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By P. J. G. du Toit

Coal has been mined by hydraulic means in various countries, i.e., the hydraulic excavation as well as the hydraulic transportation of coal has been practiced. The hydraulic breaking (excavating) of the coal dealt with in this report is done with a monitor directing a continuous jet of water against the coal, pressures of the water fed to the monitor range from 1500 to 2500 psi at 1000 to 2100 gallons per minute Transportation of the coal from the face is by fluming if a gradient exists in excess of 2 or, when a favorable gradient does not exist, the coal is pumped from the face by various types of pumps which can also provide a means of hoisting the coal to a higher elevation as required. This report presents: 1.) preliminary design and systems specifications of a demonstration miner (referred to in this report as a hydrominer), 2.) mining configurations showing good promise for typical U.S. thick coal seams in three seam pitch categories, (0° - 7° = Flat, 8° - 250 = Moderately pitching, 26° - 90° = Steeply pitching), along with cost and performance analyses for each system, 3.) a definition of a test program that will provide sufficient engineering data for the design of a water jet cutting head adequate to cut coal in those typical U.S. thick coal seams The cost analysis data showed hydraulic methods to be economically competitive with present thick seam raining methods. It was also obvious from studies of thick seam methods that the hydromonitor coal breaking techniques are more effective in removing most of the coal with its long reach of 60 ft. (or more), is a safer mining system, and produces very low coal-dust content in the air (usually less than 0.25 to 0.5 mg/cubic meter). It is recommended that the USBM sponsor a full fledged continuation of the hydraulic mining program: (a) lab, test, (b) preliminary field test, (c) full scale mine section demonstration.

Jan 1, 1977

By J. Koster

[In 1178 thn S-00n of thr !~Viluralcal Divicion, pur--'11 cf Mines, bcran an o. 't iv in': n-t!Y_Vnn of vothod; for recoverin'-1, Achol, copp~r, nK precioun notnin Zycn o;. -z of tic Bunkcrvillo KOH& in Clark County, Tcv. Tho Bunkcrvillo ran arc of t,-j)(,e of -iincrilization similar to that of 02 SWbury, Ontario, CannO, nichvl dc-?o?-:.t,. At prcoont, only n anall tonnes? p of ore has loan cxDr)scd in t*ic' :hui:er7ilIp rc: inn, ann. there is decided nce! for orjn: izod OrospectiAg ina drvclo-nnnt "crk there. It wann believod, howevar, t4it the dc,cuits varo 3ilficUntly siSnIficant to warrant an investigation iito their]

Jan 1, 1939

By R. E. Heithecker

In Kansas, almost every oil well drilled into a limestone formation is treated with hydrochloric (muriatic) acid upon completion. This is done to increase the potential capacity of the well and thereby increase its "daily allowable" production (see p. 9), to shorten the time required to produce the recoverable oil, and to increase the quantity of oil recovered ultimately from the reservoir. The porosity and. permeability of limestone formations seldom are uniform throughout the proved area, consequently the production capacities of completed wells vary considerably. Acid treatment of wells tends to increase production capacity and to equalize potential capacity. If offset wells already have been treated with acid, new wells usually are treated to protect the property on which they are drilled against drainage. Even though competitive conditions do not exist in a field, it

Jan 1, 1939

By James Westfield

Drilling for roof bolting has created a new dust problem for the coal-mining industry. Drilling is inherently dusty, and control of dust produced by drilling vertical or nearly vertical holes is much more difficult than control of that produced by drilling flat or down holes.4/ Also, the dust produced by roof drilling differs in composition from that produced by drill-fur, or cutting the coal face because it contains a significantly greater amount of free silica and therefore presents a greater potential hazard of silicosis. Roof bolting has been practiced successfully in the mines of the St. Joseph Lead Co. in southeastern Missouri for over 20 years, but it was not until 1947 and 1948 that large-scale roof-bolting experiments were conducted in coal mines.5/ Although the need for dust control in conjunction with roof drilling was recognized from the beginning, the development and acceptance of roof bolting progressed so rapidly during 1949 and 1950 that solution of the dust problem lagged behind other engineering phases of the technique.

