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By C. P. Haller, S. J. Aresco

"INTRODUCTION The Bureau of Mines has been active in promoting the purchase of coal for Government use under specifications that define the requirements in terms of heat¬ing value of the coal, expressed in British thermal units, and the composition as shown by proximate analyses. To these, when required, are added the fusing temperature of ash and the free-swelling index. Under most of these specification contracts the bidders guarantee the quality of the coal, and that guaranteed by the successful bidder becomes the standard of his contract. The deliveries are sampled in accordance with instructions./ issued by the Bureau; the samples are analyzed in the Bureau's laboratory to determine whether the coal is of the quality guaranteed by the contractor and, if it is not, a price adjustment is made.Analyses of the delivered coal and ""tipple"" samples (samples collected at mine tipples as coal is being loaded into railroad cars or trucks) provide valuable data for use in evaluating future bids. Moreover, the continuous sampling of coal as delivered is a check on the practical results obtained in burning the coal.The Government purchased approximately 5-1/2 million tons of coal in fiscal year 1951. In connection with these purchases, the Bureau analyzed 10,700 samples. These are published for the use of Government officials and the public. A series of publications s been completed on coal analyses by States, or, where production is small in any State, by groups of adjacent States. In addition to analytical data showing composition and quality of coals of the States, the publications contain brief descriptions of the geological structure of the coal basins, typical mining conditions in the various districts, the principal economic data of the industry, and the relationship of mine or channel samples to delivered and tipple samples. The present publication covers many States but deals only with the analytical data of the coals.The technical papers published by States, with their numbers are: Alabama, 347; Alaska, 682; Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon, 696; Arkansas, 416; Colorado, 574; Illinois, 641; Indiana, 417; Iowa, 269 and 706; Kansas, 455; Kentucky, 308 and 652; Maryland, 465; Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Texas, 700; Missouri, 366; Montana, 529; New Mexico, 569; Ohio, 344 (and Bulletin 499); Oklahoma, 411; Pennsylvania Bituminous, 590 (Supplement, 645); Pennsylvania Anthracitic, 659; Tennessee, 356 and 671; Utah, 345; Virginia, 365 and 656; Washington, 491 (Supple¬ment, 618); West Virginia, 405 and 626; and Wyoming, 484."

Feb 1, 1953

By Allan F. Smith

The influence of hydraulic fluids on spontaneous heating in bituminous coals is determined by measurement of the temperature increases produced in coal-fluid mixtures heated to a temperature sufficient for the initiation of self-heating. Similar tests on as-received coal samples and water-coal mixtures are compared with the results obtained for the various hydraulic fluids. Three of the four coals were sampled from coalbeds known to have a history of spontaneous heating. The data provide a basis for predicting the possible effects in gob or carbonaceous refuse of coal mines.

Jan 1, 1963

By C. B. Kenahan

The Bureau of Mines is developing methods for reclaiming the metal and mineral values contained in municipal incinerator residues. This report describes the first phase of the research, in which reliable methods for sampling and analyzing municipal residues were established and the composition and characteristics of the residues were determined. Samples were obtained from a variety of grate-type furnaces and also from a rotary kiln furnace. The samples were processed on a batch basis and separated into their natural categories by a variety of methods including screening, magnetic separation, air separation techniques, and handpicking. The main components of the residues were determined to be metal and metal oxides, glass, and ash.

Jan 1, 1968

By S. E. Burton

The White Rock area of the Boiling Springs manganese-iron deposits comprises about 3,200 acres of land in Monroe Township, Cumberland County, Pa. (See fig. 1.) This property was brought to the: attention of the Bureau of Mines by Pennsylvania Geological Survey Bulletin 128, entitled "Manganese Ores of Pennsylvania" by R. M. Foose. It was examined by an engineer of the Bureau of Mines in August 1942 and was further investigated by the Bureau by churn drilling and underground development during the period December 1942 to February 1944. Beneficiation tests were made on samples of the ore. This report describes the work done during the investigation and presents the results obtained.

