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By Anthony Edey

This report describes work performed and results obtained for the technical and economic feasibility study of oil production by mining methods. The characteristics of oil fields which would make them amenable to mining techniques were identified. An inventory of known U.S. oil fields that offer this potential was collated. This was further divided into fields having potential for underground and surface mining systems development. Several candidate fields that fit particular underground and surface mining system types were then selected. Conceptual mining systems were designed for the selected fields. Five underground and four surface methods were chosen. Costs of oil production were estimated for these selections. The impact of oil mining an the environment was also considered.

Jan 1, 1978

By George L. Gates

[When clays are mixed with water to -.,tee mud fluids for use in trilling wells for nil and --ac b ;l-,e rotary method the liquid mixtures have certain physical characteristics that vary with the quantity and size of their inherent solid particles. All naturally occurring clays contain variable quantities of particles of different sizes ranging from relatively coarse (sands) through -,.tedium (silt) to fine materials of colloidal dimensions. Tie colloid content is extremely important 2.s a desirable _.'ale constituent of mud fl-z to fit well drilling. ';'it:-out colloids the souk?;,' in a mud fluid wouldr rapidly, end ti-c-and. wall-building qualitites of the' fl,-,id would l ..o r re 1 impaired. Mud .fluid.^ with insufficient quantities of colloids also are lacking in "lubricating" g listen, and it is, to ° min casing in, -)re holes drilled with such fluids.]

Jan 1, 1941

By Catherine C. Kilgore

The Bureau of Mines investigated the availability of fluorspar (CaF2) from 36 U.S. and 50 foreign mires and deposits in 13 countries. Only 6 U.S. properties are considered to be economic, as 29 domestic deposits were found to have an average total cost of production that was uneconomical at a breakeven (0-pct) discounted-cash-flow rate of return (DCFROR). The 50 foreign properties evaluated represent at least 55 pot of demonstrated fluorspar resources located in market economy countries and China. Al I evaluated foreign operations were found to be economic to marginally economic in January 1984 dollars when compared against published prices for each country. Reserves for 56 properties totaled 97 million metric tons (mt) (recoverable Ca F,) from demonstrated ore resources of 344 million mt that contained 123 million mt CaF2. The average total cost needed to cover all costs over the life of each operation was determined for all recoverable fluorspar products. Comparisons of ruining, beneficiation, and transportation costs per metric ton of fluorspar concentrate illustrate advantages between countries. Of the three countries with the greatest fluorspar production, China, with its high-grade, low-cost operations had the lowest weighted-average total cost of production ($38/mt concentrate), Mexico was next, at $54/mt concentrate, and benefited in U. S. dollar terms from the devaluation of the peso. The Republic of South Africa needed an average of $90/mt of concentrate to cover all costs of production at its large low-grade deposits.

Jan 1, 1985

By A. J. Barry

A practical method has been developed and field tested which provides an estimate of the bearing capacity of mine roof and floor. The relationship between penetration of the strata and imposed loads is determined by in situ tests. Information of this type is needed to determine the maximum allowable pressure that may be applied by self-advancing supports on roof and floor of a longwall face without causing a punching type of failure.

Jan 1, 1970

By R. H. Lien

The Bureau of Mines has conducted research on a flue gas desulfurization (FGD) process as part of its goal of minimizing the undesirable environmental impacts associated with sulfur dioxide (S02)-bearing waste gases. This FGD process, referred to as the modified citrate process, involves absorption of S02 in a buffered citric acid solution. The absorbed S02 is subsequently stripped from the solution using steam, which regenerates the solution and produces a wet S02 product. This product can be further processed to make sulfuric acid or liquid S02. Economic evaluations showed the process to be expensive when the stripper was operated at or near ambient pressures because of the large amounts of steam required for solution regeneration. Research was directed at reducing steam consumption in the stripper. The effect of stripper pressure on steam consumption was investigated. A process research unit (PRU) was operated with the stripper pressurized in the range of 5 to 150 psig. Test results showed that steam consumption decreased with increased stripper pressure. For example, when operating the PRU stripper at 150 psig, 4.1 grams of steam per gram of S02 was required to remove 90 pct of the S02 from a 1.0-vol-pct-S02 gas. This compares to 7.1 grams of steam per gram of S02 required for 90-pct S02 recovery at 5 psig.

Jan 1, 1982

By BUREAU OF MINES

This report is submitted in accordance with the provisions of the Synthetic Liquid Fuels Act of April 5, 1944 (30 U.S.C. 321-325, as amended), which require that: "The Secretary of the Interior shall render to Congress on or before the first day of January of each year a report on all operations under this Act." Owing to the broad scope of the content and the diversity of interests represented, the Annual Report for 1953 has been divided into two separate publications. Each has been published by the Bureau of Mines as a Report of Investigations, and the respective titles follow: R. I. 5043, Part I - Oil From Coal. R. I. 5044, Part II - Oil From Oil Shale. Identical in each report, the introduction summarizes research progress made in 1953 under the entire Synthetic Liquid Fuels program. A free copy of each of these publications may be obtained by a written request to the Bureau of Mines, Publications Distribution Section, 4800 Forbes Street, Pittsburgh 13, Pa. The R. I. number and title of the publication desired should be indicated.

