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By J. E. Fraley

This report describes the preliminary results of a Bureau program to develop and test an inexpensive grout for full-column support of roof bolts. Various inorganic grouts were tested in both cartridge and slurry form. Tests were also performed on methods of water packaging and on the effect of fillers on the grout strength. Results showed that some grouts had poor early strength and exceptional mid-to long-term strength. Laboratory tests have shown that rapid-setting inorganic grout could be an economical replacement for resin bolts if the short-term strength could be increased. Further development to improve its early strength would need to be tested in the laboratory and underground to prove its potential for the mining industry.

Jan 1, 1987

By R. B. McElwaine

From November 1943 to April 1944, the Bureau of Mines put down 18 churn-drill holes aggregating 2,571 feet of bore in an investigation of the virtually abandoned zinc deposits of the north-central Arkansas district, principally in Marion, Boone, Searcy, and Newton Counties. The ore of this area occurs in flat-lying sedimentaries of the Mississippian and Ordovician ages. Much of the zinc is in the form of carbonate and silicate, although some sulfide has been produced. Preliminary studies resulted in selection for investigation of the Big Hurricane mine in northwest Searcy County, the Spies mine in northeast Newton County, and the Coon Hollow mine in eastern Boone County The comparatively large production of th.ese properties in the past was a factor in the selection. This report describes the work accomplished in the investigation and presents the data obtained.

Jan 1, 1948

By R. V. Higgins

Tarner (1),3/ Muskat (2), and Schilthuis (1) have presented methods of calculating oil recovery by the expansion of dissolved gas with and without return of gas to the reservoir. Although electronic computers have eliminated the tedious and time-consuming calculations (4) required by each of these methods, many petroleum engineers do not have access to electronic computers. For these engineers a short method is presented that uses the Tarner method as a base. Moreover, for engineers who have access to computers and have not as yet prepared a program, the short Tamer method requires less computer time than the long iterative methods. In the proposed short method, no plotting of the calculated data is required to determine a point of intersection described in the original Tarner presentation, as only one calculation is needed to determine the value sought, or two calculations if greater accuracy is desired.

Jan 1, 1960

By Lotfollah Nahai

India is one of the fortunate countries that has substantial reserves of many raw materials for producing steel; however, for historical and economic reasons these resources have not been aggressively developed until recently. Production of steel on an industrial scale started in 1912, but annual output was below 1 million tons3 in 1938 and about 1,500,000 tons in 1951. Expansion of the steel industry became one of the objectives of India's economic planning after independence in 1947. The Planning Com¬mission's 1951 report emphasized the importance of steel production, but financial obstacles, emphasis on river valley projects, and priority for increased food production in the First 5-Year Plan (1951-56) did not permit large-scale expansion of steel capacity. The 1956 planned target for crude steel, only 1,650,000 tons, was actually exceeded by production of 1,737,900 tons. In the Second 5-Year Plan (1956-61), however, construction of steel plants received a high priority. Currently three new steel plants, each with an annual capacity of approximately 1 million tons of steel, are nearing completion in Rourkela, Dorgapur, and Bhilai. Simultaneously, the two privately owned steel plants and the small State-owned plant in Mysore have been enlarged and modernized. As a result, India's crude steel capacity will be about 6 million tons in 1961, almost evenly divided between Government-owned and privately owned plants. Actual production in 1960 totaled 3,254,000 tons compared with 2,434,000 tons in 1959. Assuming that the population will be 430 million and that capacity production will be achieved, the 1961 per capita steel output will be only 31 pounds compared with 200 pounds for Japan in 1959. Some Indian experts feel that development of steel-consuming industries merits greater emphasis in the Third 5-Year Plan (1961-66) than expanding existing steel-producing facilities. Nonetheless, the Third 5-Year Plan calls for a 10 million ton annual capacity by 1966 to be achieved by expanding the Government-owned plants in Bhilai, Durgapur, and Mysore, and by establishing a new integrated Government plant in Bokaro, in the State of Bihar.

