Search Documents

By A. D. Hahn

This report describes and gives the results of an examination by the Federal Bureau of Mines of ilmenite-bearing placer sand deposits in the 24-mile long valley of Otter Creek, Kiowa and Tillman Counties, Okla. Drilling and sampling was completed in three periods between October 1956 and September 1957. Mineralogic studies and mineral-dressing tests on recovery of ilmenite and other heavy minerals from composited samples of the sands were made in Bureau of Mines laboratories at Rolla, Mo., in 1957 and early 1958. Otter Creek rises in and drains the southwestern extremity of the Wichita Mountains, which are represented locally by knolls and ridges of gabbro and granite surrounded by plains floored with flat-lying Permian red beds. The valley fill consists of a basal sand-clay component, derived from weathering of the igneous rocks, and an overlying silt-clay alluvium. Ilmenite is present in significant quantity and recoverable grain size only in the basal sand-clay.

Jan 1, 1960

By E. V. Cilento, K. A. DiGregorio, R. C. Lantz

"DIGREGORIO, K. A., E. V. CILENTO, AND R. C. LANTZ. A kinetic model of superoxide production from single pulmonary alueolar macrophages. Am. J. Physiol. 256 (Cell Physiol. 25): C405-C412, 1989.-A kinetic model was developed to describe the production of superoxide (02) by single pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM). Model predictions were compared with experimental results obtained from single rat PAM. The 02 was quantified by measuring the reduction of nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) to a diformazan precipitate (NBTH,) from video-recorded images of individual cells. The kinetic model considered three reactions: 1 ) the production of extracellular 02 from the reduction of oxygen by NADPH oxidase using intracellular NADPH as the substrate, 2) the subsequent dismutation of 02 to form H,O,, and 3) the reaction of 02 and NBT to form diformazan. NBT specificity for 02 was analyzed by comparing results in the presence and absence of superoxide dismutase (SOD) that catalyzes the dismutation of 02 to H,O,. Measured PAM heterogeneity was accounted for by varying the concentration of intracellular NADPH, its rate of depletion, and the concentration of intracellular NADPH oxidase in the kinetic model. Model predictions compared favorably with experimental results except when SOD was present. This discrepancy may be due to diffusional limitations because NBT is a relatively small molecule (818 mo! wt) compared with SOD (34,000 mol wt). In addition, the cell surface is both ruffled and negatively charged, which may introduce steric hindrances and/ or electrostatic effects, since SOD is also negatively charged, whereas NBT is positively charged.PULMONARY ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES (PAM) protect the lungs by phagocytizing foreign debris and bacteria. This process is accompanied by the production of superoxide anion (02) at the surface of the plasma membrane (3, 31). Superoxide readily dismutates to form H20 2 and subsequently, other oxygen metabolites which have been shown to be both antibacterial and cytotoxic (21, 25, 35).Superoxide is produced from the reduction of extracellular O, at the surface of the cell membrane by NADPH oxidase by the following reaction (3, 4)"

Jan 1, 1989

This publication summarizes, for all interested parties, the research, development, and demonstration in-house projets programed by the Bureau of Mines for fiscal year 1980 (October 1, 1979 - September 30, 1980) under its Minerals Health and Safety Research program. The objective of these projects is to provide an ordered and sequenced series of advances toward the Bureau's overall goal of providing the system technology required to create a healthier and safer working environment for the Nation's mining and minerals processing workers.

Jan 1, 1980

By James P. McGee

Use of nuclear reactors to furnish high-temperature heat is a field that has not received as much attention as propulsion and electric power production. Investigations are being conducted under a joint Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)--Bureau of Mines research program to determine the feasibility of using nuclear heat for chemical processing. A part of this process-heat-reactor program is the study of a system in [hich] helium transfers heat from 8 nuclear reactor to a chemical processing [essel]. This requires construction of (1) a nuclear reactor to operate with helium exit temperature of 2,500° F. and with pressures in the range of 250 to 500 p.s.i.g. and (2) a processing vessel (heat exchanger) to convert the enthalpy of the helium into chemical process reaction heat. Neither component exists at present, and development of each promises to be a formidable task. To aid in the study of such a system, the Bureau of Mines has designed and constructed a vessel heated by electrical induction to simulate a source of nuclear fission heat. This vessel is undergoing preliminary testing. Gasification of coal and reforming of hydrocarbons are promising uses for nuclear heat. It appears that a higher price per unit of nuclear heat can be tolerated for chemical processing than that allowable for power generation.

