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By Sam S. Taylor

The disposal of oil-field brines by injection into subsurface formations other than fresh-water-bearing strata is a positive method of eliminating the harmful effects of mineralized water on fresh-water supplies, vegetation, and aquatic and other animal life. The methods used most generally for the disposal of brines produced with oil are (1) impounding in evaporation ponds, (2) controlled diversion into surface streams, and (3) injection into subsurface formations. Various States recognize one or more of the methods as legally authorized procedure. As a general rule, impounding brine in ponds and solar evaporation have not been entirely successful, principally because of the large volumes handled; the porous nature of the soil, and the low rate of evaporation. Likewise, the diversion of brine into freshwater streams by controlled dilution has not proved satisfactory in some areas, especially in parts of Kansas and Oklahoma where the rainfall is relatively low, because it has been impossible to obtain enough fresh water for such dilution.

Jan 1, 1939

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Jan 1, 1975

By Edward L. McHugh, Stanley M. Miller, Jeffrey K. Whyatt

The point estimation method can be applied to the safety factor (SF) equation for any specified rock slope failure mode (such as plane shear, step path, or wedge) to obtain reliable estimates of the mean and standard deviation of the SF probability distribution. A gamma probability density function is recommended for modeling this probability distribution, because it allows only for positive values and is flexible enough to provide symmetrical shapes and right-skewed, exponential-type shapes for the SF distribution. The mean and standard deviation define this distribution, which then can be integrated numerically from 0 to 1 to obtain the probability of sliding, PS (portion of the SF distribution where SF < 1.0). The overall probability of failure, PF, for the potential slope failure mass is the joint probability that the rock discontinuities are long enough to allow kinematic failure (PL) and that sliding occurs along the rock discontinuities (PS); that is, PF = PSPL. This method for estimating the probability of sliding is extremely efficient computationally, and thus, expedites slope stability simulation routines used by NIOSH software to stochastically describe rock slope behavior and assist the engineer in designing catch benches for large rock slopes. Enhanced bench design translates into increased operational efficiency and safer working conditions in open pit mines and quarries.

By H. P. Greenwald

[In many coal-mining countries, during he pest decade, there have been made extended studies and accurate measurement of movement of roof strata, tests of the physical properties of specimens cut therefrom, and tests of the strength of end load on artificial supports. Naturally, such studies have been more extensive in European countries, where mining conditions are less favorable than in the United States. As a part of its work in the conservation of coal resource and prevention of accidents in mints, the Bureau of Mines began systematic measurement of the movement of roof strata to in coal mines in the fall of 1935. It was decided that, in the beginning, work on a rapidly retreating rib line in a mechanized mine would give the greatest amount of information in a reasonable time. To this end a cooperative agreement was made with the Pittsburgh Coal Co., Dr. L. E. Young, vice president in charge of operations, for conduct of work in that company&apos;s Montour 10 mine operating in the Pittsburgh coal bed, This paper gives an account of the methods used in the investigation, excerpts from the date obtained, and such generalizations as appear to be justified.]

Jan 1, 1937

By W. Dan Walker

In recent years the Federal Bureau of Mines tested and approved four new types of self-contained breathing apparatus and a facepiece designed for use with the McCaa 2-hour self-contained oxygen breathing apparatus. The Bureau also developed and perfected a battery-powered lifeline telephone for use in mine rescue and recovery operations. Some of this equipment is described in Bureau of Mines Information Circular 7413.4/ This publication is a revision of information Circular 7413 and presents pertinent information on more recently developed mine rescue equipment. The breathing apparatus described herein are 1/2- and 3/4-hour sell-contained types of much simpler design than the conventional 2-hour self-contained oxygen breathing apparatus ordinarily used by mine rescue crews; however, it is just as important to select rescue crews carefully and to train them properly in the use, care, and limitations of the newer types of apparatus as well as the older, established types, if the newer types are to be used safely. The Bureau of Mines recommends that 1/2- and 3/4-hour self-contained breathing apparatus be used only as auxiliary equipment in mine rescue and recovery work and that the capabilities and limitations of the apparatus should be well understood by those who wear the equipment.

Jan 1, 1957

By G. W. Jones

As a part of its general safety program the Bureau of Mines has investigated various means useful for the elimination or mitigation of the explosion hazards in connection with combustible gases incident to the mining industry. Information has been obtained relative to the explosibility of numerous simple and complex gaseous combustible atmospheres. Although experiments along this line have pertained largely to combustible gases in the mining and allied industry, considerable information has been obtained relative to the explosive hazards of combustible gases and vapors used as anesthetics.

Jan 1, 1939

By G. W. Jones

As a part of its general safety program the Bureau of Mines has investigated various means useful for the elimination or mitigation of the explosion hazards in connection with combustible gases incident to the mining industry. Information has been obtained relative to the explosibility of numerous simple and complex gaseous combustible atmospheres. Although experiments along this line have pertained largely to combustible gases in the mining and allied industry, considerable information has been obtained relative to the explosive hazards of combustible gases and vapors used as anesthetics.

