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By Sidney A. Suhler

A field operable, breadboard model, borehole radar was developed for the detection of hazardous geological anomalies in and above a coal seam in advance of mining. A four-inch diameter downhole probe was fabricated and tested in several environments. The radar transmitter was also employed in a cross-hole or through transmission mode to determine natural geotechnical and man-made conditions between boreholes. Sensitivity to underground conditions in both modes of operation were indicated.

Jan 1, 1978

By Secretary of the Interior

"INTRODUCTION The Bureau of Mines Synthetic Liquid Fuels Program again forged ahead during 1952, and important technical advances led the way to improved methods of converting coal and oil shale into liquid fuels. Marking the eighth year of activities under this program, the pact 32 months brought a new domestic industry nearer realization.The increasing demand for gasoline and oil and the rising cost of finding new petroleum, coupled with America's growing dependence on imports and the unsettled international situation, have continued to emphasize the importance of the Bureau's Synthetic Liquid Fuels Program. Oil, the indispensable material of wartime, likewise has critical importance in peacetime, touching as it does the life of every individual. Supplementing petroleum with synthetic liquid fuels will not only conserve this Nation's petroleum reserves but also will bring into greater use its tremendous reserves of coal, as well as the vast deposits of oil shale for which no other practical use has yet been found.The Bureau of Mines Synthetic Liquid Fuels Program is one of the most important and far-reaching of the Government's research projects. Through development of commercial synthetic liquid fuels, the United States can obtain oil products from its great inland reserves of coal and oil shale to supplement petroleum in any quantity that may be necessary, consistent with economic and other requirements, such as national defense. The use of raw materials from such deposits would be of highest importance in wartime, when shipping lanes are menaced by the enemy. The Synthetic Liquid Fuels Program of the Bureau of Mines and research efforts of industry have advanced. American technology to the point where it is now possible to begin the design and construction of prototype plants. Certainly, significant improvements will be made as the program continues, but this prospect in no way alters the fact that the start of prototype plants should be encouraged. These plants, as the first step in the development of a synthetic fuels industry, would serve a threefold purpose:"

Jan 1, 1953

By Raymond G. Travis

This report describes coal-mining methods, power requirements, coal production and distribution, and coal resources of the Bull Mountain coal field in Musselshell and Yellowstone Counties, south-central Montana Investigations in the field, were conducted by Bureau of Mines engineers The report contains a short summary of the geology and geography of the field and discusses the following information secured during the field study: Method of mining practiced at each mine, including a description of each phase of the mining cycle. Coal produced and its distribution at each mine. Power requirements and the consumption of electricity per ton of coal produced by mines. Number of non employed by mines, and the production per man per shift underground and the over-all production per man employed. Estimates of future production and power requirements for the field as a whole. This information should be of benefit to any company or individual planning the development of now coal mines in the area or the expansion of present operations.

Jan 1, 1950

By T. N. Williamson

Most U.S. coal production is bituminous coal. Some 90% of current production comes from a geographical area enclosed in a circle with a 300 mile radius and its center at about Huntington, West Virginia. There are important underground coal production areas in the western parts of the United States as well. Most U.S. coal production comes from fairly level seams, many of which pitch rather uniformly only a few feet per mile. Usually there will be several overlying seams of varying thicknesses, separated by several tens of feet. Fig. 1. 1. Seams have minor local undulations but these? are small enough not to be a major consideration in a horizontal drilling research program.

Jan 1, 1970

By E. M. J. Alenius

This paper describing the mining practices at the United Verde open-pit mine at Jerome, Ariz., is one of a series being prepared by the United States Bureau of Mines on mining practices, methods, and costs in the various mining districts in the United States. The purpose of this paper is to present the methods used in developing and operating the mine, and to discuss the problems encountered.

