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By R. C. Annear

This report describes open, sublevel, and shrinkage stoping at the Greenwood mine, operated by Inland Steel-Co. The iron ore mine is in Marquette County, Mich., about 6 miles southwest of Ishpeming (fig. 1). The Greenwood is one of three active underground hard-ore mines on the Marquette range, the others being the Cliffs-Shaft and the Champion mines. The operation reflects an achievement in exploiting small, difficult-to-mine hard-ore bodies lying beneath a 200-foot overburden of glacial drift, which is partly water bearing. This report can indicate only briefly the efforts of personnel in overcoming adverse conditions in mining more than 2 million tons of ore, 80 percent of which was in lump form, for open-hearth production of steel. Significant data presented include descriptions of the principal mining methods employed, sublevel and shrinkage stoping; percent aged mining costs for the entire year 1957, covering both direct mining costs and general expenses; and performance records in units of labor, power, and supplies.

Jan 1, 1960

By G. L. Neumann

"INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARYThe Guymard mine in Orange County, N. Y., is reported to have been discovered in 1862 and mined until 1876, producing 10,000 tons of lead and zinc ore. 2/The property was examined by an engineer of the Bureau of Mines 3/ in 1948. Development work was done by the Bureau in April and May 1949 and March 1950. During these two periods four drill holes totaling 2,090 feet were completed. The mineralized sections of the core were sampled and assayed.ACKNOWLEDGMENTSThe diamond drilling was conducted under the general supervision of McHenry Mosier, chief, Mining Development Branch, Minerals Technology Division, Region VIII, and the direct supervision of Kenneth M. Earl and the writer as project engineers. Drill cores were logged by Paul K. Sims of the Federal Geological Survey. Chemical analyses were made by the Bruce Williams laboratories, Joplin, Mo., and the Minerals Processing Branch, Minerals Technology Division, Region VIII, Bureau of Mines, under the general supervision of Paul M. Ambrose, chief, and the direct supervision of Howard F. Carl, chief, Physical and Chemical Section.LOCATION AND ACCESSIBILITYThe Guymard deposit (see fig. 1) is on the west slope of Mount Hope, Orange County, N. Y., 1,500 feet northeast of Lake Guymard.Graham station, near the deposit, is on the Erie Railroad about 8 miles north of Port Jervis and 4 miles south of Otisville."

Aug 1, 1952

By James P. McGee

Use of nuclear reactors to furnish high-temperature heat is a field that has not received as much attention as propulsion and electric power production. Investigations are being conducted under a joint Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)--Bureau of Mines research program to determine the feasibility of using nuclear heat for chemical processing. A part of this process-heat-reactor program is the study of a system in [hich] helium transfers heat from 8 nuclear reactor to a chemical processing [essel]. This requires construction of (1) a nuclear reactor to operate with helium exit temperature of 2,500° F. and with pressures in the range of 250 to 500 p.s.i.g. and (2) a processing vessel (heat exchanger) to convert the enthalpy of the helium into chemical process reaction heat. Neither component exists at present, and development of each promises to be a formidable task. To aid in the study of such a system, the Bureau of Mines has designed and constructed a vessel heated by electrical induction to simulate a source of nuclear fission heat. This vessel is undergoing preliminary testing. Gasification of coal and reforming of hydrocarbons are promising uses for nuclear heat. It appears that a higher price per unit of nuclear heat can be tolerated for chemical processing than that allowable for power generation.

Jan 1, 1960

By Alphonso Cornejo, Galen H. Clevenger

This bibliography was compiled in connection with an investigation of the Caron process for the treatment of manganese - silver ores , conducted by the T. S. Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the Netherlands East Indies Government . The object of this investigation was to develop a practicable method for treating the refractory manganese- silver ores found in these two countries . The results of the work will be published as a bulletin of the Bureau of Mines . This bibliography summarizes the available information on the subject previous to the investigative work embodied in the forthcoming bulletin, and may be useful to those metallurgists or others conducting work along this line .

