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By O. C. Blade

The use of Diesel fuel continues to increase. In the United States during 1951 over 120,000,000 barrels of Diesel fuel oil were sold. The railroads used approximately 43.5 percent of this volume; industries such as smelters, mines, and manufacturing plants used about 12 percent; trucks, busses, tractors and bulldozers 20 percent; water craft 14.5 percent; and the remaining 10 percent was consumed by gas and electric utilities, the military forces, and oil companies. These figures were calculated from data issued by the Bureau of Mines. 2/ Complete data for 1952 are not yet available, but it is known that by December 1952 over 13 3/4 million barrels of Diesel fuel per month were produced by the country's refineries and by April 1953 the monthly production had increased to 1 4,333,000 barrels.3/ Information on the properties of this type of engine fuel is very important to the petroleum industry, engine manufacturers, and consumers. To supply this information the American Petroleum Institute and the Bureau of Mines, United States Department of the Interior, under cooperative agreement, are conducting annual surveys of Diesel fuel oil produced in refineries in this country.

Jan 1, 1953

By Bradshaw, Y. S. Cho

The size of bubbles plays an important role in flotation. Equations used to calculate the size of bubbles all show the effect of liquid/gas surface tension. However, the surface tension does not change much with frother concentration and experiments conducted using single capillaries (or single-hole spargers) do not reveal any clear effect of the frother concentration on bubble size. The size of bubbles does, however, strongly depend on frother concentration when multi-hole spargers are utilized (or when measured in a flotation cell); at low frother concentrations the bubble size is much larger indicating coalescence as a main mechanism determining the size. Coalescence can be prevented at frother concentrations exceeding the critical coalescence concentration (CCC), which in turn was found to be interrelated with the dynamic foamibility index (DFI).

Jan 1, 2001

By K. J. Liles

Research was undertaken by the Bureau of Mines to determine the technical feasibility of producing lightweight aggregate from the waste glass fraction of municipal incinerator residues. Tests were conducted to determine the amount and optimum size of glass, the amount of sodium silicate, and the method used to form the material to be expanded. The most suitable mixture, 78 percent glass, 20 percent clay, and 2 percent sodium silicate, was pelletized and then expanded by exposure to a temperature of 1,550° F for 15 minutes The resulting lightweight material had a bulk density of 38 lb/cu ft and exhibited excellent pore structure. Concrete test cylinders made from the light weight aggregate had a unit weight of 104 lb/cu ft and a compressive strength of 2,550 lb/sq in after a 28-day steam cure.

Jan 1, 1976

By J. R. Thoenen, J. L. Vallely, M. C. Malamphy

"SUMMARYMagnetic and gravimetric surveys wore conducted over an area of ap¬proximately 1,400 square miles in the bauxite district of central Arkansas. The primary purpose of these surveys was to discover any possible buried and hitherto unknown syenite masses favorable for the occurrence of bauxite and to determine the approximate position of the buried flanks of the known syenite masses which might offer conditions favorable for the discovery of new ore bodies.Those surveys indicated that the various syenite outcrops were domes or bosses on a large batholith and that ether similar domes occurred on the batholith but did net outcrop.Drilling on the local geophysical anomalies proved the presence of 10 buried domes, but only 2 of them were found to project above the upper surface of the Midway clays, a requisite of conditions favorable for the occurrence of bauxite ore bodies. The geophysical data indicated the approximate configuration of the buried flanks of the known syenite coutcrops, and the portions of these flanks that project above the Midway have now been outlined more accurately by drilling.The geophysical surveys have produced evidence permitting the elimi¬nation of a large area as unfavorable for the occurrence of bauxite.Magnetic surveys extending along the Midway-Wilcox contact from Gurdon, in Clark County, on the southwest to Searcy, in White County, on the northwest have proved the improbability of the existence of other syenite masses similar to those found in Pulaski and Saline Counties. A detailed magnetic survey of the Magnet Cove area in Hot Spring County has proved that the syenite mass exposed in that locality is an isolated intrusion and entirely unrelated to those of Pulaski and Saline Counties. This syenite mass does not occur under conditions believed to be favorable for the occurrence of bauxite."

