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By Ivan F. Avery

DOMESTIC production of carbon black increased 4 percent in 1962 to 2,056 million pounds. Furnace black output was 8 percent, or 132 million pounds, above that in 1961 and accounted for 90 percent of total carbon black production. Channel black output continued to decline and was 55 million pounds less than in 1961. Carbon black shipments during the year totaled 2,082 million pounds and were 5 percent above those of 1961. About one-fifth of these shipments were exported; the balance were sold domestically. An increase of 180 million pounds in domestic sales was partially offset by a decline of 80 million pounds in exports. Total value of carbon black production in 1962 was $145 million. The average value per pound of 7.06 cents was 0.24 cent per pound less than in 1961. Producers' stocks declined 26 million pounds during the year.

Jan 1, 1963

By Jos. R. Guiteras

This paper describes the pumping operations at the Ajax, Cresson, and Vindicator dines in the Cripple Creek mining district of Colorado during the summer of 1936. At that time the three mines wore pumping 6,500 gallons of water per minute into the Roosevelt drainage tunnel. Cripple Creek is the most important gold district in the State; it has yielded gold valued at over $365,000,000. The mines engaged in pumping are among the largest producing properties in the district. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The author wishes to acknowledge the friendly cooperation of mine officials at the properties visited. At the. Ajax mine information was courteously given by Clayton Kissel, mine superintendent, and his staff; R. Y. Roby contributed the drawings. For information on the Cresson mine, thanks are expressed to Al H. Bebee, mine superintendent, and his staff, especially to Guy Rorabaugh, master mechanic, and to engineer Carlton. At the Vindicator mine, J. S. Anderson; mine superintendent, and Robert Welch, master mechanic, assisted; the latter furnished most of the information about that mine. Acknowledgment is also made of the cooperation of M. H. Salsbury, engineer at the Portland mine, who supplied technical data on the Roosevelt drainage tunnel.

Jan 1, 1937

By Jeffrey P. Schubert

The study site in northeastern Illinois underwent surface mining for coal in 1943 and was reclaimed by the state of Illinois in 1972-1973. Additional soil amendments and seed were applied to the spoil surface in 1975-1980. Previous studies in 1975-1978 had shown that the surface spoil materials and five final-cut lakes at the site were quite acidic and the lakes contained high concentrations of sulfate and dissolved metals. Surface runoff water from monitoring plots in 1976 were only moderately acidic and the mean concentrations of most dissolved metals and sulfate in the runoff waters were less than 25% of the concentrations found in Lake B. By 1980, vegetation had become well established over most of the mined area. However, the five final-cut lakes (Lakes A-E) remained acidic. The purpose of the study reported here was to determine the physical and geochemical subsurface conditions of the spoil materials, the hydrologic flow system within the spoils, and the magnitude of acidic spoil leachate migration into the lakes and into the wetland prairie north of the mine site. Lakes A, B, C, and E were still very acidic in 1980-1981 (pH range: 2.9-3.4; aridity range: 110-860 mg/L as CaCO3). Lake B had the worst water quality, with mean concentrations of dissolved aluminum, iron, manganese, and sulfate of 75, 25, 37, and 3340 mg/L, respectively. Shallow groundwaters in spoil materials around Lake B had a lower pH and about two to four times greater concentrations of aridity, aluminum, manganese, zinc, and other metals and nearly 20 times greater dissolved iron than the water in Lake B. The shallow groundwaters in undisturbed soils and bedrock 10-30 m north of the mine site spoils generally were alkaline, but did contain occasional moderately high sulfate and metal concentrations. Pumping tests and recovery tests conducted in piezometers showed hydraulic conductivities of spoil materials ranging from less than 10- to 10-5 m/s; hydraulic conductivities of natural soils and bedrock were measured between 10-10 to 10-7 m/s. Water levels in spoil materials increased rapidly in response to rainstorm events and the recession curves were relatively quick to decline, lasting only two or three days. Quick infiltration of rainfall into the spoil surface and percolation down to the water table caused a rise in groundwater levels and movement of spoil groundwater into the lakes. This groundwater component in the lake water budgets could account for most of the water quality problems occurring in the acid lakes.

