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By Basil Dimitriades

The roles of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides in smog formation were investigated by the Bureau of Mines. Samples of automobile exhaust with varying HC and NOx levels were irradiated in a smog chamber under conditions that resulted in smog levels similar to those observed in the atmosphere. Results were used to define the patterns that describe the dependence of a number of smog manifestations on HC and on NOx. Using these dependence data and some simplifying assumptions, estimates were made of the ranges within which HC and NOx must lie in order to obtain specified levels of air quality.

Jan 1, 1970

By C. W. Morris

This Final Report describes the major technical activities that were accomplished to produce a comprehensive continuous miner training system (CMTS) for coal industry utilization. The primary product of this program was a continuous miner part-task trainer. It is composed of an interactive computer graphics system combined with the operating controls of a continuous mining machine mounted in a simulated cab. The cab contains an audio system for reproducing continuous miner operational sounds. The trainer is supplemented with a complete set of cognitive materials that provide instruction in the operation, safety and health of continuous miner operations. A complete summary of the field test and evaluation of the CMTS is provided along with a set of recommendations for further training program refinements, expansions, and utilization.

Jan 1, 1982

By Paul S. Goodman

Volume I This report presents the first national survey of miners' attitudes and opinions about their-work. The goal is to present attitudinal data that bears on coal production. Interviews were conducted in 26 mines with 2,000 miners. High levels of cooperation were exhibited by management, union and the employees. Data are presented about miners' attitudes about general aspects of their work such as pay, supervision, their jobs, etc. Another section of this report reviews opinions about specific aspects of work performance. Recommendations are presented.

Jan 1, 1985

By W. L. Acherman

The Bureau of Mines found the chemical and galvanic corrosion behavior of the TZM and molybdenum-30 tungsten alloys to be generally equal or superior to that of unalloyed molybdenum in many aqueous solutions of acids, bases, and salts. Notable exceptions occurred in 1 [N] nitric acid, where both alloys corroded appreciably faster than molybdenum. In mercuric chloride solutions, the TZM alloy was susceptible to a type of crevice corrosion which was not due to differential aeration. The alloys were usually not adversely affected by con-tact with dissimilar metals in galvanic couple experiments, but the dissimilar metals sometimes corroded galvanically. Both alloys were resistant to substitute ocean water spray at 60° C.

Jan 1, 1968

By S. J. Rodgers

This report presents the results of in-mine studies to determine the severity of dust sources in conventional mining operations. Three underground coal mines were surveyed using gravimetric samplers and GCA RAM-1 continuous dust monitors. Two additional mines were surveyed using only GCA RAM-1 monitors. Data on dust control methods were acquired during the survey, also. The results indicated that cutting/drilling and loading out were the dustiest operations during a conventional mining cycle. Roof bolting, shot firing and product transport were less severe dust sources.

Jan 1, 1983

By J. H. Nixon

A three phase program evaluated commercial proximity warning devices, developed and designed a microprocessor-based electrostatic field measurement instrument, and utilized this instrument to investigate the electro-static fields about power lines. The Phase I program consisted of test and evaluation of these commercially available proximity devices. The evaluation results were reported in the Phase I report entitled ?Evaluation of Proximity Warning Devices? dated 22 February 1980. The Phase II program resulted in the design and development of a microprocessor-based Distributed Sensor A.C. Electrometer which measures the electrostatic field present at 17 discrete locations along a crane boom. Operator control of the measurement system allows simultaneous electric field measurements from 17 probes, print out of the electric fields measured, and data archiving on magnetic tape for post measurement analysis. Under the Phase III program, electrostatic fields around a crane boom were measured by the instrument at 17 high voltage power lines of various voltages and geometries. The electric field data was processed and plotted versus boom distance from the power line. Analysis of the electric field data indicate that the distances at which a single sensor alarm will activate, vary by a factor of 3 to 1. This is due primarily to variations in boom orientation. The results also indicate that in the case of multiple power lines, a single electrostatic field sensor cannot reliably be used to determine the distance from a power line.

Jan 1, 1982

This report presents the results of studies of Kennecott Copper Corporation's tailings embankment at Magna, Utah. The stability studies described were performed on only one cross section of the embankment, utilizing; data obtained from drilling, sampling, and testing, which was limited in nature. The main objective of the data collection was to provide background information to support the overall research effort. Because of this limited scope, it is not possible to evaluate the degree of safety or adequacy of the embankment or disposal system, and the information and data contained in the body of this report must be judged in that light. The first part of this report contains discussion of site geology and seismicity, pertinent information on the refuge disposal system, a discussion of the tailings materials characteristics, a summary of the engineering analyses, and A bibliography. The second tart (appendices) contains basic geologic and engineering data supporting the discussions in the first part of the report.