Jan 1, 1951

The STATE MINERAL SUMMARIES publication provides estimated data and summaries of mineral activities at the State level for 1989. Most of the estimates are based on nine months data. These summaries have been prepared in cooperation with State geological surveys or related agencies. Individual State summaries are published separately as State Mineral Industry Surveys and copies can be obtained from the appropriate State Activities field office.

Jan 1, 1990

By Mary L. Pearson

Ibis report summarizes the results of the contract. Included are summaries of existing legislation pertaining to outcrop barriers and a state-of-the-art survey of outcrop barrier designs and related, mine closure techniques. Six sites were inspected in the field and are presented as case histories The data analysis presented includes a computer modeled seepage analysis, an overburden blew-out analysis, and a wedge stability analysis. The results tit these analyses are interpreted to form recommendations for coal outcrop barriers which will minimize seepage and the potential for failure. Supplementary support and reinforcement alternatives are also discussed.

Jan 1, 1981

By R. E. Hershey

1. Reserves were estimated for three coal beds: Lantana, Sewanee, and Richland. 2. Known measured and indicated reserves for all beds, based on a minimum thickness of 14 inches and on 1,800 tons per acre-foot of coal in place, are estimated at 34 million short tons as of Januray 1, 1954. Of this total, 15 million short tons represents coal 28 inches and more thick. Areas in the beds were omitted from the estimate because available data relative to the bed characteristics were insufficient to permit making an estimate conforming with the definitions of measured and indicated coal adopted for this study. Should future drilling or development prove reserves in these areas, such reserves should be added to the total estimated reserves determined by this investigation.

Jan 1, 1956

The Bureau of Mines is active in programs pertaining to solid waste disposal and land reclamation. Nine reclamation projects of mining companies and six projects of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania were investigated to provide information on the procedures, costs, and results obtained from reclamation projects of bituminous coal-waste disposal areas. Refuse disposal costs of mining companies ranged from 9 to 28 cents per ton-mile, and quantities disposed of ranged from 600 to 4,500 tons per day. Spreading and compacting the refuse at the dump site ranged from 3 to 20 cents per ton. Cost of covering with soil and planting ranged from $750 to $1,646 per acre. Total costs of reclamation for the Pennsylvania projects ranged from about $1,800 to more than $15,000 per acre. Refuse preparation costs ranged from $772 to $5,550 per acre. Soil covering and planting costs ranged from $1,083 to $5,086 per acre. The best results were obtained by soil preparation and conditioning prior to planting. The type and depth of soil and effect of climate were also factors.

Jan 1, 1973

By C. T. Baroch

The purpose of this report is to describe the design features and techniques used in operating a plant capable of producing about 1,500 pounds of titanium metal per day. The process used was based on the reduction of titanium tetrachloride with magnesium, a modification of what is generally known and spoken of as the Kroll process. Sponge metal crushed to melter's specifications was the end product of the operation as conducted. The report is divided into sections covering general plant layout and the major unit operations. These, in turn, are each divided into discussions of the equipment, operating procedures, and typical results. Descriptions are given in more detail than is generally expected of a technical report. During 1953 and 1954 over 130 engineers and businessmen, officially representing some 80 industrial, chemical, end engineering firms, visited the operating plant, and their questions, which indicated a serious interest in details, have served as a guide for the material contained in this report.

Jan 1, 1955

By E. P. Youngman

This paper is one of a series of digests of foreign mining legislation and court decisions that is being prepared in advance of a general report relative to the right of American citizens to explore for minerals and to own and operate mines in various foreign countries. This interpretation of the mining laws of British Honduras has been prepared from the best available information in Washington and is released subject to amplification or correction, if necessary, by United States foreign-service officers. INTRODUCTION The mining law governing all mineral substances other than oil is ordinance No. 7 of 1927 (Minerals Ordinance, 1927), passed by the Legislative Council on March 25, 1927. The accompanying regulations, No. 3 of 1932 (General Minerals Regulations, 1932), made under the authority of section 66 of the minerals ordinance, were made by the Governor in Council on December 23, 1931.