Jan 1, 1984

By F. A. Rutledge

The Millet copper deposit is on the north shore of Iliamna Lake in southwestern Alaska. Copper mineralization occurs in a zone of altered limestone .adjacent to and intruded by a diorite porphyry with some diabase facies. During 1949 and 1950, the Bureau of Mines investigated this prospect as a part of the U. S. Department of the Interior program in Alaska for the development of critical and strategic minerals. Field work was begun August 8, 1949; it was recessed November 28, 1949, because of inclement weather. The work was resumed Nay 28, 1950, and completed July 3, 1950. The program of investigation by the Bureau of Nines included topographic surveying, machine and hand trenching, diamond drilling, and sampling the zones of mineralization. This report outlines the general geology of the area, gives a description of the deposit, and contains the factual data resulting from work by the Bureau of Mines.

Jan 1, 1952

This report is in fulfillment of Contract H0230031 awarded to Bituminous Coal Research, Inc., on May 23, 1973. The scope of work to be performed under this contract was divided into four phases: Phase I - Design, Phase II - Construction, Phase III - Field Demonstration, and Phase IV - Analysis and Final Report. During Phase I, an agreement was finalized with the Rochester and Pittsburgh Coal Co. for conducting field tests of the proposed shearer spray systems on a longwall panel in the company's Jane Mine in Indiana County, Pa. A drum was then designed which could be used on the Eickhoff shearer, Model EW170-L, being used on this longwall and which would utilize the following spray systems: 1. One spray nozzle located in front of each cutter bit with the jet directed at the cutting surface. 2. One spray nozzle located in back of each cutter bit with the jet directed at the back of the bit. 3. Standard Eickhoff nozzles located in a header along the drum scrolls. 4. A fixed header mounted on the shearer directly behind the drum to simulate the spray system originally used on the Eickhoff shearer.

Jan 1, 1976

By J. M. Stuve

The present Bureau of Mines investigation measured low-temperature heat capacities of NiBr2 (8 to 302 K) and NiS04 (9 to 70 K) by adiabatic calorimetry. The standard entropies (S°, 298.15 K) of NiBr2 and NiS04 were calculated as 29.26 ± 0.06 cal/deg mole and 24.21 0.04 cal/deg mole, respectively. (1 cal = 4.1840 joules.) Heat-of-solution measurements of anhydrous NiBr2 were used to determine its enthalpy of formation (?Hf°, 298.15 K) as -50.64 ± 0.31 kcal/mole. High-temperature enthalpies of NiBr2 and NiS04 were measured by drop calorimetry to 1,150 K and 1,002 K, respectively. Enthalpies, heat capacities, and related formation functions are tabulated to 1,200 K.

Jan 1, 1978

By L. A. Stinnett

An investigation of hazardous surface openings of abandoned and inactive underground mines in the Black Hills area of South Dakota has revealed: (1) tracing legal ownership of mineral claims via county courthouses is confusing, complex, and oftentimes misleading, (2) in general, the selected mine openings in this investigation are to be considered relatively high in risks and hazard potential which poses a threat to the general public, (3) mine closure procedures and designs can generally be categorically implemented depending on the overall situation of the particular mine opening with subsequent unit costs estimates, (4) few preventive state or federal legal measures exist to date concerning mine closures, and (5) liability damages relating to mine opening accidents usually involve expensive and complex common law cases.

Jan 1, 1979

By Robert L. Lappi

Eight interburden handling concepts are developed for multiple seam area mine stripping operations in central and western United States. They are based on data gathered and analyzed during field surveys, literature reviews and visits to state regulatory agencies in five states. It is concluded that improvement of reclamation practices through selective interburden handling techniques is possible at lower operating costs than currently incurred. Specific multiple seam mining systems are discussed in this report.

Jan 1, 1980

By C. C. Popoff

The growth of the aluminum-smelting industry in the Pacific Northwest, resulting from national defense requirements, emphasized a need for local sources of alumina to supplement the alumina production shipped from the East. Because supplies of foreign bauxite were being interrupted and our domestic bauxite reserves were inadequate, it was necessary to expedite the investigation of other possible sources of alumina during World War II. A program of investigation of high-alumina clay deposits in the Northwest was carried out jointly by the Federal Geological Survey and the Federal Bureau of Mines. As part of this program the Cowlitz clay deposits near Castle Rock, Wash., were explored by the Bureau of Mines in 1942-43. These deposits are near railroads, tide-water, and Bonneville Power Administration lines and within 22 to 100 miles of 4 aluminum-reduction plants.

