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By Terry J. Close

The Anaconda Pintlar Wilderness has a significant mineral resource potential. Five deposits have resources totaling about 180,300 tons (163,600 t) containing silver, copper, lead, gold, and zinc. Another 11, not sufficiently exposed to allow resource estimates, may have additional mineral potential. No placer deposits are indicated. There is little potential for the production of sand, gravel, or stone; alternate sources are closer to markets. No oil, gas, uranium, or geothermal energy sources are known to be present.

Jan 1, 1982

By William P. Diamond

In this U.S. Bureau of Mines study, production trends have been analyzed for 82 gob gas ventholes on 7 longwall panels in the Lower Kittanning Coalbed, Pennsylvania. Cumulative production from individual holes was found to vary considerably, ranging from 0.03 x 106 to 10.1 x 106 m3. Peak production rates were generally about 0.03 x 106 to 0.06 x 106 m3/d, but rates over 0.10 x 106 m3/d were observed. The variability of gas production from individual holes can be attributed to' several factors, including completion practices and problems, the extent of fracture development in the strata above the extracted panel, water production, and location on the panel. Of particular significance is hole location. Holes on the ends of the panels, where overburden strata are in tension because of the support of the surrounding pillars, were generally the highest and longest producers. This observation led to the experimental placement of gob gas ventholes in the zone of tension along the margin of a panel, instead of in the traditional centerline location, which is in compression. Analysis of 7 months of gas production data indicates that the experimental near-margin holes produced 77 pct more gas than did centerline holes on the same panel.

Jan 1, 2010

By T. Estelle Gardner

Heat-capacity measurements were made over the range 8° to 350° K on beryllium sulfate dihydrate and beryllium sulfate tetrahydrate using an adiabatic calorimeter. No anomalies were noted in the curve for either compound. Smooth values of heat capacity, entropy, enthalpy function, and free-energy function were calculated from the heat-capacity data at 10° K intervals and at 273.15° and 298.15° K. The entropy values calculated at 298.15° K were 39.01 ± 0.12 entropy units (eu) for the dihydrate and 55.68 ± 0.17 eu for the tetrahydrate.

Jan 1, 1967

By Charles Findlay, Stephen Krickovic, J. E. Carpetta

As one of its projects for degasification of major panels of coal prior to mining within them, the Bureau of Mines conducted methane emission studies during development of a set of three headings 1,800 feet in a major coal panel (2,700 by 3,500 feet) which had been completely isolated by sets of main headings for 12 months in the Federal No. 2 mine (Pittsburgh coalbed) in northern West Virginia. Similar emission studies were conducted in the development of two sets of main headings in virgin coal areas nearby. Comparing the two sets of data indicated that the isolated coal panel had been degasified by approximately 70 percent.

Jan 1, 1973

By Geo S. Rice

"Three men lost their lives in the Black Diamond Coal Mine near Seattle, Wash., recently while wearing oxygen breathing apparatus. The press dispatches stated that these men lost their lives while practicing with the apparatus. Later reports stated that the men died while attempting to make a trip 1200 feet down a 25 degree slope which was filled with black damp, in order to measure the amount of water that had accumulated at the bottom of the mine, and the trip was attempted with oxygen in the tanks of the apparatus with dials indicating only 45 minutes supply. The oxygen in the tank was used up and the men therefore lost their lives from a deficiency of air to breathe.In spite of all the education and training done by the Government to prevent accidents, men are prone occasionally to take unnecessary chances. Every piece of apparatus, no matter how perfect, has its limitations. The Government, through the agency of the Bureau of Mines, has trained many thousands of miners in the use of mine rescue apparatus. The training has been given to all miners who requested it, and the Bureau has gone to the extreme of urging miners to join the rescue and first-aid classes. In spite of all the efforts of the Government, men occasionally attempt the impossible."

