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By Edward A. Metz, R. Larry Grayson, Douglas F. Scott

We describe inconsistencies in disease and illness reporting in U.S. mining, identify under-reporting of disease and illness in U.S. mining, and summarize selected disease and illness in U.S. mining from 1983 through 2001. Methods: We summarized information on mining-related disease and illness data for the years 1983-2001 from the Mining Safety and Health Administration database (MSHA). Results: Discrepancies exist in types of information collected by the Centers for Disease and Control, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the Mining Safety and Health Admin¬istration database. Several factors, including a worker's fear of losing his or her job, health insurance, or other job-related benefits contribute to under-reporting of disease and illness information in the US mining industry. Conclusions: Since 1997, both number of workers employed in mining and disease and illness rates have decreased; however, the highest disease and illness rates in mining continue to be coal worker's pneumoconiosis and hearing loss.

By Tignor E. M.

The Brenneman oil field in Grant District, Hancock County, W. VA., was selected for study by Bureau of Mines engineers because it was typical of many of the smaller petroleum reservoirs in the Appalachian region. In 1906, E. W. Marland & Co. discovered the Brenneman field by drilling a well that readied the oil-bearing .Berea sandstone at a depth of 750 feet and initially produced 200 barrels of oil a day. Most of the oil-productive area (348 acres) of the field was developed in a comparatively short time, and the initial daily production rates of some of the wells were as high as 1,000 barrels of oil a day. Although the field was a prolific producer of oil for several years, it was abandoned in 1923 when the production rate was less than 1,000 barrels of oil a year and 705,000 barrels of oil had been produced. Secondary-recovery operations were started in the Brenneman field in 1927 after useable old wells had been repaired and unsatisfactory wells had been plugged; drilling of new wells was started in 1929. The peak of the redevelopment program was reached in 1942 when 92 oil-producing wells and 26 injection wells were in use; both air And mixtures of air and natural gas were used for injection purposes. It is estimated that approximately 357,000 barrels of oil, equivalent to 1,030 barrels per acre, 105 barrels per acre-foot, 8.5 percent of the total pore volume, or 11.9 percent of the original oil in place will be produced as a result of gas-injection secondary-recovery operations. Engineers of the Bureau of Mines Petroleum Field Office, Franklin, Pa., are studying secondary-recovery projects in the Appalachian region as a part, of the Bureau's secondary recovery research and are reporting these studies so that others: can profit by the experience gained from the operations. In common with most of the other Appalachian oil fields, there was no natural water drive in the Brenneman field. The estimated oil saturation in the Brenneman reservoir at the end of economic gas-injection operation indicates that additional oil might be recovered economically by water flooding and that a pilot flood would be warranted.

Jan 1, 1950

By C. J. Wilhelm

The disposal of brines produced with crude petroleum and natural gas has been a long-continuing problem to oil and gas operators as well as to farmers and stock-raisers in the vicinity of producing fields. An impartial appraisal of conditions pertaining to the problem of brine disposal leads to the conclusion that study of the technical consideration, with proper weight given to the economic and social factors, is the most desirable approach to this problem. Brine disposal is a problem of such magnitude in certain areas in the State of Kansas that in August 1934 a cooperative agreement was made between the Kansas State Board of Health and the U. S. Bureau of Mines for a cooperative technical study of methods of brine disposal.

Jan 1, 1935

By C. J. Wilhelm

The disposal of brines produced with crude petroleum and natural gas has been a long-continuing problem to oil and gas operators as well as to farmers and stock-raisers in the vicinity of producing fields. .An impartial appraisal of conditions pertaining to the problem of brine disposal lead to the conclusion that study of the technical considerations, with proper weight given to the economic and social factors, is the most desirable approach to this problem . Brine disposal is a problem of such magnitude 1n certain areas in the State of Kansas that in August 1934 a cooperative agreement w s made between the Kansas State Board of Health and the U. S. Bureau of Mines for a cooperative technical study of methods of brine disposal.