Jan 1, 1955

By D. Eugene Rannels, Yu-Chen Lee

"Lee, Yu-Chen, and D. Eugene Rannels. Alveolar macrophages modulate the epithelial cell response to coal dust in vitro. Am. J. Physicl. 270 (Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol. 14): L123-L132, 1996.-The response of the alveolar epithelium to coal dust exposure is poorly understood. Coal or other dusts may act on the epithelium directly or indirectly through nearby alveolar macrophages (AM) that produce cytokines and other soluble products. AM and type II pneumocytes (T2P) were thus exposed to dust in coculture to evaluate their possible interactions. Anthracite coal dust PSOC 867 increased synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) components by T2P. AM alone did not produce ECM. Similarly, coculture ofT2P with AM (3.75:1) had little effect on epithelial ECM synthesis. In contrast, coculture ofT2P with AM significantly increased PSOC 867 effects on T2P rates of ECM synthesis, ECM fibronectin content, and T2P levels of fibronectin mRNA. AM-conditioned medium did not change the PSOC 867 effect on T2P. Neither control nor PSOC 867-treated AM on Falcon culture inserts (0.45-µm pore size) over T2P stimulated ECM synthesis by either untreated or dust-exposed epithelium. Thus AM-mediated changes in ECM synthesis by PSOC 867-treated T2P require close cell-cell interactions, suggesting a role for cell-cell contact or for short-lived soluble mediators of the AM effects. DEVELOPMENT OF PNEUMOCONIOSIS, a chronic disease of coal workers that results in pulmonary fibrosis and low lung compliance, is associated with inhalation of mineral or coal dust in the work place (14). Although the pathology of pneumoconiosis has been studied extensively, cellular mechanisms that cause changes in lung structure and function are not fully understood. Particulate matter that enters the respiratory system distributes according to size, with larger particles being removed in proximal airways. Dust components of small size may enter distal alveolar region, which is populated by two types of epithelial cells, type I and - type II cells, and by alveolar macrophages (16). Each of these cell types may interact with inhaled particles, but only the effects of coal dust on alveolar macrophages have been studied extensively. Less is known regarding the response of the alveolar epithelium, or of effects on epithelial cell-alveolar macrophage interactions, in the dust-exposed lung.Function of the alveolar epithelium is well known to be influenced by the underlying basement membrane, or extracellular matrix (28). Alveolar epithelial cell extracellular matrix interactions, which may involve modulation of cell migration, attachment, or differentiation (17), are reflected in type II cell morphology, metabolism, secretory activity, hormone responsiveness, lamellar body content, and gene expression (21). The extent to which basement membrane modulates differentiation of the overlying epithelium is determined by both molecular composition and three-dimensional structure of the matrix. Type II epithelial cells in vitro synthesize, secrete, assemble, and degrade a variety of basement membrane components, including laminin, fibronectin, type IV collagen, and thrombospondin (22, 27). How expression of these components is regulated, directly or indirectly, upon exposure of the alveolar epithelium to injury by coal dust or by other particulates remains to be resolved."