Jul 1, 1920

By Ernest E. Fairbanks

[Microscopic methods have proved to be valuable assets in the study of low-grade ores. While the chemical assay u a ally discloses tine total content of valuable metals in such an ore, a thorough knowledge of the nature of the ore should form the from which to prepare an efficient means of recovery. In the treatment of low-grade ores, inefficient recovery, as indicated bay the amount of valuable mineral permitted to go to waste in the tailings, is too frequently the rule rather than the exception, As methods of recovery become more efficient, many low-grade 10 mineral A posits suddenly assume o commercial significance, In much of this material the minerals are so finely disseminated and intermixed that identification even by microscopic methods is a difficult matter. The application of microchemical qualitative analysis with the aid of new device described in this paper, will solve many of the problems of identification encountered in the study of low-grade potential ores. In these ores, especially, the limitations of ordinary microscopic methods are liable to become very great. The microchemical tests obtained by applying a standard set of reagents to a polished knoting whether or not a tarnishing action develops, have considerable value but arc far from being infallible. It is well-known that electrolytic effects are apt to affect seriously the diagnostic value of the tests, end this effect is encountered much more frequently in dealing with finely desseminated minerals. resort to microchemical qualitative analysis, therefore, becomes indispensable.]

Jan 1, 1924

By R. O. Dannenberg

This Bureau of Mines report describes the results of research to develop a process for recovering additional beryllium from a commercial mill waste product, fluoferrate leach residue. Forty-five percent of the total beryllium in the leach residue was recovered in a beryllia product assaying over 98 pct Be0 by a process comprising (1) leaching with 1 N sulfuric acid, (2) adjusting the acidity of the leach liquor to pH 2, (3) extracting the beryllium with di-2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid (EHPA), (4) stripping the loaded extract with sodium hydroxide solution, (5) boiling the sodium beryllate strip solution to precipitate beryllium hydroxide, and (6) calcining the beryllium hydroxide. Calculated reagent requirements per pound of Be° recovered by a proposed flowsheet were 28.1 lb sulfuric acid, 0.04 lb flocculent, 0.15 lb EHPA, 0.06 lb isodecanol (IDA), 0.22 gal kerosine, and 6.3 lb sodium hydroxide.

Jan 1, 1966

By M. A. Lucas

The Bureau of Mines has developed a computerized mathematical model to predict the distribution of accessory elements throughout a metallurgical process. The model can be used to determine process conditions that effect better accessory element control consistent with continued high primary metal recovery. The model presented is specific for determining the bismuth distribution in lead smelting but can be adapted to most extractive metallurgical processes. Thermodynamic, kinetic, and process parameters form the base for the model. Its logic and structure are described in detail.

Jan 1, 1983

Low-cost housing, like automobiles, should be appraised in the light not merely of first cost but of upkeep as well. Even more important than the number of miles the family car will go on a gallon of gasoline is the number of days the family home can be kept comfortable on a ton of fuel. A furnace tender who tossed every third shovelful of coal into the ashcan would lose his job promptly, but the effect is the same when homes continue year after year to pour out precious heat through uninsulated roofs and walls, Greater economy in household heating means even more to the national economy than to the individual, especially now that we are preparing for defense. Our fuel resources, although large, should be conserved. If less fuel is used for civilian needs, augmented requirements for defense can be met without unduly increasing the number of men needed at the coal mines and oil ells or adding new producing units that might complicate ultimate readjustment to peacetime conditions when the emergency is past and over-expansion of many industries brings new problems if unnecessary demands for transportation facilities are reduced, public carriers will be able to haul more munitions, and manpower needed for national defense will be released; and by protecting workers from health hazards in their homes additional man-hours of productive effort will be gained. Moreover, reducing the running expenses of houses by proper heat insulation helps home owners to maintain payments on property, and by minimizing foreclosures helps to stabilize the financial structure of the country. In short, here is a situation where the interests of the individual and the Nation are identical and the greatest good for the greatest number is obtained without sacrifice to anyone.

