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By John P. Borovsky

A 3-year study was conducted to evaluate the problems and benefits of using vegetation to stabilize tailing from a potential Minnesota copper-nickel milling operation. The project consisted of three separate investigations: a waste characterization study, a greenhouse study and a field study. With few exceptions, the physical and chemical characteristics of the tai ling were found to lie within the range of properties of Minnesota soils. The tailing lacks organic matter; is deficient in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium; and may contain elevated levels of soluble salts and heavy metals, particularly copper and nickel. Numerous grasses, forbs and woody plants will tolerate the tailing as a rooting medium. Peat incorporation and topsoil dressing provided few benefits to the revegetation process which were not provided by a fertilizer application. With fertilization, grass/legume production in the tailing was comparable to local agricultural yields. Concentration of heavy metals in grasses grown in the tailing were generally below suggested tolerance limits for plants and animal forage. Legumes tended to accumulate higher concentrations of copper and nickel, and metal uptake of most plants was positively correlated with rate of fertilization. Tailing drainage water contained elevated levels of heavy metals, and establishment of vegetation had little effect on the quantity and quality of tailing drainage water. However, topsoil dressing significantly increased drainage water volume when compared to unvegetated control plots. Copper-nickel tailing revegetation recommendations were developed.

Jan 1, 1983

By W. D. Kaiser

Recent legislation and expected future legislation is aimed at reducing the dust levels developed in underground coal mines. Several techniques for reducing dust levels are being evaluated. One of these is the modification of cutting parameters such as feed rates, cutting speeds, and pick configurations in order to reduce the amount of dust generated. In order to evaluate the feasibility of modifying cutting parameters to reduce dust, the Bureau of Mines commissioned Battelle to construct a small scale mining machine which could be used for evaluating the effects of those changes in cutting parameters. Specific features of this machine were that it should be highly instrumented to measure various cutting parameters, should have a wide range of feed and speed controls, and it should be possible to vary the pick configurations and geometries on the machine. In addition, it was desired that this machine should have cutting capabilities which greatly exceed present coal mining practice and also that the unit should be small enough and portable enough that it could be taken into and out of operating coal mines with a minimum of interference with the normal coal mine operations. The first step in constructing a machine to meet these requirements was to determine the cutting forces and approximate sizes of components which would be required to cut at the speeds and feeds specified by the Bureau of Mines. Initial calculations using; published data on cutting forces indicated that cutting forces in the neighborhood of 5,000 lbs and power levels of approximately 30 horsepower would be adequate for the application. However, further data developed during the course of the project indicated that when low efficiency picks are used, cutting forces and powers can be two to three times as high as these initially estimated values. After several design iterations, a design was chosen in which the cutting head was driven by four hydraulic motors which were part of a hydrostatic transmission which, in turn,

Jan 1, 1973

By F. S. Kendorski

This report presents the results of a search for viable-self-drilling roof bolt concepts, detailed development, design, and manufacture of such bolts that drill their own holes, and testing in the laboratory and in the field in two different coal mines of three self-drilling roof bolts. Three new types of bolts were designed and tested, which drill their own holes and then anchor in continuous operation. These were a spring-actuated mechanical expansion shell, a slot and wedge, and a self-contained resin anchor bolt. Such bolts when fully developed for mine use would allow safer and remote installation of ground support and increase productivity. Recommendations are given for further work to improve drilling and anchorage performance.

Jan 1, 1979

By John C. Machisak

THIS CHAPTER of the Minerals Yearbook (volume III) contains overall injury experience and employment data at bituminous-coal, lignite, and anthracite mines, coking plants, metal and nonmetal mines, metallurgical plants, and stone quarries in the United States for the calendar year 1956. Volume I of the Yearbook includes injury experiences and related employment data in the metal, nonmetal, and quarrying industries, and in the milling operations connected with the mining of those commodities. Volume II contains the injury and related employment experience of the coal mining, coking, and oil and gas industries. Reporting is voluntary on the surveys conducted by the Bureau of Mines to collect injury and employment data in the mineral industries, except in the coal-mining industry, where operators are required by Federal law to furnish the information requested.

