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By H. C. Brunaugh, James Westfield, R. W. Whittaker

"INTRODUCTION The purpose of this circular is to describe the sealing off of a mine fire and subsequent use of carbon dioxide gas to extinguish it.A fire of electrical origin occurred in the Valier mine of the Valier Coal Co., Valier, Franklin County, I11., on March 29, 1949, at about 1:35 p.m. It was discovered about 3:35 p.m. in 5 south west intake airway inby 1 and 2 west panels. The No. 5 southwest airway had caved, and the fire was in the top coal beneath a large fall of rock. All men, except officials, were ordered from the mine. The mine officials decided to seal the fire, and four temporary seals were erected, which isolated approximately 200 feet of 5 south west entry. The seals were completed on March 30 at 2:45 a.m., but on March 31, at 3;40 a.m,, two of them were blown out by an explosion of gas that was produced by the fire. The two seals were rebuilt, the work being completed on March 31 at 12:00 noon, but they were blown out by another gas explosion at 12:10 a.m. on April 1. It was then decided to extinguish the fire with water if possible.To accomplish this, concrete-block dams were constructed. On April 1, about 4:25 a.m., when the dams were about half completed, water was introduced into the fire area through a 2-inch pipe.On April 4, J. G, Crawford, general manager of the Valier Coal Co., notified James Westfield, chief of the Vincennes (Ind.) Branch, U. S. Bureau of Mines, by telephone of the fire in Valier mine and requested assistance to combat it. Westfield, accompanied by F. J. Smith and H. C. Brumbaugh, Federal coal-mine inspectors, went underground and inspected the seals and dams. Later, during a conference with company officials, it was decided that the concrete-block dams were not strong enough to withstand the hydrostatic pressure that would be produced by flooding the fire area. It was then decided to use carbon dioxide gas to extinguish the fire. Four seals were completed, and 5 tons of carbon dioxide gas was introduced into the fire area, which extinguished the fire."

Apr 1, 1950

By Joe Maher

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Jan 1, 1976

By B. D. Hanson

An interactive computer program has been developed by the Bureau of Mines which enables the user to identify the effect of cutting system changes on relative dust generation for longwall shearer drums. The program simultaneously evaluates machine and coal seam parameters, and those parameters which the user can control. The user can change one or more of these parameters at a time to determine their effect on relative dust generation, cutting forces, and/or cost. The program is written in the BASIC programming language. A complete program listing is included along with user instructions and sample outputs. This program is a more comprehensive version of the relative dustiness index (REDI) program described in Bureau Report of Investigations 8979.

Jan 1, 1988

By Daniel G. Di Canio

Reference information and user instructions for Version 3.0 of the Accident Cost Indicator Model (ACIM) software package are presented. ACIM estimates the tangible costs of occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities in the United States mining industry.

Jan 1, 1983

By J. H. Daniel

This report, summarizing the results of two studies sponsored by the Bureau of Mines, presents information on the types of mobile machines used in surface coal mines in the United States, and the amount of noise to which miners are exposed. Data consist of a calculated value of the probability of noise overexposure caused by specific equipment. These data are extrapolated to estimate the number of overexposed operators. Bulldozers were identified as the major contributors to noise overexposure, and the report presents results of a Bureau-funded program on the feasibility of providing retrofit noise control on bulldozers.

Jan 1, 1980

By J. E. Tiffany, Gaigler. Z. C.

"PREFACEIn presenting this list of permissible explosives and blasting devices, the Bureau of Mines desires to call attention to pages 16 and 21 outlining the conditions in use under which, and only under which, the explosive or blasting device is permissible.In view of a recent publication recounting trade practice favoring the use of a blasting device without stemming, particular emphasis is placed upon condition 4 on page 16 and condition 2 on page 21. An explosive or a blasting device enumerated in the permissible lists of this Bureau is not permissible in use unless it is properly confined with clay or other incombustible stemming.PERMISSIBLE EXPLOSIVES TESTED UNDER SCHEDULE 17CAn active list of permissible explosives was published in December 1937 as part of Bureau of Mines Report of Investigations 3361, under the title ""Active List of Permissible Explosives and Blasting Devices Approved Prior to June 30, 1937.n This list included 196 brand names.Changes in the list that have been authorized to June 30, 1938, placed 7 additional brands of permissible explosives on the active permissible list as a result of tests, changes in brand names, or transfer from the inactive list. Twelve permissible explosives were transferred from the active to the inactive list. The present list contains 191 brand names. The brand names of the permissible explosives placed on the active list are as follows:"