Jan 1, 1960

On September 4, 2007, Mine Safety and Health Administration, in alliance with the International Union of Operating Engineers and the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers, presented the first annual Mine Construction Maintenance and Repair?s Safety Contractor of the Year Award to Artisan Contracting, Inc., of Cape Girardeau, MO. Eligible contractors located throughout the United States were nominated. Artisan Contracting was nominated by Illinois Cement Company located in LaSalle, IL. Illinois Cement Company is a Division of Eagle Materials Inc., located in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Larry Frankum President of Artisan Contracting Inc., stated, ?While it is gratifying to receive a wonderful award such as this, we must not forget how fragile a good safety record is. We must constantly remain diligent in pursuit of maintaining safe work sites.?

Feb 1, 2008

By James Paone

The Bureau of Mines studied the behavior of rocks at the initial state of crater formation that results from the stresses created under a drill bit to determine which mechanical properties of rock are important in rock fragmentation by drilling. Although a definite relation between the drilling strength and relevant mechanical properties has not been established, maximum yield strength of rock is apparently a parameter of drillability of rock. The strengths of rock were considered from the Mohr-Coulomb criterion from which the surface of failure was constructed. The results from previous tri-axial tests on Solenhofen limestone were adopted to verify the criterion of failure. Inelastic behavior of some rock types was observed under a low-velocity impact of a hemispherical bit and under static indentation with a similar bit. Quantitative determinations of strengths of Solenhofen limestone) Indiana limestone, and Tennessee marble were made under static indentation. The maximum yield strength estimated from the average stress over the indented area was used as the crushing strength of rock under a drill bit.

Jan 1, 1966

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, 1993

By George A. Bell

This paper reviewing the leaching practice of the New Cornelia mines of the Calumet & Arizona Mining Co. at Ajo, Ariz., is the first of a series being prepared by the Bureau of Mines on leaching methods and costs in the various mining districts. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The author acknowledges the assistance of T. G. Chapman, consulting engineer, and E. D. Gardner, supervising engineer of the Southwest Experiment Station, Bureau of Mines, Tucson, Ariz.

Jan 1, 1930

By Joseph J. Wallace

The 1952 Annual Report of the West Virginia Department of Mines lists seven beds that are being mined in Mingo County, of which the Cedar Grove is the most important. The Cedar Grove, Alma, and Coalburg contain the largest remaining known reserves. 2. Known measured and indicated reserves in all beds, based on a minimum thickness of 14 inches and 1,800 tons per acre-foot of coal in place, are estimated at 3,007 million short tons as of January 1, 1953. Of this total, 2,396 million short tons is in beds 28 inches and more thick. Areas in each bed were omitted from the estimate because available data relative to the bed characteristics are too meager for making an estimate that conforms with the definitions of measured and indicated coal adopted for this study. Should future drilling or development prove reserves in these areas, such reserves should be added to the total estimated reserves.