Jan 1, 1961

By C. F. McCarroll

[Laboratory research and, control in the production an. utilization of petroleum and it 3 products have expanded greatly during the past decade, and much of the routine control and experimental equipment now rewires the constant daily use of liquid mercury. In spite of this ;;renter use, very little consideration has been given to the hazard that might be occasioned by the toxic vapors of mercury unavoidably spilled' of otherwise exposed to the atmosphere during the normal procedure of laboratory open at ions. A simple visual examination ).'.' son-,, r° the laboratories reveal the presence of a considerable quantity of mercury in the cracks of floors, on work tables, and on ark, around equipment stands. Usually this mercury is contaminated with oil3/ and dirt so that it remaining in a finely divided state and a ;mall amount pre presents a relatively large surface for evaporation. Since :mercury shows measurable volatility at a temperature v,.^ lo.! 5o F., mercury vapor will be present in, the mercury _3 exposed promiscuously.]

Jan 1, 1939

By Robert L. Lagace

The purpose of the work reported herein was to investigate whether available telephone multiplexing equipment offered a means to rapidly upgrade the traffic-handling capacity of present mine telephone systems and provide for selective calling for safer and more efficient mine operation. Common sense was used to decide whether or not an item could be termed "available." Since conventional telephone gear is not designed to interface pager phones for example, existing shelf items would require adapters to compatibly interface these two types of gear for independent operation over the present single twisted pair used in mines. These and similar small items were allowed, but if a system required any extensive design work to adapt it for the mines, we ruled it "not available."

Jan 1, 1975

By Charles Prasky

This report describes and appraises recent progress in the development of a differential sulfatizing process for recovering a ferrograde manganese oxide from low-grade manganiferous ferruginous materials in the Cuyuna range. Individual process steps were carried out successfully using a 20-inch-diameter shaft for continuous countercurrent sulfatization of the manganese, a multiple-compartment rotary drum for leaching the water-soluble manganese sulfate, a submerged-combustion evaporator for the recovery of monohydrate crystals of manganese sulfate, and a shaft furnace for the thermal decomposition of sulfate crystals for production of a ferrograde manganese oxide and a sulfur dioxide gas suitable for sulfatization of fresh are. Of the two general kinds of Cuyuna manganiferous materials--the carbonate slates and the oxidized ores--only the slates were studied at pilot scale.

Jan 1, 1963

By R. O. Dannenberg

The Bureau of Mines conducted laboratory investigations with the objective of developing an alternative process for recovering cobalt and copper from complex sulfide concentrates. Processes currently used depend largely upon precipitation techniques to remove impurities and recover cobalt from sulfate liquors prepared by oxidative pressure leaching of the sulfide concentrates. The Bureau conducted bench-scale research on a process for treating cobaltite concentrates, comprising (1) oxidative pressure leaching, (2) jarosite precipitation followed by H202 oxidation and pH control to remove iron and arsenic, (3) copper solvent extraction with a mixed hydroxyoxime-amine extractant, (4) copper electrowinning from recirculating acidic strip liquor, (5) selective cobalt extraction from copper solvent extraction raffinate with a phosphinic acid extractant, and (6) electrowinning of cobalt from a recirculating weak acid strip liquor. Overall cobalt and copper recoveries were 91.7 and 84.1 pct, respectively. Electrowon products assayed 99.8 pct Co and 99.89 pct Cu.

Jan 1, 1987

By H. E. Harris

An extensive experimental program was carried out to determine the variability of respirable dust samplers and to determine whether area dust sampling is feasible in coal mines. For sampler variability, it was found under laboratory conditions, that a single dust measurement could be as much as 0.30 mg/M3 from the true value at the 95% confidence level. Under actual underground mining operations, this difference could be as much as 0.52 mg/M3 in the 0 -5.0 mg/M3 range. The results from dust sampling on 175 production shifts involving over 2,500 on-man and area dust samples showed that area sampling is viable, but the field investigation did not establish necessarily where the best area locations were.

Jan 1, 1976

By William A. Beck

Since bauxite mining began in the Irwinton District, Wilkinson County, Ga., in 1912, it has been on a small scale, as most of the deposits of high-grade ore are small. The bauxite has a high silica content, and its use has been largely limited to the chemical industry. Drilling under this project did not disclose any bauxite deposits of commercial value: However, numerous holes penetrated high-alumina clay deposits, but no attempt was made to delimit them, as the project was solely an exploration for bauxite. Bauxite was first discovered near Irwinton in 1907. The district covers virtually all of Wilkinson County and extends into the adjoining counties of Washington, Baldwin, and Twiggs. Mining was begun in 1912 by the Republic Mining & Manufacturing Co. on the Honeycutt, Parker, and Daniel properties, which are 1.5 miles from Wriley on the old Irwinton to Milledgeville Road.

