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By J. E. Terry

This paper outlines the steps that are being taken to close the gap between training and industry and indicates areas in which more work needs to be done. Although based on experience in the Maritime Provinces, it is applicable to industrial and educational studies across the length and breadth of Canada.

Jan 1, 1970

By Keith L. Harris

Surprisingly, real gross national product (GNP) surged at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.3% for the first quarter of 1987 according to preliminary estimates made by the Department of Commerce, the highest rate in 3 yr and significantly above the revised fourth quarter 1986 rate of 1.1% (table 1). The spurt, however, was caused by an unusual $59.5 billion rise in inventories, mostly cars and trucks, and there was little support from other sectors of the economy. Motor vehicle inventories rose as consumers continued to tighten their purse strings--consumer spending declined 0.4% for the second quarter in a row. Nonresidential and residential fixed investment and government purchases of goods and services were also down from the previous quarter. The increasing cost of energy was the major factor in the jump to 3.696 in the rate of inflation, as measured by the fixed-weighted price index for GNP, and rising inflation also helped put a damper on consumer spending. The underlying good news was that the trade deficit shrank for the second quarter in a row as imports declined at an annual rate of 11.1%. Also, profits in the manufacturing sector rose strongly in the fourth quarter, and for the first time in 9 quarters, the primary metal industries became profitable (table 1). If one discounts the anomalous inventory growth, the bottom line is that the economy continues to grow at close to the expected 2.5% level experienced over the past 2 yr. Of concern over the next several quarters, though, is the impact of the large over- hang of motor vehicles inventories on the economy. EMPLOYMENT The civilian unemployment rate declined to 6.636 in March after remaining at 6.7% for the previous 3 months. Employment continued to expand in February and March, although growth was significantly slower in March than in previous months. The manufacturing sector, however, lost 24,000 jobs in March after gaining 46,000 in February. Three-quarters of that gain came when striking workers at USX Corp. and Deere & CO. returned to their jobs. Employment in the manufacturing sectors of direct interest to the mineral industries has generally been increasing for at least the last quarter, while worker hours for these sectors have been on the upswing since April 1986 (figures 1 and 2).

Jan 1, 1987

By Gordon T. Austin

The combined value of production of natural abrasives, which include tripoli, special silica stone, garnet, staurolite, and emery, increased in 1993. The increase in the value of tripoli production was the result of an increase in total production. Special silica stone experienced an increase in unit value but decrease in the quantity produced. Garnet showed a 19 % decrease in quantity and an 8 % decrease in value. Staurolite increased about 51 % in the quantity produced and 136 % in value compared with those of 1992. Staurolite's significant increase in value of production resulted from a 56 % increase in the unit value. The fused aluminum oxide industry showed an 8 % decrease in the quantity produced and a 13 % decrease in the value of production. The silicon carbide industry saw an 11 % decrease in the quantity produced and an 8 % decrease in the value of production. Combined, the industries decreased 9 % in quantity and 11 % in value compared with those of 1992.

Jan 1, 1993

By D. T. Randall

The burning of coal without smoke is a problem that concerns the Government directly because of the advantages of smokeless combustion both in public buildings and on naval vessels. In addition, smoke abatement is a factor in conserving the fuel resources of the United States. Hence, as part of its general investigation of the best methods of utilizing the coals of this country, the Bureau of Mines, which is in charge of the fuel-testing work formerly carried on by the United States Geological Survey, has made extended tests to determine the conditions necessary for the smokeless combustion of bituminous coal in boiler furnaces. Bulletin 39,¢ a preliminary report, treats the smoke problem from a theoretical point of view, detailing the steps that are being taken by municipalities, manufacturers, and citizens to abate smoke, also showing the possibility of a clean city. The present bulletin not only shows that bituminous coals high in volatile matter can be burned without smoke, but also that large plants carrying loads that fluctuate widely, where boilers over banked fires must be put into service quickly and fires forced to the capacity of their units, can be operated without producing smoke that is objectionable. Proper equipment, efficient labor, and intelligent supervision are the necessary factors.