Jan 1, 1954

By D. A. Reynolds, R. G. Travis, James J. Dowd, R. F. Abernethy

"1. Reserve estimates have been made for eight coal beds in Monongalia County, W.Va., but only the Pittsburgh, Sewickley, and Upper Freeport beds are important at this time. The Pittsburgh, Sewickley, Waynesburg, and Upper Freeport beds contain the largest recoverable reserves.2. Known measured and indicated reserves in all beds, based on a minimum thickness of 14 inches and 1,800 short tons per acre-foot of coal in place, are estimated at 3,526 million tons as of January 1, 1954. Of this total, 3,294 mil¬lion tons is in beds 28 inches and more thick. Areas in each bed except the Pittsburgh were omitted from the estimate because available data relative to the bed characteristics are too meager for making an estimate that conforms with the definitions of measured and indicated coal adopted for this study. Should future drilling or development prove reserves in these areas, such reserves should be added to the total estimated reserves.3. Recoverable reserves of coal have been estimated in beds 28 inches and more thick. This thickness is about the minimum now being mined by hand loading onto conveyors in the Appalachian region. The weighted average recovery for all beds in Monongalia County, as determined by this investigation, is 47.9 percent. This percentage is based on the total thickness of coal (less partings three-eighths inch thick or more) in the bed rather than on the thickness of the coal mined. Based on the weighted average percentage of recovery for all beds in Monongalia County, the recoverable reserves are estimated at 1,577 million tons as of January 1, 1954.4. Monongalia County coals of the major producing beds are of high-volatile a bituminous rank.5. The Pittsburgh and Lower Freeport beds in this county yield coal that can be used as metallurgical coal, especially when blended with low-volatile coals. The Lower Freeport coal is coked singly and in beehive ovens, and makes good metallurgical coke.INTRODUCTIONThe investigation to evaluate the reserves of coking coal was planned to cover three phases: (1) Estimation of known measured and indicated recoverable reserves of all coking coal; (2) study of methods of upgrading marginal coals through effective preparation; and (3) study of carbonizing properties of coals and coal blends not now widely used for metallurgical coke making."

Jun 1, 1956

By J. W. Thompson

This work is a codification and annotation of the Congressional enactments relating to minerals, mineral lands, and mining. It covers every enactment of Congress from the original ordinance of 1785 to the present time, as well as all sections of the Revised Statutes of the United States relating to these subjects. These laws are grouped according to their general subject matter, and are arranged thereunder in numerical or chronological order. Many of the mining statutes include matter not pertinent to the subject, and only those parts of such acts are quoted as will properly show their relation to minerals and mineral lands and indicate how they should be construed. Some mining acts have been repealed or have become obsolete, and others have become incorporated substantially in sections of the Re- vised Statutes; but these are retained in order to show the changes made, and the constructions placed thereon by the courts are given as aids in construing the new or repealing acts. The annotations consist of legal propositions abstracted from the decisions of the various courts and executive officers of the Govern- ment that have interpreted the sections and statutes so codified. These legal propositions are arranged under the different sections and acts with appropriate headings, titles, and subtitles, in logical order, exhibiting the present status of each particular section or act and its application to the subject of mines and mineral lands. The annotations do not purport to be abstracts of decisions on the sub- stantive law of mines and mining generally, but are limited strictly to the interpretation placed on a given section or act definitely re- ferred to by a court or executive officer by the number of the section of the Revised Statutes or the volume and page of the Statutes at Large in which the Congressional enactment is found. It may be observed that the legal propositions stated are not always pertinent to the particular section or act under which they are classed and of which they purport to give a construction. The arrangement, however, is not an arbitrary one, but is so made for the reason that the courts or officers in the construction of a particular section or act definitely referred to by number or volume and page incorporated in the decision matter not strictly pertinent to the par- ticular section or act so designated. This statement applies especially to the interpretations placed on the sections of the Revised Statutes. The decisions abstracted for the purpose of this work are those of the United States Supreme Court, 234 volumes; the various Federal courts, 214 volumes; the decisions of the Department of the Interior

Jan 1, 1915

By Franklin H. Persse

The Bureau of Mines estimated reclamation costs for 13 surface coal mines in nine States west of the Missisisppi River. With the exception of the Pacific Coast coal province, at least one mine in each of the western coal provinces was studied. Cost estimates were, made using standard estimating procedures from data obtained from company records, interviews with industry personnel, and onsite observations. Estimated costs are presented in four categories which represent the four phases of mined-land reclamation: (1) Design, engineering, and overhead; (2) bond and permit fees; (3) backfilling and grading; and (4) revegetation. Estimated costs as of the first quarter of 1976 are expressed as averages and ranges in terms of per acre, per ton of coal produced, and per million Btu. Total reclamation costs ranged from $860 to $7,200 per acre, from 6 to 84 cents per ton, and from 4 to 35.3 mills per million Btu. A mine in the Northern Great Plains coal province (Region D) showed the highest per acre cost whereas mines in part of the western region of the Interior coal province (Region A) experienced the greatest per ton and per million Btu cost. The high cost of reclamation in the Western United States is reflected in the backfill in and grading category, particularly in the cost of topsoil removal and subsequent replacement as required by individual State reclamation regulations.

