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By Ned Baker

This report describes the development, construction and testing of a hydrogen-fueled underground mining vehicle. A hydrogen burning engine and a hydride fuel system, both previously developed, were installed on a modified utility vehicle, together with the necessary controls. In tests and in actual use, the vehicle performance in terms of speed, acceleration, and gradeability exceeded that of the standard, unmodified vehicle.

Jan 1, 1985

By R. M. GRANTHAM, J. H. SOULE

C. R. Keyes, F. C. Schrader , F. A. Jones ( the first director of the New Mexico School of Mines , whose name was given the deposits ) , and N. H. Darton all described the Jones iron deposits within a decade after their discovery in 1902 . The earliest locations now on record were made in 1927. Interest in iron ores was revived during the second World War . Paul E. Pesonen , of the Bureau of Mines , reported on the deposits in December 1941 and proposed an extensive exploratory program . In March 1942 , the deposit was reported upon by C. H. Johnson , also of the Bureau of Mines , and a definite program of exploration was outlined .

Feb 1, 1947

By L. G. Trudell, J. W. Smith, K. E. Stanfield

Oil- yield data are presented for 40 sets of core samples and 83 sets of drill cuttings collected in 1952-62 from drilling operations in the Uinta basin of eastern Utah . This accumulated information on the location , extent , and richness of oil shales of the Green River formation is used to appraise the deposits as a source of oil and related products . Core samples used in the study were obtained specifically for evaluating oil shale , and they were satisfactory for this purpose , except they did not completely penetrate the formation . The drill- cutting samples were inferior to the core samples and yielded more erratic results . Consequently, oil yields based on cuttings should be regarded as indicative , rather than definite , until substantiated by other means . In general , the oil- yield data indicate Green River oil shale in Uinta basin is not as thick or as uniform as that in the Piceance Creek basin of western Colorado . However , it is an important potential source of oil . Estimates that beds 15 feet or more thick that average 25 gallons of oil per ton represent at least 120 billion barrels of oil in place are supported by the recent oil- yield data .

Jan 1, 1964

By J. L. Holman

In conjunction with its research program on separation, recovery, and recycling of metal, mineral, and energy-based materials in urban refuse, the U.S. Bureau of Mines is developing means to reuse and recycle plastics discarded in raw municipal waste. Experimental work on plastic waste from a community collection has produced some guidelines for systematic methods of processing, including air classification, cleaning, separation, and use or disposal. Sink-float methods are a practical means of separation into types. Methods for final disposition of the plastic waste include refabrication, thermal decomposition, and incineration.

Jan 1, 1972

By R. J. Evans

The generation and disposal of solid waste from electric utility plants using a lime or limestone wet-scrubbing system and the potential effects on the environment were estimated for 1975 and 1980. The study indicated that in 1975 approximately 5.8 million tons of desulfurization solid waste (50 percent solids) will be generated. In 1980, when it is estimated that desulfurization will become commercially accepted, approximately 71.4 million tons of this material will be generated for disposal and/or utilization. The desulfurization waste material when combined with lime, fly ash, and water may have potential for use as a roadbase material, landfill reclamation, and synthetic aggregate.

Jan 1, 1974

By A. L. Peyton

The Brewer mine, near Jefferson, Chesterfield County, S. C., was originally operated as a gold mine. As late as 1890 this mine was reported to have been one of the large gold producers in the southeast. Occurrence of topaz on the Brewer property was not reported until 1935, when it was discovered, by Parks3/ and Parks of the Federal Geological Survey while they were investigating gold deposits in the Piedmont province.

Jan 1, 1953

By Charles L. Harness

Magnesia (MgO) has a variety of uses, and it has become increasingly important as a war material because of the imperative demand for refractories to line metallurgical furnaces, and because magnesia is used to make the in aircraft and other implements of warfare. Magnesia occurs as an integral part of nearly 60 minerals, but it is extracted commercially from only a .smaller number, of them. The present commercial sources are magnesite, brucite, dolomite, raw sea water, sea water bitterns, and well brines. Magnesia Raw Materials Magnesite magnesium, carbonate MgCO3, theoretically contains 47.8 percent MgO and 52.2 percent CO2. There are two varieties of magnesite, crystalline and cryptocrystalline (dense or amorphous). The latter type, though, not so plentiful as the former, is generally purer. It resembles unglazed write pottery in texture, whereas the crystalline variety is generally dark and granular, though the color may vary. The principal domestic deposits, of crystalline magnesite are near Chewelah, Stevens County, Wash. (which has supplied most of the magnesite mined in the United States), in the Gabbs Valley area of Nevada (near Luning); and in Llano County, Tex. Crypto-crystalline magnesite occurs principally in California. Magnesite occurrences have also been reported in several other States, including New Mexico, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Maryland, but these deposits have not been developed commercially.