Jan 1, 1949

By Chas. F. Jackson

This paper is one of a series dealing with special mining problems and forming part of a general study of mining, methods and costs being conducted under direction of the Bureau of Mines. A considerable part of the material assembled and discussed in this paper has been gathered from articles on individual mines written by consulting engineers to the bureau who are engaged in active mine operation at the properties described, while other data have been taken from the technical press or gathered from personal observations. OBJECT AND SCOPE OF PAPER C. F. Jackson4 ha[-] pointed out that underground transportation (tramming, haulage, and hoisting) absorbs an appreciable percentage of the total underground cost of most mines, averaging for different methods of mining 12.9 to 28.4 per cent of the total underground cost. In general the percentage of cost accounted for by transportation was shown to be highest for the low-cost mining methods.

Jan 1, 1931

By D. J. MacDonald

The Bureau of Mines has conducted bench-scale investigations leading to the design of an integrated process for producing reactor-grade zir-conium oxide (Zr02) from zircon sand, which avoids the air pollution, water pollution, fire hazard, and odor problems associated with the hexone-thiocyanate process. The integrated process consists of three steps: production of crude zirconyl sulfate solution, solvent extraction, and production of Zr02 from strip liquor. This report describes the solvent extraction step. Multistage, countercurrent liquid-liquid extraction with a tertiary amine in kerosine was used to separate zirconium from a dilute H2S04 solution containing hafnium and other impurities. Process steps de-scribed include extraction from an aqueous feed solution to form a hafnium-contaminated, zirconium-bearing organic-phase solution, scrubbing to separate zirconium from coextracted hafnium, stripping to transfer hafnium-free zirconium into an aqueous strip liquor, chloride-loading to produce a chloride-bearing organic solution, scrubbing with the chloride-loaded organic solution to remove traces of uranium impur-ity from the zirconium-bearing strip liquor, and regeneration to pre-pare the organic solution for reuse. These steps were performed simul-taneously in steady-state, bench-scale experiments. Zirconium recovery of up to 93 pct was achieved. Results of an economic evaluation are included.

Jan 1, 1984

By A. J. Kauffman

This study compiles data on the zircon resources of the Pacific Northwest States, Alaska, and California, to determine the productive capability of industrial concerns to make ductile zirconium and hafnium, and to investigate markets for the nonmetallic products of zircon. West coast zircon resources are large but mostly marginal to submarginal. Development of a stable and profitable zircon mining industry on the west coast will depend upon recovery and utilization of the other associated heavy minerals needed by regional and national markets. The west coast has the only completely integrated facility for processing zircon sand to reactor-grade zirconium and hafnium and for making fabricated products from these metals. The future of the zirconium metal industry appears to be good because of increased use of the metal for nuclear propulsion and power-generating plants.

Jan 1, 1965

By Lewis A. Smith

This circular presents a summary of the domestic chromium industry, and discusses the salient features of the world situation , reflecting the literature of the subject . The United States Bureau of Mines has in its files additional detailed information on many subjects briefly discussed in this paper and desires to assist the industries and the public by giving further data in response to individual inquiries . It will welcome comment and criticism and any contributions that would assist in making future editions of this circular more accurate . Unlike most common metals , chromium is rarely marketed as a pure metal . The chromium industry deals mainly with chromite , the principal ore of chromium , and with ferrochromium , the basic alloy in which chromium enters the metallurgical industry.

Apr 1, 1932

By T. L. Johnston

A review of technical literature of the last quarter century discloses that much experimental work has been carried on in an effort to develop commercial processes for making sponge iron. In addition to the work that has been recorded, other work has been done the results of which have not been published. The degree of success or failure of these investigators does not detract from the fact that the problem has its challenging aspects and practical possibilities that encourage further investigation. The purpose of this report is to record information derived from recent experimental work that .had its 'objective the development and demonstration of one method of producing sponge iron. Work of other investigators was studied and applied wherever possible.

Jan 1, 1948

By Louis A. Panek

Determining the change of stress in rock based on measurements of the deformation of a drill hole is a procedure that is increasing in popularity. A closely related procedure involves the applicat10n of this principle to determine the existing stresses in a rock medium, by cutting free (core drilling) an annulus containing the drill hole. In this Bureau of Mines report, expressions are derived from which one can calculate the stress ellipsoid--the three-dimensional change of stress, or the existing three-dimensional stress field, as the case may be. Study of these equations shows that the stress components in three dimensions can be determined by measurements in only two drill holes, and yields general principles that are useful in planning an efficient program of drilling and measurement. Procedures are given for calculating the least squares estimates of the stress components and their standard errors, and for evaluating or comparing calculated values by means of standard statistical inferences.