Jan 1, 1977

By W. W. Adams

Because of insufficient funds for printing, the Bureau of Mines was unable to publish its annual bulletin covering accidents at metal mines in the United States for the year 1933. A brief mimeographed summary of the principal statistical data for that year was released to the public late in 1934. Since then reports for 1934 have been received from the mining companies, and in order to avoid further delay in releasing this information to the mining industry and others interested in the prevention of accidents in mining, statistics for both years are presented in this publication with a minimum of interpretation and comment. The fatal-accident rate for the metal and nonmetallic mines (excluding coal mines) of the United States was more favorable in 1933 than in any previous year since 1911, the first year for which the Bureau of Mines obtained reports from the operators. Further progress was made in 1934, when the fatality rate was even lower than that of 1933. On the other hand, the nonfatal-accident rate, which had reached its lowest level in 1932, increased in 1933 and increased further in 1934, although not to such an extent as to prevent the rate for either of those 2 years from being better than that for any year previous to r1931.

Jan 1, 1936

By David P. Lindroth

The objective of this research by the Bureau of Mines was to determine the technical feasibility and associated pilot data for drying minus 1/4-in coal with microwave energy at a frequency of 2.45 GHz. The drying data were obtained experimentally on three coal types: bituminous, subbituminous, and lignite. The experiments were performed with a custom-designed conveyorized microwave oven having a continuous power capability of 12 kW. Drying efficiencies near the theoretical maximum of 1.54 kg of water per kilowatt hour of energy input were achieved for two coals and two sizes; overall drying efficiencies averaged 77 pct.

Jan 1, 1986

By Charles Vaught

The purpose of this study was to determine mine workers' state of fie-fighting preparedness and the technology being used to detect and respond to underground coal mine fires. To investigate this problem, 214 underground coal miners were interviewed by U.S. Bureau of Mines researchers. Frequency distributions of workers' responses are presented in this report, along with segments of narrative accounts, to profile miners' fire-fighting capabilities. The data indicated that much variability exists from mine to mine and that there are several important changes operators may undertake in order to make miners better prepared to deal with fire underground: select appropriate sensors, establish and test a warning and communication protocol, construct a system capable of delivering hundreds of gallons of water per minute for sustained periods, institute formal fire preparedness audits, develop case studies of events that occur at an operation to use as teaching and assessment tools, and provide structured practice that can be incorporated into fire drills.

Jan 1, 2010

By Jack Wright

The analysis of water produced with crude petroleum has interested oil producers since inception of the industry. Records of the first analysis of mineralized water produced from an oil-productive formation are obscure, and references to the first use of brine analyses to assist in solving problems of petroleum production are not available in the technical literature. However, many early reports of the Federal Bureau of Mines5-8 and Federal Geological Survey,9-11/ as well as articles in engineer and geological journals12-14/ placed special emphasis on the importance, interpretation, and application of water analyses. One of the earliest applications of water analyses, and still a major one today, is for identification of intrusive waters in oil wells. This may be done by comparing the chemical constituents of a sample of water indigenous to the oil-productive formation with those of samples from upper, water-bearing formations within the same general area. Some earlier investigators recognized the need for Analyzing samples of all waters encountered in drilling operations. Ambrose15/ stated, in part, "In wells being drilled, the engineer should grasp every opportunity to get a true sample of water from each sand. . .," and, "The waters of each oil field are chemically different from those of another field." The validity of the latter observation and the importance of the former one have been borne out by comparing the results of analyses of many samples and noting the differences in relative concentrations of like constituents of waters from the a geological formation in different localities or oil pools.