Jan 1, 1918

By J. W. Thompson

AN ACT prescribing the mode of maintaining and defending possessory actions on lands belonging to the United States. The People, etc. SEC. 1. Any person now occupying and settled upon, or who may hereafter occupy and settle upon any of the public lands belonging to the United States, unoccupied, except upon lands containing mines of any of the precious metals, may commence and maintain any action for interference with, or injuries done to his possession of said land, against any person or persons so interfering with or injuring such land or such possession. SEC. 2. On the trial of any such cause, the possession or possessory right of the plaintiff shall be considered as extending to the boundaries embraced by the claim of such plaintiff, so as to enable him to have and maintain any action as aforesaid, without being compelled to prove an actual inclosure; provided, that such "claim" shall not exceed in any case one hundred and sixty acres of land. SEC. 3. Every such claim, to entitle the holder to maintain any action as aforesaid, shall be marked out, so that the boundaries thereof may be readily traced, and the extent of such "claim" easily known, and no person shall be entitled to maintain any such action for possession of, or injury to, any claim, unless he occupy the same, or shall have made improvements thereon to the value of $100. SEC. 4. A neglect to occupy or cultivate such "claim," for the period of three months, shall be considered such an abandonment as to preclude the claimant from maintaining any action as hereinbefore mentioned. Sec. 5. Any person or persons claiming the right of possession to land under this act shall have the right to defend said possession and the claim thereto, and all the rights and privileges given them by this act.

Jan 1, 1918

By E. D. Gardner

A general survey of the mineral industries of the Black Hills is being made by the Bureau or Mines, but this report is confined to the tin deposits of that region. Because of the strategic importance of tin in a national emergency, special attention was given in the field to deposits of this metal. The present paper outlines the procedure that would be required for determining the potentialities of the most promising deposits as emergency sources of tin and gives estimates of the cost of sampling and rehabilitating some of the old tin mines. Tin mining in the Black Hill was quiescent in 1938. Tin occurs in two areas inn the region. The deposits have received considerable attention, and since 1884 numerous articles have been written about them. It is estimated that between 7 and 15 million dollars has been spent in promotion expenses, acquiring claims, development work, and equipment; production, has totaled about 160 long tons of metallic tin worth about $95,000.3/

Jan 1, 1939

By Harold Kennedy

Take a good look at this issue of Minerals and Materials. This is the last issue of M&M, as it has been known within the U.S. Bureau of Mines, that you will receive. Fifteen years after it was created to help cope with a growing worldwide mineral shortage, M&M is ceasing publication. In its place will be a bright, new publication called Minerals Today. Like its venerable predecessor, Minerals Today will be a bimonthly magazine that reports on recent trends and issues in the minerals and materials industries. It will be the Bureau of Mines' most frequent periodical presenting an overview of the entire field of minerals and materials.

Jan 1, 1989

The Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp. announced plans to raise June ingot prices by 4 cents to 57 cents per pound. Producers? April value for 99.5 percent unalloyed aluminum ingot was at 53 cents per pound. Domestic merchants last month were quoting the metal at 48-49 cents per pound. Primary aluminum producers began restarting production facilities following the settlement of the coal strike. Noranda Aluminum Inc. recalled workers to prepare potlines for production at its plant at New Madrid, Mo., which had closed February 14, 1978 due to the shortage of coal. Eastalco Aluminum Co. resumed full capacity production at its Frederick, Md. smelter where production had been cut by 30 percent. Anaconda Aluminum Co. resumed full capacity production at its Sebree, Ky. smelter.