Oct 1, 1938

By Paul C. McWilliams

The U.S. Bureau of Mines has, primarily through its contract program, used large-scale centrifuges to determine design criteria for tailing embankments. The centrifuge runs were made at two installations, the University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England and Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM. The major problems considered were as follows: slope stability of embankments, modeling erosion and seepage, use of the phreatic surface level to ascertain the validity of centrifuge modeling, and the effects of compaction and weathering on a tailings embankment. This report summarizes the results of the four test series conducted at University of Cambridge and Sandia National Laboratories. A review of prior centrifuge applications to mining problems is included. Consideration is given to future centrifuge application to mining problems in both soil and rock mechanics.

Jan 1, 1989

By J. B. Umhau

During 1928 the United States consumed 73,270 long tons of virgin or primary tin, which was approximately 7.5 per cent more than the 68,198 long tons con¬sumed in 1927 and equaled 41 per cent of the world's production in 1928 (approximately 178,000 long tons). Consumers' stocks amounted to 9,268 tons on January 1, 1928, and 8,587 long tons on December 31, 1928, a net reduction of 681 tons. In addition to the virgin tin accounted for above, 12,106 long tons of secondary metallic tin were used by manufacturers of tin products in 1928. These figures are the result of an inquiry addressed by the Bureau of Mines to manufacturers to determine the amount of metallic tin used by them; in reply, 1,307 establishments reported consumption in 1928. The distribution of the amount consumed by various uses, as shown in the allowing tabulation based on Bureau of Mines canvasses for 1927 and 1928 in comparison with consumption by uses reported by the War Industries Board for 1917, emphasizes the fact that new uses for tin have been developed in only minor or insignificant amounts. Furthermore, although the studies for recent years show that some older uses have been discontinued, the amounts involved were all small and insignificant. Variation in consumption from year to year parallels the fluctuations in demand for the already well-established tin products. For example, the manufacture of bearing metals and solders for motor cars and trucks required 19,000 tons in 1928 compared to 16,000 tons in 1927; the canning industry continues to require the greater portion of the tin plate and also much solder. Growth in the electrical and the more recently developed industries (aeroplane, refrigerators, radio, etc.), while affecting total consumption of bearing metals, solders, etc., has made little change in the proportions required for these basic methods of using tin.

Jan 1, 1929

By Timothy J. Rohrbacher

This report presents results from an ongoing U.S. Bureau of Mines study defining domestic coal reserves. Examinations of five 7 ½ -minute central Appalachian quadrangles have been completed to date. Only 26.4%, 5.0%, 6.5%, 8.2%, and 4.2% at the coal resources remaining in the Matewan, Boltsfork, and Hoskinston, KY; Vansant, VA; and Beckley, WV quadrangles, respectively, constitute economically recoverable reserves. An evaluation of the coal mining industry's impact on the economy of Pike County, KY, wherein the Matewan quadrangle is located, was also completed in order to provide a basic understanding of the influence of coal mining on the local economy. Results show that coal mining is the only major income producing industry in Pike County, accounting for about 46% of the county's income, and 21% of the total available employment, in the base year 1990. If similar results are found in subsequent investigations, a strong argument can be made that traditional coal producing regions may soon be experiencing resource depletion problems far greater and much sooner than previously thought. This will affect not only the coal industry but, given the obvious dependence of Pike County's economy on its coal mining industry, the entire social and economic infrastructure of large areas.