Jan 1, 1998

By L. D. Tracy

"IntroductionOne of the problems which the coal-mining industry must solve in the next few years is the redaction of its ever-increasing timber bill. This includes pit posts, mine tees, timber sets, and brattice boards. As an example of this increase, the following table of timber prices from the records of a coal company in western Pennsylvania, in a district where the supply of most of the different kinds of timber used can be shipped from points within the State, is self-explanatory: Present conditions seem to indicate the continued upward trend ox the cost of mine timber, although the regrettable calamity that has visited the chestnut timber in Pennsylvania may temporarily hold the price of some types of mine timber on a level basis. On account of the chestnut blight, many farmers will undoubtedly begin to convert their chestnut trees into timber before they become a total loss. This may provide, for the time being, a sufficient supply of mine timber to check the steadily rising prices.The local lumber producers are turning their attention to the production of the larger sizes of timber and lumber on account of an unfavorable price on mine ties. From the foregoing table, it is seen that the average advance in the price of ties during the period 1914 to 1920 is 52 per cent, while timber sets and mine car plank increased in value 60 per cent. Amore striking illustration is the fact that a 6 by 8 inch by 6 foot tie sells for 42 cents or at the rate of $17.50 per 1000 board feet; yet mine car plank and timber sets have a value of $48 per 1000 feet, an advantage of $30.50 in favor of the heavier timber.The supply of coal in Western and Central Pennsylvania will last for a long period and it is for the possible future demand for timber that the coal companies must provide. While steel, concrete, and other materials may, in many cases, prove an acceptable substitute, there is no doubt that timber will always be in demand."

Nov 1, 1926

By R. R. Sayers

"An important, function of the U.S. Bureau of Mines is to instruct miners in first aid, and as a means of promoting interest in it first-aid contests are held under the auspices of the Bureau, usually in coop; ration with other interested organizations, especially the American Red Cross, the National Safety Council and various operators' and Miners' associations. It was early found that the method of judging first-aid meets is one of the most vital factors in determining the degree of success of the meet.It may be safely stated that there is no method for the judging of first-aid contests that has proved ideal. A method that would give the most uniform judging would necessitate the rating of each team by the same judge or committee of judges and, in order that a judge may rate a team satisfactorily, he should see that team perform several events and average the ratings. Such a procedure is not practicable where there are many terms entered in the contest, as it would prolong the meet indefinitely. To overcome this objection the method has been tried of assigning separate judges to each team but this brings in a new factor the individuality of the various judges, some of whom rate closely, others loosely. The next development was to average the judging by having the judges rate different teams for each event. This would seem to solve the problem out it has been found, after using the method over a wide area for a considerable period of time, that the differences in the judging are too marked to be at all satisfactory. The next development was to appoint a committee of chief judges three to five in number especially trained and experienced, to aid the individual judges in rating the teams. This method has proved satisfactory at small meets but, as committee must review the work of each judge on each event, it has not been deemed feasible for a large meet."

Nov 1, 1920

[Module 10. Internally Cued Operating Contingencies Prerequisite: Modules 1-7 - Estimated Instructional Time: 2.42 hrs. Module Abstract Trainees, using programmed instruction, describe the cues, consequences, operational sequences, and possible causes resulting from loss of air pressure from power fluctuations, and from a failure of the automatic lubrication system. Although some of the contingencies may be initially signaled by an alarm or from the oiler, each trainee will demonstrate proficiency in the appropriate operating techniques and procedures. This module also includes a review component for those trainees identified in the assessment exam as requiring less detailed instruction.]

Jan 1, 1976

By Richard A. Dick

Eight blasts were fired in a 2-1/2-ft bench in the Stewartville member of the Galena Limestone formation in an aggregate quarry near Stewartville, Minn. The shots were dimensionally proportional to production-size bench blasts and were about 5 to 10 percent of full scale. The effects of site, timing of initiation, and burden-to-spacing ratio were studied in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial experiment, using three boreholes, caw;, containing a 1/2-in charge diameter of high-density ammonia dynamite, in each blast. Detonation velocity measurements indicated that the dynamite detonated satisfactorily in the 1/2-in charge diameter. The effects of the three experimental variables were analyzed by weight for the percentage of oversized material produced and for size distributions determined by screening the entire muckpiles. The bench faces were painted before each shot in an effort to determine the origin of the oversized material. The square pattern (burden and spacing = 15 in) produced finer overall fragmentation and less oversized material than the rectangular pattern (burden = 15 in; spacing = 22-1/2 in). Sites 1 and 2 were about ft apart. Although site 2 produced slightly better overall fragmentation than site 1, the amounts of oversized material produced showed no significant difference. The timing of initiation (instantaneous or delayed) did not significantly influence the overall fragmentation or the amount of oversized material produced.

