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By T. R. Rehak

Blasting operations are an essential element in the recovery of our Nation?s mineral resources. The mining industry uses billions of pounds of explosives annually. The majority of blasting occurs in surface mining operations. Blasting results in the fragmentation and often the projection of rocks. Frequently, the rocks are thrown beyond the expected limits. Flyrock and failure to secure the blasting area dominate blasting-related accidents in mining, especially in surface mining. Blasting accidents in the mining industry tend to result in critical injuries or fatalities. Accident reports and information collected from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and other government agencies provide supporting evidence. According to the data collected, blasting-related accidents (in mining) were 11 times more severe than all other types of mining accidents. Blasting accidents are not unique to mining operations - the same situation exists in the construction field. In this paper the authors have compiled a list of the primary causes of flyrock and the failure to secure the blast area. In the next phase of this project, typical blasting scenarios will be reviewed which will highlight the main reasons flyrock and/or lack of blast area security occur. This will alert miners and construction workers to the current problems/hazards associated with blasting and to identify other safety measures to protect personnel.

Jan 1, 2000

By S. J. Schatzel, P. W. Jeran, W. P. Diamond, F. E. McCall, F. Garcia, J. C. LaScola, T. P. Mucho

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Office for Mine Safety and Health Research, is investigating the geologic and mining factors influencing the migration of longwall gob gas. One goal of these studies is to optimize methane drainage strategies to reduce the volume of gob gas that reaches the underground workplace. As part of this research effort, longwall gob gas flow paths in a mine operating in the Pittsburgh Coalbed, PA, were investigated using SF6 tracer gas. Tracer gas released into the ventilation airflow underground generally stayed in the bleeder system and was vented at the associated bleeder fan shafts. Tracer gas injected into an inactive (intaking) gob gas venthole migrated to the two inby producing ventholes on the study panel, indicating that all three ventholes were in communication. The tracer gas that was injected into the gob generally stayed in the gob and only migrated to the ventilation system in response to the venthole on the study panel closest to the injection hole going off production. Tracer gas flow velocities in the longwall gob reservoir and factors influencing the production performance of gob gas ventholes in the study area are also discussed.

By H. E. Perlee

The concentration limits of flammability and autoignition temperatures of trichloroethylene in atmospheres of air, oxygen, and nitrogen tetroxide have been determined in a spherical vessel. The autoignition temperatures of TCE in atmospheres of air, oxygen, and nitrogen tetroxide were found to be 419°, 396°, and 221° C, respectively. The flammability zones of TCE-air, TCE-oxygen and TCE-nitrogen tetroxide mixtures at 100° C were found to be 10.5 to 41, 7.5 to 91, and 13.5 to 69 volume percent TCE, respectively. In addition, maxi-mum combustion pressures of 50 ps and 140 were recorded for constant volume combustion of the lower limit mixtures of trichloroethylene in air and oxygen, respectively.

Jan 1, 1966

By Charles B. Manula

Judging from the rapid pace of increased demands for mineral products, technological forecasting will become an increasingly necessary tool in mining. Even though the mining industry in 1966 produced more are than ever before, current extraction rates are only a fraction of what is expected in the later years of the twentieth century. If metal and mineral commodities continue to hold their respective and present share of markets, the prospect of coping with demands from a population that will double in the next thirty years can become an impossible task when viewed outside the limits of technological advance and change. Those mining companies that are doing little to develop new and expanding horizons for their operations cannot expect to survive. Nearly 90% of all metals and mineral products consumed last year was recovered by open-pit mining. This has placed great pressure on this segment of the industry which, consequently, has resulted in some spectacular developments. Already production rates at many places are dwarfing those of the Panama Canal and other well-known earth moving projects which are frequently identified as massive undertakings. With projects of this scale, the need for increased sophistication of engineering, planning, management and administration of modern mining installations has never become more apparent. The design of complete systems for the mine and plant that fit the mould of today's business and social environments is undergoing an evolutionary process.