Jan 1, 1935

By Lloyd G. Fitzgerald

"The dangerous nature of explosives makes them a potential hazard wherever they are used, but they are likely to exercise their greatest harmfulness under conditions inherent in coal mining. The ease with which explosives can be detonated and the suddenness and violence with which they detonate require great care in their handling and use, if acci-dents are to be avoided. Campaigns have been waged by the manufacturers, the Federal Bureau of Mines, coal-mining companies, and other agencies to educate users of explosives in their dangers and in their proper use and care.Probably 95 percent of the explosives accidents can be attributed to poor judgment, carelessness, negligence, or chance taking. In many explosives accidents it is difficult to determine the cause definitely, as the evidence of the origin is destroyed by the blast and frequently those involved have been killed. Survivors of the accident often are of little help in determining the cause, as the accident occurs so suddenly they cannot tell what happened or prefer not to divulge the information they have because it may point to their own carelessness.A survey has indicated that about 10 percent of all fatalities in coal mines were caused by explosives accidents (excluding gas and dust explosions initiated by explosives). A list of explosives accidents by States, from 1925 to 1932, classified according to the severity of the accidents, indicated that Kentucky and Wyoming had the greatest number of fatalities resulting from explosives accidents. Records of the Bureau of Mines show that 14 coal-mine explosions occurred from January 1 to June 1, 1943. Explosives were involved in four of these explosions. Black powder caused two of the accidents and permissible explosives used in a nonpermissible manner the other two. These statistics are mentioned to show that explosives are still causing severe accidents.Elimination of the hazards associated with explosives begins on the surface. Storage magazines should have no opening, except for entrance and ventilation; ventilators should be screened effectively to prevent the admittance of sparks as well as to prevent unauthorized entrance. The interior should be kept clean and dry, and the floor should be of nonsparking material with no metal exposed. The surrounding area should be kept free of combustible material for not less than 25 feet (and preferably 50 feet) in all directions. Storage magazines should be fire-resistant and reasonably bulletproof."

Aug 1, 1944

By E. Morrice

The metallurgical laboratory data developed in this study indicate an improved electrowinning process for producing higher purity cerium ingot. A typical sample of the Reno electrocerium contains 99.9 weight-percent cerium and the following impurities: Total other rare-earth elements, less than 0.04 percent; iron not detected; silicon and aluminum, less than 0.02 percent each; calcium plus magnesium, less than 0.01 percent; carbon, 0.01 percent; oxygen, 0.002 percent; hydrogen, 0.0003 percent; and nitrogen, 0.0015 percent.

Jan 1, 1960

By James Westfield

This report covers the calendar year 1953 and has been prepared and submitted in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 106(a) and Sec. 212(c) of the Federal Coal Mine Safety Act (66 Stat. 692; 30 U.S.C. Secs. 451-483). During this first full calendar year of operations under the Federal Coal Mine Safety Act, the coal-mining industry of the United States attained the best injury records in its history - improving the former best records (made in 1952) by 91 fatal and 10,020 nonfatal injuries. Whereas, the mandatory provisions of the act were intended and designed to prevent major mine disasters, apparently the effects have reached beyond the scope thereof in reducing mine accidents generally.

Jan 1, 1954

By M. G. Zabetakis

This publication describes an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Mines regarding the cause of an explosion of a dephlegmator or fractionating column at the Cities Service Oil Company Refinery, Ponca City, Okla., January 22, 1959. The column was that used with the refinery's No.1 Dubbs Coker. The explosion caused the death of an employee of the refinery and resulted in extensive damage to the refinery and to nearby property. The Bureau's study of the explosion began January 26.

Jan 1, 1960

By William O. Vanderburg

This paper gives the results of a reconnaissance of the mining districts in Pershing County, Nev., made from March 9 to April 1, 1936. During the field work nearly all of the mining districts in the county were visited, and considerable data were obtained on active and inactive properties. The report covers the location of the various mining districts, nature of the deposits, information on past

Jan 1, 1936

By R. R. Sayers

The contemplated use of dichloro-difluorco methane in domestic and commercial refrigerating appliances and in air-conditioning equipment for public buildings and possibly homes, brims attention to the health hazards involved in a wide potential exposure of the public to vapors of another new product, and for the first time to vapors of an organic fluorino compound. The objective in the development of this new refrigerant, however, has been the mitigation of health and explosion hazards in automatic refrigeration, and accordingly these factors have been given primary attention. Early in the development, the Bureau of Mines as requested to make a laboratory study of the toxicity and potential hazard, and it was ca the oasis of the results is of this work and the results of a preliminary investigation made in another laboratory6 that the compound has been selected for commercial use. The investigation conducted by the Bureau of Mines is still in progress, enough information has been obtained to indicate the order of the toxicity and the magnitude of the health hazards involved in the use of dichloro-difluoro methane as a refrigerant. The following is a summarized report of the work completed to date:

Jan 1, 1930

By L. W. Higley

It is estimated that well over 20 million lb of chromium and 8 million lb of nickel, plus other metal values, are diverted annually to furnace dusts, mill scale, and contaminated swarfs in the domestic stainless and other specialty steelmaking industry. Little inroad has been made toward the in-plant recycling of these wastes to reclaim the metal values. The Bureau of Mines has devised a process for recovering about 90 pct of the chromium and molybdenum and well over 90 pct of the nickel and iron from stainless steelmaking furnace dusts, swarf, and mill scale. Other metals such as manganese are also recovered. Initial laboratory results were confirmed and expanded to include a wide variation of stainless steelmaking waste mixtures. Later experiments have included specialty steelmaking wastes other than from stainless steelmaking. Significantly, the ease of technology transfer has been demonstrated by a number of industrial-sized (19-ton) commercial electric furnace heats, in which the pelletized wastes represented some 10 to 20 pct of the furnace charge, replacing part of the normal scrap charge. Results of these successful large-scale trials are presented. Some information is also presented on incorporation into the pellets of chromium-bearing particulate wastes originating from other than steelmaking production. Cost evaluation indicates the process is economically attractive.

Jan 1, 1982

By W. L. Dare

This information circular is one of a series the Bureau of Mines plans to publish describing the methods and costs of mining uranium on the Colorado Plateau. The Big Buck mine is one of the larger underground uranium-vanadium ore mines on the plateau. The mine is about 39 miles southeast of Moab in the Big Indian mining district, San Juan County, Utah. The Big Buck claims were located late in 1947, when uranium mineralization was discovered in the Cutler formation at its outcrop along the escarpment that forms the west side of Big Indian Wash. Charles A. Steen made the first major discovery of uranium ore in the Chinle formation in the Big Indian mining district on July 6, 1952, when 14 feet of high-grade uranium ore was encountered in a diamond-drill hole drilled on his Mi Vida claim. The Big Buck ore body now being mined by Standard Uranium Corp. is a southeast extension of Steen's original discovery.

Jan 1, 1956

By Donald F. MacDonald

This report aims to discuss, from the viewpoint of the mining geologist, the bearing of topographic and geologic conditions on cer- tain problems that arose in the construction of the Panama Canal. T+ is published by the Bureau of Mines as a contribution to engineer- ing liters ure because it presents information that shows how geology and topography must be considered by the mining engineer in plan- ning excavations and in removing loose material and solid rock in the safest and most efficient manner. The printing of this bulletin has been approved by the governor of the Panama Canal, as it was impracticable for the Panama Canal to give this information to the general public in any of its publications. The "sword cut" of Goethals and his men did not sever the Isth- mian barrier; it merely clove the hills to a depth of 40 feet above sea level. This cut and the great areas of low valleys at both ends of it have been covered with fresh water to the 85-foot level. This high-level lake held by dams at either end, the 85-foot locks, by which ships enter it, and the dredged approaches from the two oceans constitute the Panama Canal. In the preparation of accurate estimates concerning the cost of large excavations information regarding the geologic conditions, as obtained by a study of natural features, is necessary. Drill holes and test pits will furnish supplementary geologic information, but without a gen- eral knowledge of the geologic conditions it will not be possible for the constructing engineer to answer such questions as the following: (1) What rock units will be encountered in the excavation and in what proportion? (2) What will be the cost of drilling each for blasting (3) How far apart and how deep must the drill holes be to efficiently break the rock of each to the proper size-not too fine nor yet too coarse? In this connection jointing, fissuring, bedding, toughness, and other physical characteristics must be considered (4) How steep will the slopes of the excavation stand, and to what extent will they wash and trench on exposure to the atmosphere? (5) What proportion of the material to be excavated is of such physical character that it may be utilized in any other part of the project, such as in concrete construction, road making, wharves, breakwaters, riprap work, etc.

Jan 1, 1915

By Albert L. Toenges

[sing tho ppsf; few Yomn t!le:.c. hcs beer. p. trqnd away frorn locomotive haulwe of cop2 frorn tile losdiw point to tho prop,nration plant of bitu~i- nnus-cod strip mlncc to a;~to~lzcd. h,71Jlr.:~. The qrostion has arisen rrhethcr this is alwqvs econ~nicd, rxcl the purpcrse or' tnf s investigation is to de- termine, if possible, the econonic limlt for ~~torieod had.we. sing tho ppsf; few Yomn t!le:.c. hcs beer. p. trqnd away frorn locomotive haulwe of cop2 frorn tile losdiw point to tho prop,nration plant of bitu~i- nnus-cod strip mlncc to a;~to~lzcd. h,71Jlr.:~. The qrostion has arisen rrhethcr this is alwqvs econ~nicd, rxcl the purpcrse or' tnf s investigation is to de- termine, if possible, the econonic limlt for ~~torieod had.we.]

