Search Documents

By Rogers F. Davis

This publication has been prepared to supply manufacturers and industrial users a listing of mobile diesel-powered equipment and subassemblies approved and certified by the Bureau of Mines for use in noncoal mines. Testing of diesel-powered equipment is one phase of the Bureau's program of health and safety that concerns approval of electrical and diesel equipment designed to prevent explosions, fires, shocks, or toxic hazards in underground mines, when such equipment is used and maintained properly. Manufacturers submit machinery and component parts to the Bureau for study of their design, safety features, and use. Equipment must pass exacting tests and must meet strict requirements established through research and experience and listed in the Bureau's permissible schedules before the Bureau approves it as permissible for safe use in mines.

Jan 1, 1963

By Gabriel Esterhuizen, Tom Goodwin, Scott Schilling, Anthony T. Iannacchione

The Roof Fall Risk Index (RFRI) is a new method introduced by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to assist the underground stone mine operator in 1) assessing defects the mine strata and 2) rating the relative roof fall risk these defects pose. The RFRI utilizes observational techniques to identify defects in the roof strata caused by local geologic, stress, and mining conditions. Assessment values for ten defined defect categories provides the foundation for estimating a range of risk conditions between 0 and 100 that define the potential for a roof fall. This paper examines how the defect information is collected using two field verification sites and proposes methods to analyze the RFRI data. These examples provide information on how well the method replicates observed conditions and how it might be applied in practice.

By L. A. Readdy

Pilot Hole "X" was drilled to test the formations through which the ventilation shaft for the proposed U.S.B.M. demonstration oil shale mine will be drilled. The history of the drilling of Pilot Hole "XI' is presented. This historical summary provides the details of method used during the drilling of this hole. Problems encountered during drilling are discussed. The quantities of drilling mud and other materials used to drill the hole are documented.

Jan 1, 1977

By E. J. Lintner

This paper is one of a series being prepared by the United States Bureau of Mines describing cloy reining, crushing, and grinding methods and costs at various operations throughout the United States. These Toners are designed to disseminate technical information regarding methods used. The cost tabulations represent local operating expenditures only and not total production casts. Although the publication of total production cants might not be advisable in sore instances, yet a knowledge of operating costs is essential to the technical discussion end study of the methods employed. The attention of the reader is specifically coiled to this differentiation in order that no misunderstanding of the scope of the cost tabulations shall ensue. The following report deals specifically with the methods employed by the Clay City Fire Co., Uhrichsville, Tuscarawas County, Ohio.

Jan 1, 1936

By Charles E. Munroe

At the outset of the war the uncontrolled production and possession of explosives obviously became a serious menace to the safety of persons and property and the successful conduct of military opera- tions. Even in the years immediately preceding the entrance of the United States into the Great War explosives were employed in attempts to wreck munitions plants as at Eddystone, Pa., or to inter- rupt transportation and conveyance by demolition of munition-laden cars as at Black Tom Island, N. Y., or by attacks on ships, bridges, and viaducts. Outrages with explosives, such as that which Holt inflicted on the Senate reception room, United States Capitol, were not infrequent, and often caused serious loss of life and injury to persons as well as destruction of property. The regular manufacturers of explosives were keenly alive to this menace and early took such steps as lay within their power to meet it as is shown by the following letter:

Jan 1, 1921

A spectrochemical procedure applicable to the determination of iron, manganese, and magnesium in titanium metal and to the determination of alloying constituents in three types of titanium alloys is presented. Acid solutions of samples and standards are excited with a spark-type discharge and porous-cup electrode arrangement. The method is particularly applicable for analyzing samples for which a self-electrode method cannot be used. Calibrations are accomplished with synthetic standard solutions, resulting in a primary method that makes calibrations based upon results of other analytical methods unnecessary. Replicate determinations are reproduced to within 5 percent, and the average percentage deviations from reliable chemical values are less than 6 percent. The method can be extended readily to determine additional elements that are similarly soluble and have similar spectral sensitivities. It also can be used as a starting point to establish standards for a direct sparking procedure for analyzing titanium alloys. In view of the absence of established reliable analytical methods in the titanium industry, the spectrochemical method described here should prove to be a timely contribution.