Jan 1, 1958

By Lulie H. Crump

U.S. supply and demand data for petroleum and natural gas liquids, by States and regions, were tabulated for the years 1960 and 1965. Estimates arcs provided of State-by-State quantitative data for the petroleum and natural gas liquids industry that can be integrated into State, regional, and national energy balances by source, form, and consumer sectors, and used for determination of interstate and interregional energy flows. Tables 1-4 show the estimated total supply of petroleum available for consumption and the supply's distribution among the major consumer demand sectors (household and commercial, industrial, transportation, and electricity generation). To obtain summary figures for the major proportion of refined products by States, individual tables were compiled for the six major products (tables 5-16). To enable comparison of petroleum data with those for other energy forms, conventional volumetric data in barrels were converted to their British thermal unit (Btu) equivalents. Interregional shipments of crude petroleum and theoretical flow patterns for petroleum products are shown in figures 1-4.

Jan 1, 1969

By J. G. Donaldson

Nickel containing less than 0.01 percent of total metallic impurities was produced at the Rolla Metallurgy Research Center of the Bureau of Mines by electrodeposition from purified electrolytes. The first report on this research4 described purification of electrolytes by selective precipitation and by liquid-liquid extraction. This second report describes a procedure: or electrodepositing high-purity nickel from electrolytes purified by passing a nickel ammine solution through a column of an ion exchange resin. The nickel electroplated directly from the ammine solution without further treatment; a titanium cathode and two platinum anodes were used. The nickel deposit was dense, smooth, and adherent, and contained less than 0.001 percent each of cobalt, copper, and iron, and spectrographically detectable traces of aluminum, magnesium, and silicon. Nonmetallic impurities in the nickel metal were carbon and sulfur, each present in concentrations of less than 0.01 percent. The results of several experiments planned to purify solid nickel salts by zone refining are also reported. These salts, after purification, were intended for use in preparing electrolytes for deposition of high-purity nickel. Results were not encouraging so that the more promising ion exchange procedure was emphasized chiefly.

Jan 1, 1962

"An active list of permissible explosives was published in July, 1930 as part of the United States Bureau of Mines Report of Investigations 3025, under the title of “Active List of Permissible Explosives and Blasting Devices Approved Proir to June 30, 1930”. Changes on that list were authorized in August, September, October and November, 1930, and January, March, April and June, 1931, as published in Reports of Investigations 3029, 3037, 3046, 3053, 3069, 3089, 3099, and 3123, respectively, By these changes the following explosives were added to the active permissible list:Big Red No. 9 Hercogel CBlack Diamond No. 5-A Liberty No 1Black Diamond No. 9 Liberty No. 2Burton 5, L. F. Liberty No. 3Burton 7, L. F. Liberty-Gel L.P.Duobel No. 4, L. F. Wesco Coal Powder No. 1Genigel No. 1and the permissible explosive EP-28 was transferred from the active to the in active list of permissible explosives.During June the following permissible explosives were added' to the active permissible list:Austin Red Diamond No. 9-B, L. F. BurtonAustin Red Diamond No. 9-C, L. F. Gelobel No. 4, L.F.Austin Red Diamond No. 10-A, L. F. Liberty No. 6Austin Red. Diamond No.12-A, L. F. Monobel 8 L.F.,- WR Austin Red-D-Gel"

Jul 1, 1931

By Wallace W. Roepke

The Bureau of Mines conducted a series of experiments using Illinois No. 6 coal to determine the effect of asymmetric wear on airborne respirable dust (ARD), specific energy, cutting force, and normal force. Plumb-bob-type bits--one new bit and four ground with different sized flats--were used. Constant-depth linear cuts at 0.32, 0.64, 1.27, and 2.54-cm cut depths were made. Both cutting force and normal force increased as the flat area increased. Specific energy demonstrated a statistically significant increase with flat area at the 0.32-and 1.27-cm cut depth only. Specific ARD showed a statistically significant decrease with increasing flat area only at the 0.64-cm cut depth. Increasing cut depth increased cutting force but decreased specific energy and specific ARD. Normal force increased with increasing cut depth for the new bit but exhibited a maximum at 0.64 cm for the bits with flats.

Jan 1, 1983

By Richard H. Singleton

Greensand, which is widely distributed in the Eastern United States, was produced in 1976 only by the Inversand Co., a subsidiary of Hungerford & Terry Inc., near Clayton, N. J. Production and sales information is withheld by the Bureau of Mines. Raw greensand produced by the company was sold for agricultural use as a soil conditioner. Processed greensand was sold for use as a filter medium for the removal of manganese, iron, sulfide, and other elements from water.