Jan 1, 1938

By David D. Walker

The purpose of the investigation was to describe and appraise tungsten deposits in Montana . The work supplements previous investigations made by Pattee ( 10 ) and Walker ( 17 ) in selected areas of the State . Scheelite deposits in tactite are the most numerous and most important economically , having accounted for nearly all of the State's tungsten production . Of the 64 deposits examined during the current study , 50 contained scheelite , 11 hubnerite , 2 wolframite , and 1 ferberite . The State's major tungsten production has been from scheelite deposits in Beaverhead County . The report lists , by counties , the type and grade of each deposit . The more important occurrences are accompanied by geological and assay maps .

Jan 1, 1963

By Norman G. Foster

The mass spectra of four tertiary butyl substituted thiophenes are reported. A comparison and contrast with earlier structure correlations made by API-RP48 mass spectroscopists is presented. The fragmentation routes of these types of molecules are discussed and explained in terms of existing theories in mass spectrometry. Low ionization voltage data are presented to support the mechanistic picture developed. Structures are inferred about some of the ions, and these are correlated with existing theories. Metastable peaks in the spectra are used to support the fragmentation paths. The presence of doubly charged ions in the spectra is noted and the possible implications toward mechanisms discussed. The general picture of simple, small fragments leaving the ion moiety upon further fragmentation is developed in detail. Some suggestions are presented for further work utilizing isotopically labeled molecules to establish firmly the general picture of fragmentations of the alkylthiophenes.

Jan 1, 1966

By Albert L. Toenges

[During the past few years there has beer trend away from locomotive haulage of coal from the loading point to the preparation plant of bituminous-coal strip, miner to motorized. haulage. The question has arisen whether this is always economical, and the purposes of this investigation is to determine, if possible the economic limit for motorized haulage. The operators of strip coal mines and of open-pit ore mines have shown great interest in this problem, and it is thought that the findings of this investigation will. Provo helpful to them.]

Jan 1, 1938

[1.1. The provisions of this code are minimum provisions and are designed to minimize hazards to life and property in and about underground coal mines where electrical equipment and circuits installed used. They indicate the Steps necessary in the selection, installation, operation, inspection, and maintenance of electrical equipment and circuits to obtain proper safeguards in reducing electric shock, fire, explosion and other hazards. Surface as well as underground installations were considered in formulating the code and, unless otherwise stated, each provision applies equal to both underground and surface installations. This code does not apply to buildings and installations not directly connected with mining operations, nor does apply to strip-mining operations.]

Jan 1, 1952

By T. C. Davis

Nine organic derivatives of fluorine, silicon, boron, and aluminum were purified for thermodynamic studies using distillation, zone melting, and gas liquid chromatography, The unusual properties of these compounds required the development of special techniques for handling and purification. To determine purities of purified samples, new techniques for analyzing spectral data were developed.

Jan 1, 1965

By Martin J. Gavin

[The theory of fractional "eduction" of oil from oil shale has been used by several inventors as the basis for the design of retorts for the production of oil f roan the oil shales of the United States. The term fractional "eduction" gives expression to the rather common belief that when an oil shale is he-test et produces light, low-boiling oils at to temperatures, and increasingly heavier, higher-boiling oils as the temperature of retorting rites. The theory evidently had its is origin in the fact that crude petroleum may be fractionally distilled, yielding light oils at low distillation temperatures, and heavier oils as the distillation temperature increases. Thus, gasoline is produced from petroleum at relatively log: temperatures, kerosene at a higher temperature, and heavier products such as gas-oil and lubricating distillates at still higher temepratures, The writers have examined several oil-shale retorts designed to take advantage of the belief that crude, and en some cases refined, gasoline can be recovered from the shale at low temperatures; kerosene at higher temperatures, and so on. Such retorts are usually designed to operate continuously, and. have several vapor-pipes lending from them at differing intervals and passing to separate condensers. Designers of such retorts expect that the distillate from the low-temperature parts of the retort will be gasoline, and that as the shale basses to zones of increasingly higher temperatures, the vapor lines leading from these zones will remove increasingly heavier products such as kerosene, gas-oil, etc.]

Jan 1, 1924