Jan 1, 1943

By G. E. McElory

"INTRODUCTION The subject of mine and tunnel ventilation has two broad aspects - (1) what atmospheric conditions to obtain in underground openings and (2) how to maintain the desired conditions efficiently. The first relates primarily to quantity requirements of ventilating systems, whereas the second relates more particularly to pressure requirements. Both, therefore, determine power requirements, which is the deciding factor in any system of mine or tunnel ventilation.Both divisions of the subject have received considerable attention from the Bureau of Mines since its inception in 1910 in the form of research, service, and correlation and dissemination of information. Numerous papers on various Phases of the subject have been published, of which a selected list, numbered and arranged in chronological order by type of publication, will be found at the end of this Paper. One of these, Technical Paper 705 (25) 2/ gives a complete bibliography of Bureau of Mines publications dealing with health and safety. As indicated by the selected list of publications accompanying this paper, the health and safety aspects have received most of the attention devoted to this work, chiefly because these have been dominant factors in Bureau policy, but partly because these aspects lend themselves to laboratory research and small-scale field studies. Although considerable attention has also been devoted to the engineering aspects of mine and tunnel ventilation, there has been, in the opinion of the author, who has been engaged on this phase almost continuously for the last 30 years, only sporadic recognition of the vital effect this phase of the work could have on improving health and safety conditions. As a matter of fact, ventilation activities have constituted but a very minor part of the total work of the Bureau of Mines, as, except for a few years in the nineteen twenties, there have been only a few short intervals when more than two or three men were engaged in field work and a similar number in laboratory research directly related to mine gases or mine air."

Mar 1, 1950

Between 1985-1986, the Bureau of Mines reviewed the mining history and minerals information for areas in and near the San Isabel National Forest to appraise the mineral resources present and determine the types of deposits, and their location in the Forest, that could be mined economically if sufficient demand and metal prices existed. The two major metallic deposit-types that are of national mineral resource significance within the Forest are stockwork- molybdenum (with tungsten and tin) and carbonate-replacement zinc-lead-silver deposits. Historically, small gold placers, gold-quartz veins, silver-quartz veins, skarn iron and copper deposits, volcanogenic copper-zinc-precious metal deposits, and base- and precious-metal veins have been mined. Barite, carbonate rocks, gypsum, other non-metallic deposits, and pegmatites, have also been mined. Sand and gravel, present in large volumes, occurs along and has been mined outside the Forest along the upper Arkansas River valley. Turquoise and gemstones are present in small amounts and are of interest to collectors and jewelers. Geologically, sediment-hosted uranium and copper are present in small occurrences but no resources have been identified. Geothermal resources are related to the Rio Grande rift which parallels the central part of the Forest. Four hot spring areas are present - two of these are within the Forest. Because of the low power requirements of the region, and the presence of other generating facilities, these geothermal resources have had only limited local use. Evaluation of mine models that may be found in the region show that base-metal deposits require a high precious-metal component to be economic. Although molybdenum can be produced at economically competitive prices, there is little demand for the product. Capital costs to start new molybdenum mines would be very high and it is not likely that new mines will be put into production in the near future.

Jan 1, 1989

By W. P. Diamond, J. R. Levine

The explosion hazard of methane-air mixtures has become an increasingly serious mine planning problem, and an advance assessment of methane gas potential can therefore be essential for a safe and economic mine development pro- gram. As part of its coal mine health and safety program, the Bureau of Mines has developed a simple, inexpensive test to measure the methane content of coal samples obtained from exploration cores. The gas content of coal per unit weight as determined by the direct method test can be used as a basis for a preliminary estimate of mine ventilation requirements, and to determine if degasification of the coalbed in advance of mining should be considered. Since the Bureau began measuring the gas content of coal samples in 1972, experience has led to equipment and procedural changes, the most significant of which has been the development of a ball mill for crushing the coal sample to release the residual gas at the end of the desorption test period. This revised procedure replaces the crushing box and graphical methods described in earlier Bureau publications. The results of 583 direct method tests are summarized in tabular form. These results include data on the gas content of 125 coalbeds in 15 States.