Jan 1, 1941

By Irving Hartmann

[The explosability of coal dusts has been the subject of many investigations studies have been conducted in laboratories, in galleries and in coal faire; of several countries to obtain information on the causes, development, and prevention of mine explosions. Early laboratory experiments on it American colas dealt with pressures developed in test bomb by explosions of dust clouds and with, the effects of gas in the dust atmosphere.5/ Later, the emphasis shafted to evaluation of the relative fleet flammability and the ignition temperatures of coal dusts.6/ Much worthwhile effort was devoted to the development of Laboratory apparatus and test procedures that gave good correlation with large-scale explosion tests in the Experimental cost mine. In recent years a number of special problems were studied, mostly with bituminous Pittsburgh coal dust]

Jan 1, 1954

By Welton J. Wenger

Apparatus for the analytical distillation of crude oils under an artificial pressure of 760 mm. of mercury has been designed and constructed. This apparatus enables laboratories at high altitudes to make Bureau of Mines routine analyses of crude oils with results similar to those obtained by laboratories at sea level. This is especially important for laboratories in the Rocky Mountain region, where barometric pressures of approximately 600 mm of mercury are encountered. During the past 30 years, the ?Bureau of Mines has made several thousand analyses of crude oils from various parts of the United States and from foreign countries. The first part (stage 1) of the distillation for the analysis is made at atmospheric pressure, and as most petroleum laboratories are near sea level, comparable results are obtained ordinarily. However, the increased use of the method by .laboratories at high altitudes has caused difficulty, as the analyses cannot be accurately compared with analyses from laboratories at sea level. For instance, laboratories at 7,200 feet generally report 2 to' 4 percent (based upon the crude oil) more gasoline than sea level laboratories. The use of the pressurized apparatus developed by the writers makes it possible for these high-altitude laboratories to duplicate analyses made at sea level.

Jan 1, 1949

By N. S. Dalal, V. Castranova, K. Van Dyke, V. Vallyathan

"IntroductionInhalation of crystalline silica is often associated with the development of pulmonary disease (Ziskind et al., 1976). Recently, it has been proposed that freshly sheared silica .may have surface properties that make it more reactive with lung tissue than aged silica, and that this unique reactivity ·of freshly crushed silica enhances its pathogenicity. A recent study in our laboratory strongly supports this theory (Vallyathan, et al., 1988a; 1988b). We found that grinding of silica cleaves bonds in a silica tetrahedral lattice generating reactive free radicals sites on the surface of the silica particles. The presence of surface radicals on freshly ground silica was monitored by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The ESR signal generated from fresh silica in air is characteristic of Si-0 and Si radicals. Evidence, i.e., the ESR signal after the addition of a spin trap (DMPO) and its sensitivity to ethanol, indicates that these silicon-based surface radicals can react with water to form hydroxyl radicals (OH). Results also indicate that these surface radicals make fresh silica more cytotoxic than aged silica; i.e., fresh silica causes more membrane damage as evidenced by hemolysis and lipid peroxidation. Therefore, the presence of reactive sites on the surface of freshly cleaved silica may play a significant role in its pathogenicity.If surface· free radicals are related to cytotoxicity, then screening dusts for the existence of such radicals may predict their relative pathogenicity. Since an ESR spectrometer is not available to many laboratories, the objective of this study was to develop a quick and simple technique to monitor the existence of reactive surface sites on dust. The technique chosen was the measurement of chemiluminescence using a liquid scintillation counter; i.e., an instrument which·would be accessible to most investigators."