Jan 1, 1956

By Raja V. Ramani

The recognition that surface mining need not be viewed as a permanent dedication of the land but rather as a temporary non-renewable use in a series of land uses has caused greater emphasis on the re-use of surface-mined lands. In an effort to develop a procedure for evaluating postmining land use potentials, specific mines in various regions of the U.S. have been studied to determine the extent of current mined-land planning and to discover characteristics that are regional in nature. As part of this investigation, the Indian Head Mine, which is located in Mercer County, North Dakota, has been studied. The Indian Head Mine is presently operated by The North American Coal Corporation -Western Division and has been in operation since 1917 under various ownership. The status of current reclamation and postmining land use planning was reviewed. In addition, the relationship between mine planning and public planning in an area impacted by energy development was investigated. Finally, key factors affecting site potential realization for western surface mines have been identified.

Jan 1, 1983

By M. J. Ferrante

Relative enthalpies of CuBr from 298.15 to 1,301 K were measured at the Bureau of Mines to provide thermodynamic data needed for the advancement of mineral technology. The temperatures of transition were measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the standard enthalpies of transition[ (IlH~r) by drop calorimetry. The combined results gave reversible transitions at 657 K with llH~r= 1.10 kcal/mol, at 741 K with lm~r == 0.51 kcal/mol, and at 759 K with an enthalpy of fusion (AH~) of 1.22 kcal/moL ] An anomalous increase in heat capacity preceded the first crystal transition at 657 K. Tabulated values are listed for the standard relative enthalpy, heat capacity, entropy, and Gibbs energy function from 298.15 to 1,500 K. Standard relative enthalpies are also given in equation form and combined with thermodynamic data from the literature to derive values of standard enthalpies of formation and Gibbs energies of formation.

Jan 1, 1984

By R. F. Waters

Laboratory-scale selective volatilization methods developed by the Bureau of Mines to recover germanium and gallium concentrates from coal fly ash and phosphorus furnace flue dust are summarized. In the better experiments between 85 and 98 percent of the germanium was recovered as the lower oxide and as sulfides, and between 75 and 97 percent of the gallium was recovered as the lower oxide and as the trichloride. Grades of the condensates were inconsistent and varied between a few tenths of a percent and 8 percent, depending on the method used. In the primary extractions of germanium alone the degree of enrichment surpassed 100 to 1, and for gallium the best ratio was 30 to 1. Upgrading of condensates by vaporization retreatment and by leaching and precipitation is discussed. An appreciable degree of mechanical preconcentration by attrition scrubbing and elutriation was possible on two fly ash samples.

Jan 1, 1967

By Robert Stefanko

Test procedures for evaluating underground coal mine trailing cable splices are formulated. The tests are utilized to evaluate several trailing cable splices. The laboratory results are compared with actual field observations and experience. The results are utilized to define quantitatively the generalized terms of the 1969 Health and Safety Act. Recommended specifications and procedures for testing by MESA Department of Approval and Testing personnel are included. Failure points in splices are detailed and presented for use by a MESA training program and manufacturers attempting to improve product quality.

Jan 1, 1974

By Eric E. Cather

In 1984 and 1986, at the request of the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Bureau of Mines conducted a mineral appraisal of the 315,000-acre Lemhi Range study area. This area is located in Lemhi and Custer Counties, about 25 mi south of Salmon, Idaho, and is in the Northern Rocky Mountain physiographic province, Topography is generally rugged with elevations ranging from 5,600 ft to about 11,350 ft above sea level. Since the 1880's, approximately 500 mining claims have been located within the study area; about 400 were current at the time of this investigation. Also, part or all of 12 patented mining claims are in the study area. During Bureau field work, forty-four mineralized sites were examined. The sites had been explored by 80 adits, 14 shafts, and about 140 pits and trenches. At least five properties in the study area have had significant production; the adjacent Mohawk, Grace Phelan, and Snowbird claims had a combined total of 136,000 oz of silver and 67,000 lb of lead; production at the Brown Bull was about 14,800 oz of silver and 115,000 lb of lead; the Portland mine yielded an unrecorded amount of silver. The Hilltop mine, located a few hundred feet outside the study area, produced 125,000 oz of silver, 2.7 million lb of lead, 87,000 lb of zinc, and 62,000 lb of copper from mineralized zones that might extend into the study area. More than 10,000 lb of copper were produced at the Blue Jay mine from workings located about 1,000 ft outside the study area. The Bureau of Mines investigation did not reveal the presence of identified resources in the study area. However, several areas contain mineralized sites and are known occurrences. Some of these warrant additional work to further delineate the mineralization and possibly determine identified resources.