Jan 1, 1949

By G. W. Jones

The results presented in this report deal with the elimination of explosion hazards of ether-oxygen mixtures by the addition of helium. The method is based upon the fact that every combustible gas, vapor, or dust will not burn or explode when the oxygen content of the mixture is reduced below certain definite values. These critical oxygen values are usually different for each combustible, varying with the percentage of the combustible present in the mixture and also with the inert gaseous material used to reduce the oxygen content of the mixture.

Jan 1, 1941

By G. W. Jones

The results presented in this report deal with the elimination of explosion hazards of ether-oxygen mixtures by the addition of helium. The method is based upon the fact that every combustible gas, vapor, or dust will not burn or explode when the oxygen content of the mixture is reduced below certain definite values. These critical oxygen values are usually different for each combustible, varying with the percentage of the combustible present in the mixture and also with the inert gaseous material used to reduce the oxygen content of the mixture.

Jan 1, 1941

By M. D. Balen

The U. S. Bureau of Mines has undertaken the development of mineral industry cost escalation factors to enable the estimation of mineral development and extraction costs for mineralized sites in Alaska throught the use of the Bureau's Cost Estimating System v2.0 (CES 2.0). For the purposes of this document, all calculations are based on, and reflect the economic environment in Alaska in July 1992. The greater cost of mining in Alaska as compared to the contiguous-48 States can be estimated for Alaskan mining operations through (1 ) the analysis of capital and operating costs for analogous mine and mill plants in operation in the contiguous-48 States; (2) the hypothetical relocation of mine and mill plants from their actual location(s) to Alaska by making engineering modifications to the mine and mill plant design as required by the Alaskan site characteristics; (3) calculation of the cost of the required engineering modifications and; (4) the escalation of all costs to a level representative of the economic environment in Alaska at some specific point in time.

Jan 1, 2011

By Foster Fraas

One of the lithium minerals most widespread in the earth's surface is spodumene (Li2O-A1203-4Si02) a lithium aluminium silicate. For some time, deposits of this mineral were known to exist in the Black Rills of South Dakota, but it was only quite recently that Hess4/ pointed out the great magnitude of the low-grade e deposits it s in North Carolina. The theoretical lithia (Li20) content of spodumene is 8.04 percent. The only other minerals with such high lithia content are the phosphates, but these occur only in pockets and are not in extensive deposits5/. Actually, however, the lithia content in spodumene is never found to be this high, being nearly always below 7 percent for the pure mineral, and part of the lithia is apparently replaced by other alkalies.

Jan 1, 1937

By L. Hoogenboom

Under contract (H0232044) to the U.S. Bureau of Mines, Mechanical Technology Incorporated made an experimental investigation of the feasibility of measuring the load in roof bolts using a magnetostrictive sensor. The program was aimed at developing an inexpensive, moderately accurate, load-sensing element suitable for permanent installation and use underground. A combination of a cylindrical load-carrying sleeve under the bolt head and 3 removable circular multipole inductive sensor around the sleeve was tested. Program tasks included: design and fabrication of several sensors; design and manufacture of a large number of experimental sleeves; definition of electronic instrumentation specifications; design and manufacture of electronic sensor readout; and evaluation and testing of many sensor-sleeve combinations. Sleeves of different materials, various lengths, diameters and areas - with and without various nickel coatings -were combined with several experimental inductive sensors that were operated over a wide range of carrier frequencies.

Jan 1, 1974

By C. R. Kuzell

This paper, describing the concentrator practice of the United Verde Copper Co., is one of a series being prepared by the Bureau of HISTORY The United Verde concentrator was constructed in accordance with recommendations based on certain novel reasons which were quite different from those usually justifying the expenditure of such an amount. Concentrator operations started in March, 1927, although the metallurgical staff had considered for several years the eventual addition of a concentrator department.