Jan 1, 1973

By John J. Ginty

The objective of the work reported herein was to evaluate state-of-the-art repeaters used in wireless communications to determine their suitability for use in extending the range of portable and mobile communications in underground mine applications. The scope of the work included wireless repeaters in the frequency range from LF (500 kilohertz) up to the one giga-hertz range. These repeaters included not only single-channel repeaters, that is F1/F1 repeaters for short range simplex party line communications, but in addition, F1/F2 type repeaters currently commercially available in the HF, VHF and UHF bands.

Jan 1, 1975

By Zsuzsanna Zborovszky

Investigation of the discharge duration power and current relation required for ignition. The current and power amplitude-discharge time curve was found to flatten out over 3 ms. It is concluded that discharges having at least 3 ms power maximum are required for reliable testing of the ignition limit for resistive circuits. Investigation of the effect of molten cathode on the discharge duration and igniting ability of the discharge. The surface tension of the liquid metal causes a very fast separation and consequently a much shorter discharge duration than the solid electrode would have. The minimum discharge voltage effect overrides the effects of the temperature of electrode, material, or atmosphere. Investigation of the effect of different surface layers on the discharge duration. Oxides and sulfates were found to give significantly longer duration than the "clean" metal itself in most cases. The lowest ignition current was obtained with CdS04 coatings. Ignition was obtained with 0.7A at 30V, which is below the corresponding minimum igniting current obtained from the BASEEFA curve for circuits containing Cd, Zn or Mg.

Jan 1, 1977

This Bureau of Hines report on underground mine communications addresses methods and equipment to meet the communication requirements of working sections and places of coal and metal-nonmetal mines. A review of the status of trapped miner detection is also presented.

Jan 1, 1977

By Frank E. Cash, Max S. Peterson

"INTRODUCTION Falls of ground cause the greatest number of accidents at underground metal mines. Statistics compiled by the Federal Bureau of Mines show that during a 13 - year period ended in 1943, falls of ground caused 35 percent of the fatalities and 16.8 percent of the nonfatal injuries at underground metal mines in the United States. 4/ Expressed on a basis of a million man-hours worked, the frequency rate was 0.355 for fatalities and 11.76 for nonfatal injuries. Although some progress has boon made in preventing rock-fall accidents over a 30- or 40-year period, the problem is still a major one requiring the diligent efforts of management and employees.In the Lake Superior district: where organized safety programs have been in effect for more than 30 years, the record is more favorable. Statistics compiled by the Lake Superior Mining Section of the National Safety Council reveal that over a 6-year period ended in 1945 the frequency rate of fatalities per million man-hours was 0.277, and the rate for nonfatal injuries was 2.38 from falls of ground.Although the above-given statistics do not cover equal or concurrent periods, the improvement in accident experience in the Lake Superior district over the national average, is obvious. This improvement is due to more effective methods of ground support or more rigid enforcement of the use of known methods.It is hoped that the following information about ground-support practices in the Lake Superior district will assist operators of other mines in their efforts to reduce accidents from falls of ground."

May 1, 1948

By John L. Dahle

This report documents the research efforts that were undertaken to design, install and test noise abatement devices for use on off-highway haul trucks operating in surface mines. The objective of the program was to reduce the environmental noise from haul trucks. The noise reduction devices that were developed utilized existing technology and were tested on a 50-ton haul truck. The efforts emphasized the reduction of noise emitted from the engine compartment which included the use of side shields, sound absorbing material, improved radiator shroud design, and a modulating clutch fan. Noise tests were conducted using modified SAE test procedures for measuring sound levels around a stationary and moving machine, and inside of the operators compartment. Test results showed a maximum of 4 dB(A) reduction measured 16 feet from the truck. Interior cab noise was reduced 6 dB(A) with the windows and vents closed.

Jan 1, 1983

By Jack O. Jones

The Furnish mine, Caharrus County, W. C., was operated intermittently until 1905 as a gold mine. Scheelite was discovered by A. L. Mash in the mine dumps of the Furniss and Phoenix mines, and he later informed the Bureau of Mines of his discovery. The Bureau of Mines, in two projects at the deposit in 1948 and in drilled 12 holes totaling 1,706.6 feet, examined and sampled the underground workings, excavated by bulldozer and hand, 3,155 linear feet of trenches and collected numerous samples for assay. The best scheelite shown; was found in the underground exposure of the Furniss mine.

Jan 1, 1950