Apr 1, 1954

Develop hydrometallurgical or pyrometallurgical recycling methods to recover valuable rare-earth compounds from various forms of NdFeB magnet scrap. Background The U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) has developed technology to treat and recycle a variety of wastes containing valuable and strategic metals. As part of this effort, the USBM developed a process to separate neodymium and other valuable rare earths from iron in NdFeB magnet scrap (fig. 1). Since this scrap typically contains nearly 30 weight percent neodymium and since the demand for neodymium is constantly increasing, cost-effective methods for scrap treatment could have a significant impact on industrial expenditure and materials supply in the expanding area of magnet manufacture. Approach A hydromctallurgical, H2SO4 dissolution-precipitation process provided the most effective treatment for separating rare earths from bulk NdFcB magnet scrap (fig. 2). Precipitation of neodymium-alkali sulfate double salt proved advantageous over direct precipitation of fluoride or oxalate products. This double salt is easily converted to a variety of useful rare-earth compounds, which eliminates many of the materials-handling and economic problems inherent with direct precipitation. Following rare-earth precipitation, dissolved iron was removed from the acid leach solution by precipitation as a jarosite.

Jan 1, 1993

By Neldon L. Jensen

Although ASARCO Incorporated, the only domestic producer, had terminated copper smelting operations and associated recovery of byproduct arsenic trioxide at Tacoma, WA, in 1985, it shipped small quantities of both trioxide and metal from its remaining stocks in 1986. Imports for consumption of arsenic trioxide increased significantly, owing to increased demand for arsenical wood preservatives and the decrease in domestic shipments of trioxide. Prices remained unchanged throughout the year. Development of gallium arsenide integrated circuits, important in advanced military and commercial electronics circuitry, continued to gain momentum during 1986. Domestic Data Coverage.-Shipments of small amounts of arsenic trioxide and metal from remaining stocks by Asarco were reported voluntarily to the Bureau of Mines.

Jan 1, 1988

By Oliver C. Ralston

The Nonmetallic Minerals Division of the Bureau of Mines deals with all mineral substances not intended to be used as ores for extraction of metals, with the exception of the fuels. However, coal washing, the methods of which are highly Similar to the concentrating methods for ores, is in¬cluded In the work of the Nonmetallic Minerals Division to facilitate administration and to avoid duplication of equipment. During the fiscal year most of the work of the division was done at the experiment stations in College Park, Md., Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Seattle, Wash.

Jan 1, 1938

By Oliver C. Ralston

The Nonmetallic Minerals Division of the Bureau of Mines deals with all mineral substances not intended to be used as ores for extraction of metals, with the exception of the fuels. However, coal washing, the methods of which are highly Similar to the concentrating methods for ores, is included In the work of the Nonmetallic Minerals Division to facilitate administration and to avoid duplication of equipment. During the fiscal year most of the work of the division was done at the experiment stations in College Park, Md. Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Seattle, Wash.

Jan 1, 1938

By J. B. Zadra, S. M. Shelton, R. B. Fisher, M. M. Fine

"INTRODUCTION An extensive test program is in progress by the Bureau of Mines to determine ways and means of recovering ferromanganese ore 5/ from the widespread domestic manganese and manganiferous iron deposits.Samples were received from the Stance property in southwestern Virginia, 12 miles northwest of Stoney Gap, in Bland County.The Stange mine is situated on the crest of Flat Top Mountain and is developed by open-cuts extending over several acres. The manganese deposit occurs in the Oriskany sandstone largely as a replacement of the sandstone, to some extent as breccia filling in the crusted parts of the sandstone, and as veins along joints, and bedding planes.The mine was first worked in 1917 and was operated during the war years. A long period of idleness was followed by intermittent operations in recent years. A small log-washing plant, consisting of a 20-foot log washer, was operated 1-1/4 miles northwest of the mine. The log-washer concentrates were crushed to minus- 1/2 inch and then washed in a second log washer to remove as much of the siliceous sandstone as possible. According to a communication from the operator, the double-washed concentrates were jigged and the jig concentrates marketed without further beneficiation."

