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By George K. Clement

Manual estimating method through use of equations, factors and curves for preparation of feasibility type estimates for capital and operating cost of mining and primary beneficiation in the United States and Canada of various types of minerals occurrences, except fossil fuels, using state-of-the-art technology. User should have basic estimating experience in the mining industry and/or related fields. Primary usage of this handbook will be for the preparation of preliminary estimate within a reasonable degree of accuracy with relative small amounts of hard input data. Output may be used to determine if a more finite type of estimate should be produced.

Jan 1, 1978

By W. T. Adams

The production of natural abrasives var¬ied in quantity and value compared with 1975. Output of tripoli-type materials and garnet increased in both quantity and value; special silica stone products decreased in quantity and increased in value; the production of emery decreased. The production and value of manufactured abrasive materials increased for all types. [ ]

Jan 1, 1978

By Thomas L. Kesler

Lithium raw materials usable with present technology consist of pegmatite ore and surficial evaporite brine. Those advantageously located now supply world markets. Materials of similar grades and magnitude, but less favorably located, will come into production as present sources are depleted and markets expand. Some of these potential supplies have been explored, and are reserves in the sense of known availability and quality. Reserves herein are of two classes, those proved by close drilling and assaying, and those of only probable status because their scale and grade are unsystematically indicated. Possible resources include similar materials whose bulk can only be inferred on indirect evidence. All figures apply to total materials in the ground. No allowance is made for losses in mining, evaporation, beneficiation, or chemical processing.

Jan 1, 1977

By G Luxbacher

Computer simulation of mine ventilation systems is rapidly becoming an essential tool in mine planning and design. This paper examines the utilization of ventilation simulation techniques to evaluate the number, shape, size and layout of mine entries in a typical coal mining system. Since the mains and sub-mains serve mainly for transportation and ventilation and the ventilation system is critically important to the health and safety of the workers, there exists a great need for optimal designs in this area. Evaluation criteria, could include, among others, minimization of power costs, shaft requirements and leakage. Constraints of this optimization problem include health and safety regulations and production and mine infrastructure requirements.

Jan 1, 1977

By A. Brown

This report details work performed and results obtained in a study of the water management aspects of oil shale mining and retorting in the Piceance Creek Basin. Three specific sites were investigated, and optimal water management systems for both conventional and in-situ extraction processes were generated. Water-related legal and environmental constraints on development were identified and the water management schemes were developed in compliance with these regulations. Limitations on shale oil production implied by limited water supplies were evaluated. Potential Basin-wide effects of development were evaluated using a computer model, and mitigation strategies were developed. Recommendations for additional investigation and analyses were presented.

Jan 1, 1977

Domestic Production and Use: In 1976, 12 companies operated 31 primary aluminum reduction plants, with 3 firms accounting for 63% of production capacity. Washington, Oregon, and Montana accounted for 36% of the total production; Gulf Coast States 19%, Northern States 29%, and other Southern States 16%. Based on published producer prices output of primary metal in 1976 was valued at $3.8 billion. Aluminum consumption by 25,000 firms was centered in the East Central United States. Of aluminum consuming industries in 1976 building accounted for about 25%; packaging 22%; transportation 19%; electrical 13%; , consumer durables 8%; and other uses, 13%.

Jan 1, 1977

By G. F. Kuncir

This volume was prepared in support of an evaluation of the Advancing Oil Shale Mining Technology Program performed by The Aerospace Corporation under a Bureau of Mines contract. The evaluation is described in part within a companion volume entitled Benefit-Cost Analysis. The economic mine models outlined herein provide a quantitative basis for the assessment of program benefits. Reference is made to estimated oil shale mine costs to delineate the beneficial impacts that can be expected to accrue for the future implementation of program developed technology. Estimated mine cost data are provided for surface, underground, and modified in situ oil shale mining operations.

Jan 1, 1977

By R. E. Gray

[The purpose of the study is to investigate cases of subsidence over abandoned mined-out areas of the Pittsburgh Coal identified from published and unpublished sources and to determine through a consideration of the geology, topography, climate, mining activity, and evidence at ground surface, what mechanisms control subsidence .and under what circumstances it takes place. The study wan performed it two phases, the first to identify all documented incidents of subsidence in mined-out areas of the Pittsburgh coal Region; and the second, to study a particular portion of the region in detail, collecting pertinent data relative to the sites within, characterizing roil the nature of the subsidence and its economic consequences, and determining the applicability of the findings to other areas whore similar problems with the collapse of abandoned miner have been encountered.]