Feb 1, 1945

By A. W. Dougall, T. M. Mmola

"SynopsisThe global resources and commodities market has become highly competitive. While southern Africa’s abundance of minerals resources is still unrivalled, it has lost considerable dominance in terms of production output. The sustainability of southern Africa’s mining industry is increasingly becoming dependent on its ability to manage the performance of its operations well. A valuable tool for monitoring and managing performance is the use of key performance areas (KPAs) – which are those areas of performance that are reflected explicitly or implicitly in the vision and strategies of an organization and reflect the critical success factors of the organization. This paper is a review of key performance areas in the southern African mining delivery environment. The KPAs discussed in this paper have been identified by comparing KPAs of the several mining houses engaged in surface mining operations in southern Africa and then extracting those KPAs that are common to most of them. Although the authors support the view that each organization should develop KPAs to specifically fit its needs, the study reveals that five KPAs – safety and health, costs, product quality, fleet management, and delivery should form a default list that covers the key areas that any organization should consider when choosing KPAs. KPIs are those subsets of KPAs that we measure in order to manage KPAs.IntroductionThe global resources and commodities market has become highly competitive. While southern Africa’s abundance of minerals resources is still unrivalled, it has lost considerable dominance in terms of production output. The sustainability of southern Africa’s mining industry is increasingly becoming dependent on its ability to manage the performance of its operations well. A valuable tool for monitoring and managing performance is the use of key performance areas (KPAs), which are ‘those areas of performance that are reflected explicitly or implicitly in the vision and strategies of the organization’ (Barker, 1997). The terms KPA and KPI (key performance indicator) are often used interchangeably – whether correctly or erroneously is debatable. KPIs are ‘quantifiable measurements, agreed to beforehand, that reflect the critical success factors of an organization’ (O’Neill, 2007). Each KPA probably has multiple KPIs associated with it."

Jan 1, 2015

By D. Harrington

Approximately 2,000 persons are killed annually in the coal mines of the United States. There is no question that this number is at least double and probably treble what it should be and by all means the least excusable of the fatalities are those caused by explosions and fires. Fatalities from explo- sions and fires in coal mines are almost invariably caused by carelessness or negligence. Table 1 indicates that the fiscal year ending June 30, 1931, ras by no means a satisfactory one as regaris either the number of explosions or the number of persons killed by them. This tabulation lists all ignitions to which the attention of the personnel of the safety division was called and in- cludes not only major disasters, but also explosions in which fewer than five were killed, as well as several explosions from which no fatalities resulted. It will be noticed that last year there were 26 explosions in mines in 10 States of the United States, resulting in 217 deaths. In the previous year there were 34 explosions with a death list of 199, and in the year before there were 38 explosions with a death list of 139. Hence, the past fiscal year had distinctly a poorer record of fatalities from mine explosions than either of the two previous years. Of the 26 explosions in the past fiscal year, Pennsylvania had 7, West Virginic 4, New Mexico and Ohio 3 each, Alabama, Oklahoma and Washington 2 each, and California, Illinois and Indiana 1 each; the one in California was in a tunnel being driven for water purposes but giving off explosive gas (methane). In fatalities Ohio had the worst record with 38, Oklahoma came next with 45, then Indiane with 38, and Pennsylvania with 23; although Alabama had 2 ignitions and Washington 1, they caused no fatalities. Utch, Colorado, and Kentucky had no explosions reported by the safety division of the Bureau of Mines during the past fiscal year, but were on the list for the previous year, though in the case of Colorado there were no fatalities. On the other hand, Indiana and New Mexico, neither of rhich was charged with an explosion in the two previous years, were on the list for the past fiscal year; New Mexico had the bad record of three explosions, though fortunately with but a total of eight fatalities. Ohio reported 3 explosions to the safety division of the Bureau of Mines in the past fiscal year, 2 in the pre- vious year, and 3 in the year before that, or 8 in the past three fiscal years with 92 fatalities; all of these eight explosions were in open-light mines.