Mar 1, 1923

By J. J. Sammarco

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are emerging as viable replacements for incandescent-based cap lamps used in mining. The photometric and energy characteristics of these light sources differ in important ways. The present paper describes the performance of LED and incandescent sources in cap lamps in terms of correlated color temperature, color rendering, light output, electric power, ambient temperature and airflow, and light source aging. Importantly, these characteristics can influence a miner?s ability to spot mining hazards thus impacting safety. Secondly, some of these characteristics interact with the operating life of the cap lamp?s battery power, such that differences between LED and incandescent sources can be magnified toward the end of a 10­hour battery discharge cycle. Empirically, we have determined that after 8 hours at an ambient temperature of 25 °C, the average light output of an incandescent cap lamp can decrease to about 69% of its initial value when powered by a lead-acid battery and it can decrease to about 65% of its initial value when powered by a nickel-hydride battery. An LED-based cap lamp using a constant current drive circuit can maintain about 96% of its initial value when powered by a nickel-hydride battery. Real-world tests addressing the effects of ambient temperature and airflow on the light output of an LED and incandescent cap lamp were conducted in the NIOSH Safety Research Coal Mine (SRCM). The LED cap lamp yielded a vertical average illuminance improvement of approximately 9.5% and the INC cap lamp yielded a vertical average illuminance degradation o f approximately 4%. The differences between LED and incandescent cap lamps were further quantified by the calculation of ?mesopic luminance? data that indicated for the same photopic luminance (i.e., as measured using a conventional light meter) the LED cap lamp could be up to 38 % more efficient than the incandescent cap lamp with a lead-acid battery at the end of the 10-hour driving cycle. Lastly, accelerated life tests were used to empirically determine light output depreciation as the incandescent light source age approached its useful life. There was about a 35% decrease in light output. This is quite considerable, especially given that the light output will decrease an additional 30% to 45% over the period of a 10-hour shift. The implications of the differences between LED and incandescent sources are discussed. This information is crucial in determining how visual performance could be affected for real-world conditions where batteries discharge during the work shift and as the light source ages. To date, only idealized conditions have been used for LED and incandescent cap lamp visual performance research.

Jan 1, 2008

By G. Richards Gwinn

The mineral olivine, though known to mineralogists for many years, was of little commercial value in the United States before 1933. It was first described in 1790 by Johann Gottlieb Werner, who named it "olivine in allusion to its olive-green color. Commercial olivine first attracted attention because of its refractory properties. Further research has developed methods of extracting the magnesia content for the production of various magnesium compounds. Experimental and pilot-plant work also are in progress to make olivine available as a low-cost raw material for the production of magnesium metal.

Jan 1, 1943

By J. P. Coughlin

Gypsum plaster is calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CaS04-1/2H2O). There are two varieties, commonly designated as a and ß. The hydration setting) of this plaster involves the chemical reaction: CaS04?1/2H20(c) + 3/2H20(l) = CaSO4?2H20(c); that is, the hemihydrate combines with water to form the dihydrate. Many substances, when present as impurities, either in the hemihydrate or the water have influenced the rate of the hydration reaction. The objective of the Bureau of Mines work described in this report was to investigate the accelerating or retarding effects of small amounts of dissolved substances and to attempt to classify these effects upon a chemical basis. To eliminate competing effects, the work was conducted separately on the two varieties of hemihydrate; both were in highly pure form. (Commercial plasters usually are a mixture of the hemihydrates, with other substances present as impurities.) As the hydration reaction of each variety of hemihydrate evolves heat in amounts known from previous work, 5,6/ the authors decided to use calorimetric methods to follow the extent of the hydration reaction as a function of time. Two calorimetric methods were employed. One was designed to study the hydration reaction with a large water to plaster ratio and the other with a small water to plaster ratio (to simulate commercial practice in utilizing plaster).