Jan 1, 1934

A prototype EM Location System was fabricated and tested at the Geneva Mine near Dragerton, Utah. This system consisted of six manpack transmitters and six manpack receivers covering the frequency band from 900 Hz to 2900 Hz as well as a six channel receiver designed for use, in a helicopter. Tests showed that EM signals from lightweight (3/4 lb) transmitters could be detected both on the surface and from a helicopter through as much as 4450 ft of relatively high conductivity (2 X 10- 2 mhos/m) overburden. Furthermore, the resulting field strength profiles could be used to determine source location to within 150 ft of the actual surveyed location in the mine. Modifications were made to a Monitoring, Locating and Communications System being tested at the Bruceton Mine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. These modifications have improved the performance and quality of the paging and voice telephony mode of the system. Subsurface receiver modifications have improved reception of voice downlink signals.

Jan 1, 1973

By Daniel G. DiCanio

This report describes a computer-based model for estimating the tangible costs of injuries and deaths from work-related accidents in underground coal mines. The study undertook to identify and quantify the elements of accident costs, including field visits to coal mines, insurance carriers, and public agencies. The mathematical models developed for each tangible element of accident cost are presented in Volume I of the report. A listing of the computer programs which comprise the model and instructions for using the programs are presented in Volume II. Statistical distributions of mining family characteristics, data on 95 miners killed in underground accidents, and other basic data used to develop the model are presented in Volume III. Application of the model to a data base of 9,286 accidents which occured in underground bituminous coal mines during 1974 yielded a total of $56,900,000 in tangible costs to industry, mining families, and public agencies. Loss of income to the families of miners injured or killed in these accidents accounted for 47 percent of the total.

Jan 1, 1976

By D. A. Paice

A portable calibrator to check tie trip setting of dc circuit breakers within an accuracy of +5% has been developed for the Bureau of Mines. It operates from a 300 volt dc trolley wire to provide controlled current pulses of 120 milliseconds duration and continuously adjustable from 1400 to 3600 A. These current pulses enable a breaker dc trip current to be determined and subject the contacts to full current rating. The equipment is simple to use and weighs 86 pounds. Connections are made with protected, clamp-on leads which are separately connected and weigh about 22 pounds. An accurate calibration procedure takes less than 5 minutes to complete.

Jan 1, 1978

Research 82 highlights significant studies conducted during the past fiscal year at Bureau facilities and offices. Readers who want more information about the projects and studies summarized here can contact the researchers whose names and locations appear with each summary. General information on Bureau of Mines programs is available from the Office of Technical Information, 2401 E Street, NW., Washington, D.C. 20241. A listing of principal officials, a location map of field facilities, and a selected bibliography of publications and patents issued on Bureau developments during the past 3 years are provided.

Jan 1, 1982

By W. B. Berwald

[Accurate ~cusirc::ie t of euusu.rface r,resw rus £Uld tee:: ?er:~t:,res in producin+ oil and as wells is one of tine ast iy,ulortant steps ever t,.s:en to place the rprwctice of retroleum ,-iroduction on an exact scientific basis. i'reerures and teial.or-tures in a -petrolcuia r4:, rvoir. have a rn..r..ed influence over the o:wvement of oil and ~c s both within the. reservoir and t~:rou,=Ii the various-size "flow otrin;;u" of proLucin,; wells to tine surface. Knovrled: ?c of theso fc,.ctgrs form a Laois for cny attei:ant to [.,-~ly eciantific j:cthods to the solution or analysio of mc.nj proble;ae encountered in the production of oil and 1c_c, Without a.ccur:tc mcaaurx,ients of reosures r:.nd tcn::paratuxes within the rocervoit and -well 'flo-,r strinL:s" tae aI,licution of w.ny proved enbinecrin and scientific princiy-,loo is on %,]

Jan 1, 1935

By McHenry Mosier

The object of this investigation is to determine the field for the use of detachable bits in metal mines of the United States by correlating the data developed through the experience of mines using these bits. Most of the metal-mining districts in the Middle Western and Eastern States already have been visited. The purpose of the present circular is to define the problem and to discuss the factors that must be considered in order to determine, under different operating conditions, the advantages and disadvantages of this type of bit. Some of the data obtained to date are presented to emphasize points made in the discussion. It is hoped that, as the study progresses, a great many data on drilling will become available. It is evident that since in some cases these data will be confidential they cannot, therefore, be published except as they may be included in average figures covering several different mines. Some data already secured are of this nature, Although considerable information on drilling operations has been gathered at different mines, there were only a few instances in which there were available complete data on all the factors entering into the total cost of drilling with detachable bits and with conventional bits on regular drill steel.