Apr 1, 1942

By R. K. Linn

The New Idria Mining and Chemical Co. owns and operates the New Idria mine in southern San Benito County, Calif. During 1957-59, the New Idria mine was the largest producer of mercury in the United States and its alltime production of over a half-million flasks was exceeded only by one mine. It is one of the oldest and most consistent producers in California. With the exception of 1921-22, the mine has an annual production of mercury dating back to 1854. This paper by the Federal Bureau of Mines describes the exploration, development, mining, and furnacing of mercury ore at the New Idria mine. Figure 1 is a view of the furnace plant of the New Idria mine. The purpose of this report is to promote the development and conservation of our mineral resources by dissemination of technological information on mining and processing procedures, and related practices at operating mines.

Jan 1, 1961

By E. D. Gordner

Irrespira ble gutses issuing from the rock fofflb tions ere tJ source of expense ond danger in some metGLl mines. There is a great Variation in the compos i-· tion of such gdses and, os shown 'by recent sampling by the Bureau of ines, the gas rr;;,.y consi$t mostly ct carbon dioxide, (Rocle Strata Gtsses in the Mines of the East Tintic Mining District, by G. E. McElroy, Bu.retau of Mines Serial 2Z75) or f methone (Metruine in Ccalifornia C.old Mines, by B. 0. Picl-Q:lrd i:lnd !.. D. ("iordner, Bure, cf Mines Serial 2303), or nitrogen, sin the present instonce. A nl.liilber of unventilated rt:t.ises in some of the mine of l:l Neva&. district conuin «i'ccumulCltions of l;i hih-nitrogen gas the1t will not supi:ort life or combus­tion. The rdises ore in different geologiecil formations and in widely sep1:1rated. loecslities in the mining district. One ot" two ri::lises in the sme fc.rtr.ation may be full of the gos cand einother nec-r'by be t'ree ot· it. Lives have been lost t:lnd a number of men heave been overcome on enteing unvetilated rtsises in which their­respircable tss hcsd c1ccuni..1.l1::1ted between sldfts. Gener1:1lly, however, the gas see:ns to noozett from the .t'onrbtio:1 ond to ecc1: .. ,i.-1,;.1:.1te so slowly tMt its presence is not suspected t the tfr.1e, bu.t discovered. ed:'t&.c' the raise is t)band.oned. OcCE.isionelly 1 t issues from a ne•.,ly cut cre·tice or fissure under considerca ble pressure and in lar!?e enough '3.'16ntities to overcome or drive 011t men working in unventilated places.

Dec 1, 1922

By Masami Hayashi

The Bureau of Mines estimated the cost for ,3 uranium ion-exchange recovery system using five grades of 17.0, leach solution producing 815,570 pounds of U 0? per year from an ammonium bicarbonate in situ leach solution. The system flowsheet consisted of four unit operations: (1) Multiple-compartment ion-exchange (MCIX) absorption; (2) MCIX elution; (3) precipitation of the uranium as yellow cake, filtering, calcining, and packaging; and (4) waste disposal. The total fixed capital cost of a system treating 2,000 gallons per minute of 0.1-gram-per-liter-U308 leach solution was estimated as $6,888,000. For n basic case of an MCIX system depreciating in 9 years, unit production cost of U308 was $3.51 per pound. A decrease in feed solution grade from 0.[4] to 0.03 gram per liter increased the production cost exponentially. Shorter depreciating periods significantly increased the production cost particularly for the lower grade feed solutions.

Jan 1, 1979

By F. L. Wideman

This paper is one of a series on mining methods being published by the Bureau of Mines. It describes briefly mining practices at the Sunrise iron mine of the Colorado Fuel & Iron Corp., Platte County, Wyo. The Sunrise mine is in the Hartville iron district in east-central Wyoming (fig. 1). The district covers part of the Hartville Mountains, a region of moderate relief in which erosional features have been formed by the dissection of a low plateau. Altitudes vary from 4,300 feet along the North Platte River to 6,000 feet in the uplift. The climate is semiarid, with hot summers and winter temperatures below zero for short periods. Grasses, cacti, yucca, and low desert shrubs grow at lower elevations. Cottonwood and boxelder trees and willows grow along permanent streams; juniper and coniferous trees are confined to the higher elevations.

Jan 1, 1956

[This is the sixth in a series of reports on properties of commercial motor fuels, made in accordance with a cooperative Agreement between the Cooperative Fuel Research (C.F.R.) Committee and the Bureau of tines of the Department of the Interior. The first report gave data on motor gasolines sold during the winter of 1935.-36.3/ The present report cover brands of gasoline represented by 1,490 samples plus thus: from the Pacific Coat, which ;sere averaged by the Pacific Coast Technical Group before being submitted and are published exactly as they were submitted. In some areas reports were received from 8 to 10 companies on the same brands of gasoline, Whereas in other areas only one Company reported on a brand. Thus, it can be seen that soma of the data are more representative than others. The inclusion of data from several cities within some of the districts has improved the report by reducing the number of brands reported by only one company. Severe changes have been made in the districts. A new district, Memphis, Tenn., has been formed to include Arkansas any western Tennessee. The Rocky Mountain area, have been divided into three sections. Salt Lake City and Denver form the Middle Rocky Mountain district; Laramie, Wyo., Idaho, Montana, and. Spokane, Wash., are included in the North Rocky Mountain district, and Arizona, New Mexico , and El Paso, Tex., have been combined to represent the South Rock Mountain district. The Cleveland district has been expanded to include Ohio ant. Indiana. Eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, and northern Virginia are included in the Washington (D. C.) district. The Atlanta district includes Georgia, South Carolina; Mississippee, and northern Florida.]