Jan 1, 1974

By Milford L. Skow

MICA is a group name for a number of complex hydrous aluminum silicate minerals that have a sheet or platy structure and extremely variable and complex compositions containing various metallic ions, particularly those from the alkali group. Muscovite and phlogopite, the two varieties of significant commercial value, are the principal consideration of this report; muscovite has major importance industrially. The mica crystal, because of its laminated structure, can be split easily and accurately into thin films that are transparent, flexible, elastic, tough, and waterproof and have outstanding dielectric and insulating characteristics. This combination of properties is not duplicated in any other known substance. The world production of mica can be divided into two main classifications: (1) Sheet mica and (2) scrap mica (including flake mica). In general, separate divisions of the industry produce these two classes of mica, which differ widely in their uses and in the forms in which they are marketed. A glossary of mica terminology is given in appendix A.

Jan 1, 1962

By B. J. Moore

This publication contains analyses and related source data for 352 natural gas samples from wells and pipelines in 18 States and 5 foreign countries. All of the samples were obtained and analyzed during calendar year 1974 as a part of Bureau of Mines investigations of the occurrences of helium in natural gases of countries with free market economics. This survey has been conducted in the United States by the Bureau of Mines since 1917. In late 1965, the survey was expanded to include foreign gasfields. The analyses published herein were made by mass spectrometer and a special helium analysis apparatus, which are described in Bureau of Mines Bulletins 4862 and 576.3 The results of the investigation of the occurrences of helium are published annually to make the information available as soon as possible to the gas industry and the public in general. Sixteen previous publications have presented the results of 10,479 gas analyses prior to 1974. The first three, Bulletins 486,4 576,5 and 617,6 contain analyses and related source data on

Jan 1, 1975

By Peter Swanson

One of the primary methods for analyzing roof stability in underground mines is the age-old method of “roof sounding” where a miner taps on the roof and listens for the hollow sound of loose blocks of rock. This paper looks at the feasibility of using noncontact laser-based vibration measurements to detect roof fall hazards with the ultimate vision of improving, expanding and automating procedures for mine roof inspection. Vibration measurements made on loose blocks of rock in underground mines are summarized and compared to estimates of fundamental resonance frequencies for rock slabs of the size responsible for highly hazardous “skin failures.” Both laser Doppler vibrometry and full-field interferometric methods are examined and are considered to be feasible methods for detecting anomalous vibrations in loose roof rocks. Results from simple laboratory experiments using laser vibrometry demonstrate some of the proposed application concepts. While considered a challenge to move these techniques from the laboratory to heavy industrial or outdoor environments, the potential for success in the current application is enhanced by the reduced requirements of qualitative analyses.

By L. G. Marshall

This report describes dredging and processing of sand and gravel from a glacial-fluvial deposit in the Raccoon River valley near West Des Moines, Iowa. Preliminary cleaning and separation of the sand and gravel at the dredge site with subsequent transportation to separate plants and the production and disposal of the various grades of aggregate material are also described. The geology of the deposit is summarized. A tabulated summary of costs in units of labor, power, and supplies is included.

Jan 1, 1963

By Sidney Katell

Philippine laterite and serpentine ores can be utilized in an electric furnace operation to produce both a steel ingot and a ferronickel product. Figure 1 is a schematic interpretation of a plant in which laterite and serpentine ores are processed separately to obtain both ferronickel and steel as products. A relationship of estimated capital requirements and probable returns has been established in this study for a plant of this type. No attempt has been made to evaluate the risks involved in commercial operations. At such time that the project might be constructed and placed in operation, changes in the costs of material, labor, and power may materially affect the profitability aspects of this study. One of the uncertainties involved in the economic evaluation is the cost of mining, handling, and shipping the ores. It is on this basis that the cost of ore delivered at the plant is assumed to be variable at $3, $5, and $7 per net ton (dry basis). For all other costs a plant site at Iligan City, Philip-pine Islands, has been assumed in preparing the economic characteristics for a plant that will process 2,000 tons4/ of ore per day. Results of the study, for the 2,000-ton plant, with all monetary values expressed in terms of United States currency (Philippine peso valued at $0.50), are summarized as follows:

Jan 1, 1962

By A. B. Campbell

The mines in the eastern part of the now active region of the Tri-State zinc district of Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma have unusually acid water, which during periods of moderate or no rainfall is used in the mills to replace losses from evaporation, seepage-, and tailings disposal. Its use has caused difficulties by corrosion of equipment and by interference with flotation. The growing importance of flotation, which requires good water, and the increasing troubles caused by the corrosion of the milling equipment have prompted the Mississippi Valley Experiment Station of the United States Bureau of Mines, in cooperation With the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy, Rolla, Mo., to investigate the action of the waters on flotation and to undertake to develop means of obviating their harmful effects. The work was under the immediate direction of W. T. Schrenk, consulting chemist, United States Bureau of Mines, and professor of chemistry Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy, and. Will H. Coghill., supervising engineer of the ore dressing section of the United States Bureau of Mines.