Jan 1, 1988

By John C. Machisak

The Nation's mining and quarrying industries have again met the annual challenge to their ingenuity--that of reducing disabling work injuries among their employees. The effectiveness of management in facing this problem and in meeting this responsibility from the results of the 1961 National Safety Competition. Three hundred ninety-three or 45.3 percent of the mines and quarries participating in the competition established a new record number of participants operating throughout the competition year without a disabling work injury. Another record established in the 1961 contest was the number of participants (868) enrolled in the competition. This annual safety competition was begun in 1925 and is conducted by the Bureau of Mines, U.S. Department of the Interior. It provides for six bronze Sentinels of safety trophies which are awarded each year to the winning participant in each group. Since its inception, the competition has exerted a strong influence in the field of safety promotion. The statistical record of its accomplishments over the years gives strong support to the theory that well-organized and well-administered safety programs are effective tools to be used to reduce the number of disabling work injuries. It stimulates and holds the interest of employees and management in accident prevention. Because of this, mines and quarries participating in the contest have a more favorable safety record than those operations not enrolled.

Jan 1, 1963

By G. L. Gates

The Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the City of Long Beach) Calif.) studied some physical factors effecting the deposition of barium sulfate scale in oil-well rotary pumps. Freshly formed barium sulfate was obtained by combining sulfate in sea water with barium from a barium chloride solution. The rate of scale deposition was measured quantitatively by weighing the pump impellers and diffusers. The results of the tests showed that coating the impellers with plastic significantly reduced the rate of barium sulfate deposition.

Jan 1, 1967

Note: This is a progress report and therefore not necessarily conclusive. Further data may result in conclusions somewhat different from those reported here. Crop Growing Season The monthly average temperatures, total precipitation, and evaporation for the demonstration mine are shown in Table 1. [ ]

Jan 1, 1980

By M. A. Trevits, J. E. Urosek, A. C. Smith, M. P. Valoski

Unlike other types of mining accidents, where an incident generally involves only a few workers, the danger of a mine fire extends to every person working in the underground environment. Mine fires can trap or kill those working underground by blocking avenues of escape and rapidly creating heat, asphyxiating gases and toxic fire products that can quickly spread throughout the mine. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), in partnership with the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), is conducting research to test, evaluate and improve or modify coal mine fire-fighting strategies and methodologies through large-scale tests. Because wood is the second most abundant fuel available during a coal mine fire, it was decided that a series of large-scale wood crib fire tests was needed to measure the products of combustion and to observe the capability of commonly available direct application fire suppression equipment, namely, fire extinguishers, water and gas-enhanced foam. This paper discusses the wood crib fire tests, provides insight into the products of combustion and describes observations made during the application of the fire suppression agents.1

Objective To develop safety training tools for mine safety and health trainers that can be used for both new-miner training and annual refresher training. Background For the past 3 years, NIOSH has been developing training materials for mine safety trainers in response to gaps identified during stakeholder meetings. Most materials have been directed to the hazards of underground mines, but the recent passage of Part 46 of CFR 30 required new-miner and annual refresher training in aggregate operations. One result was the identification of another audience needing basic information about safety in mining. Trainers characterized trainees in this segment of the industry primarily as young males, many of whom had little work experience. Approach Training specialists from the Arizona State Mine Inspector’s Office approached NIOSH researchers early in2002 about the possibility of a collaborative project to develop safety training materials for new trainees in aggregate operations. A preliminary search of MSHA accident statistics identified over a dozen common hazards that could be targeted in a training video. A storyline was developed for review by safety specialists in the aggregate industry, and a script was written to cover the selected hazards. Although the target audience was primarily new hires, the finished video was also to be relevant to more experienced workers.