Jan 1, 1978

By C. W. Van Law

WE have just heard a very able presentation, by Mr. J. C. Cameron, on the subject of Recent Trends in Labour Relations, as they exist today in Canada (l). With minor changes, what he said applies equally to the situation in the United States. Direct negotiation between employer and employee on a man-to-man basis, wherein good faith and mutual esteem was at least sometimes a factor, has almost entirely given way to a mass struggle in which each side is represented by highly trained specialists in a new jurisprudence, built up on vote-getting labour laws, decisions in analogous cases by Boards whose members may have had very little personal acquaintance with the specific case, etc., etc. Membership in a labour union has become almost an essential requisite to a job; once in, the individual workman loses his identity and dares not act on his own initiative or even express any idea not handed him by his Union head. An honest workman cannot turn in an honest day's work, because his Union will not allow him. Leadership in the Unions has become so powerful an instrument, both politically and monetarily, that Union policies are drafted primarily to build up that power, and may have little relation to the equities of the individual case. ?While both sides still render lip-service to the doctrine that Capital and Labour can advance best by co-operation to mutual benefit, that doctrine has in effect given way to as bitter and as legalistic a struggle as any in our civil courts. There are many reasons to believe that we are, industrially, in a situation much like the European situation from 1935 to 1939; an impending war to the death with 'appeasement' as the only, unavailing, policy

Jan 1, 1945

By Charles D. Walcott

Jan 1, 1901

By William W. Odell

In Europe and in certain other foreign countries studies have been made, extending over a period of years, relating to the winning of oil from oil shale. More work has been done in these countries than in the United States, for the reason that a supply of natural petroleum has not been so generally available there as here. Information has been obtained relating to present practices in these foreign lands in the development of a shale-oil industry. It is realized that in the past there has been very little inducement to invest capital in shale-oil enterprise in the United State's because the supply of petroleum has been plentiful; however, the time possibly is not far distant when the utilization of oil shale may be cons¬idered a desirable and financially sound venture, as it may be necessary before long to augment our supply of oil with that recovered by processing shale. The data presented herein portrays at least some of the thoughts of those engaged in obtaining oil from oil, shale in Europe, and they depict some of the results thus far obtained as well as certain plans for further efforts to win oil from shale; it is hoped that those who undertake the development of a shale-treating industry in this country will find useful information in this report.

Jan 1, 1946

By Jan Zwarcendyk

This study is primarily directed toward providing an understanding of the economic complexities associated with subsidence damage on the surface resulting from underground mining. Some of the pertinent theories on the physical stresses involved are reviewed, and both remedial measures and relevant laws in various countries are discussed. Part I (Chapters 1-3) is an historical overview of various aspects of subsidence problems (theoretical, remedial, and legal) during pre-World War I, between World Wars, and post-World War II, respectively. Part II (Chapters 4-9) presents a comprehensive analysis of the economic aspects of subsidence in relation to the following mining alternatives: (a) carrying out the lowest cost mining method without regard for any surface subsidence, (b) special mining techniques, (c) partial mining, (d) full recovery with stowing, and (e) sterilization or leaving the mineral unmined beneath selected areas. These alternatives are evaluated in terms of their measurable expenses.

Jan 1, 1971

By Roberto Antoniolli

"IntroductionSINCE ancient times, the precious metals have played an important role in influencing the course of history. Silver and gold happened to occur, although in small amounts, in those countries where the early civilizations developed. Their persistent brightness certainly amazed the primitive people, who also found it easy to shape them into ornaments •and implements. Ever since then their properties have made them seem desirable possessions.Use of precious metals as money was the natural consequence of man's desire for them. The possibility of changing an ornament into a tool or food at any time, and the ease with which such medium of exchange could be carried and hidden, further increased the demand for the two metals.Silver was probably discovered after gold and copper, and was undoubtedly found by prehistoric man as native silver. The oldest silver articles have been discovered in Chaldean tombs and date back to 5000 B.C. The earliest ascertained producers of silver were Asia Minor and the Iberian Peninsula. The Romans worked deposits in Spain, Britain, and France. In the Middle Ages, some silver was extracted from German deposits, and near the end of the Middle Ages systematic workings were carried on at Freiberg, Schneeberg, and Joachimsthal (1).Before the discovery of the New Continent, the Aztecs and Toltecs in Mexico, and the Incas in Peru, had made extensive use of silver. In the 16th century the Mexican deposits became the largest source of the world silver."