Jan 1, 1932

By Russell R. McLellan

The Tertiary channel gravel deposits in northern California were selected Or detailed investigation by the U. S. Bureau of Mines as part of a national program to locate potential sources of gold that might be developed rapidly by large-scale mining operations. Five bureau research centers representing mining and metallurgy subsystems coordinated their efforts in a team operation to identify and investigate possible solutions to the problem area, that long have discouraged the resumption of large-scale mining in the deposits. This report summarizes the individual investigations, conclusions and recommendations conducted and prepared by all mining subsystems research groups after the completion of two years of field work at the deposits on San Juan Ridge in Nevada County, California. The studies indicate that modern mining technology can cope with the environmental problems that closed the immense hydraulic mines in 1,884. however, they also indicate that mining can be conducted with only marginal profits its unless the price of gold remains substantially above $70 per ounce or unless sufficient by-products can be recovered and sold to place the average value per cubic yard of gravel into a positive commercial range. The by-product potential of the Tertiary gravels remains to be investigated in more detail.

Jan 1, 2012

By Bing W. Jong

A bench-scale evaluation of coal and coal waste materials as aggregate materials for use in longwall mine supports was undertaken as part of the Bureau of Mines Health and Safety program on ground control. Performance data were obtained on portland cement concretes (PCC) prepared with coal and coal wastes as aggregate materials. The effects of high-early-strength accelerators on strength and creep and of superplasticizers on strength properties of PCC formulated with coal and coal waste were investigated. Concrete formulated with a high-early-strength accelerator and coal and coal waste has 20 and 40 pet greater compressive strength, respectively, than the control samples without admixture. A concrete formulated with coal waste and the high-early-strength accelerator, using four bags of cement per cubic yard and a water-cement ratio of 1.0, had the lowest creep value of all the coal- and coal-waste-formulated PCC's tested.

Jan 1, 1983

By G. W. Jones

In cooperation with the Edison Electric Illuminating Co. of Boston, Mass., and the-Boston Consolidated Gas Co., the Bureau of Mines, United States Department of the Interior, has conducted a survey continuously since 1929 to determine the general hazards of combustible gases and vapors in manholes of the Edison Electric Illuminating Co.

Jan 1, 1942

By G. W. Jones

In cooperation with the Edison Electric Illuminating Co. of Boston, Mass., and the-Boston Consolidated Gas Co., the Bureau of Mines, United States Department of the Interior, has conducted a survey continuously since 1929 to determine the general hazards of combustible gases and vapors in manholes of the Edison Electric Illuminating Co.

Jan 1, 1942

By Stephen D. Smith

This chapter summarizes data on crude nonfuel mineral production for the United States, its island possessions, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rim. Also included are tables that show the principal nonfuel mineral commodities exported from and imported into the United States and that compare world and U.S. mineral production. The detailed data from which these tables were derived are contained in the individual commodity chapters of Volume I and in the State chapters of Volume II of this edition of the Minerals Yearbook. Although crude mineral production may be measured at any of several stages of extraction and processing, the stage of measurement used in this chapter is what is normally termed "mine output." It usually refers to minerals or ores in the form in which they are first extracted from the ground, but customarily includes the output from auxiliary processing at or near the mines.

Jan 1, 1988

By N. Kyriazi

The U.S. Bureau of Mines subjected the CSE SR-lOO self-contained self-rescuer (SCSR) approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to a series of laboratory treatments designed to simulate various environmental conditions in underground coal mines. The tests were designed to predict the ability of the self-rescuers to withstand those environmental stresses without causing a decrease in wearer protection. The apparatus were heated to 710 C for 48 h, cooled to -450 C for 16 h, vibrated for 9 h, and dropped 1 m on each axis. A critical concern was internal damage to an apparatus, without any obvious external signs, that would cause it to malfunction or seriously degrade its performance. Carbon dioxide (C02) levels in apparatus with combined treatments were higher than in apparatus with individual treatments and untreated apparatus. The higher levels remained within safe limits, however. None of the treatments caused venting of the small oxygen cylinder that provides starter oxygen. Some bottles were found to be empty because of manufacturing defects in the burst disks. This problem was corrected in later models. The heat treatments did make the case ends more difficult to remove and the breathing bag sticky and subsequently more difficult to unfold. An apparatus that was dropped and vibrated had a broken desiccant bag that released some of its contents which compromised the seal of the relief valve. The case was dented from the drops. As with the first-generation self-rescuers, if there is visible damage to the case of the apparatus, the apparatus should be considered to be internally damaged and must be removed from service.

Jan 1, 1990

By Ronald T. Mayerle

A mineral survey of portions of two contiguous WSAs (Wilderness Study Areas) along the South Fork Owyhee River in southwestern Idaho and north-central Nevada was done by the U.S. Bureau of dines in 1984. The portions of the WSAs, known as study areas, have a combined area of 47,610 acres. The Idaho study area consists of 42,430 acres of the 42,510-acre South Fork Owyhee River WSA (ID-16-53). The Nevada study area consists of 5,180 acres of the 7,840-acre South Fork Owyhee River WSA (NV-010-103A). The Idaho study area is within the Boise District of the Bureau of Land Management, and the Nevada study area is within the Elko District. In the Nevada study area, no claims or hard rock mineral occurrences are known.

Jan 1, 1986