Jan 1, 1936

By Daniel G. DiCanio

This report describes a computer-based model for estimating the tangible costs of injuries and deaths from work-related accidents in underground coal mines. The study undertook to identify and quantify the elements of accident costs, including field visits to coal mines, insurance carriers, and public agencies. The mathematical models developed for each tangible element of accident cost are presented in Volume I -of the report. A listing of the computer programs which comprise the model and instructions for using the programs are presented in Volume II. Statistical distributions of mining family characteristics, data on 95 miners killed in underground accidents, and other basic data used to develop the model are presented in Volume III. Application of the model to a data base of 9,286 accidents which occured in underground bituminous coal mines during 1974 yielded a total of $56,900,000 in tangible costs to industry, mining families, and public agencies. Loss of income to the families of miners injured or killed in these accidents accounted for 47 percent of the total.

Jan 1, 1976

By Jr. Denton

This U.S. Bureau of Mines report presents the documentation for HEAPREC, a methodology for calculating reclamation performance bonds for cyanide heap leach operations. HEAPREC is a template developed for use with Lotus 1-2-33 release 2.01 or newer software. The report is presented in step-by-step "user's manual" format. Appendices contain detailed background and reference material on performance bonding, cyanide detoxification regulation, cyanide detoxification methods, general mine reclamation procedures, and an example bond calculation.

Jan 1, 1992

By E. Don Dilling, W. F. Holbrook, Lloyd R. Michels, James W. Pennington, Dwight L. Harris, Wm. F. Hergert, Cyrus L. Blogett, H. A. Doerner, Ernest A. Reige

"IntroductionA process for production of magnesium by carbothermal reduction was developed at Padentheirm, Austria, by the Austro Americanische Magnesit Corporation& an independent investigation of this and other processes was started in 1937 by the Bureau of Mines at Pullman, Wash., with the cooperation of Washington State College. 10/ A preliminary study of the Radentheirm pro¬cess, as revealed by the meager information then available, demonstrated the following two major disadvantages,The use of hydrogen for shock cooling requires an enormous volume of gas - about 1,000 cubic feet for condensing each pound of metal as a pyrophoric dust which must be completely separated from this gas. Then if the gas is to be recycled for repeated use, the CO produced by the reduction reaction must be separated from the hydrogen. These separations are costly from the standpoint of equipment and operation. 11/The condensate is an impure, pyrophoric metal powder that must be purified and converted to coherent form. This is accomplished by distillation or sublimation of the metal. Distillation on a large scale involves difficulties inherent in the high boiling point (1,107° C.) and the chemical activity of the metal. To avoid these difficulties, the metal is sublimed at 600° C. and of very low pressure. This is quite easily carried out as a batch operation but is a costly procedure. A continuous sublimation process has not been accompli shed."

May 1, 1945

By R. F. Zaffarano

Intergrated energy balances and energy flows were constructed and quantified for State, regional, and national levels from four separate supply and demand commodity balances for coal, dry natural gas, petroleum and natural gas liquids, and utility electricity. These commodity balances were integrated by source and sectors through conversion and aggregation of their components to energy equivalents expressed in British thermal units (Btu). A summarization of the total gross energy components of supply and demand for commercial energy derived from direct fuels, hydropower and nuclear power, based on individual States and regions, is tabulated for 1960 and 1965. Pertinent computerization details and more than 500 individual State and regional printout tables, in both original commodity units and Btu's, are shown. Using these data, energy flows between States and regions were calculated to identify surplus and deficit energy areas. Report emphasis is on the conceptual aspects of integrated energy balances, rather than on the development of missing State energy data.

Jan 1, 1969