Jan 1, 1978

By Mark S. Sanders

This report presents a summary of the work reported by Sanders and Kelley (1981). A task analytic approach was used to define information requirements and visual features which served as sources of information. Information requirements were prioritized and the location of visual features determined. From this analysis, visual attention locations, containing one or more important visual features, were indentified. The visual attention locations are contained in this report. A procedure was developed for assessing whether operators in existing machines could be expected to see the visual attention locations. The procedure makes use of a Human Eye Reference Measurement Instrument (HERMI) designed for this project and an outside-in photographic procedure for documenting compliance with the recommendations. A sample of continuous miners, shuttle cars & scoops were used to test the procedure. Illustrative results are presented in the report.

Jan 1, 1981

By G. W. Jones

In a previous report,6 results were given that showed the amount of natural ventilation in a manhole having a capacity of 74.l cubic feet when the number of ventilation openings in the cover was varied. from no openings to a maximum of 48. The results showed that the ventilation (air changes per day) in the manhole was proportional to the area of the openings in the cover, and also that the number or area of the openings was the factor that chiefly affected the ventilation.

Jan 1, 1937

By James L. Ash

This report contains the results of a technical and economic evaluation of conceptual systems for the underground mining, rubblization; and in situ retorting of deep oil shale deposits. Study efforts were first directed towards evaluation of the applicable geology, associated minerals, rock mechanics, in situ retorting, access mining, ventilation, rubblization, safety, and environmental impact factors. Conceptual systems were synthesized and then evaluated against these factors from both a technical and limited economic viewpoint. The results of these evaluations were then analyzed 'and, based upon this analysis, the following two systems were selected for further study: System II: Room and Pillar-Vertical Drill and Blast System IV: Tunnel Boring-Horizontal Ring Drill and Blast Due to the large number of variables to be considered, a computer program was developed and utilized to provide data for the cost trade-off studies and economic analysis. Results of the early computer runs indicated the value of the tool available in the computer program and led to an extension in the contract to determine the sensitivity of the systems to several of the more apparent significant variables. These results in turn led to a refinement in the design assumptions and a better understanding of the technical and economic options available to an owner-operator of a Vertical Modified In Situ Shale Oil Extraction System. This report is submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of Contract Number S0241073 by Fenix & Scisson, Inc. to the Denver Research Center, United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines. Work was completed as of November, 1976.

Jan 1, 1976

By Roger E. Burleigh

In June, 1989, the U.S. Bureau of Mines, undertook a 9-day evaluation of the tin resource potential of the Sleitat Mountain tin deposit. Significant tin-tungsten mineralization is associated with quartz-topaz-white mica-tourmaline greisen alteration of a multi-unit, 57 Ma, peraluminous, granite stock which intrudes Cretaceous Kuskokwim Group flysch deposits. The granite comprises marginal biotite-, intermediate biotite-muscovite-, and central zinnwaldite-granite units, interpreted as a zoned alteration system. Major vein mineralization is confined to two east-west-trending zones of steeply oriented tabular lenses of greisen interleaved with mildly altered granite. Cassiterite is the dominant ore mineral while arsenopyrite, loellingite, wolframite, pyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, and bismuth-oxides are present in minor to trace amounts. The north and south greisen zones are estimated to contain an inferred resource of 128 to 212 million lbs Sn in 28.6 million st of mineralized rock. An 1,800-lb representative bulk sample contained 0.37% Sn, 0.04% W and 17 ppm Ag and is considered an average grade estimate for the deposit. Drill testing by Cominco Alaska Exploration indicates that substantial widths of high-grade tin mineralization are included within the lower grade disseminated mineralization. Depth of deposit erosion is substantial and there exists a high probability for placer tin deposits.

Jan 1, 1991

By S. J. Rodgers

This report presents guidelines on methods of dust control in conventional coal mining operations. The normal mining cycle and equipment used in a room and pillar conventional section are described. Main ventilation, section ventilation and face ventilation are discussed in detail. Proper installation of line brattice, maintenance of proper air flows at the face and split ventilation are stressed. The effects of maintaining the end of the line brattice near the face are described. The advantages and disadvantages of blowing and exhausting face ventilation are presented. The use of water sprays on cutter bars and loading machines is described. The design of a nonclogging water spray system developed under a Bureau of Mines contract is presented. Other methods of reducing dust exposure are discussed and include alternative procedures for shot firing and administrative controls.