Jan 1, 1930

By R. August Heindl

[A proposes process for recovering manganese from open-hearth steel-plant slogs is indicated by the flow diagram shown in figure 1. Investigation of the process, the laboratory development of which was reported previously,4/ was expanded to a larger scale. Mixtures of flush slags and limestone were proportioned to have molar [SiO2] ratios of 1.5 to 2.2 and were fired at temperatures up to 2,400° F. In an oxidizing atmosphere. This produced clinker consisting principally me various combinations of the oxides of manganese, iron, aluminum, and magnesium aloe with a dicalcium silicate phase containing the phosphorus. Some tests were made with a continuous sintering machine of the traveling-grate type, but a rotary kiln was the most satisfactory apparatus for this operation. Material was fed at 150 to 200 pounds per hour after first being agglomerated either on the sintering or else binder extruding and drying finely ground mixture of the sing, limestone, binder, and water. Tests with slag; from tree different source indicated overkill manganese recoveries of 65 to 80 percent by ammoniacal-ammonium-carbonate leaching.]

Jan 1, 1955

By Richard A. Watson

A frequency-shift keying (FSK) modulator-demodulator (modem) network has been devised for the Bureau of Mines mine-monitoring systems. This network permits an unlimited number of remote stations to communicate with one central station over the same pair of wires. The network operates at a speed of 4,800 Bd at distances up to 5 miles. This report describes the development and operation of the modems. The theory of operation, schematic diagrams, and printed circuit board layouts are provided. Although the modems were built for a specific application, a more general use is discussed whereby the network would operate with a typical serial channel format.

Jan 1, 1985

By R. V. Ramani, P. M. T. White, D. Sutton

Appendix I. Part 1: Description Of Geology & Reserves System Introduction The Ore Evaluation and Reserve programs have been developed to aid in the evaluation of coal deposits, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The "Weighted Moving Average" technique used provides considerable flexibility in dealing with diverse parameters with differing distribution characteristics. Determination of Model Constants "a" and "k" - Unit 1 The flexibility of the method in dealing with diverse value parameter distributions lies in its ability to cater to the individual characteristics of each. These characteristics are embodied in the values determined for constants "a" and "k", namely, local and regional variations in value distributions, respectively. The empirical method used attempts to optimize the "a" - "k" combination. Realistic values for "a" and "k" are entered into the program together with sample values for the required parameters and their respective coordinate location values. All the values within a specified radius from the point being evaluated are used to interpolate a value at that point. (Note, the interpolated point is the location of one of the boreholes, values of which are not used in the calcula¬tion.) 3n a similar manner, interpolated values are calculated for each borehole location and for each parameter. This is done for each possible combination of "a" and "k".

Jan 1, 1974

By V. B. Dale

This is one of a series of reports covering the mineral resources of the Nation. It describes briefly most of the known tungsten deposits in Yuma, Maricopa, Pinal, and Graham Counties, Ariz. Most of those described were examined by the author. An effort was made to determine the position of the various deposits by section, township, and range and to give accurate road direction to each property from a prominent landmark. All available maps have been used in making these determinations, but in unsurveyed areas it was necessary to make approximate projections of subdivisions. The township and range numbers refer to the Gila and Salt River base and meridian.

Jan 1, 1959

By J. D. Warne

The ferberite district of Boulder County, Colo., has been an important producer of tungsten since 1900. During World War I, high prices for tungston concontrates resulted in a brief period of intense activity, and the production in 1917 was 2,707 tons of 60 percent W03 concentrates. Production declined thereafter, and in 19.2 the tungsten produced in Boulder County represented about 4 percent of the Nation's output, being exceeded only by the scheelite production in California, Nevada, and Idaho. Boulder County has boon an important source: of tungsten in the Korean emergency; the present report does not describe this recent activity, as it will be covered by a future publication. Tungsten occurs in small ore shoots of narrow and irregular veins. Most of the ore shoots have been found outcropping on the surface. Core drilling; has been used by the larger operators to explore for new veins and to locate extensions of known veins.