Jan 1, 1939

By Lowell B. Moon

The Stange and Byrnes Heirs manganese mines, adjoining properties in Bland and Giles Counties, Va., have produced at least 20,000 long tons of concentrates containing 8,000 long tons of manganese. They were selected as the site for a strategic-mineral development project because of the existence of geologic possibilities for extensions of the known ore body. In plan, the long dimension of the ore body parallels the axis of a major anticline. Localization apparently is due to longitudinal and transverse fracturing incident to two-way folding. That the manganese oxides were deposited by downward-moving solutions is suggested by the fact that mineable concentrations are confined to a coarse, porous sandstone under-lain by impervious silt and clay. Bureau of Mines project work began on January 15, 1941, and was completed on April 23. The work sampling the faces of the pit, bulldozer trenching, and churn drilling. Pit sampling consisted of 132 channel samples usually 5 feet long and taken at 20-foot intervals. Seventeen trenches aggregating some 4,500 feet in length were dug by the bulldozer. Trenches averaged 12.6 feet in width and 5 feet in depth. A total of 1,978 feet of churn drilling was done in 33 holes. In preparation for churn drilling it was necessary to construct roads to 21 of the 33 sites. A total of 2,867 linear feet of road averaging 13 feet in width was built.

Jan 1, 1950

By H. S. Benson

This report documents, from concept through field testing, the pan scraper Wheel Slip Monitor. The function of this device is to instantly warn the scraper operator of wheel slip and thus enable him to take immediate corrective action. Knowledgeable pan scraper people recognize that the preponderance of scraper tire damage and wear occurs during useless wheel slip when the scraper operator attempts to increase machine draft beyond what traction will allow. The resultant shortened tire life has become very expensive. The Wheel Slip Monitor reported here provides the means for relieving the scraper operator of attempting to judge wheel slip on tires he cannot see. Direct and intuitively understandable audible and flashing light warnings tell the scraper operator which wheel is slipping and also indicate the relative magnitude of the slip. Beside the Wheel Slip Monitor&apos;s patent utility as a real time operator aid, it has unique potential for application to extended term wheel slip history acquisition under field conditions. This information has never been easily available and it promises practical value in pan scraper management.

Jan 1, 1983

By Albert L. Toenges, Frank A. Jones

"INTRODUCTION The introduction of mechanized pining in coal mines, which has speeded loading, has emphasized the importance of efficient underground transportation systems. The purpose of this investigation is to study and analyze various systems now in use, and to derive conclusions therefrom. This report may be helpful to operators who are planning new systems of transportation or who are revising present systems to increase their efficiency. This paper is the first of a series on this subject and describes some systems of transportation utilizing rail haulage.ACKNOWLEDGMENTThe information used in preparing this report was obtained through the courtesy and cooperation of the officials of the companies whose mines wore studied. The descriptions of the transportation systems at the mines included herein have been checked for accuracy, and publication of the data has been approved by the executives of the several operating companies."

Jun 1, 1940

By J. R. Thoenen

In the summer of 1937 the authors began a series of time studies of the various processes employed in&apos; the production of crashed stone. These studies, made at quarries situated in the eastern and southeastern parts of the United States, have not been completed, but to make results available to the industry as early as possible, it was decided to publish summarizes of the studies made to January 1, 1939, as a series of progress reports. The first of these dealt with power-shovel loading and was issued as Report of Investigations 3461 in September 1939. The second, issued in September 1939 as Report of Investigations 3467, dealt with quarry haulage. The present report discusses analyses of time studies of primary drilling a t the same group of quarries. OBJECT OF STUDY Pressure of business problems frequently requires the entire attention of quarry management, and in consequence internal plant economies often are neglected. Also, operating officials absorbed in their local problems are prone to overlook possible economies that would attract attention immediately were they critically examining another plant. The authors felt that technical studies at a number of plants, made by impartial engineers, might disclose opportunities to reduce costs or improve efficiency in internal plant processes.

Jan 1, 1940

By Vance G. Leak

Leaching of manganese from low-grade Minnesota ores was studied over the temperature range 25° to 225° C at atmospheric and elevated pressures to demonstrate that good recoveries of manganese could be achieved from unroasted ores using reagents available nearby. Various combinations of ore, pyrite, lignite derivatives, and sulfuric acid were tested on a small scale. Pyrite alone required the highest temperature to effect a good extraction, but the combination of pyrite, lignite char, and sulfuric acid solubilized 99 percent of the manganese after 30 minutes of reaction at 75° C.

Jan 1, 1971

By Ronald B. Stotelmeyer

This report summarizes studies of 28 National Forest roadless areas in Montana completed by the U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) in the period 1974-1993. It also briefly describes 20 areas for which field studies have not been conducted. All 48 of these roadless areas have been recommended for addition to the National Wilderness Preservation System or proposed as special management areas by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) or the Montana congressional delegation. The Bureau studies indicate which parts of the roadless areas have a high likelihood for mineral-resource development. They also show where mineral production has occurred in the past and where abandoned mine workings (possible hazards) would be encountered. The number of mine and prospect workings found are a measure not only of surface disturbance, but of areas not wilderness in character. For the purposes of this report, mine refers to a property which produced (or is currently producing) a mineral commodity, a prospect is a property which has been explored but has no record of production.