Jan 1, 1994

By E. L. Litchfield

The electrification of ammonium nitrate-fuel oil (AN-FO) blasting agents by pneumatic loaders is described and discussed. The consequences of the electrification are considered in light of the initiation requirements of electric blasting caps. It is recommended (1) that semiconductive loading tubing be utilized and (2) that the resistivity of the AN-FO be controlled; it is further recommended that the operator (3) test to assure continuity of the electric detonator legwire-bridgewire-legwire circuit prior to insertion of the cap into charge or borehole, (4) keep the legwires shunted but not otherwise connected to ground during loading of the blasting agent into the borehole, (5) assure that the borehole is discharged prior to hooking up the detonator leads, (6) assure that he is himself discharged prior to handling the detonator leads, and (7) assure that the blasting cap leads are never carried to the AN-FO loader. The basis and significance of these recommendations are explained.

Jan 1, 1968

By John A. Richards

This paper is one of a series being published by the Bureau of Mines on mining methods and costs. It describes briefly the manner in which slusher hoists and scrapers are used in connection with clock-caving methods at the Emma Nevada mine of the Consolidated Coppermines Corporation, Kimberly, Nev. Kimberly is in the Robinson mining district, White Pine County, 7 miles west of Ely. The district is served by the Nevada Northern -Railroad, which branches from the main line of the Southern Pacific at Wells, Nev., 140 miles north, Paved U. S. Highway 50 from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Reno, Nev., passes through Ely. The altitude at the collar of the Emma Nevada shaft is 7117 feet. The surrounding hills are covered with a sparse growth of juniper, pinon, and mountain mahogany.

Jan 1, 1940

By Joseph A. Olmstead

Literature concerned with management and supervisory training was reviewed and analyzed from the perspective of relative effectiveness of various training methods for improving knowledge and awareness, changing attitudes, improving problem solving skills, improving interpersonal skills, and improving on-the-job performance. Conclusions were drawn relative to each method and the current state of the field of management and leadership training. A 168 item annotated bibliography is presented.

Jan 1, 1980

By William J. Karwoski

To improve rock-burst control in deep vein mining, a field demonstration has been carried out by the Bureau of Mines to test a new rock-burst control concept--rock preconditioning in advance of mining. The procedure is to fracture the major rock-burst-prone zone during the development of each level before production mining. This allows initial mining to begin in a preconditioned zone and later mining from the level below to end in a prefractured or preconditioned pillar zone that is relatively burst-free. This full-scale field demonstration was carried out On the 7700 level of the Hecla Mining Co.'s Star-Morning mine. An expected burst-prone zone along the main vein between 7 and 10 crosscuts, some 250 feet long by 40 feet above and below the level, was preconditioned by blasting a fanlike ring of drilled holes from each crosscut. The drill holes, up to 100 feet long and 4 inches in diameter, were loaded with high explosives and shot. About 4,550 feet of drilling and 9,000 pounds of explosives were involved in the effort. Comparison of preshot and postshot data from monitoring instrumentation indicated that the blasting did fracture the rock in the planned zone and did result in an immediate stress decrease and softening of rock. The field data compared favorably with predicted results from a finite-element computer model simulation of the destressing. Based on observations made during mining and on the data from the Hecla rock-burst monitoring system, there is no doubt that this preconditioning in advance of mining demonstration resulted in much-improved rock-burst control during first-floor mining. It was also concluded that preconditioning the vein was more effective than preconditioning the wall rock.

Jan 1, 1979

By N. R. Dixon

This report summarizes all work performed under U.S. Bureau of Mines Contract No. J0395028, "Noise Control of Rubber-Tired Front-End Loaders Used in Surface Mining. " Two loaders, a Caterpillar 988 and an International H-400B, were chosen for this program, and the noise sources and acoustic paths that contribute to the operator's noise exposure were identified. Retrofit noise control treatments were designed and installed on these loaders, and noise reductions of more than 10 dBA at the operator position were achieved on both machines. The retrofit packages are low cost and have been field tested in two mines for more than two years. The results of the program were communicated to the mining industry through a series of noise control workshops and a field manual. The workshops were given in nine states across the U.S. and more than 440 manuals were distributed An audio/visual slide presentation was also developed which the program.