Jan 1, 1989

By W. A. Calhoun

The purpose of this investigation was to develop a procedure for removing excess iron from representative samples of bauxite ore from the Quapaw deposit of American Cyanamid Co., Saline County, Ark., in order to produce a beneficiated ore suitable for use in the alum industry, At the request of the sponsoring company, the samples were reduction-roasted at 800° C. and then magnetically separated. Although some rejection of iron was effected under these conditions, the general results were not satisfactory, A much more successful procedure, from the standpoints of both rejection of iron and recovery of alumina, consisted of a short (l5-minute), low-temperature (400° C.) oxidizing roast, followed by a 2-minute interval in a hydrogen atmosphere, then cooling to room temperature, and, finally, high-intensity magnetic separation to remove the iron.

Jan 1, 1957

By Thomas M. Barczak

This Bureau of Mines report investigates shield mechanics by describing the elastic response and interaction of shield components to applied vertical and horizontal displacements for various canopy and base contact configurations. This research provides information on generalized shield mechanics, which is applicable in describing the behavior of all two-leg shield supports. Utilizing mechanics of materials concepts and known kinematic relationships for two-leg shield supports, free-body diagrams are constructed for each shield component illustrating internal axial, shear, and bending moment responses required to maintain equilibrium for each load case evaluated. Predicted shield (component) responses are verified by controlled displacement of instrumented longwall shields in the Bureau's mine roof simulator (MRS). Conclusions drawn from these analyses include shield structural responses are significantly dependent upon canopy and base contact configurations. Applied displacements also significantly affect shield responses. Horizontal displacement produces different responses than those produced by vertical displacements. The direction of horizontal displacement is also significant in evaluating shield response. Applications of shield mechanics to in situ support monitoring are also discussed. An objective of this research program is to establish unique shield responses to identify in situ load conditions.

Jan 1, 1989

By R. P. Maloney

The economic viability of four depleted mines near Kennicott, Alaska, was determined by the Bureau of Mines to assess their profitability if they were developed today and thus estimate cost data for a medium-sized mine, mill, and town complex. This information should help the State and Federal Governments appraise the potential development of similar-sized mining operations in Alaska. Modern conventional mining and milling techniques were assumed, and I capital and operating costs were derived using flowsheets and standard costing methods. A total capital investment of $37.6 million was necessary to install a 1,000-ton-per-day shrinkage stope mine, flotation-type mill, and support facilities; capital requirements were divided about evenly among the three components. Operating costs, including labor, supplies, power, water, and ' indirect and fixed costs, totaled $42.79 per ton of ore; the mining accounted for nearly one-half the cost. To obtain a 12-percent discounted cash flow rate of return on investment, the analysis showed that the ore could be mined and milled, and the concentrate could be trucked via public roads to a dock facility in Valdez, Alaska, barged to Tacoma, Wash., and smelted and refined for 34.7 cents per pound for copper and 104.0 cents per ounce for silver. The average May 1972 price was 52.6 cents for copper and 158.3 cents for silver. The same set of data was used to examine the economic viability of the mine with the cost of constructing a private road from McCarthy, Alaska, To Valdez, Alaska. The 148-mile road added $53.3 million to the original capital costs and raised the required price of copper to 57.4 cents per pound and the required price of silver to 172.0 cents per ounce. The additional coat of building, maintaining, and paying taxes on a private road from McCarthy, Alaska, to Valdez, Alaska, would make this venture uneconomical.

Jan 1, 1973

By A. C. Richardson

The mine of the Porter Coal Co. is located at the town of Porter in the northwestern part of Jefferson County, Ala., about 20 miles west of Birmingham. The operations in this mine are confined to the middle and bottom benches of the Mary Lee bed. The coal from the Porter mine is handpicked and washed before being placed on the market. The handpicked lump coal and the washed egg and nut coal are sold chiefly as domestic and steam-raising fuel. The coal finer than 1 inch is washed in 2-compartment jigs and utilized in the manufacture of metallurgical coke. The coal company has found that, when coal ranging in size from 1 to 0 inch is washed in jigs, a considerable amount of high-ash material finer than 3/16 inch remains in the washed coal. This paper gives the results of an investigation which was conducted for the purpose of determining the washing characteristics of the through 3/16-inch raw coal and the extent to which the ash might be reduced by means of coal-washing tables. This investigation has been made in connection with an extensive study of the coal-washing problems now being conducted by the United States Bureau of Mines and the University of Alabama, with the cooperation of the coal-mining companies of the State.