Jan 1, 1959

By Philip C. Good

Unweathered low-grade calcareous phosphate rock of about 20 percent P205 grade was beneficiated by a procedure in which contained carbonates were decomposed by calcination at about 1,000° C. On quenching the hot calcined rock in water, major impurities passed into a slime phase which was mechanically separated from a coarser concentrate fraction. Phosphate rock of two major types was beneficiated in batch-scale studies yielding concentrates containing 31.3 to 38.5 percent P205 at recoveries ranging from 54.8 to 86.0 percent. The samples were from two major deposits in India. Processing information gained was utilized in extending the work to a continuous-flow system, processing phosphate rock at rates up to 157 kilograms per hour. Superphosphate exceeding 16 percent water-soluble P205 was prepared from concentrate derived from continuous-flow processing.

Jan 1, 1976

By D. N. Nilsen

The Bureau of Mines is investigating a method to recover Ni, Cu, and Co from low-grade domestic laterites through reduction roasting, leaching, sol-vent extraction, and electrowinning unit operations. The objective of this research is to develop processing technology that can convert low-grade domestic deposits containing critical metals into national reserves. As a part of this research, a solvent extraction system was investigated for the extraction of nickel and copper, followed by the separation and production of suitable electrolytes. Nickel and copper were coextracted from ammoniacal ammonium sulfate leach liquors (pH~9.5) with LIX 64N extractant in a laboratory-size mixer-settler continuous circuit. Three extraction stages resulted in >99-pct extraction of nickel, substantial copper extraction, and essentially no cobalt extraction from leach liquors. A crowd stage reduced the ammonia loading on the solvent by maximizing nickel loading. Residual ammonia was removed from the loaded solvent with a pH-controlled scrub. Nickel and copper loaded on the solvent were separated by selective stripping. Typical nickel strip circuit operation using electrolyte containing 90 grams per liter (g/l) Ni and 11.9 g/l H2S04 yielded >99.9 pct Ni stripped from the solvent in five stages. The copper loading on the recycled solvent was controlled in a copper strip stage using electrolyte containing 25 g/l Cu and 160 g/l H2S04,

Jan 1, 1981

By John P. Walsted

Because of the absence of an iron-producing industry, the Pacific Northwest is working under an economic handicap. This is particularly apparent in the gray-iron-foundry industry because of the high price of pig iron imported from foreign sources or shipped in from producing ?areas within the United States. The high prices and sometimes short supply of ferrous metal products has put a brake on industrialization, which has been only partly compensated by the availability of cheap electric power. The economic condition of the gray-iron-foundry industry could be improved by establishing a small iron-producing industry based on the locally available ores. Moreover, establishing a local iron smelter would create a market for resources now dormant. Low-grade ores of manganese, chromium, and nickel would become usable in industry when combined with the iron ore from Scappoose. Pig iron produced in even limited quantities would level out the fluctuation in supply. The ore deposits, being small, would not supply enough pig iron to satisfy the entire demand. This condition necessitates designing special pig irons that will carry abnormally high proportions of scrap in the cupola charge.

Jan 1, 1955

By S. H. Ash

Probably one of the most significant departures in tunneling practice is the introduction of Diesel locomotives far haulage (Diesel trucks have been used for some time). The fallacy of the belief that they do not generate carbon monoxide or toxic gases and can be used indiscriminately has been proved by the authors through observation for several years of atmospheric conditions surrounding the use of Diesel engines in tunnels. Diesel locomotives haves been introduced in tunnel haulage for reasons other than safety or health. Except to the extent that they replace trolleys, with their danger of causing electrocutions, modern Diesel locomotives do not increase safety Or remove any ordinary hazards to safety or health. In fact, they create such hazards, the extent of which is limited entirely by the carbon monoxide-content level set, method of ventilation, adequacy of the measures.

Jan 1, 1942

By Ben E. Lindsly

The study of "bottom-hole samples follows in natural sequence the study of samples obtained under high pressures at the well heads of flowing wells. The principal object of this phase of gas-solubility research, started actively in January, 1930, was to gain a more accurate knowledge of the physical and chemical characteristics of the oil-gas mixtures that exist in natural reservoirs.. In possession of actual data regarding the condition of the oil; the quantity of gas liberated from solution upon dimunition of pressure; and the relative volumetric proportions of gas to oil at various pressures throughout the flow string in a well, it should be possible to predict, with a fair degree of accuracy, That physical changes these mixtures would undergo throughout the life of a pool. Such information not only is important in designing flow strings in flowing Tells but is important also in solving problems relating to pumping efficiency and the power required for pumping. Although certain fundamental data were obtained in the study of samples taken at the well head, "bottom-hole" samples are more representative of subsurface mixtures of oil and gas because they are obtained at reservoir temperatures, and before the oil has had the opportunity of intermingling with extraneous gas; that is, gas which either was not in solution originally, or which was liberated from solution at higher pressure, and later became mixed with the original undissolved gas.