Dec 1, 1931

By Paul C. McWilliams

The U.S. Bureau of Mines has, primarily through its contract program, used large-scale centrifuges to determine design criteria for tailing embankments. The centrifuge runs were made at two installations, the University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England and Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM. The major problems considered were as follows: slope stability of embankments, modeling erosion and seepage, use of the phreatic surface level to ascertain the validity of centrifuge modeling, and the effects of compaction and weathering on a tailings embankment. This report summarizes the results of the four test series conducted at University of Cambridge and Sandia National Laboratories. A review of prior centrifuge applications to mining problems is included. Consideration is given to future centrifuge application to mining problems in both soil and rock mechanics.

Jan 1, 1989

By Alok Garg, Rajeev Kumar Dayal

The Himalayan ranges have complex geological formation induced with locked up tectonic stresses and squeezing ground conditions. High overburden, steep slopes, perennial snow, and forest cover restricts accurate prediction of geological features, resulting in surprises during excavation. The tunnel planning under high altitude, extreme climatic, and unfavorable approachability conditions requires elaborate detailing. The construction technique and working faces for excavation are influenced by site accessibility/high overburden conditions, restricting the provision of access tunnel or shaft. The paper discusses site constraints influencing construction method and working faces for 8.9 km long highway tunnel at elevation 3,000 m under 1,900 mover burden through quartz-mica-schist formation.

Jan 1, 2001

By Derek J. Lennon

Ground conditions in central Glasgow generally comprise loose granular deposits overlying stiffer soils. CFA piling would normally be preferred for urban sites in these ground conditions, but flighting of the superficial deposits has on occasions resulted in building damage. Over the last five years rotary bored piling with vinyl polymer support fluid has proved to be an economic alternative to bentonite slurry. Two case histories in central Glasgow are described in this paper, one for piles founding in granular soils and one for piles founding into bedrock. A comparison is made between the methods required for disposal of the liquid waste from bentonite and vinyl polymer slurries.

Jan 1, 2006

By M. Javier

This concept paper is presented in the hope of raising the awareness of mankind on the necessity for its peaceful coexistence with nature. It is a food for thought. It takes compromise and sacrifice of people, who will have to learn to curb their greed and move toward a more organic form of prosperity. A nature-friendly sustainability is first step toward the protection of nature that is critical to the mutual survival of mankind and nature. People need the resources from the finite earth to survive and nature needs the prevention of human destruction in order to continue to regenerate and provide. The contemporary notion of sustainability is self-serving. It serves the interest of industry by camouflaging itself to look like nature?s protector. The ?sustainability? concept presented in this paper aims to extend the longevity of the utilization of the limited natural resources for many generations to come. It is an important, responsible first step in creating a healthy sustainability concept that, when implemented, extends the longevity of mankind by the most efficient use of the finite resources on this limited Planet Earth, all the while taking into consideration the increase in anthropogenic activities due to exponential human population growth. This new definition of ?sustainability? has completely different characteristics than its contemporary versions. Nature has its own destiny, rules and principles. Being a part of nature, human society depends on it for survival and must play by its rules and never the other way round as in its initial pretensions. Society should not try to humanize nature, but rather to respect the rule of the nature in a peaceful way of co-existence. When implemented, this new concept of sustainability aims to affect the designs of engineered structures and revolutionize the recovery methods and processing of natural resources, such as mineral resources in the most efficient manner. Finally, this paper intends to stimulate critical thinking and initiate serious discussions aiming at producing a general consensus for the best definition for human society to not only enrich, but to extend its existence. Thus, the spirit of this new definition is pro future generations and environment. KEYWORDS: Sustainability Definition, Nature, Geomímic, Deproduction.

Feb 27, 2013

By D. Bienstock

To develop a rugged catalyst capable of withstanding hydraulic attrition resulting from the oil-circulation process for synthesizing liquid fuels, use of an iron catalyst containing an active coating surrounding an inert solid core of metal was investigated. This massive-iron catalyst in the form of steel shot and lathe turnings was activated by partial oxidation with steam at 600° C, impregnated with alkali, and reduced with hydrogen at 450° 6. The massive-iron catalysts were resistant to oxidation and spalling, and a 6-month catalyst life was attained. Higher operating temperatures could be employed than with fused iron oxide catalysts, resulting in greater gasoline yields. Because the lathe turnings pack with void volumes of 70 to 90 percent, it has become possible to employ a fixed bed without the danger of cementation that occurs with fused iron oxides.