Jan 1, 1977

By Robert G. Clarke

The production of natural abrasives varied in quantity and value compared with those of 1974. Output of tripoli-type materials and garnet both decreased in quantity and value. Special silica stone products decreased in quantity but in-creased in value. The production of emery increased 38% in quantity. The production of manufactured abrasive materials decreased for all types and the decreases were more in quantity than in value. [ ] FOREIGN TRADE Imports of abrasive materials were 15% less in value than in 1974, and exports plus reexports decreased in value 10%. Net exports, the excess of exports and reexports over imports, were $9.3 million, about four times that of 1974. The volume of all abrasive materials exported decreased and the value of nearly all decreased.

Jan 1, 1977

By B. J. Moore

This publication contains analyses and related source data for 234 natural gas samples from wells and pipelines in 21 States and 1 foreign country. All of the samples were obtained and analyzed during calendar year 1975 as a part of Bureau of Mines investigations of the occurrences of helium in natural gases of countries with free market economies. This survey has been conducted in the United States by the Bureau of Mines since 1917. In late 1965, the survey was expanded to include foreign gasfields. The analyses published herein were made by mass spectrometer and n special helium analysis apparatus, which are described in Bureau of Mines Bulletins 4862 and 576.3 The results of the investigation of the occurrences of helium are published annually to make the information available as soon as possible to the gas industry and the public in general. Seventeen previous publications have presented the results of 10,831 gas analyses prior to 1975. The first 3, Bulletins 486,4 576,5 and 617,6 contain analyses and related source data on 5,218 gas samples collected from 1917 through 1960. The other 14

Jan 1, 1976

By Thomas Gales

Longwall mining of thin shallow coal seams utilizing open pits is technically feasible. The thinnest coal seam which can be mined using available technology is 34 inches. The capital expenditure for a 1,000,000 ton per year operation is $15,494,000, and the projected rate of return is 5 percent. Similar statistics for a conventional area surface mine are S18,937,000 capital and 14 percent rate of return. The longwall surface mining method disturbs 63 acres of land per 1,000,000 tons, and the conventional area surface mine disturbs 198 acres A significant bibliography of the technology involved is included.

Jan 1, 1976

By Thomas N. Walthier

This paper will review world trends that are increasingly restrictive of mineral exploration and mining throughout the Free World This is occurring in the face of projected huge increases in demand for mineral products Some of the impediments are direct and absolute; others are indirect, but nevertheless effective; still others represent merely hostile attitudes Many of the world governments have a reputation for lack of integrity in dealing with existing foreign investments within their borders, and consequently are quite uninviting places for new investments, especially in the capital intensive natural resources industry. Compared with even 35 odd years ago (and pre-World War II is not that long ago) there are few places left where private mining investments are both wanted and where investors are willing, to go. We shall begin with an analysis of conditions in the U. S., shift to neighboring Canada and Flexico, and then have a look around the world. As the world grows smaller for the private mining sector, the function of exploration, development, and operation is passing over to government. We'll conclude with a view of what this holds for the future

Jan 1, 1976

1. Domestic Production and Use: In 1975.12 companies operated 31 primary aluminum reduction plants, with 3 firms accounting for 67% of production capacity. Washington, Oregon, and Montana accounted for 37% of the total production; Gulf Coast States 21%, Northern States 29%, and other Southern States 13%. Output of primary metal in 1975 was valued at $3.0 billion. Aluminum consumption by 25,000 firms was centered in the East Central United States. Of aluminum consuming industries in 1975, building accounted for about 21%; transportation 19%; electrical 14%; packaging 18%; and consumer durables, 9%.

Jan 1, 1976

By A. Baldwin

Reports technical progress in designing four machines to be used in mining coal underground, applying innovative concepts at the design stage (instead of add-ons). A study phase was followed by design activity, including calculations supporting the designs. Scale models of three machines were built, and a full-scale mock-up of the conventional loader was used to measure human factors parameters.