Jan 1, 1957

By A. Visnapuu

The Bureau of Mines has upgraded high-iron domestic chromite concentrates by a carbonyl process. The upgraded chromite concentrates show as much as 10 wt pct higher Cr203 content and up to a threefold in-crease in the Cr:Fe ratio, compared with the starting concentrates. The high-iron chromites were first reduced to convert the iron oxides to the metal, and then treated with CO at elevated pressures and low temperatures to convert part of the metallic iron fraction to iron pentacarbonyl. Carbonylation was accelerated by the addition of H2S in small quantities. The iron pentacarbonyl was extricated from the con-centrate in the pressure reactor during carbonylation by a CO sweep through a pressure-reducing valve and passed through a decomposer at atmospheric pressure to convert it back to iron metal and CO. CO pres-sure, temperature, promoter trends, and other factors enhancing iron pentacarbonyl formation are presented.

Jan 1, 1985

By Bruce Maxwell

The deformation modulus of coal mine pillars theoretically can be reduced by drilling holes in advance of the mining face. This reduction of modulus along the edge of the pillar has the effect of decreasing the stress concentration in the roof; control of roof caving is thereby predicted. Initial field work indicated that a high horizontal stress field existed at the field test site: Subsequent field work was undertaken to confirm the high horizontal stress field and to attempt to relieve the horizontal stress in the immediate roof. A method of softening pillars in conjunction with normal mining activity was developed. Instruments to measure horizontal roof strain, roof parting, roof tilt at the rib, and changes in vertical and horizontal stress in the roof and in the coal were used. These instruments were installed in both softened and unsoftened entries and in locations to indicate the effect of vertical slots in the roof. Significant stress reduction due to pillar softening was indicated, but the effect of this reduction on roof stability was not established. The vertical roof slots relieved the horizontal stress in the immediate roof very effectively, and observations of roof conditions indicated that the slots definitely improved roof stability.

Jan 1, 1977

By Marvin L. Whisman

This report describes the preparation of tritium-labeled organic compounds to be used by the Federal Bureau of Mines in studying the role of certain gasoline constituents in gum-forming mechanisms. The gasoline constituents that have been investigated boil within a range of approximately 90 to 230° C. and can be classified as paraffins. naphthenes, olefins, diolefins, monocyclic aromatics, polycyclic aromatics, and organic sulfur, nitrogen,: and oxygen compounds. The technique of Wilzbach has been applied to more than 50 samples. Purification techniques have been developed that accomplish rapid and effective purification as well as removal of labile tritium in a one-step operation. Data are presented to show the rate of exchange between tritium and hydrogen that can be expected for a variety of compounds common to a full-boiling-range gasoline. These values should be useful to other investigators using tracer programs involving tritium labeled compounds.

Jan 1, 1961

By James W. Townsend

The Vicksburg mining property lies in the southeastern foothills of the Star mining district, Beaver County, Utah (fig. 1). Within a few miles of the Vicksburg mine, lying in a semicircle from south to northwest, are such past producers of lead-silver ores as the Moscow, Hoosier Boy, Red Warrior, Wild. Bill, Harrington-Hickory, and many others. Farther to the north, in the San Francisco district, are the famous Horn Silver and Cactus mines. The formation at the Vicksburg property consists of interbedded limestone, shale, and dolomitic limestone. These beds have been metamorphosed by the intrusion of irregular masses of porphyritic igneous rocks grading from quartz-monzonite to granodiorite. Ore deposition is in north-trending fissures of sheeted zones, contact metamorphic in type. These depositions were subsequently altered to gossan. A preliminary investigation of the Vicksburg property involving surveying, mapping, and sampling was made by W. A. Young and F. H. Gunnell, engineers of the Bureau of Mines, in the fall of 1946. As a result of the investigation, a project was set up to investigate the possibility of ore occurrence at greater depth on the fissures under the mineralized zone by diamond drilling.

Jan 1, 1950