Jan 1, 1933

By D. S. Kingery

Investigations over several years have disclosed that the principal manners of occurrence of shuttle-car injuries are in order: 1. Victims in contact with roof or crossbars. 2. Victims in contact with ribs or timber legs. 3. Victims falling from, or jerked from, shuttle cars. 4. Victims in contact with overhanging brows or protruding pine for pin timbers, or water lines. 5. Contact with persons or collisions with parked equipment. 6. Victims injured by roof falls or falling timbers caused by knocking out roof supports with shuttle cars. 7. Victims injured by runaway shuttle cars. 8. Victims injured while loading or unloading timbers or other materials from shuttle cars. These recurring types of shuttle-car accidents reflect the physical conditions of the working sections, certain safety deficiencies in shuttle-car maintenance and design, and unsafe practices by operators.

Jan 1, 1952

By Christopher Mark, Anthony T. Iannacchione

Falls of ground continue to be one of the most serious causes of injury to U.S. miners. Of the 256 fatal injuries that occurred in mining between 1996 and 1998, 59 (23%) were caused by falls of ground (Table 23.1). Falls of ground affect some sectors of the mining industry more severely than others. For instance, nearly 40% of the 98 coal mine fatalities between 1996 and 1998 were caused by falls of ground. Underground miners are at much greater risk than surface miners. Nearly half (45 out of 101) of underground mine fatalities were attributed to roof, rib, and face falls, while only 6% of the 155 surface fatalities were caused by falls of highwalls or slopes. The goal of this chapter is to provide guidance to safety professionals tasked with preventing ground fall injuries. This chapter combines an analysis of the Mine Safety and Health Administration's (MS HA) accident and injury data with a survey of industry "best practices" to safeguard miners from ground falls. Ultimately, this approach can help to form the basis of a sound, proactive ground control program for the mining industry. SOURCES OF DATA All the injury data examined in this study were derived from MSHA's fatal investigation reports and the MSHA accident database. Because falls of ground often result in serious injury, MSHA "Fatalgrams" and fatal investigation reports provide a useful snapshot of ground control issues in the mining industry. These reports are available to the public (on the M FHA Web site at www.msha.gov). Fatalgrams, are one-page summaries that are usually published within a month of an accident. They contain very basic information about the accident with a graphic and a short section on relevant best practices. Fatal investigation reports are the official accident investigation reports filed by MSHA personnel. These reports contain general information about the mine, a, description of the accident, physical factors involved in the accident, a conclusion, and enforcement actions, Enforcement actions typically identify citations and discuss violations to the Federal Mining Law. MSHA also maintains comprehensive statistical data on the mining industry's accident and injury record. The law requires that mines file a report on every reportable accident that occurs, containing information on the accident's location, severity, classification, activity, and nature of injury A short narrative is generally included as well. Accident reports can be searched by many of the above fields.

By Arno C. Fieldner

The objectives of the coal-research activities of the Bureau of Mines are very well expressed in the organic act of Congress establishing the Bureau. It reads as follows: That it shall be the province and duty of the Bureau of Mines, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, to conduct inquiries and scientific and technologic investigations concerning mining, and the preparation, treatment and utilization of mineral substances with a view to improving health conditions, and increasing safety, efficiency, economic development, and conserving resources, through the prevention of waste in the mining, quarrying, metallurgical and other mineral industries; to investigate explosives and peat; and on behalf of the Government to investigate the mineral fuels and unfinished mineral products belonging to, or for the use of, the United States, with a view to their more efficient mining, preparation, treatment, and use; and to disseminate information concerning these subjects in such a manner as will best carry out the purposes of this act.