Jan 1, 1963

By D. R. Nagaraj

The traditional (popular) approach to reagent development and optimization, which has become entrenched in both research and practice for many decades, is highly reductionistic, incremental and costly, does not produce robust chemical solutions, and is not sustainable. There are also several other key drivers and changes in the mineral industry that clearly warrant a new approach. In response to these, an intense effort was made at Cytec over the past fifteen years to develop a meaningful, efficient, and sustainable approach to develop new reagents and robust chemical solutions in mineral separations. This effort culminated in three important outcomes: a) development of the holistic approach, called FLOTATION MATRIX 100? process, b) novel reagents, and c) enhanced application knowledge for reagents. In this paper, the efficiency, utility and power of the holistic approach will be demonstrated with examples using both existing and new reagents in the processing of Cu-Au, Au and Cu-Mo ores.

Jan 1, 2014

By I. L. Follington

This paper describes the research and development programme to develop a prototype underground auger mining system aimed at developing and demonstrating an underground auger mining system able to provide economic access to thinner (<1.8 m) coal reserves of South Africa. Data concerning the performance of modern coal augers under South African coal mining conditions were gained from a proven surface auger which operated across a range of coal types. These data were analysed and considered in conjunction with historical information regarding previous attempts at building underground augers dating back to the 1950s. Drawing on these data a prototype underground auger mining system, the BryDet BUA 600 underground coal recovery auger, was designed and manufactured by the BryDet Development Corporation in collaboration with Eskom and Cutting Edge Technology Pty Ltd with support from Anglo Coal and the Ingwe Coal Corporation Ltd. The prototype BryDet BUA 600 underground coal recovery auger commenced trials in March 2000 at the Matla Mine near Witbank in South Africa. The initial trials were undertaken in an open cut to facilitate the commissioning and training associated with a prototype mining machine. A total of 30 holes was augered in the box cut before the machine moved underground. The prototype BUA 600 first achieved the target penetration depth of 80 m in its third hole. The prototype BUA 600 is a new underground mining system which has passed early testing with ?flying colours? and could provide access to extensive underground coal reserves unmineable by conventional mining techniques both in South Africa and elsewhere around the world.

Jan 1, 2001

This paper presents the results of a unique study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) from 2016 to 2019 to evaluate the effects of longwall-induced subsurface deformations on shale gas well casing integrity and underground miner safety and health. At both deep and shallow cover instrumentation sites, surface subsidence measurements, subsurface in-place inclinometer measurements, and underground pillar pressure measurements were conducted as longwall panels were mined. Comparisons of the deep and shallow cover test site results with those from a similar study under medium cover reveal an interesting longwall-induced response scenario. Under shallow and medium covers, measured horizontal displacements within the abutment pillar are one order of magnitude higher than those measured under deep cover. Conversely, measured vertical compressions under deep cover are one order of magnitude higher than those under shallow and medium covers. However, FLAC3D simulations of the casings indicate that, in all three cases, the P-110 production casings remain intact under longwall-induced deformations and compressions, which has serious implications for future mine design in areas where shale gas wells have been drilled ahead of mining.

Jan 7, 2020

By Margaret R. Egan

The Bureau of Mines subjected three commercially available brands of transformer fluid to a series of combustion studies. The experiments were conducted in the intermediate-scale fire tunnel, which was designed to simulate environmental conditions in underground mines. The work was divided into three phases. In phase one, the brands were compared for gas production, smoke characteristics, and combustion yields. In phase two, the production constants of transformer fluids and other fuels were compared for the rate of formation of gas and smoke as a function of fire size. In phase three, several diameters of liquid-pool fires were compared in terms of fire size and burning rate. These transformer fluid measurements will be added to the existing coal and wood data that can be used as a basis of comparison for future studies of other mine combustibles. Further research into the combustion product emissions from combustible materials found in underground mines will lead to improved and realistic fire detection and suppression systems,

Jan 1, 1986

By N. F. Sather

Results of comprehensive trace element analyses of samples of Illinois #5 and #6 seam coals and the unquenched ashes obtained from gasification of these coals in a Lurgi reactor are reported and discussed. Areas where additional background information is needed for assessment of the environmental impact of trace element emissions from coal gasification are identified.