Jan 1, 1980

By D. E. Wolfson

This report describes the carbonizing properties of the principal coal beds of Allegheny County, Pa., which rank low in the high-volatile A bituminous classification. Seven coal samples from 3 coal beds were selected for study, as follows: 2 each from the Redstone and Pittsburgh beds and 3 from the Upper Freeport bed. Selection was based on estimated reserves. The samples of Upper Freeport and Pittsburgh coals were satisfactory chemically for producing metallurgical coke. The ash contents of the samples of Redstone coal were moderately high. One of the samples of Redstone coal was high in sulfur content, and it would be difficult to upgrade to meet present metallurgical standards.

Jan 1, 1959

By Ernest E. Fairbanks

[Microscopic methods have proved to be valuable assets in the study of low-grade ores. While the chemical assay u a ally discloses tine total content of valuable metals in such an ore, a thorough knowledge of the nature of the ore should form the from which to prepare an efficient means of recovery. In the treatment of low-grade ores, inefficient recovery, as indicated bay the amount of valuable mineral permitted to go to waste in the tailings, is too frequently the rule rather than the exception, As methods of recovery become more efficient, many low-grade 10 mineral A posits suddenly assume o commercial significance, In much of this material the minerals are so finely disseminated and intermixed that identification even by microscopic methods is a difficult matter. The application of microchemical qualitative analysis with the aid of new device described in this paper, will solve many of the problems of identification encountered in the study of low-grade potential ores. In these ores, especially, the limitations of ordinary microscopic methods are liable to become very great. The microchemical tests obtained by applying a standard set of reagents to a polished knoting whether or not a tarnishing action develops, have considerable value but arc far from being infallible. It is well-known that electrolytic effects are apt to affect seriously the diagnostic value of the tests, end this effect is encountered much more frequently in dealing with finely desseminated minerals. resort to microchemical qualitative analysis, therefore, becomes indispensable.]

Jan 1, 1924

By McHenry Mosier

Diamond -drilling blast holes at Eastern Magnetite Mine C is proving economical in boundary shrinks , in removing pillars not readily accessible for percussion drilling , and in driving scraper drifts . The cost per foot drilled is greater than for percussion drilling , but savings in associated factors outweigh this handicap . The rocks drilled include trap rock and magnetite ore . The mining method is the panel , block- caving system utilizing scraper sublevel drifts instead of branch raises to convey the ore to the haulage level . Diamond -drilling blast holes was begun early in 1945. Three rigs equipped with noncoring bits are now in active operation two shifts per day . They are owned by the company , and the drill operators are paid by the day . In shrinkage stopes the drill is mounted on a horizontal bar set against opposite walls of the stope . Stoping holes are horizontal , which gives better results in blasting and requires fewer set ups . In scraper drifts the drill is mounted on a horizontal bar clamped to two columns about feet apart . Trim holes around the periphery of the drift and reliever holes are drilled 50 to 80 feet in length . A 10 - foot wedge cut drilled with a stoper is blasted in conjunction with a corresponding length of the trim holes to effect a 10 -foot advance of the full- sized drift . Recent drilling averages 97 feet per machine shift , excluding time utilized in setting up and moving the machine , hand mucking , and barring down . The feet drilled per bit at present is 417. These data represent the average for drilling in both rock (waste) and ore . Percussion drilling utilizes three types of wet drills . Detachable bits are standard . Gage changes for new bits is 1/8 inch and for reconditioned bits 1/16 inch . The life of a bit is five uses . Resharpening is on contract . A drill carriage is used in haulage headings .

Feb 1, 1948

By Suresh K. Bhatt

A mathematically simulated modeling technique is used in this U.S. Bureau of Mines report to represent a hypothetical mining operation with existing mining technology and prevalent mining costs. Mining scenarios were prepared and evaluated for potential benefits and costs available through computer-assisted mining. Base criteria, parameters, and methodology are described.

Jan 1, 1991

By E. S. Burnett

The temperature entropy (T, S) chart? of thermodynamic properties of nitrogen herewith presented is a complete (1949) revision and a considerable extension of similar charts prepared by the author for use of the helium section of the Bureau of Mines about 25 years previously on the basis of inadequate data then obtaining. During the interval since that early effort, much experimentally determined information on nitrogen properties and behavior has been published, which now permits a more nearly accurate layout and more extensive charting of these relations.