Jan 1, 1946

By D. J. MacDonald

The Bureau of Mines has carried out investigations on a method for producing zirconyl sulfate solution from zircon sand, comprising (1) reacting zircon sand with molten NaOH, (2) leaching the resultant fusion frit with water to remove sodium silicate and to convert sodium zircon-ate to hydrous zirconium oxide, and (3) leaching the hydrous zirconium oxide from unreacted sand with hot, dilute H2S04 to produce crude zirconyl sulfate solution. The following conditions were found to be suitable: reacting 0.6 kg of NaOH per kilogram of zircon sand for 10 min at 600° C; leaching the frit with 3 to 4 liters of water per kilogram of solids; leaching the residue with 5.1 liters of water and 1.25 liters of 98-pct H2S04 per kilogram of original solids for 10 min at 90° C; and filtering or decanting to recover unreacted zircon sand. A preliminary cost estimate is included.

Jan 1, 1982

By H. S. Caldwell

A magnesium-base incendiary alloy, containing about 20 percent cadmium, 4 percent aluminum, and 0.5 percent zinc, was investigated in a series of vacuum-distillation experiments to determine the feasibility of recovering magnesium and cadmium as refined metals. Alloys prepared in the laboratory and actual bomb-casing alloy were studied at temperatures of 550° to 750° C. and pressures of 100 to 150 microns. Simple distillation and fractional distillation methods were only partly effective in separating the cadmium and magnesium. They were separated satisfactorily, however, with a special vapor baffle designed to condense the metals selectively. Magnesium and cadmium products were 99 percent pure and together comprised 82 percent of the total condensate. About 17 percent of the condensate was intermediate-grade alloy that could be recycled with new charge and contained about 70 percent magnesium and 30 percent cadmium.

Jan 1, 1959

By J. W. Town

As part of the Federal Bureau of Mines titanium resources examination program, samples from seven deposits in the Pacific Northwest were tested for amenability to various beneficiation techniques. The samples obtained by the Bureau's Office of Mineral Resources at Spokane, Washington represent a large potential source of titanium. This report summarizes the results of tests at the Bureau's Metallurgy Research Center, Albany, Oregon. Recoveries from tabling placer samples were about 50 percent at grades of 30 percent titanium dioxide. Flotation was the most effective method for concentrating the fine ilmenite in clay samples; recoveries of approximately 50 30 percent titanium dioxide. Flotation was the most effective method for concentrating the fine ilmenite in clay samples; recoveries of approximately 50

Jan 1, 1961

By H. C. Ko

Calorimetric determinations of low-temperature heat capacities and standard enthalpy of formation were made by the Federal Bureau of Mines for basic aluminum sulfite, A1203?2.0S02?5.3H20. The standard values of entropy (S°), enthalpy of formation (?Hf°), and calculated Gibbs energy of formation (?Gf°) at 298.15 K are 85.2±0.1 cal/deg-mole, -943.1±1.2 kcal/mole, and -820.7±1.2 kcal/mole, respectively.

Jan 1, 1976

By M. Clair Smith

The Sweetwater, Castro, Trinidad, New London, and Hilltop chromite properties are situated within an area 8 miles long and 1 mile wide between San Luis Obispo city and Morro Creek, San Luis Obiso County, Calif. Development work at this group of mines was a part of a long-range project by the Bureau of Mines to develop strategic mineral reserves in the United States in accordance with the Strategic Minerals Act of 1939. The junior author of this report participated in the preliminary examinations made in 1941 of the chromite deposits that later in the same year were the subject of more intensive investigation under the immediate supervision of the senior author. The ore occurs in lenses and kidneys in masses of dunite contained in large poridetite areas. Production has boon in the form of lump ore and concentrates from disseminated ore. Work by the Bureau of Miner included surveying, mapping, trenching, sampling, and assaying. It is summarized separately in the text under the name of each mine investigated. The report gives a brief history of the district, describer the concentrating plant of the Castro Associates, and gives detailed results on sampling and assays at the various proportion.

Jan 1, 1951