Jan 1, 2003

By C. E. Wyndham

The occurrences of manganese In Alabama were reported to be widely scattered over the northeastern section of the State, and these were examined before a development project was started.2/ The most promising and available showings were chosen for further investigation, which include 1 deposit in Goshen Valley, 6 in the Rock Run area, and 2 in the northern section of Calhoun County. The work was performed by the Bureau of Mines from July 29, 1949, to February 17, 1950. The work consisted of power auger drilling 69 holes 3-1/2 inches in diameter and totaling 2,548.4 linear feet. The accuracy of samples from auger drill holes in this type of deposit was determined by sinking two shafts a total depth of 68.17 feet, from which channel samples were cut. Sixteen rotary core holes totaling 1,048.7 linear feet were drilled with a 3-inch, double-tube core barrel. Twenty-two diamond core holes were drilled with a 2-1/8-inch, double-tube core barrel and NX diamond bit. In addition to the above drilling 220.8 cubic yards of soil and rock was excavated by hand from 403.9 linear feet of trenches and 69.7 feet of test pita. A total of 206 samples were taken and analyzed for manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, and insoluble.

Jan 1, 1953

By J. D. Davis

The carbonizing properties of No. 2-bed coal from the Bartoy mine and No. 5- or Miller-bed coal from the Wilkeson-Miller mine, both at Wilkeson, Pierce County, Wash., were determined by the Bureau of Mines-American Gas Association (BM-AGA) method. Tests were made in the 13-inch retort at 500°, 600°, and 700° C. and in the 18¬inch retort at 800°, 900°, and 1,000° C. Fischer low-temperature and United States Steel Corporation high-temperature assays were made and the results compared with those of the BM-AGA tests at corresponding temperatures. Agglutinating and plastic properties were determined, and chemical and petrographic analyses were made. The No. 2 bed is 58.5 to 88.0 inches thick at three points sampled in the Bartoy mine. The coal is 98 percent bright and contains only a trace of fusain. A composite of three mine samples contained 13.8 percent ash. The washed sample, which was used in the tests described herein, contained 11.4 percent ash, 2.2 percent moisture, and 0.6 percent sulfur upon the as-carbonized basis and 68.4 percent fixed carbon upon the dry, mineral-matter-free basis. The heating value was 15,183 B. t.u. per pound upon the moist, mineral-matter-free basis. No. 2 therefore ranks as a high-volatile A coal and is very high in that, rank. The ash softens at 2,910° F. Except for its ash content, which is higher than the limit of 9.0 percent specified by the American Society for Testing Materials, No. 2 coal fulfills the requirements of a coking coal. It also is classed as extremely friable, the friability being 88.0 percent. The agglutinating index (7.6 for the 15 : 1 ratio of silicon carbide to coal) is high, and the plasticity as indicated by the Gieseler test (60 divisions per minute) is low for a high-volatile A coal.

Jan 1, 1942

By D. H. Hileman

Economic investigations indicate that bituminous coal can be mined underground in the Uinta region and marketed at a cost competitive with that of other energy sources in the West. A selling price of $3.90 per ton of coal was calculated from a cost analysis of a projected coal mine in the Emery coal- field of Utah. Although mines in some of the coalfields have extremely difficult mining conditions and cannot compete in the energy market at this price level, at least two other coalfields in the Uinta region contain coal reserves that could be mined and sold at a price of approximately $3.90 per ton. Projections by power companies and other coal-consuming industries indicate a strong future market for the large coal reserves in the Uinta region.

Jan 1, 1970

By Travis Q. Lyday

Mineral production in Fiji, a group of 322 volcanic islands and atolls of Melanesia in the southern Pacific Ocean, continued to be dominated by gold. However, the Fijian mineral sector remained a minor factor as a source of export earnings, Government revenues, and employment, generating only 1% of the gross domestic product (GDP), estimated as $1.2 billion.2 The largest and most important mining operation was the Vatukoula gold mine on the north side of Viti Levu, the main island. The Vatukoula Mine has been in prduction since 1932, producing about 3.8 million troy ounces of gold and 1.3 million troy ounces of silver to date. In April 1983, the large Australian mining firm, Western Mining Corp. (WMC), assumed operation of the mine in a joint venture with Emperor Gold Mining Co. Ltd., which operated the mine previously. The WMC takeover of the mine management was expected to bring in additional capital and technological expertise in order to modernize operations, increasing both efficiency and output. During the year, rate of recovery was only about 75% of the gold contained in the ore and only 40% of the contained silver. Mining at the Vatukoula Mine was done using bath opencut and underground methods, with about 60% of the ore mined attributed to the underground operations.

Jan 1, 1985