Jan 1, 1933

By F. P. Miknis

Previous studies at the Bureau of Mines have shown that broad-line nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques have potential applications for rapid evaluation of oil-shale deposits. In a continuation of this study the techniques of pulsed NMR have been applied in a similar manner. The basis for the pulsed NMR oil-shale assay method lies in the assumption that the free induction decay (FID) amplitude following a 90° pulse is proportional to the potential oil yield. This assumption was tested on two groups of oil-shale samples, numbering 141 and 263 samples, from two different oil-shale cores. For both groups of samples a small number were selected as calibration samples. Free induction decay amplitude measurements were made on the 141 and 263 samples. The best least-squares regression line was obtained for the calibration samples, and the oil yields of the remaining samples were calculated using the slopes and intercepts obtained in the regression analyses. The agreement between measured and calculated oil yields was good, the indexes of determination being 0.93 and 0.89 for the groups of 141 and 263 samples, respectively.

Jan 1, 1974

By Robert J. Evans

Reclamation costs were estimated for 20 coal surface mining operations in the Appalachian and Midwestern Coal Supply Districts (these two districts were divided into three multi-State regions). The cost data were obtained through onsite observations, interviews with mining company personnel, and the authors' cost estimating procedures. The cost data are presented in terms of dollars per acre, dollars per ton of coal produced, and dollars per cubic yard of overburden moved during backfilling. The reclamation process is divided-into three cost categories: Premining planning, backfilling, and revegetation. The average total reclamation costs for the three regions are $2.77 per ton of coal produced and $8,168 per acre. As the result of comparisons of reclamation costs by region, by mining method, by slope, and by size of operation, the most important reclamation cost difference is between area mining methods ($1.73 per ton) and contour mining methods ($3.81 per ton). The Federal Bureau of Mines conducted this study to determine as accurately as possible the actual costs involved with the reclamation of coal surface mined land done in conjunction with active mining operations.

Jan 1, 1975

By W. E. Miller, W. P. Yant, G. W. Jones, R. E. Kennedy

"The determinations of the limits of inflamability of diethyl ether and ethylene in air described in this report were made primarily for comparison with similar determination of other compounds in the same apparatus and by the same laboratory technic. The experimental procedure and the results obtained differ somewhat from those of other investigations. The work also included determinations of the limits of inflamability of these combustibles in oxygen The investigation,was conducted at the Pittsburgh Experiment Station of the United States Bureau of Mines in cooperation with Merck & Co., Inc. LIMITS OF IMFLAMIABILITY OF DIETHYL ETHER-AIR MIXTURESThe limits of inflamability if diethyl ether in air were determined for upward propagation of flame in an upright, closed 8-liter, cylindrical iron bomb 10.2 cm in inside diameter and 96.5 cm in length. This bomb been described in a previous publication. 6Two brands of diethyl ether were used, one a C. P. sulphuric ether manufactured by Baker & Adamson, and,the other Merck & Co. product manufactured for anaesthesia and containing about 3.5 percent of ether alcohol."

Jul 1, 1935

By Louis A. Turnbull, JOSEPH J. SHIELDS

The Bell & Zoller Coal & Mining Co. recently completed construction of two slopes at Mine 3 near Zeigler , Ill . The slopes are in the Big Muddy River Valley , and construction was particularly difficult because the strata from the surface to a depth of 70 feet comprise water saturated sandy clay and sand . Many mining companies have similar shaft- and slope - sinking problems , and because these slopes were satisfactorily completed and now are in use the methods followed during construction are described in this information circular . It is believed that other companies with similar problems . will benefit by adopting the methods followed at Mine 3 .

Apr 1, 1949