Jan 1, 1954

By Henry G. Granger

I. INTRODUCTION. REPEATED failures in attempts to work gold-bearing gravels by means of suction-dredges have created the impression that this method is impracticable. The suction-dredges have failed from three special causes excessive wear and frequent breakage of pump-shell, runners and liners; inability to dredge compact gravel which would ,not. readily move towards the intake; and, most important of all, closing. of the suction-pipe by stones too large to enter it. In my opinion, all three causes of trouble may be remedied: the first, by making stronger the parts most liable to wear and breakage; the second, by means for loosening the gravel at the intake; and the third, by sufficiently... Increasing.. the diameter of the suction-pipe. In suction gold-dredges, this diameter has not usually exceeded 10 or 12 in.; whereas there are few profitable gold-fields which can bee considered dredgeable, in which stones more than' 12 in. in diameter, are-.not frequently encountered. II. AN EFFECTIVE SUCTION-DREDGE. In harbor-operations, much larger stones are handled by suction-dredges.., The large dredge of the Henry Steers Contracting Co. worked for nearly four years at League Island, Philadelphia, where it sucked up, passed through the pump, and forced through 3,700 ft. of discharge-pipe; gravel containing boulders up to 200 lb. in weight. This was done with no bad breaks and few shut-downs. The cutter; and liners were the only parts liable to damage, and these were easily replaced with brief interruption of work. The chrome-steel liners are said to have lasted from six to nine months. I am informed that this dredge worked continously for nine

Apr 1, 1909

By Keith L. Harris

Economic activity in the United States picked up in the third quarter, according to the latest estimate released by the Department of Commerce. Real gross national product (GNP)--the Nation's output of goods and services--grew at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.3%, or $17.6 billion, compared with a rate of 1.9% for the second quarter of 1985 and 1.6% for the third quarter of 1984 (table 1). The 4.3% rate is one percentage point above the preliminary estimate reported in the August/September issue of Minerals and Materials. Most of the upward revision was due to the change in business inventories and Government purchases, while the figure for net exports was revised downward substantially. The 4.3% growth bettered by 1.5% the average rate of growth in GNP from 1974 through 1984 and was 1.1 % above that of the period from 1975 through 1984 and 0.7% above that of 1980 through 1984. Of importance to the minerals industry was the $14.4-billion growth in personal consumption expenditures, $10.2 billion of which was for durable goods (especially domestically produced automobiles) and the growing residential investment. The net export deficit continued to grow, however, and investment in nonresidential structures, producers' durable equipment, and business inventories declined. Prices, as measured by the GNP fixed-weighted price index, increased at an annual rate of 3.1% in the third quarter, compared with 3.9% in the second quarter. The slower rate of inflation resulted mainly from a decline in energy prices, following second-quarter increases. Fourth-Quarter Prognosis Many of the economic data available for October and November indicate that the economy is growing modestly and will continue to grow over the next 3 to 6 months. The composite index of leading indicators, designed to predict economic activity within 3 to 6 months, rose 0.3% in October, the sixth consecutive monthly advance, according to the Department of Commerce. Six of the 11 available leading indicators were positive: Stock market prices rose, as did sensitive material prices, credit outstanding, and manufacturers' new orders for consumer goods and materials; initial claims for unemployment insurance decreased, and firms were getting slower delivery of goods. Four of the indicators were negative: Business formations, homebuilding permits, contracts and orders for plant and equipment, and money supply all declined. The average hours worked per week, already at a high level, remained unchanged.

Jan 1, 1985

By Ankit Jha, Javad Sattarvand, Aaron Young

Blockchains are one of the prominent disruptive technologies that are being implemented in several disciplines. The application of blockchains in the mining and mineral industry can provide utility for several processes especially when the industry is undertaking digital transformation. The governing principles of blockchain technology are applicable in undertaking transformation in several processes within the mining industry. This study investigates the applications of blockchain technology within the realms of the mining industry and identifies key areas of implementation. A systematic review of publications on academic platforms relating to blockchain technology in the mining industry did not retrieve a considerable number of articles. Consequently, a thorough review of white papers and articles authored by individuals on use cases within the mining industry is compiled and presented in this manuscript. This paper identifies all the potential areas within the mining industry where blockchains could provide value and improve processes through their implementation. The broad area of implementation of blockchains includes supply chain, traceability in spare parts, contract management, regulatory compliance, and cyber security.