Jan 1, 1968

By M. J. Ankeny

All bituminous-coal mines, by the nature of their product and inherent gassy tendencies, are subject to explosions or mine fires. The evolution from large, hand-loading sections employing numerous men and containing open-type equipment, lights, and nonpermissible explosives to small, concentrated mechanical sections with but few well-supervised men utilizing modern preventive equipment has not altered this premise. Mine catastrophes such as Centralia and New Orient No. 2, as well as recent disasters of less magnitude, have refuted the trend of thinking that modern equipment, will prevent or localize explosions and prevent widespread or loss of life.

Jan 1, 1952

By P. J. Colbassani

Samples of mine atmospheres collected by Federal coal-mine inspectors during their inspections and investigations of coal mines, in accordance with provisions of the Federal Coal Mine Safety Act (66 Stat. 692; 30 U. S. C., sees. 451-483) are analyzed routinely by chemical methods at Bureau of Mines laboratories. When samples collected in open workings of nongassy coal mines at points not less than 12 inches from the roof, face, or rib contain 0.25 percent or more methane, the act requires the operator, during operation of such mine, to comply with the provisions of sec. 209, Title II, of the act, which pertain to gassy mines. The methane con-tents of such samples are determined by a physical method based on infrared absorption spectrometry to provide an independent check on analytical results obtained by chemical methods. This information circular describes the equipment and procedures used by the Bureau for determining low concentrations of methane in coal mine atmospheres by infrared absorption spectrometry. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors are indebted to Dr. R. A. Friedel, Chief of Spectrometric Section, Branch of Coal-to-Oil Research, Bureau of Mines, for suggesting the analytical method and for furnishing valuable advice and assistance, and to J. A. Queiser of his staff for making exploratory measurements by this method; to Dr. M. G. Zabetakis of the Division of Explosives Technology for his assistance during the conduct of preliminary experimentation; and to L. B. Berger, Chief, Branch of Health Research, under whose guidance the equipment was procured and the work conducted.

Jan 1, 1958

By Ruth F. Brinkley

Principle activities of the Bureau of Mines Explosives Research Laboratory from July 1, 1960 to June 30, 1961 are reviewed briefly in Part 1. Part 1 also includes data obtained in connection with several minor investigations which are not sufficient to warrant separate publications. Part 2 gives brief abstracts of publications that appeared during fiscal year 1961; in general, the research reported in these publications antedates this period.

Jan 1, 1963

By A. J. Kraemer, O. C. Blade

This report on the properties of motor fuels sold through service stations in the United States is a continuation of a series of reports made in accordance with a cooperative agreement between the Coordinating Fuel Research (C. F. R. ) Committee of the Coordinating Research Council (C. R. C.) and the Bureau of Mines of the United States Department of the Interior . The first of these reports contained data on motor gasolines sold during the winter of 1935-36 and further reports on motor gasolines sold during the succeeding summers and winters to the summer of 1941

Dec 1, 1943

By Ronald S. Conti

Historically, underground mine rescue teams have received training only in the course of actual emergencies, or in simulated mine environments, usually on the surface, with placards to identify objects and hazards. Also, while U.S. Federal Regulations require all underground miners to walk escapeways and conduct fire drills every 90 days, this does not fully prepare them for the conditions that may be encountered in real escape situations, such as smoke filled entries. This paper describes technology and realistic training simulations that have been identified for the general workforce and mine emergency responders. Of all the technology evaluated by underground personnel, laser lights and lifelines were most beneficial in leading personnel to safety and out of the mine in smoke-filled passageways. These technological advancements can improve the state of readiness for rescue personnel and increase the chances of survival for personnel escaping from underground emergencies.

By R. S. DeCesare

Operation of the Bureau of Mines raw refuse continuous separation pilot plant is described, including modifications made to plant equipment for improved performance. Products recovered from refuse, many of which have been evaluated by other laboratories and private firms, are discussed. Sampling procedures used in the pilot plant and detailed data obtained from processing refuse from 13 municipalities are presented in appendixes. Fuel evaluations made on combustible fractions of refuse from the various municipalities are also presented. Information and data obtained at the pilot plant have been used to assist many municipalities in solving their urban refuse problems.