Jan 1, 1983

By Parviz F. Rad

The Bureau of Mines used a linear cutting apparatus equipped with a 7-inch disk cutter to cut grooves in marble, limestone, granite, and quartzite under a normal force of 7,000 lb. The size distribution of the muck for various grooves was determined through sieve analysis. A statistical search showed that Weibull distribution describes the size distribution better than other available functions. Results indicate that fineness modulus, chip population, and dimension of the largest chip can be used as indicators of cutting efficiency. The results correlate with those obtained from the boring machines and other lab experiments. Application of the principles established through this work to the operation of boring machines is explained

Jan 1, 1974

By Thomas V. Falkie

The purpose of this work was to investigate the rate at which coal is delivered from the underground working face by gathering arm type loaders as employed on continuous mining machines, to identify the factors -- geometrical, geological, mechanical, or procedural which affect the delivery rate, and to develop quantitative rate descriptive equations for the loading function. The mathematical techniques employed were factor analysis and multiple linear regression. It was determined that the coal-cutting function of the continuous mining machine is the factor that primarily influences the loading function. The geometrical factors -- the dimensions of the work area in relation to the dimensions of the mining machine - were the factors of secondary influence. Fifty-five percent of the experimental variation in the loading function was explained in terms of the six most prominent independent variables. It is expected that this work will be useful in operations-research studies as applied to underground coal mining, and with refinement will enable mine planners to select equipment based on the operating characteristics of the equipment and the mining conditions.

Jan 1, 1972

By Fred P. Giese

Southeastern reserves of titanium ores are large, widespread, and ample for anticipated demand. The leading titanium industries are mining and beneficiating sand deposits, principally in Florida, and manufacturing titanium pigments. Most of the mineral output is consumed by the producers themselves. In 1962, 20 percent of the national pigment capacity was in the Southeast.

Jan 1, 1964

By Kenneth M. Maas

The U.S. Bureau of Mines began a five-year study of the 7.0 million acre Ketchikan Mining District during 1990. This study is part of the Bureau's ongoing statewide mining district evaluation program. The study area was subdivided and then prioritized by mineral potential into work units. Bureau field work in 1990 focused on the southern portion of Prince of Wales Island and vicinity. Extensive mineral resources have been mined historically in the area and are presently being evaluated by private industry. Information in this report is based on an extensive literature search and Bureau field work. Over 150 mines, prospects, and mineral occurrences were visited in 1990; an aggregate of 1,300 rock, placer, and limestone samples were taken; and nearly 3 miles of underground workings were mapped. Many prospects, some untouched for more than 80 years, were mapped and sampled. High metal values at several prospects were confirmed by Bureau sampling. Reconnaissance sampling along logging roads on Southern Prince of Wales Island revealed mineralized areas not previously recorded. Follow-up work at many locations is planned for the 1991 season.

Jan 1, 2011

By G. L. Oldright

As a rule, the usual zinc retort smelter fired with natural gas made its own burners, of which there might be 300 per block, out of standard pipe fit-tings. The gas was discharged through a feeder pipe at various distances into a cylindrical horizontal "blow hole" through a pillar block and thence into the furnace; the best location of this gas-feeder pipe was at the horizontal central axis of the blow hole; the side entry into the blow hole usually was used. The air entered the same blow hole behind the gas, through a short nipple, in the inner end of which was a constructing orifice in a clay plug; in this ,work cone-shaped funnels of various lengths also were used. Even with the air and gas correctly proportioned to each burner, small differences in their dimensions were found to influence greatly the temperatures reached, their uniformity, and consequently the percentage of zinc extracted. This fourth paper of a series on cooperative work in the zinc retort plants of the Eagle-Picher Mining & Smelting Company discloses the methods and principles followed in approximating closely the optimum dimensions for various burners, with examples from experimental and commercial furnaces showing the interrelation of such dimensions with combustion and temperatures in the furnace.

Jan 1, 1948

By Ronald W. Schaefer

This report describes operations at the Rosiclare Fluorspar Works of the Aluminum Co. of America at Rosiclare, Hardin County, Ill. The works include the Fairview mine, the fluorspar mill, and related facilities. The publication covers exploration, development, mining and milling practices, mine-drainage problems, and other activities and is presented as part of the Bureau of Mines series of publications on mining and milling practices in various parts of the United States. The Rosiclare fluorspar area, for its size, has been the largest producer of high-grade fluorspar in the United States and probably in the world. The vein system in this area is over 5 miles long and 1/2 mile wide, and ore has been found as deep as 900 ft.

Jan 1, 1961