Nov 23, 2023

By Joseph M. Kurtak

The Bureau of Mines (Bureau) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducted a 4-year (1979-1982) mineral assessment study of the Chugach National Forest (CNF), Ak, as part of the Roadless Area Review and Evaluation (RARE II) Program. The USGS remapped the geology and distribution of mineral resources. The Bureau investigated mines, prospects, and mineral occurrences. This report describes the results of Bureau work in the central 790,880 acres of the Forest. Copper, with by-product zinc, silver, and gold, has been the major metal produced from the study area as well as from the entire Chugach National Forest. The majority of the copper deposits are concentrated within basaltic rocks on Knight Island but the major producers are hosted by sedimentary rocks on Latouche Island. Approximately 182.6 million lb of copper, 1.5 million oz of silver, and an unknown but substantial amount of gold were produced during a 30 year period. Currently no mines in the area are producing. Inferred, indicated and measured reserves having mineral development potential total 4.6 million tons, with weighted average grades of 1.6% copper, 0.30 oz silver/ton, and 0.04 oz gold/ton.

Jan 1, 2011

U.S. demand for building and construction materials, such as construction aggregate, gypsum, and cement, remained strong in 1989. Cement imports declined slightly, representing about 17% of apparent consumption compared with 19% in 1988. Mexico, supplying 29% of the total, was the primary source of imports, followed by Canada with 21 %, Japan with 14%, and Spain and Greece with 10% each. Mexico was also the target of an antidumping petition, filed by producers in Arizona, Florida, New Mexico, and Texas, alleging that Mexican cement was being sold in these areas at less than fair value. This was the second petition filed against Mexico in the last 3 years. The International Trade Commission made a preliminary determination that the cement industry in these regions was materially injured by Mexican imports. U.S. demand improved for construction aggregate for the fourth consecutive year and was at a near-record level. The U.S. gypsum industry performed well, even though new housing starts decreased for the third consecutive year. Increased U.S. exports of gypsum wallboard and strength in the remodeling markets offset the impact of declining housing starts.

Jan 1, 1990

By Mark S. Sanders

There is a growing awareness among mining professionals that the human factor plays a significant role in safety and productivity. Since the 1960's, the science of human factors, or ergonomics, has been making inroads into the mining industry, and a considerable amount of research has documented human-factor-related mining problems and solutions. This Bureau of Mines report is directed toward summarizing the application of human factors to improving safety, productivity, and the general physical and psychological working conditions of miners. The aim of this report is to familiarize the readers with the role of human factors in the mining industry and the benefits that can accrue by systematically applying available human factors principles and data. The text contains 10 chapters dealing with human, equipment, and environmental factors. Each chapter builds on the previous chapter; therefore, it is recommended that the chapters be read sequentially However, if the report is used as a supplemental text, say in a mining safety course, chapters can be assigned in any order to supplement other readings.

Jan 1, 1988

By Gregg Davidson, Lonnie Jacobs, Brett Zernich, Alan Howard, Robert Pintabona

All Rights Reserved. Printed in the United States of America. Information contained in this work has been obtained by SME, Inc. from sources believed to be reliable. However, neither SME nor its authors guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein, and neither SME nor its authors shall be responsible for any errors, omissions, or damages arising out of use of this information. This work is published with the understanding that SME and its authors are supplying information but are not attempting to render engineering or other professional services. If such services are required, the assistance of an appropriate professional should be sought. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any statement or views presented here are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of SME. The mention of trade names for commercial products does not imply the approval or endorsement of SME.

Dec 1, 2014