Jan 1, 1980

By Will H. Coghill

Recent work on beneficiation of the .Alabama red iron ores and ferruginous sandstones has brought out interesting new facts on particle-size reduction that axe a valuable supplement to what is already known.4/ The work was done by the Southern Experiment Station of the Bureau of Mines in cooperation with-the University of Alabama, University, Ala., on two samples from the Birmingham district. One was an oolitic red iron ore containing about 35 percent iron; the other was a ferruginous sandstone containing about 25 percent iron, particularly attractive because of its low phosphorus content. In both samples rounded quartz (sand) grains were embedded in an oolitic, "onion skin" matrix of hematite. The hematite carries varying amounts of clay, which limits the grade of concentrate that can be made. The clayey hematite is soft, so that the rock crumbles readily under pressure. The sand grains shell out like corn,, and without much exaggeration the mill used for differential grinding might be called a "sheller,"

Jan 1, 1940

By Will H. Coghill

Recent work on beneficiation of the .Alabama red iron ores and ferruginous sandstones has brought out interesting new facts on particle-size reduction that axe a valuable supplement to what is already known.4/ The work was done by the Southern Experiment Station of the Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the University of Alabama, University, Ala., on two samples from the Birmingham district. One was an oolitic red iron ore containing about 35 percent iron; the other was a ferruginous sandstone containing about 25 percent iron, particularly attractive because of its low phosphorus content. In both samples rounded quartz (sand) grains were embedded in an oolitie, "onion skin" matrix of hematite. The hematite carries varying amounts of clay,-which limits the grade of concentrate that can be made. The clayey hematite is soft, so that the rock crumbles readily under pressure. The sand grains shell out like corn,, and without much exaggeration the mill used for differential grinding might be called a "sheller,"

Jan 1, 1940

By N. S. Dalal, V. Castranova, K. Van Dyke, V. Vallyathan

"IntroductionInhalation of crystalline silica is often associated with the development of pulmonary disease (Ziskind et al., 1976). Recently, it has been proposed that freshly sheared silica .may have surface properties that make it more reactive with lung tissue than aged silica, and that this unique reactivity ·of freshly crushed silica enhances its pathogenicity. A recent study in our laboratory strongly supports this theory (Vallyathan, et al., 1988a; 1988b). We found that grinding of silica cleaves bonds in a silica tetrahedral lattice generating reactive free radicals sites on the surface of the silica particles. The presence of surface radicals on freshly ground silica was monitored by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The ESR signal generated from fresh silica in air is characteristic of Si-0 and Si radicals. Evidence, i.e., the ESR signal after the addition of a spin trap (DMPO) and its sensitivity to ethanol, indicates that these silicon-based surface radicals can react with water to form hydroxyl radicals (OH). Results also indicate that these surface radicals make fresh silica more cytotoxic than aged silica; i.e., fresh silica causes more membrane damage as evidenced by hemolysis and lipid peroxidation. Therefore, the presence of reactive sites on the surface of freshly cleaved silica may play a significant role in its pathogenicity.If surface· free radicals are related to cytotoxicity, then screening dusts for the existence of such radicals may predict their relative pathogenicity. Since an ESR spectrometer is not available to many laboratories, the objective of this study was to develop a quick and simple technique to monitor the existence of reactive surface sites on dust. The technique chosen was the measurement of chemiluminescence using a liquid scintillation counter; i.e., an instrument which·would be accessible to most investigators."

Jan 1, 1989

By Oliver Bowles

It is noteworthy that 80 to 95 per cent of the gross production of all slate quarries in the United States is discarded as waste . In view of the loss involved in handling so much waste , and the consequent added cost of the finished product , the Bureau of Mines has undertaken a study of the slate industry for the purpose of devising the best means of reducing the proportion of waste , and of utilizing the unavoidable waste . The utilization of waste has received special attention , and the cooperation of many prospective purchasers of waste slate has been enlisted in testing its adaptability for various uses .

Mar 1, 1921

By James V. Luxner

The airflow and methane distribution patterns developed in an equipment-free entry 6.5 feet high and 12 feet wide, ventilated by line brattice operated blowing to or exhausting from the face, were determined by the Bureau of Mines for varying conditions. Results of these studies show that blowing line brattice systems of face ventilation are more effective than comparable exhaust systems. The face ventilating efficiency of any line brattice system is dependent upon the method of ventilation, the face distance, the tight rib distance, the volume of air delivered to the end of the line brattice, and the volume of methane released at the face. Experimental results indicate that maximum face ventilation efficiency is achieved when the inby terminus of the line brattice is installed 5 feet from the face and at a distance less than one-third the entry width from the nearest rib. Analyses of data are based upon the ability of a face ventilation system to dilute methane in the immediate face area.