Jan 1, 1930

By David J. Kusler

A gravimetric method for the determination of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, methane, and oxygen in blast furnace top gas is described. Nitrogen may be determined directly by volume measurement or by difference. The method is direct, permits continuous as sampling, and provides an averaged analysis over a selected range of sampling intervals from 1/2 to 24 hr or more. Neither expensive equipment nor specialized personnel are required. The method is suitable for routine analysis, and the results compare favorably with those obtained by established methods.

Jan 1, 1963

By Richard Lusignea

A single boom roof bolting machine was outfitted with measurement and recording systems for detecting changes in machine parameters while drilling. The purpose of this instrumented bolter or "smart drill" is to detect changes in roof conditions from the machine parameters of penetration rate, thrust, rotation rate, torque, rejected light from rock cuttings, and vibration of the roof during drilling. The system was demonstrated underground in coal mine conditions and showed correlation between rock type and drilling parameters.

Jan 1, 1982

By Earl F. Hastings

The Pilgrim mine, operated by the Pioneer Gold Mining Co., is 9-1/2 miles west of Chloride in the Pilgrim mining district on the eastern slope of the Black Mountains, or River Range, Mohave County, Ariz. In March 1937, 100 tons of gold ore per day were being mined and milled at the property by a total force of 5i men. Climatic conditions allow year-round operations. Due to present activity in the county there is an ample supply of labor for the requirements of the mine. The Pilgrim is the only producing property within s radius of 6 miles; recently, however, the South Pilgrim Mining Co. has launched a development campaign on claims that adjoin the Pioneer Co. property to the south.

Jan 1, 1937

By A. G. Loomis

Although secondary-recovery methods have not been applied widely in California, it is apparent that increasing attention and effort must be given to this phase of recovery if the State is to maintain its high rank as a petroleum producer. Steadily increasing demands for petroleum products and decreasing rates of discovery of new oil fields and rapid depletion of existing reserves emphasize the prospect of an adverse situation of supply and demand in the not-far-distant future. If the trend of discoveries becomes more favorable or if more complete economic recovery of the oil in place can be obtained by secondary recovery, this situation can be averted. Not only are these reserves of economic importance to the petroleum industry to meet increasing market demands, but economic reclamation of such reserves is an important conservation measure, which will prolong the productive life of many fields" Accordingly, progressive operators in California are alert to the possibilities of secondary recovery and have done much to implement such operations wherever feasible. Most of the operations are of the pressure-maintenance type} in which the reservoir pressure is maintained or partly maintained by injecting natural gas to increase oil recovery. The possibilities of recovering additional oil from stripper fields by gas drive and water flooding (including water disposal) also are being tested in experimental field projects. Table 1 summarizes gas and water-injection projects in California.

Jan 1, 1952

By L. H. Banning

Recent dry-top electric smelting tests at the Northwest Electrodevelopment Experiment Station, Albany, Oreg., indicate that a high-titanium slag and a good grade of pig iron can be produced from alluvial Idaho ilmenite. A total of 120 tons of concentrates were smelted during this investigation, to yield an average of 0.5 ton of slag and 0.3 ton of pig iron per ton of ilmenite. Power consumption averaged 1,400 kv.-hr. per ton of ilmenite, at a feed rate of 400 to 500 pounds per hour, when operating at an electrical energy input of 290 to 370 kilowatts. The optimum operating voltage appeared to be 110 volts, phase-to-phase. Graphite electrode consumption averaged 15.6 pounds per ton of ilmenite smelted. Magnesite furnace refractory withstood the corrosive action of the hot metal and slag better than carbon refractory.