Jan 1, 1953

By R. R. Sayers

Mine operators and managers for a number of years have known that the maintenance of health among the workers has an appreciable financial value, In order to maintain the health, it has been found ne cessery to imow; 1. The health hazards existing in the industry as a whole and the specific hazard in the individual mine. 2. The physical condition of applicants for employment as well as that of the old employees. This can be determined only by systematic physical examination of all applicants and of regular employees at intervals of at least once a year thereafter. 3. All cases of sickness that occur among the workers. No operator or manager, or personnel, medical, or safety organization can control or prevent sickness without knowing where, when, and under what conditions the sickness actually occurs. In order to obtain information as to the hazards of industry, investigations have been and are being made of the effects of the condi- tions both in the field under usual working practices and in the laboratory. In the field several factors are generally present which affect the health. The effect of these factors may be determined by studying each of them separately in the laboratory. However, both the field and the laboratory studies are limited in value in that such studies usually have been made over a comparatively short period. While we have some information as to their immediate effect, we do not know to what extent extreme heat, humidity, the presence of dust or other health hazards are the cause of disability. Mortality statistics are probably the most easily available indices as to the hazards of industry. As an example, a study of such statistics among coal miners of Indiana shows a marked increase in the death rate in 1918.

Mar 1, 1923

By Thomas Curtin

The Bureau of Mines, in its researches aimed to prevent wastes and to increase efficiency in oil-well practice, has investigated the matter of casing troubles and fishing methods. The results of the investigation are set forth in this paper. After expensive development work, many wells being drilled for oil have been abandoned because of casing troubles. These troubles in many instances have been thought to be insurmountable, whereas they are sometimes susceptible of solution. In fields_ where casing difficulties are of daily occurrence, methods have been evolved for combating them. Were these methods more widely known and applied wherever the same conditions exist, the oil industry at large would be greatly benefited. This report attempts to classify these troubles and suggests solutions that will save the operator discouragement and expense. It is assumed throughout this paper that the reader is so familiar with the ordinary oil-well drilling and fishing methods that detailed explanation is unnecessary. The well-drilling terms that are used herein will be readily understood by those for whom this discussion is intended. However, in order to avoid confusion as to the sense in which some of these terms are applied, definitions &re included.

Jan 1, 1920

By S. H. E. Phillips

This report describes the initial feasibility, the development and the field demonstration of a system for shaft sinking employing a high energy mechanical impact rock breaker and a compatible muck disposal system. The increased shaft sinking rates, decreased costs and improved safety conditions obtainable by the elimination of the less efficient conventional drill-blast-muck cycles are discussed. Four shaft sinking concepts utilizing the impact rock breaker in various shaft configurations are developed and the field demonstration in a rectangular shaft is described. The progress achieved, the problems and their remedies and the proposed modifications to improve the machine are described.

Jan 1, 1978

By Oliver Bowles

Whiting or Paris white is a fine-grained preparation of calcium carbonate having a wide variety of uses. Until recent years it was prepared almost exclusively from certain north European chalks. With the curtailment of imports of European chalk during the World War of 1914-18, however, finely ground limestone, of domestic origin was used more extensively to satisfy the American demand.

Jan 1, 1942

By Raymond B. Ladoo

"The name bentonite has been applied to a group or series of clay-like materials characterized by an alkaline oxide and alkaline earth content of 5 to 10 per cent, fine grain Giza, high absorptive powers, and usually very strong colloidal properties.Bentonite probably represents no mineral of fixed composition, and its physical properties vary considerably. The type material from Wyoming is light yellow or greenish yellow in color, but from other localities it may be cream colored, white, gray, pink, dark brown or even black. It is exceedingly fine grained, very plastic and highly absorbent. The appearance may be dull or powdeay, but a freshly cut surface usually has a waxy luster. Some varieties have the appearance of wax and may be cut into very thin, translucent shavings. The fracture of the type material is roughly conchoidal, that of other varieties is platey and shale-like, while still others have no typical fracture. Bentonite is highly absorbent; .hen wetted it will absorb more than three times its weight or seven times its volume of water. Some varieties when wetted with water expand to more than six times (some experimenters report eight times) their original volume. The wetted material is exceedingly smooth and soft and feels like soft soap. Unlike most clays, bentonite is easily fusible at a comparatively low temperature.Under a high-power microscope bentonite seems to consist of extremely small, more or less rounded, grains of uniform size, but the texture of most varieties is so fine that individual grains can not be distinguished.Some varieties when finely ground and thoroughly agitated with water will stay in suspension indefinitely, forming a translucent gelatinous mass. The addition of small amounts of acids or sodium chloride seems to have little or no tendency to raid coagulation or settling. Other varieties of similar analysis and appearance go into suspension more easily, but settle out again in a comparatively short time. It has been suggested that the material which stays in suspension indefinitely is a true colloid of the emulsion or lyophilic type."