Jan 1, 1950

By H. B. Humphrey, F. E. Cash

The following information on accidents in Alabama during 1930 was compiled from data obtained from the companies represented in a course on accident prevention given by the United States Bureau of Mines in Birmingham. These mines produced nearly three-quarters of the tonnage of that State for the year, and included most of the larger operations in the district. The figures are probably representative of the mines which are doing recognized safety work, and are better than the average for all the mines in Alabama. Table 1 lists the days lost in accordance with the weights given to fatalities and permanent disabilities, part and total, which is the scale used in the National Safety Com¬ petition for Mines, conducted by this bureau. By way of explanation, temporary disabilities are weighted according to actual number of calendar days of disability, including Sundays and holidays — that is, all days are counted except the day of accident and day of employee's ability to return to duty. Hernia is classed as a temporary disability to be charged with the actual number of calendar days during which the employee was unable to work. Table 2 gives the number of accidents and the days lost from each cause at 45 coal mines and 7 iron ore mines, also the average frequency and severity rates.

Aug 1, 1931

By Sidney Katell

This report covers the period January 1962 through December 1962; it is a continuation of the series that began with the publication of Information Circular 7516 in October 1949. Also, it is the fourth in a series of reports prepared under a cooperative agreement between the Bureau of Mines and the American Association of Cost Engineers. The agreement provides for the publication of an annual cost bibliography with the work load evolved in the preparation shared equally. Tile abstracted articles, concerned with all facets of cost engineering in the field of chemical and petroleum plants and related subjects, are from tile following sources:

Jan 1, 1963

By Sidney Katell

This report covers the period January 1962 through December 1962; it is a continuation of the series that began with the publication of Information Circular 7510 in October 1949. Also, it is the fourth in a series of reports prepared under a cooperative agreement between the Bureau of Mines and the American Association of Cost Engineers. The agreement provides for the publication of an annual cost bibliography with the work load evolved in the preparation shared equally. The abstracted articles, concerned with all facets of cost engineering in the field of chemical and petroleum plants and related subjects, are from tile following sources: 1. American Association of Cost Engineers Bulletin. 2. Bureau of Mines Information Circulars. 3. Bureau of Mines Reports of Investigations. 4. Chemical Engineering. 5. Chemical Engineering Progress. 6. Chemical Week. 7. Coal Age. 8. Coal Utilization. 9. Cost Engineering. 10. Hydrocarbon Processing and Petroleum Refiner. 11. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. 12. Nucleonics. 13. Oil and Gas Journal. 14. Petroleum Management. 15. World Oil.

Jan 1, 1963

By Robert H. Bedford

The New Almaden mine was discovered in 1824, and since that date production of quicksilver has exceeded 1,000,000 flasks. Because of this high production record, the New Almaden area was, upon passage. by Congress of the Strategic Minerals Act of 1939, immediately considered by the Bureau of Mines as a promising location for exploration. In 1941, the Federal Geological Survey undertook a survey of the entire district. R. R. Trengove, an engineer of the Bureau of Mines, made a preliminary study for a project in 1942, and in August 1943 the Bureau, in close cooperation with the U. S. Geological Survey, began the development project described herein. The Bureau of Mines drilled 36 holes, totaling 6,807 feet of diamond drilling, along the contact between the serpentine and Franciscan, sandstones and other sedimentary formations. The ore bodies are found along this contact and occur in the carbonate-silica rock. This report briefly describes the location, history, and ore deposits of the property. The recent operations are outlined, and the work performed by the Bureau is explained in detail.

Jan 1, 1950

By R. L. Grant

Study of the ignition of firedamp by explosives and the phenomena that underlie it is one of the long-term investigations of the Bureau of Mines. This report is the third in e series by the Explosives Branch summarizing the progress made at Bruceton in this study. The first paper described preliminary work on small, carefully controlled cannon shots the second discussed the results of suspended shots.5/ In this paper, experiments are described and interpreted that extend and support the concept of ignition presented previously. ACKNOWLEDGMENT The authors wish to thank Bernard Lewis, former chief, Explosives and Physical Sciences Division, and Guenther von Elbe, former chief, Physical Sciences Branch, Explosives and Physical Sciences Division, for their guidance and constructive interest.

Jan 1, 1954