Jan 1, 1955

By W. H. Strickland, R. H. King

Ultrasonic ranging sensors are inexpensive, have no moving parts, have no lenses to clean, are normally small and unobtrusive, and can measure distances through moderate amounts of dust, smoke, and humidity, so they are well suited to underground mines. In the work reported here, conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Mines, researchers tested ultrasonic ranging sensors for their abiity to define rib line features for computer-aided navigation of underground mine mobile equipment. The investigation began with laboratory tests of field of view, angle of incidence, intersensor variation, and ranging accuracy of the individual rangers in a ring array produced by Denning Robotics of Wilmington, MA. The results showed that the sensors have good accuracy and low variability. Additional experiments at AMAX's Henderson Mine showed the sensors could accurately and reliably measure the distance to mine features, including convex and concave corners and rib intersections. The results showed that when used properly, the ranger data are accurate enough for reliable mine vehicle navigation When used incorrectly, ultrasonic rangers do not provide the anticipated data. Therefore, this report explains the principles of ultrasonic range measurement, describes the ranger's strengths and weaknesses, and explains proper ranger use and data analysis.

Jan 1, 1993

By C. Hellar

A new dual-boom remotely controlled roof bolter was designed, fabricated, and then tested in an underground coal mine. Remote-control functions allowed complete bolting cycles to be performed on two booms with both operators located within protective cabs. Capabilities included 3-to 6-foot-long bolts in 5-to 8-foot seams, limited to bolts 20 inches shorter than seam height. Machine was in compliance with all regulations including dust collection, machine lighting, and permissibility.

Jan 1, 1979

By M. M. Wong

The Bureau of Mines, under a cooperative research program with four lead companies, has investigated a nonsmelting process for the production of lead metal. The process, which would eliminate sulfur dioxide generation and minimize particulate lead emissions, involves ferric chloride leaching of galena concentrate to produce lead chloride, followed by molten-salt electrolysis of the lead chloride to yield lead metal and chlorine. This chlorine is used to regenerate ferric chloride in the leaching solution. The process was tested in an experimental unit with a capacity of 500 lb of lead metal per day. The tests were performed in three 10-day and six 5-day campaigns, during a period spanning 28 mo. The study was carried out using a southeastern Missouri lead concentrate. Typical lead recovery was about 98 pct. Process problems related to impurity buildup and control were studied. When copper and silver impurities were removed from the leaching solution, a lead metal purity of 99.999 pct was obtained. Lead-in-air levels and lead-in-blood levels of operating personnel were monitored. The process has potential for producing lead with minimum pollution, but is not ready for commercial utilization. Operation of a prototype commercial electrolytic cell and a full-scale pilot-plant investigation by industry are needed to evaluate the commercial viability of the process.

Jan 1, 1983

By P. B. Ritter

The feasibility of redesigning and adapting the all- secondary-explosive, low-voltage, electric safe detonator for use as a delay detonator has been demonstrated. Experimental results have shown that operational characteristics can be adjusted to allow direct competition of safe delay detonators with commercial delay blasting caps. Five different experimental delay period models have been developed and tested. Test results are given and results are evaluated. Subsequent simplified and improved designs for practical and economical mass production are described. Design concepts to meet Bureau of Mines voltage withstand, incendivity, and spark sensitivity requirements are included. Recommendations are made for experimental procedures to ready the safe delay detonator for mass production and extensive use in mining and other industries.

Jan 1, 1977

By Foster Fraas

One of the lithium minerals most widespread in the earth's surface is spodumene (Li20-A1203-4Si02), a lithium aluminium silicate. For some time, deposits of this mineral were known to exist in the Black Hills of South Dakota, but it was only quite recently that Hess4/ pointed out the great magnitude of the low-grade deposits in forth Carolina. The theoretical lithia (Li20) content of spodumene is 9.04 percent. The only other minerals with such high lithia content are the phosphates, but these occur only in pockets and are not in extensive deposits5/. Actually, however, the lithia content in spodumene is never found to be this high, being nearly always below 7 percent for the pure mineral, and part of the lithia is apparently replaced by other alkalies.

Jan 1, 1937