Oct 1, 1921

By R. C. Diehl

Coal, fly ash, and flue gas samples were analyzed for mercury (Hg) by double gold amalgamation-flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The purpose of the study was to elucidate the fate of the trace mercury in the coal when the coal is burned. Samples were collected from a bench-scale 100-g/hr combustor, a 500-lb/hr combustor, and three coal-burning powerplants. In all cases mercury was found in the fly ash. The amounts ranged from about 9 to about 70 percent of the mercury in the coal that was burned.

Jan 1, 1972

By F. Albayrak

This report is a study of the impact of Federal laws and regulations on the domestic supply of metallic and nonmetallic minerals. The study was confined to pertinent environmental legislation and the recently enacted Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. Emphasized were the legal requirements placed on individual selected mineral industries, and the economic impact of these requirements. A certain amount of attention was also directed to the particular environmental and health and safety problems generated by selected mineral industries. The study also pinpointed a list of major problem areas having significant impact on the domestic mineral supply.

Jan 1, 1978

By Robert E. Barieau

In the design of plants to separate helium from natural gas , it is necessary to estimate the enthalpies of the various streams at various positions in the process . This Bureau of Mines report surveys the various methods that have been used to determine enthalpies and gives information on the organizations with such capabilities . The minimum information required for developing an enthalpy diagram is presented , and the relative merits of the various methods are discussed . It is concluded that methods that require no mass flow rate or energy measurements are to be preferred .

Jan 1, 1965

By Samuel P. Polack

This report reviews investigations to determine the fire hazard in coal mining when using flammable petroleum hydraulic oils to actuate mining equipment and summarizes research by the Bureau of Mines and industry on fire-resistant hydraulic fluids. Tests were established to evaluate fire resistance and the necessary characteristics to assure adequate service when fire-resistant fluids are used to replace petroleum hydraulic oils. The research was conducted in the laboratory and field trials under actual operating conditions in underground mines. Bureau of Mines Schedule 30 became effective December 17, 1959; the first approval was granted on February 18, 1960, and the twelfth was granted on March 17, 1961. The approvals include nine ready-mixed (by the producer) fluids and seven concentrates to which water is added by the user according to instructions from the producer. Seven synthetic-type fire-resistant hydraulic fluids submitted by two producers are also approved. Over 100 coal mines are now using water-in-oil emulsion-type fire-resistant hydraulic fluids in varying degrees from a trial in one machine to all the hydraulic equipment in an entire mine.

Jan 1, 1961

When the Organic Act of 1910 established the Bureau of Mines within the Department of the Interior, the Bureau's programs involved only health and safety research and, education, and fuels testing. As the Federal Government's primary agency for research in minerals, the Bureau has expanded its scientific and technological investigations to mining, processing mineral substances, eliminating occupational health and safety hazards in the mineral industries, economic development, and resource conservation. Today, Bureau activities cover a broad spectrum of programs for meeting the diverse (and sometimes conflicting) needs of mineral industries, government, and the public. In the 1960's, the Bureau initiated programs to resolve environmental problems associated with past mining and mineral processing. In the 1970's, the energy crisis raised the national consciousness concerning our limited supplies of domestic mineral and fuel resources. Dependence on foreign sources of raw materials critical to our national economy and competition from other countries for these world supplies stimulated the need to conserve and use with intelligence the Nation's minerals, metals, and fuels.1

Jan 1, 1977