Jan 1, 1976

By A. R. Gaba

Phase I of the Canary Wharf development in London&apos;s docklands involves the construction of six fifteen storey buildings located predominantly over water of the West India Docks. The buildings are supported on some 1000 No., 25m long, open ended steel tubular piles driven through 10m of dock water to found in dense sand at a depth of about 15m below dock bed level. The piles are of composite section with reinforced concrete within the upper 17m of the steel tube. Three trial piles were installed in the dock to investigate the driveability and performance of the driven steel tubular piles. The piles were subjected to dynamic and static load testing. Loads were applied in both vertical and horizontal directions. Vibrating wire strain gauges were installed on the inside of the steel piles, on the reinforcement and in the concrete to determine the relative proportions of the applied load carried by the steel tube and concrete infill and to establish how these proportions varied along the length of the piles. Inclinometers were also installed to monitor the lateral deflection of the piles. This paper describes the driving, construction and testing of the three trial piles. The results of the vertical and horizontal loading tests are discussed and comparisons are made between dynamic and static tests carried out on the piles.

Jan 1, 1989

Endless lines at service station gasoline pumps, limited travel at reduced speeds, thermostats set at an uncozy sixty-eight degrees in the dead of winter-these are but a few of the inconveniences and discomforts that awakened Americans to a realization that our domestic minerals resources, traditionally taken for granted, are not boundless. We begin to accept and practice principles of conservation, yet we are aware that this alone cannot appreciably forestall the inevitable depletion of our minerals, metals, and fossil fuels-resources critical to our Nation&apos;s economy. The key to warding off shortages is the development of technology that will insure a continuing, adequate supply of minerals and energy from reliable sources at the lowest possible costs to society and the environment. The mission of the Bureau of Mines is to develop this improved technology. Established in 1910, the Bureau of Mines of the Department of the Interior is the Federal Government&apos;s primary research arm in the minerals and fossil fuels fields. In addition to its research role, the Bureau keeps the Government informed of the Nation&apos;s mineral posture. The Bureau also seeks to stimulate private industry, through the awarding of grants and contracts, to produce minerals and fuels at a rate compatible with the country&apos;s increasing demands.

Jan 1, 1974

The ore, as sent to the sulphide mill, is a mixture, in varying proportions, of oxidized ore from above the 450-ft. level and sulphide ore from above and below (to date mainly from above) that level. The oxidized ore consists essentially of quartz, with varying amounts of kaolin and clayey material which passes into the slime and, in excess, creates a serious problem in settling. Pyrite may be present in small amounts. The gold is free and extremely fine.The ore, classed as sulphide, consists of pyritic material in a quartz gangue. The sulphides have been exposed to weathering, leaching by descending solutions and attack by ascending gases and actual burning. The alteration products occur in widely varying proportions and this variation adds to the difficulties in settling and control of grinding and flotation.Copper Minerals.-Chalcopyrite is the principal copperbearing mineral with smaller and varying amounts of covellite, which is sometimes associated with chalcocite, both these minerals being apparently of secondary origin.Examination of tailing by Dr. Stillwell has revealed all stages between clean chalcopyrite, chalcopyrite tinged with covellite, covellite with residual cores of chalcopyrite and clean covellite.The chalcopyrite is free floating, very few particles of clean chalcopyrite being observed in the tailing from granular flotation. The chief tailing loss is probably as chalcopyrite occurring as small inclusions in pyrite...

Jan 1, 1939

By Leigh Freeman

This article provides an overview for a series of leadership development workshops offered through the SME Young Leaders Program. The first of these workshops, “Accelerated Development Plan,” will be held at the upcoming SME Annual Meeting in St. Louis, MO on Sunday, March 26. How does a foundation of technical competencies relate to the development of social competencies necessary for management and leadership roles in the resource sectors? Technical competencies provide the foundation for a successful career. Social competencies provide the framework on that foundation. Successful leaders will be those who develop competencies in all areas.

Jan 1, 2006