Jan 1, 1966

By J. E. Schiller

The Bureau of Mines is investigating methods to treat waste water that contains cyanide. This report describes a new method that removes heavy metals and all forms of cyanide. In the first step, hydrogen peroxide and sodium thiosulfate are added at pH 7 to 9 in a 1:2 molar ratio to convert free and weakly complexed cyanide to nontoxic thiocyanate. Then steryldimethylbenzylammonium chloride is added to precipitate ferro-cyanide, and finally, ferric sulfate is added as a sweep floc and sequestrant for heavy metals. After the suspended solids settle, the water is polished by filtering. The water initially contained 1 to 5 mg/L Fe, 1 to 5 mg/L Cu, and 10 to 30 mg/L total cyanide; the level of each of these constituents was reduced to less than 0.02 mg/L.

Jan 1, 1983

By Carl W. Kelley

PRODUCTION in the United States of carbon black has increased from 20 million pounds per year in 1920 to over 2 billion pounds in 1964 valued at $156 million, mostly for consumption by the rubber-tire industry, which uses over 90 percent of total production. Production of over 2 billion pounds in 1964 is a 7.8-percent increase over 1963 and is the first time furnace black production has topped 2 billion pounds. Although 1964 channel black production dropped 6 percent below 1963, carbon black produced by the furnace process, which ac-counted for 92 percent of total production, increased 9 percent to 2,053 million pounds. Total shipments during 1964 amounted to 2,245 mil-lion pounds, a 7 percent increase. This growth parallels the expansion of the automotive and petroleum industries. Along with this expansion have been many advances, both in methods of manufacture and in the quality and variety of blacks available to industry. There are several kinds of carbon black, thermal, channel, furnace, lamp, and oil blacks. Until recently, channel has been the important black in rubber compounding. Following the introduction of the synthetic GR-S, and more recently of "cold rubber," it has been found that certain furnace blacks with particle size larger than that of the standard channel black give superior reinforcement. A great advantage of furnace black is that its yield per unit of gas feedstock is higher than that of channel black. The 184-million-pound increase in domestic carbon black sales was partially offset by a 37-million-pound decrease in exports. Decrease in exports especially to Europe, is expected to continue. In Europe, as in the United States, the major end use for carbon black is in the manufacture of automobile and truck tires. Although the number of automobiles in Europe is predicted to grow by about 7.5 percent per year, compounded until 1975, the increased demand will be met by a 20 percent increase in existing capacity and by the new plants being built in Europe by U.S. companies. Also) aromatic oils for producing furnace blacks are plentiful now that western Europe's chemical industry is switching to a petroleum base.

Jan 1, 1965

By Ruth F. Brinkley

This report is the 16th of a series of reports originally issued annually and more recently biennially to acquaint the reader with the work of the Explosives and Physical Sciences Division, Region VIII.3/ In the majority of instances the results of the investigations are made available to the public through Government publications and journal articles. In certain instances (specifically as regards security-classified research, investigations of a confidential nature, and short-range programs of very limited scope) results are reported only to those immediately concerned.

Jan 1, 1957

By Ernest A. Curth

A 3-month study in 1971 of the Essen Roof Support and Rock Mechanics Research Center's program of roof and support evaluation included 25 mine trips. German miners must adopt mining methods and environmental control measures involving methane drainage and water infusion to improve productivity under severe natural conditions. Pressing problems in ground control must be solved such as cavities in front and above the supports at longwall faces and excessive convergence in gate roads. The Center developed automatic data processing methods to quantify the results of roof and support surveys and to establish criteria. Another approach to ground control is the study of mine models. The Center's laboratory has the facilities to test elements of powered roof support and whole assembled units. Face automation and roof control by powered shields are novel developments that are under close scrutiny in the field as well as in the laboratory. Though the Essen Center's roof and support evaluation techniques are tailored to the needs of the coal mining industry of the Federal Republic of Germany under conditions vastly different from those in the United States, some application may be found here, for instance, monitoring faces and roadways and preventive maintenance of hydraulic systems.

Jan 1, 1974