Jan 1, 1969

By J. A. Ruppert, P. M. Sullivan

A process was developed on a laboratory scale in which iron contained in galvanizers ' zinc dross and aluminum contained in scrap zinc die - cast alloy were removed simultaneously . Melting both types of scrap together in the proper proportions resulted in formation of solid intermetallic Fe₂ Alg , which was readily removed from the melt by filtration and centrifugation . Recovery was 87 to 92 percent of the available zinc . Refined filtrate contained 0.02 percent iron and 0.20 percent aluminum. Aluminum content was further reduced to less than 0.01 percent by fluxing with zinc chloride . Low temperatures employed and inexpensive equipment requirements make the process commercially attractive .

Jan 1, 1964

By Jon C. Volkwein

The Bureau of Mines, Foster-Miller Inc., and Beaver Creek Coal Co. have evaluated the ability of a new system to ventilate a 40-ft-deep cut. A remote-control continuous-mining machine, in a 7-ft-thick seam, with exhausting brattice was fitted with an improved sprayfan system plus additional forward and reverse pointing sprays. Static and dynamic tests using tracer gas were conducted in a full-scale model and under-ground to measure the effectiveness of exhaust face ventilation for various deep-cutting mine and spray configurations. When compared to a lO-ft primary ventilation brattice, the extended-cut spray system consistently provided better face ventilation at all configurations up to and including a 40-ft brattice setback. The system also provided good dust protection and visibility for the machine operator. Another safety advantage is the elimination of the need to set temporary roof supports to maintain the ventilation brattice.

Jan 1, 1985

By D. E. Emerson, C. G. Kirkland, E. M. Frost

An apparatus has been developed for determining the helium content of gases containing 40 percent or more helium . It utilizes activated coconut charcoal at liquid nitrogen temperatures to adsorb constituents other than helium in the mixture . Series of analyses have been run where the mean deviation was less than 0.05 percent helium . Twenty or more analyses can be made in an 8- hour day .

Jan 1, 1964

By Andrew Cecala

Miner?s exposure to dust remains a top concern among regulatory agencies, particularly at production facilities with high levels of silica. This respirable dust is present in almost all operations and is a direct cause of the deadly disease silicosis. Silica is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth and is a threat at all operations, especial-ly granite and sand and gravel facilities. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health continues to analyze silica?s threat. The institute?s research indicates that heavy-equipment operators have an increased risk to dust exposure, especially when drilling or breaking rock, even when working from an enclosed cab. However, there are methods to reduce an operator?s exposure further, according to recent NIOSH research, which is detailed in its report, Improving Air Quality in Enclosed Caps with Uni-Directional Filtration/ Pressurization System. NIOSH indicates that when surface mining equipment is new, the operator?s dust exposure is normally at accept-able levels. As the equipment ages and components such as gaskets and seals deteriorate, the level of protection can degrade to a point where it is no longer acceptable. However, the institute indicates that at least two critical factors necessary for an effective system.

Jan 1, 2009

By H. R. Babitzke

The purpose of this Bureau of Mine- investigation was to develop columbium and tantalum alloys suitable or u at elevated temperatures. Columbium and tantalum were combined with tungsten, hafnium, zirconium, molybdenum, vanadium, and titanium, and the resulting alloys were evaluated with respect to workability, hardness, electrical resistivity, strength at elevated temperatures, oxidation resistance, and weldability. Cb-33Hf-10W-10Ti, Cb-20111-5Mo, and Cb-30Hf-5Mo exhibited superior high temperature properties. Cb-33Hf-10W-10Ti had tensile strength values of 44,300 psi at 1,200° C and 16,500 psi at 1,400° C, Cb-20Hf-5Mo had values of 35,700 and 20,700 psi, respectively. The corresponding values for Cb-30Hf-5Mo were 38,900 and 17,800 psi. These alloys are fabricable by conventional methods with excellent strength at temperatures up to and including 1,400° C. An oxidation rate of 7 to 21 mg/cm2/hr was observed up to 1,000° C.

Jan 1, 1967