot. A lighter concrete was needed to relieve the dead load and make it possible to construct higher buildings or add stories to existing buildings.

Jan 1, 1954

By Richard L. Unger

The Crewstation Analysis Programs (CAP) is a package of computer programs that can be used to analyze some human engineering aspects of crewstation design (such as visibility and illumination) that have particular significance in underground mining. It was developed under the U. S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) Health, Safety and Mining Technology program at the Pittsburgh Research Center, Pittsburgh, PA. This manual describes the steps necessary to collect data in the laboratory to develop luminaire profiles for the CAP illumination analysis. It also describes how the CAP Illumination Model calculates illumination. 1.1 How CAP Calculates Illumination 1.1.1 Background -CAP currently includes assessments of visibility and illumination in the surrounding work area. The advantage of using computers for these types of analyses is that many design iterations can be tested quickly and efficiently to learn the effects of changes. This reduces the need for expensive testing using physical mockups. Another advantage is that design ideas can be tested in situations where it would not normally be possible. For instance, the effects of modifications to a lighting system or canopy design on visibility could be tested while the machine remains in service.

Jan 1, 1994

By James Pennington

[The Mining and Metallurgical Divisions of the Bureau of Mines, Region V, conducted an investigation in 1950-51 of the iron sulfide deposits in Aitkin and Carlton Counties, Minn. Twelve diamond-core-drill holes, aggregating 2,347 feet, were drilled in secs. 14 and 15, T. 46 N., R. 25 W., Aitkin County, to increase reserves of iron sulfides known to exist 2 miles southwest in secs. 28 and 29, T. 46 N., R. 25 W. Three diamond-core-drill hobs, totaling 561 feet, were drilled in Canton County, sec. 7, T. 46 N., R. 2 0 W., to check reports of the presence of a large sulfide deposit in that area. Mineral-dressing tests were made on cores from 10 holes drilled in Aitkin County. These included core from hole 21 drilled in sec. 28 and submitted by the Glen Development Co.]

Jan 1, 1953

By F. L. Wideman

This report describes a computer program that is used for the calculation of the coordinates and elevations of subsidence survey pins located by intersection. This program was developed for the Federal Bureau of Mines by the Numerical Analysis Laboratory, University of Arizona. These calculations, although relatively simple, are both tedious and time-consuming when computed with a desk calculator and trigonometric tables. In this survey, a large number of pins were surveyed repeatedly, and it was evident that both time and money could be saved by using a digital computer.

Jan 1, 1962

By Franklin H. Persse

The Bureau of Mines estimated reclamation costs for 13 surface coal mines in nine States west of the Missisisppi River. With the exception of the Pacific Coast coal province, at least one mine in each of the western coal provinces was studied. Cost estimates were, made using standard estimating procedures from data obtained from company records, interviews with industry personnel, and onsite observations. Estimated costs are presented in four categories which represent the four phases of mined-land reclamation: (1) Design, engineering, and overhead; (2) bond and permit fees; (3) backfilling and grading; and (4) revegetation. Estimated costs as of the first quarter of 1976 are expressed as averages and ranges in terms of per acre, per ton of coal produced, and per million Btu. Total reclamation costs ranged from $860 to $7,200 per acre, from 6 to 84 cents per ton, and from 4 to 35.3 mills per million Btu. A mine in the Northern Great Plains coal province (Region D) showed the highest per acre cost whereas mines in part of the western region of the Interior coal province (Region A) experienced the greatest per ton and per million Btu cost. The high cost of reclamation in the Western United States is reflected in the backfill in and grading category, particularly in the cost of topsoil removal and subsequent replacement as required by individual State reclamation regulations.

Jan 1, 1977

By Oliver C. Ralston

The nonmetallic minerals work of the Bureau of Mines started with the organization of the Mineral Technology Division in 1912. A special experiment station devoted to the mining, preparation, and processing of nonmetallic minerals was established in 1923 at New Brunswick, N. J., and concentration problems on nonmetallic minerals of all kinds also were studied at the Mississippi Valley Experiment Station at Rolla, Mo. In July 1936 the Nonmetals Division was organized, and in May 1937 the Nonmetallic Minerals Experiment Station at New Brunswick, N. J., was moved to and made a part of the new Eastern Experiment Station at College Park, Md. At present the Nonmetals Division operates at three points: The Eastern Experiment Station, College Park, Md., which is headquarters for the division chief; the Southern Experiment Station, Tuscaloosa, Ala.; and the Northwest Experiment Station, Seattle, Wash., where coal washing and preparation studies are included with those on nonmetallic minerals. Sand, gravel, and aggregate work is carried on by the Mining Division, as sand and gravel preparation are intimately associated with mining methods. The Economics Branch of the Bureau of Mines also prepares occasional papers on nonmetallic technologic subjects in connection with the presentation of statistics on a particular industry and reviews of the mineral industry in foreign countries for use in the monthly publication, "Mineral Trade Notes."

Jan 1, 1937