Jan 1, 1983

By A. R. Taylor

In recent years, thermodynamic data have been used to a greater degree than ever by the chemical and metallurgical engineer as a means of predicting and controlling chemical reactions. To satisfy the spiraling demand for basic physical data needed for the calculations, the Bureau of Mines is studying the heat capacities of a variety of chemical compounds at high and low temperatures. This paper is one of a series presenting such data. The heat capacities of two alkaline earth compounds, strontium bromide and strontium nitrate, were measured in a temperature range of 60° to 300° K. in an adiabatic calorimeter and at temperatures of 300° to about 1,200° K. in a Bunsen ice calorimeter. The construction and operation of the calorimeters are discussed in other reports.3 4 The heat-capacity data presented in this report were extrapolated to 0° K., and smooth values of heat capacity, entropy, enthalpy function, and free-energy function were calculated and tabulated at even 10-degree intervals. The enthalpy data were fitted with algebraic equations by applying the method of least squares; calculations a£ heat-capacity values, entropy, enthalpy function, and free-energy function were made at even 50-degree intervals. The heat and entropy of fusion of strontium bromide were calculated from the enthalpy measurements.

Jan 1, 1962

By W. M. Myers

Jet is a substance of organic origin and has been defined by the U. S. Geological Survey as a "dense black lignite, taking a good polish, and sometimes used for jewelry". Jet is characterized by the lustrous, intense black surface it displays when polished. It is due to this property that the expression "jet black" is so commonly used to imply intense blackness.

Jan 1, 1923

By A. L. Foote

This is the final report of work accomplished during 1973-75 under U. S. Bureau of Mines Contract No. H0242015, "System for Handling Underground Mine Supplies and Materials." The purpose of the contract was to develop a mechanical device which could safely perform handling tasks that are normally done manually in underground bituminous coal mines. The report discusses studies leading to construct-ion of a battery-operated, three-wheel vehicle with a six-degree-of-freedom manipulator. Supportive design studies included collection and analysis of production, manual functions, and injury data on the underground bituminous coal mining industry. Transfer tasks in section storage and working places were the prime candidates for mechanical handling. Functional specifications were developed for two handling devices (one to handle existing unit loads and one to handle repackaged unit loads) and for a vehicle to mount the handling device. Design concepts for nine different handling devices were developed and a cost/benefit evaluation made for each. Detail design, capital and operating costs, and method improvement savings data were developed for two battery-operated vehicles and for two different manipulators. The three-wheel vehicle with anthropomorphic manipulator was chosen for development.

Jan 1, 1978

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Jan 1, 1975

By Daniel Ng

The U.S. Bureau of Mines-Michigan Technological University mine ventilation mainframe program was successfully adapted for execution in a personal computer (PC). The hardware requirement can be as modest as 256 kilobytes (33) of random access memory (RM) and two floppy disk drives. A version compiled for a PC possessing 512 Kb RAM has arrays dimensioned to accommodate 512 separate mine airways and junctions, and it contains all the features and capabilities of the original version. It has successfully analyzed all the ventilation networks tested, including a very large commercial mine (404 airways, 237 junctions, and 5 fans). In all cases the PC version produced practically identical results as obtained from the mainframe computer. In all respects, the PC version performed the same as the mainframe version with the exception of execution speed When a numerical coprocessor is employed, execution time can be reduced by more than 50%.

Jan 1, 1989

By Harry R. Nicholls

The objectives of this investigation were to determine the strain propagation laws for a strain pulse in salt and to compare the seismic effects from the detonation of different explosives in salt. The investigation showed that a strain propagation law of the type, e = K(R/W 1/3 ) n, and a strain energy propagation law of the type, Ea/W 1/3 = K(R/WI/3)b , are valid in salt. A change in the regression law coefficient, n , was noted with strain level. A similar change in b was inferred because strain energy is proportional to the square of strain amplitude. Particle velocity data may be used interchangeably with strain data under the test conditions.

Jan 1, 1962