Jan 1, 1976

By R. C. Adams

This report describes the feasibility of mining the oil shale deposits of the Piceance Creek basin in Colorado by an integrated open pit system. The study is based upon a comprehensive analysis of pertinent environmental, economic, and engineering factors. Ten mining cases are investigated, and the mine design and cost estimates for each case are presented in this report. Nine of the cases represent three cutoff grades, defining oil shale ore as equal to and above 15 gallons per ton (gpt), 20 gpt, and 25 gpt at three ore production levels of 500,000 tons per day (TPD), 1,250,000 TPD, and 2,500,000 TPD. The tenth case is an alternate design of the 500,000 TPD production rate at the above 15 gpt cutoff grade. The report consists of Volume I, a technical and cost comparison of the ten cases; Volume II-Part I, a detailed explanation of the estimating methods used; and Volume II-Part 2, a more detailed discussion of the technical and cost features of the ten cases than is presented in Volume I.

Jan 1, 1976

By D. Randolph Berry

This report describes a study to develop a detailed set of guidelines and equipment recommendations to be used as a guide for mine operators, mine inspectors, and equipment manufacturers in implementing the emergency escapeway standards for metal and nonmetal underground mines. It was sponsored by the United States Bureau of Mines. The first part of this report reviews the historical background of metal and nonmetal mine fires and the development of present and proposed mandatory standards. This is followed by a discussion of the survey of representative mines and how the proposed standard effects these mines. The remainder of the report covers technical discussions of each escapeway component including a comprehensive computer simulation of mine evacuation. Following the technical discussion of each group of escapeway components is a list of the pertinent guidelines. The major escapeway components discussed are the following: Escaperoutes Refuge Chambers Hoisting System. Escapeway Signs Ventilation Fuel Storage Fire Retardants Warning Systems Auxiliary Transportation

Jan 1, 1976

The contribution of minerals to the growth and development of the United States is best demonstrated by the uses which have evolved during the past two centures. During pre-Revolutionary days the colonies were essentially agricultural in character, producing cotton, tobacco, rice, indigo, grains and flour, fish, livestock, dairy products, and timber. Shipbuilding was the major manufacturing industry. In 1763, the total value of exports for Virginia, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts was £2,722,000, of which £55,000, or 2 percent, was for "copper ore, and iron in pigs" (3)1 and £49,000 was for 21,000 barrels or hogsheads of "pot-ash." The value of 75 ships built for sale in 1763 by the colonies was £61,500.

Jan 1, 1976

This report summarizes the cost of U.S, mining and milling industry compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) interim water quality guidelines for waste discharges. Applicable excerpts from Public Law 92-500 are stated and interpreted in conjunction with the guidelines being used for implementation of the law. Over 200 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers applications for discharge permits were used to develop the quality and quantity data base needed to estimate the cost to comply with EPA guidelines, Cost of three basic treatment methods were considered: Aeration, addition of lime, and sedimentation. From the process design, cost-capacity graphs were developed to consider maximum flow rate, maxi lime addition, and average flow rates. The graphical method used in this evaluation should provide a reasonable guide to the effect of waste treatment and, therefore, Public Law 92-500 and corresponding EPA guidelines on the mineral processing industry. The cost of complying with the EPA guidelines will have the effect of prompting the mining industry to minimize the production of waste water and of undertaking some additional treatment, Two case studies are presented to illustrate efforts that might be fruitful for minimizing waste water production and for treatment of combinations of acid mine drainage, mill wastes, and metallurgical process wastes when treatment is deemed necessary.

Jan 1, 1975

By E. h. Erwin Gaertner

Before dealing with the technical equipment of this paper a short survey of the Rhenish Brown Coal Area is given in order to illustrate the special geologic and environmental conditions in this region, which led to the development of the mining technics, used today.

Jan 1, 1975

By James H. Cobbs

The purpose of this study is to investigate the application of boring equipment to the production of anthracite coal from steeply pitching beds. Both raise boring and augering equipment were considered. Previous studies (11) have indicated that boring equipment may have definite applications to the development of steeply pitching anthracite beds. This investigation was to carry forward previous work to determine the possible application of the two different types of equipment being considered. Previous conclusions have been substantiated by the results of this study.

Jan 1, 1975