Jan 1, 1938

By Robert F. Chaiken

An absorption-desorption model of particle reactivity was employed to describe the observed relationship between two apparently diverse phenomena which have been the subject of considerable study at the U.S. Bureau of Mines: (1) coal-rock dust reflectance and (2) coal-rock dust explosibility. The model accounts for heterogeneities in particle-size and material properties; however, in the present report, only particle-size distribution is considered. A mean particle-size parameter, appropriate to the explosion extinction process, is derived, and then taken as appropriate to describing optical reflectance. The derived form-to-function relationships for the two processes, when compared with experimental data, suggest that a problem exists with previously derived theory relating optical reflectance to rock dust concentration. A reexamination of that theory leads to a new theoretical expression, changed by a factor of 2, for the variation of rock dust concentration with reflectance which is in quite good agreement with experimental results. The current work offers justification for measuring and establishing rock dust requirements for specific coal dust size distribution(s) found in the mine-distributions that undoubtedly depend on the mining method and the type of coalbed.

Jan 1, 2010

By J. P. BONARDI, C. W. Davis, R. B. Moore, J. W. MARDEN, S. C. Lind, J. E. Conley

The rare metals are becoming increasingly important to our industries. Rare-metal alloys have properties which indicate that we are only on the threshold of the possibilities of their utilization, not only in making nonferrous alloys, but also as special steels. Not only are their uses broadening rapidly, but the metals are affecting our industries in other ways. The oxides and some salts are used as pigments; others have medicinal value. The pure metals are made into filaments for incandescent lamps, and targets for X-ray tubes. By their efficient use in alloys, the weight of automobiles is reduced, • and the wear and tear on tires and roads is thus minimized; in machine shops they help to give greater efficiency to tools and reduce production costs. Their development has marked a milestone in the progress of civilization. There has been considerable uncertainty regarding analytical methods for the rare metals. A great deal has been published, but the weak and the strong points of the various methods have not been investigated as carefully as is needed. The Bureau of Mines at its Rare Metals station in Colorado necessarily had to do a great deal of analytical work in connection with the metals covered by this bulletin, which aims to give the results of the experience so acquired. No claim for much originality is made, although some published methods given have been modified, and some new ones have been developed by members of the staff. The principal methods available were studied critically, and it is to be hoped that the work will assist those interested in analytical work in connection with the metals named.

Jan 1, 1923

By V. R. Miller

The Bureau of Mines developed and evaluated a detecting and sorting device to separate the copper-bearing portion from the barren portion of Michigan native copper ore in the minus 4- plus 1-inch size range. Small-scale sorting tests were also conducted on minus 1- plus 1/2-inch material from the Centennial No. 6 mine, using a previously developed system that was modified to increase sensitivity. Results showed that, with the added sensitivity, 85 to 90 pct of the copper in the minus 1- plus 1/2-inch material could be recovered in about 50 to 60 pct of the fraction. Sorting tests on minus 4- plus 2-inch and minus 2- plus 1-inch fractions from the Centennial mine were conducted with the large sorting system. Results showed that 86 to 93 pct of the copper was recovered in 43 to 64 wt-pct of the sorted fractions. Combining of concentrates from the two fractions resulted in a recovery of 90 pct of the Popper in 55 pct of the weight. The composite concentrate contained 2.40 pct copper, and the tailing analyzed 0.33 pct Cu; the head sample assayed 1.46 pct Cu.

Jan 1, 1978

By M. M. Gilkey

Pegmatites in Colorado occur for 150 miles along the Front Range (eastern-most range of the Rocky Mountains) from Larimer County on the north to Canon City on the south, and west into the Gunnison area. Many of the deposits have been classified. Minerals found in the various dikes include beryl, scrap and possibly punch mica, lithium-bearing minerals, columbite-tantalite, feldspar, and several rare minerals. Pegmatites are abundant in the Crystal Mountain district in Larimer County. About 5 miles south of the Crystal Mountain district and often identified with that district is the Hyatt pegmatite area. The Hyatt Ranch deposit has attracted particular attention because of the comparatively high beryl con-tent of the upper part exposed in opencut workings.

Jan 1, 1960