Jan 1, 1994

After a stagnant performance in 1982, gross national product (GNP), industrial production, and employment increased during 1983 in nearly all industrial nations, with the U.S. performance generally leading the uneven worldwide recovery. Real U.S. GNP increased 3.3 percent in 1983 (table I). Although investment in nonresidential structures declined, total nonresidential fixed investment in the United States was up 1.5 percent following a 1982 decrease. The increase in worldwide industrial activity and demand in 1983 put greater pressure on prices in many countries. Prices increased from less than 3 percent in the Federal Republic of Germany, Japan, the Nether-lands, and Switzerland to as much as 10 percent in nearly all the other Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development nations. The annual inflation rate in the United States was 4.3 percent (based on the GNP fixed-weight price index).

Jan 1, 1984

By F. D. DeVaney

The low-grade deposits of manganese ores along the Missouri River near Chamberlain, S. Dak., are known to contain one of the largest reserves of manganese in the United States. Manganese occurs as concretionary nodules ranging in size from 13 inches in their longest dimension to particles finer than 65-mesh. The nodules are embedded in soft, wet shale, which contains little manganese. The removal of nodules from the low-grade shale is a simple mechanical -problem; the question is primarily to determine the lowest-cost method of separation. This report purposes to present data acquired by experimenting with samples of the ore, which form a basis for suggesting methods of concentrating manganese nodules.

Jan 1, 1942

By F. D. DeVaney

The low-grade deposits of manganese ores along the Missouri River near Chamberlain, S. Dak., are known to contain one of the largest reserves of manganese in the United States. Manganese occurs as concretionary nodules ranging in size from 13 inches in their longest dimension to particles finer than 65-mesh. The nodules are embedded in soft, wet shale, which contains little manganese. The removal of nodules from the low-grade shale is a simple mechanical problem; the question is primarily to determine the lowest-cost method of separation. This report purposes to present data acquired by experimenting with samples of the ore, which form a basis for suggesting methods of concentrating manganese nodules.

Jan 1, 1942

This report describes the work performed by Mine Research Company in developing a prototype mobile roof shield during 1971-1972 for the U. S. Bureau of Mines, along with background information leading to the design decisions adopted for the project. In addition, the report evaluates the choice of design and analysis and the results of the project in terms of future possibilities of mobile roof support systems. The report begins with the discussion of the problems of designing, building, and using mechanical and hydraulic roof support in coal mines. It then gives a historical summary of past work with discussions of the design choices made for previous roof support systems.

Jan 1, 1973

By Francis E. Federspiel

In 1984 and 1985, at the request of the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Bureau of Mines examined the 87,720-acre South Boise Yuba study area (formerly known as RARE II Wilderness Recommended area I-4553) to evaluate mineral resources. The study area and additions are in Blaine, Camas, and Elmore Counties, 10, about 60 mi east of Boise. Granitic rocks of the Cretaceous age Idaho Batholith occupy the western two-thirds of the study area. A Tertiary age granitic complex has intruded, and broken into small blocks, Paleozoic age sedimentary rocks in the eastern third of the study area. Tertiary Challis Volcanics overlie both of these rock types. Principal mineralized structures are gold-and silver-bearing quartz veins and shear zones trending northwest to easterly in the Cretaceous granitic rocks. Copper, lead, and zinc are accessory metals in many mineralized structures.

Jan 1, 1987

By R. A. Cummings

Certain roof shales in coal mines deteriorate upon exposure to the atmosphere, causing difficulties in the mining operations and adding to the cost. This report presents the results of both field investigations, in a West Virginia mine, and laboratory studies on the effects of atmospheric moisture on roof shales. Based on these observations, a conceptual procedure is presented on how shale deterioration might be predicted during exploration, and guidelines are given as to how air tempering or conditioning chambers may be designed to reduce moisture effects. Recommendations for further studies are included. An annotated bibliography of the literature constitutes the second volume.

Jan 1, 1981

By David J. Kusler

This study is an appraisal of the feasibility of recovery and the possible chemical and physical uses of the limestone from the Greenbrier Formation in western West Virginia. Data on minability, occurrence, quality, and markets were obtained from published and unpublished sources and by a limited mail survey combined with personal contacts. The estimated costs of recovery by deep mining techniques are considerably higher than competitive surface and shallow subsurface operations. Compositional in formation available for this study was limited but indicated the suitability of the limestone for most physical uses and some chemical process uses in appraisal of the uses and demand reveals that immediate markets may be difficult to establish, but for some uses long-term prospects may be encouraging, especially if the quality of limestone would be suitable for lime manufacture or use as metallurgical fluxstone.

Jan 1, 1968